Abstract:
In order to provide a sink accessory part for arrangement on a sink, which can be positioned on the sink simply and stably without the need for a plurality of horizontal support areas at the same height on the sink, and without restricting the functionality of the sink accessory part or the sink, it is proposed that the sink accessory part should include a first coupling device, for coupling the sink accessory part to a first side wall of a bowl of the sink, and a second coupling device, for coupling the sink accessory part to a second side wall, opposing the first side wall, of the bowl of the sink.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to the subject matter disclosed in German Patent Application No. 10 2015 122 606.5 of Dec. 22, 2015, the entire specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a sink accessory part for arrangement on a sink, in particular a kitchen sink. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    For the bowls of sinks, sink accessory parts such as a cutting board, a drip rack or a basin that can be suspended in the bowl from above are available. 
         [0004]    Here, the sink accessory part is for example laid on the one hand on a tap ledge of the sink and on the other on a horizontal edge region of the bowl. For this, however, it is necessary for the front and rear support areas for the sink accessory part, in particular the tap ledge and the bowl edge region, to be at a single level in terms of height. 
         [0005]    It is further known to lay a sink accessory part on horizontal support areas that are provided on steps in the side walls of the bowl. For this purpose, a complex shape of the relevant side walls of the bowl is required. 
         [0006]    A sink accessory part may also be laid on a sink edge that runs around the bowl. For this purpose too, it is necessary for the sink edge to be at the same height everywhere. 
         [0007]    Further, it is known to place a sink accessory part on a base region of the bowl of the sink. This results in low stability in the arrangement of the sink accessory part on the bowl, and restricted functionality of the sink accessory part and the bowl of the sink. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The object of the present invention is to provide a sink accessory part for arrangement on a sink, which can be positioned on the sink simply and stably without the need for a plurality of horizontal support areas at the same height on the sink, and without restricting the functionality of the sink accessory part or the sink. 
         [0009]    This object is achieved according to the invention in the case of a sink accessory part having the features of the precharacterising clause of claim  1 , in that the sink accessory part includes a first coupling device, for coupling the sink accessory part to a first side wall of a bowl of the sink, and a second coupling device, for coupling the sink accessory part to a second side wall, opposing the first side wall, of the bowl of the sink. 
         [0010]    The present invention is based on the concept of laying the sink accessory part not on substantially horizontal support areas on the bowl, the region of the sink surrounding the bowl, or a worktop on which the sink is arranged, but directly on two mutually opposing side walls of the bowl that are preferably inclined to the vertical in the installed condition of the sink. 
         [0011]    This provides the advantage that no steps with support areas for the sink accessory part have to be constructed on the relevant side walls of the sink. 
         [0012]    The working height above the base region of the bowl, at which the sink accessory part is arranged in the position coupled to the bowl of the sink, may be determined merely from the configuration of the sink accessory part, in particular from the spacing between the first coupling device and the second coupling device of the sink accessory part. 
         [0013]    It is thus readily possible to immobilise on the bowl of the sink two different sink accessory parts with different spacings between the first coupling device and the second coupling device at different working heights if these different sink accessory parts have different spacings between the first coupling device and the second coupling device, and if the first side wall and the second side wall of the bowl are inclined in relation to one another such that they have different spacings from one another in different positions in respect to height. 
         [0014]    The sink accessory part according to the invention is at least partly inserted into the bowl, and is clamped between the first side wall and the second side wall, at a working height that is predetermined by the dimension of the sink accessory part in the longitudinal direction thereof. 
         [0015]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided for the first coupling device and/or the second coupling device to be couplable by positive locking and/or by force locking, in particular by frictional engagement, to the respectively associated side wall of the bowl. 
         [0016]    For secure immobilisation of the sink accessory part on the bowl, it is favourable if the first coupling device and/or the second coupling device each include at least two, in particular in each case at least three, particularly preferably in each case at least four, mutually spaced coupling elements for coupling the sink accessory part to the respectively associated side wall of the bowl. 
         [0017]    For particularly stable immobilisation of the sink accessory part on the bowl, it is advantageous if the first coupling device and/or the second coupling device each include at least two coupling elements that are arranged on the sink accessory part at different heights. 
         [0018]    The first coupling device and/or the second coupling device preferably each include at least one coupling element that is arranged on a side face of the sink accessory part. 
         [0019]    The first coupling device and/or the second coupling device preferably each include at least one coupling element that includes a friction-enhancing material, for example a plastics material, in particular an elastomer material. 
         [0020]    In this case, the coupling element may be formed in particular substantially entirely from a friction-enhancing material, for example a plastics material, in particular an elastomer material. 
         [0021]    As an alternative thereto, it may also be provided for the coupling element to be provided with a coating made from a friction-enhancing material, for example a plastics material, in particular an elastomer material. 
         [0022]    This friction-enhancing coating is in that case preferably in contact with the respectively associated side wall of the bowl when the sink accessory part is in the position coupled to the bowl. 
         [0023]    There are various possibilities for arranging the coupling element on a base body of the sink accessory part. 
         [0024]    For example, it may be provided for the first coupling device and/or the second coupling device each to include at least one coupling element that surrounds an end region of a carrier element of the sink accessory part. 
