Patent Publication Number: US-2018030704-A1

Title: Sink

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     The following documents are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/372,950, filed Aug. 10, 2016; and European Patent Application No. 16181677.2, filed Jul. 28, 2016. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The application relates to a sink, in particular kitchen sink. The sink comprises at least one bowl with a bottom wall and a circumferential side wall and at least one outlet opening located in said bottom wall. 
     It is known in the art to provide such sinks with a removable divider element (or divider), which can be installed inside said bowl in order to subdivide said bowl into two separate bowls, if necessary. 
     Sinks of that kind are disclosed, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,635,718 B1, US 2015/0128339 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 7,721,362 B2, CN 103510590 A or CN 101716066 A. Sinks of the above-mentioned kind may comprise a first rectilinear groove in said side wall, said first groove extending toward said bottom wall, and a second rectilinear groove in said side wall opposite said first groove, said second groove extending toward said bottom wall. Said grooves are devised for inserting a generally plate-like divider, which can be fit into said first and second grooves in watertight manner. Said divider generally has a peripheral edge, a first portion of which is adapted to engage said first groove, a second portion of which is adapted to engage said second groove, and a third portion of which, located between said first and second portions, is adapted to come into contact with said bottom wall. At least one gasket can be arranged on said edge in said first through third portions thereof in order to provide a watertight seal. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a sink of the above-described type, which can be divided into two separate bowls by means of a divider, which sink can be produced without excessive cost expenditure, while providing a secure watertight seal between the sink wall and said divider, even for sinks which are produced by deep drawing from a relatively thin sheet metal material. 
     This object is achieved by means of a sink with one or more features of the invention. Preferred embodiments of the inventive sink are defined below and in the claims. 
     According to the present invention, a sink, in particular kitchen sink, comprises: at least one bowl with a bottom wall and a circumferential side wall; at least one outlet opening located in said bottom wall; a first rectilinear groove in said side wall, said first groove extending toward said bottom wall; a second rectilinear groove in said side wall opposite said first groove, said second groove extending toward said bottom wall; a plate-like divider for fitting into said first and second grooves in watertight manner, said divider having a peripheral edge, a first portion of which is adapted to engage said first groove, a second portion of which is adapted to engage said second groove, and a third portion of which, located between said first and second portions, is adapted to come into contact with said bottom wall; at least one gasket arranged on said edge in said first through third portions thereof; and at least one first bead arranged in said side wall in a vicinity of said first groove, extending essentially orthogonally with respect to said first groove, and at least one second bead arranged in said side wall in a vicinity of said second groove, extending essentially orthogonally with respect to said second groove, said first and second beads being located on a same side of the divider, when said divider is fitted into said first and second grooves, and said first and second beads being located essentially at a same distance from an upper edge of said bowl and/or in a common horizontal plane in an installed state of the sink. 
     As known from the prior art, the sink according to the present invention comprises at least one bowl, which bowl has a bottom wall and a circumferential sidewall. At least one outlet opening is located in said bottom wall of the bowl. First and second rectilinear grooves are arranged in said side wall, which grooves extend toward said bottom wall for fitting a plate-like divider in watertight manner. Said divider has a peripheral edge, a first portion of which is that to engage said first groove, a second portion of which is adapted to engage the second groove and a third portion of which is adapted to come into contact with said bottom wall. Said third portion is located between said first and second portions. Furthermore, the divider has at least one gasket arranged on said edge in said first through third portions thereof. 
     For increasing the stability of the side wall, especially when inserting the divider, in order to avoid any deformation toward the outside, which might prevent formation of said watertight seal, especially for sinks made of deep drawn sheet metal material, at least one first bead is arranged in said side wall in a vicinity of said first groove, which first bead extends essentially orthogonally with respect to said first groove. Furthermore, at least one second bead is arranged in said side wall in a vicinity of said second groove, which second bead extends essentially orthogonally with respect to said second groove. According to the invention, said first and second beads are located on a same side of the divider, when said divider is fitted into said first and second grooves. Furthermore, said first and second beads are located essentially at a same distance from an upper edge of said bowl and/or in a common horizontal plane in an installed state of the sink. This is equivalent to saying that said first and second beads lie or extend in a common plane. 
     Said first and second beads effectively increase the stability of the sink side wall, so that it will not deform during insertion of the divider, thus providing a solution for the object underlying the present invention in a highly cost-effective way. 
     According to a further embodiment of the sink according to the present invention, said sink comprises two first beads and two second beads in said side wall, which can be respectively located on opposing sides of the divider, when said divider is fitted into said first and second grooves. This configuration will further increase stability of the sink side wall, while creating a possibility for placing accessory items, such as a strainer or a cutting board, to be placed within said bowl while resting on said first and second bead—especially when said divider is not in place. 
