Patent Publication Number: US-2016230374-A1

Title: Rinse Down Sink and Disposal System

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates to a combination receptacle and disposal system. Particularly, the present application relates to a receptacle having a fluid source operably coupled to a disposal system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Current residential or commercial sinks commonly include disposals connected to the drain of the sink to break up unwanted debris and allow for easier rinsing of the debris. For example, when washing dishes, food debris routinely find its way into the sink drain and clog the sink. A disposal is commonly used to unclog the sink by breaking up the excess food from the dishes. 
     It is preferable that water be running while the disposal is in use to better wash the debris down the sink and to act as a coolant for the disposal. In conventional systems, users must turn on the water, and in a separate action, activate the disposal to begin the disposal process. This two-step process is cumbersome and many users simply run the disposal without water, resulting in poor distribution of the debris or damage to the disposal. Moreover, users are required to manually push debris down the disposal, which is dangerous. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application discloses a system for disposing debris from a sink or other receptacle where the disposal and fluid source are operatively coupled together for easier use. In one embodiment, the fluid source and disposal are operatively coupled together such that a user can take a single action, for example pressing a button, that will simultaneously activate the disposal and water flow for a predetermined period of time. In other embodiments, separate actions can be implemented to allow for simultaneous use of the disposal and fluid source, although the operative connection between the disposal and fluid source allows for such simultaneous use without the conventional two-step burden familiar to users. Rinse down piping can be used to better flush the debris into the drain of the receptacle and toward the disposal for more efficient distribution of the debris. 
     In particular, the present application discloses a system including a receptacle having a drain, a disposal operatively coupled to the receptacle and adapted to break down debris, a fluid source adapted to distribute a fluid to the receptacle, whereby the fluid exits the receptacle through the drain and thereafter enters the disposal, a valve operatively coupled to the fluid source and adapted to allow selective distribution of the fluid to the receptacle from the fluid source, a power source operatively coupled to the disposal and adapted to supply power to the disposal, and a controller operatively coupled to the power source, valve, and disposal, and adapted to receive a signal to simultaneously permit the supply of power from the power source to the valve and to the disposal such that the signal causes simultaneous supply of the fluid from the fluid source and operation of the disposal. 
     Also disclosed is a system including a receptacle having a drain, a disposal operatively coupled to the receptacle and adapted to break down debris, a fluid source adapted to distribute a fluid to the receptacle, whereby the fluid exits the receptacle through the drain and thereafter enters the disposal, a valve operatively coupled to the fluid source and adapted to allow selective distribution of the fluid to the receptacle from the fluid source, a power source operatively coupled to the disposal and adapted to supply power to the disposal, a controller operatively coupled to the power source, valve, and disposal, and adapted to selectively permit the supply of power from the power source to the valve and to the disposal, and a switch adapted to cause the controller to selectively permit the supply of power from the power source to the valve and to the disposal such that the controller causes the valve to supply power and causes the disposal to operate when the switch is in a first position, and causes the valve to prevent the flow of fluid from the fluid source and causes the disposal to not operate when the switch is in a second position or when a predetermined amount of time passes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
         FIG. 1  is a side sectional view of a system according to an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the system with the countertop removed according to an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart of a system assembly process according to an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective partial view of piping according to an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of piping according to an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial exploded view of a piping assembly according to an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of a piping assembly according to an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 8  is a side sectional view of piping according to an embodiment of the present application. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated. 
     The present application discloses a system for disposing debris from a receptacle where a disposal and fluid source are operatively coupled for greater ease of use and safety. The system can also include rinse down piping to better flush the debris into the drain of the receptacle and toward the disposal. For example, the rinse down piping can be disposed in the receptacle to cause a swirling effect, thus maximizing the ability to flush debris into the drain. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the system  100  can include a receptacle  105 , such as a sink, for receiving debris and water during, for example, a dishwashing process. The receptacle  105  can direct water and debris to a drain  110 , and ultimately, to a disposal  115  where the debris can be broken down into smaller particles that can be more efficiently flushed away in a conventional drainage system. The system  100  can also include piping  120  to distribute water or another fluid into the receptacle  105 , and a countertop  125  upon which the receptacle  105  can be mounted. The countertop  125  includes inside edges that form an internal opening  130  with a ledge  135  that, in some embodiments, conceals the piping  120  from view when viewing the system  100  from a top angle. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of the system  100  from a top view. As shown, the system  100  can include a power source  140  to provide power to the system  100  and allow for simultaneous water distribution and disposal activation. A switch  145  can act as the interface between the user and the system  100  and cause the system  100  to function. A controller  150  can also be provided to distribute power from the power source  140  and cause the system  100  to function for a predetermined amount of time, e.g., 30 seconds. The controller  150  can be connected to the power source  140  to selectively distribute power, and to a fluid source  155  to selectively distribute fluid, such as water, based on the command provided by the user at the switch  145 . The system  100  can also include a valve  160 , such as, for example, a solenoid valve, operatively coupled to the fluid source  155  for selective distribution of water to the system  100 . 