         [0025]    A carrier element of this kind may for example take the form of a longitudinal carrier or a transverse carrier of a base body of the sink accessory part. 
         [0026]    As an alternative or in addition thereto, it may be provided for the first coupling device and/or the second coupling device each to include at least one coupling element that is at least partly received in a recess in the sink accessory part. 
         [0027]    Preferably in this case, the coupling element projects beyond the respectively associated recess in the sink accessory part so that the projecting part of the coupling element can come into contact with the respectively associated side wall of the bowl in a simple manner. 
         [0028]    So that the sink accessory part can be arranged on a horizontal supporting face when it is not in the position coupled to the bowl, it is favourable if the sink accessory part includes at least one support element for supporting the sink accessory part on a horizontal supporting face. 
         [0029]    A support element of this kind preferably includes a friction-enhancing material, for example a plastics material, in particular an elastomer material. 
         [0030]    For example, it may be provided for the support element to be formed substantially entirely from a friction-enhancing material, for example a plastics material, in particular an elastomer material. 
         [0031]    As an alternative thereto, it may also be provided for the support element to be provided with a coating made from a friction-enhancing material, for example a plastics material, in particular an elastomer material. 
         [0032]    A coating of this kind is in that case preferably in contact with the horizontal supporting face when the sink accessory part is supported on a horizontal supporting face of this kind. 
         [0033]    The at least one support element may be different from the coupling elements of the sink accessory part. As an alternative thereto, it may also be provided for the at least one support element at the same time also to serve as a coupling element of a coupling device of the sink accessory part, by means of which the sink accessory part is couplable to a side wall of the bowl of the sink. 
         [0034]    The sink accessory part may in principle have any desired function and shape. 
         [0035]    In preferred embodiments of the invention, it is provided for the sink accessory part to take the form for example of a drip element, a cutting board, a basin and/or a grille. 
         [0036]    The sink accessory part according to the invention is particularly suitable for use thereof for providing a support, preferably with a support area that is oriented substantially horizontally, on a bowl of a sink, wherein the sink accessory part is coupled by means of the first coupling device to a first side wall of the bowl and by means of the second coupling device to a second side wall of the bowl. 
         [0037]    It is then possible to lay any desired articles, for example crockery items and/or cutlery items, on the support provided by the sink accessory part. 
         [0038]    The sink accessory part according to the invention preferably forms a constituent part of a combination comprising a sink having at least one bowl and a sink accessory part of this kind, wherein the sink accessory part is couplable by means of the first coupling device to a first side wall of the bowl and by means of the second coupling device to a second side wall of the bowl. 
         [0039]    Here, the sink preferably takes the form of a kitchen sink. 
         [0040]    It is particularly favourable if the region of the first side wall and/or the region of the second side wall to which the sink accessory part is coupled in the coupled condition has/have a form that is substantially smooth and/or substantially planar and/or free of steps. 
         [0041]    Further, it is preferably provided for the sink accessory part, when it is in a position coupled to the side walls of the bowl, not to be in contact with a bowl flange, bowl edge or bowl edge region of the sink that adjoins a side wall of the bowl. 
         [0042]    Further, it is favourable if the sink accessory part, when it is in a position coupled to the side walls of the bowl, not to be in contact with a base region of the bowl of the sink. 
         [0043]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided for the sink accessory part, when it is in a position coupled to the side walls of the bowl, to be secured in a manner preventing movement in relation to the bowl. 
         [0044]    Preferably, the sink accessory part, when it is in the position coupled to the side walls of the bowl, is secured in a manner preventing movement in relation to the bowl in the horizontal direction and/or in the vertical direction. 
         [0045]    A securing of this kind of the sink accessory part in a manner preventing movement in relation to the bowl may in particular be performed by positive locking and/or by force locking. 
         [0046]    This securing may in particular be achieved by frictional engagement between the first coupling device and the first side wall of the bowl, and/or by frictional engagement between the second coupling device and the second side wall of the bowl. 
         [0047]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided for the first side wall of the bowl and/or the second side wall of the bowl to be inclined to the vertical in the installed condition of the sink. 
         [0048]    Here, the inclination of the respective side wall to the vertical is preferably at least approximately 1°, in particular at least approximately 3°, particularly preferably at least approximately 6°. 
         [0049]    Further, it is preferably provided for the inclination of the relevant side wall of the bowl to the vertical to be at most approximately 20°, in particular at most approximately 10°, particularly preferably at most approximately 8°. 
         [0050]    The sink accessory part according to the invention is preferably at least partly insertable into the bowl, and is clampable between a first side wall and a second side wall, opposing the first side wall, of the bowl at a desired height position in relation to the base of the bowl. 
         [0051]    A fixed immobilisation or fixing of the sink accessory part to the bowl is achieved in that there is positive locking and/or force locking between the sink accessory part and the bowl. 
         [0052]    For immobilisation of the sink accessory part on the bowl, no support areas, in particular no substantially horizontal support areas, are required on the bowl of the sink. 
         [0053]    As a result of coupling the sink accessory part to the bowl by means of the coupling devices, secure, stable functioning of the sink accessory part on or in the bowl is ensured. 
         [0054]    Immobilising the sink accessory part on the first side wall and on the second side wall may be achieved by means of contact faces on the sink accessory part, which are adapted to the inclination of the respective side wall. 
