Patent Abstract:
A removable protective liner has a thin sheet of non-absorbent, flexible material. The liner is used for lining the sink. A drain hole liner is formed in the thin sheet. The drain hole liner extends down from the thin sheet to cover an area of the drain hole leading down to the drain pipe. A first tab member extends from the thin sheet. The first tab member is used for covering a first area around the sink.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to a protective cover and, more specifically, to an inexpensive lightweight disposable sink liner and system which is used to protect the sink, and more specifically, a hair salon sink and/or household sink and drain, from stains which may result from chemicals used during a hair styling process.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Different types of sink liners are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,800 discloses a pedicure basin liner system for preventing transmission of pathogens between pedicure clients when using a common pedicure basin. U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,171 discloses a removable protective liner for use with a sink mounted in a counter top. The liner has a bottom panel of a size conforming with the bottom of the sink, four upstanding side panels which conform with the upstanding walls of the sink and an adjacent portion of its peripheral flange. The side panels and bottom panel are adapted to conform with the configuration of the sink so that the liner completely covers the sink. The liner further includes a side drain having an elevated outer end and a bottom interconnecting with side walls and extending from the elevated outer end to an inner end.  
         [0005]     While the above liners do adequately work for there intended purposes, they have several problems. First, neither one of the above is designed to be used with a beauty salon sink. A beauty salon sink has a unique design having a neck holding channel used to cradle the neck and lower head. The neck holding channel needs to be protected from the chemicals used during the hair styling process to prevent staining of this area. Secondly, neither one of the above liners will protect the drain area of a sink from being damaged from hair styling products. U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,800 doesn&#39;t even have an opening for a drain. Another problem with the prior art is that U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,171 discloses a multi-piece liner made of a heavy duty material. The heavy duty material increases the cost on the liner. Furthermore, the liner disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,171 is not disposable.  
         [0006]     Therefore, a need existed to provide an improved sink liner system. The improved sink liner system must overcome the problems associated with prior art sink liners. The improved sink liner system must be designed to protect a hair salon sink and drain from damages such as staining which may result from chemicals used during the hair styling process. The improved sink liner system must be light weight and disposable. The improved sink liner system must further be inexpensive to produce.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved sink liner system.  
         [0008]     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved sink liner system that overcomes the problems associated with prior art sink liners.  
         [0009]     It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved sink liner system that is designed to protect a hair salon sink and/or household sink and drain from damages such as staining which may result from chemicals used during a hair styling process.  
         [0010]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved sink liner system that is light weight.  
         [0011]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved sink liner system that is light weight and disposable.  
         [0012]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved sink liner system that is inexpensive to produce.  
         [0013]     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a removable protective liner for use with a sink is disclosed. The removable protective liner has a thin sheet of non-absorbent, flexible material. The liner is used for lining the sink. A drain hole liner is formed in the thin sheet. The drain hole liner extends down from the thin sheet to cover an area of the drain hole leading down to the drain pipe. A first tab member extends from the thin sheet. The first tab member is used for covering a first area around the sink.  
         [0015]     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the sink liner used in the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is an elevated perspective view of a roll of sink liners.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a first flap portion used in the sink liner depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a second flap portion used in the sink liner depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the sink liner depicted in  FIG. 1  showing the drain liner section.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is an elevated perspective view of the drain cover used in the sink liner system of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6A  is a bottom view of the drain cover used in the sink liner system of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is an elevated perspective view of a beauty salon sink.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is an elevated perspective view of a beauty salon sink with the sink liner system of the present invention installed.  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the beauty salon sink with the sink liner system depicted in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional exploded view of the drain liner and drain cover used in the sink liner system of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the drain liner and drain cover used in the sink liner system installed in a sink drain.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0029]     Referring to the Figures, a sink lining system  10  is shown. The sink lining system  10  is used to protect the sink and drain area from being stained by any type of liquid. More specifically, the sink lining system  10  is used to protect a hair salon sink and drain from stains which may result from chemicals used during the hair styling process.  
         [0030]     The sink lining system  10  is comprised of a disposable sink liner  12 . Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the sink liner  12  is a made of a thin sheet  14  of flexible material. The material needs to be semi-durable to prevent tearing. The material also needs to be made out of a non-absorbent material so that any liquids that may fall onto the sink liner  12  will not be adsorbed. The material also needs to be fairly inexpensive. In general, a material such as metallized polyester film, aluminum/tin foil, plastic wrap, or the like may be used. It should be noted that the listing of the above is given as an example and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.  
         [0031]     The sink liner  12  may come in a plurality of different sizes. In general, the sink liner  12  will come in an elongated sheet  14 . The sheet  14  will be of sufficient size to cover the entire bowl area of a sink. When placed in a sink, the sink liner  12  will line the entire bowl area of the sink thereby preventing any liquid from contacting the sink bowl. Thus, the sink liner  12  will prevent any liquids from staining any part of the sink.  
         [0032]     The sink lining system  10  may come with individual sheets  14  or a roll of sheets  16 . Referring specifically to  FIG. 2 , a roll of sheets  16  is shown. The roll  16  will have a plurality of individual sheets  14  coupled together. Each sheet  14  will have a perforation located along an edge of the sheet  14 . The perforation will allow one to separate a sheet  14  from an adjoining sheet  14 .  
