Devices for sealing pipes, pipe fittings, and plumbing fixtures.

Abstract

An apparatus for sealing holes or features in a surface may be disclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, a soft material may be disclosed comprising an interior hole, an exterior surface, a top lip, and an exterior region. In an exemplary embodiment, a bottom lip may further be included. In another exemplary embodiment, a roughened surface may be imprinted on the pipe seal device. The roughened surface may be imprinted on the interior and exterior body of the pipe seal device, or / and on the top lip. An adhesive sealant may be applied along the roughened surface. The roughened surface may have a large surface area for the adhesive sealant to adhere to such that a strong bond is formed and delamination is prevented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] An apparatus is disclosed that can be installed around a pipe or pipe joint, the apparatus for sealing a pipe and a container.

Background Art

[0002] When a pipe or a flow control device penetrates through the wall of a tank or a container or is inserted into the wall of a tank or a container, it is necessary to firmly fix the connection between the pipe and the tank so that liquid can flow freely between the pipe and the tank. A common method of fixing such a connection is a partition joint, also known as a tank joint. Such a joint is usually formed from two parts, and the main structure of the partition joint is a body with a threaded portion and a hollow core. The body of the partition joint can be inserted into an opening on one side of the tank wall, and a lock nut can be provided on the body on the opposite side of the tank wall to fix the partition joint in a predetermined position. Here, fluid may be supplied through the hollow core of the partition joint, thereby enabling the flow of fluid between the pipe and the tank through the partition joint.

[0003] A pipe seal and a valve seal may be used instead of the partition joint. Different from the partition joint, when using a pipe seal, there is no need to screw a lock nut onto the surface to be sealed. Instead, the pipe seal is inserted into or onto the surface, and the pipe is inserted into or penetrates through the pipe seal. Conventional pipe seals are formed from soft and flexible materials such as silicon, latex, polyurethane, rubber, etc., to reliably conform to the shape of the pipe or plumbing fixture to form a seal.

[0004] Pipe seals are designed to fit snugly onto pipes, so a snug and precise fit is crucial to their function. Without a surface to which the pipe seal can be bonded, or a surface that can be finished with a commonly available adhesive meeting industry standards, bonding a flexible pipe seal to a substrate or pipe can be difficult. Because pipes and pipe fittings come in various sizes and shapes, users must have a variety of pipe seals on hand. Therefore, this field requires pipe seals that can meet the diverse applications described above. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0005] In exemplary embodiments, devices for sealing holes, openings, or shapes formed on a surface may be disclosed. According to exemplary embodiments, such devices may have an internal opening area opposite an external surface having a roughened area for attaching adhesive, and a structure formed from a soft, flexible material. In exemplary embodiments, such structures may further have a bottom lip. In another exemplary embodiment, the roughened surface may be stamped on one or all of the device. The roughened surface may be stamped on the inside and front and rear surfaces of the body of the device. Adhesive sealant may be used along the portion of the roughened surface through which a pipe passes. The roughness of the surface increases the overall surface area for the adhesive to adhere, which can form a stronger bond and prevent delamination. The area in which the roughened surface is formed may be sized and configured to allow the device to expand and contract, thereby allowing the device to fit snugly around a pipe or plumbing fixture.

[0006] The exemplary embodiments are customizable by the user, which may allow for customization to meet specific needs. Such customization ensures the formation of a waterproof seal regardless of the application. The customizable pipe seal may have printing, indentations, or raised areas indicating standard pipe sizes and pipe fitting shapes, allowing the pipe seal to be stretched around the pipe or fitting to form a tight seal, and the remaining portion of the pipe seal to be attached to an adjacent surface. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] The advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description relating to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. This description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which indicate the components and the corresponding numbers of the components. [Figure 1] This is an illustrative side view of a pipe seal. [Figure 2] This is an exemplary top view of a pipe seal. [Figure 3] This is an exemplary embodiment of a sealing device. [Figure 4A] A side view of an exemplary embodiment of a pipe seal is shown. [Figure 4B] A side view of an exemplary embodiment of a pipe seal, including an opening in the center, is shown. [Figure 4C] A side view of an exemplary embodiment of a pipe seal fitted around a pipe is shown. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an exemplary embodiment of a method for sealing a pipe. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and associated drawings relating to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternative embodiments can be devised without departing from the essence or scope of the invention. Furthermore, well-known elements in exemplary embodiments of the invention are not described in detail or are omitted so as not to obscure the characteristic details of the invention. In addition, some terms used herein are defined below to facilitate understanding of the description.

