Seal for a toilet outlet

Abstract

A seal for a toilet outlet is described, where the toilet outlet comprises a waste outlet from a toilet bowl. A connection device, such as a flange, for connecting the waste outlet to a waste removal system, is also described. The seal is adapted to provide a seal between the waste outlet and the connection device, where the direction of travel of the waste from the waste outlet to the connection device is substantially vertical. The seal is formed from a resilient material.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to a prior International patent application, Ser. No. WO 00/09825, published on Feb. 24, 2000, entitled A Seal for a Toilet Outlet.

[0002] The present invention relates to a seal for a toilet outlet, particularly but not exclusively, to a seal for a toilet outlet where the outlet is arranged such that waste passes through the outlet in a substantially vertical direction.

[0003] Conventionally, in some countries and particularly the United States of America, the waste outlet of a toilet is formed in the base of the porcelain toilet bowl. A flange is mounted in the floor of the bathroom, where the flange is connected to the municipal waste water system. It has been known for many years, particularly in the United State of America, to use a seal formed exclusively from beeswax to provide a seal between the waste outlet of the porcelain toilet bowl and the flange. However, this beeswax seal introduces problems during assembly of the porcelain toilet bowl to the municipal waste water system, in that once the wax has been distorted through installation or movement of the toilet bowl, the was remains distorted. This distorting or “melting” of the was degrades the seal between the porcelain toilet bowl and the flange mounted in the floor, and thus in many instances a fluid tight seal cannot be achieved. Also, the wax seal cannot be re-used.

[0004] According to the present invention, there is provided a seal for a toilet outlet, the toilet outlet comprising a waste outlet from a toilet bowl for fluid connection with a waste removal system, the seal being adapted to provide a seal between the waste outlet and the waste removal system, wherein the direction of travel of the waste from the waste outlet to the waste removal system is substantially vertical, and characterised in that the seal is formed from a resilient material.

[0005] Typically, the toilet outlet further comprises a connection device for connecting the waste outlet to the waste removal system.

[0006] Preferably, the seal is formed from a material having one, some or all of the following characteristics; elasticity, the ability to regain its original shape or position after bending, stretching, compression or other deformation. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the resilient material may be rubber.

[0007] Typically, the waste outlet is located on the lowermost portion of the toilet bowl, and typically, the waste outlet protrudes downwardly from the toilet bowl. At least a portion of the waste outlet may be frusto-conically shaped, with the greatest cross-sectional area of the waste outlet vertically uppermost.

[0008] Typically, the seal comprises a bore through which waste can travel, and typically, the seal is generally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the bore.

[0009] The seal may comprise, when in use, an upper portion, and in a preferred embodiment, the upper portion typically further has a recess formed therein, the recess providing for displacement of the upper portion. As an alternative to the recess the upper portion may be solid but may simply be compressible, and may have a softer core to assist and direct compression.

[0010] Typically, the upper portion comprises an upper surface against which a portion of the bottom of the toilet bowl seats, in use.

[0011] The recess in the upper portion may be a groove.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper portion of the seal may comprise at least two annular seals, which are preferably coupled to a body, and typically, when not in use of the seal, the groove in the upper portion of the seal is provided in the region defined between the two annular seals and the body. Typically, in use of the seal, the annular seals of the upper portion of the seal are vertically lowermost, and the body is vertically uppermost, and typically respective ends of the body are each coupled to one of the annular seals.

[0013] Preferably, the base of at least one of the annular seals forms a seal surface, typically sealing against a seal surface provided on the connection device, and the connection device may be a flange, and may further be a floor-mounted flange.

[0014] In use of the seal, and in a preferred embodiment, the two annular seals may be compressed toward one another by the compressive force provided by the weight of the toilet bowl, and preferably, the annular seals are displaced towards one another to a substantial extent such that they bear against one another. In this scenario, the groove is substantially collapsed, and preferably, the base of the two respective annular seals form respective seal surfaces for sealing engagement against a seal surface provided on the floor mounted flange.

