Patent Publication Number: US-2015059082-A1

Title: Seamless undermount stainless steel sink system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is directed to a system comprising a rimless stainless steel sink structured and disposed to be undermounted to a solid countertop, such as granite or marble, wherein an interface between the stainless steel sink and the solid countertop comprises a seal which prevents water, bacteria, or debris from entering between the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink and the solid countertop. The present invention is further directed to methods for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink to a solid countertop including but not limited to granite or marble. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Stainless steel is the most popular sink style on the market today, and provides a complementary match to many kitchen appliances, such as, refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, water coolers, etc., which are also available in stainless steel or stainless steel finish. Sinks made of stainless steel offer numerous benefits including resistance to chipping, cracking or peeling. Furthermore, stainless steel sinks will not rust or fade, and they are easy to clean and maintain for a long periods of time relative to other materials of construction. 
     There are different types and corresponding methods for mounting stainless steel sinks to countertops. The most common and traditional type is a topmount sink, such as is shown in FIG.  1 —PRIOR ART Topmount Sink. As is readily seen from  FIG. 1 , a wide flange extends completely around the topmount sink such that when the topmount sink is positioned through a cut-out in a solid material countertop, the flange rests on the top surface of the countertop and is secured thereto via adhesives and/or mechanical fasteners. As will be appreciated, however, the interface between the flange and the top surface of the countertop provides a place for water, moisture, bacteria, food, and other debris to accumulate thereby creating a visually unappealing and potentially unsanitary condition around the stainless steel sink. 
     Another common type of stainless steel sink for mounting to a countertop is an undermount sink. An example of a PRIOR ART Undermount Sink is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the undermount sink comprises a much narrower flange which is structured and disposed to enable the sink to be attached to the bottom surface of a solid countertop below a sink cut-out therethrough. More in particular, undermount sinks have flat rims or flanges around the edges which may be glued and/or mechanically mounted to the bottom surface of the countertop using mounting clips and screws. The lip or sidewall of the sink cut out through the solid countertop must be finished to match the top surface, as it remains readily visible. Once again, however, and interface exists at the bottom of the sink cut out and the top of the undermount sink thereby allowing water, moisture, bacteria, food, and other debris to accumulate, once again, creating a visually unappealing and potentially unsanitary condition around the stainless steel sink. 
     More recently, a so-called “Flush-Mount” sink has been introduced to the market which has a much narrower and flatter rim or flange around the top. These flush mount sinks are structured to be mounted to a solid countertop through the top, wherein the narrow flat rim or flange rests in an equally narrow and thin recess cut into the solid countertop around the sink cut-out. As such, the combination of the narrow flat flange and the recess cut into the countertop serves to approximate a “flush-mount” appearance. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, however, considerable time, expense, expertise, and special equipment are required in order to cut a recess into granite or marble with the precision required to receive such a “flush-mount” stainless steel sink and approximate a “flush-mount” appearance. 
     As such, it would be beneficial to provide a seamless stainless steel sink system for installation to a solid material countertop including, but not limited to, granite or marble, which eliminates an interface where water, moisture, bacteria, food, and/or other debris can accumulate and create unsightly and unsanitary conditions. It would be further advantageous for such a seamless stainless steel sink system to utilize standard fabrication materials and techniques in order to provide an economical alternative to the aforementioned “flush-mount” stainless steel sinks systems. It would further be helpful for such a seamless stainless steel sink system to accommodate a variety of popular sink configurations including, but not limited to, rectangular, oval, kidney shaped, etc. Another benefit may be obtained by providing a stainless steel sink having a recessed divider between bowls to allow for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink having more than one bowl. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a seamless undermount stainless steel sink system. A seamless undermount stainless steel sink system in accordance with the present invention comprises a stainless steel sink and a solid countertop. 
     In at least one embodiment, the solid countertop comprises a stone material of construction such as, but not limited to granite or marble. The solid countertop has a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface at least partially define a thickness therebetween, and in at least one embodiment, the thickness of the solid countertop remains substantially the same between the top surface and the bottom surface. A sink mounting aperture is disposed through the solid countertop, and the sink mounting aperture comprises an inner periphery. In at least one embodiment, a receiving channel is formed along and around at least a portion of the inner periphery, and in at least one further embodiment, a receiving channel is formed substantially along and around a lower portion of the inner periphery. 
     As previously stated, the present system further comprises a stainless steel sink, and the stainless steel sink includes a sidewall which partially forms at least one bowl. In at least one embodiment, the stainless steel sink comprises a plurality of bowls separated from one another by a corresponding recessed divider, as discussed in further detail below. A stainless steel sink in accordance with the present invention further comprises a rimless upper edge along and around the sidewall, and an outer periphery is defined around the rimless upper edge. 