[0009] As used herein, the term “exemplary” means “serves as an example.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but merely illustrative. It should be understood that the embodiments described herein should not necessarily be construed as being preferable or advantageous to other embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “embodiment of the present invention,” “embodiment,” or “invention” do not specify that all embodiments of the present invention include the features, advantages, or modes of operation discussed herein.

[0010] A pipe seal may be illustrated and described. A pipe seal may include a body, a front end, and a rear end. In exemplary embodiments, a pipe seal may be used to seal a pipe penetrating a waterproof area for application in bathrooms and wet areas. The pipe or plumbing fixture to which the pipe seal is applied may include an opening of any size or shape. The front end may be designed to receive a pipe or other container in a retaining area, for example, which is a hollow opening. For example, a pipe, container, or fitting may be inserted into the front end, and the pipe seal may elastically deform around the inserted pipe, container, or fitting to form a seal that prevents the leakage of fluid (or other substance) from the pipe and also prevents the intrusion of environmental contaminants. Furthermore, a pipe seal may prevent leakage of any substance contained within the surface into which the pipe seal is inserted. For example, a pipe seal connecting a pipe to a barrel may prevent substances in the barrel from leaking out around the pipe. For example, when used in a tile assembly in a shower, a pipe seal may prevent water from the shower from seeping into the tile assembly at the location of the pipe or plumbing fixture.

[0011] In exemplary embodiments, if a seal is not provided by the plumbing fixture manufacturer or if a standard seal is of an unsuitable size or shape, the pipe seal may be modified by the user to accommodate square, round, irregularly shaped, or multiple plumbing fixtures. In such cases, the user may create the desired waterproof seal by creating an orifice.

[0012] The rear end of the pipe seal may be shaped or fitted to be inserted into a hole or opening on a surface. The surface may be the surface into which the pipe is inserted. The surface may be formed by another pipe. The rear end may be formed from a flexible material to form a seal and conform to the shape of the opening and the surface. The rear end may be formed in various shapes and sizes depending on the application. The rear end may be a different shape or size from the front end. The rear end may be formed from a different material from the front end. Screws, bolts, or adhesives may be applied to the rear end to further ensure that it is properly secured to the surface. In another exemplary embodiment, the rear end may have threads so that it can be screwed into a hole or opening on the surface that may have threads.

[0013] The rear surface of the pipe seal may be plain with a raised area for adhesion or a different print, raised, or recessed mark from the front surface of the pipe seal to clearly indicate standard size or metric conversion markings. The size and shape of typical pipe seals are limited and cannot be changed. Exemplary embodiments may be customized by the user to accommodate a wide variety of plumbing fixtures and pipes. If the surface of the pipe or plumbing fixture is not flat (e.g., a cap at the end of a pipe), the exemplary seal may be stretched over a wider area to form a seal around the smaller portion of the pipe or plumbing fixture. A common feature of bathroom valves is that there are threads to attach the escutcheon to the plumbing valve, with a wall assembly sandwiched between the escutcheon and the valve body. In the exemplary valve seal, the threads may penetrate the valve seal while minimizing the impact on the seal.

[0014] The body, front end, or rear end of the pipe seal may further have a rough surface. The rough surface allows the sealant to adhere more completely to the pipe seal. The rough surface may be imprinted on the soft material before or after the pipe seal is formed. In exemplary embodiments, the rough surface may be formed on the substrate of the pipe seal. For example, one side of the pipe seal may be mechanically roughened by grinding or grit blasting, thereby increasing the surface area available for adhesion and removing a weakly bonded surface layer. In another exemplary embodiment, a rough surface may be provided by coating the one side with a rough material via an adhesive, which can be easily adhered to the pipe material via an adhesive different from the adhesive suitable for directly adhering the substrate to the pipe. Corresponding to the rough surface of the pipe seal, a rough surface may also be formed on the pipe or on the surface that receives the pipe and pipe seal. The sealant can adhere more completely to a rough surface than to a smooth or flat surface. This is because many bumps and uneven rough surfaces can provide a larger surface area for the sealant to adhere to. Furthermore, the rough surface can more securely fasten the pipe and pipe seal by generating greater friction. Roughened surfaces may be formed on both sides of the pipe seal to allow for non-peeling adhesion with industry-standard adhesives. Roughened surfaces formed as a pattern may allow the pipe seal to stretch around the pipe fitting as needed.

