Abstract:
Food preparation sinks are disclosed which have an integral raised work area that is rinsed by an automatic system. Food waste or the like present in that area can be washed into a sump above a drain, and the weight of the waste and water in the sump is enough to automatically drive them through a baffle to a garbage disposal, without requiring the baffle to be manually opened. An automatic controller system coordinates water flow and garbage disposal operation, and the water supply can be linked to the sink below the sink rim to save counter top space. In some forms multiple rinsing nozzles are provided which pulse in altering fashion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/414,744, filed Mar. 31, 2009, titled “Food Preparation Sink”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/042,818, filed Apr. 7, 2008, titled “Food Preparation Sink”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a sink that facilitates the preparation of food and the efficient and hands-free disposal of food waste and other kitchen waste from a sink work area to a garbage disposal. 
     Various types of preparation steps are typically performed on food items prior to cooking and/or serving. For example, vegetables and fruit may be peeled and/or have seeds, stems or other portions removed from them. The user will typically push the waste portions of the food off a cutting board into a sink by scraping the board with a knife or by hand. The user may then push the waste into the disposal with a tool or other item, sometimes by also using a manually held sprayer to help drive the food towards the drain. 
     Moving the waste portions in this manner is time consuming and somewhat messy, and the need to push the waste through the disposer entry can require the use of a separate implement to avoid using a hand for that purpose. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for addressing these problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect the invention provides a food preparation sink. The sink has a basin having a lower drain outlet connectable to a garbage disposal, and a bottom surface elevated above the drain outlet. There is also a rim extending around an upper edge of the basin, and a nozzle mounted to the basin below the rim and configured to direct water onto the bottom surface if the nozzle is connected to a water supply. A flange may extend radially outwardly from rim of the basin. If there is food waste in the sink, and if water is directed by the nozzle onto the bottom surface, the sink can be rinsed by the nozzle so as to drive the food waste to an area of the basin above the drain outlet. 
     The sink provides its own confined, raised work area for cutting/food preparation. The water from the nozzle can rinse the food in this area, and/or carry unneeded waste or scraps to a drain portion of the basin, from which the waste ultimately can go to a garbage disposal. Thus, no separate cutting board is needed (albeit the sink can be used with one), and the food waste can be disposed of more efficiently and, as will be described below, in a hands free/tool free manner. 
     In a preferred form the bottom surface/work area is an elongated essentially rectangular area that slopes downwardly for a majority of its length. The area may have a concavely sloped entry area (to facilitate smooth flow of entering water and avoiding splashing), and this could transition to a convexly sloped region between the concavely sloped entry area and an area of the basin adjacent the drain outlet (to help food waste move off the work area without getting caught up on it). 
     In another preferred form the work area terminates at a vertical shoulder that defines in part a sump area over the drain opening. The nozzle is positioned at an end of the work area opposite an end of the work area adjacent the drain opening outlet, and the nozzle directs water essentially along a longitudinal axis of the work area. 
     In another aspect the food preparation sink may have a basin having a lower drain outlet connectible to a garbage disposal and a work area elevated above the outlet. In this form there are two nozzles mounted to the basin and configured to direct water onto the work area if the nozzles are connected to a water supply. There is a diverter capable of altering (to at least some extent) flow of water between the nozzles if the diverter is linked to a water supply. This altering optimizes the force of the entering water along different portions of the work area, to help optimize the cleaning effect. 
     This can be implemented with a diverter that has a movable valve member having a first position in which a first flow path is provided between a diverter inlet and a first diverter outlet linked to a first of said nozzles, and a second position in which a second flow path is provided between the diverter inlet and a second diverter outlet linked to a second of said nozzles. For example, in the first position the valve member may also block the second flow path, and wherein in the second position the valve member may also block the first flow path. 
     In yet another aspect the food preparation sink may have a basin having a lower drain outlet connected to a garbage disposal and a work area elevated above the outlet. In this form there will be a nozzle mounted to the basin and configured to direct water onto the work area if the nozzle is connected to a water supply, and also a conical baffle positioned in the outlet for controlling entry of items into the garbage disposal. If there is food waste in the work area, and if water is directed by the nozzle to the work area, the work area can be rinsed by the nozzle so as to carry the food waste to an area of the basin above the outlet, and weight of the water and food waste can automatically cause the baffle to open to permit the food waste to enter the garbage disposal. This allows the option of completely hands free/tool free operation. 