     The present seamless undermount stainless steel sink system also includes a mounting assembly which is structured to securely mount the stainless steel sink to the solid countertop. In one embodiment, the mounting assembly comprises at least one mounting bracket attached to a portion of the stainless steel sink at a predetermined mounting depth below the rimless upper end of the stainless steel sink, and in one further embodiment, the mounting assembly comprises a plurality of mounting brackets each being attached to a portion of the stainless steel sink, and each being positioned at a predetermined mounting depth below the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink. 
     A mounting bracket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a sink flange, which is utilized to attach the mounting flange to a portion of the stainless steel sink, and a countertop flange to secure the stainless steel sink to the solid countertop. In one embodiment, the countertop flange includes a countertop flange surface which, in at least one embodiment, is operatively disposed in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the sidewall of the stainless steel sink and is positioned at the predetermined mounting depth below the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink. 
     In at least one embodiment, an upper interface is formed between the outer periphery of the stainless steel sink and the inner periphery of the solid countertop and, in accordance with the present invention, an upper seal is disposed in the upper interface between the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink and the top surface of the solid countertop. More importantly, the upper seal prevents water, moisture, bacteria, food, or debris from entering between the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink and the top surface of the solid countertop. 
     A channel interface is formed between the rimless upper edge of a stainless steel sink and a finished periphery surface of a sink mounting aperture in accordance with at least one further embodiment of the present invention. A channel seal is disposed in the channel interface between the rimless upper edge and the finished periphery surface, once again, so as to prevent water, moisture, bacteria, food, or debris from entering between the stainless steel sink and the solid countertop 
     The present invention is further directed to methods for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink to a solid countertop, once again, including but not limited to granite or marble. 
     In at least embodiment, the present method includes fabricating a stainless steel sink with a rimless upper edge defining an outer periphery therearound, such as may be accomplished by hand fabrication. Of course, as most stainless steel sinks manufactured today are drawn and comprise an upper flange or lip. As such, in one embodiment, the present method includes removing the mounting flange or lip from the stainless steel sink in order to obtain a rimless upper edge. 
     The present method further includes preparing a mounting template based on the outer periphery of the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink, and creating a sink mounting aperture through the solid countertop between a top surface and a bottom surface based on the mounting template, wherein the sink mounting aperture comprises an inner periphery configured to receive the outer periphery of the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink therethrough. 
     Next, in at least one embodiment, one or more mounting brackets are positioned at a predetermined mounting depth below the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink, wherein each mounting bracket has a sink flange and a countertop flange. In at least one further embodiment, the countertop flange comprises a countertop flange surface which is positioned at the predetermined mounting depth below the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink, and the present method further includes attaching one mounting bracket to the stainless steel sink. 
     Once the mounting bracket or plurality of mounting brackets are positioned, and in at least one embodiment, attached to the stainless steel sink, the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink is positioned through the sink mounting aperture of the solid countertop such that each countertop flange surface is adjacent to the bottom surface of the solid countertop, and the stainless steel sink is secured to the bottom surface of the solid countertop via the at least one mounting bracket. 
     One alternate embodiment of the method in accordance with the present invention comprises positioning a rimless upper edge of a stainless steel sink into a receiving channel of a sink mounting aperture such that a countertop flange surface is adjacent to a bottom surface of a solid countertop, and the stainless steel sink is secured to the bottom surface of the solid countertop via the at least one mounting bracket. 
     Finally, the present method includes applying a seal along an interface between the stainless steel sink and the solid countertop, wherein the upper seal prevents water, moisture, bacteria, and debris from entering between the stainless steel sink and the solid countertop. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional PRIOR ART topmount sink. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a conventional PRIOR ART undermount sink. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a stainless steel sink and mounting assembly in accordance with the present invention for seamless undermount installation to a solid countertop. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of one illustrative embodiment of a stainless steel sink, mounting assembly, and solid countertop in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is an exploded view of another illustrative embodiment of a stainless steel sink, mounting assembly, and solid countertop in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the stainless steel sink mounted to the solid countertop in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 4  of present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the stainless steel sink mounted to the solid countertop in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 4A  of present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of the stainless steel sink mounted to the solid countertop in accordance with the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5  of present invention. 
         FIG. 6A  is a partial cross-sectional view of the stainless steel sink mounted to the solid countertop in accordance with the embodiment of  FIGS. 4A and 5A  of present invention. 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of one illustrative embodiment of a stainless steel sink in accordance with the present invention prior to removal of a countertop flange. 
