Integral toilet sealing member and leak detection device

Abstract

A toilet sealing device includes a substrate, a sealing member and a molding member. The sealing member is coupled to the substrate about an opening defined by the substrate. The sealing member is configured to form a fluid-tight seal between a discharge outlet portion of a toilet and a flange associated with a waste pipe when the toilet is coupled to the flange. The molding member is coupled to an outer edge of the substrate, and is configured to engage a base of the toilet when the toilet is coupled to the flange.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a substrate defining an opening;   a sealing member coupled to the substrate about the opening, the sealing member configured to form a substantially fluid-tight seal between an outlet portion of a toilet and a sewage flange within a floor when the toilet is installed to the floor; and   a molding member coupled to an outer edge of the substrate, the molding member configured to engage a base of the toilet when the toilet is installed to the floor.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member includes a wax portion and a funnel portion, the wax portion configured to be disposed between the outlet portion of the toilet and the flange such that the funnel portion is disposed within the sewage flange when the toilet is installed to the floor. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the molding member is constructed from a substantially elastic material. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate and the molding member are each constructed from a substantially elastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sensor coupled to the substrate, the sensor configured to produce an indication when a liquid contacts the sensor.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sensor having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion coupled to the substrate, the second end portion configured to extend beyond the toilet, the second end portion configured to produce an indication when a liquid contacts the first end portion.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sensor coupled to the substrate, the sensor configured to produce an electronic output when a liquid contacts the sensor.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a substrate defining an opening;   a sealing member coupled to the substrate about the opening, the sealing member configured to form a substantially fluid-tight seal between an outlet portion of a toilet and a sewage flange within a floor when the toilet is installed to the floor;   a sensor coupled to the substrate, the sensor configured to produce an indication when a liquid contacts the sensor.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor has a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion coupled to the substrate, the second end portion configured to extend beyond the toilet, the second end portion configured to produce an indication when the liquid contacts the first end portion. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor is configured to produce an electronic output when the liquid contacts the sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor includes an radio frequency identification circuit. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor substantially circumscribes the sealing member. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a molding member coupled to an outer edge of the substrate, the molding member configured to engage a base of the toilet when the toilet is installed to the floor.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a substrate defining an opening, the substrate configured to be disposed between a sealing member a sewage flange when a toilet is coupled to the sewage flange such that the sealing member and the substrate collectively form a substantially fluid-tight seal between an outlet portion of the toilet and the sewage flange when the toilet is coupled to the sewage flange;   a sensor coupled to the substrate, the sensor configured to produce an indication when a liquid contacts the sensor.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein an outer edge of the substrate and a portion of the sealing member collectively define a collection volume, the sensor configured to produce the indication when the liquid is contained within the collection volume. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor substantially circumscribes the sealing member when the toilet is coupled to the sewage flange. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor includes an radio frequency identification circuit.