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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to kitchen sinks, and more particularly, to management of dual-basin kitchen sinks and related kitchen utensils. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Modern kitchen sinks generally include a single rotatable faucet head positioned over a dual-basin sink. Each of the basins includes a drain at the bottom thereof. Often, one of such drains leads to a garbage disposal unit for grinding waste. 
     Dual-basin sinks generally provide increased capacity in comparison to single-basin sinks. In addition, dual basin sinks allow a user to do two different things at once. For instance, one basin can be used to soak “dirty” dishes in soapy water, while the second basin may be used to rinse such dishes with clean water. Alternately, one basin may be used to store “dirty” dishes for washing at a later time, while the other basin may be used to store recently washed dishes while they dry. In this case, one may occasionally forget which basin contains clean dishes, and which basin contain dirty dishes. As a further example, one of the basins might be used for storing dirty dishes, pots, and utensils that need to be washed, while the second basin might be used for food preparation. 
     Another advantage of the dual basin sink manifests itself in a halachically-observant Jewish home. According to Jewish dietary laws, one must refrain from eating and/or mixing meat products with dairy products. In addition, one must use separate dishes and utensils for cooking, serving, and eating meat products, on the one hand, and dairy products, on the other hand. A third, or neutral category of food products that contain neither meat nor dairy (so-called “pareve” foods) exists, and many observant households maintain separate utensils and serving ware for such items. 
     In a kitchen equipped with a dual-basin sink, one basin might be dedicated to receiving “milk/dairy” dishes and utensils, while the second basin might be dedicated to receiving “meat” dishes and utensils. The strict requirements of Jewish law require that the “meat” dishes not be washed in the “dairy” basin, and that the “dairy” dishes not be washed in the “meat” basin. At times, particularly when one is distracted, it may be difficult to remember which basin is for which purpose. Moreover, when well-meaning guests are invited in, and help in the kitchen, the potential for errors is increased. 
     Food preparation in the kitchen often requires the use of a cutting board for cutting or slicing fruits, vegetables, meats, and other food items. It is often advantageous to have such a cutting board, or other work surface, proximate to a sink so that portions of food items that are not to be eaten (cores, peels, etc.) can be easily disposed of. 
     Covers for covering sink basins are generally known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,194,343 to Wexler discloses a drainboard that may be disposed over a first or second basin of a dual-basin sink to drain water into the opposite basin. U.S. Pat. No. 2,334,293 to Stein discloses a reversible cover for use with a dual-basin sink and which includes pivot members at one edge of such cover to facilitate upward swinging movement of the lid. U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,166 discloses a pair of reversible sink covers that may be used to cover the basins of a dual-basin kitchen sink. U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,855 to McKeehan, et al. discloses a sink cover designed for double sinks; however, the cover disclosed by McKeehan either covers both basins or neither basin. U.S. Pat. No. 7,305,723 to Fulks discloses a dual-basin kitchen sink, as well as a utility board hinged to the sink for selectively covering one of the two basins. U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,881 to Gauss discloses a portable kitchen apparatus that includes a dual-basin sink, as well as support surfaces that may be used to partially cover one or both of such basins. U.S. Pat. No. 6,611,972 to Underbrink, et al. discloses various cover structures for sinks, and in some instances, such covers are pivotable. However, Underbrink does not disclose covers for use with dual basin sinks. U.S. Pat. No. 3,625,162 to Crew discloses a work supporting surface adapted to be mounted over the divider of a dual-basin sink; however, such work surface does not cover either of the basins of the dual-basin sink. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to assist a user of a dual-basin sink to maintain a separation of objects in one basin of the sink from objects in the second basin of the sink. 
     It is another object of the present invention to encourage a user of a dual basin skin to place items into a first basin at certain times, and to discourage a user from placing items within, or removing items from, a second basin during such times. 