         FIG. 7A  is a side elevation view of the stainless steel sink of  FIG. 5  after removal of the countertop flange. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrative of one method for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink to a solid countertop in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrative of an alternate method for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink to a solid countertop in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrative of yet another method for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink to a solid countertop in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As stated above, the present invention is directed to a seamless undermount stainless steel sink system which is generally shown as  10  throughout the figures. More in particular, and with reference to  FIG. 5 , the present system  10  comprises a solid countertop  20  and a stainless steel sink  30 . As is apparent from  FIG. 5 , an upper seal  54  between the solid countertop  20  and the upper edge of the stainless steel sink  30  provides a virtually seamless interface between the solid countertop  20  and the stainless steel sink  30 .  FIG. 5A  is illustrative of one alternate embodiment of a seamless interface via a channel seal  54 ′ between a rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink  30  and a finished periphery surface  29  of the solid countertop  20 . 
     In at least one embodiment of the present system  10 , a solid countertop  20  is constructed from a solid material including, but not limited to, granite, marble, limestone, quartz stone, engineered stone, for example, acrylic and polyester composite engineered stone, recycled glass, and hardwood. At least one side of the solid countertop  20 , such as top surface  22 , is sanded, polished, buffed, etc., as needed in order to provide a smooth, even, and aesthetically appealing surface. 
       FIGS. 4 and 4A  are illustrative of a few alternate embodiments of a solid countertop  20  in accordance with the present invention comprising a top surface  22  and a bottom surface  24 . As  FIG. 4  further illustrates, the top surface  22  and bottom surface  24  at least partially define a thickness  25  therebetween, which is discussed in greater detail below with regard to the seamless interface between the solid countertop  20  and the stainless steel sink  30 . Looking again to the illustrative embodiments of  FIGS. 4 and 4A , the solid countertop  20  includes a sink mounting aperture  26  disposed therethrough. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the sink mounting aperture  26  may be created by cutting through the solid countertop  20  in accordance with a template or guide which is drawn, etched, or temporarily attached thereto. It will be further appreciated that the sink mounting aperture  26  may be formed via drilling and or sawing utilizing bits and/or blades which are specifically designed for cutting through stone materials, such as, once again, granite, marble, etc.  FIG. 4  further illustrates a solid countertop  20  in accordance with the present invention wherein the sink mounting aperture  26  at least partially defines an inner periphery  27  which extends along and around the entire inner edge of the sink mounting aperture  26 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 4A , in addition to the sink mounting aperture  26 , the solid countertop  20  further comprises a receiving channel  28  formed along and around the inner periphery  27  of the sink mounting aperture  26 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , the receiving channel  28  defines a channel height  28 ′ extending upwardly from the bottom surface  24  of the solid countertop  20 . As also shown in  FIG. 4A , the receiving channel  28  further defines a channel depth  28 ″, which corresponds to a thickness between the inner wall  36 ′ and the outer wall  36 ″ of the sidewall  36  of the stainless steel sink  30 , as discussed further below. The receiving channel  28  may be formed via CNC cutting tools utilizing bits and/or blades which are specifically designed for cutting through stone materials, such as, once again, granite, marble, etc. 
     The inner periphery  27  of the sink mounting aperture  26  as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 4A  further comprises a finished periphery surface  29  extending from the top surface  22  of the solid countertop  20  itself to the top of the receiving channel  28 . The finished periphery surface  29  is sanded, polished, buffed, etc., as needed in order to provide a smooth, even, and aesthetically appealing surface to match the top surface  22  of the solid countertop  20 . 
     As previously stated above, a seamless undermount stainless steel sink system  10  in accordance with the present invention further comprises a stainless steel sink  30 . It is understood to be within the scope and intent of the present invention for a stainless steel sink  30  to be constructed of any of a variety of grades of stainless steel which are presently utilized for the formation of sinks including, but not limited to, Type 304 stainless steel, Type 302 stainless steel, and Type 316 stainless steel, as well as 200 series stainless steels, just to name a few. It is further understood to be within the scope and intent of the present invention to form a sink from other metals and metal alloys besides stainless steel including, but once again, not limited to, aluminum, brass, bronze, cast iron, copper, nickel, as well as from non-metal materials such as terrazzo, glass, plastic, engineered plastic and/or ceramic. 
     It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the present seamless undermount stainless steel sink system  10  and installation methodology, which is discussed in greater detail below, may also be utilized to install sinks formed of other metal or metal alloy materials, and/or for undermount installation of a sink to a solid countertop  20  wherein the solid countertop  20  comprises a stone material of construction including, but not limited to, granite, marble, etc. 
       FIG. 3  is illustrative of one embodiment of a stainless steel sink  30  in accordance with the present system  10 . The stainless steel sink  30  shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 3  comprises a plurality of bowls  32  which are separated by a recessed divider  33 .  FIG. 3  further illustrates that each bowl  32  comprises a drain  34  disposed through a bottom portion thereof.  FIG. 4  is illustrative of another embodiment of a stainless steel sink  30  in accordance with the present invention comprising a single bowl  32  having a single drain  34  disposed therein. 