     Most preferably, a sump area is provided in the basin above the drain opening that is suitable to develop a head of water and waste above the drain opening so as to facilitate automatic movement of the food waste past the baffle. The sump region is relatively small so that a small amount of water can create an adequate pressure head, and further so that food waste does not get easily hung up on the drain floor remote from the drain. 
     Other preferred features of the present invention include an electrical controller for controlling the supply of water to the sink and the operation of the garbage disposal. For example, the controller could provide an automatic shut-off of the water and/or garbage disposal after a period of operation. 
     The sinks of the present invention are particularly useful as food preparation sinks In the most preferred embodiments, they facilitate the efficient and hands-free movement of food waste from the work area to the garbage disposal. This can be achieved without requiring a faucet mounted on top of the sink or elsewhere on top of the counter, or requiring a hand sprayer. Hence, scarce counter space can be used for other purposes. 
     The foregoing and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. In that description reference will be made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration example embodiments of the invention. The example embodiments do not limit the full scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top, frontal, right perspective view of a first embodiment of a food preparation sink according to the invention, mounted on the top of a kitchen counter top in drop-in configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1 , but of the sink alone, and depicting water flow paths; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view  1  taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 1 , but showing the sink mounted in an under counter configuration; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a food preparation sink according to the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment in assembled form; and 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged top view of a valve portion of the  FIG. 7  embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a food preparation sink  10  for preparing food items and disposing of waste. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the sink  10  includes a bottom wall  12 , a first side wall  14 , a second side wall  15  disposed opposite the first side wall  14 , a first end wall  17 , and a second end wall  22  disposed opposite the first end wall  17 . The first side wall  14 , the second side wall  15 , the first end wall  17 , and the second end wall  22  extend upwardly from the bottom wall  12  to define a basin. One non-limiting example version of the food preparation sink  10  measures about twenty-eight inches (711 millimeters) between the end walls, and about six inches (152 millimeters) between the side walls. 
     The food preparation sink  10  has a rim extending around an upper edge of the basin. In the construction shown in  FIG. 1 , flanges  24 ,  25 ,  26  and  27  extend radially outwardly from the side walls  14 ,  15  and end walls  17 ,  22  at the rim. These flanges  24 ,  25 ,  26  and  27  are suitable to sit on a counter surface  28  of a counter top  29  when mounting the food preparation sink  10  in drop-in fashion. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the flanges can instead facilitate under counter style installation. In addition, the sink may be formed as a continuous one piece construction with the countertop. 
     The sink is preferably formed from a conventional kitchen sink material such as stainless steel, ceramics, or polymers. In some aspects, and in some constructions, it may be desirable that the material be resistant to nicking or scratching by a cutting knife. 
     The bottom wall  12  of the food preparation sink  10  slopes downwardly as the bottom wall extends from the first end wall  17  toward the second end wall  22  along the bottom surface of the basin there between. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the bottom wall  12  has a varying non-uniform slope with a concavely sloped region  31  near the first end wall  17 , which then transitions into an elongated convexly sloped region  33 , and ultimately drops down to a drain floor  35 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a junction  37  which indicates the transition from the concavely sloped region  31  to the convexly sloped region  33 . Junction  39  indicates the transition of the bottom wall  12  between convexly sloped region  33  and floor  35 . 
     A shoulder portion  41  extends vertically downwardly from the convexly sloped region  33  to the drain floor  35 . The shoulder portion  41 , along with lower portions of the end wall  22  and first and second side walls  14 ,  15 , at least partially define a sump  43  at the bottom of the basin. A drain opening  45  is provided in the drain floor  35  to permit water and waste items to exit the basin. Passage through the drain opening  45  is controlled by a flexible baffle having a conical lower end  47  with vertical slits  48 . 
     The conical lower end  47  covers an entrance passage  49  to a garbage disposal  90  (see the schematic depiction in  FIG. 3 ). Rubber, or another elastomeric material, is particularly well suited for formation of the conical lower end  47 . The garbage disposal  90  is preferably a conventional garbage disposal having a motor driving a rotating element to cut waste passing through the drain into smaller pieces. 
