Floor tile with drainage guide and installation method

Abstract

To improve drainage property of a floor tile with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A floor tile 1A with a drainage guiding tool includes a floor tile 2A, and a drainage guiding tool 3A. The floor tile 2A is composed of an inorganic material, and a top surface 21A is hydrophilic. The drainage guiding tool 3A is composed of at least one of a metallic material and a resin material, and is mounted on the floor tile 2A. The drainage guiding tool 3A has a plate-like base part 31a which is brought into contact with a part of a side face 21b of the floor tile 2A and covers it. The base part 31a reaches the edge at the top surface 21a side of the floor tile 2A in the side face 21b of the floor tile 2A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a floor tile with a drainage guide attached thereto, and to a method for installing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, in rooftop balconies and verandas of relatively large buildings, such as those of large commercial facilities, large floor tiles have been laid on the floors to create a flat floor surface.

[0003] The surfaces of floor tiles installed outdoors are frequently wetted by rainfall or water sprinkling. For this reason, floor tiles are treated to have a hydrophilic surface so that they are less slippery even when wet. However, hydrophilic floor tiles tend to form puddles on their surfaces due to the surface tension of water, which can cause pedestrians to get wet when walking on the floor tiles, or the puddles can freeze and make the surface slippery, causing pedestrians to fall.

[0004] In order to prevent puddles from forming on the surface of floor tiles, for example, the floor tiles disclosed in JP 2016-102033 A (Patent Document 1) have a coating made of a hydrophilic substance formed on the sides thereof, thereby improving the drainage properties of the floor tiles. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-102033 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires special processing of the floor tiles themselves, which increases the manufacturing costs of the floor tiles. Also, it is not necessarily easy to apply a coating made of a hydrophilic substance to the side surfaces of floor tiles that have already been installed, making this technology difficult to apply to floor tiles that have already been installed.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the drainage properties of floor tiles with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A floor tile with a drain guide device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a floor tile and a drain guide device. The floor tile is made of an inorganic material and has a hydrophilic top surface. The drain guide device is made of at least one of a metal material and a resin material and is attached to the floor tile. The drain guide device has a plate-shaped base that contacts and covers a portion of the side surface of the floor tile. The base reaches the edge of the side surface of the floor tile that is on the top surface side of the floor tile.

[0009] In the floor tile with drain guide device based on the first aspect of the present invention, the drain guide device may further have a plate-shaped top surface side protrusion that protrudes from the end of the base that is on the top surface side of the floor tile toward the floor tile, and in that case, the top surface side protrusion may contact and cover a part of the top surface of the floor tile.

[0010] In the floor tile with drain guide device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the base may reach the edge of the side surface of the floor tile on the bottom side of the floor tile. In this case, the drain guide device may further have a plate-shaped bottom protrusion that protrudes from the end of the base on the bottom side of the floor tile toward the floor tile, and the bottom protrusion may contact and cover a part of the bottom surface of the floor tile. Furthermore, in this case, the floor tile may be sandwiched between the top protrusion and the bottom protrusion, thereby engaging the drain guide device with the floor tile.

[0011] A floor tile with a drain guide according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a first floor tile, a second floor tile, and a drain guide. The first and second floor tiles are made of an inorganic material, are arranged adjacent to each other, and have hydrophilic top surfaces. The drain guide is made of at least one of a metal material and a resin material and is arranged between the first and second floor tiles. The drain guide has a plate-shaped first base that contacts and covers a portion of the side surface of the first floor tile, and a leaf spring that protrudes from the first base toward the second floor tile. The leaf spring abuts against the side surface of the second floor tile in an elastically deformed state, thereby attaching the drain guide to the first and second floor tiles. The first base reaches the edge of the side surface of the first floor tile that faces the top surface of the first floor tile.

[0012] In the floor tile with drain guide device based on the second aspect of the present invention, the drain guide device may further have a plate-shaped first top surface side protrusion that protrudes from the end of the first base portion on the top surface side of the first floor tile toward the first floor tile, and in that case, the first top surface side protrusion may contact and cover a portion of the top surface of the first floor tile.

[0013] In the floor tile with drain guide device based on the second aspect of the present invention, the drain guide device may further have a plate-shaped second base that contacts and covers a portion of the side surface of the second floor tile, and in that case, the plate spring portion may be connected to the second base at an end of the plate spring portion opposite to the first base side.

[0014] In the floor tile with drain guide device based on the second aspect of the present invention, the drain guide device may further have a plate-shaped second top surface side protrusion that protrudes from the end of the second base portion on the top surface side of the second floor tile toward the second floor tile, and in that case, the second top surface side protrusion may contact and cover a portion of the top surface of the second floor tile.