     A further object of the present invention is to assist a user of a dual basin sink from confusing clean dishes with dirty dishes. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to assist a users of a dual basin sink in a Kosher kitchen in maintaining separate washing spaces for “meat” and “dairy” dishes and utensils. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for reminding a user of a dual-basin sink of the purposes assigned to the first and second basins. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a convenient cutting board, or other work surface, proximate a sink. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which achieves the aforementioned objects and which can be manufactured inexpensively, and which is easy to use. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art as the description of the present invention proceeds. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly described, and in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, the present invention is a sink cover assembly for use with a dual-basin kitchen sink of the type which includes two adjoining basins divided from each other by a dividing wall. The sink cover assembly includes a base, or bracket, to fit over and around the dividing wall, and preferably has an elongated, inverted U-shape that generally follows the contour of the dividing wall. The dividing wall includes a top edge, and the base preferably engages the top edge of the dividing wall. A cover panel is hingedly coupled to the base for allowing the cover panel to alternate between a first position covering the first basin and a second position covering the second basin. The base may be permanently affixed to the dividing wall, if desired, but is preferably detachably mounted over the dividing wall to allow removal as necessary. 
     The hinged coupling between the base and the cover panel is preferably formed by a hinge having at least one a pivot axis extending substantially parallel to the dividing wall. The hinge may be either a simple single hinge or a double-acting hinge. The hinge permits the sink cover panel to move relative to the base, and to swing about the hinge pivot axis between a first position covering one basin and a second position covering the other basin. 
     The aforementioned base is preferably in the form of a bracket that includes an upper central portion and a pair of downwardly depending portions that are spaced apart from each other. A spacing member may be secured to the upper central portion of the bracket, if desired, to space the hinge above the bracket; this may allow the cover panel to more easily lie flat. In this instance, the aforementioned hinge may be attached to the spacing member. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the cover panel is generally planar, and includes first and second opposing surfaces; preferably, at least one of such surfaces bears indicia indicating a designated use for the basin that is currently exposed for use. The uppermost surface of such panel may also be used as a cutting board, if desired. 
     Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of alternately covering one of two side-by-side basins of a dual-basin sink. The dual basin sink includes a dividing wall separating the first and second adjoining basins. A bracket, or base, is placed over the aforementioned dividing wall of the dual-basin sink. A sink cover is hingedly coupled to the bracket for allowing the sink cover to alternately cover the first basin or the second basin. The sink cover is preferably positioned over the opening of the first basin to at least partially obstruct access to the first basin when the second basin is in use; alternatively, the sink cover is positioned over the opening of the second basin to at least partially obstruct access to the second basin when the first basin is in use. Preferably, the aforementioned method includes the step of pivoting the sink cover about a pivot axis that extends substantially parallel to the dividing wall of the dual basin sink. 
     If desired, the aforementioned method may include the further step of coupling a spacing member to the bracket. In this instance, the method preferably includes the step of attaching a hinge to both the bracket and the spacing member. 
     Preferably, the method of the present invention also includes the step of applying a label or other indicia to at least one of the first and second opposing sides of the sink cover to remind the user of the purpose of the exposed basin of the sink. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention may more readily be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dual-basin sink equipped with a sink cover assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the dual-basin sink and sink cover assembly that are shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate an alternate embodiment of the invention wherein a double-acting hinge is used to couple a sink cover panel to the underlying base and spacing members. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the sink cover assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a dual-basin sink, of the type often found in a conventional kitchen, is designated generally by reference numeral  1 . Dual-basin sink  1  includes a first basin  11  having a generally rectangular opening  51  surrounded by basin rim  17 . First basin  11  includes a frontmost wall  13 , a side wall  14 , a rearmost wall  15 , and a first side  71  of dividing wall  70 . First basin  11  also includes a bottom wall  16  having a drain opening  111 . 
     Similarly, dual-basin sink  1  includes a second basin  12  having a generally rectangular opening  52  surrounded by basin rim  17 . Second basin  12  includes a frontmost wall  18 , a side wall  19 , a rearmost wall  27 , and a second side  72  of dividing wall  70 . Second basin  12  also includes a bottom wall  29  having a drain opening  112 . Dividing wall  70  thus serves to divide the adjoining first and second basins  11  and  12  from each other. 
