Patent Publication Number: US-10329748-B2

Title: Sink system with faucet in sink cover

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES 
     Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to the field of sinks, and more specifically to sink covers and faucets. 
     Background 
     A sink is an important component of many work surfaces. From hand washing to soaking dishes, a sink serves countless useful purposes. However, there are times when the presence of a sink inconveniently limits the amount of work surface available. 
     In response to popular demand for workspaces that are able to adapt to varying user requirements, some sink designs allow the sink to be covered and hidden when a user requires a larger work surface. Sink covers solve the problem of extending the surface area of a work surface by covering the sink basin. However, there is often still a problem, in that the protruding faucet may continue to interfere with the workspace. 
     To solve this problem, some sinks have been designed with retractable faucets, but this increases the complexity of the sink design with the addition of moving parts. It also still requires an opening for when the faucet is lifted up. Another solution has been to embed the faucet within the adjacent counter space. However, once again, an opening is left in the work surface. Furthermore, many designs require a user to manually extend some part of the embedded faucet before it becomes functional. 
     In light of the foregoing, what is needed is a sink that utilizes a faucet that can be embedded inside of a sink cover, such that the presence of the faucet will not interfere with work space. Furthermore, current sink designs integrate various technologies that make them ever more convenient to use. For example, many sinks utilize means to turn on without physical contact, visual or audio indicators of water temperature, inputs for controlling water temperature, inputs for dispensing a designated quantity of water, or digital user interfaces that allow users to digitally control features like temperature and flow rate and display this information to the user. Therefore, an ideal sink system would also utilize these various other technologies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art and, in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available components and methods. Accordingly, efficient structural components and methods have been developed to allow a faucet to be embedded within a sink cover. 
     Consistent with the foregoing, a sink system is disclosed. The sink system comprises a sink basin and an articulated sink cover. The articulated sink cover comprises a periphery that fits proximate to a periphery of the sink basin. The articulated sink cover also comprises a faucet. The faucet comprises a channel in communication with a water source and the sink basin. The faucet directs a flow of water from the water source, through the channel, and into the sink basin. 
     The articulated sink cover may comprise various materials or configurations. In a preferred embodiment, the articulated sink cover is attached to the sink basin by means of hollow, cylindrical hinges. In a preferred embodiment, the channel communicates with the water source by means of a hose fitting and flexible piping, and the flexible piping may run through the hollow, cylindrical hinges. The flexible piping may also extend into the channel. In different embodiments, the channel is cylindrical, measures less than approximately one inch (2.54 cm.) in diameter, is fitted with a directional nozzle, or extends entirely or less than entirely through the articulated sink cover. 
     In certain embodiments, the sink system comprises sensors and valves to control temperature and water flow. In certain embodiments, the sink system comprises a digital display panel that displays a temperature and a flow rate of the water. In some embodiments, the sink system comprises a user interface, which may be controlled by gestures or voice. In some embodiments, the sink system comprises a visual indicator of water temperature, preferably by means of colored lights. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more particular description of the invention briefly described above is made below by reference to specific embodiments depicted in drawings included with this application, in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of the invented sink system; 
         FIG. 2A  depicts one embodiment of an articulated sink cover in which a channel extends entirely through the articulated sink cover; 
         FIG. 2B  depicts one embodiment of an articulated sink cover in which a channel extends nearly entirely through the articulated sink cover; 
         FIG. 2C  depicts one embodiment of an articulated sink cover in which a channel extends halfway through the articulated sink cover; 
         FIG. 2D  depicts one embodiment of an articulated sink cover in which a channel is located within a separate fixture; 
         FIG. 3A  depicts an articulated sink cover attached to a sink basin with the articulated sink cover lifted; 
         FIG. 3B  depicts an articulated sink cover attached to a sink basin with the articulated sink cover closed; 
         FIG. 4A  depicts one embodiment of a faucet comprising a channel in communication with a water source and the sink basin; 
         FIG. 4B  depicts one embodiment of a faucet comprising a channel in communication with a water source and the sink basin; 
         FIG. 4C  depicts one embodiment of a faucet comprising a channel in communication with a water source and the sink basin; 
         FIG. 5  depicts one embodiment of the sink system comprising one or more sensors and one or more valves to control temperature and water flow; 
         FIG. 6  depicts one embodiment of the sink system comprising a user interface and a digital display panel; and 
         FIG. 7  depicts the sink system comprising a visual indicator of water temperature. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A detailed description of the claimed invention is provided below by example, with reference to embodiments in the appended figures. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the components of the invention as described by example in the figures below could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments in the figures is merely representative of embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed. 
       FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of a sink system  100  comprising a sink basin  110  and an articulated sink cover  120 . The articulated sink cover  120  comprises a periphery  121  that fits proximate to a periphery  122  of the sink basin  110 . The articulated sink cover  120  further comprises a faucet  130 . The faucet  130  comprises a channel  140  in communication with a water source  150  and the sink basin  110 . The faucet  130  directs a flow of water  160  from the water source  150  through the channel  140  into the sink basin  110 . 
