Flexible Toilet Seal Adaptable to Conduits of Different Size and Related Method

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to a toilet seal that is adaptable to conduits of different size. In one embodiment, the seal includes an integral sealing element coupled to an end of the sleeve. A modular sealing element is further disposed about the integral sealing element. The modular sealing element and integral sealing element are removable to thereby adapt the seal to conduits of different size. In another embodiment, the seal includes a first integral sealing element coupled to an end of the sleeve. The seal further includes a second integral sealing element coupled to the first integral sealing element. The first and second integral sealing elements are removable to thereby adapt the seal to conduits of different size. Related methods are described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A seal for connecting between a plumbing fixture discharge and a waste drainpipe outlet, comprising:
 a sleeve;   an inwardly extending flexible lip coupled to a first end of the sleeve;   at least one integral sealing element coupled to a second end of the sleeve, the diameter of the at least one integral sealing element being greater than the diameter of the sleeve; and   a modular sealing element disposed circumferentially about the integral sealing element, the diameter of the modular sealing element being greater than the diameter of the at least one integral sealing element;   wherein the modular sealing element and the integral sealing element are removable to thereby adapt the seal for use with conduits of different size.   
     
     
         2 . A seal according to  claim 1 , wherein the integral sealing element is coupled to the sleeve via a coupling portion having a reduced thickness relative to the integral sealing element. 
     
     
         3 . A seal according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve has a thickness, and further wherein the integral sealing element is coupled to the sleeve via a coupling portion having a reduced thickness relative to the sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . A seal according to  claim 1 , wherein the modular sealing element includes an annular recess for receiving the integral sealing element. 
     
     
         5 . A seal according to  claim 1 , wherein the seal directly engages a waste drainpipe outlet. 
     
     
         6 . A seal according to  claim 1 , wherein the seal indirectly engages a waste drainpipe outlet. 
     
     
         7 . A seal according to  claim 6 , wherein the seal directly engages a flange disposed adjacent to the waste drainpipe outlet. 
     
     
         8 . A seal according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one integral sealing element comprises two integral sealing element. 
     
     
         9 . A seal for connecting between a plumbing fixture discharge and a waste drainpipe outlet, comprising:
 a sleeve;   an inwardly extending flexible lip coupled to a first end of the sleeve;   a first integral sealing element coupled to a second end of the sleeve, the diameter of the first integral sealing element being greater than the diameter of the sleeve; and   a second integral sealing element coupled to the first integral sealing element, the diameter of the second integral sealing element being greater than the diameter of the first integral sealing element;   wherein the first and second integral sealing elements are removable to thereby adapt the seal for use with conduits of different size.   
     
     
         10 . A seal according to  claim 9 , wherein the first integral sealing element is coupled to the second integral sealing element via a coupling portion having a reduced thickness relative to the first and second integral sealing elements. 
     
     
         11 . A seal according to  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve has a thickness, and further wherein the first integral sealing element is coupled to the second integral sealing element via a coupling portion having a reduced thickness relative to the sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . A seal according to  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve has a thickness, and further wherein the first integral sealing element is coupled to the sleeve via a coupling portion having a reduced thickness relative to the sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . A seal according to  claim 9 , wherein the seal directly engages a waste drainpipe outlet. 
     
     
         14 . A seal according to  claim 9 , wherein the seal indirectly engages a waste drainpipe outlet. 
     
     
         15 . A seal according to  claim 14 , wherein the seal directly engages a flange disposed adjacent to the waste drainpipe outlet. 
     
     
         16 . A method for sealing between a plumbing fixture discharge and a waste drainpipe outlet, comprising:
 providing a seal having a sleeve, the sleeve having first and second integral sealing elements coupled to an end thereof, the second integral sealing element having a diameter greater than the first integral sealing element and the first and second integral sealing elements being coupled to one another via a coupling portion having a reduced thickness relative to the first and second sealing elements; and   disposing the seal between a plumbing fixture discharge and a waste drainpipe outlet.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , further comprising removing the second integral sealing element. 
     
     
         18 . A method for sealing between a plumbing fixture discharge and a waste drainpipe outlet, comprising:
 providing a seal having a sleeve, the sleeve having an integral sealing element coupled to an end thereof, and a modular sealing element disposed about the integral sealing element, the integral sealing element being coupled to the sleeve via a coupling portion having a reduced thickness relative to the integral sealing element and modular sealing element; and   disposing the seal between a plumbing fixture discharge and a waste drainpipe outlet.   
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , further comprising removing the modular sealing element. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , further comprising removing the integral sealing element.