[0015] The method for installing floor tiles with drain guides according to the present invention comprises the following steps. (a) A process for preparing floor tiles made of inorganic material and having a hydrophilic top surface. (b) A step of preparing a drain guide device made of at least one of a metal material and a resin material and having a plate-shaped base. (c) A step in which the drain guide device is attached to the floor tile so that the base contacts and covers a portion of the side surface of the floor tile and the base reaches the edge of the side surface of the floor tile on the top surface side of the floor tile. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, the drainage performance of floor tiles can be improved with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of a floor tile with a drain guide according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the floor tile with drain guide shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the floor tile with drain guide shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a method for installing a floor tile with a drain guide according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the floor tile with drain guide shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a floor tile with a drain guide according to a first modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a floor tile with a drainage guide according to a second modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a floor tile with a drainage guide according to a third modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a floor tile with drainage guides according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a floor tile with a drain guide according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a floor tile with a drain guide according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a floor tile with drainage guides according to a fifth modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a floor tile with a drain guide according to a fifth modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a floor tile with a drain guide according to a fifth modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a floor tile with a drainage guide according to a sixth modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a floor tile with a drain guide according to a sixth modified example. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a floor tile with a drain guide according to a sixth modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a floor tile with a drainage guide according to a seventh modified example. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a floor tile with a drain guide according to a seventh modified example. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a floor tile with drainage guides according to an eighth modified example. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a floor tile with a drainage guide according to an eighth modified example. [Figure 22] 1 is a table showing the results of a verification test. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same or common parts are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0019] (Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a plan view of a floor tile with a drainage guide according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the floor tile with a drainage guide shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1. First, a floor tile with a drainage guide 1A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.

[0020] 1 to 3, a floor tile 1A with drainage guide devices according to this embodiment includes a first floor tile 21, which is one of a plurality of floor tiles 2A laid out in an array on the floor surface of a rooftop balcony or veranda of a relatively large building, such as a large commercial facility, and eight drainage guide devices 3A configured to be attached to the first floor tile 21 to improve the drainage of the first floor tile 21. Here, joints 40 are formed in a grid pattern between the first floor tile 21 and the adjacent floor tiles 2A, and water that falls or is sprinkled on the first floor tile 21 is guided along the joints 40 into a drain.

[0021] The floor tile 2A has a plate-like shape that is approximately rectangular in plan view, and includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and four side surfaces connecting them. The planar shape of the floor tile 2A is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape, and may be, for example, a polygonal shape, a substantially circular shape, a substantially elliptical shape, or the like. The floor tile 2A is typically 600 mm square and 20 mm thick, but the size of the floor tile 2A is not particularly limited to this and can be changed as appropriate depending on the construction conditions, etc.

[0022] The floor tiles 2A are preferably made of an inorganic material, such as a porcelain material or a stoneware material. In this embodiment, the floor tiles 2A are made of a porcelain material. The floor tiles 2A are also surface-treated to make their top surfaces hydrophilic, which makes the top surfaces of the floor tiles 2A less slippery.

[0023] In the floor tile with drain guide devices 1A, eight drain guide devices 3A are attached to the above-mentioned first floor tile 21. Specifically, two drain guide devices 3A are arranged on each of the four side surfaces of the first floor tile 21.

[0024] 1, of the multiple floor tiles 2A arranged adjacent to the first floor tile 21, the one located to the right of the first floor tile 21 in a plan view will be referred to as the second floor tile 22. Furthermore, of the four side surfaces of the first floor tile 21, the one facing the second floor tile 22 will be referred to as the first side surface 21b, and of the four side surfaces of the second floor tile 22, the one facing the first floor tile 21 will be referred to as the second side surface 22b.

[0025] In addition, in the following explanation, as shown in Figure 1, of the two drainage guide devices 3A arranged on the first side surface 21b, the configuration and effect of the drainage guide device 31 that is located relatively lower when viewed in a plane will be described, but the configuration described for this drainage guide device 31 also applies to the other drainage guide devices 3A.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the drainage guide device 31 has a plate-shaped first base 31a that contacts and covers a portion of the first side surface 21b of the first floor tile 21, and a plate spring portion 31b that protrudes from the first base 31a toward the second floor tile 22.

[0027] The upper end of the first base 31a reaches the edge of the first side surface 21b on the first top surface 21a side of the first floor tile 21, and the lower end of the first base 31a reaches the edge of the first side surface 21b on the first bottom surface 21c side of the first floor tile 21.

[0028] The drainage guide device 31 further has a plate-shaped first top surface side protrusion 31c that protrudes from the end of the first base 31a on the first top surface 21a side toward the first floor tile 21 side, and the first top surface side protrusion 31c contacts and covers a portion of the first top surface 21a.

[0029] The drainage guide device 31 is, for example, 20 mm in height, 20 mm in width, and 0.8 mm in thickness, but the size of the drainage guide device 31 is not particularly limited to this and can be changed as appropriate depending on the size of the floor tile 2A, construction conditions, etc.

[0030] The material of the drain guide 31 is not particularly limited as long as it is made of at least one of a metal material and a resin material, and for example, stainless steel, ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM rubber), etc. By configuring it in this way, it is possible to make it difficult for puddles to form on the surface of the first floor tile 21, which will be described in detail later.