     In one example, the shoulder portion  41  is about one inch ( 25 . 4  millimeters) high creating a one inch deep sump  43 . Water may accumulate in this sump  43  to create a body of water that provides a pressure difference and helps move waste down into and through the conical lower end  47  without the need for manual assistance to push the waste through. Compared to conventional kitchen sinks, the surface area of the drain floor  35  within the sump  43  is relatively small in relation to the drain opening. This permits even a relatively small amount of water to build up as a significant head within the sump  43 , and provides additional pressure beyond that which would be supplied by the same amount of water in a conventional kitchen sink. Also, initiation of the garbage disposal  90  can, depending on the configuration of the garbage disposal, create a slight vacuum that helps suck and thus facilitate entry of the waste. 
     It is particularly desirable that the slope of the convexly sloped region  33  continuously increases as the waste approaches the drain opening  45 . This helps maintain and/or increase the speed of the water flow and move the waste towards the drain floor  35  with sufficient force to stop the waste from getting hung up near the shoulder portion  41 . Also, the shoulder portion  41  allows water flowing down the bottom wall  12  to be launched off the convexly sloped region  33  and carry waste toward the drain opening  45 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first end wall  17  includes an upper portion  18  and a lower portion  19  with a rectangular water inlet  20 . The food preparation sink  10  has a first nozzle  51  for delivering water in a first flow path F 1  along the bottom wall  12  of the food preparation sink  10 . The food preparation sink  10  also has a second nozzle  57  for delivering water in a second flow path F 2  along the bottom wall  12  of the food preparation sink  10 . 
     Water delivery to the first nozzle  51  and the second nozzle  57  is controlled by a valve system  70  having a manifold  74 . The manifold  74  is in fluid communication with a first port  76 , a second port  78 , and an inlet port  80  and directs fluid flow of the water between these ports  76 ,  78  and  80 . A valve member  82  is positioned in the manifold  74  from controlling water delivery to the first and second nozzles  51 ,  57  as described below. The valve member  82  preferably has a cylinder driven piston that drives a diverter plate in response to a solenoid. This either turns the water flow on or off to the nozzles  51 ,  57 . Movement of the diverter plate of valve member  82  may be controlled by an actuator  95 . 
     In some aspects and in some constructions, the diverter plate of valve member  82  swings in directions V 1  and V 2  in the manifold  74  to provide a variable water flow to the nozzles  51 ,  57 . Movement of the diverter plate of the valve member  82  in directions V 1  and V 2  in the manifold  74  can be controlled by the actuator  95 . 
     The valve system  70  also includes a fitting  86  having a first end  87  that is coupled to the inlet port  80  of the manifold and a second end having a coupler  88 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a coupler flange  89  attached to the bottom wall  12  can permanently or temporarily retain the coupler  88  to the bottom wall  12 . The coupler  88  joins the fitting  86  to a water line  91  from a water source. 
     A switch  93  can be actuated by the user to provide a signal to an electronic control module  94 . The electronic control module  94  controls introduction of water into the inlet port  80  of the valve system  70  via another solenoid  96  (e.g. a conventional solenoid volume valve), controls the actuator  95  of the valve system  70  to direct the flow of the water, and controls operation of the garbage disposal  90 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a under counter mounted food preparation sink  110  according to a second example embodiment of the invention. This is similar to the first embodiment except for using conventional under counter mounting hardware. 
     Regardless of whether the installation follows the principles of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 6 , it should be appreciated that no further faucet or hand spray is required to be mounted on the counter top in the preferred embodiments. This saves considerable space. 
     Having described the primary features of the food preparation sink  10 , its preferred operation can be explained as follows. A user pushes on switch  93 . This signals the electronic control module  94  to begin delivery of water from water line  91  through fitting  86  and into the inlet port  80  of the valve system  70 . This can also signal the garbage disposal  90  to begin operation to dispose of the waste, either immediately or with a slight time delay. 
     Looking next at  FIG. 5 , the water flows in direction I into the inlet port  80  and into the manifold  74  of the valve system  70 . Depending on the position of the valve member  82 , the water takes different flow paths from the manifold  74 . The diverter plate of the valve member  82  is movable back-and-forth in a first direction V 1  and a second direction V 2  to direct the water flow through the valve system  70  between a first path P 1  and a second path P 2 . 
