Wash-basin

YOSHIZAWA; Yoshihiro ;   et al.

Patent Application Summary

U.S. patent application number 16/466616 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-24 for wash-basin. This patent application is currently assigned to LIXIL Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is LIXIL Corporation. Invention is credited to Tsutomu KOJIMA, Mamoru SAIDA, Yoshihiro YOSHIZAWA.

Application Number20190323216 16/466616
Document ID /
Family ID62491574
Filed Date2019-10-24

United States Patent Application 20190323216
Kind Code A1
YOSHIZAWA; Yoshihiro ;   et al. October 24, 2019

WASH-BASIN

Abstract

A wash-basin includes a wash bowl portion and an outer lateral portion that is connected to an outer peripheral portion of the wash bowl portion and has a lower end portion mounted on the supporting member. A step portion having a shape, in which a mounting portion side is recessed toward an outer lateral surface side of the wash bowl portion from an outer peripheral surface, is formed at a connection portion between the outer peripheral surface of the outer lateral portion and a peripheral edge of the mounting portion, which is mounted on the supporting member, of outer lateral portion. The step portion has a size that allows caulking work between the supporting member and the step portion.


Inventors: YOSHIZAWA; Yoshihiro; (Tokyo, JP) ; SAIDA; Mamoru; (Tokyo, JP) ; KOJIMA; Tsutomu; (Tokyo, JP)
Applicant:
Name City State Country Type

LIXIL Corporation

Tokyo

JP
Assignee: LIXIL Corporation
Tokyo
JP

Family ID: 62491574
Appl. No.: 16/466616
Filed: December 1, 2017
PCT Filed: December 1, 2017
PCT NO: PCT/JP2017/043309
371 Date: June 4, 2019

Current U.S. Class: 1/1
Current CPC Class: E03C 1/18 20130101; E03C 1/32 20130101; A47K 1/04 20130101; A47K 1/00 20130101
International Class: E03C 1/18 20060101 E03C001/18; E03C 1/32 20060101 E03C001/32

Foreign Application Data

Date Code Application Number
Dec 6, 2016 JP 2016-237150

Claims



1. A wash-basin that is provided on a supporting member in a state where a peripheral edge portion of the wash-basin is mounted on the supporting member, the wash-basin comprising: a wash bowl portion; and an outer lateral portion which is connected to an outer peripheral portion of the wash bowl portion, a lower end portion of the outer lateral portion being mounted on the supporting member, wherein a step portion having a shape, in which a mounting portion side is recessed toward an outer lateral surface side of the wash bowl portion from the outer lateral surface, is formed at a connection portion between an outer lateral surface of the outer lateral portion and a peripheral edge of a mounting portion of the outer lateral portion, the mounting portion being mounted on the supporting member.

2. The wash-basin of claim 1, wherein caulking-treatment is applied on the step portion between the peripheral edge of the mounting portion and the supporting member.

3. The wash-basin of claim 1, wherein the wash bowl portion and the outer lateral portion are formed of ceramics, and a hollow portion is formed in the outer lateral portion.

4. The wash-basin of claim 3, wherein an inner surface and the outer lateral surface, which define the hollow portion, approach each other as going upwards, and the inner surface is contacted to the outer lateral surface at a top portion of the outer lateral portion.

5. The wash-basin claim 1, wherein a lower surface of the step portion, which opposes the supporting member, is formed as an inclined surface of the step portion, which is a downward slope toward the outer lateral surface side of the wash bowl portion.

6. A wash-basin that is provided on a supporting member in a state where a peripheral edge portion of the wash-basin is mounted on the supporting member, the wash-basin comprising: a wash bowl portion; and an outer lateral portion that is connected to an outer peripheral portion of the wash bowl portion, a lower end portion of the outer lateral portion being mounted on the supporting member, wherein an overflow hole is formed in the wash bowl portion, and a drainage path is formed in a drain port of a bottom surface portion of the wash bowl portion, and an entire inner surface of a flow path connected from the overflow hole to the drainage path is covered with glaze.

7. The wash-basin of claim 2, wherein the wash bowl portion and the outer lateral portion are formed of ceramics, and a hollow portion is formed in the outer lateral portion.

8. The wash-basin of claim 7, wherein an inner surface and the outer lateral surface, which define the hollow portion, approach each other as going upwards, and the inner surface is contacted to the outer lateral surface at a top portion of the outer lateral portion.

9. The wash-basin of claim 2, wherein a lower surface of the step portion, which opposes the supporting member, is formed as an inclined surface of the step portion, which is a downward slope toward the outer lateral surface side of the wash bowl portion.

10. The wash-basin of claim 3, wherein a lower surface of the step portion, which opposes the supporting member, is formed as an inclined surface of the step portion, which is a downward slope toward the outer lateral surface side of the wash bowl portion.