     Looking to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  4 A, a stainless steel sink  30  in accordance with the system  10  in accordance with present invention comprises a sidewall  36  which at least partially defines the bowl or bowls  32 . As further illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  4 A, the sidewall  36  comprises an inner wall  36 ′ and an outer wall  36 ″, which define a thickness of the sidewall  36  therebetween. As may be seen best in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  4 A, a stainless steel sink  30  in accordance with the present system  10  further comprises a rimless upper edge  38  which extends around the entirety of the sidewall  36 . Similar to the inner periphery  27  along sink mounting aperture  26  of the solid countertop  20 , a stainless steel sink  30  in accordance with the present invention comprises an outer periphery  39  which extends along and around the entirety of the sidewall  36  of the stainless steel sink  30  proximate the rimless upper edge  38  thereof. As will be appreciated from the disclosure below, the rimless upper edge  38  of the stainless steel sink  30  is required in order to achieve the seamless undermount of the stainless steel sink  30  to the solid countertop  20  in accordance with the present system  10 . 
     It will be understood and appreciated by those of skill in the art that a stainless steel sink  30  may be fabricated by hand with a rimless upper edge  38 , however, mass production of stainless steel sinks  30  commonly employs a process wherein a single piece of stainless steel is drawn and formed into a sink  30  which includes a mounting flange  35  extending around and along the upper portion of a sidewall  36 , such as is shown in  FIG. 7 . As such, and with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 7A , a seamless undermount stainless steel sink system  10  in accordance with the present invention may require removal of a mounting flange  35  from the sidewall  36  of stainless steel sink  30  in order to obtain a rimless upper edge  38 , such as is shown in  FIG. 7A . 
     As will be appreciated from  FIGS. 7 and 7A , and with reference, by way of example, to the PRIOR ART sinks shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , removal of the mounting flange  35  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 7A  from either of the PRIOR ART sinks shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  would result in the detachment of the separate bowls of the PRIOR ART sinks from one another. As such, and as previously disclosed with reference to  FIG. 3 , a seamless undermount stainless steel sink system  10  in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention comprises a stainless steel sink  30  having a recessed divider  33 , specifically to permit a mounting flange  35  from being removed such as is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 7A , while maintaining a plurality of bowls  32  attached to one another, once again, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     As shown throughout the figures, a seamless undermount stainless steel sink system  10  in accordance with the present invention further comprises a mounting assembly generally shown as  40 . A mounting assembly  40  comprises at least one mounting bracket  42 , however, in at least one embodiment, a mounting assembly  40  in accordance with the present system  10  comprises a plurality of mounting brackets  42 , such as is shown in the illustrative embodiments of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In at least one embodiment (not shown), a single mounting bracket may be disposed around the entirety of the sidewall  36  of the stainless steel sink  30  in accordance with the present invention. By way of example, after removal of a mounting flange  35  from a stainless steel sink  30 , the sink  30  is positioned through the top of the mounting flange  35  and the mounting flange  35  is secured to the sidewalls  36 , thus providing a single mounting bracket  42  which extends along and around the entire sidewall  36  of the stainless steel sink  30 . 
     Alternatively, and again as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a mounting assembly  40  comprises a plurality of mounting brackets  42  which are attached to an outer wall  36 ″ of a sidewall  36  of a stainless steel sink  30 . More in particular, the plurality of mounting brackets  42  are positioned in a spaced apart arrangement around the sidewall  36  of the stainless steel sink  30 , and are attached thereto in order to provide a plurality of points for securing the stainless steel sink  30  to the underside of a solid countertop  20  along a bottom surface  24  thereof. 
       FIG. 6B  is illustrative of just one embodiment of a mounting bracket  42  in accordance with the present invention. As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 6B , the mounting bracket  42  includes a sink flange  43  which is disposed at a substantially right angle to a countertop flange  44 .  FIG. 6B  further illustrates that a countertop flange  44  comprises a countertop flange surface  45  which, as discussed in greater detail below, is positioned adjacent to bottom surface  24  of the solid countertop  20  in order to secure the stainless steel sink  30  to the solid countertop  20 . In addition, countertop flange  44 , in at least one embodiment, includes one or more countertop flange apertures  46  such as shown again in  FIG. 6B . The countertop flange aperture(s)  46  facilitate securing the mounting bracket  42  to the bottom surface  24  of the solid countertop  20 , as discussed in further detail below. 