[0015] Alternatively, the two annular seals may be splayed apart from one another by the compressive force provided by the weight of the toilet bowl, and typically faces of the annular rings which are adjacent the groove provide respective seal surfaces for sealing engagement against the sealing surface provided on the floor mounted flange.

[0016] Typically, the upper portion of the seal comprises an inner annular seal and an outer annular seal, and preferably, the inner annular seal is located radially inwardly of the outer annular seal. Typically, the outer annular seal is coaxial with respect to the inner annular seal.

[0017] Typically, the seal further comprises a lower portion which is coupled to the upper portion, and which is provided with at least one sealing element for sealing engagement against a lower portion of the connection device, and preferably, against a lower portion of the flange. Typically, the sealing element is a seal ring which is preferably arranged on the outer circumference of the lower portion, and more preferably, the seal ring protrudes outwardly from an outer circumference of the lower portion to seal against an inner circumference of the flange. Typically, there are a plurality of seal rings provided on the lower portion, and preferably, the plurality of seal rings are axially spaced with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bore of the seal. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there may be two axially-spaced seal rings. They can be of different diameter for different sizes of pipe and flange.

[0018] Preferably, the seal further comprises a middle portion which couples the upper portion of the seal to the lower portion, and typically, the inner diameter of the upper portion of the seal is of a different diameter to the inner diameter of the lower portion, and typically, the middle portion is frusto-conically shaped, with one end of the middle portion being coupled to the upper portion, and the other end being coupled to the lower portion.

[0019] Typically, the outer diameter of the upper portion of the seal is greater than the outer diameter of the lower portion.

[0020] Typically, at least a portion of the outer and/or inner annular seals may be folded eg in a form similar to a concertina. This provides the advantage that the wall of the inner annular seal will more readily collapse when weight is placed on the upper portion such that an enhanced seal is achieved.

[0021] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 is an exploded assembly cross-sectional view of a first example of a seal in accordance with the present invention prior to installation between a toilet bowl and a flange;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the seal of FIG. 1 in more detail;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the seal of FIG. 1 in a first alternative configuration installation between a toilet bowl and a flange;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the seal of FIG. 1 in a second alternative configuration of installation between a toilet bowl and a flange;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one half of a second example of a seal in accordance with the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one half of a first alternative upper seal portion in the form of a ‘C’-shaped section;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of one half of a second alternative upper seal portion in the form of an ‘O’-ring section;

[0029] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of one half of a third alternative upper seal portion in the form of a ‘Y’-shaped section;

[0030] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of one half of a fourth alternative upper seal portion in the form of a ‘Lip’ section;

[0031] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of one half of a portion of a first alternative lower seal portion;

[0032] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of one half of a portion of a second alternative lower seal portion;

[0033] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of one half of a portion of a third alternative lower seal portion;

[0034] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of one half of a fifth alternative upper seal portion in the form of a ‘U’-shaped section;

[0035] FIG. 14 is an exploded assembly cross-sectional view of a seventh example of a seal in accordance with the present invention during installation between a toilet bowl and a flange;

[0036] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an eighth example of a seal in accordance with the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an ninth example of a seal in accordance with the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an tenth example of a seal in accordance with the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 18 is an exploded assembly cross-sectional view of an eleventh example of a seal in accordance with the present invention during installation between a toilet bowl and a flange, where the flange is omitted from FIG. 18;

[0040] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a twelfth example of a seal in accordance with the present invention; and

[0041] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the seal of FIG. 14 in isolation form the toilet and flange.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a first example of a seal 1 in accordance with the present invention, where the seal is formed from a suitable material such as rubber, thermoplastic rubber polyurethane or other elastomeric materials, where the seal 1 is shown just prior to installation of a toilet bowl 5 into a flange 10, where a portion of the floor 15 is shown.