11. The wash-basin of claim 4, wherein a lower surface of the step portion, which opposes the supporting member, is formed as an inclined surface of the step portion, which is a downward slope toward the outer lateral surface side of the wash bowl portion.

12. The wash-basin of claim 7, wherein a lower surface of the step portion, which opposes the supporting member, is formed as an inclined surface of the step portion, which is a downward slope toward the outer lateral surface side of the wash bowl portion.

13. The wash-basin of claim 8, wherein a lower surface of the step portion, which opposes the supporting member, is formed as an inclined surface of the step portion, which is a downward slope toward the outer lateral surface side of the wash bowl portion.
Description



CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a U.S. national stage patent application under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2017/043309, filed Dec. 1, 2017, which claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2016-237150, filed Dec. 6, 2016, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in the present disclosure in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a wash-basin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the related art, for example, a wash-basin shown in such as Patent Document 1 is known as a vessel-type wash-basin, which is provided in a state where a peripheral edge portion thereof is mounted on the supporting member such as a counter. The wash-basin of Patent Document 1 includes a wash bowl portion and an outer lateral portion which is connected to an outer peripheral portion of the wash bowl portion and of which a lower end portion is mounted on a supporting member.

[0004] For example, in a vessel-type wash-basin 100 disclosed in Patent Document 1, caulking-treatment is applied by applying, for example, a silicone caulking material 102 in order to prevent infiltration of water between a counter 101 and an outer lateral portion 100A mounted on the counter 101 at the time of using the wash-basin, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2005-87647

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] However, the vessel-type wash-basin described above has the following problems.

[0007] That is, as shown in FIG. 15A, there is a problem that a caulking-treatment mark or old dirt of the caulking material 102, which is provided in a boundary portion between the counter 101 and the outer lateral portion 100A, is conspicuous.

[0008] In a case where the wash-basin 100 is made of ceramics, glaze covers an outer peripheral surface of the wash-basin 100. However, the glaze flows downwards due to a weight thereof at the time of firing in a manufacturing process, and thereby a glaze gather 103 is generated near a counter mounted portion of the outer lateral portion 100A. As shown in FIG. 15B, in a case where the wash-basin is made of ceramics, there is a possibility that a burnt residue is generated in the counter mounted portion of the outer lateral portion 100A at the time of firing and the outer lateral portion 100A is mounted in a risen state due to a burnt residue portion 104. Since an appearance worsens due to a caulking-processed portion, the glaze gather 103, the burnt residue portion 104, and the like in this manner, there is a room for improvement for this aspect.

[0009] In the wash-basin of the related art, water is likely to stagnate in the boundary portion, on which caulking-treatment portion is applied, between the outer lateral portion 100A and the counter 101, and the boundary portion is a portion that is likely to become dirty. Accordingly, since it is necessary to secure a sufficient space that allows the boundary portion to be easily cleaned, the caulking-processed portion cannot be completely covered. For this reason, a wash-basin that can strike a balance between the improvement of an appearance and easy cleaning of the wash-basin to which dirt is stuck is desired.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention are devised in view of the problems described above, and an object thereof is to provide a wash-basin that has an inconspicuous caulking-processed portion in a boundary portion between a supporting member and the wash-basin and can improve an appearance.

[0011] According to some embodiments, there is provided a wash-basin that is provided on a supporting member in a state where a peripheral edge portion of the wash-basin is mounted on the supporting member. The wash-basin includes a wash bowl portion; and an outer lateral portion which is connected to an outer peripheral portion of the wash bowl portion. A lower end portion of the outer lateral portion is mounted on the supporting member. A step portion having a shape, in which a mounting portion side is recessed toward an outer lateral surface side of the wash bowl portion from the outer lateral surface, is formed at a connection portion between an outer lateral surface of the outer lateral portion and a peripheral edge of a mounting portion of the outer lateral portion. The mounting portion is mounted on the supporting member.

[0012] In some embodiments, a boundary portion between the peripheral edge of the mounting portion of the outer lateral portion and the supporting member is at a position of the outer lateral surface side of the wash bowl portion in the recessed portion formed by the step portion, and is at a position hidden from a line of sight of a person who uses the wash-basin. That is, since caulking-treatment is applied on the boundary portion, a caulking-processed portion becomes inconspicuous, and thus an appearance can be improved.

[0013] In some embodiments, the step portion may have a size that allows caulking work between the supporting member and the step portion.

[0014] In some embodiments, when performing caulking-treatment on the boundary of the step portion between the outer lateral portion and the supporting member, caulking work can be performed by putting, for example, a finger or a spatula into the recessed portion formed by the step portion.

[0015] In some embodiments, the wash bowl portion and the outer lateral portion may be formed of ceramics, and a hollow portion may be formed in the outer lateral portion.