     According to another embodiment of the sink according to the present invention, it may comprise two outlet openings in said bottom wall, respectively located on opposing sides of the divider, and said divider is fitted into said first and second grooves. In this way, by means of a divider, the sink bowl can be separated into two completely independent bowls, each having its bowl outlet opening for separately draining said bowl. 
     Preferably, according to a further embodiment of the sink according to the present invention, said divider can be made of a plastic or synthetic material, or of metal. Preferably, the divider material is suitable for coming in contact with foodstuff. This kind of divider would be sufficiently stable, cheap, light-weight and hygienic. Additionally, a divider of that kind could be used as a cutting or chopping board, thus providing increased flexibility of use. 
     In yet another further embodiment of the sink according to the present invention, said divider has two distinct sides, each side comprising a different material composition and/or a different colour. In this way, for instance, the divider could be used as a cutting board for vegetable (one side) and for meat (other side), for reasons of hygiene. 
     In order to further increase flexibility of use, in yet another further embodiment of the inventive sink, the divider can comprise a knife sharpener. 
     In order to facilitate the use of the divider, in yet another further embodiment of the inventive sink, said divider can comprise a grip or a gripping hole or handle in the vicinity of a fourth portion of its peripheral edge, said fourth portion located opposite said third portion, i.e. at an upper edge of the divider, when in use. 
     For esthetic purposes and in order to promote easy installation, according to another embodiment of the inventive sink, it can be of an overall rectangular shape, preferably with rounded corners. 
     In yet a further embodiment of the sink according to the present invention, the sink bowl can taper toward said bottom wall, which implies corresponding tapering of the divider. This allows for easy insertion of the divider into said grooves, because any frictional contact between the divider and the sink wall will only occur during the very last stage of the insertion process. In this context, preferably said side wall including said first and second grooves is inclined by 2 to 3 degrees in the direction of a horizontal plane defined by the sink edge (or a worktop in which the sink is installed). 
     In order to further enhance said watertight seal, in yet another embodiment of the inventive sink said gasket comprises three individual seal beads, a first seal bead being arranged on a first lateral side of said edge of the divider in said first through third portions thereof, a second seal bead being arranged on a second lateral side of said edge of said divider in said first through third portions thereof, said second lateral side facing away from said first lateral side, and a third seal bead being arranged on said peripheral edge between said first and second seal beads. In this way, said first seal bead will come into contact with a first side wall of said first and second grooves, whereas said second seal bead will come into contact with an opposite side wall of said first and second grooves. Said third seal bead, which is arranged on said peripheral edge of the divider between said first and second seal beads, will come into contact with a bottom wall of said first and second grooves as well as with the bottom wall of the sink bowl. In an alternative configuration of said gasket, said first and second seal beads need not be present in said third portion of the divider, which third portion is adapted to come into contact with said bottom wall of the sink. 
     In yet another alternative embodiment, said gasket need not comprise said third seal bead in said first and second edge portions of the divider, which first and second edge portions are intended to be inserted in said first and second grooves. 
     In yet another advantageous embodiment of the inventive sink, at least said third seal bead is of different shape than said first and second seal bead. Preferably, said third seal bead at least partially has the form of a triangular prism with its apex facing away from said peripheral edge, while preferably said first and second seal beads have a circular or oval cross section. In this way, said first and second seal beads are optimized for contacting the side walls of said first and second grooves, whereas said third seal bead is optimized for making watertight contact with the bottom wall of said sink. 
     Preferably, for reasons of hygiene and durability, according to yet another embodiment of the sink according to the present invention, the gasket can be made of a silicone material, or the like. It should adhere firmly and thoroughly to the divider material. 
     As already stated above, in yet another embodiment of the sink according to the present invention, said first and second beads are devised for supporting a sink accessory, preferably a cutting board or a strainer, while said sink preferably further comprises said accessory. In this way, the flexibility of use of the inventive sink can be increased further. 
     According to yet another further embodiment of the sink according to the present invention, said bottom wall has an elevated portion, said elevated portion extending between said first groove and said second groove, preferably over an entire distance between opposing sink side walls. Said elevated portion, an apex of which preferably is of flat or planar configuration, is intended for coming into contact with the divider gasket in said third portion thereof. This further enhances water-tightness of the divider seal and will contribute to guiding drain-able fluid to the respective bottom wall outlet, if present. Furthermore, said elevation enhances stability of the sink bottom wall which further contributes to the quality of the watertight seal provided by the divider. 
     In a highly preferred embodiment of the inventive sink, said first groove and said second groove present a rectangular cross section, preferably a cross section in the form of an isosceles trapezoid, while said divider presents a complementary cross section, at least along its peripheral edge in said first and second portions. Applicant has found that such a configuration of the grooves and the divider further enhances the stability of the sink, while further increasing the quality of the watertight seal. 
