MEANS FOR JOINTING TILES

Abstract: Means for jointing tiles are described which mainly comprise elastic elements (2). These elements together form a pattern leaving one or more open spaces (3) in which the tiles (1) can be placed. The pattern includes crossing points (2A) on which the elastic elements (2) intersect. In addition, a method is described for jointing tiles in which tiles are attached to a surface in a regular pattern and in which a space is left between the tiles. Subsequently, the space between the tiles is filled up with the above-mentioned tile jointing means.

Description: Means for jointing tiles The present invention relates to means for jointing tiles. It is common practice to attach tiles in a regular pattern on the floor surface, or on the wall leaving a space, i.e. a joint, between the tiles. In attaching tiles to the floor or to the wall, a tile glue or mortar bed is used dependent on the surface structure of the wall or the floor. If the surface structure of a wall or partition has irregular features, use is usually made of a mortar bed, while a regular, smooth surface structure is usually tiled by means of a tile glue. After the tiles have been attached onto the surface by means of applying either the glue or the mortar and once the glue or mortar has hardened sufficiently, the joints between the tiling can be filled: in other words, the tiles are jointed. Joining tiles generally takes place by means of using the appropriate mortar which is diluted with water. This mortar paste is applied to the joints between the tiles and is to harden. The mortar which has fallen on the surface of the tiles, can be washed away with a damp cloth or sponge. After the mortar between the tiles has hardened sufficiently, the tiled surface is finished and ready for use. However, this known substance for jointing tiles is subject to a number of disadvantages. Firstly, it requires a relatively labour-intensive working method in order to apply the (mortar) joint filling paste between the tiles. It takes up a relatively large amount of time to prepare the mortar paste, apply it between the joints of the tiles, and wash away the surplus of mortar. In addition to this, the mortar requires full hardening before the surface is ready for use. This hardening time generally amounts to a minimum of twenty-four hours unto even several days. Moreover, the hardened mortar joints between the tiles are prone to become dirty quickly which is an unpleasant sight and, what is more, unhygienic. Although, recently some cleaning products have been introduced to the market for keeping the mortar joints between the tiles clean, or cleanse them, this is not a satisfactory solution for this problem, causing mortar joints in general to look grubby after some time. The present invention intends to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages and is therefore provided with a tile jointing application which basically comprises rectangular elastic elements which constitute a regular pattern while leaving one or more open spaces designed for application of one tile each. The means according to the present invention are therefore shaped as an elastic joints mat provided with openings for the application of the tiles. These means, or this mat, can be placed in the joints between the tiles enabling the tiles to be jointed by means of said means for jointing tiles. To this end, the tiles can first be arranged in the desired pattern against the surface, or the working method of tiling and jointing can be reversed. In the latter case, the joints mat is placed onto or against the surface to be tiled, after which the tiles are placed against the surface in the openings between the elastic elements by means of applying tile glue or mortar. The means for jointing tiles according to the present invention may comprise any desired pattern and is adapted to the tiles to be placed. With regard to this, the elastic elements provide the advantage of easy modelling. In placing square tiles, a corresponding pattern of perpendicularly placed rectangular elastic elements is thus required, whereas in placing other types of tiles with e.g. more than four corners or round tiles, or tiles of different shapes and sizes, a corresponding pattern of rectangular elastic elements is required. In addition to this, the means for jointing tiles according to the present invention also has the advantage of easy removal from the joints. If the elastic joints mat becomes dirty or no longer meets the requirements put to it, it can be easily removed from the joints and be replaced by a new mat. This is, especially from a hygienic viewpoint, an important advantage. Replacing the known joint filling substance is, of course, far more labour-intensive and time-consuming. What is more, the joints mat according to the present invention offers the advantage of enabling simple visualisation of the tiling pattern on the surface to be tiled without having to actually place or apply the pattern. Since the space between the tiles may differ in certain places, the material of the tile jointing application means is to have a certain degree of elasticity for the purpose of filling up these discrepancies. The joints also need to be sufficiently water-proof. Therefore, the rectangular elastic elements according to the present invention, preferably comprise a material selected from the group consisting of silicone compounds, elastic plastics and elastic resin compounds or combinations of these. In addition to its elasticity, this material also provides for sufficient sealing up of the joints between the tiles preventing water or dirt from seeping through the joints and tiles. Furthermore, the smooth surface of these materials offers the advantage of being inhabited by bacteria less quickly. Since tiles are usually placed in a pattern in which the intermediate joints intersect, it is preferred that the elastic elements of the means for jointing tiles according to the present invention intersect as well. In the case of e.g. square tiles, the elastic elements will basically be perpendicularly with respect to each other. In placing a regular tiling pattern, it is common practice to use crossing points, or 'tile crosses' between the tiles. In these cases the crossing points of the rectangular elastic elements according to the present invention, are preferably provided with a notch. In this manner the tiling pattern can be placed by applying the 'tile crosses', while these remain placed between the tiles. Because the tile jointing application is provided with a notch on the crossing points, the application means can be placed across the 'tile crosses' without bulges in these places. In another advantageous embodiment are the rectangular elastic elements of the joints mat according to the present invention provided with one or more reinforcement elements. These reinforcement elements may be shaped like the well-known 'tile crosses' and may function as such when attached to the 'crossing points'. The reinforcement elements may also be provided outside the crossing points, e.g. in a round or rectangular part. The use of these reinforcement elements brings about reinforcement of the joints mat, which is mainly advantageous in cases in which the tile jointing application according to the present invention is first placed against the surface to be tiled after which the open spaces between