[0015] The body of the pipe seal can connect the front and rear ends of the pipe seal. The size and shape of the body vary depending on the application. The body may be oblique or perpendicular to the front and rear ends. The body, front end, and rear end may be formed from a single, continuous material. In a further embodiment, the body may be reinforced to ensure it can withstand the same pressure as the pipe or surface to which the pipe seal is applied.

[0016] In another exemplary embodiment, the pipe seal may be a flat portion of a soft, flexible material such as silicone, latex, polyurethane, or rubber. The material may be able to conform to the shape of a surface when covering a surface having an imperfect shape. The material may include a raised layer, a heat-processed layer, or a pressure-processed layer made of absorbent polyester fleece or another absorbent fiber polymer structure. An opening may be formed in the center of the pipe seal made of a silicone sheet or the like to receive a pipe fitting or other container. One side of the sheet may have a rough surface. In an exemplary embodiment, one side of the sheet may include a fleece layer. Similarly, materials of various thicknesses are possible depending on the material used. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the pipe seal may be a flat sheet made of silicone, latex, polyurethane, or rubber.

[0017] Common pipe seals used for waterproofing showers, bathtubs, and other wet areas are standardized in size and shape, with very limited variations, and are designed so that users cannot modify the seal to suit site conditions. In other words, if a standard pipe seal does not fit the size or shape of the plumbing fixture, a seal cannot be formed. Exemplary embodiments, however, can be easily modified by users to suit countless site conditions.

[0018] In exemplary embodiments, the pipe seal may be a flat sheet having corners, which can be molded in a manner that facilitates the manufacturing process and can be of a size and shape suitable for the user's desired results.

[0019] Figure 1 shows a side view of the pipe seal. The pipe seal 100 may include an upper lip 106, a body 102, and a bottom hole 104, which may be formed from a single material. The inner and outer surfaces of the body 102 can be engraved with a rough surface. An adhesive sealant can be applied to the body 102. The rough surface of the body 102 can adhere to the adhesive sealant more strongly than a smooth surface. Further, the rough surface of the body 102 can further firmly fix the pipe and the pipe seal by generating friction. The upper lip 106 can prevent the pipe seal from entering the surface where the pipe seal is located below the upper lip 106. The upper lip 106 may be larger than the hole into which the pipe seal 100 is inserted. The body 102 may be the same size as the hole into which the pipe seal 100 is inserted. In another exemplary embodiment, there may be another lip on the opposite side of the upper lip 106, whereby the opposite side of the pipe seal can be firmly held. The bottom hole 104 may be adapted to a size that can firmly grip the pipe or container to be sealed. As shown in the figure, the surface of the bottom hole may include printing, indentation, or raised marks.

[0020] Figure 2 shows a top view of the pipe seal. The top view shows the upper lip 106 surrounding the hole 108. The hole 108 can be connected to the bottom hole 104 by the body 102 disposed between the hole 108 and the bottom hole 104. The upper lip 106 may be arranged to be larger than the hole 108 and the hole into which the pipe seal device is inserted. The upper lip 106 can prevent the entire pipe seal device from slipping into the surface where the pipe seal device is installed. To increase the friction with the surface, the upper lip 106 may be engraved with a rough surface. Further, the rough surface can have a larger surface area, so that the sealant and adhesive can adhere strongly. Further, the upper lip 106 may be formed in a hexagonal shape to facilitate its manufacturing process. The shape of the pipe seal may be circular, hexagonal, square, or any shape. The shape may be determined by the manufacturer according to the customer and the manufacturing process.

[0021] Figure 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the sealing device. In this exemplary embodiment, the sealing device may be a flat sheet 302, and the flat sheet may have any shape. Here, by way of example, the flat sheet 302 is hexagonal. However, for example, a rectangular sheet is also conceivable. The entire flat sheet may be made of rubber, silicon, latex, polyurethane or other possible soft materials.

[0022] The sheet may have a front surface and a rear surface. The central portion of the sheet may have an opening. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the sheet has a perforation or weakened area 304 in the central portion, so that the user can easily create an opening for a pipe or container to pass through. The perforated area may be a holding area. In yet another embodiment, the sheet may be completely closed and the user may manually create an opening. Alternatively, instead of the pipe passing through the sheet, the sheet may be wrapped around the pipe.

[0023] FIG. 4A shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a pipe seal. As shown in FIG. 4A, the sheet 302 may be flat. FIG. 4B shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment including an opening in the central portion. The opening 304 may form a side wall 400 by being adapted so that the material discharged from the opening region is pushed downward through the front surface 410, and the side wall 400 may adhere to the pipe or container inserted into the opening and / or adhere to a receiving surface located on the rear surface 420 of the pipe seal.