[0043] In order to install a toilet, a hole 20 is first prepared in the floor 15, with appropriate pipework (not shown in FIG. 1 but shown in FIG. 14), connecting the hole to the municipal waste water system.

[0044] A flange 10 is then inserted into the hole 20 and fixed in position (as will be described subsequently). The flange can be installed before or after the pipework. The flange 10 comprises three main portions, these being an upper flange portion 10A, a middle flange portion 10B, and a lower flange portion 10C. The lower flange portion 10C is either coupled directly to the municipal pipework, by for instance being solvent welded by use of adhesive therebetween, or has an appropriate O-ring seal acting between the lower flange portion 10C and the pipework. The upper end of the lower flange portion 10C is integrally formed with the middle flange portion 10B, where the middle flange portion 10B is preferably frusto-conical in shape (it can be straight), with the smaller cross-sectional area being located at the junction with the lower flange portion 10C. The upper end of the middle flange portion 10B is coupled to the upper flange portion 10A, which is in the form of a disc, with the disc projecting outwardly from the junction with the middle flange portion 10B.

[0045] Flange 10 is arranged, in use, such that the lower surface of the upper flange portion 10A is horizontal with respect to, and seats against, the upper surface of the floor 15 surrounding the hole 20. Screw or bolt holes are provided in the upper flange portion 10A to permit the insertion of screws (not shown) or bolts (not shown) to secure the flange 10 to the floor, such that the flange 10 is in the configuration shown in FIG. 1. There are typically a plurality of upwardly projections bolts (not shown) coupled to the upper surface of the upper flange portion 10A, where the bolts are arranged to locate in respective recesses, grooves or holes formed on the lower surface of the toilet bowl 5 to aid correct alignment of the toilet bowl 5 during its installation. The bolts preferably are T-headed and locate in the holes 12 in the flange. The bolts can be fitted to the holes 12 by inserting their T-shaped heads into the narrower upper portions of the holes, and rotating them through 90 degrees. These can then be held captive in the holes 12 and project upwardly into cooperating holes in the base of the toilet. Nuts can then be offered to the bolts and tightened to compress the seal. There can be separate countersunk holes (not shown) in the seal for screws or other fixings to attach the seal to the floor. The seal can therefore be compressed by the weight of the toilet, by compression of the T-headed bolts, or by bolts which connect the toilet to the floor so that the seal is compressed between the floor and the toilet by the action of the bolts.

[0046] It should be noted that the flange is not essential, and it would be possible to install a seal into an upwardly pointing end of a pipe. The seal can simply be inserted into the pipe.

[0047] The seal 1 comprises three main portions, which are all formed integrally, these being an upper seal portion 1A, and middle seal portion 1B, and a lower seal portion 1C.

[0048] The upper seal portion comprises an outer ring 2 and an inner annular seal ring 3 where the outer 2 and inner 3 rings are conjoined by means of a body member 7. The outer 2 and inner 3 rings are radially spaced apart, such that a groove 4 is provided therebetween. Therefore, the cross-section of the upper seal portion 1A takes the shape of an inverted “U”, with the lower surfaces of the outer 2 and inner 3 rings providing a horizontal sealing surface when the seal ring 1 is in the configuration shown in FIG. 1. The innermost point of the inner ring 3 provides a coupling point at which the middle seal portion 1B is coupled to the upper seal portion 1A. The middle seal portion 1B is frusto-conical in shape, with its greatest cross-sectional area located at the junction to which the middle seal portion 1B is coupled to the upper seal portion 1A. There are typically a plurality of upwardly projecting T-headed bolts (not shown) coupled to the upper surface of the upper flange portion 10A through holes 12, which are arranged to locate in respective recesses, grooves or preferably holes formed on or through the lower surface of the toilet bowl 5 to aid correct alignment of the toilet bowl 5 during its installation, and to fix it to the flange. These can be holes through the base of the toilet.