       FIG. 6  presents a partial cross-section view of one illustrative embodiment of a stainless steel sink  30  seamlessly mounted to a solid countertop  20  in accordance with the present invention. As may be seen from  FIG. 6 , a mounting bracket  42  comprises a sink flange  43  and a countertop flange  44  as previously disclosed, wherein the sink flange  43  is attached to an outer wall  36 ″ of the sidewall  36  via a sink interconnect  43 ′. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that a sink interconnect  43 ′ may comprise any of a variety of means for securely attaching a sink flange  43  to the outer wall  36 ″ of a stainless steel sink  30 . As one example, the sink interconnect  43 ′ comprises a weld between the sink flange  43  and the outer wall  36 ″ of the sidewall  36 . As another example, an appropriate adhesive, such as, by way of example only, an epoxy or a polyester resin, is utilized as sink interconnect  43 ′ in order to securely attach a sink flange  43  to the outer wall  36 ″ of the sidewall  36 . In yet another embodiment, the sink interconnect  43 ′ comprises a mechanical fastener such as a screw, a bolt, a rivet, etc., in order to securely attach the sink flange  43  to the outer wall  36 ″ of the stainless steel sink  30 . It will further be appreciated that a combination of one or more sink interconnects  43 ′ may be employed in order to further assure that the sink flange  43  is securely attached to the stainless steel sink  30 . 
     Similarly, a countertop interconnect  44 ′ is utilized to securely attach a countertop flange  44  to a portion of the bottom surface  24  of the solid countertop  20 . As before, with regard to sink interconnect  43 ′, the countertop interconnect  44 ′ may comprise any of a variety of appropriate attachment means. In at least one embodiment, a countertop interconnect  44 ′ comprises an epoxy resin in order to securely attach the countertop flange  44  to the bottom surface  24  the solid countertop  20 , an in one further embodiment, a two-part epoxy resin is utilized as a countertop interconnect  44 ′. In such an embodiment, the epoxy resin is permitted to flow through countertop flange aperture(s)  46  and onto the underside of the countertop flange  44  to further facilitate securely attaching the countertop flange  44  to the bottom surface  24  of the solid countertop  20 . In another embodiment, a mechanical fastener such as a masonry screw may be utilized as a countertop interconnect  44 ′ in order to securely attach countertop flange  44  to the bottom surface  24  of the solid countertop  20 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a combination of an adhesive and a mechanical fastener may be utilized as a countertop interconnect  44 ′ in order to further assure that the countertop flange  44  is securely attached to the bottom surface  24  of the solid countertop  20 . 
     In at least one alternate embodiment, mounting assembly  40  may comprise a mounting clip  49  which is secured into the bottom surface  24  of the solid countertop  20  via fastener  49 ′. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a portion of the mounting clip  49  extends over a portion of the countertop flange  44  in order to further assure that the countertop flange  44  remains securely attached to the bottom surface  24  of the solid countertop  20 . 
     With reference once again to  FIG. 4 , each mounting bracket  42  is securely attached to the outer wall  36 ″ of the stainless steel sink  30  at a predetermined mounting depth  48 . More in particular, and again as shown in  FIG. 4 , the countertop flange surface  45  of each mounting bracket  42  is disposed at a predetermined mounting depth  48  from the rimless upper edge  38  of the stainless steel sink  30 . More in particular, a predetermined mounting depth  48  corresponds to the thickness  25  of the solid countertop  20 . Present industry standards dictate that slid granite or marble countertops are provided with a thickness of either two centimeters or three centimeters. In one embodiment, the countertop flange surface  45  of the mounting bracket  42  is positioned at a predetermined depth  48  of eighteen millimeters below the rimless upper edge  38  of the stainless steel sink  30 , for installation to a standard two centimeter thick solid countertop  20 . In an embodiment of the present system  10  comprising a three centimeter thick solid countertop  20 , the countertop flange surface  45  of the mounting bracket  42  is positioned at a predetermined depth  48  of twenty-eight millimeters below the rimless upper edge  38  of the stainless steel sink  30 . 
     In at least one further embodiment, the predetermined mounting depth  48  comprises a tolerance of plus or minus one millimeter relative to the thickness  25  of the solid countertop  20 . That is to say, the predetermined mounting depth  48  at which the countertop flange surface  45  is positioned below the rimless upper edge  38  of the stainless steel sink  30  when the mounting flange is securely attached to the outer wall  36 ″ of the stainless steel sink  30  must be no more nor no less than one millimeter of the thickness  25  of the solid countertop  20 . As such, when the stainless steel sink  30  is mounted to the solid countertop  20  from below, the rimless upper edge  38  will be within one millimeter of the top surface  22  of the solid countertop  20  which, as will be appreciated, permits the seamless installation of stainless steel sink  30  in accordance with the present system  10 . 