[0016] In some embodiments, the step portion can be formed by providing the hollow portion in the outer lateral portion. By forming the hollow portion, a rim can be made unlikely to be broken even if the rim is thin.

[0017] In some embodiments, an inner surface and the outer lateral surface, which define the hollow portion, may approach each other as going upwards, and the inner surface may be contacted to the outer lateral surface at a top portion of the outer lateral portion.

[0018] Since the shape of the outer lateral portion is tapered toward the top portion in some embodiments, shaper design can be realized.

[0019] In some embodiments, a lower surface of the step portion, which opposes a supporting member side, may be formed as an inclined surface of the step portion, which is in a downward slope toward the outer lateral surface side of the wash bowl portion.

[0020] In some embodiments, glaze is sent to a direction where the inclined surface of the step portion descends at the time of manufacturing, and thereby a glaze gather can be formed at a position of a side surface between the mounting portion of the outer lateral portion and the inclined surface of the step portion, which is a position hidden from a line of sight of a person.

[0021] In some embodiments, there is provided a wash-basin that is provided on a supporting member in a state where a peripheral edge portion of the wash-basin is mounted on the supporting member. The wash-basin includes a wash bowl portion and an outer lateral portion that is connected to an outer peripheral portion of the wash bowl portion. A lower end portion of the outer lateral portion is mounted on the supporting member. An overflow hole is formed in the wash bowl portion, and a drainage path is formed in a drain port of a bottom surface portion of the wash bowl portion. An entire inner surface of a flow path connected from the overflow hole to the drainage path is covered with glaze.

[0022] In some embodiments, dirt is unlikely to stick to the flow path inner surface since the flow path inner surface is smoothly finished by glaze covering the inner surface of the flow path connected from the overflow hole to the drainage path. Since the cleanability of the flow path inner surface covered with glaze is enhanced and it is possible to simply remove the stuck dirt, the dirt becomes inconspicuous.

[0023] In some embodiments, caulking-treatment in the boundary portion between the wash-basin and the supporting member, or the like becomes inconspicuous, and thus an appearance can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state where a wash-basin according to some embodiments of the present invention is provided on a supporting member;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an entire structure of the wash-basin shown in FIG. 1, according to some embodiments;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the wash-basin shown in FIG. 2, according to some embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a bottom surface structure of the wash-basin shown in FIG. 1, according to some embodiments;

[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface structure of the wash-basin shown in FIG. 1, and is a view seen from an angle different from FIG. 4, according to some embodiments;

[0029] FIG. 6 is a side view of the wash-basin seen from a front side, according to some embodiments;

[0030] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line A-A shown in FIG. 2, according to some embodiments;

[0031] FIG. 8 is a side view of the wash-basin in a state of being provided on the supporting member shown in FIG. 1, which is seen from the front side, according to some embodiments;

[0032] FIG. 9 is a main portion enlarged view showing a configuration of an outer lateral portion shown in FIG. 7, according to some embodiments;

[0033] FIG. 10 is a main portion enlarged view showing a configuration of a step portion of the outer lateral portion shown in FIG. 8, according to some embodiments;

[0034] FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line B-B shown in FIG. 3, according to some embodiments;

[0035] FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line C-C shown in FIG. 4, according to some embodiments;

[0036] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a bottom surface structure of a circular wash-basin according to a modification example, according to some embodiments;

[0037] FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of the circular wash-basin according to the modification example, and is a view corresponding to FIG. 7, according to some embodiments;

[0038] FIG. 15A is a main portion enlarged view showing a mounted part of a wash-basin of the related art, according to some embodiments; and

[0039] FIG. 15B is a main portion enlarged view showing the mounted part of the wash-basin of the related art, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Hereinafter, a wash-basin according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a wash-basin 10 according to some embodiments is configured to be supported by a supporting member 20, which is formed of a counter or the like, in a state where a peripheral edge portion of the wash-basin 10 is mounted.

[0042] In some embodiments, when a user is positioned in front of the wash-basin 10, a side close to the user will be referred to as a front side, and a side far from the user will be referred to as a back side (opposite side to the front side). A portion which is connected between the front side and the back side of the wash-basin 10 will be referred to as the lateral side. In addition, a right-and-left direction when the wash-basin 10 is seen from the front side will be referred to as a width direction X1, and a direction of the front side and the back side will be referred to as a front-and-back direction X2.

[0043] The wash-basin 10 has a wash bowl portion 11, an outer lateral portion 12 connected to the front side and both lateral sides of the wash bowl portion 11, and a back portion 14 in which fixing portions 15 are formed. The fixing portions 15 are provided on the back side (that is, a wall 13 side on which a mirror, a cabinet, or the like is disposed) of the wash bowl portion 11, and are fixed to the supporting member 20. The wash-basin 10 is made of ceramics, and the wash bowl portion 11, the outer lateral portion 12, and the back portion 14 are integrally formed.