[0049] The lower seal portion IC is coupled to the lower end of the middle seal portion 1B, and takes the form of a tubular ring. Toward the lower end of the lower seal portion 1C are located two vertically spaced seal rings 22A, 22B. It should be noted that in actual use of the seal 1, the upper 22A and lower 22B seal rings would provide an interference fit with the inner diameter of the lower flange portion 10C, and would not be radially spaced therefrom as is incorrectly shown in FIG. 1.

[0050] The lower end of the toilet bowl 5 is shown in FIG. 1, as comprising a waste outlet 30. The waste outlet 30 is bounded by a waste outlet pipe 25 which projects downwardly from the base of the toilet bowl 5, and as shown in FIG. 1, the waste outlet pipe 25 is preferably frusto-conical in shape, with its smallest cross-sectional area located vertically lowermost.

[0051] The toilet bowl 5 is installed as follows:

[0052] The flange 10 is first inserted into the hole 20, and preferably screws or bolts are inserted into the screw or bolt holes (not shown) of the flange to secure the flange to the floor 15. The seal 1 is then placed into the open upper mouth of the flange 10, such that the upper 22A and lower 22B seal rings are sealed against the inner diameter of the lower flange portion 10C, and at least the horizontal sealing surface of the outer ring 2 seats against the upper surface of the upper flange portion 10A. In fact, it is preferred that the horizontal sealing surface of the inner ring 3 also seats against the upper surface of the upper flange portion 10A so that a double seal is obtained, and this is specifically shown in FIG. 3, with the seal being marked with the reference numeral 50, and in FIG. 4 with the seal being marked with the reference numeral 100.

[0053] The toilet bowl 5 is then brought into close proximity vertically above seal 1, 50 and is lowered such that the pins projecting upwardly through the holes 12 are aligned with the grooves, recesses or holes in the base of the toilet, and the outer diameter of the waste outlet pipe 25 is brought to bear against the inner diameter of the inner ring 3.

[0054] The upper seal portion 1A is dimensioned such that there is an interference fit between the inner diameter of the upper seal portion 1A and the outer diameter of the waste outlet pipe 25 with approximately half the vertical distance of the waste outlet pipe 25 inserted into the cross-sectional area defined by the uppermost portion of the inner ring 3. Therefore, continued downward movement of the toilet bowl 5 (through weight or tightening of the fixings etc) will expand the inner ring 3 as the frusto-conical shaped waste outlet pipe 25 moves therethrough, until the groove 4 is substantially collapsed, and the outer diameter of the inner ring butts against the inner diameter of the outer ring. The upwardly projecting pins and the respective grooves are dimensioned such that the pins will normally bear none of the weight of the toilet bowl 5 and the seal 1, 50 will normally bear a portion of the weight of the toilet bowl 5, with rest of the weight of the toilet bowl 5 being borne by the outer rim (not shown) of the base of the toilet bowl 5. The seal can be compressed by the weight of the bowl or by the fixings being tensioned between the bowl and the floor or as previously described. This can cause the columns 2,3 to deform to maintain compressive force on the flange, and in certain circumstances the vacuum created in the groove between the columns enhances the seal. In many cases, the weight of the toilet will not be sufficient to deform the seal, and the fixings are tightened to enhance the seal.

[0055] At this point, both of the lower horizontal sealing surfaces of the inner 3 and outer 2 rings will be in contact with the upper surface of the upper flange portion 10A, and the weight of the toilet bowl 5 will also aid compression of the upper seal portion 1A against the upper sealing surface of the upper flange portion 10A.

[0056] Therefore, an increased and enhanced sealing function is provided by the rubber seal 1, 50. Preferred dimensions of the rubber seal are shown in FIG. 2, and it can also be seen that the outer surface of the outer 2 and inner 3 rings, and the body member 7 may not be constant but may be ridged 35 or concertinaed 35, and this can be seen in greater clarity in FIG. 5. This ridging 35 effect provides the advantage that the displacement of the inner 3 and outer 2 rings due to their expansion is increased, which may increase the sealing effect of the substantially horizontal seal surfaces located on the lowermost faces of the outer 2 and inner 3 rings.

