System, method and device for floor and wall tile installation

Abstract

An installation device for installing a plurality of tiles to a supporting surface without grout is provided. The installation device may include a generally planar base sheet forming a predetermined pattern of ridges, wherein intersecting ridges form a perimeter defining a tile cavity. The base sheet may form an adhesive opening within each tile cavity. A suitable adhesive may fill each adhesive opening so as to adhere the base sheet to the supporting surface as well as provide an adhesive region within each tile cavity for a predetermined tile received therein, whereby the ridges provide the joint between adjacent tiles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An installation device for installing tiles to a supporting surface without grout, comprising:
 a generally planar base sheet having a first side and an opposing second side;   a plurality of ridges formed along the first side in a grid-like pattern;   at least one tile cavity, each tile cavity defined along its perimeter by intersecting ridges; and   at least one adhesive opening formed within the base sheet, communicating the first and second sides, wherein each adhesive opening is disposed within each of the at least one tile cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The installation device of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive substantially filling each adhesive opening, forming an adhesive region disposed within each tile cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The installation device of  claim 1 , wherein the installation device is an unitary construction of recyclable material. 
     
     
         4 . The installation device of  claim 1 , further comprising a predetermined tile snugly received within each tile cavity so as to adhere to the adhesive region. 
     
     
         5 . An installation system for installing tiles to a supporting surface without grout, comprising:
 an installation device comprising:
 a generally planar base sheet having a first side and an opposing second side; 
 a plurality of ridges formed along the first side in a grid-like pattern; 
 at least one tile cavity, each tile cavity defined along its perimeter by intersecting ridges; and 
 at least one adhesive opening formed within the base sheet, communicating the first and second sides, wherein each adhesive opening is disposed within each of the at least one tile cavity; 
   an adhesive for filling each adhesive opening so as to form an adhesive region therein; and   at least one predetermined tile dimensioned and adapted to snugly be received within each tile cavity and contact its adhesive region,   wherein the installation device is an unitary construction of recyclable material.   
     
     
         6 . The installation system of  claim 5 , wherein the recyclable material is colorable. 
     
     
         7 . A method of installing tiles to a supporting surface without grout, comprising the steps of:
 providing an installation device comprising:
 a generally planar base sheet having a first side and an opposing second side; 
 a plurality of ridges formed along the first side in a grid-like pattern; 
 at least one tile cavity, each tile cavity defined along its perimeter by intersecting ridges; and 
 at least one adhesive opening formed within the base sheet, communicating the first and second sides, wherein each adhesive opening is disposed within each of the at least one tile cavity; 
   overlaying the second side on the supporting surface;   filling each adhesive opening with an adhesive, forming an adhesive region extending from the supporting wall to at least the first side; and   placing a predetermined tile snugly within each tile cavity so as to adhere to its respective adhesive region.