     Furthermore, when the rimless upper edge  38  of a stainless steel sink  30  is positioned through a sink mounting aperture  26  of the solid countertop  20 , an upper interface  52  is formed between the inner periphery  27  of a sink mounting aperture  26  and the outer periphery  39  along the rimless upper edge  38 . In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an upper interface tolerance  52 ′ must be one millimeter or less. Stated otherwise, the distance between the inner periphery  27  of a sink mounting aperture  26  and outer periphery  39  along the rimless upper edge  38  is one millimeter or less when a stainless steel sink  30  is mounted through a sink mounting aperture  26  of a solid countertop  20  in accordance with the present system  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6A , in at least one embodiment, the rimless upper edge  38  of a stainless steel sink  30  is positioned into a receiving channel  28  of a sink mounting aperture  26  of the solid countertop  20 . A channel interface  53  is formed between the rimless upper edge  38  of said stainless steel sink  30  and the finished periphery surface  29  of the solid countertop  20 . In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a channel interface tolerance  53 ′ must be one millimeter or less. Stated otherwise, the distance between the rimless upper edge  38  of the stainless steel sink  30  and the finished periphery surface  29  of the inner periphery  27  is one millimeter or less when a stainless steel sink  30  is mounted in a receiving channel  28  of a solid countertop  20  in accordance with the present system  10 . 
     Looking again to  FIG. 6 , the seamless undermount stainless steel sink system  10  in accordance with the present invention further comprises a sealing assembly  50 . The sealing assembly  50  includes an upper seal  54  which is applied along and around the upper interface  52  between the inner periphery  27  of sink mounting aperture  26  and the outer periphery  39  of the outer wall  36 ″ of the stainless steel sink  30 . In one embodiment, the upper seal  54  comprises an epoxy glue or an epoxy resin which will securely bond to both the solid countertop  20  and the stainless steel sink  30 , thereby providing an essential impervious seal over and along the upper interface  52 . In an alternate embodiment, the upper seal  54  comprises a polyester resin to securely bond to both the solid countertop  20  and the stainless steel sink  30 , once again, providing an essential impervious seal over and along the upper interface  52 . In further embodiments, the upper seal  54  comprises a polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, an epoxy resin, an acrylic casting resin, or combinations thereof. As will be appreciated, the upper seal  54  will serve to prevent water, moisture, bacteria, food, and/or other debris such as may be encountered in a sink environment from entering into the area between the solid countertop  20  and the stainless steel sink  30 , in particular, into and through the upper interface  52  therebetween. 
     In at least one further embodiment, a top coat  55  is applied to the upper seal  54  wherein the top coat  55  is selected based on the color of the top surface  22  of the solid countertop  20  so as to camouflage the presence of the upper seal  54 . The top coat  55 , in at least one embodiment, comprises a color matching epoxy or polyester resin selected to simulate the color of the top surface  22  of the solid countertop  20 . In yet one further embodiment, the upper seal  54  and/or top coat  55  may be further finished by sanding, buffing, etc., so as to further camouflage the presence of the upper seal  54 , thereby enhancing the overall seamless appearance between the stainless steel sink  30  and the solid countertop  20  along the upper seal  54 , such as is shown best in  FIG. 5 . 
     With reference to the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 6A , a sealing assembly  50  in accordance with the seamless undermount stainless steel sink system  10  of the present invention comprises a channel seal  54 ′ which is applied along and around the channel interface  53  between the finished periphery surface  29  of the sink mounting aperture  26  and the rimless upper edge  38  of the stainless steel sink  30 . In one embodiment, as before, the channel seal  54 ′ comprises an epoxy glue or an epoxy resin which will securely bond to both the solid countertop  20  and the stainless steel sink  30 , thereby providing an essential impervious seal over and along the channel interface  53 . In an alternate embodiment, the channel seal  54 ′ comprises a polyester resin to securely bond to both the solid countertop  20  and the stainless steel sink  30 , once again, providing an essential impervious seal over and along the channel interface  53 . In further embodiments, the channel seal  54 ′ comprises a polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, an epoxy resin, an acrylic casting resin, or combinations thereof. As will be appreciated, the channel seal  54 ′ will serve to prevent water, moisture, bacteria, food, and/or other debris such as may be encountered in a sink environment from entering into the area between the solid countertop  20  and the stainless steel sink  30 , in particular, into and through the channel interface  53  therebetween. 
     In one further embodiment, a top coat  55 ′ is applied to the channel seal  54 ′ wherein the top coat  55 ′ is selected based on the color of the finished periphery surface  29  of the solid countertop  20 , so as to camouflage the presence of the channel seal  54 ′. The top coat  55 ′, in at least one embodiment, comprises a color matching epoxy or polyester resin selected to simulate the color of the solid countertop. In yet one further embodiment, the channel seal  54 ′ and/or top coat  55 ′ may be further finished by sanding, buffing, etc., so as to further camouflage the presence of the channel seal  54 ′, thereby enhancing the overall seamless appearance between the stainless steel sink  30  and the solid countertop  20  along the channel seal  54 ′, such as is shown best in  FIG. 5A . 