       FIG. 2A - FIG. 2D  depict embodiments of an articulated sink cover  120 . The articulated sink cover  120  comprises a periphery  121  that fits proximate to a periphery  122  of a sink basin  110 . In one embodiment, the articulated sink cover  120  comprises a substantially rectangular configuration, with rounded corners. In another embodiment, the articulated sink cover  120  comprises a round configuration. In other embodiments, the articulated sink cover  120  comprises a different configuration. In each embodiment, the configuration of the articulated sink cover  120  is the same as the configuration of the periphery  122  of the sink basin  110 . In one embodiment, the articulated sink cover  120  is cut out from a counter top. In a preferred embodiment, the articulated sink cover  120  comprises acrylic polymer and alumina trihydrate, such as Corian. In other embodiments, the articulated sink cover  120  comprises a synthetic plastic polymer—such as cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), or polypropylene—or metal—such as aluminum, copper, steel, or stainless steel. The articulated sink cover  120  further comprises a faucet  130 . The faucet  130  comprises a channel  140  in communication with a water source  150  and the sink basin  110 . The faucet  130  directs a flow of water  160  from the water source  150  through the channel  140  into the sink basin  110 . In a preferred embodiment, the channel  140  comprises a cylindrical configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the channel  140  measures less than approximately one inch (2.54 cm.) in diameter. The channel  140  is preferably the same size as pipes of the water source  150 . In a preferred embodiment, the channel  140  is inside the articulated sink cover  120 . The channel  140  inside the articulated sink cover  120  can be drilled or created by attaching two halves of the articulated sink cover  120 , each with an indented half of the channel  140 , together. In one embodiment, the channel  140  extends entirely through the articulated sink cover  120 . This embodiment is depicted in  FIG. 2A . In other embodiments, the channel  140  extends partway through the articulated sink cover  120 .  FIG. 2B  depicts one embodiment in which the channel  140  extends nearly entirely through the articulated sink cover  120 .  FIG. 2C  depicts one embodiment in which the channel  140  extends halfway through the articulated sink cover  120 . In another embodiment, a separate fixture  200  is attached to the exterior of the articulated sink cover  120 , the channel  140  being located within the separate fixture  200 . This separate fixture  200  may resemble the kind of metal, cylindrical faucet found on most traditional sink systems.  FIG. 2D  depicts this embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, the channel  140  comprises a directional nozzle  210 , as depicted in  FIG. 2B ,  FIG. 2C , and  FIG. 2D . In some embodiments, the articulated sink cover  210  can be folded into two halves or into more pieces. Flexible pipes extended into the channel  140  would allow the articulated sink cover  120  to be bendable but still allow the faucet  130  to direct the flow of water  160 . 
       FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  depict embodiments of an articulated sink cover  120  attached to a sink basin  110 . The term sink basin includes all forms of washbasins, sinks, other basins, or baths with water drainage. The articulated sink cover  120  comprises a periphery  121  that fits proximate to a periphery  122  of the sink basin  110 . In a preferred embodiment, the articulated sink cover  120  fits exactly within the sink basin  110 , such that no cracks or gaps are visible between the periphery of each. In another embodiment, the articulated sink cover  120  rests on top of the periphery  122  of the sink basin  110 . In a preferred embodiment, the periphery  122  of the sink basin  110  comprises a substantially rectangular configuration. In another embodiment, the periphery  122  of the sink basin  110  comprises a round configuration. Other embodiments may have other configurations. In one embodiment, the sink basin  110  comprises a gasket  300  around the periphery  122  thereof, providing a water tight seal. The gasket  300  may comprise a flat sheet of rubber, cork, Teflon, or a plastic polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the articulated sink cover  120  is attached to the sink basin  110 . The attachment may occur by means of any type of hinge  310 , which makes the sink cover articulable. In a preferred embodiment, the articulated sink cover  120  is attached to the sink basin  110  by means of hollow, cylindrical hinges, which may extend the length of one side of the periphery  122  of the sink basin  110 . Using this type of hinge  310  allows the articulated sink cover  120  to be suspended with strength and steadiness. It also allows flexible pipes from the water source  150  to be inserted within the hinge  310  so that the pipes will not protrude inconveniently from the back of the sink system  100 , and so that the pipes will not be visible, improving the aesthetic appeal.  FIG. 3A  depicts an articulated sink cover  120  attached to a sink basin  110  with the articulated sink cover  120  lifted such that the hinge  310  is visible.  FIG. 3B  depicts an articulated sink cover  120  attached to a sink basin  110  with the articulated sink cover  120  closed over the sink basin  110 . When the articulated sink cover  120  is closed, it becomes available for counter or desk space, merging itself with any counter or desk space  320  available next to the sink basin  110 . 