         [0033]     Referring back to  FIGS. 1-5 , each sheet  14  will have a drain hole perforation/cutout  18  (Hereinafter drain hole perforation  18 ). The drain hole perforation  18  will allow one to form an opening in the sheet  14  to allow a liquid to flow off the sheet  14  and down the drain. The drain hole perforation  18  will further cover the area of the drain hole leading down to the drain pipe. The drain hole perforation  18  is generally circular in shape.  
         [0034]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the drain hole perforation  18  will have an outer perimeter  20 . A plurality of perforations  22  are formed from the outer perimeter  20  towards a central area  24 . In use, one presses down on the perforations  22 . The top of the perforations  22  will remain connected to the sheet  14  along the outer perimeter  20 . The remainder of the perforation  22  will become separated from the sheet  14  thereby forming an opening. The opening allows a liquid to flow into the drain pipe. The perforations  22  that become separated from the sheet  14  are used to line the area of the drain hole leading down to the drain pipe thereby preventing this area from becoming stained by a liquid.  
         [0035]     The sheet  14  will have one or more flap portions  26 . The flap portions  26  are used to cover any exposed surfaces around the sink bowl. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a top flap portion  26 A is used to cover a top area of the sink where the faucet and knobs are located. The top flap portion  26 A will have one or more faucet perforations  28 . The faucet perforations  28  will allow the top flap portion  26 A to be fitted over the faucet and knobs used by the sink. The faucet perforations  28  are similar to that described above. When one presses down on the faucet perforations  28 , the top of the perforations  28  will remain connected to the sheet  14  along the outer perimeter  29 . The remainder of the perforation  28  will become separated from the sheet  14  thereby forming an opening to allow the top flap portion  26 A to be fitted over the faucet and knobs.  
         [0036]     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a bottom flap portion  26 B is used to cover a bottom area of the sink. The bottom flap portion  26 B is designed to be used with a beauty salon sink. The bottom flap portion  26 B would be used to cover the neck holding channel which cradles the neck and lower head of a person who is having their hair styled. The neck holding channel needs to be protected from the chemicals used during the hair styling process to prevent staining of this area. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , if a roll of sheets  16  is provided, the flap portions  26  will be folded onto the sheet  14  and rolled up.  
         [0037]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 6 A, the sink lining system  10  will further have a drain cover  30 . The drain cover  30  is used to ensure that the drain hole area leading down to the drain pipe is fully covered. The drain cover  30  is shaped similar to a funnel having a top opening  32  and a bottom opening  34 . The drain cover  30  will fit in the drain hole area so that the bottom opening  34  is aligned with the drain pipe while completely covering the drain hole area. The perforations  22  of the drain hole perforations  18  that become separated from the sheet  14  are used to line the drain cover  30  thereby ensuring any liquids used will flow down the drain pipe and will not stain the drain hole area.  
         [0038]     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-11 , the use of the sink lining system  10  will be discussed. The sink lining system  10  is used to prevent staining of the sink area  40 . In operation, the drain cover  30  is placed in the drain hole  42  of the sink area  40 . The drain cover  30  is aligned so that so that the bottom opening  34  is aligned with the drain pipe  50  while completely covering the drain hole  42 . A single sheet  14  is removed from the roll  16 . If the sink area  40  has a faucet  44  and knobs  46 , the faucet perforations  28  must be broken to form openings that will allow the top flap portion  26 A to be fitted over the faucet  44  and knobs  46  used by the sink. If the area around the faucet  44  and knobs  46  do not need protection, the top flap portion  26 A may be removed from the sheet  14  if desired. The same is true for the bottom flap portion  26 B. If the sink area  40  does not have a neck holding channel  47 , the bottom flap portion  26 B may be removed from the sheet  14 .  
         [0039]     The sheet  14  is then placed in the bowl  48  of the sink area  40 . The sheet  14  needs to completely cover any area in the sink bowl  48  which needs to be protected from stains. In order to keep the sheet  14  from moving, an adhesive strip  50  may be placed on the bottom surface of the sheet  14 . As may be seen in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 8 , the adhesive strip  50  is placed around the outer perimeter of the sheet  14 . Once the sheet  14  is properly placed around the sink area, one must press down on the sheet  14  to ensure that the adhesive strip  50  firmly holds the sheet  14  in place.  
         [0040]     Once in position, one presses down on the perforations  22  of the drain hole perforation  18 . The top of the perforations  22  will remain connected to the sheet  14  along the outer perimeter  20 . The remainder of the perforation  22  will become separated from the sheet  14  as shown in  FIG. 5  thereby forming an opening to allow a liquid to flow into the drain pipe. The perforations  22  that become separated from the sheet  14  are used to line the drain cover  30  as shown in  FIG. 11  thereby preventing the drain area from becoming stained by a liquid.  
         [0041]     Alternatively, if the drain hole perforation  18  is a cut-out, one will remove the drain hole perforation  18  from the sheet  14 . The opening formed in the sheet  14  allows materials to flow off of the sheet  14  into the drain.  
         [0042]     After one is done using the sink area  40 , the sheet  14  may be removed from the sink bowl  48 . The sheet  14  may then be discarded and thrown away. The drain cover  30  is removed and kept for further use. When one needs to protect the sink area  40  again, another sheet  14  is then placed over the sink bowl  48 .  
         [0043]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4