GB2593450A

GB2593450A - A sink unit

Info

Publication number: GB2593450A
Application number: GB2003759.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Delaney Paul
Original assignee: Ellsi Ltd
Current assignee: Ellsi Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-16
Filing date: 2020-03-16
Publication date: 2021-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-16
Also published as: GB202003759D0; GB2593450B

Abstract

The sink unit includes a bowl 12 section and a draining section 14 which has a top surface. The draining section has a stowed condition (Figure 2c) or a deployed condition where the top surface is in a different plane compared to in the stowed condition. The sink unit may have a cavity 19 into which the board is stowed by pivoting or sliding. In the two conditions the top surfaces may be non parallel to each other or parallel to each other (Figure 1).

Description

A Sink Unit

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a sink unit for use in a domestic, professional or industrial situation.

Background to the Invention

In domestic, professional and industrial buildings, for example kitchens, space is often in demand. In kitchens, it is often essential, or at least very desirable, to have a draining section in order to allow water from washed items to drain from those items and into the sink. Thus, sink units often comprise a basin section and a draining section; however, the draining section often takes up a considerable amount of usable workspace, particularly countertop space, thereby reducing the amount of space available for other purposes Similar problems occur in other rooms, such as utility rooms and garages, and other locations, such as schools.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a sink unit comprising a bowl section and a draining section having a top surface, wherein the draining section has: a first, in use, position in which the top surface is exposed; and a second, stowed position, in which the draining section is stowed away, so that the top surface is arranged in a different plane from that of the first position.

Thus, the present invention provides for a sink unit with a stowable draining section. This can allow the draining section to be deployed and stowed as needed, thereby allowing access to a countertop or work surface when stowed, but enabling a user to make use and take advantage of a draining section.

Preferably, the sink unit comprises an aperture in which the draining section can be stowed, when in the second position. In one arrangement, the aperture may be the opening to a cavity section, which allows the complete unit to be installed in a single step with the draining section being stowable in the cavity section. Alternatively, the aperture may be a slot through which the draining section can be passed when moving between the first and second positions and in which it can be received and retained. In a further preferable arrangement, when in the second position, the top surface of the draining section is positioned in a plane that is non-parallel with the top surface of the draining section when in the first position. This, the aperture, cavity or slot can be arranged to enable the draining section to be stowed in one position and/or orientation and moved to a different position and/or orientation, when required.

The cavity, which may be predominantly cuboidal or cubic in shape in order to receive the draining section, may be arranged parallel with the top of the sink unit, perpendicular therewith, or at an angle therebetween. The cavity may be integral or connected thereto. It is envisaged that a receptacle may be provided to collect any water that is present on the draining when it is stowed. Alternative means for collecting and disposing of any water may be provided, such as an absorbent material. It is further envisaged that the draining section may be stowed in a manner in which the end of the draining section proximal to the bowl, or basin, section is arranged vertically closer to the plug hole than the end of the draining section distal from the bowl section so that it continues to drain whilst in the stowed position.

It is advantageous that the draining section is adapted to slide and/or pivot into the cavity. This may be achieved by the use of guides, runners and/or rails to provide a path along which the draining section can travel to be deployed and stowed. Such a sliding or pivoting action may be automated, using a mechanical or electromechanical arrangement to more easily move the draining section between the first and section positions. Furthermore, the draining section may comprise a plurality of hinged sections that, when deployed form the usable draining section, but that can be stowed in a more compact manner, for example, pivoting or folding such that they stack on top of one another.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 a to ld show a sink unit in accordance with the present invention in various stages of deployment/stowing; Figures 2a to 2c show another embodiment of the present invention in various stages and Figures 3a to 3c show a further embodiment of the present invention in various stages.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

The Figures show embodiments of the present invention that comprise a sink unit 10 having a bowl, or basin, section 12 and a draining section 14. The sink unit 10 is installed into a countertop 16 and the sink unit 10 is provided with a cavity section, or aperture, 18.

