Patent Publication Number: US-2021161333-A1

Title: Portable sink

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Non-Provisional Application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/941,882, filed on Nov. 29, 2019, by inventor Cassidy Clawson, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF USE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to portable sinks, and more specifically a portable sink having a water basin and integrated waste water collection container. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are many situations in which one may find themselves where running water is desirable, but not available. In particular, having a sink with running water at a remote location or a location not conducive to setting up a permanent fixture to allow for running water may be a desirable configuration. 
     While many portable sinks exist, these existing portable sinks each have their specific drawbacks. Some existing portable sinks require a relatively large and bulky apparatus in order to be set up at a remote location. Some existing portable sinks require complicated set up configurations in order to have running water. Still in other embodiments, existing portable sinks do not provide a compact apparatus that dispenses clean water and captures used water, such that any used water may be easily disposed of at a later time and location. 
     What is needed, is a self contained portable sink that is able to dispense clean water and capture used water with a compact footprint, such that the portable sink may be taken to a remote location and used effectively. 
     SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure may be directed to a portable sink. The portable sink may comprise a basin and a gray water container. The basin and gray water container may comprise indentations and protrusions, respectively, such that the basin and gray water container may interlock into a portable unit when the indentations and protrusions are aligned. 
     Both the basin and the gray water container may comprise one or more openings. In various embodiments the openings are round but in other embodiments the openings may take some other shape. 
     In some embodiments one opening provides access from the basin to the gray water container such that used water may drain from the basin into the gray water container where the used water is stored for later disposal. 
     In some embodiments the opening which provides access between the basin and said gray water container may be positioned at the base of the basin and may overlap with a similar opening in the gray water container when the basin and the gray water container are aligned in an interlocked, portable unit. In other embodiments the opening may be positioned elsewhere in the basin and may overlap with a similar opening in the gray water container when the basin and the gray water container are aligned and interlocked into a portable unit. 
     In some embodiments, the opening between the basin and the gray water container may be partially plugged by a drain flange and gasket assembly which may further be completely plugged by a gray water drain plug. In one embodiment both the drain flange and gasket assembly and the gray water drain plug are round in shape but in other embodiments both the drain flange and gasket assembly and the gray water drain plug may take a different form. 
     In some embodiments the gray water container may further comprise a second opening, which may be sealable such that the stored used water may be disposed of at a later time. In one embodiment this second opening may be positioned within a protrusion of the gray water container which may align with an indentation on the water basin with the fresh water container to form one of several locations where the containers may interlock. 
     In some embodiments the basin may comprise a fresh water container. In one embodiment the fresh water container may be formed from the basin and the gray water container may be formed independently. The water basin with the fresh water container and the gray water container may each have interlocking indentations and protrusions such that the parts interlock or otherwise matingly engage with each other to form a combined and easy to move portable unit. In another embodiment the fresh water container may be formed independently and may be configured to interlock with the basin and the gray water container via aligning and interlocking indentations and protrusions. 
     The fresh water container may store fresh, clean water and the gray water container may store used, unclean water to be disposed of at a later time. 
     In various embodiments the fresh water container may comprise an opening configured to house a pump and faucet assembly. The pump and faucet assembly may comprise a pump with an internal spring assembly and a faucet with an adjustment dial. The pump and faucet assembly is configured to pull water from the fresh water container and release it into the basin through the faucet in a steady flow. The faucet angle may be adjusted to a wider angle by turning the adjustable dial in one direction and may be adjusted to a narrower angle by turning the adjustable dial in the opposite direction. 
     In one embodiment the steady flow of water is achieved via the pump and the internal spring assembly. Pressure applied to press the pump down compresses the internal spring assembly and in so doing pulls fresh water from the fresh water container. The pulled water is released through the faucet into the basin as the spring returns to its decompressed position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details which may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps, which are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps. 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a front perspective, exploded view of one embodiment of a portable sink. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a left-side, partially exploded view of one embodiment of a portable sink. 
         FIG. 3 a    is an illustration of a right side, plan view of the one embodiment of a faucet assembly showing a range of motion of the faucet outlet. 