[0057] Alternatively, and as shown in FIG. 4, it should be noted that the seal 1, 50 could be arranged such that when the toilet bowl 5 is brought into close proximity vertically above the seal 1, 50 and is lowered, a lower most and substantially horizontal seal surface 40 of the toilet bowl 5 is brought to bear against the uppermost face of the body 7. In this scenario, continued downward movement of the toilet bowl 5 will compress the body 7 downwards, and will tend to splay the outer ring 2 radially outwardly, and the inner ring 3 radially inwardly, such that the upper seal portion 1A is spread out flat with its post-splayed lower most sealing face being provided by the pre-splayed outer diameter of the inner ring 3, lower face of the body member 7 and the pre-splayed inner diameter of the outer ring 2, where the post-splayed lower most sealing face forms a seal against the upper surface of the upper flange portion 10A.

[0058] It should also be noted that however the upper seal portion 1A is compressed, the vertically spaced seal rings 22A, 22B will slide up and down with respect to the lower flange portion 10C, as required, during the compression therebetween. A lubricating fluid, such as silicon oil for example, could be applied to the seal rings 22A, 22B, to aid the sliding movement.

[0059] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the upper seal portion 1A as having a ‘C’ shaped cross-section, with an upper horizontal disc member 52, a vertical body member 53 and a lower horizontal disc member 54 all being, preferably, integrally formed together. When the substantially horizontal seal surface 40, or the waste outlet pipe 25 as appropriate, bear against the upper seal portion 1A, the vertical body member 53 will tend to collapse, by either radially inward or outward compression, and thus allowing the upper disc member 52 to move toward the lower disc member 54, such that they are compressed together to form the seal between the upper flange portion 10 and the toilet bowl 5.

[0060] FIG. 7 shows another alternative embodiment of the upper seal portion 1A as being in the form of an ‘O’-ring section 62, with the ‘O’-ring section 62 being integrally formed with the middle seal portion 1B. The ‘O’-ring section 62 will expand and/or compress during installation of the toilet bowl 5, although perhaps not to the degree of the outer embodiments.

[0061] FIG. 8 shows another alternative embodiment of the upper seal portion 1A as comprising a triangular body 64 and a flap extension 66, where the flap extension 66 is, in essence, a continuation of the middle seal portion 1B. The triangular body 64 and the flap extension 66 are formed integrally with the middle seal portion 1B. In use of this alternative embodiment of the upper seal portion 1A, the lowermost and horizontal face 65 of the triangular body 64 is placed against the upper flange portion 10A. When the substantially horizontal seal surface 40 or the waste outlet pipe 25 as appropriate, bear against the inner diameter of the flap extension 66, the flap extension 66 will pivot around its junction with the triangular body 64, and will thus form a seal between the toilet bowl 5 and the flange 10.

[0062] FIG. 9 shows yet another alternative embodiment of the upper seal portion 1A, this time being shown as a right hand side view. Upper seal portion 1A of this embodiment comprises an annular ring 70, which is substantially rectangular in cross-section, as being coupled to the middle seal portion 1B, and where an inwardly facing disc 72 is provided on the inner diameter face of the annular ring 70. Thus, when the outer diameter of the waste outlet pipe 25 is inserted through the inwardly facing disc 72, the disc 72 seals against the outer diameter of the toilet outlet pipe 25.