The draining section 14 can be deployed into a first, in use, position, as shown in Figure la, in which it extends from the bowl section 12 on top of the countertop 16. This allows a use to place wet items onto the draining section and for any liquid to drain therefrom, onto the draining section 14 and to run into the bowl section 12. A seal section 20 is provided between the draining section 14 and the bowl section 12, to reduce the risk of liquid entering into the cavity section 18 whilst the draining section is in use.

When no longer required, the draining section 14 can be stowed within the cavity section 18, thereby exposing more countertop to provide more working space. To do this, the draining section 14 is flipped over into the bowl section 12 and then slid into the cavity section 18. This stows the draining section 14 in a position that is substantially parallel with the countertop 16 and thereunderneath. Thus, the draining section 14 is moved from the countertop 16 and positioned in a plane that is different from its deployed position.

To deploy the draining section 14, the user slides it from the cavity section 18 into the bowl section 12, and then flips the draining section 14 onto the countertop 16.

In the arrangements of Figures 2 and 3, the draining section passes into an aperture 18, which is an opening to a cavity section 19, and the draining section 14 is stowed in a substantially vertical position within that cavity section 19, although it will be appreciated that it may be desirable for the stowed position to be away from the vertical, for example, diagonally, particularly in the arrangement of Figure 2.

To stow the draining section 14, it is moved from the deployed position (Figures 2a and 3a) into a substantially vertical orientation and then slides through the aperture 18 to be stowed in a position that is non-parallel with the deployed position of the draining section.

The arrangement of Figure 3 shows a main bowl section 12 and a half-bowl 22, which may be provided with a food waste disposal mechanism therein. A cavity section 19 is arranged between the main bowl section 12 and the half-bowl section 22. In the deployed position, the draining section 14 may cover the half-bowl 22 or the aperture 18, and associated cavity section 19, if present, may be arranged adjacent the other side of the half-bowl, in order to allow access to both bowl sections 12 and 22.

The draining section 14 can be pulled from the storage aperture 18 to be moved to the deployed position.

A cap (not shown) may be provided to cover over the end of the cavity section 18, thereby reducing the risk of water ingress Such a cap may be connected to the sink unit 10 and biased to a closed position so that it covers the cavity section 18 automatically when the draining section 14 is stowed. A cap of this type may be provided with a handle or flange to enable it to be readily moved to allow access to the draining section. Alternatively, a manual cap may be preferred.

At least one end of the draining section 14 may be provided with a handle or grip to allow a user to more easily manipulate it and to move the draining section 14 between the first and second positions The draining section may be tapered or may be provided with flanges to limit the distance in which it is received into the aperture and/or cavity.

Seals, such as elastomeric seals may be arranged on the draining section and/or the receiving aperture to restrict the ingress of water.

The draining section may be provided with grooves, protrusions, slots or other arrangements and/or contours to allow the flow of liquid there from and to direct such liquid towards the bowl section. Additionally, or alternatively, absorbent material may be provided to soak up any liquid, which may then be recycled Clearly, the half-bowl may be replaced with a second, full bowl.

The draining section may be provided with an arcuate section in the top surface or a concave top surface, in which case the plane of the surface of the draining section can be taken as a plane connecting the uppermost points of the draining section. For example, a planar board can be placed atop the draining section and the plane taken to be the plane of such a board.

Claims

Claims 2. 3. 4.A sink unit comprising a bowl section and a draining section having a top surface, wherein the draining section has: a first, in use, position in which the top surface is exposed; and a second, stowed position, in which the draining section is stowed, so that the top surface is arranged in a different plane from that of the first position.A sink unit according to claim 1, wherein the sink unit comprises a cavity in which the draining section can be stowed, when in the second position A sink unit according to claim 2, wherein the draining section is adapted to slide and/or pivot into the cavity.A sink unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, when in the second position, the top surface of the draining section is positioned in a plane that is nonparallel with the top surface of the draining section when in the first position.