[0031] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1, showing a method for installing a floor tile with a drainage guide according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state before the drainage guide is attached to the floor tile. Next, a method for installing a floor tile with a drainage guide 1A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4.

[0032] 4, when attaching the drain guide device 31 to the first floor tile 21, the first floor tile 21 made of an inorganic material and having a hydrophilic top surface and the adjacent floor tile 2A are laid out in advance. At this time, the above-mentioned joint portion 40 is formed between the first floor tile 21 and the adjacent floor tile 2A.

[0033] In this state, first, a drainage guide made of at least either a metal material or a resin material and having a plate-shaped first base portion 31a, a plate spring portion 31b, and a plate-shaped first top surface side protrusion portion 31c is prepared, and the drainage guide 31 is positioned and placed at a predetermined position above the first floor tile 21. Next, the drainage guide 31 is moved toward the first floor tile 21 (i.e., toward the direction of arrow AR1 in FIG. 4) so ​​that the first base portion 31a and the plate spring portion 31b of the drainage guide 31 are inserted into the joint portion 40 between the first side surface 21b of the first floor tile 21 and the second side surface 22b of the second floor tile 22.

[0034] 3, the drainage guide device 31 moved in this manner comes into contact with the second side surface 22b with the leaf spring portion 31b elastically deformed, and as a result, the drainage guide device 31 is disposed between and attached to the first floor tile 21 and the second floor tile 22. The drainage guide device 31 attached in this manner has its first base portion 31a in contact with and covers a part of the first side surface 21b of the first floor tile 21, and the first base portion 31a reaches the edge of the first side surface 21b on the first top surface 21a side of the first floor tile 21.

[0035] Figure 5 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Figure 2. Next, with reference to Figure 5 and the above-mentioned Figure 2, the drainage effect of the floor tile with drain guide 1A according to this embodiment will be described, and a consideration will be given as to why the floor tile with drain guide 1A provides the drainage effect.

[0036] As described above, the first floor tile 21 installed outdoors may have its first top surface 21a wetted by rain or water sprinkling. In this case, the first top surface 21a is subjected to a surface tension γ SL Therefore, in order to improve the drainage effect on the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21 (i.e., the surface tension γ SLIn order to reduce the contact angle θ of water on the first top surface 21a, it is important to reduce the contact angle θ.

[0037] (Formula 1) γ SL =γ S -γ L cosθ Here, "γ SL " indicates the surface tension acting on the interface between a solid and a liquid, and "γ S " indicates the surface tension acting on the interface between a solid and a gas, and "γ L " indicates the surface tension acting on the interface between a liquid and a gas, and "θ" indicates the contact angle.

[0038] Here, as shown in Figure 2, in the floor tile 1A with drainage guide device of this embodiment, as described above, the drainage guide device 31 has a plate-shaped first base 31a that contacts and covers a portion of the first side surface 21b of the first floor tile 21, and the first base 31a reaches the edge of the first side surface 21b of the first floor tile 21 on the first top surface 21a side of the first floor tile 21, and the drainage guide device 31 further has a plate-shaped first top surface side protrusion 31c that protrudes from the end of the first base 31a on the first top surface 21a side of the first floor tile 21 toward the first floor tile 21, and the first top surface side protrusion 31c contacts and covers a portion of the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21.

[0039] By configuring it in this manner, the first top surface side protrusion 31c of the drainage guide device 31 is positioned on the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21, and when the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21 is wet, not only is there an interface between the water and the first floor tile 21 at the position on the first top surface 21a side of the first floor tile 21, but there is also an interface between the water and the drainage guide device 31.

[0040] As described above, the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21 is hydrophilic, and the contact angle θ of the first floor tile 21 with water at a position on the first top surface 21a side of the first floor tile 21 is approximately 20° or more and 40° or less. On the other hand, since the drain guide device 31 is made of at least one of a metal material and a resin material as described above, it is estimated that the contact angle θ of the drain guide device 31 with water at a position on the first top surface 21a side of the first floor tile 21 will be approximately less than 20°.

[0041] Therefore, by using the floor tile 1A with drainage guide according to this embodiment, when the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21 gets wet, the interface between the water and the drainage guide 31, where the contact angle θ with respect to the water is small, is located at a position on the first top surface 21a side of the first floor tile 21. Therefore, compared to when the drainage guide 31 is not attached to the first floor tile 21, the surface tension γ SL Therefore, this configuration significantly improves the drainage effect, and as a result, it is possible to make it difficult for water to pool.

[0042] Here, as described above, the first floor tile 21 is made of an inorganic material, and therefore, as shown in Fig. 5, fine irregularities are formed on the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21. Therefore, a gap 50 that connects to each other is located between the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21 and the first top surface side protrusion 31c of the drainage guide device 31 that covers the first top surface 21a. Similarly, a gap 50 that connects to each other is located between the first side surface 21b of the first floor tile 21 and the first base portion 31a of the drainage guide device 31 that covers the first side surface 21b.