[0024] FIG. 4C shows an exemplary side view of an embodiment. The pipe 425 may be inserted through the seal 302. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4C, the seal 302 is disposed on a rough receiving surface 430. The pipe seal can conform to the shape of the surface 430 under the pipe seal by being made of rubber or being soft. Thus, the waterproof seal can be constructed on a non-flat surface.

[0025] Figure 5 shows an illustrative and schematic flowchart of a method for sealing a pipe. First, in the first step 502, the exemplary pipe seal may be attached to a receiving surface. Then, in the next step 504, the pipe or other container may be inserted into the pipe seal on the receiving surface. In the last optional step 506, sealant may be applied to the pipe seal.

[0026] The above description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments, and uses of the present invention. However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments described above. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications of the embodiments described above are possible.

[0027] Therefore, the embodiments described herein should be understood as illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art will understand that modifications of the embodiments described herein can be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A sealing device, It has a flat sheet with a front, rear and central section, The front and / or rear surfaces of the flat sheet are covered with an absorbent fiber polymer layer and / or a rough surface designed to adhere to the receiving surface. The front surface further includes a holding area positioned in the center, which is designed to receive either a pipe or a container when either is inserted through the center, thereby allowing the holding area on the front surface to receive and grasp the pipe or container, and the rear surface to adhere to the receiving surface. The rough surface is a rough surface formed on the flat sheet material and mechanically roughened, in a sealing device.

2. A sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the flat sheet is made of a soft material.

3. A sealing device according to claim 2, wherein the soft material is selected from silicone, latex, polyurethane, and rubber.

4. A sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the holding area is a perforation that penetrates the flat sheet.

5. A sealing device, It has a flat sheet with a front, rear and central section, The front and / or rear surfaces of the flat sheet are covered with an absorbent fiber polymer layer and / or a rough surface designed to adhere to the receiving surface. The front surface further includes a holding area positioned in the center, which is designed to receive either a pipe or a container when either is inserted through the center, thereby allowing the holding area on the front surface to receive and grasp the pipe or container, and the rear surface to adhere to the receiving surface. A sealing device in which the rear surface is covered with a rough material bonded to the flat sheet material.

6. A sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the front surface is covered with a rough material adhered to the absorbent fiber polymer layer.

7. A sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent fiber polymer layer is polyester fleece.

8. A sealing device, It has a flat sheet with a front, rear and central section, The front and / or rear surfaces of the flat sheet are covered with an absorbent fiber polymer layer and / or a rough surface designed to adhere to the receiving surface. The front surface further includes a holding area positioned in the center, which is designed to receive either a pipe or a container when either is inserted through the center, thereby allowing the holding area on the front surface to receive and grasp the pipe or container, and the rear surface to adhere to the receiving surface. A sealing device further comprising a sealant, wherein the sealant is applied to the front and rear surfaces.

9. A sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the flat sheet is hexagonal.

10. A method for sealing a pipe, wherein the method is Applying a sealing device to a receiving surface, the device having a front surface covered with an absorbent fiber polymer layer and a rear surface having a rough surface, Inserting a pipe or container into the opening provided in the center of the sealing device, Applying sealant to the aforementioned sealing device, The front surface is bonded to the pipe or the container, and the rear surface is bonded to the receiving surface via the sealant. Methods that include...

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the sealing device comprises a flat sheet formed from a soft material.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the soft material is selected from silicone, latex, polyurethane, and rubber.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the retaining area is a perforation that penetrates the sealing device.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the rough surface is a rough surface formed on the rear surface material and mechanically roughened.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the rear surface is covered with a rough material bonded to the material of the rear surface.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the front surface is covered with a rough material bonded to the absorbent fiber polymer layer.

17. A method according to claim 11, wherein the absorbent fiber polymer layer is polyester fleece.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the sealing device is hexagonal.

19. A pipe system, wherein the pipe system is The pipe is inserted into a hole or opening in the receiving surface and joined to the receiving surface via a sealing device, The sealing device comprises a flat sheet having a front, rear, and central portion. At least one of the front and rear surfaces is covered with at least one of the mechanically roughened surfaces formed on the material of the flat sheet, which is designed to adhere to the absorbent fiber polymer layer and the receiving surface. The front surface further comprises a holding area located in the central part on which the pipe is positioned, the pipe extending through the central part, thereby allowing the holding area to receive and grasp the pipe, and the rear surface to adhere to the receiving surface, in a pipe system.

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