Abstract:
Embodiments for water tight sink seals and methods of use are disclosed. The sealer material is formed from extruded closed-cell neoprene or other suitable material and has a flat base bearing a layer of pre-applied adhesive. A strip of the sealing material can be applied as a single length to form an instant sink seal once the sink is clamped. The seals and method of using are suitable for top mounted sinks.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of provisional application 62/108,446 filed on Jan. 28, 2015. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The instant invention relates to watertight sealing of top mounted sinks. Top mounted sinks fit in a rough hole cutout from the counter with the flange of the sink positioned above the cutout lip of the counter. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Water impervious seals have been previously accomplished for top mounting sinks using caulking, resins, or adhesives which require careful application and drying. During drying the sink is not useable, and unsightly excess sealant can be difficult to remove and quite messy. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The sink sealing material is formed preferably from a length of closed cell polychloroprene foam having a flat or semi-flat base with a pre-attached pressure sensitive adhesive. A single length can be applied to the bottom of the sink flange. Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  Perspective view of sealer 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  Cross section of sealer for U-channel type sinks 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  View of sealer applied to bottom surface of sink flange 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  Seam formed from 45 degree angle cuts 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  Cross section of alternative embodiment of sealer suitable for a variety of top-mounted sinks 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Embodiments for sink sealing materials and methods are disclosed.  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a portion of a roll of sealing material of a first embodiment. The apparatus  10  comprised of a long strand or strip  12  of extruded material has a flat or substantially flat base  14  which is opposite a rounded top  16  and also having two substantially straight sides  18  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Alternatively the cross section may take the form of an ellipse bisected through its minor axis, or parabolic, or other suitable shapes. An adhesive is pre-applied to the base of the sealant strand. Sealing of a top mounted sink can be accomplished by application of the base of the sealer strand to the bottom surface of the sink flange as shown in  FIG. 3 . The ends of the sealing material are cut at 45 degree angles during installation so that a single seam or seal  20 ,  FIG. 4 , formed from the engaged complementary facing surfaces is water tight with only slight applied pressure. After the sealer material is applied to the entire perimeter of the sink flange and the seam is formed from the cut ends, the sink is inserted into the counter cutout hole and then the sink is clamped in place thereby applying pressure to the sealer material and forming a water tight seal. No drying time or cleanup of caulk is required. The sink sealer may be formed from any suitable material, preferably having a closed-cell polymer composition such as closed-cell polychloroprene. Preferred dimensions are shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0013]    A second embodiment is useful for sealing top mounting sinks which lack a U-channel on the flange but can also be used for sinks with a U-channel on the flange. Preferred dimensions for features in the cross section in  FIG. 5  are listed in Table 1. The preferred dimensions, base length  42 , height  44 , and width  40  at the junction of the rounded top  16  and the sides  18  are the same for the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . The second embodiment, also formed by extrusion of an elastomer such as polychloroprene, has a flat base  14  and rounded top  16  as in the first embodiment but differs in overall configuration by having grooves or channels  26  resembling notch cuts in each of the sides  18 . The grooves or channels result in the material having a lower portion  24  and upper portion  22  with a groove on each side extending along the length of the strand. The cross sectional view shows the grooves bilaterally symmetrical in orientation. The grooves can be formed each having a first surface  28  and a second surface  30 . The first surface  28  may be configured such that it is essentially parallel to the base of the apparatus as shown in  FIG. 5 . The second surface  30  may be configured wherein it intersects the first surface an angle of about 48.2 degrees so that the width of the notch at the periphery of the apparatus is about 0.063 inches (i.e., +/−0.02). The vertical spacing  48  of the groove, 0.0625 inches+/−0.02 inches, is slightly smaller than the actual groove or notch width, if measured along the sides, because the sides are slightly oblique. Other embodiments could be made with parallel sides or alternative configurations. The sealer material can be applied to a U-channel in exactly the same manner as described for the first embodiment. For sealing top mounted sinks lacking a U-channel a lower profile is required. This is accomplished by reducing the height from base to top by removing the upper portion. Removal of the upper portion is readily accomplished simply by tearing by hand. The upper surface of the remaining lower portion is substantially flat and parallel to the base. Because tearing off the upper portion would not be expected to perfectly cleanly separate, the upper surface would not be expected to be perfectly flat and parallel to the base but rather substantially flat. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Item 
                 Preferred Dimensions (inches) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Width 40 at junction of rounded 
                 0.1995 +/− 0.030 
               
               
                   
                 top and sides 
               
               
                   
                 Base 42 
                 0.2500 +/− 0.030 
               
               
                   
                 Height 44 
                 0.3125 +/− 0.040 
               
               
                   
                 Connection width 46 at junction 
                 0.938 
               
               
                   
                 of upper and lower portions 
               
               
                   
                 Height of lower portion 48 
                 0.1250 +/− 0.040 
               
               
                   
                 Vertical spacing 50 of grooves 
                 0.0625 +/− 0.020 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0014]    Other embodiments can be made so that the upper surface of the remaining lower portion is not substantially flat. For example, the grooves could be positioned with their respective first surfaces inclined from the periphery toward the vertical axis, as viewed in cross section, such that following removal of the upper portion, the remaining lower portion would have its upper surface not being substantially parallel to the base. In addition, alternative embodiments may be constructed with dimensions other than the preferred dimensions. No tools are required for installation. After removing the upper portion, the upper portion can be discarded. The lower portion is applied in a essentially the same manner to the flange of the sink as described above, the sealer being used essentially as a gasket between the counter top and bottom of the sink flange at or very close to the edge of the sink flange.