U.S. patent application number 10/852928 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-16 for double sink with integral colander.
Invention is credited to Kaster, Erick Lee.
Application Number | 20040250345 10/852928 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33514706 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040250345 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaster, Erick Lee |
December 16, 2004 |
Double sink with integral colander
Abstract
A double-basin sink with an integral colander is provided. The
sink includes an first basin and a second basin and a foraminous
surface between the first basin and the second basin. The
foraminous surface may be the wall that separates the basins or the
bottom surface of the first basin. Liquid from the first basin is
able to flow into the second basin through the openings in the
foraminous surface. The sink may also include an attachment for
covering the openings or changing the size or shape of the
openings.
Inventors: |
Kaster, Erick Lee; (Corbett,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GLENN C. BROWN, PC
777 NW WALL STREET, SUITE 308
BEND
OR
97701
US
|
Family ID: |
33514706 |
Appl. No.: |
10/852928 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60473235 |
May 23, 2003 |
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60479565 |
Jun 17, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/642 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/18 20130101; A47J
47/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/642 |
International
Class: |
E03C 001/01 |
Claims
1. A sink, wherein the sink comprises: a first basin comprising a
first bottom surface; a second basin comprising a second bottom
surface; and a wall between the first basin and the second basin,
wherein at least one of the wall and the first bottom surface
comprises at least one surface opening.
2. The sink of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first basin and
the second basin comprises a drain.
3. The sink of claim 1, wherein the first bottom surface is higher
than the second bottom surface.
4. The sink of claim 1, wherein the at least one surface opening is
in the wall and the at least one surface opening extends to the
first bottom surface.
5. The sink of claim 1, wherein the at least one surface opening is
a vertical slot.
6. The sink of claim 1, wherein the at least one surface opening is
rounded, square, rectangular, oval, star-shaped, triangular,
polygonal or trapezoidal.
7. The sink of claim 1, further comprising an attachment that fits
over the at least one surface opening.
8. The sink of claim 7, wherein the attachment comprises at least
one attachment opening.
9. The sink of claim 8, wherein the at least one attachment opening
is of a different size than the at least one surface opening.
10. The sink of claim 8, wherein the at least one attachment
opening is of a different shape than the at least one surface
opening.
11. The sink of claim 7, wherein the attachment covers the at least
one surface opening, thus preventing liquids or solids from flowing
from the upper basin to the lower basin through the at least one
surface opening.
12. The sink of claim 1, wherein the sink is formed of a material
selected from the group consisting of metal, ceramic, enameled
metal, porcelain, stone, resin, clay, wood, concrete, glass,
plaster, paper and polymeric materials.
13. A double-basin sink, wherein the sink comprises a surface with
at least one surface opening that provides a direct connection
between a first basin and a second basin.
14. The double-basin sink of claim 13, wherein at least one of the
first basin and the second basin comprises a drain.
15. The double-basin sink of claim 13, wherein a depth of the
second basin is less than a depth of the first basin.
16. The double-basin sink of claim 13, wherein the surface is at
least one of a wall between the first basin and the second basin
and a bottom surface of the second basin.
17. The double-basin sink of claim 13, wherein the at least one
surface opening is a vertical slot.
18. The double-basin sink of claim 13, wherein the at least one
surface opening is rounded, square, rectangular, oval, star-shaped,
triangular, polygonal or trapezoidal.
19. The double-basin sink of claim 13, further comprising an
attachment that fits over the at least one surface opening.
20. The double-basin sink of claim 19, wherein the attachment
comprises at least one attachment opening.
21. The sink of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the wall and
the first bottom surface that comprises the at least one surface
opening is removable.
22. The double-basin sink of claim 13, wherein the surface with the
at least one surface opening is removable.
23. The sink of claim 1, wherein the first basin and the second
basin are made from a first material and the at least one of the
wall and the first bottom surface that comprises the at least one
surface opening is made from a second material, wherein the first
material is different from the second material.
24. The double-basin sink of claim 13, wherein the first basin and
the second basin are made from a first material and the surface
with the at least one surface opening is made from a second
material, wherein the first material is different from the second
material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
provisional patent application No. 60/473,235, filed on May 23,
2003, and which is related to U.S. provisional patent application
No. 60/479,565, filed on Jun. 17, 2003. The priority of the prior
applications is expressly claimed and their disclosures are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to sinks, and in particular to sinks
for use in any setting where it is desirable to separate liquids
from solids. More specifically, this invention relates to a novel
double-basin sink.
[0003] Many kitchens include a food preparation area on a counter
or island for preparing vegetables and other items. Most such food
preparation areas include a prep sink that is used for washing food
before serving or cooking. Known prep sinks typically include a
single, relatively small square or rectangular sink. While helpful,
it is often the case that there is a need to use the sink in the
prep area while a vegetable or salad is draining after being
washed. It is also often the case that it would be more convenient
to be able to wash and drain foods without the need for using a
separate colander, and without tying up a prep sink while the food
is being washed or is draining after being washed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention solves the problem by providing a double
basin sink that includes an integral colander between the two sink
basins, permitting water or other liquid from a first sink basin to
drain to a second sink basin while retaining the solid in the first
sink. In one embodiment, the integral colander comprises a
foraminous wall separating the two sink basins. In another
embodiment, the integral colander comprises one sink with a
foraminous bottom surface that communicates with a second sink. The
second sink is preferably below the level of the first to
facilitate draining, and is connected to a drain like a normal
sink.
