Sanitary cove molding system

Abstract

The present invention extends an interior corner piece to create flange portions of a ceramic or porcelain molding. The structure of the invention can provide a sanitary transition between a wall and a floor by smoothing out and raising the surface away from a sharp corner or crevice. The invention also moves edges of the corner piece farther away from the inside corner. This can improve sanitation and allow for easier cleaning. This structure can promote a smoother installation and more uniform molding scheme by possibility improving the stability of the design to allow the molding piece to lie flush in the corner. The features of the invention may promote easier installation, better sanitation, and a pleasing appearance to the molding scheme.

1 . A molding piece for placement in an inside corner, comprising:
 a body having a plurality of body portions extending for a substantial distance from a vertex to form an interior angle, wherein each of the body portions encompasses a cross-section;   the cross-section comprising a bottom surface adjacent to an inner edge, a concave surface adjacent to the inner edge, an upper edge adjacent the concave surface and opposite the inner edge, and a back surface adjacent to the upper edge; and   a central portion defining a body of rotation about the vertex subtending the angle formed by the body portions.   
   
   
       2 . The molding piece of  claim 1 , wherein the inner edge of the bottom surface defines a space between the plurality of the body portions. 
   
   
       3 . The molding piece of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the bottom surface defines a first plane and a portion of the back surface defines a second plane, and wherein the first and the second planes converge defines a space adjacent to a portion of the body spaced from the concave surface. 
   
   
       4 . The molding piece of  claim 3 , wherein the inner edge of the bottom surface defines a space between the plurality of the body portions. 
   
   
       5 . The molding piece of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the body having a surface adjacent to the bottom surface and adjacent to the back surface.   
   
   
       6 . The molding piece of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is approximately ninety degrees. 
   
   
       7 . The molding piece of  claim 1 , wherein the concave surface comprises at least one selected from the list consisting of:
 a glazed surface and a coated surface.   
   
   
       8 . The molding piece of  claim 1 , wherein the body portions extend from the vertex a sufficient distance such that a line from a center of gravity to the bottom surface is normal to a plane of the bottom surface. 
   
   
       9 . A molding piece, comprising:
 a body having a central portion having substantially spherical concave surface; and   the body having a first portion extending from the central portion and having a surface substantially concave about a first axis extending from the central portion.   
   
   
       10 . The molding piece of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 the body having a second portion extending from the central portion and having a surface substantially concave about a second axis extending from the central portion in a direction distinct from the first axis.   
   
   
       11 . The molding piece of  claim 10 , wherein the first axis and the second axis form an interior angle. 
   
   
       12 . The molding piece of  claim 11 , wherein the angle is approximately ninety degrees. 
   
   
       13 . The molding piece of  claim 10 , wherein the first and the second body portions extend from the central portion a sufficient distance such that a line from a center of gravity to the bottom surface intersects a plane of the bottom surface at a normal angle. 
   
   
       14 . The molding piece of  claim 10 , wherein the concave surface comprises at least one selected from the list consisting of:
 a glazed surface and a coated surface.   
   
   
       15 . The molding piece of  claim 10 , further comprising a rear surface opposite the concave surface;
 wherein the rear surface comprises:
 a first, substantially vertical portion adjacent a top edge of the molding piece; 
 a second, substantially horizontal portion adjacent a bottom edge of the molding piece; and 
 a third portion interconnecting the first portion and the second portion. 
   
   
   
       16 . A molding piece, comprising:
 a body having at least a first and second portion extending at an angle from a central portion of the body at a substantially right angle; and   the first, second and central portions of the body having substantially smooth and continuous inwardly curved surfaces extending from a vertex of the right angle.   
   
   
       17 . The molding piece of  claim 16 , wherein the first and the second portions extend from the central portion a sufficient distance such that a line from a center of gravity to the bottom surface intersects the bottom surface at a normal angle. 
   
   
       18 . The molding piece of  claim 16 , wherein the concave surface comprises at least one selected from the list consisting of:
 a glazed surface and a coated surface.   
   
   
       19 . The molding piece of  claim 16 , further comprising a rear surface opposite the concave surface;
 wherein the rear surface comprises:
 a first, substantially vertical portion adjacent a top edge of the molding piece; 
 a second, substantially horizontal portion adjacent a bottom edge of the molding piece; and 
 a third portion interconnecting the first portion and the second portion. 
   
   
   
       20 . A molding piece for placement in an inside corner, comprising:
 a body having a bottom surface defining an inner edge and an outer edge;   the body having a back surface defining a lower edge and an upper edge;   the body having a concave surface facing away from the bottom and back surfaces; and   the bottom surface, the back surface and the concave surface defining a plurality of body portions extending from a substantially central portion of the body in a plurality of distinct directions for a predetermined distance.   
   
   
       21 . A molding system, comprising:
 a first straight piece adjacent to an inside corner piece; and   a second straight piece adjacent to the inside corner piece.   
   
   
       22 . The molding system of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a third straight piece adjacent to the inside corner piece.   
   
   
       23 . The molding system of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a outside corner piece adjacent to the second straight corner piece.   
   
   
       24 . The molding system of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a first tile piece adjacent to the first straight piece, the first tile piece adjacent to the inside corner piece, and the first tile piece adjacent to the third straight piece;   a second tile piece adjacent to the third straight piece, the second tile piece adjacent to the inside corner piece, the second tile piece adjacent to the second straight piece, the second tile piece adjacent to the outside corner piece; and   a third tile piece adjacent to the first straight piece, the third tile piece adjacent to the inside corner piece, and the third tile piece adjacent to the second straight piece, the third tile piece adjacent to the outside corner piece.