Patent ID: 8365318

Claim:
A method for manufacturing a flange apparatus for connecting between a plumbing fixture discharge and waste drainpipe outlet, comprising: providing an outer flange for seating against a surface disposed substantially between the plumbing fixture discharge and the waste drainpipe outlet; and providing a sleeve operable to be coupled to the outer flange, the sleeve being unitarily formed of a flexible material and having one or more corrugated portions along a lower portion of the sleeve such that the sleeve is capable of at least ten degrees of deflection while maintaining a cross-sectional shape of a lower portion of the sleeve, the sleeve further comprising: an inward lip extending from an outer, top surface of an upper portion, the lip being sufficiently flexible to deflect downward when engaged by the plumbing fixture discharge; an outward flange extending from the outer, top surface of the upper portion, the outward flange of the sleeve being seated on the outer flange; and one or more sealing elements disposed about the lower portion of the sleeve, wherein the sealing element comprises a maximum outside diameter of the lower portion and is sized to directly engage an inside diameter of the waste drainpipe outlet.