     Finally, in yet another further embodiment of the inventive sink, said bowl can be of different shape and/or size on respective sides of said first and second grooves or on respective sides of the divider, when said divider is fitted into said first and second grooves. This further increases flexibility of use of the inventive sink. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Additional features and advantages of the present invention will now be described with reference to the appended figures. The figures show exemplary embodiments of a sink according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a sink according to the present invention, without divider; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the sink of  FIG. 1 , with divider; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of another sink according to the present invention without divider; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the sink of  FIG. 3 , with divider; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the divider, as comprised in an inventive sink; 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed view, showing the sidewall of a sink according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a detailed view of the peripheral edge of the divider; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a sink according to the present invention, essentially according to  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 , installed in a worktop; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a sink essentially according to  FIG. 3  or  FIG. 4  installed in a worktop. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a sink  1  according to the present invention, but without the divider (cf.  FIG. 2 ). Sink  1 , which is—without limitation—devised as a kitchen sink, comprises one bowl  2 , which bowl  2  is delimited by a bottom wall  3  and a circumferential side wall  4 . In said bottom wall  3 , there are two outlet openings  3   a ,  3   b , which have a circular shape surrounded by a recess  3   a ′,  3   b ′ in the form of a square. Sink  1  further comprises a first rectilinear groove  5  in said side wall  4 , which first groove  5  extends from an upper flange rim  4   a  of side wall  4  toward said bottom wall  3 . Furthermore, sink  1  comprises a second rectilinear groove  6  in said side wall  4  opposite said first groove  5 , which second groove  6  also extends from rim  4   a  toward bottom wall  3 . Additionally, sink  1  comprises an elevation  3   c  of bottom wall  3 , which elevation  3   c  takes the form of a triangular prism (in cross section) with flat apex  3   d , which elevation  3   c  extends between said first groove  5  and said second groove  6 . 
     Said first and second grooves  5 ,  6  are intended and adapted for insertion of a plate-like divider, which will be explained in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , sink  1  comprises a first bead  7   a  arranged in side wall  4  in a vicinity of said first groove  5 , extending essentially orthogonally with respect to said first groove. Additionally, sink  1  comprises a second bead  8   a  arranged in side wall  4  in a vicinity of said second groove  6 , extending essentially orthogonally with respect to said second groove  6 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , said first bead  7   a  and said second bead  7   b  are located on a same side of the divider, as will become evident below with reference to  FIG. 2 . For the time being, this is equivalent to saying that bead  7   a  and bead  8   a  are located on the same side with reference to apex  3   d  of elevation  3   c . Furthermore, said first and second beads  7   a ,  8   a  are located essentially at a same distance from the upper edge of bowl  2  (i.e., rim  4   a ) and/or in a common horizontal plane in an installed state of the sink (cf.  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). In addition, it can be said that bead  7   a ,  8   a  are located essentially at a same distance from bottom wall  3 . 
       FIG. 2  shows sink  1  of  FIG. 1  with a divider  9  engaged in said grooves  5 ,  6  while at the same time making contact with bottom wall  3  at apex  3   d  of elevation  3   c . At reference numeral  9   a , divider  9  has a handle or grip for inserting or removing the divider  9 . 
     As can be further gathered from  FIG. 2 , the above-mentioned outlet openings  3   a ,  3   b  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) have been covered by means of strainer inserts or the like, denoted by reference numeral  3   f.    
     It should be noted that in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , first and second beads  7   a ,  8   a , respectively, are located on both sides of elevation  3   c  or divider  9 , in each case at essentially the same distance from the upper edge (rim  4   a ) of bowl  2 . These beads  7   a ,  8   a  effectively stabilize side wall  4  around said first and second grooves  5 ,  6 , which can enhance the quality of a watertight seal provided by divider  9 . Furthermore, beads  7   a ,  8   a  can be used as a support for an accessory item (or a plurality of accessory items) to be placed within sink bowl  2 . 
       FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  show an alternative sink design, which sink  1  has an overall shape which (in plan view) differs from the rectangular form according to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the bowl portion to the left of elevation  3   c  has different dimensions than a bowl portion to the right of elevation  3   c . However, it should be noted that the present invention is by no means limited to the exemplary sink shapes of  FIGS. 1, 2  and  FIGS. 3, 4 , respectively. A sink according to the present invention can take any form, including round (circular) forms and so-called free forms, which do not correspond to any regular geometrical shape. Apart from these differences, the sink of  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  corresponds to that of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , so that any further discussion thereof can be omitted. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a divider  9 , as can be comprised in the present invention. Divider  9  is of overall plate-like shape and—in the embodiment of  FIG. 5 —has a gripping hole  9   a  for inserting and removing the divider  9 . Divider  9  has a peripheral edge  9   b , which is comprised of four portions: a first portion, as denoted by reference numeral  9   c , which is intended and adapted to engage said first groove  5  (cf.  FIGS. 1 through 4 ); a second portion  9   d  opposite said first portion  9   c , which is intended and adapted to engage said second groove  6  (cf.  FIGS. 1 through 4 ); a third portion  9   e  located between said first portion  9   c  and said second portion  9   d , which third portion  9   e  is adapted to come into contact with said bottom wall  3  at elevation  3   c  (cf.  FIGS. 1 through 4 ); and a fourth portion  9   f , in a vicinity of which is provided said gripping hole  9   a . Essentially all along said first through third portions  9   c - 9   e , there is provided a gasket  10 , preferably made of silicone, which is intended to provide said watertight seal between divider  9  and side wall  4  along said grooves  5 ,  6  and bottom wall  3  (elevation  3   c ) (cf.  FIGS. 1 through 4 ). A preferred configuration of said gasket  10  will be explained below with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     As can be further gathered from  FIG. 5 , divider  9 —apart from its rounded corners—has the overall geometrical form of an isosceles trapezoid, with edge portions  9   c ,  9   d  being inclined toward each other so that each portion  9   e  is smaller (shorter) than edge portion  9   f . Preferably, this corresponds to a configuration of sink  1 , the side wall  4  of which tapers from said rim  4   a  toward said bottom wall  3   b , preferably with an inclination of 2 through 3 degrees. 
     The preferred embodiment of divider  9  (cf.  FIG. 5 ) may include different colourings on opposing sides  9   g  (other not shown) thereof, or using different materials for said opposing sides of divider  9 . 
       FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of groove  5  or  6  in side wall  4  of a sink  1  according to the present invention. As can be seen from  FIG. 6 , grooves  5 ,  6 , too, have a cross section that corresponds to an isosceles trapezoid, which will be explained below with reference to  FIG. 7 . Grooves  5 ,  6  extend in rectilinear fashion from rim  4   a  toward bottom wall  3  and terminate in a transition region  4   b  between side wall  4  and bottom wall  3 , in which transition region  4   b  sink  1  has a rounded configuration. On the other hand, apex  3   d  of elevation  3   c  is flat (no groove). 
       FIG. 7  shows a detailed perspective view of an edge portion, e.g. edge portion  9   c  or  9   d  of divider  9 . First of all,  FIG. 7  shows that divider  9 , along its peripheral edge  9   b , can be of trapezoidal cross section, too. In any case, however, an edge cross section of divider  9  should correspond to a cross section of grooves  5 ,  6 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Furthermore, as can be gathered from  FIG. 7 , gasket  10  (cf.  FIG. 5 ) is composed of three individual seal beads which are denoted  10   a ,  10   b  and  10   c , respectively. A first seal bead  10   a  is arranged on a first lateral side  9   h  of said edge  9   b  of said divider  9 , in particular in said first through third portions  9   c - 9   e  (cf.  FIG. 5  above). A second seal bead  10   b  is arranged on a second lateral side  9   i  of said edge  9   b  of said divider  9  in said first through third portions thereof (reference numerals  9   c - 9   e ;  FIG. 5 ). As can be gathered from  FIG. 7 , said second lateral side  10   b  is facing away from said first lateral side  10   a . Furthermore, there is provided a third seal bead  10   c  which is arranged on said peripheral edge  9   b  between said first and second seal beads  10   a ,  10   b . While said first and second beads  10   a ,  10   b  are intended to contact side walls of grooves  5 ,  6  (cf.  FIG. 6 ), said third seal bead  10   c  is intended to either contact a bottom wall of grooves  5 ,  6  (cf.  FIG. 6 ) or said apex  3   d  of elevation  3   c.    
     As can further be gathered from  FIG. 7 , while said first and second seal beads  10   a ,  10   b  have an essentially circular or oval cross section, said third seal bead  10   c  is of different shape. According to the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , said third seal bead  10   c  has an essentially flat, rectangular base  10   c ′, on top of which is located a protrusion in the form of a triangular prism  10   c ″, with its apex  10   c ′″ facing away from said peripheral edge  9   b.    
       FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  show the sinks essentially according to  FIGS. 1 and 2  and  FIGS. 3 and 4 , respectively, when installed in a worktop  11  with corresponding cut-out  11   a . Furthermore, there is a water tap, which does not form part of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 9 , for illustrative purposes only, a sink accessory has been schematically presented at reference numeral  12 , which accessory  12  can take the form of a strainer or a cutting board (without limitation). Said accessory  12  has been placed on said first and second beads (only bead  7   a  shown) on one side of divider  9 . Obviously, a further accessory (not shown) could be placed on the respective beads on the other side of divider  9 . 
     In the case of sink  1  according to  FIG. 8 , a single, larger accessory could be placed on all of the beads, if divider  9  were not in place.