the rectangular elements are filled up with tiles. In case the means for jointing tiles according to the present invention, is provided with reinforcement elements, these reinforcement elements preferably comprise plastic material. The present invention also relates to a method for jointing tiles in which tiles are applied to a surface in pattern by means of applying an appropriate adhesive leaving spaces between the tiles, after which these spaces are jointed with the appropriate tile jointing means. Said method is characterised by the fact that means for jointing tiles according to the present invention are applied as tile jointing means. Finally, the present invention relates to a method for tiling a surface, in which method means for jointing tiles according to the present invention are placed against the surface to be tiled, after which the tiles are applied to the surface in the open spaces between the elastic elements by applying an appropriate adhesive. The invention will be clarified below in more detail on the basis of the drawing annexed, in which: figure 1 shows a regular tiling pattern with the intermediate joints; figure 2 shows a detail of the tile jointing means according to the present invention; figure 3 shows a cross-cut along line LQ-LII in accordance with figure 2 and figure 4 shows a cross-cut along line iV-IV in accordance with figure 2. The figures are purely schematic and are not drawn to scale. Especially for the purpose of clarification, some sizes have been represented in a greatly exaggerated manner. Corresponding parts have been indicated in the figures with a same reference number as much as possible. Figure 1 shows an example of a regular pattern of tiles 1. In placing the tiles 1 on the floor or against the wall or partition, a space or joint is left in between the tiles which is to be filled up or jointed. The tile jointing means according to the present invention, mainly comprises rectangular elastic elements 2, which form a pattern with one or more open spaces 3, in which in every open space 3 a tile I can be applied. The pattern of the tile jointing means according to the invention, is dependent on the form, size and pattern of the tiles to be placed. Every desired pattern can be realised. In the present example, square tiles and a corresponding joints pattern is assumed. It is, of course, possible that the tiles are not square but triangular, multi-angular or round or that the tiles are placed in an irregular pattern and that the joints pattern in between the tiles deviates accordingly from the rectangular pattern represented in the figures. A detail of the tile jointing means, which is also called joints mat, is shown in figure 2. Reference number 2 shows a rectangular clastic element while reference number 2A shows a crossing point of the rectangular elastic elements. In this example, one of the crossing points is provided with a reinforcement element 4, or a so-called tile cross. As referred to above, other parts of the rectangular elastic elements 2, e.g. a rectilinear part, may also be provided with a reinforcement element. This reinforcement element usually comprises plastic material whereas the material of the rectangular elastic elements otherwise is selected from the group consisting of silicone compounds, plastics and resin compounds, or combinations of these. Another possibility is that crossing point 2A is provided with a notch 5. This is especially advantageous in case a tiling pattern is placed by means of applying tile crosses. In order to prevent the crosses from being removed from in between the tiles before jointing them, the joints mat is provided with notches enabling it to be placed across the crosses without causing bulges in these places. Figure 3 shows a cross-cut along line ITJ-III in figure 2. In this case the crossing points of the rectangular elements are provided with a notch 5 in order to take up the crosses which are applied in placing the tiles. Figure 4 shows a cross-cut along line IV-IV in figure 2. Reference number 4 represents the reinforcement element which is present on the crossing point of the rectangular elastic elements. The tile jointing means according to the present invention, therefore comprises a pattern-shaped mat of rectangular elastic elements which can be placed in the joints in between the tiles. Preferably, the diameter of the elastic elements 2 will be larger than or equal to the diameter of the joints between the tiles. In this manner it is established that the space between the tiles is sealed by means of the tile jointing means according to the present invention. When the present tile jointing means are applied in between the tiles, this can be easily pushed on by hand, whether or not by applying the appropriate ancillary means. If desired, the joints mat can be removed from the joints after a while and replaced by a new joints mat. Another option is that the tile jointing means according to the present invention, are placed on or attached to the surface to be tiled, after which the open spaces 3 between the elastic elements 2 are filled up with tiles, by means of applying tile glue or a mortar bed for attachment of the tiles against the surface. If this latter order is adhered to, use of a joints mat is to be preferred in which the rectangular elastic elements are provided with one or more reinforcement elements 4.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. Means for jointing tiles, characterised by the fact that it mainly comprises rectangular elastic elements (2) which form a coherent pattern leaving one or more open spaces (3), designed for application of one tile each (1 ). 2. Means according to claim 1 , characterised by the fact that the rectangular elastic elements (2) intersect. 3. Means according to ciaim 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that the rectangular clastic elements (2) comprise a material selected from the group consisting of silicone compounds, plastics and resin compounds, or combinations of these. 4. Means according to one or more of the claims above, characterised by the fact that the crossing points (2A) of the rectangular elastic elements (2) are being provided with a notch (5). 5. Means according to one or more of the claims 1 -4, characterised by the fact that the rectangular elastic elements (2) are provided with one or more reinforcement elements (4). 6. Means according to claim 6, characterised by the fact that the reinforcement element (4) comprises a plastic material. 7. Method for jointing tiles in which tiles are placed against a surface in a pattern by means of applying an appropriate adhesive, leaving spaces between the tiles after which this space is filled up with appropriate tile jointing means, characterised by the fact that means for jointing tiles in accordance with one or more of the claims 1 -6 are used as means for jointing the tiles. 8. Method for tiling a surface in which means for jointing tiles in accordance with one or more of the claims 1-6 is placed against the surface to be tiled, after which tiles are applied against the surface in the open spaces between the elastic elements by means of applying an appropriate adhesive.

Inventors: SCHIRRIS ALPHONS ALBERTUS, SCHIRRIS, ALPHONS, ALBERTUS
Applicants: SCHIRRIS ALPHONS ALBERTUS, SCHIRRIS, ALPHONS, ALBERTUS
Application year: 1997
Main classification: E04F15
IPC codes: E04F15, E04F21