         [0055]    When the sink accessory part is arranged on the bowl, the sink accessory part acts in the manner of a wedge and is clamped in the bowl. 
         [0056]    On application of a slight releasing force, the sink accessory part can be released from the bowl again. 
         [0057]    Here, the procedure of detaching the sink accessory part from the bowl may be assisted by an elastic deformation of the sink accessory part and/or an elastic deformation of the bowl. 
         [0058]    Apart from when it is in the position coupled to the bowl, the sink accessory part may additionally also be used on a worktop, for example as a potholder, or on the base region of the bowl, for example as a rack. 
         [0059]    The sink accessory part may be coupled to the bowl in various positions in relation to the bowl. In particular, it is possible to position the sink accessory part substantially centrally on the bowl. 
         [0060]    However, it is also possible for the sink accessory part to be coupled to the bowl in a manner offset from a central position, for example offset to left or right. 
         [0061]    An adjustment of the height position of the sink accessory part on the bowl is possible by altering the spacing between the first coupling device and the second coupling device without the need for alterations to the sink for this purpose. 
         [0062]    When a sink accessory part is laid on steps on the side walls of the bowl, by contrast, the height position of these steps would have to be altered in order to enable the sink accessory part to be arranged on the bowl at a different height position. 
         [0063]    By comparison with a sink accessory part that is set on the base of the bowl, the sink accessory part that is coupled to the side walls of the bowl can be put under greater load. 
         [0064]    Moreover, it may be provided for the sink accessory part, when it is in the position coupled to the bowl, to have no play relative to the bowl but to be arranged immovably on the bowl and/or to be fixedly immobilised on the bowl. 
         [0065]    The sink accessory part according to the invention may be shaped simply, flat and at low cost. 
         [0066]    The inventive concept according to the invention may be carried over to all types of sink accessory parts. 
         [0067]    The concept according to the invention offers a simple and low-cost alternative to concepts that use stepped side walls. 
         [0068]    Further features and advantages of the invention form the subject of the description below and the illustrative representation of exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0069]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective illustration of a bowl of a sink, in particular a kitchen sink, having a sink accessory part that is arranged in the bowl and is in the form of a drip element that is coupled by a first coupling device to a first side wall of the bowl and by a second coupling device to a second side wall of the bowl, opposing the first side wall of the bowl; 
           [0070]      FIG. 2  shows a plan view from above of the combination comprising a sink and the sink accessory part in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0071]      FIG. 3  shows a vertical section through the sink accessory part and the sink, along the line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0072]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective illustration of the sink in  FIG. 1 , without the sink accessory part; 
           [0073]      FIG. 5  shows a plan view from above of the sink in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0074]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective illustration of the sink accessory part in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0075]      FIG. 7  shows a plan view from above of the sink accessory part in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0076]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of the sink accessory part in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , with the direction of view in the direction of the arrow  8  in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0077]      FIG. 9  shows a front view of the sink accessory part in  FIGS. 6 to 8 , with the direction of view in the direction of the arrow  9  in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0078]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective illustration of a coupling element of a coupling device of the sink accessory part in  FIGS. 6 to 9 ; 
           [0079]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of the coupling element in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0080]      FIG. 12  shows a plan view from below of the coupling element in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , with the direction of view in the direction of the arrow  12  in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0081]      FIG. 13  shows a plan view from above of the coupling element in  FIGS. 10 to 12 , with the direction of view in the direction of the arrow  13  in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0082]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective illustration of a second embodiment of a sink having a bowl and a sink accessory part that is arranged on the bowl and is coupled by means of a first coupling device to a first side wall of the bowl and by means of a second coupling device to a second side wall of the bowl; 
           [0083]      FIG. 15  shows a further perspective illustration of the combination comprising a sink and the sink accessory part in  FIG. 14 , with the direction of view parallel to the long sides of the bowl; 
           [0084]      FIG. 16  shows a plan view from above of the combination comprising a sink and the sink accessory part in  FIGS. 14 and 15 ; 
           [0085]      FIG. 17  shows a vertical section through the combination comprising a sink and the sink accessory part in  FIGS. 14 to 16 , along the line  17 - 17  in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0086]      FIG. 18  shows a perspective illustration of the sink in  FIG. 14 , without the sink accessory part; 
           [0087]      FIG. 19  shows a plan view from above of the sink in  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0088]      FIG. 20  shows a perspective illustration of the sink accessory part in  FIGS. 14 to 17 , with a view of an upper side of the sink accessory part; 
           [0089]      FIG. 21  shows a perspective illustration of the sink accessory part in  FIG. 20 , with a view of an underside of the sink accessory part; 
           [0090]      FIG. 22  shows a plan view from above of the sink accessory part in  FIGS. 20 and 21 ; 
           [0091]      FIG. 23  shows a plan view from below of the sink accessory part in  FIGS. 20 to 22 ; 
           [0092]      FIG. 24  shows a front view of the sink accessory part in  FIGS. 20 to 23 , with the direction of view in the direction of the arrow  24  in  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0093]      FIG. 25  shows a side view of the sink accessory part in  FIGS. 20 to 24 , with the direction of view in the direction of the arrow  25  in  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0094]      FIG. 26  shows a perspective illustration of a coupling element of a coupling device of the sink accessory part in  FIGS. 20 to 25 ; 
           [0095]      FIG. 27  shows a side view of the coupling element in  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0096]      FIG. 28  shows a plan view from below of the coupling element in  FIGS. 26 and 27 , with the direction of view in the direction of the arrow  28  in  FIG. 27 ; and 
           [0097]      FIG. 29  shows a plan view from above of the coupling element in  FIGS. 26 to 28 , with the direction of view in the direction of the arrow  29  in  FIG. 27 . 