         FIG. 3 b    is an illustration of a right side, perspective view of the one embodiment of a faucet assembly showing a range of motion of the pump. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of a front perspective view of one embodiment of a portable sink. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Before the present methods and systems are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the methods and systems are not limited to specific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. 
     As is used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments. However, these embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments. 
     While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. As will be realized, these embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. Accordingly, the screenshots, figures, and the detailed descriptions thereof, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection. 
     In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments. For purposes of the specification, unless otherwise specified, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, in one embodiment, an object that is “substantially” located within a housing would mean that the object is either completely within a housing or nearly completely within a housing. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is also equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. 
     As used herein, the terms “approximately” and “about” generally refer to a deviance of within 15% of the indicated number or range of numbers. In one embodiment, the term “approximately” and “about”, refer to a deviance of between 0.0001-40% from the indicated number or range of numbers. 
     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of a front perspective, exploded view of one embodiment of a portable sink. The portable sink  100  may comprise a gray water container  105 , a fresh water container  110 , a faucet assembly  115 , a drain flange  120 , and a drain plug  125 . 
     The fresh water container  110  may comprise a basin  130 , water drain  135 , receiving opening  140 , handle  145 , and indentation  150  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The fresh water container  110  may be hollow, such that a liquid or other material may be stored within the fresh water container  110 . The basin  130  may be formed from a depression of a top portion of said fresh water container  110 . The receiving opening  140  may comprise a threaded portion around an opening configured to receive the faucet assembly  115 . In an alternate embodiment, the receiving opening  140  may comprise a threaded portion around an opening configured to receive a threaded sealing cap. In further alternate embodiments, the receiving opening  140  may not comprise a threaded portion, and instead be configured to receive the faucet assembly  115  or the sealing cap via friction, snap friction, or other engagement mechanisms. The water drain  135  may be a hole or other hollow pass through that may be preferably located at a low point of the basin  130 , such that as water enters the basin  130 , the water has a tendency to flow toward the water drain  135  when the portable sink  100  is on a substantially flat surface. In some embodiments, the water drain  135  may comprise a threaded portion. The indentation  150  may be on an underside of the fresh water container  110 . 
     In one embodiment, the user may add water, or another liquid into the fresh water container  110  via the receiving opening  140 . The fresh water may be secured within the fresh water container  110  by sealing the receiving opening  140 . 
     In one embodiment, the receiving opening  140  may comprise a receiving threaded portion and the faucet assembly  115  may comprise a faucet threaded portion configured to engage the receiving threaded portion. In an alternate embodiment, the receiving opening  140  may be sealed via a threaded cap, or plug, to secure any liquid contained therein. 
     The basin  130  may be molded as a portion of the fresh water container  110 , and have a depth such that a user may be able to use the basin  130  as they would a standard sink. 
     The faucet assembly  115  may comprise a pump  155 , spring assembly  160 , neck  165 , faucet outlet  170 , adjustment dial  175 , and container engagement portion  180 . The container engagement portion  180  may be configured to engage the receiving opening  140 . In some embodiments, the container engagement portion  180  may comprise a threaded portion configured matingly engage a threaded portion of a receiving opening  140 . In an alternative embodiment, the container engagement portion  180  may be configured to frictionally engage a receiving opening  140 . The pump  155  may be configured to engage the spring assembly  160  to transport water or other liquid stored within the fresh water container  110  through the neck  165  and out the faucet outlet  170  through mechanisms known in the art. In one embodiment, the faucet outlet  170  may be configured to release the water or other liquid above the basin  130  such that a user may place one or more of their hands between the faucet outlet  170  and the basin  130 . The adjustment dial  175  may be used to adjust the angle at which the neck  165  and faucet outlet  170  engage one another, thereby allowing a user to adjust the angle at which the water or other liquid exits the faucet outlet  170 , preferably in a manner conducive to washing the user&#39;s hands. The adjustment dial  175  may also allow the portable sink  100  to be used more efficiently on an angled surface. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the faucet assembly  115  may rotate to switch between an on and off configuration. Preferably, even when in an off position, the faucet outlet  170  is over the basin  130  to catch drips. 
     In alternate embodiments, the faucet assembly  115  may be replaced with substantially any structure configured to transfer a liquid stored within said fresh water container  110  to the basin  130 . 