     As noted above, rim  17  surrounds first basin  11  and second basin  12 , and also aids in mounting dual-sink basin  1  upon a counter top or cabinet. A faucet assembly  4  is secured to the rear side of rim  17 , and includes a swivel faucet  2  with a controlling handle  5 , along with an optional sprayer  3 . Faucet assembly  4  is preferably mounted centrally behind two basins  11  and  12  for allowing water to be directed into either basin. Dividing wall  70  separates first basin  11  from second basin  12 , and includes an upper rounded edge portion  73 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3  and  5 , sink cover assembly  7  includes a base in the form of a bracket  20 . Bracket  20  is adapted to be engaged over and around dividing wall  70  of dual-basin sink  1  for mounting sink cover assembly  7  thereto. In the preferred embodiment, bracket  20  has a generally elongated inverted U-shape, and includes a central upper portion  21  and opposing downwardly-extending portions  22  and  23  spaced from each other. Central upper portion  21  is adapted to overlie and engage rounded upper edge  73  of dividing wall  70 . Downwardly-extending portions  22  and  23  extend down along sides  71  and  72 , respectively, of dividing wall  70 . Preferably, bracket  20  is detachably mounted over and around dividing wall  70  to allow for convenient removal, if desired. In the preferred embodiment, the space between the inner faces of portions  22  and  23  is approximately 4.5 centimeters to allow for a snug fit over dividing wall  70 ; this separation width may be varied to suit different styles of sinks. Alternatively, the space between the inner faces of portions  22  and  23  can be made larger than the typical sink dividing wall, and spacers (not shown) of various widths may be secured to the inner faces of portions  22  and  23  of bracket  20  to permit bracket  20  to snugly fit over sink dividing walls of varying thicknesses. In the preferred embodiment, downwardly-extending portions  22  and  23  extend roughly 6 to 8 centimeters below central upper portion  21 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, a spacing member  30  is secured to central upper portion  21  of bracket  20 , just above central upper portion  21 . Spacing member  30  extends from front end  31  to opposing rear end  32 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-3  and  5 , sink cover assembly  7  includes a generally planar sink cover panel  50  hingedly connected to bracket  20  for allowing cover panel  50  to rotate between a first position covering first basin  12 , or a second position covering second basin  11 . A hinge  40  includes a first hinge plate  41  secured to spacing member  30  by screws  44  and  45 . Spacing member  30  elevates hinge  40  slightly above bracket  20  and allows cover panel  50  to lie flat whether cover panel  50  is in its first position covering first basin  12 , or in its second position covering second basin  11 . Flat head screws  44  and  45  extend through both spacing member  30  and base  20 , thereby securing spacing member  30  and base  20 . The lower ends of screws  44  and  45  may threadedly engage tapped holes formed in spacing member  30  and base  20 ; alternatively, the lower ends of screws  44  and  45  may be engaged by nuts disposed on the underside of bracket  20 . While screws  44  and  45  may be used to fasten spacing member  30  to bracket  20 , it is also possible to secure spacing member  30  to bracket  20  independently of screws  44  and  45 , as by welding, adhesives, etc. 
     Hinge  40  also includes a second hinge plate  42  which is pivotally attached to first hinge plate  41  by hinge pin  43 . As shown best in  FIG. 3 , second hinge plate  42  may have a C-shaped clip cross-section for slidingly receiving a side edge of cover panel  50 . Second hinge plate  42  of hinge  40  is secured by fasteners  46 ,  47 ,  48  and  49  to a side edge of cover panel  50 . Hinge  40  allows cover panel  50  to swing about an axis coincident with hinge pin  43  substantially parallel to upper edge  73  of dividing wall  70 . Hinge  40  may be in the form of a basic butt hinge, but is preferably provided in the form of an elongated piano hinge (also known as a “continuous hinge”) with numerous sections/links. Fasteners  44  and  45 , used to secure hinge  40  to bracket  20 , and fasteners  46 ,  47 ,  48  and  49 , used to secure hinge  40  to cover panel  50 , can be longitudinally offset from each other, so that a fastener for one hinge plate does not directly coincide with a fastener for the other hinge plate when the hinge plates are folded over themselves, thereby avoiding any obstruction to the swinging action of the assembly. 