     In at least one embodiment, a sealing assembly  50  in accordance with the present invention further comprises a lower seal  58 , such as is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 6A . A lower seal  58  comprises a waterproof silicone adhesive or similar material which is utilized to seal a lower interface  56  between the outer wall  36 ″ of the stainless steel sink  30  and the bottom surface  24  of the solid countertop  20 . 
     As previously stated, the present invention further comprises a method for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink to a solid countertop, which is generally as shown as at  100  in  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 . 
     As shown in illustrative embodiments of  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10 , the present method  100  includes fabricating a stainless steel sink with a rimless upper edge  110 , wherein the rimless upper edge at least partially defines an outer periphery therearound. As previously stated, this may be accomplished via hand fabrication techniques, wherein the sink as fabricated is rimless. Alternatively, when a stainless steel sink is fabricated by drawing and/or forming via mass production techniques, a mounting flange must be removed from the top of the sink, such as via cutting via mechanical of laser cutter equipment. 
     In at least one embodiment, fabricating a stainless steel sink with a rimless upper edge  100  requires that the front and rear sidewalls of the sink be essentially straight, with deviations long the sidewalls of less than one-half millimeter inward or outward. In addition, the rimless upper edge must not have deviations of more than one millimeter along and around its entire length. That is to say, if the sink is placed upside down on a completely flat surface, there must not be more than a one millimeter gap between the rimless upper edge of the sink and the flat surface at any point between the upper edge and the surface. 
     The present method  100  in accordance with  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10  further comprises preparing a mounting template  120  based on the outer periphery of the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink. The mounting template may be prepared  120  by turning the sink upside down on a template medium, such as tracing paper, cardboard, etc. In at least one embodiment, the sink may be placed upside down directly on the solid countertop itself, and its outline traced directly thereon to facilitate preparing the mounting template  120 . 
     Once a mounting template has been applied to a surface of the solid countertop, the present method further provides for creating a sink mounting aperture through the solid countertop  130 , wherein the mounting aperture extends between a top surface and a bottom surface of the solid countertop based on the mounting template. As previously noted above, in at least one embodiment the sink mounting aperture comprises an inner periphery configured to receive the outer periphery of the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink therethrough. 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiments of  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the present method further comprises forming a receiving channel along and around the sink mounting aperture  135 . In at least one embodiment, the receiving channel extends around the inner periphery of the sink mounting aperture, and in at least one further embodiment, and as shown in the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 4A , the receiving channel extends around and along the lower portion of substantially the entire inner periphery of the sink mounting aperture. As previously indicated, the receiving channel at least partially defines a channel height and a channel width, cooperatively dimensioned to receive an outer periphery of the stainless steel sink therein. 
     As shown in the illustrative embodiments of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the present method further includes positioning at least one mounting bracket at a predetermined mounting depth  140  below the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink. In at least one embodiment, the mounting bracket has a sink flange and a countertop flange, wherein the countertop flange comprises a countertop flange surface which is positioned at the predetermined mounting depth below the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink. 
     The illustrative embodiments of the present method  100  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  next comprise attaching at least one mounting bracket to the stainless steel sink  150 , and in one further embodiment, the present method comprises attaching a plurality of mounting brackets to the stainless steel sink  150 , wherein each mounting bracket is positioned and attached to the stainless steel sink at the predetermined mounting depth below the rimless upper edge. A sink interconnect, as disclosed above, is utilized to securely attach the mounting bracket(s) to the stainless steel sink, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present method  100 . 
     Once the mounting bracket(s) are securely attached to the stainless steel sink at the predetermined mounting depth, the method  100  of the present invention in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 8  further comprises positioning the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink through the sink mounting aperture of the solid countertop  160 , such that the countertop flange surface is adjacent to the bottom surface of the solid countertop, and the rimless upper portion of the stainless steel sink is essentially flush with the top surface of the stainless steel sink. The present method  100  further provides for securing the stainless steel sink to the bottom surface of the solid countertop via at least one mounting bracket  170 . Of course, in one further embodiment of the present invention, the method  100  provides for securing the stainless steel sink to the bottom surface of the solid countertop via a plurality of mounting brackets  170 . As before, a countertop interconnect is utilized to secure the stainless steel sink to the solid countertop in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. 