[0043] Therefore, some of the water that comes into contact with the first top surface protrusion 31c covering the first top surface 21a flows down the gap 50 located between the first top surface 21a and the first top surface protrusion 31c, reaches the edge of the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21, and further flows down the gap 50 located between the first side surface 21b and the first base 31a. In addition, another part of the water that comes into contact with the first top surface protrusion 31c covering the first top surface 21a flows down the side surface of the first top surface protrusion 31c of the drainage guide 31 and the side surface of the first base 31a.

[0044] As described above, since the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21 is hydrophilic, water that accumulates on the first top surface 21a spreads out relatively easily. Therefore, even water that accumulates in a position on the first top surface 21a far from the first top surface protrusion 31c of the drain guide 31 spreads out and gradually comes into contact with the first top surface protrusion 31c that covers the first top surface 21a. Therefore, by adopting the above configuration, it is possible to effectively prevent water from remaining on the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21.

[0045] As described above, by using a floor tile 1A with a drainage guide device according to this embodiment, it is possible to significantly improve the drainage properties of the floor tile 2A with a simple configuration of attaching a drainage guide device 3A to the side of the floor tile 2A.

[0046] The effect of improving drainage in the floor tile with drain guide device 1A described above has been confirmed by a verification test described later.

[0047] Furthermore, in the case of the floor tile 1A with drain guide according to this embodiment, it is possible to improve drainage by attaching the drain guide 3A not only at the initial installation of the floor tile 2A but also to the installed floor tile 2A. Therefore, in this respect as well, it can be said to be convenient.

[0048] Furthermore, in the floor tile 1A with drainage guide according to this embodiment, the drainage guide 3A is not only attached to the floor tile 2A by the elastic force of the leaf spring portion 31b, but also hooked onto the first top surface 21a by the first top surface protrusion 31c contacting a part of the first top surface 21a. Therefore, by configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent the drainage guide 3A from falling off the floor tile 2A, and it is possible to reliably attach the drainage guide 3A to the floor tile 2A.

[0049] In the floor tile with drain guide devices 1A according to this embodiment, as described above, two drain guide devices 3A are arranged on each of the four side surfaces of the first floor tile 21, but the number and arrangement of the drain guide devices 3A attached to the first floor tile 21 are not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate depending on the size of the first floor tile 21, the required drainage performance, etc. Also, it is not necessary to arrange the drain guide devices 3A on all four side surfaces of the first floor tile 21, and for example, the drain guide device 3A may be arranged on only one side surface so that water is drained in one direction.

[0050] (First and second modified examples) 6 and 7 are plan views of floor tiles with drainage guides according to first and second modified examples, respectively. Below, with reference to these Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, floor tiles with drainage guides 1A1 and 1A2 according to the first and second modified examples based on the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0051] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the floor tiles with drainage guides 1A1 and 1A2 of the first and second modified examples differ from the floor tile with drainage guide 1A of the above-mentioned embodiment in the size of the floor tiles 2A1 and 2A2 and the number and arrangement of the drainage guides 3A attached to the first floor tile 21.

[0052] As shown in Figure 6, in the floor tile with drain guide device 1A1 of the first modified example, the floor tile 2A1 is configured to have a smaller outer shape than the floor tile 2A of the above-mentioned embodiment, and accordingly, in the floor tile with drain guide device 1A1, one drain guide device 3A is arranged on each of the four side surfaces of the first floor tile 21.

[0053] As shown in Figure 7, in the floor tile 1A2 with drainage guide device of the second modified example, the floor tile 2A2 has a larger outer shape than the floor tile 2A of the above-mentioned embodiment, and therefore, in the floor tile 1A2 with drainage guide device, three drainage guide devices 3A are arranged on each of the four side surfaces of the first floor tile 21.

[0054] Even in this configuration, the same effects as those described in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0055] (Third Modification) Fig. 8 is a plan view of a floor tile with a drainage guide according to a third modified example. Hereinafter, a floor tile with a drainage guide 1A3 according to the third modified example based on the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8.

[0056] As shown in Figure 8, the floor tile with drain guide device 1A3 of the third modified example differs from the floor tile with drain guide device 1A of the above-mentioned embodiment in that the drain guide device 3A is attached not only to the first floor tile 21 but also to another floor tile 2A arranged adjacent to it.

[0057] Specifically, in the floor tile with drain guide 1A3, two drain guides 3A are arranged on each of the four side surfaces of the floor tile 2A arranged adjacent to the first floor tile 21. Also, when focusing on the first floor tile 21 and the second floor tile 22, the drain guide 3A attached to the first side surface 21b of the first floor tile 21 and the drain guide 3A attached to the second side surface 22b of the second floor tile 22 are arranged so that they are alternately positioned when viewed along the joint portion 40 between the first floor tile 21 and the second floor tile, and the other drain guides 3A are arranged in a similar manner. Note that the arrangement of these drain guides 3A is not limited to this, and they may be arranged so as not to interfere with each other.