       
    
    
       [0098]    Like or functionally equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals in all the Figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0099]    A combination that is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3  and designated  100  as a whole includes a sink  102  having a bowl, in this case illustrated by way of example as an undermount bowl, and a sink accessory part  106  that is arrangeable on the bowl  104 . 
         [0100]    The bowl  104 , which is illustrated individually in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , includes a base region  108 , in which there is provided a bowl drainage opening  110 , and side walls  112  that extend almost vertically upwards from the base region  108 , in particular a front first side wall  112   a , a rear second side wall  112   b , which may be provided with an overflow opening  113 , and a left-hand side wall  112   c  and a right-hand side wall  112   d , which connect the first side wall  112   a  and the second side wall  112   b  to one another. 
         [0101]    Further, the bowl  104  includes a bowl flange  114  that runs peripherally along the upper edges of the side walls  112  and is oriented substantially horizontally. 
         [0102]    The bowl  104  is preferably made in one piece. 
         [0103]    The bowl  104  may in principle be formed from any desired material, for example a stainless steel material, a ceramic material, a plastics material or a composite material. 
         [0104]    The sink  102  may include, besides the at least one bowl  104 , other bowls and/or a drip surface. 
         [0105]    The sink accessory part  106 , which is illustrated individually in  FIGS. 6 to 13 , is for example constructed as a drip element  116 , in particular in the form of a drip rack  118 . 
         [0106]    In this embodiment, the sink accessory part  106  includes a base body  120  having two longitudinal carriers  122  that extend parallel to a longitudinal direction  124  of the sink accessory part  106  and parallel to one another, and are spaced from one another in a transverse direction  126  of the sink accessory part  106  that runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction  124 . 
         [0107]    The two longitudinal carriers  122  are connected to one another by a plurality of transverse carriers  128  that extend substantially parallel to the transverse direction  126  and are spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction  124 —preferably equidistantly. 
         [0108]    As can best be seen from  FIG. 6 , the transverse carriers  128  are preferably fixed in a lower region  130  of the upper longitudinal carriers  122 . 
         [0109]    The rounded tops of the transverse carriers  128  span a support area  132  of the sink accessory part  106  on which articles, for example crockery and/or cutlery, can be laid, for example after these articles have been washed up, in order to enable water to drain off these articles through the interstices  134  between the transverse carriers  128 , which succeed one another in the longitudinal direction  124 . 
         [0110]    At the rounded bottoms of the transverse carriers  128 , the latter are connected to one another by one or more inner lower longitudinal carriers  136 , which preferably run parallel to the longitudinal direction  124 . 
         [0111]    Further, the transverse carriers  128  are connected to one another at their rounded bottoms by two outer lower longitudinal carriers  138 , which, in a central region  140 , extend parallel to the longitudinal direction  124  of the sink accessory part  106 . 
         [0112]    As can best be seen from  FIG. 8 , each of the outer lower longitudinal carriers  138  includes at its two ends a respective end region  142  that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction  124  by an angle α of for example at least approximately 20°, in particular at least approximately 40°, preferably at least approximately 50°, and/or at most approximately 80°, preferably at most approximately 70°. The angle α may for example be approximately 60°. 
         [0113]    The outer lower longitudinal carriers  138 , the inner lower longitudinal carriers  136 , the transverse carriers  128  and/or the upper longitudinal carriers  122  are preferably formed by a metal wire material and/or preferably have a substantially circular cross section. 
         [0114]    The outer lower longitudinal carriers  138  and/or the inner lower longitudinal carriers  136  may be fixed to the transverse carriers  128  by a substance-to-substance bond, for example by adhesion, welding or soldering. 
         [0115]    As an alternative thereto, the outer lower longitudinal carriers  138 , the inner lower longitudinal carriers  136 , the transverse carriers  128  and/or the upper longitudinal carriers  122  may also be made from a different material, for example a plastics material, and or may have any desired other cross section, for example a rectangular or square cross section. 
         [0116]    The end regions  142  of the outer lower longitudinal carriers  138  each carry a coupling element  144 , as illustrated individually in  FIGS. 10 to 13 . 
         [0117]    The coupling element  144  includes a base  146  which is for example substantially frustoconical and is provided at an end face  148 , preferably at the smaller end face, with a recess  150  that is formed in a manner complementing the end region  142 , such that the end region  142  is at least partly received in the recess  150 . 
         [0118]    At its end remote from the end face  148 , the base  146  carries a head region  152 . 
         [0119]    The head region  152  is preferably rounded in form and may in particular be substantially in the shape of a segment of a sphere. 
         [0120]    The coupling element  144  comprising the base  146  and the head region  152  is preferably made in one piece. 