       FIG. 4A - FIG. 4C  depict embodiments of the faucet  130  comprising a channel  140  in communication with a water source  150  and the sink basin  110 . The faucet  130  directs a flow of water  160  from the water source  150  through the channel  140  into the sink basin  110 . In a preferred embodiment, the channel  140  communicates with the water source  150  by means of a hose fitting  400  and flexible piping  410 . In a preferred embodiment, the hose fitting  400  is a barbed hose fitting. In some embodiments, the hose fitting  400  is T-shaped. In some embodiments, there is no hose fitting  400 . In one embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 4A , the hose fitting  400  is attached inside the channel  140  at the lowermost portion of the periphery  121  of the articulated sink cover  120  (the channel may be located within a separate fixture  200  attached to the exterior of the articulated sink cover  120 ). The hose fitting  400  may be affixed above or through the hinge  310 , if the hinge  310  extends the entire length of the lowermost portion of the periphery  121 , or between or next to one or more hinges  310  that do not extend the entire length of the lowermost portion of the periphery  121 . The flexible piping  410  is connected to and extends out from the hose fitting  400 . In one embodiment, there is one hose fitting  400  connected to one piece of flexible piping  410 . In another embodiment, there is one T-shaped hose fitting  400  connected to two flexible pipes  410 , one for hot water and one for cold water. In a preferred embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 4B , the hinge  310  is cylindrical and hollow. The hose fitting  400  is attached inside the channel  140  near the lowermost portion of the periphery  121  of the articulated sink cover  120 . The flexible piping  410  is connected to the hose fitting  400 , and strung through the hollow, cylindrical hinge  310 . In one such embodiment, the hose fitting  400  is T-shaped and connected to two pieces of flexible piping  410 , which are strung out through the hollow, cylindrical hinge  310  in two opposite directions. One piece of flexible piping  410  is for hot water, and one is for cold water. In still another embodiment, which is depicted in  FIG. 4C , the hose fitting  400  is attached inside the channel  140  at the uppermost periphery  121  of the articulated sink cover  120 . The flexible piping  410  is connected to the hose fitting  400 , extending into and down through the channel  140  and out the lowermost periphery  121  of the articulated sink cover  120 . Each piece of flexible piping  410  is connected to water supply pipes and valves of a plumbing system. 
       FIG. 5  depicts one embodiment of the sink system  100 , comprising one or more sensors  510  and one or more valves  500  to control temperature and water flow. The flow of water  160  is started and stopped when the one or more valves  500  open and close within the flexible piping  410 . In a preferred embodiment, one valve  500  is attached to one piece of flexible piping  410  of the water source  150 . The one piece of flexible piping  410  transports hot water mixed with cold water. The hot water and the cold water are mixed and the temperature fixed in a hot water heater before entering the flexible piping  410 . In another embodiment, two valves are attached to two pieces of flexible piping  410  of the water source  150 , and one piece of flexible piping  410  transports cold water and the other piece of flexible piping  410  transports hot water. The hot water and the cold water are mixed when they emerge from the flexible piping  410  into the channel  140  of the articulated sink cover  120 . In one embodiment, the one or more valves  500  are controlled by handles, which may be hot and cold handles. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more valves  500  are electronic valves controlled by a user interface and digital display next to the sink basin  110 . In a preferred embodiment, the one or more valves  500  are part of a valve assembly that also comprises one or more sensors  510 . The sensors  510  may also be located next to the valves  500 , without a valve assembly. A preferred embodiment of the sink system  100  comprises a sensor  510  that monitors the flow rate of the water. In one embodiment, a user can send a request for a certain amount of water via a user interface. The sensor  510  that monitors water flow rate and the valve  500  will work together to measure and release the certain amount of water into the flexible piping  410  and out through the faucet  130 . A preferred embodiment of the sink system  100  also comprises a sensor  510  that monitors temperature. In one embodiment, a user can send a request for a certain temperature of water. The sensor  510  that monitors temperature and the valve  500  will work together with a water heater connected to the water source  150  to release water of a certain temperature. 
       FIG. 6  depicts one embodiment of the sink system  100  comprising a user interface  600  and a digital display panel  610  that displays a temperature and a flow rate of the water. In one embodiment, the user interface  600  is controlled by hand gestures. In another embodiment, the user interface  600  is voice controlled. In other embodiments, the user interface  600  may have buttons or switches. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more valves  500  are electronic valves controlled by the user interface  600 . By means of the user interface  600 , a user can turn water on or off, request water of a certain temperature, or request water in certain amounts. 
       FIG. 7  depicts the sink system  100  comprising a visual indicator of water temperature  700 . In a preferred embodiment, the visual indicator of water temperature  700  comprises colored lights, preferably LED lights. When water is hot, the lights are red, and they shine onto the flow of water  160 , making it appear red. When water is cold, the lights are blue, and they shine onto the flow of water  160 , making it appear blue. This is a useful feature for safety, especially for preventing children from burning their hands. The visual indicator of water temperature  700  may be embedded inside the channel  140 . In another embodiment, the visual indicator of water temperature  700  may be attached to a separate fixture that can be fastened onto a directional nozzle  210  protruding from the channel  140 .