[0058] Even in this configuration, the same effects as those described in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0059] (Fourth Modification) Fig. 9 is a plan view of a floor tile with a drain guide according to a fourth modified example. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the floor tile with a drain guide shown in Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the floor tile with a drain guide taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 9. Below, a floor tile with a drain guide 1A4 according to a fourth modified example based on the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 11.

[0060] 9 to 11, the shape and arrangement of the drain guides 3A4 in the floor tile with drain guides 1A4 according to the fourth modification differ from those of the drain guides 3A in the floor tile with drain guides 1A according to the above-described embodiment. Here, the arrangement of the drain guides 3A4 in the floor tile with drain guides 1A4 according to the fourth modification is the same as the arrangement in the floor tile with drain guides 1A3 according to the above-described third modification, and therefore the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0061] Each of the multiple drainage guides 3A4 provided on the floor tile with drainage guide 1A4 of this modified example differs in configuration from the drainage guide 31 provided on the drainage guide 3A of the above-mentioned embodiment in that it has the first base portion 31a and plate spring portion 31b that the drainage guide 31 had, but does not have the first top surface protrusion 31c (see Figures 1 to 4) that the drainage guide 31 had.

[0062] That is, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, if we focus on the drainage guide device 31, which is one of the multiple drainage guide devices 3A4 provided on the floor tile with drainage guide device 1A4 of this modified example, the drainage guide device 31 has only a plate-shaped first base portion 31a that contacts and covers a portion of the first side surface 21b of the first floor tile 21, and a plate spring portion 31b that protrudes from the first base portion 31a toward the second floor tile 22.

[0063] By configuring it in this manner, the end of the first base 31a of the drainage guide 31 on the first top surface 21a side of the first floor tile 21 is exposed and positioned at the edge of the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21, and when the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21 is wet, not only is there an interface between the water and the first floor tile 21 at the position on the first top surface 21a side of the first floor tile 21, but there is also an interface between the water and the drainage guide 31.

[0064] Therefore, by using the floor tile 1A4 with drainage guide according to this modification, when the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21 gets wet, the interface between the water and the drainage guide 31, where the contact angle θ with respect to water is small, is located at a position on the first top surface 21a side of the first floor tile 21. Therefore, compared to when the drainage guide 31 is not attached to the first floor tile 21, the surface tension γ SL Therefore, by using this configuration, the drainage effect is significantly improved, and as a result, it is possible to make it difficult for water to pool.

[0065] In addition, some of the water that comes into contact with the first base 31a exposed at the edge of the first top surface 21a will flow downward along the gap 50 located between the first side surface 21b and the first base 31a, and another part of the water that comes into contact with the first base 31a exposed at the edge of the first top surface 21a will flow downward along the side surface of the first base 31a.

[0066] Therefore, by using the floor tile with drainage guide device 1A4 according to this modified example, not only can the same effects as those described in the above-mentioned embodiment be obtained, but also, since the first top surface side protrusion 31c does not cover the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21, the aesthetic appearance of the floor tile with drainage guide device 1A4 can be improved.

[0067] The effect of improving drainage in the floor tile with drain guide device 1A4 described above has been confirmed by a verification test described later.

[0068] (Fifth Modification) Fig. 12 is a plan view of a floor tile with a drain guide according to a fifth modified example. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the floor tile with a drain guide shown in Fig. 12, and Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the floor tile with a drain guide taken along line XIV-XIV in Fig. 12. Below, a floor tile with a drain guide 1A5 according to a fifth modified example based on the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to 14.

[0069] 12 to 14, the shape and arrangement of the drain guides 3A5 in the floor tile with drain guides 1A5 according to the fifth modified example differs from those of the drain guides 3A in the floor tile with drain guides 1A according to the above-described embodiment. Here, the arrangement of the drain guides 3A5 in the floor tile with drain guides 1A5 according to the fifth modified example is the same as the arrangement in the floor tile with drain guides 1A3 according to the above-described third modified example, and therefore the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0070] Each of the multiple drainage guide devices 3A5 provided on the floor tile with drainage guide device 1A5 of this modified example differs in configuration from the drainage guide device 31 provided on the drainage guide device 3A of the above-mentioned embodiment in that it has the first base portion 31a and the first top surface side protrusion portion 31c that the drainage guide device 31 had, but does not have the plate spring portion 31b (see Figures 1 to 4) that the drainage guide device 31 had.

[0071] That is, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, if we focus on the drainage guide device 31, which is one of the multiple drainage guide devices 3A5 provided on the floor tile with drainage guide device 1A5 of this modified example, the drainage guide device 31 has only a plate-shaped first base 31a that contacts and covers a part of the first side surface 21b of the first floor tile 21, and a plate-shaped first top surface side protrusion 31c that protrudes from the end of the first base 31a on the first top surface 21a side toward the first floor tile 21.