     As discussed above, the system  100  includes both a disposal  115  and a fluid source  155  operatively coupled to a switch  145  so a user can simultaneously activate the disposal  115  and the fluid source  155  by, for example, pressing the switch  145 . The controller  150  can then cause the valve  160  to open to distribute water to the receptacle  105  through the piping  120  and flush debris within the receptacle  105  toward and into the drain  110  and to the disposal  115 . During at least some of the period in which the water is being distributed, the controller  150  can also cause the disposal  115  to operate to break down the debris for easier disposal through external plumbing, or otherwise. The present invention thus ensures that fluid is distributed while the disposal  115  is in operation. Moreover, in an embodiment, the piping  120  can be configured in such a way to cause the water to agitate or otherwise swirl within the receptacle  105 , thus maximizing the ability of the water to remove debris from the receptacle into the drain  110 . 
     The receptacle  105  can be any container or enclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. The receptacle  105  is preferably a stainless steel sink, although other materials can be used, such as metal, ceramic, plastic, or otherwise. The receptacle  105  preferably has one or more side portions  105   a  and one or more bottom portions  105   b , where water can be distributed down the side portions  105   a  to flush debris toward the bottom portions  105   b  and toward the drain  110  into the disposal  115 . It will be appreciated that the size and shape of the receptacle  105  is not limited, and can include, for example, rectangular, square, triangular, or circular configurations. The disposal  115  can be any conventional or custom-made garbage disposal. 
     The piping  120  can be any form of plumbing that causes water to flow into the receptacle  105  and down the drain  110 . As shown, and in an embodiment, the piping  120  is wash down piping that runs along a top perimeter of the receptacle  105 , close to bottom side of the countertop  125 . The wash down piping can include downwardly facing nozzles or apertures that distribute water or other fluids down the side portions  105   a  of the receptacle  105  to better flush debris from the receptacle  105 . Such piping  120  can include a single nozzle or apertures, multiple nozzles or apertures, two or more rows of nozzles or apertures that alternate distributing water or that distribute water together, nozzles arranged to distribute in an angled pattern, or any other form of nozzles or apertures. The piping  120  can also include a tube with nozzles or apertures that rotates to distribute the water in a rotational pattern to maximize the wash down effect. However, the piping  120  can be any form of plumbing, for example a standard faucet or copper or PVC hose. 
     The countertop  125  can be any conventional or custom-made countertop without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. For example, the countertop  125  can be laminate, granite, wood, quartz, marble, stainless steel, glass, concrete, soapstone, travertine, tile, or any other countertop material. In an embodiment, the countertop  125  includes a ledge  135  that hides the piping  120  underneath. The countertop  125  can also be coupled to the piping  120 , and the piping  120  can be additionally coupled to the receptacle  105 . In another embodiment, the piping  120  can be coupled to only the countertop  125  and not to the receptacle  105 . 
     The power source  140  can be any source of power, including a standard two or three prong outlet with 120V electricity, stand-alone battery, fuel cell, generator, hydraulic power source or any other source of power. 
     The switch  145  can be any interface that allows the user to control the system  100 , including a standard wall switch, an infrared remote, a button, touch screen, touch sensor (such as on a faucet or otherwise), knob, lever, or any other object maneuverable or capable of being activated by a user to operate the system  100 . In a preferred embodiment, the switch  145  is a wall switch connected to the power source  140 . 
     The controller  150  can be any device that communicates with the valve  160  to cause the valve to open and close and control the output of water from the fluid source  155  and with the disposal  115 . In an embodiment, the controller  150  includes software stored on a non-transitory computer readable recording medium and operatively coupled to a processor to control the valve  160  and disposal  115 . For example, the controller  150  can transmit a signal to the valve  160 , causing the valve to open, and simultaneously turn on the disposal  115  such that the fluid source  155  and disposal  115  operate simultaneously for a predetermined amount of time. More particularly, the user can activate the switch  145 , causing the controller  150  to cause the valve  160  to open and turn on the disposal  115  for a period of 30 seconds, and then automatically close the valve  160  and turn off the disposal  115 . In another embodiment, the switch  145  can be a timer that automatically turns the disposal  115  off and closes the valve  160 . In yet another embodiment, the controller can be configured to allow the valve  160  to remain open for a set amount of time, for example 30 seconds, after the disposal  115  is shut off. This ensures that an adequate amount of water flushes the disposal  115 . 
     The fluid source  155  can be any source of water or other fluid, for example, a stand-alone container of water or plumbing indirectly connected to a water distribution system. Similarly, the valve  160  can be any form of valve that selectively controls output of water or other fluids from the fluid source  155 , such as a solenoid valve. The fluid source  155  can have one or more tubes that connect to the piping  120  to distribute water in a pattern that effectively washes debris from the receptacle  105 . For example, the fluid source  155  can include multiple tubes that alternate distributing water to respective rows of nozzles  120 , as discussed above, so that water can be distributed in an oscillating pattern. 