         [0121]    The coupling element  144  is preferably made from a friction-enhancing material or has a coating made from a friction-enhancing material. 
         [0122]    The coupling element  144  may be formed from a plastics material, in particular an elastomer material, for example a silicone material. 
         [0123]    The coupling element  144  is preferably made separately from the base body  120  of the sink accessory part  106  and is fixed to the base body  120  later, in particular being fixed to a respectively associated end region  142  of one of the outer lower longitudinal carriers  138 . 
         [0124]    The coupling element  144  may be fixed to the base body  120  for example by press-fitting and/or adhesion. 
         [0125]    As an alternative thereto, it may also be provided for the coupling element  144  to be produced on the base body  120  in situ, for example by a procedure of moulding on an injection mouldable material. 
         [0126]    As can be seen for example from  FIG. 8 , each of the upper longitudinal carriers  122  of the sink accessory part  106  also has two respective end regions  154 , which are connected to one another by a central region  156  that extends in the longitudinal direction  124  of the sink accessory part  106 . 
         [0127]    However, the end regions  154  of the upper longitudinal carriers  122  are preferably aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction  124  or inclined at an angle α′ (not illustrated) with respect to the longitudinal direction  124  that is smaller than the angle α at which the end regions  142  of the outer lower longitudinal carriers  138  are inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction  124  and with respect to the support area  132  of the sink accessory part  106 . 
         [0128]    Each end region  154  of one of the upper longitudinal carriers  122  also engages in a respective recess  150  in a coupling element  144  that is arranged on the respective end region  154 . 
         [0129]    As can best be seen from  FIG. 6 , in this embodiment the sink accessory part  106  thus has a total of eight coupling elements  144 , wherein in each case an upper coupling element  144   b  at an end region  154  of one of the two upper longitudinal carriers  122  and an adjacent lower coupling element  144   a  at an end region  142  of one of the outer lower longitudinal carriers  138  together form a coupling element pair  158 . 
         [0130]    The coupling elements  144  that are arranged at the front end regions  142 ,  154  together form a first coupling device  160   a  for coupling the sink accessory part  106  to the front first side wall  112   a  of the bowl  104  of the sink  102 . 
         [0131]    The coupling elements  144  that are arranged at the rear end regions  142 ,  154  together form a second coupling device  160   b  for coupling the sink accessory part  106  to the rear second side wall  112   b , opposing the first side wall  112   a , of the bowl  104  of the sink  102 . 
         [0132]    The sink accessory part  106  may, by means of the lower coupling elements  144   a  that are arranged at the end regions  142  of the outer lower longitudinal carriers  138 , be supported on a supporting face that is preferably oriented substantially horizontally and/or is preferably substantially planar, for example on a worktop on which the sink  102  is arranged, on a drip surface (not illustrated) of the sink  102 , or on a table top. 
         [0133]    Here, the preferably friction-enhancing material of the coupling elements  144   a  prevents the sink accessory part  106  from moving undesirably in relation to the supporting face. 
         [0134]    Further, the sink accessory part  106  may be put into the position that is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , coupled to the side walls  112   a  and  112   b  of the bowl  104 , in that the sink accessory part  106  is inserted into the bowl  104  from above until the coupling elements  144  of the first coupling device  160   a  abut against the first side wall  112   a  and the coupling elements  144  of the second coupling device  160   b  abut against the second side wall  112   b  of the bowl  104 . 
         [0135]    The region of the first side wall  112   a , against which the coupling elements  144  of the first coupling device  160   a  abut, is preferably inclined to the vertical at a small acute angle β of preferably at least approximately 1°, in particular at least approximately 3°, particularly preferably at least approximately 6°, and/or preferably at most approximately 20°, in particular at most approximately 10°, particularly preferably at most approximately 8°. 
         [0136]    The same applies to the region of the second side wall  112   b , against which the coupling elements  144  of the second coupling device  160   b  abut. 
         [0137]    The end regions  142 ,  154  of the sink accessory part  106  are preferably formed and arranged in relation to one another such that, when the lower coupling elements  144   a , which are arranged at the end regions  142 , and the upper coupling elements  144   b , which are arranged at the end regions  154 , are in the position coupled to the side walls  112   a ,  112   b  of the bowl  104 , they all abut against the respectively associated side wall  112   a  or  112   b  at the same time. 
         [0138]    In this coupled position of the sink accessory part  106 , the lower coupling elements  144   a  are at a spacing from the base region  108  of the bowl  104 , with the result that when the sink accessory part  106  is in the coupled position it is not in contact with the base region  108 . 
         [0139]    Further, in the coupled position the sink accessory part  106  is spaced from the bowl flange  114 , with the result that when the sink accessory part  106  is in the coupled position it is not in contact with the bowl flange  144  or with another edge region of the sink  102  that adjoins the side walls  112   a ,  112   b  of the bowl  104  or a worktop that adjoins the sink  102 . 
         [0140]    As can be seen from  FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, when the sink accessory part  106  is in its position coupled to the side walls  112   a ,  112   b  of the bowl  104 , it is entirely received in an interior  162  of the bowl  104 , with the result that no part of the sink accessory part  106  projects upwards outside the bowl  104  beyond the side walls  112   a ,  112   b  of the bowl  104 . 