[0072] Here, the drainage guide 31 of the drainage guide 3A5 that does not have a plate spring portion 31b is attached to the first side surface 21b of the first floor tile 21 via adhesive portions 31s (in Figure 13, the colored portions correspond to the adhesive portions 31s) provided on a pair of widthwise ends of the main surface of the first base 31a facing the first side surface 21b, as shown in Figures 13 and 14.

[0073] In this way, by partially adhering the main surface of the first base 31a facing the first side surface 21b to the first floor tile 21 without adhering the entire surface, it is possible to prevent the above-mentioned gap 50 located between the first side surface 21b and the first base 31a from being completely blocked by the adhesive portions 31s. Note that the number and positions of the adhesive portions 31s provided on the main surface of the first base 31a facing the first side surface 21b are not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate.

[0074] Even in this configuration, the same effects as those described in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0075] (Sixth Modification) Fig. 15 is a plan view of a floor tile with a drain guide according to a sixth modified example. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the floor tile with a drain guide shown in Fig. 15, and Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the floor tile with a drain guide taken along line XVII-XVII shown in Fig. 15. Below, a floor tile with a drain guide 1A6 according to a sixth modified example based on the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 15 to 17.

[0076] 15 to 17, the shape and arrangement of the drain guide 3A6 in the floor tile with drain guide 1A6 according to the sixth modified example differs from those of the drain guide 3A in the floor tile with drain guide 1A according to the above-described embodiment. Here, the arrangement of the drain guide 3A6 in the floor tile with drain guide 1A6 according to the sixth modified example is the same as the arrangement in the floor tile with drain guide 1A3 according to the above-described third modified example, and therefore the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0077] Each of the multiple drainage guides 3A6 provided on the floor tile with drainage guide 1A6 of this modified example differs in configuration from the drainage guide 31 provided on the drainage guide 3A of the above-mentioned embodiment in that it has the first base 31a that the drainage guide 31 had, but does not have the leaf spring portion 31b and the first top surface protrusion 31c (see Figures 1 to 4) that the drainage guide 31 had.

[0078] That is, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, if we focus on the drainage guide device 31, which is one of the multiple drainage guide devices 3A6 provided on the floor tile with drainage guide device 1A6 of this modified example, the drainage guide device 31 has only a plate-shaped first base portion 31a that contacts and covers a portion of the first side surface 21b of the first floor tile 21.

[0079] Here, the drainage guide 31 of the drainage guide 3A6 that does not have a plate spring portion 31b is attached to the first side surface 21b of the first floor tile 21 via adhesive portions 31s (in Figure 16, the colored portions correspond to the adhesive portions 31s) provided at a pair of widthwise ends on the main surface of the first base 31a facing the first side surface 21b, as shown in Figures 16 and 17.

[0080] In this way, by partially adhering the main surface of the first base 31a facing the first side surface 21b to the first floor tile 21 without adhering the entire surface, it is possible to prevent the above-mentioned gap 50 located between the first side surface 21b and the first base 31a from being completely blocked by the adhesive portions 31s. Note that the number and positions of the adhesive portions 31s provided on the main surface of the first base 31a facing the first side surface 21b are not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate.

[0081] When configured in this manner, not only can the same effects as those described in the above-mentioned embodiment be obtained, but since the first top surface protrusion 31c does not cover the first top surface 21a of the first floor tile 21, the aesthetic appearance of the floor tile with drainage guide 1A6 can be improved.

[0082] The effect of improving drainage in the floor tile with drain guide device 1A6 according to this modified example has been confirmed by a verification test described later.

[0083] Furthermore, the method of attaching the drainage guide 31 according to this modification to the first floor tile 21 is not limited to the method using the adhesive part 31s described above. For example, the drainage guide 31 may be made of an elastic material such as EPDM rubber, and the thickness of the first base part 31a may be formed so as to be slightly larger than the width of the joint part 40 (i.e., the distance between the first side surface 21b of the first floor tile 21 and the second side surface 22b of the second floor tile 22), and the drainage guide 31 configured in this manner may be inserted into the joint part 40 in a state compressed in its thickness direction, so that the drainage guide 31 attempts to restore its original thickness and is attached between the first side surface 21b and the second side surface 22b in a state of abutting against them.

[0084] (Seventh Modification) Figure 18 is a plan view of a floor tile with a drainage guide according to a seventh modified example, and Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the floor tile with a drainage guide taken along line XIX-XIX shown in Figure 18. Below, a floor tile with a drainage guide 1A7 according to the seventh modified example based on the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 18 and 19.