     In an embodiment, the disposal  115  can communicate with the controller  150  so that when, for example, the disposal  115  is jammed or otherwise plugged, the controller  150  can shut off power to the disposal  115  and shut off valve  160  to prevent further fluid distribution. This ensures that, should a clog or other error occur, the receptacle does not overflow with fluid or water. 
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a process for assembling and installing the system  100  according to embodiments of the present application. As shown, the process  300  begins and proceeds to step  305 , where piping  120  is obtained. Appropriate piping  120  can be rinse down piping that runs along an upper circumference of the receptacle  105 , as discussed above. However, any suitable piping  120  can be used. 
     Next, the process proceeds to step  310  where the piping  120  is coupled to the receptacle  105 . For example, the drip down piping can be coupled along the upper circumference of the receptacle  105 . A countertop  125  can then be coupled to the receptacle  105  and/or piping  120  in step  315 . For example, the countertop  125  can be coupled to the receptacle  105  in such a manner as to conceal the piping  120  from view. Following this step, the disposal  115  can be coupled to the drain  110  of the receptacle  105  in step  320 , and the process  300  can then end. 
       FIGS. 4-8  disclose an embodiment of the piping  120 . As shown, piping  400  can include a housing  405  and a flange  410  extending from the housing  405 . Nozzles or apertures  415  are defined within the housing  405  to distribute water or other fluids to the receptacle  105  and flush debris down the drain  110 . As shown in, for example  FIGS. 5-7 , a tube  420  can deliver water or other fluids from the fluid source  155  to the housing  405 . For ease of assembly, the piping  400  can include individual units of piping  400  connected together by corner pieces  425 , as shown in, e.g.,  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     The piping  400  is advantageous because it includes a flange  410  that can be inserted between the top of the receptacle  105  and the bottom side of the countertop  125  for easy installation and substantially hiding the piping  400  after installation and during use. For example, the flange  410  can be coupled between the top of the receptacle  105  and the bottom side of the countertop  125  with adhesive or with fasteners to improve the structural stability of the piping  400 . The piping  400  can extend around the periphery of the receptacle  105  and distribute water as necessary to flush debris into the drain  110 . In an embodiment, the piping  400  can be integral or otherwise coupled to sidewalls of the receptacle  105 . 
     The housing  405  can be any structure that allows for the flow of water or other fluid. As shown, the housing  405  is an enclosed structure that extends around the periphery of the receptacle  105  and that houses water that is eventually distributed through the nozzles  415 . However, the housing  405  need not extend entirely around the receptacle  105 , and can be located anywhere relative to the receptacle  105  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. 
     The flange  410  can be any structure that extends from the housing  405 . As discussed above, the flange  410  allows for easy coupling between the receptacle  105  and the countertop  125  and can be coupled to the receptacle  105  or countertop  125  by adhesive or fasteners, for example. The flange  410  need not extend completely around the periphery of the receptacle  105  and can be intermittent. 
     The nozzles  415  are similar to the nozzles discussed above with respect to the piping  120  and can include all variations discussed above with respect to the piping  120 . As shown, the nozzles  415  can be defined within an angular portion of the housing  405  such that the nozzles  415  are aimed at the sides  105   a  of the receptacle  105  for better flushing of debris. However, the nozzles  415  can be disposed in any manner without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. 
     The tubes  420  can be any structural device that is coupled to the fluid source  425  and capable of distributing water or other fluids to the housing  405 . The tubes  420  can enter any portion of the housing  405  and can be singular or plural in nature. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in a preferred embodiment, the piping  400  includes two L-shaped pieces and two corner pieces  425  coupling together the L-shaped pieces. The corner pieces  425  can be similar in structure to the L-shaped piping  400  and can include any attribute as discussed above with respect to the piping  400 . Alternatively, the corner pieces  425  can be solid in nature, or can include a housing  405  but omit any nozzles  415 . In another embodiment, the piping  400  can be unitary and bent into a desired configuration. 
     As discussed herein, the system  100  allows for the simultaneous activation of the disposal  115  and fluid source  155 . The term “simultaneous” (and variants thereof) is not intended to mean that the disposal  115  and fluid source  155  start and stop at the exact same moment, although such a system is can be implemented in an embodiment. Rather, the term “simultaneous” simply means that, at some point in time, both the disposal  115  and fluid source  155  are active based on the interoperability of the disposal  115  and fluid source  155 . For example, the system  100  may send a signal to the controller  150  to allow the valve  160  to release water from the fluid source  155  upon sensing that the disposal  115  is currently operating, all without requiring an additional user action. Other forms of simultaneous operation of the disposal  115  and fluid source  155  can be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. 
     The term “coupling,” (and variants thereof, including but not limited to “operatively coupled”), as used herein, can mean any direct or indirect connection between any two objects, and is not intended to necessarily mean any direct and/or permanent connection between two objects, although a direct and permanent connection can be implemented in certain embodiments. The term “coupling” is also not intended to be limited to a physical connection, and can include a direct or indirect physical, electrical, thermal, or magnetic connection, for example. 
     The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of Applicant&#39;s contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.