     When the valve member  82  is in a first position at the end of movement in first direction V 1  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ), water generally flows along the second path P 2  between the inlet port  80  and the second port  78 , and water may be blocked from flowing from the inlet port  80  to the first port  76 . Water flowing along the second path P 2  through the second port  78  exits the valve system  70  through the second nozzle  57  and enters the basin of the sink  10 . Water passing through the second nozzle  57  will generally flow along the second flow path F 2  (see  FIG. 2 ) on the bottom wall  12  of the sink  10 . 
     When the valve member  82  is in a second position at the end of movement in the second direction V 2 , water generally flows along the first path P 1  between the inlet port  80  and the first port  76 , and water may be blocked from flowing from the inlet port  80  to the second port  78 . Water flowing along the first path P 1  through the first port  76  exits the valve system  70  through the first nozzle  51  and enters the basin of the sink  10 . Water passing through the first nozzle  51  will generally flow along the first flow path F 1  (see  FIG. 2 ) on the bottom wall  12  of the sink  10 . 
     The actuator  95  preferably cycles the valve member  82  in directions V 1  and V 2  in the manifold  74  so that the water varies between the first flow path F 1  and the second flow path F 2 . The varying water flow paths F 1  and F 2  serve to more efficiently move waste along the bottom wall  12  to the sump  43 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the water flow paths F 1  and F 2  are directed longitudinally on the bottom wall  12  in side by side relationship. However, complete coverage from the front side wall  14  to the rear side wall  15  of the upper surface  54  of the bottom wall  12  of the food preparation sink  10  can be provided by each of the water flow paths F 1  and F 2 . The valve member  82  may also be positioned at all points between the directions V 1  and V 2  to provide a continuously variable water flow in the sink  10  along water flow paths F 1  and F 2 . 
     In some aspects and in some constructions, the electronic control module  94  is connected to a conventional power outlet box  99  (shown schematically in  FIG. 3 ). The electronic control module  94  (also shown schematically in  FIG. 3 ) preferably has its own power outlet (not shown, in addition to the shown control line to the garbage disposal), and the garbage disposal  90  is plugged into that power outlet (rather than taking up a second linkage at the power outlet box  99 ). This allows a conventional garbage disposal to be easily connected to the food preparation sink system. It also facilitates the control of the electronic control module  94  relative to activation of the garbage disposal  90  when desired. 
     The electronic control module  94  may include various settings to control the water flow into the sink  10  and operation of the garbage disposal  90 . For example, the electronic control module  94  may receive a signal from the switch  93  to initiate water flow into the sink  10  and then start the garbage disposal  90  after a delay of a set period of time following the water flow. This allows the water to enter the sink  10  and flow down to the sump  43  before the garbage disposal  90  is started. The water flow and the garbage disposal  90  may instead be started simultaneously. In addition, the electronic control module  94  may be set to turn the garbage disposal  90  off after a period of time of operation. 
     Also, the electronic control module  94  may be configured to sense operation of the garbage disposal  90  to determine when the disposal  90  is finished disposing of the waste. This may be accomplished by sensing output voltage to the garbage disposal  90  (e.g. sensing the RPMs of the garbage disposal  90 ) or by sensing the turbidity of the water exiting the sink  10 , or by other sensing means. 
     In some embodiments the food preparation sink may have only one nozzle. The pressure of the water from the single nozzle may be spread across the entire bottom wall  21 . Instead, a single nozzle may be mounted to oscillate and vary the water flow path along the bottom wall  12 . However, by using the pulsing varying flow of a dual nozzle construction shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the cleaning effects of both pulsation, and having a given pressure need to be spread over only half an area to be cleaned at a time, provide effective movement of waste along the bottom wall  12 . 
     The above description has been that of example embodiments of the present invention. It will occur to those that practice the art, however, that still other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example,  FIGS. 7 and 8  show an alternative sink  210  that uses a valve  212  to split the flow well upstream of a nozzle  214 . In this construction the nozzle can direct the water into the basin. 
     In other embodiments the sink need not be rectangular and the work area/raised bottom wall need not be at a side of the drain area. In this regard, a circular basin could be provided with an outside concentric ring area of the basin being the work area. Hence, the scope of the invention should not be entirely judged by just the example embodiments. 
     Industrial Applicability 
     The present invention provides a sink for food preparation or the like that facilitates the efficient and hands-free movement of food waste from the sink basin to the garbage disposal.