Toilet outlet seal

Abstract

A seal 10 for a toilet outlet is described. The seal 10 comprises a body 12 and a deformable undercut lip 16 . The lip 16 is arranged so as to roll radially from the body 12 when subject to load, such as that exerted by a toilet outlet. The rolling motion of the lip ensures that the seal 10 deforms evenly and predictably when subject to load, so reducing the need for precise alignment of the toilet with the seal when installing the toilet.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A seal comprising a generally annular body for location between two members to be connected, the body comprising a deformable lip for abutting one of the members to be connected, the lip being arranged such that the lip rolls radially when subject to axial compression.  
     
     
         2 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the body is generally tapered, with an upper portion being of greater diameter than a lower portion.  
     
     
         3 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the body is generally frustoconical.  
     
     
         4 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the lip is undercut.  
     
     
         5 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the lip provides a generally cylindrical surface profile.  
     
     
         6 . The seal of  claim 5 , wherein the surface profile of the lip is substantially hemicylindrical.  
     
     
         7 . The seal of  claim 5 , wherein a highest point of the lip is positioned radially outwardly of a mid-point of the adjacent body wall.  
     
     
         8 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the lip in use abuts only one of the members to be connected.  
     
     
         9 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a flange located spaced from the lip, for spacing the lip from the second member to be connected.  
     
     
         10 . The seal of  claim 9 , wherein the flange is substantially rigid.  
     
     
         11 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the body is substantially resilient.  
     
     
         12 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises elastomeric material.  
     
     
         13 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the lip further comprises friction-increasing formations thereon.  
     
     
         14 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the lip further comprises ridges thereon.  
     
     
         15 . The seal of  claim 14 , wherein the ridges extend substantially circumferentially around the lip.  
     
     
         16 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a sealing portion for forming a seal between the body and the second member to be connected.  
     
     
         17 . The seal of  claim 16 , wherein the sealing portion comprises a protrusion on an outer surface of a body wall.  
     
     
         18 . The seal of  claim 1 , further comprising an interior sealing member.  
     
     
         19 . The seal of  claim 18 , wherein the interior sealing member comprises a diaphragm extending radially within the body.  
     
     
         20 . The seal of  claim 18 , wherein the interior sealing member is adapted to be deformed when subject to force exerted by a member to be connected.  
     
     
         21 . A seal member comprising a body having a bore therethrough, the body being for location between two members to be connected, the body comprising a lip for abutting one of the members to be connected, the lip being undercut.  
     
     
         22 . A seal member comprising a body having a bore therethrough, the body being for location between two members to be connected, the body comprising an interior sealing member for abutting a portion of one of the members to be connected so as to form a seal therewith.