[0063] FIG. 13 shows another alternative embodiment of the upper seal portion 1A as a right hand side view, as comprising an outer annular seal ring 102 and an inner annular seal ring 103 conjoined by a lower body member 107, where the inner 103 and outer 102 annular seal rings are radially spaced apart, such that there is a groove 104 formed therebetween. The innermost portion of the inner seal ring 103 provides a coupling point at which the middle seal portion 1B is coupled to the upper seal portion 1A. The seal of FIG. 13 is installed broadly in the same manner as the seal of FIG. 1, although the lowermost face of the lower body member 107 will seal against the upper surface of the upper flange portion 10A.

[0064] FIG. 14 shows a further example of a seal 110 in accordance with the present invention comprising an upper seal portion 1A which has an outer ring 112 and an inner ring 113 where the outer 112 and inner 113 rings are conjoined by means of a body member 117. The outer 112 and inner 113 rings are radially spaced apart, such that a groove 114 is provided therebetween. Furthermore, the outer 112 and inner 113 rings are arranged such that they angle outwardly from the body member 117, such that their respective lower most in use ends are further apart than their respective upper most ends. Therefore, the cross-section of the upper seal portion 1A takes the shape of an inverted “V”, with the lower surfaces of the outer 112 and inner 113 rings providing a horizontal sealing surface when the seal ring 110 is in the configuration shown in FIG. 14. The innermost point of the inner ring 113 again provides a coupling point at which the middle seal portion 1B is coupled to the upper seal portion 1A.

[0065] FIG. 14 also shows the seal 110 as having a lower most ‘O’ ring seal 122 integral with the lower seal portion 1C instead of the upper 22A and lower 22B seal rings of the seal 1 of FIG. 1, where the ‘O’ ring seal 122 seals against the inner diameter of the lower flange portion 10C, or an inner diameter of an sewer pipe 130 as appropriate (and which will be detailed subsequently). The outer diameter of the ‘O’ ring seal 122 can be varied during the manufacturing process to suit individual applications between the relatively large outer diameter ‘O’ ring seal 122 and the smaller outer diameter ‘O’ ring seal 123 shown in FIG. 14 in phantom.

[0066] The uppermost end of a sewer pipe 130 is shown in FIG. 14, whereby the lower most end of the flange portion 10C is dimensioned to fit within the inner diameter of the pipe 130. However, it should be noted that the flange portion 10C may be dimensioned such that it's inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter of the pipe, so that the flange portion 10C fits over the pipe 130. In this scenario, the ‘O’ ring seal 122 or 123 seals against either of the inner diameter of the flange portion 10C or sewer pipe 130, depending on the axial extent of the seal 110. The circular cross-section of the ‘O’ ring seal 122 or 123 provides the further advantage that snagging of the seal 110 whilst using a rod and brush to clean the pipe is prevented.

[0067] The uppermost face of the body member 117 has a full radius formed thereon, which provides the seal 110 with enhanced sealing properties against the underside of the toilet bowl 5. In addition, the seal 110 is optimally formed from a relatively soft elastic material, such as rubber, thermoplastic rubber or polyurethane and hence the material of the seal 110 and particularly of the upper seal portion 1A deforms upon compression between the toilet bowl 5 and the flange 10 so as to compensate for imperfections in either respective sealing surface.

[0068] The upper seal portion 1A is provided with one or more wings or tabs 132 which project horizontally outwardly from the outer ring 112 at the base thereof. The tab(s) 132 are provided with an aperture 134 therein through which a screw or bolt can pass to facilitate fixation of the seal 110 and the bowl to the flange 10. Typically, the head of the bolt is located in additional screw holes of the flange 10, such that the bolt projects upwardly through the aperture 134. In a preferred embodiment the diameter of the holes 134 in the tabs are slightly smaller than the bolts and can be used for gripping and locating the bolts in position before the toilet bowl is put in place. The tabs also serve to locate the seal in the correct position.