         [0141]    When the sink accessory part  106  is in the position coupled to the bowl  104 , it is clamped between the first side wall  112   a  and the second side wall  112   b  and is fixedly immobilised or fixed to the side walls  112   a ,  112   b  both by positive locking and by force locking of the coupling elements  144 . 
         [0142]    Since the spacing between the first side wall  112   a  and the second side wall  112   b  lessens in the region that is below the sink accessory part  106  in the coupled position thereof, the sink accessory part  106  cannot be moved further down, out of its coupled position, towards the base region  108  of the bowl  104 . 
         [0143]    As a result of the force locking between the coupling elements  144  and the side walls  112   a ,  112   b , the sink accessory part  106 , once it is coupled to the side walls  112   a ,  112   b , can moreover no longer be moved horizontally, in its transverse direction  126  in relation to the bowl  104 . 
         [0144]    Thus, reliable and stable immobilisation of the sink accessory part  106  in its coupled position in the bowl  104  of the sink  102  is ensured. 
         [0145]    In order to remove the sink accessory part  106  from its position coupled to the bowl  104 , a retaining force must be overcome. 
         [0146]    Using an upwardly directed force, and with the assistance of a slight elastic deformation of the coupling elements  144  and/or the bowl  104 , the sink accessory part  106  can be removed again from its position coupled to the bowl  104 . 
         [0147]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the extent of the sink accessory part  106  in its longitudinal direction  124  is longer than the extent of the sink accessory part  106  in its transverse direction  126 . 
         [0148]    By contrast, the spacing between the front first side wall  112   a  and the rear second side wall  112   b  is smaller than the spacing between the left-hand side wall  112   c  and the right-hand side wall  112   d.    
         [0149]    Thus, if the coupling device  106  is put into the bowl  104  in a position in which the longitudinal direction  124  of the sink accessory part  106  is not aligned parallel to the left-hand side wall  112   c  and the right-hand side wall  112   d  but substantially parallel to the first side wall  112   a  and the second side wall  112   b , the sink accessory part  106  can be lowered as far as the base region  108  of the bowl  104 . 
         [0150]    Preferably, in that case the sink accessory part  106  is supported with the lower coupling elements  144   a  against the base region  108  of the bowl  104 . 
         [0151]    In  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the sink accessory part  106  is illustrated in a position coupled to the bowl  104  in which the sink accessory part  106  is arranged substantially centrally on the bowl  104 . 
         [0152]    However, it is entirely possible, as an alternative thereto, to couple the sink accessory part  106  to the side walls  112   a ,  112   b  in other positions, in which the sink accessory part  106  is displaced along the side walls  112   a ,  112   b  in relation to the position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , in that the sink accessory part  106  is inserted into the bowl  104  at a smaller spacing or a larger spacing from the left-hand side wall  112   c . In so doing, however, the height at which the sink accessory part  106  is located in these different positions coupled to the bowl  104  remains substantially unchanged. 
         [0153]    A second embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 14 to 29 , of a combination  100  includes a sink  102  having a bowl  104  and a sink accessory part  106 , wherein the latter is arrangeable on the bowl  104  and in this embodiment takes the form of a cutting board  166 . 
         [0154]    The bowl  104  that is illustrated individually in  FIGS. 18 and 19  includes a base region  108 , in which there is provided a bowl drainage opening  110 , and side walls  112  that extend almost vertically upwards from the base region  108 , in particular a front first side wall  112   a , a rear second side wall  112   b , a left-hand side wall  112   c  and a right-hand side wall  112   d , wherein the left-hand side wall  112   c  and the right-hand side wall  112   d  connect the first side wall  112   a  and the side wall  112   b  to one another. 
         [0155]    Further, the bowl  104  includes a bowl edge  168  that runs peripherally along the upper edges of the side walls  112  and is oriented substantially horizontally. 
         [0156]    The bowl  104  is preferably made in one piece. 
         [0157]    The bowl  104  may in principle be formed from any desired material, for example a stainless steel material, a ceramic material, a plastics material or a composite material. 
         [0158]    The sink  102  may include, besides the at least one bowl  104 , other bowls and/or a drip surface. 
         [0159]    The sink accessory part  106 , which is illustrated individually in  FIGS. 20 to 29 , and which takes the form of a cutting board  166 , includes a base body  120  having a base plate  170 —preferably substantially cuboid—whereof the upper side forms a support area  132  of the sink accessory part  106 . 
         [0160]    Arranged on an underside  172  of the base plate  170  that is remote from the support area  132  (see in particular  FIGS. 21 and 23 ) are two foot strips  174  that extend in a transverse direction  126  of the sink accessory part  106  and are spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction  124  of the sink accessory part  106  that runs perpendicular to the transverse direction  126 . 
         [0161]    In particular, the two foot strips  174  each run along an outer edge of the base plate  170 , preferably in each case along a short side of the base plate  170 . 
         [0162]    The base plate  170  and the foot strips  174  may for example be formed from a wood material or a plastics material. 
         [0163]    The foot strips  174  may for example be fixed to the base plate  170  by means of dowels and/or adhesion. 