     In  FIG. 2 , cover panel  50  is shown in a first position overlying basin  12 . In this position, cover panel  50  serves to block off opening  52  to basin  12 , and thus obstructs access to second basin  12 . Alternatively, cover panel  50  may be lifted from such first position (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ), and swung along a pivot axis (coincident with hinge pin  43 ) to a second position (not shown) overlying basin  11  to block off opening  51 , thereby obstructing access to basin  11 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , indicia  80  may be placed on one, or both, of opposing surfaces  57  and  59  of cover panel  50  to designate and distinguish one basin from the other basin. For instance, surface  57  may be emblazoned with the legend “DIRTY”, while opposing surface  59  may be emblazoned with the legend “CLEAN”. Thereby, when cover panel  50  is in its position overlying basin  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , indicia  80  on applied to surface  57  of cover panel  50  will remind a user that the contents of basin  12  (lying below cover panel  50 ) are “dirty”. In contrast, when cover panel  50  is swung to overlie basin  11 , the legend “CLEAN” is displayed from surface  59  of cover panel to remind a user that the contents of basin  11  (lying below cover panel  50 ) are “clean”. Alternatively, for purposes of a Kosher kitchen, surface  57  of cover panel  50  might be labeled “MEAT”, and surface  59  of cover panel  50  might be labeled “DAIRY”, to designate basins  12  and  11 , respectively, as being for either dishes and utensils used for “meat” meals, or dishes and utensils used for “dairy” meals. 
     When cover panel  50  is in its first position overlying basin  12 , then surface  57  of cover panel  50  may be used as a cutting board or other work surface in conjunction with basin  11 . On the other hand, when cover panel  50  is in its second position overlying basin  11 , then surface  59  of cover panel  50  may likewise be used as a cutting board or other work surface in conjunction with basin  12 . 
     It may also be advantageous to maintaining cover panel  50  at a slight downward angle directed toward the pivot axis (i.e., hinge pin  43 ) for causing any fluid deposited upon the sink cover panel ( 50 ) to drain toward such pivot axis. In other words, when cover panel  50  overlies basin  12 , it is preferred that the edge of cover panel  50  that lies farthest from hinge  40  is slightly elevated as compared with the opposing edge of cover panel  50  that is adjacent hinge  40 ; this allows any water or other material that falls upon surface  57  of cover panel  50  to drain back toward hinge  40  and into the exposed basin  11 . Likewise, when cover panel  50  overlies basin  11 , it is again preferred that the edge of cover panel  50  that lies farthest from hinge  40  is slightly elevated as compared with the opposing edge of cover panel  50  that is adjacent hinge  40 ; this allows any water or other material that falls upon the surface  59  of cover panel  50  to drain back toward hinge  40  and into the exposed basin  12 . In this manner, when cover panel  50  is overlying dishes in basin  12  that have been cleaned, splashing of dirty water from basin  11  onto cover panel  50  is drained away from, rather than into, basin  12 . Alternatively, when cover panel  50  is overlying dairy dishes in basin  11 , and meat is being cut on surface  59  of cover panel  50 , meat juices will drain back toward basin  12 , rather than into basin  11 . In some cases, it may be necessary to secure one or more spacers, or standoffs (not shown), at the remote (relative to hinge  40 ) corners of cover panel  50  to elevate such corners above basin rim  17  to achieve this result. 