[0069] Another example of a seal 140 in accordance with the invention is shown in FIG. 15 and is similar to the seal 110 of FIG. 14 in most respects. However, seal 140 has an additional component in the form of a membrane 142 which is integral with the seal 140, and which extends fully across the bore of the seal 140 at the junction between the lower seal portion 1C and middle seal portion 1B. The membrane is preferably formed from the same material as the rest of the seal 140 in order to ease manufacture, and can be used to permit pressure testing of the sewer pipe 130 system. Once pressure testing has been concluded the membrane 142 can be removed from the seal 142 by any suitable means such as piercing, cutting etc. The membrane 142 can alternatively be formed at the junction between the upper portion 1A and the middle portion 1B.

[0070] FIG. 16 shows another example of a seal 150 in accordance with the present invention and, with the exception of the upper seal portion 1A, is similar to the seal 110 of FIG. 14. The upper seal portion 1A of the seal 150 is provided with a solid, elastic, circular cross-section upper seal 152 which can be thought of as a vertically projecting semi-‘O’ ring seal 152 which seals against the lower sealing face of the toilet bowl 5. This semi-‘O’ ring seal 152 may be of a softer material such as rubber, thermoplastic rubber or polyurethane with respect to the other seals described herein, or with respect to the rest of the seal 150, such that it will deform to a greater extent whilst providing an enhanced sealing effect.

[0071] FIG. 17 shows yet another example of a seal 160 in accordance with the present invention and is similar to the seal 110 of FIG. 14 in most respects. However, seal 160 has localised radiused protrusions 165 mounted on, and preferably integral with, the upper surface of the body member 167 of the upper seal portion 1A. These protrusions 165 are, in fact, a plurality of vertically projecting ‘O’ ring seals 165 which increase in diameter from the innermost to the outermost protrusion, and which seal against the lowermost sealing surface of the toilet bowl 5, thereby increasing the sealing effect with the bowl 5, particularly for localised porous toilet bowls 5.

[0072] FIG. 18 shows yet another example of a seal 170 in accordance with the present invention and is similar to the seal 110 of FIG. 14 in most respects. However, seal 170 has inwardly projecting annular discs or fins 176 mounted on, and preferably integral with, the inner surface of the inner ring 173 of the upper seal portion 1A. The fins 176 can be dimensioned to be an interference fit with the outer diameter of the toilet outlet pipe 25, thereby increasing the sealing effect therewith.

[0073] FIG. 19 shows yet another example of a seal 180 in accordance with the present invention and is similar to the seal 110 of FIG. 14 in most respects. However, the body member 187 of the seal 180 has a an upper surface which is substantially flatter than the full radius provided on the upper surface of the body member 117 of the seal 110.

[0074] FIG. 20 shows the seal 110 of FIG. 14 in isolation from the toilet bowl 5 and flange 10 for greater clarity.

[0075] The seal 1 therefore provides the advantage that it does not melt if distorted but, in fact, is capable of recovering its original shape. The seal 1 further provides a water- and air-tight seal even if distortion or displacement of the seal 1 occurs. It further accommodates expansion and contraction of the pipework connected to the municipal system due to temperature fluctuations, and is always in compression thus forming a positive seal between the flange 10 and the waste outlet pipe 25. Further, the seal 1 can be easily and readily installed into a new toilet installation, and can further be retrofitted into an existing toilet assembly. Further, the seal 1 compensates for differences in tolerances between the inner diameter of the flange 10 and the outer diameter of the waste outlet pipe 25.

[0076] Modifications and improvements may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, the particular shape of the seal 1 may be varied in individual cases to suit the particular shape of the toilet bowl 5 and the flange 10 in between which the seal 1 is to be placed. The design of certain embodiments of the seal uses the elastic/resilient properties of the elastomer to maintain a constant sealing pressure on the underside of the toilet and the top of the flange when placed in compression. A further advantage of certain conically shaped embodiments of the invention is that they can be compressed axially to a small size for transport.

Claims

1. A seal for a toilet outlet, the toilet outlet comprising a waste outlet from a toilet bowl for fluid connection with a waste removal system, the seal being adapted to provide a seal between the waste outlet and the waste removal system, wherein a direction of travel of waste from the waste outlet to the waste removal system is substantially vertical, and wherein the seal is formed from a resilient material.

2. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the toilet outlet further comprises a connection device for connecting the waste outlet to the waste removal system.

3. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal is formed from a material having one, some or all of the following characteristics: elasticity, the ability to regain its original shape or position after bending, stretching, compression or other deformation.

4. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the waste outlet is located on a lowermost portion of the toilet bowl.

5. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the waste outlet protrudes downwardly from the toilet bowl.

6. A seal according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the waste outlet is frusto-conically shaped, with a greatest cross-sectional area of the waste outlet being vertically uppermost.

7. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a bore through which waste can travel.

8. A seal according to claim 7, wherein the seal is generally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the bore.

9. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal comprises, when in use, an upper portion which comprises an upper surface against which a portion of a bottom of the toilet bowl seats.

10. A seal according to claim 9, wherein the upper portion comprises a recess formed therein, the recess providing for displacement of the upper portion.

11. A seal according to claim 10, wherein the upper portion of the seal further comprises at least two annular seals coupled to a body.

12. A seal according to claim 11, wherein the recess in the upper portion of the seal is provided in a region defined between the two annular seals and the body.

13. A seal according to claim 12, wherein in use of the seal, the annular seals of the upper portion of the seal are vertically lowermost, and the body is vertically uppermost.

14. A seal according to claim 12, wherein respective ends of the body are each coupled to one of the annular seals.

15. A seal according to claim 14, wherein a base of at least one of the annular seals forms a seal surface for sealing against a seal surface provided one the connection device.

16. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the connection device is a flange.

17. A seal according to claim 11, wherein in use of the seal, the two annular seals may be compressed toward one another by the compressive force provided by the weight of the toilet bowl.

18. A seal according to claim 17, wherein the annular seals are displaced towards one another to a substantial extent such that they bear against one another.

19. A seal according to claim 18, wherein the recess is substantially collapsed, and a base of the two respective annular seals form respective seal surfaces for sealing engagement against a seal surface provided on the connection device.

20. A seal according to claim 11, wherein the two annular seals may be splayed apart from one another by the compressive force provided by the weight of the toilet bow.

21. A seal according to claim 20, wherein faces of the annular rings which are adjacent the recess provide respective seal surfaces for sealing engagement against the sealing surface provided on the connection device.

22. A seal according to claim 9, wherein the upper portion of the seal comprises an inner annular seal and an outer annular seal, and the inner annular seal is located radially inwardly of the outer annular seal.

23. A seal according to claim 22, wherein the outer annular seal is coaxial with respect to the inner annular seal.

24. A seal according to claim 9, wherein the seal further comprises a lower portion which is coupled to the upper portion, and which is provided with at least one sealing element for sealing engagement against a lower portion of the connection device, or against a portion of the waste removal system.

25. A seal according to claim 24, wherein the sealing element is a seal ring which is preferably arranged on an outer circumference of the lower portion.

26. A seal according to claim 25, wherein the seal ring protrudes outwardly from the outer circumference of the lower portion to seal against an inner circumference of the connection device or the waste removal system.

27. A seal according to claim 25, wherein there are a plurality of seal rings provided on the lower portion, the plurality of seal rings being axially spaced with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bore of the seal.

28. A seal according to claim 24, wherein the seal further comprises a middle portion which couples the upper portion of the seal to the lower portion.

29. A seal according to claim 24, wherein an inner diameter of the upper portion of the seal is of a different diameter to an inner diameter of the lower portion.

30. A seal according to claim 29, wherein the middle portion being coupled to the upper portion, and the other end being coupled to the lower portion.

31. A seal according to claim 30, wherein an outer diameter of the upper portion of the seal is greater than an outer diameter of the lower portion.

32. A seal according to claim 1, having taps with supporting a apertures for fixings.