         [0164]    As can best be seen from  FIG. 24 , each foot strip  174  may have a substantially trapezoidal cross section that tapers from an upper side  176  of the foot strip  174  facing the base plate  170  towards an underside  178  of the respective foot strip  174  remote from the base plate  170 . 
         [0165]    The upper side  176  and the underside  178  of each foot strip  174  are connected to one another by, respectively, an outer side face  180  and an inner side face  182 . 
         [0166]    If the support area  132  of the sink accessory part  106  is oriented horizontally, the outer side face  180  of each foot strip  174  is inclined by an angle α to the vertical, wherein the angle α preferably corresponds substantially to the angle β about which the first side wall  112   a  and the second side wall  112   b  of the bowl  104  are inclined to the vertical in the installed condition of the sink  102 . 
         [0167]    Preferably, the angle β and/or the angle α are in this case at least approximately 1°, in particular at least approximately 3°, particularly preferably at least approximately 6°, and/or preferably at most approximately 20°, in particular at most approximately 10°, particularly preferably at most approximately 8°. 
         [0168]    At the end regions  184  of the outer side faces  180  of the foot strips  174  there are provided in each case one or more, in particular two, recesses  186  in which in each case a coupling element  144 ′ may be partly received. 
         [0169]    If a plurality of recesses  186  and coupling elements  144 ′ are provided in an end region  184 , these are preferably arranged at different spacings from the support area  132  of the sink accessory part  106 . 
         [0170]    A coupling element  144 ′ of this kind is illustrated individually in  FIGS. 26 to 29 . 
         [0171]    The coupling element  144 ′ includes a substantially cylindrical shaft  188  that carries a likewise substantially cylindrical head  190 , which has a larger external diameter than the shaft  188 . 
         [0172]    The end region of the shaft  188  remote from the head  190  is provided with a chamfer  192 . 
         [0173]    As can best be seen from  FIGS. 27 and 28 , a plurality of grooves  194 , for example three grooves  194 , extend from an end region of the shaft  188  facing the head  190 , parallel to the longitudinal centre axis  196  of the coupling element  144 ′, and into the region of the chamfer  192 . 
         [0174]    The grooves  194  are preferably distributed substantially equidistantly around the longitudinal centre axis  196  of the coupling element  144 ′ in the peripheral direction of the shaft  188 . 
         [0175]    The head  190  of the coupling element  144 ′ has an end face  198  that is remote from the shaft  188  and whereof the outer edge may be rounded. 
         [0176]    The coupling element  144 ′ comprising the shaft  188  and the head  190  is preferably made in one piece. 
         [0177]    The coupling element  144 ′ is preferably made from a friction-enhancing material. 
         [0178]    The coupling element  144 ′ may be formed from a plastics material, in particular an elastomer material, for example a silicone material. 
         [0179]    The coupling element  144 ′ is preferably made separately from the base body  120  of the sink accessory part  106 , wherein in this embodiment the base body  120  includes the base plate  170  and the two foot strips  174 , and is fixed to the base body  120  later, wherein the shaft  188  of the coupling element  144 ′ is received in the respectively associated recess  186  in one of the end regions  184  of the outer side faces  180  of the foot strips  174 , and the head  190  of the respective coupling element  144 ′ projects beyond the respective recess  186 . 
         [0180]    Here, an underside  200  of the head  190  of the coupling element  144 ′, which projects beyond the shaft  188  in the radial direction of the longitudinal centre axis  196  of the coupling element  144 ′, preferably abuts against the region of the respective outer side face  180  that surrounds the recess  186 . 
         [0181]    The coupling element  144 ′ may be fixed to the base body  120  for example by press-fitting and/or adhesion. 
         [0182]    As an alternative thereto, it may also be provided for the coupling element  144 ′ to be produced on the base body  120  in situ, for example by a procedure of moulding on an injection mouldable material. 
         [0183]    As can be seen for example from  FIGS. 21 and 23 , the end regions  202  of the undersides  178  of the foot strips  174  of the sink accessory part  106  are also provided with in each case at least one recess  204 , in each of which a support element  206  is at least partly received. 
         [0184]    Each of the support elements  206  may in particular take the same form as one of the coupling elements  144 ′, as illustrated in  FIGS. 26 to 29  and described above. 
         [0185]    As a result of the identical form of the support elements  206  and the coupling elements  144 ′, the number of different parts required to manufacture the sink accessory part  106  is reduced and so manufacture of the sink accessory part  106  is simplified. 
         [0186]    By means of the support elements  206 , of which there are for example four, the sink accessory part  106  may be supported on a supporting face which is preferably oriented substantially horizontally and/or is preferably substantially planar, for example on a worktop on which the sink  102  is arranged, on a drip surface (not illustrated) of the sink  102  or on a table top. 
         [0187]    Here, the preferably friction-enhancing material of the support elements  206  prevents the sink accessory part  106  from moving undesirably in relation to the supporting face. 
         [0188]    In this embodiment, the sink accessory part  106  has a total of eight coupling elements  144 ′, wherein in each case two coupling elements  144 ′ at the same end region  184  of the same outer side face  180  of a foot strip  174  together form a coupling element pair  158 . 
         [0189]    The coupling elements  144 ′ that are arranged at the front foot strip  174   a  together form a first coupling device  160   a  for coupling the sink accessory part  106  to the front first side wall  112   a  of the bowl  104  of the sink  102 . 