[0005] This double basin sink with an integral colander could be
used in kitchens or any other setting where it is desirable to
conveniently separate liquids from solids. For example, the double
sink with an integral colander could be used in bathrooms, laundry
rooms or in industrial applications, such as parts cleaning.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The nature, principle and utility of the present invention
will be clearly understood from the following detailed description
when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side view of the sink of the first
embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the sink of the
first embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a top view of the sink of the first
embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sink of FIG. 3 along
line I-I.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side view of the sink of the second
embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the sink of the
second embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a top view of the sink of the second
embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the sink of FIG. 7 along
line II-II.
[0015] The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not
drawn to scale. The same numbers are used for the same part or
portion throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the invention
and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the first embodiment.
The sink of the first embodiment, shown at 10, includes an upper
sink 12 and a lower sink 14 separated by a colander wall 16. FIGS.
1 and 2 show a sloped wall 18 between the two sinks 12 and 14. The
sloped wall 18 facilitates the flow of liquid from the upper sink
12 through the colander wall 16 and into the lower sink 14. The
lower sink 14 comprises a drain 20 and a sloped bottom surface 22
to allow for liquid drainage. Alternatively, rather than having one
sink at a higher level than the other sink, the two sinks may be
may be at the same level. In addition, the upper sink 12 may also
comprise a drain.
[0017] The colander wall 16 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 and
4. FIG. 3 is a top view of the sink 10, and FIG. 4 is a
cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 along line I-I. The novel and
critical feature of the invention is the wall 16 separating the
upper and lower sinks. The wall 16 includes openings 24 that permit
liquids to drain to from the upper sink 12 to the lower sink 14,
while retaining solids in the upper sink. The colander wall 16
could be an integral part of the sink or could be removable to
facilitate cleaning. In addition, the colander wall 16 could be
made of a different material than the rest of the sink. For
example, the sink could be made of porcelain while the colander
wall 16 could be made of a metal screen or mesh.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 4, the openings 24 in the wall 16 are
vertical slots, but the invention is not limited to any specific
configuration or shape of opening. In other embodiments the
openings can be rounded, square, rectangular, oval, star-shaped,
triangular, polygonal, trapezoidal, and can be arranged in any
suitable pattern. The openings can also be of any desired size,
although naturally if too large, they would not function
effectively.
[0019] FIG. 4 also shows that the central vertical slot extends
down to the bottom of the sink to permit complete drainage of the
sink. In other embodiments more than one of the openings could
extend to the bottom of the sink as well.
[0020] In another embodiment an attachment is provided that slips
over the side wall and which includes differently sized openings,
or which temporarily covers the openings 24 in wall 16.
[0021] FIGS. 5-8 show a second embodiment of the invention at 30
which includes a first sink 32 and a second sink 34. FIG. 8 is a
cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 along line II-II. FIG. 8 clearly
shows that the wall 46 separating the first sink 32 and the second
sink 34 is solid.
[0022] Second sink 34 includes a foraminous bottom wall 36 that is
positioned above the bottom wall of the first sink 32. As shown in
FIG. 7, the openings 40 in bottom wall 36 can be elongated openings
as shown, or can be of any desired shape and arrangement desired,
so long as the openings provide adequate drainage. Beneath the
bottom wall 36 of the second sink is a sloped wall 38 that
communicates with first sink 32 and directs liquid draining from
the second sink 34 to the first sink 32 and into the drain. First
sink 32 includes a drain 42 in the bottom wall that communicates
with the drainage system of the building. The foraminous bottom
wall 36 could be an integral part of the sink or could be removable
to facilitate cleaning. In addition, the foraminous bottom wall 36
could be made of a different material than the rest of the sink.
For example, the sink could be made of porcelain while the bottom
wall 36 could be made of a metal screen or mesh.
[0023] As with the previous embodiment described, a cover can be
provided which includes differently sized openings or which
temporarily covers the openings in the foraminous bottom wall 36 as
needed.
[0024] In the second embodiment the openings 40 in the bottom wall
36 are vertical slots, but the invention is not limited to any
specific configuration or shape of opening. In other embodiments
the openings can be rounded, square, rectangular, oval,
star-shaped, triangular, polygonal, trapezoidal, and can be
arranged in any suitable pattern. The openings can also be of any
desired size, although naturally if too large, they would not
function effectively.
[0025] The upper and lower sinks can be square, rectangular, round,
oval, or any desired shape that provides a common wall between the
two sinks. The invention can be formed of any suitable material
such as, but not limited to, metal, ceramic, enameled metal,
porcelain, stone, resin, clay, wood, concrete, glass, plaster,
paper or polymeric materials.
[0026] The sink basins may be made of one or more material while
the foraminous surface may be made of a different material. The
invention is preferably a metal casting, but any other method of
shaping the material into the desired configuration will achieve
the advantages of the invention.
[0027] While the invention has been described by reference to the
illustrated embodiment, those of skill in the art will appreciate
that there can be numerous modifications to the illustrated
embodiments that are nonetheless within the scope of the invention.
Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the
appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the
examples given.
* * * * *