[0085] 18 and 19, the shape and arrangement of the drain guide 3A7 in the floor tile with drain guide 1A7 according to the seventh modification is different from those of the drain guide 3A in the floor tile with drain guide 1A according to the above-described embodiment. Here, the arrangement of the drain guide 3A7 in the floor tile with drain guide 1A7 according to the seventh modification is the same as the arrangement in the floor tile with drain guide 1A3 according to the above-described third modification, and therefore the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0086] Each of the multiple drainage guides 3A7 provided on the floor tile with drainage guide 1A7 of this modified example differs in configuration from the drainage guide 31 provided on the drainage guide 3A of the above-mentioned embodiment in that it has the first base 31a and first top surface protrusion 31c that the drainage guide 31 had, as well as the first bottom surface protrusion 31d described below, but does not have the plate spring portion 31b (see Figures 1 to 4) that the drainage guide 31 had.

[0087] 19, focusing on a drainage guide 31, which is one of the multiple drainage guides 3A7 included in the floor tile with drainage guide 1A7 according to this modified example, the drainage guide 31 has a plate-shaped first base 31a that contacts and covers a portion of the first side surface 21b of the first floor tile 21, a plate-shaped first top surface-side protrusion 31c that protrudes from the end of the first base 31a on the first top surface 21a side toward the first floor tile 21, and a plate-shaped first bottom surface-side protrusion 31d that protrudes from the end of the first base 31a on the first bottom surface 21c side toward the first floor tile 21. Here, the first bottom surface-side protrusion 31d contacts and covers a portion of the first bottom surface 21c.

[0088] The drainage guide device 31 configured in this manner is attached by clamping the first floor tile 21 between its first top surface side protrusion 31c and first bottom surface side protrusion 31d, thereby engaging with the first floor tile 21.

[0089] Even in this configuration, the same effects as those described in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0090] (Eighth Modification) Figure 20 is a plan view of a floor tile with a drainage guide according to an eighth modified example, and Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of the floor tile with a drainage guide along line XXI-XXI shown in Figure 20. Below, with reference to Figures 20 and 21, a floor tile with a drainage guide 1A8 according to the eighth modified example based on the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0091] As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the shape and arrangement of the drainage guide 3A8 of the floor tile with drainage guide 1A8 of the eighth modified example differs from those of the drainage guide 3A of the floor tile with drainage guide 1A of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0092] Each of the multiple drainage guides 3A8 provided in the floor tile with drainage guide 1A8 according to this modification has a different configuration from the drainage guide 31 provided in the drainage guide 3A according to the above-described embodiment in that it has the first base 31a, leaf spring 31b, and first top surface protrusion 31c that the drainage guide 31 had, but also has a second base 31e and a second top surface protrusion 31f, which will be described later. Note that in the floor tile with drainage guide 1A8 according to this modification, each of the multiple drainage guides 3A8 is arranged in a joint portion 40 located between adjacent floor tiles 2A, including the first floor tile 21 and the second floor tile 22 described above.

[0093] More specifically, focusing on the drainage guide 31, which is one of the multiple drainage guides 3A8 provided on the floor tile with drainage guide 1A8 of this modified example, the drainage guide 31 has a plate-shaped first base 31a that contacts and covers a portion of the first side surface 21b of the first floor tile 21, a plate-shaped first top surface protrusion 31c that protrudes from the end of the first base 31a on the first top surface 21a side toward the first floor tile 21 side, a plate-shaped second base 31e that contacts and covers a portion of the second side surface 22b of the second floor tile 22, a plate-shaped second top surface protrusion 31f that protrudes from the end of the second base 31e on the second top surface 22a side toward the second floor tile 22 side, and a plate spring portion 31b that protrudes from the first base 31a toward the second floor tile 22 and is connected to the second base 31e at the end opposite the first base 31a side.

[0094] When configured in this manner, effects similar to those described in the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained, and the drainage properties of both the first floor tile 21 and the second floor tile 22, which are arranged adjacent to each other, can be improved by using a single component, the drainage guide 31.

[0095] (Verification test) In the verification test, several types of drainage guide device samples were prepared, and the drainage status of the floor tiles was visually confirmed when these samples were installed and when they were not installed, to verify the effect of the drainage guide devices on the drainage properties of the floor tiles.

[0096] In this verification test, three types of samples of drainage guide devices were prepared: a drainage guide device made of SUS304 and having the same shape as the drainage guide device 3A of the embodiment (referred to as L-shaped in Figure 22 described below) (hereinafter referred to as Sample 1 for ease of explanation), a drainage guide device made of SUS304 and having the same shape (T-shaped) as the drainage guide device 3A4 of the fourth modified example (Sample 2), and a drainage guide device made of EPDM rubber and having the same shape (I-shaped) as the drainage guide device 3A6 of the sixth modified example (Sample 3).Floor tiles were also prepared, made of porcelain material and measuring 600 mm square and 20 mm thick.

[0097] To verify the effect of the drain guide device on the drainage performance of the floor tile, first, two samples 1 were attached to each of the four sides of the floor tile, similar to the floor tile 1A with drain guide device according to the embodiment (see FIG. 1). Next, water was sprayed onto the floor tile to wet its top surface, and the time required for drainage was measured by observing the top surface of the floor tile over time. The amount of water sprayed was set to be enough to fully wet the entire top and side surfaces of the floor tile. Similar verification was performed on samples 2 and 3, and also on floor tiles without drain guide devices.