         [0190]    The coupling elements  144 ′ that are arranged at the rear foot strip  174   b  together form a second coupling device  160   b  for coupling the sink accessory part  106  to the rear second side wall  112   b , opposing the first side wall  112   a , of the bowl  104  of the sink  102 . 
         [0191]    The sink accessory part  106  may be put into the position that is illustrated in  FIGS. 14 to 17 , coupled to the side walls  112   a  and  112   b  of the bowl  104 , in that the sink accessory part  106  is partly inserted into the bowl  104  from above until the coupling elements  144 ′ of the first coupling device  160   a  abut against the first side wall  112   a  and the coupling elements  144 ′ of the second coupling device  160   b  abut against the second side wall  112   b  of the bowl  104 . 
         [0192]    Here, the coupling elements  144 ′ of a coupling element pair  158 , which are arranged at different spacings from the support area  132  of the sink accessory part  106 , in the position in which the sink accessory part  106  is coupled to the side walls  112   a ,  112   b  of the bowl  104 , preferably abut against the respectively associated side wall  112   a  or  112   b  at the same time. 
         [0193]    In this coupled position of the sink accessory part  106 , the support elements  206  are at a spacing from the base region  108  of the bowl  104 , with the result that when the sink accessory part  106  is in the coupled position it is not in contact with the base region  108 . 
         [0194]    Further, in the coupled position the sink accessory part  106  is not in contact with the bowl edge  168  of the bowl  104  or in contact with another edge region of the sink  102  that adjoins the side walls  112   a ,  112   b  of the bowl  104 , or a worktop that adjoins the sink  102 . 
         [0195]    As can be seen from  FIG. 17 , in this embodiment, when the sink accessory part  106  is in its position coupled to the side walls  112   a ,  112   b  of the bowl  104 , it is only partly received in an interior  162  of the bowl  104 . 
         [0196]    Here, the foot strips  174  of the sink accessory part  106  with the coupling devices  160   a  and  160   b  arranged thereon are in the coupled position in the interior  162  of the bowl  104 , while at least part of the base plate  170  of the sink accessory part  106  projects upwards into an external space  208  outside the bowl  104 , beyond the upper edges of the side walls  112   a ,  112   b.    
         [0197]    In the position coupled to the bowl  104 , the sink accessory part  106  is fixedly immobilised or fixed between the first side wall  112   a  and the second side wall  112   b  both by positive locking and by force locking of the coupling elements  144 ′ to the side walls  112   a ,  112   b.    
         [0198]    Since the spacing between the first side wall  112   a  and the second side wall  112   b  lessens in the region that is below the sink accessory part  106  in the coupled position thereof, the sink accessory part  106  cannot be moved further down, out of its coupled position, towards the base region  108  of the bowl  104 . 
         [0199]    As a result of the force locking between the coupling elements  144 ′ and the side walls  112   a ,  112   b , the sink accessory part  106 , once it is coupled to the side walls  112   a ,  112   b , can moreover no longer be moved horizontally, in its transverse direction  126  in relation to the bowl  104 . 
         [0200]    Thus, reliable and stable immobilisation of the sink accessory part  106  in its coupled position in the bowl  104  of the sink  102  is ensured. 
         [0201]    In order to remove the sink accessory part  106  from its position coupled to the bowl  104 , a retaining force must be overcome. 
         [0202]    Using an upwardly directed force, and with the assistance of a slight elastic deformation of the coupling elements  144 ′ and/or the bowl  104 , the sink accessory part  106  can be removed again from its position coupled to the bowl  104 . 
         [0203]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 14 to 17 , the extent of the sink accessory part  106  in its longitudinal direction  124  is longer than the extent of the sink accessory part  106  in its transverse direction  126 . 
         [0204]    By contrast, the spacing between the front first side wall  112   a  and the rear second side wall  112   b  is smaller than the spacing between the left-hand side wall  112   c  and the right-hand side wall  112   d.    
         [0205]    Thus, if the coupling device  106  is put into the bowl  104  in a position in which the longitudinal direction  124  of the sink accessory part  106  is not aligned parallel to the left-hand side wall  112   c  and the right-hand side wall  112   d  but substantially parallel to the first side wall  112   a  and the second side wall  112   b , the sink accessory part  106  can be lowered as far as the base region  108  of the bowl  104 . 
         [0206]    Preferably, in that case the sink accessory part  106  is supported with the support elements  206  against the base region  108  of the bowl  104 . 
         [0207]    In  FIGS. 14 to 17 , the sink accessory part  106  is illustrated in a position coupled to the bowl  104  in which the sink accessory part  106  is arranged substantially centrally on the bowl  104 . 
         [0208]    However, it is entirely possible, as an alternative thereto, to couple the sink accessory part  106  to the side walls  112   a ,  112   b  in other positions, in which the sink accessory part  106  is displaced along the side walls  112   a ,  112   b  in relation to the central position illustrated in  FIGS. 14 to 17 , in that the sink accessory part  106  is brought up to the bowl  104  at a smaller spacing or a larger spacing from the left-hand side wall  112   c.    
         [0209]    In so doing, however, the height at which the sink accessory part  106  is located in these different positions coupled to the bowl  104  remains substantially unchanged.