     In one embodiment, the faucet assembly  115  may be configured to pressurize the fresh water container  110  via the pump  155 . The faucet assembly  115  may comprise a straw or other structure configured to be in contact with a liquid stored within the fresh water container  110 , such that when the fresh water container  110  is pressurized by using a one way valve, the faucet may be opened to allow liquid to travel through the straw and out the faucet assembly  115 . 
     The gray water container  105  may comprise a drain receiver  185 , protrusion  190 , waste drain  195 , and cap  197 . The drain receiver  185  may be configured to receive water or liquid through the water drain  135 , which may then be stored within the gray water container  105 . In some embodiments, the drain receiver  185  may be threaded. The protrusion  190  may be located on a top side of the gray water container  105 . In some embodiments, the protrusion  190  may be configured to matingly engage the indentation  150  on the underside of the fresh water container  110 . In this manner, the gray water container  105  and fresh water container  110  may resist rotational movement with respect to one another. Additionally, the combination of the protrusion  190  and indentation  150  may allow a user to quickly orient the gray water container  105  relative to the fresh water container  110 . The waste drain  195  may be an opening on the gray water container  105  that may be removeably sealed by the cap  197 . The cap  197  may threadably, frictionally, or otherwise engaged to the waste drain  195 . Preferably, the waste drain  195  may be large enough to allow any water or other liquid that is stored within the gray water container  105  to be disposed of in a convenient manner. 
     The drain flange  120  may comprise a lip  122  and stem  124 . The stem  124  may preferably be substantially hollow, such that water or other liquid may traverse the stem  124 . In one embodiment, the stem  124  may comprise a male threaded portion, configured to engage a female threaded portion of the drain receiver  185 . In some embodiments, the stem  124  with a male threaded portion may also be configured to engage a female threaded portion of the water drain  135 . The lip  122  may be an annulus extending outward from the stem  124 . In one embodiment, the lip  122  may comprise a malleable material to aid in creating a water resistant or water proof seal between the drain flange  120  and the basin  130 . Specifically, the lip  122  may rest on and matingly engage with the area of the basin that forms the circumference of the water drain  135 . In one embodiment, the stem  124  may engage the drain receiver  185  to create a waterproof seal, such that water that exits the basin  130  through the water drain  135  is received into the gray water container  105  without little or no spillage. 
     In one embodiment, the water drain  135  may not have a threaded component, while the drain receiver  185  is configured to engage the drain flange  120 , either through mating threads, friction, or other engagement mechanisms. 
     The drain plug  125  may be configured to seal one end of the hollow portion of the stem  124 . The drain plug  125  may threadably, frictionally, or otherwise matingly engage with the drain flange  120 . 
     In alternate embodiments, the indentation  150  and protrusion  190  may be located on the fresh water container  110  and gray water container  105 , respectively. 
     In one embodiment, the handle  145  may make it easier to separate the otherwise flush and matingly engaged fresh water container  110  and gray water container  105 . 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of a left-side, partially exploded view of one embodiment of a portable sink  100 .  FIG. 2  Provides an additional perspective of how the various components of the portable sink  100  may fit together.  FIG. 2  also shows that the protrusion  190  may be configured to matingly receive the indentation  150 . 
     In one embodiment, the drain flange  120  may engage the water drain  135  of the basin  130  and the drain receiver  185  of the gray water container  105  at the same time. 
     The drain receiver  185  may extend upward into and/or through the water drain  135 . The stem  124  of the drain flange  120  may engage the drain receiver  185 . In some embodiments, the stem  124  may engage the drain receiver  185  and may, in combination with the lip  122  securing the basin  130 , apply a pressure such that the gray water container  105  and the fresh water exert a pressure against one another. 
       FIG. 3 a    is an illustration of a right side, plan view of the one embodiment of a faucet assembly  115  showing a range of motion of the faucet outlet  170 . 
       FIG. 3 b    is an illustration of a right side, perspective view of the one embodiment of a faucet assembly  115  showing a range of motion of the pump  155 . 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of a front perspective view of one embodiment of a portable sink  100 .  FIG. 4  shows the portable sink  100  with its components in a preferred engaged configuration.