[0098] Figure 22 is a table showing the results of the verification test conducted as described above. The table shows the drainage rate after 30 minutes, the amount of residual water after 60 minutes, and the time to complete drainage for floor tiles with and without each sample attached, along with an evaluation of these. In this verification test, drainage was considered complete when the amount of residual water on the top surface of the floor tile was 50 cc or less. In Figure 22, samples that completed drainage in 30 minutes or less were evaluated as "excellent," samples that completed drainage in more than 30 minutes but less than 60 minutes were evaluated as "good," and samples that completed drainage in more than 60 minutes were evaluated as "unacceptable." Samples that did not complete drainage even after 60 minutes were not further observed.

[0099] The results of this verification test showed that the drainage performance of floor tiles can be significantly improved by attaching drainage guides made of stainless steel or EPDM rubber to the tiles.

[0100] (Other forms, etc.) The shape, configuration, size, number, material, etc. of each part shown in the above-described embodiment of the present invention and its modified examples can be changed in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0101] Furthermore, the characteristic configurations shown in the above-described embodiments of the present invention and their modifications can naturally be combined with each other within the scope of the present invention.

[0102] As such, the above-described embodiments and their modifications disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limiting. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1A, 1A1 to 1A8 Floor tiles with drainage guide device, 2A, 2A1, 2A2 Floor tiles, 21 First floor tile, 21a First top surface, 21b First side surface, 21c First bottom surface, 22 Second floor tile, 22a Second top surface, 22b Second side surface, 3A, 3A4 to 3A8, 31 Drainage guide device, 31a First base portion, 31b First top surface side protrusion portion, 31c Leaf spring portion, 31d First bottom surface side protrusion portion, 31e Second base portion, 31f Second top surface side protrusion portion, 31s Adhesive portion, 40 Joint portion, 50 Gap.

Claims

1. a floor tile made of an inorganic material and having a hydrophilic top surface; a drain guide made of at least one of a metal material and a resin material and attached to the floor tile; The drain guide has a plate-shaped base that contacts and covers a part of the side surface of the floor tile, A floor tile with a drainage guide, wherein the base reaches an edge of the side surface of the floor tile on the top surface side of the floor tile.

2. The drain guide device further has a plate-shaped top surface side protruding portion protruding from an end of the base portion on the top surface side of the floor tile toward the floor tile, The floor tile with drain guide according to claim 1 , wherein the top surface side protrusion contacts and covers a part of the top surface of the floor tile.

3. the base reaches the edge of the side surface of the floor tile on the bottom side of the floor tile, The drain guide further has a plate-shaped bottom surface side protruding portion protruding from the end of the base portion on the bottom surface side of the floor tile toward the floor tile, the bottom surface protrusion contacts and covers a portion of the bottom surface of the floor tile; The floor tile with drain guide according to claim 2 , wherein the floor tile is sandwiched between the top surface protrusion and the bottom surface protrusion, thereby causing the drain guide to be engaged with the floor tile.

4. a first floor tile and a second floor tile made of an inorganic material, arranged adjacent to each other, and having a hydrophilic top surface; a drain guide made of at least one of a metal material and a resin material and disposed between the first floor tile and the second floor tile; The drain guide device has a plate-shaped first base portion that contacts and covers a part of the side surface of the first floor tile, and a plate spring portion that protrudes from the first base portion toward the second floor tile, The drain guide device is attached to the first floor tile and the second floor tile by the leaf spring portion being in an elastically deformed state and contacting the side surface of the second floor tile, A floor tile with a drainage guide, wherein the first base reaches an edge of the side surface of the first floor tile on the top surface side of the first floor tile.

5. The drain guide device further has a plate-shaped first top surface side protruding portion protruding from an end of the first base portion on the top surface side of the first floor tile toward the first floor tile, The floor tile with a drain guide according to claim 4 , wherein the first top surface side protrusion contacts and covers a part of the top surface of the first floor tile.

6. The drain guide further has a plate-shaped second base portion that contacts and covers a part of the side surface of the second floor tile, The floor tile with a drain guide according to claim 5 , wherein the leaf spring portion is connected to the second base portion at an end of the leaf spring portion opposite to the first base portion side.

7. The drainage guide further has a plate-shaped second top surface side protruding portion protruding from the end of the second base portion on the top surface side of the second floor tile toward the second floor tile, The floor tile with a drain guide according to claim 6 , wherein the second top surface side protrusion contacts and covers a part of the top surface of the second floor tile.

8. A step of preparing a floor tile made of an inorganic material and having a hydrophilic top surface; A step of preparing a drainage guide device made of at least one of a metal material and a resin material and having a plate-shaped base; and attaching the drain guide device to the floor tile so that the base contacts and covers a portion of the side surface of the floor tile and the base reaches the edge of the side surface of the floor tile on the top surface side of the floor tile.

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