Toilet outlet seal

Abstract

A seal for a toilet outlet is described. The seal comprises a body and a deformable undercut lip. The lip is arranged so as to roll radially from the body when subject to load, such as that exerted by a toilet outlet. The rolling motion of the lip ensures that the seal 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.

1 . A seal comprising a generally annular body for location between two members to be connected, the body comprising a radially outwardly extending deformable lip for abutting one of the members to be connected, the lip being arranged such that the lip deforms by a radially outer portion of the lip rolling in a predictable manner when subject to axial compression, said body further comprising a radially inwardly extending, resilient diaphragm, said diaphragm being arranged perpendicular to a body longitudinal axis, said diaphragm defining the minimum diameter of said body such that, when connected to a waste pipe prior to fitting of a toilet, said diaphragm restricts backflow of fumes from said waste pipe. 
   
   
       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 said diaphragm defines an annular ridge on the underside thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the surface profile of the lip is substantially hemicylindrical. 
   
   
       6 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein a highest point of the lip is positioned radially outwardly of a mid-point of the adjacent body wall. 
   
   
       7 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the lip in use abuts only one of the members to be connected. 
   
   
       8 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a shoulder located spaced from the lip, for spacing the lip from the second member to be connected. 
   
   
       9 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the body is substantially resilient. 
   
   
       10 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises elastomeric material. 
   
   
       11 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the lip further comprises friction-increasing formations thereon. 
   
   
       12 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the lip further comprises ridges thereon. 
   
   
       13 . The seal of  claim 12 , wherein the ridges extend substantially circumferentially around the lip. 
   
   
       14 . 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. 
   
   
       15 . The seal of  claim 14 , wherein the sealing portion comprises a protrusion on an outer surface of a body wall. 
   
   
       16 . The seal of  claim 1 , further comprising an interior sealing member. 
   
   
       17 . The seal of  claim 16 , wherein the interior sealing member comprises a diaphragm extending radially within the body. 
   
   
       18 . The seal of  claim 16 , wherein the interior sealing member is adapted to be deformed when subject to force exerted by a member to be connected. 
   
   
       19 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the lip deforms without buckling. 
   
   
       20 . 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 towards a configuration in which the lip and part of the body define a tube when subject to axial compression.