     In the preferred embodiment, bracket  20 , spacing member  30 , and cover panel  50  are all made of a hard, clear plastic material, for example, the acrylic sheet material commercially available under the trademark Plexiglas® (generally mis-spelled as Plexiglass), a registered trademark of the Atoglas company, formerly Rohm &amp; Haas. Base  20 , spacing member  30 , and cover panel  50  are preferably about 5 millimeters thick. Hinge  40 , and fasteners  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47 ,  48  and  49  are preferably made of stainless steel to resist corrosion. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , an alternate embodiment of the sink cover assembly is shown in schematic form, wherein double-acting hinge  100  replaces the single-acting hinge  40  of the previously-described embodiment for the purpose of hingedly mounting cover panel  50  to spacing  30  and bracket  20 . Double-acting hinge  100  includes a hinge plate  105  secured to sink cover panel  50 . In  FIG. 4A , sink cover panel  50  is shown directed vertically, midway between its first position covering basin  12  and its second position covering basin  11 . In this position, hinge pins  103  and  104  both lie proximate to spacing member  30 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4B , hinge plate  105  is pivotally coupled by a movable hinge pin  104  to an intermediate hinge plate  102 . A third, fixed hinge plate (not shown) has been omitted from  FIGS. 4A and 4B  for the sake of clarity; this third hinge plate is fixedly attached to spacing member  30 . The side of intermediate hinge plate  102  opposite from hinge pin  104  is engaged by a non-movable hinge pin  103  that remains in place relative to spacing member  30 . Hinge pin  103  facilitates swinging movement of cover panel  50  toward the basin on the right side of the sink (i.e., basin  12 ). When cover panel  50  is swung to the right, hinge plate  105  overlies hinge plate  102 , and pivot pin  104  rotates upward to position  104 ′ in  FIG. 4B . Hinge pin  104  facilitates swinging movement of cover panel  50  toward the basin on the left side (basin  11 ); in  FIG. 4B , this position is indicated by reference numeral  50 ′. In this instance, hinge plate  105  moves to the position designated as  105 ′ in  FIG. 4B , and extends perpendicular to intermediate hinge plate  102 . 
     Another aspect of the present invention relates to an improved method of covering one of two separate basins ( 11 / 12 ) of a dual-basin sink ( 1 ) of the type having a dividing wall ( 70 ) that separates the first and second adjoining basins ( 11 / 12 ). In practicing such method, a base or bracket ( 2 ) is placed over the dividing wall ( 70 ), and a sink cover panel ( 50 ) is hingedly coupled (via  40 ) to the bracket ( 20 ) for allowing the sink cover panel ( 50 ) to alternately cover the first basin ( 11 ) and the second basin ( 12 ). Preferably, such method pivots the sink cover panel ( 50 ) about a pivot axis (see hinge pin  43 ) that extends substantially parallel to the dividing wall ( 70 ). The sink cover panel ( 50 ) is placed over an opening ( 51 / 52 ) of one of the first and second basins ( 11 / 12 ) to obstruct access to the underlying basin. Ideally, the method includes coupling a spacing member ( 30 ) thereto, as well as the attachment of a hinge ( 40 ) to both the bracket ( 20 ) and the spacing member ( 30 ). Further, in practicing such method, indicia are preferably applied to at least one of the opposing surfaces ( 57 / 59 ) of the sink cover panel ( 50 ) for reminding the user of an intended purpose of the exposed basin (or, alternatively, an intended purpose of the covered basin). The improved method may also include the step of maintaining the sink cover panel ( 50 ) at a slight downward angle directed toward the pivot axis (i.e., hinge pin  43 ) for causing any fluid deposited upon the sink cover panel ( 50 ) to drain toward the pivot axis. 
     Those skilled in the art will now appreciate that a sink cover assembly has been described which assists a user of a dual-basin sink to easily maintain a separation of items in one basin from items in the other basin. The disclosed device serves to remind a user to place items into a first basin at certain times, and to discourage the user from placing items within, or removing items from, a second basin during such times. The sink cover assembly can also serve to assist a user from confusing clean dishes in one basin with dirty dishes in the other basin, or otherwise remind the user of the purposes assigned to the first and second basins. The disclosed device can also be used to help observant Jews in maintaining a Kosher kitchen by in distinguishing separate washing spaces for “meat” and “dairy” dishes and utensils. In addition, the sink cover assembly also provides a convenient cutting board and/or work surface. In addition, it will be appreciated that the disclosed sink cover assembly is easy to use, and can be manufactured inexpensively. 
     While the present invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Various modifications and changes may be made to the described embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Summary:
A sink cover assembly to alternately designate various areas of a dual-basin sink. Cover panel flips on hinge axis generally centered on dual-basin sink to obstruct access to at least one of the basins. The invention includes a method of designating various areas of a dual-basin or multiple basin sink by first securing a base to the sink, hingedly attaching a cover panel, and applying a cover panel over a basin opening and alternately swinging panel to designate areas of the sink. Indicia are used to identify areas.