     Turning to the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 9 , once the mounting bracket(s) are securely attached to the stainless steel sink at the predetermined mounting depth, the present method  100  comprises positioning the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink into the receiving channel in the sink mounting aperture of the solid countertop  160 ′, such that the countertop flange surface is adjacent to the bottom surface of the solid countertop and, more importantly, the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink is adjacent to the finished periphery surface of the inner periphery. In at least one embodiment, the distance between the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink and the finished periphery surface of the inner periphery is less than the channel interface tolerance. As in the embodiment of the present method  100  as shown in  FIG. 8 , the method  100  in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 9  further provides for securing the stainless steel sink to the bottom surface of the solid countertop via at least one mounting bracket  170 . Of course, in one further embodiment of the present invention, the method  100  provides for securing the stainless steel sink to the bottom surface of the solid countertop via a plurality of mounting brackets  170 . As before, a countertop interconnect is utilized to secure the stainless steel sink to the solid countertop in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. 
     Looking next to the illustrative embodiment of the present method  100  in accordance with  FIG. 10 , it is noted that the step of positioning at least one mounting bracket at a predetermined mounting depth  140  below the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink is not present. Rather, and before attaching mounting bracket(s) to the stainless steel sink, the illustrative method of  FIG. 10  comprises positioning the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink into the receiving channel in the sink mounting aperture of the solid countertop  160 ′, such that the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink is adjacent the finished periphery surface of the inner periphery of the sink mounting aperture. Next, and further in accordance with the alternative method  100  of  FIG. 10 , once the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink is adjacent the finished periphery surface of the inner periphery, the method  100  comprises attaching one or more mounting brackets to the stainless steel 165. It will be appreciated that the mounting bracket(s) will necessarily be positioned at a predetermined depth so long as the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink is adjacent the finished periphery surface of the inner periphery of the solid countertop, and the countertop flange surface is adjacent to the bottom surface of the solid countertop. Once the one or more mounting brackets are attached to the stainless steel sink, the alternative method  100  of  FIG. 10  proceeds as in the case of the embodiments of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , namely, securing the stainless steel sink to the bottom surface of the solid countertop via one or more mounting brackets  170 . As before, a countertop interconnect is utilized to secure the stainless steel sink to the solid countertop in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. 
     The method  100  for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink to a solid countertop  100  in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 8  further comprises applying an upper seal along an upper interface  180  between the outer periphery of the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink and the inner periphery of the sink mounting aperture through the solid countertop. As noted above, in at least one embodiment, the upper seal may comprise a polyester resin, and in one further embodiment, the upper seal may comprise a color matched polyester resin. In at least one embodiment, the upper seal prevents water, moisture, bacteria, and debris from entering between the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink and the top surface of the solid countertop. 
     The top surface of the solid countertop may be masked around the inner periphery of the sink mounting aperture prior to applying the upper seal, so as to avoid unwanted application of the resin to the countertop itself. In one further embodiment, a top coat is applied to the upper seal in order to camouflage its presence, and in one further embodiment, the upper seal may be finished, such as via sanding, buffing, and/or polishing, so as to even further conceal the presence of the upper seal at the seamless interface between the stainless steel sink and the solid countertop. 
     Alternatively, the method for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink to a solid countertop  100  in accordance the illustrative embodiments of  FIGS. 9 and 10  further comprises applying a channel seal along a channel interface  180 ′ between the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink and the finished periphery surface of the inner periphery of the sink mounting aperture through the solid countertop. As noted above, in at least one embodiment, the channel seal may comprise a polyester resin, and in one further embodiment, the channel seal may comprise a color matched polyester resin. In at least one embodiment, the channel seal prevents water, moisture, bacteria, and debris from entering between the stainless steel sink and the solid countertop. 
     The finished periphery surface of the inner periphery of the sink mounting aperture may be masked along the inner periphery of the sink mounting aperture prior to applying the channel seal, so as to avoid unwanted application of the resin to the finished periphery surface. In one further embodiment, a top coat is applied to the channel seal in order to camouflage its presence, and in one further embodiment, the top coat and/or channel seal may be finished, such as via sanding, buffing, and/or polishing, so as to even further conceal the presence of the channel seal at the seamless interface between the stainless steel sink and the solid countertop. 
     In at least one embodiment, the method for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink to a solid countertop  100  includes applying a lower seal along a lower interface  190 , such as is shown in the illustrative embodiments of  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10 , wherein the lower seal comprises a substantially waterproof material, such as silicone, to prevent water or moisture from entering a lower interface between the outer wall of the stainless steel sink and the bottom surface of the solid countertop, as previously disclosed hereinabove. 
     As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the present method  100  comprises steps which may be performed by different parties at different locations. Specifically, steps  110  through  150  may be performed at a factory which manufactures stainless steel sinks and/or solid countertops in accordance with the present invention, while steps  160  through  190  may be performed by an individual or contractor who physically installs a stainless sink manufactured in accordance with the present invention in an end user&#39;s home or business. 
     Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 
     Now that the invention has been described,