[0044] The wash bowl portion 11 is formed in a substantially quadrangular shape in plan view. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the wash bowl portion 11 is formed in a recessed shape in which a bottom surface portion 11a and a peripheral edge portion 11b are continuously formed, and an inner surface 11c of the wash bowl portion 11 continues therefrom. The peripheral edge portion 11b is formed to rise steeply in four directions, and a top portion 11d of the peripheral edge portion 11b is continuously formed at a substantially fixed height and in an annular shape.

[0045] A drain port 11e is formed in the bottom surface portion 11a, and the bottom surface portion is formed in a downward slope from the peripheral edge portion 11b to the drain port 11e. An overflow hole 11g is formed in a middle portion in the width direction X1 on the back side of the inner surface 11c of the wash bowl portion 11.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, a drainage path 11h is formed in the drain port 11e of the bottom surface portion 11a of the wash bowl portion 11. An overflow flow path 11i extending from the overflow hole 11g is connected to the drainage path 11h.

[0047] In the wash-basin 10, ceramic surfaces of the wash bowl portion 11, ceramic surfaces of the outer lateral portion 12, and ceramic surfaces of the back portion 14 are covered with glaze. In some embodiments, in the wash bowl portion 11, all inner surfaces of respective the drain port 11e, the overflow hole 11g, the drainage path 11h, and the overflow flow path 11i are also covered with glaze. An upper part of the overflow hole 11g in the drainage path 11h is also covered with glaze.

[0048] As an example of a glaze-covering method in this case, a method of closing the drain port 11e and fully filling the overflow flow path from the overflow hole 11g to the drainage path 11h with glaze can be given. Thus, the entire flow path inner surface of the overflow flow path 11i can be covered with glaze.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the outer lateral portion 12 is continuously provided on the front side and both lateral sides of the wash bowl portion 11, and configures an edge portion of the wash-basin 10. A top portion 12d of the outer lateral portion 12 is configured at the same position as the top portion 11d of the peripheral edge portion 11b of the wash bowl portion 11, and an inner surface 12e of the outer lateral portion 12 is configured at the same position as the peripheral edge portion 11b (the inner surface 11c) of the wash bowl portion 11. As shown in FIG. 1, an outer peripheral surface 12c of the outer lateral portion 12 is formed to be a substantially vertical surface when the wash-basin 10 is provided on the supporting member 20. As shown in FIG. 7, a hollow portion 12f is formed between the inner surface 12e and the outer peripheral surface 12c of the outer lateral portion 12. The outer peripheral surface 12c of the outer lateral portion 12 may be formed in a vertical direction, or the outer peripheral surface may have a slope in any one of a direction of approaching a wash bowl portion 11 side with respect to the vertical direction and a direction of separating away from the wash bowl portion 11 side. Each of the inner surface 12e and the outer peripheral surface 12c, which define the hollow portion 12f of the outer lateral portion 12, approaches and abuts against the top portion 12d as going upwards, and thus the entire outer lateral portion 12 is continuously formed.

[0050] Herein, as shown in FIG. 1, a portion configured with the top portion 11d (12d) of the wash bowl portion 11, an upper portion of the peripheral edge portion 11b, and an upper portion of the outer peripheral surface 12c of the outer lateral portion 12, the portion being a peripheral edge of the wash bowl portion 11, corresponds to a rim 30.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, a connecting portion 12a that is connected and integrated with an outer lateral surface 11f of the wash bowl portion 11 is formed at a lower end of the outer lateral portion 12. A mounting portion 12b to be mounted on the supporting member 20 is formed at the connecting portion 12a. In a state where the mounting portion 12b is mounted on the supporting member 20, the mounting portion 12b is formed as a flat surface protruding slightly downwards from the connecting portion 12a. The mounting portion 12b may be mounted by directly abutting against the supporting member 20, or may be mounted via a packing or caulking agent or the like. The mounting portion 12b may be mounted by forming a recessed portion in an upper surface of the supporting member 20 at a position of opposing the mounting portion 12b and fitting the mounting portion to the recessed portion.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in a state where the mounting portion 12b is mounted on the supporting member 20, the outer lateral portion 12 is formed to cover the outer lateral surface 11f such that the outer lateral surface 11f of the wash bowl portion 11 disposed on the supporting member 20 is invisible from the outside. A step portion 12A having a shape, in which a mounting portion 12b side is recessed toward an outer lateral surface 11f side of the wash bowl portion 11 from the outer peripheral surface 12c, is formed in the outer lateral portion 12 at a connection portion 17 between the outer peripheral surface 12c and a peripheral edge 12i of the mounting portion 12b. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the step portion 12A has a step lower surface 12g that opposes the supporting member 20 in a state where the wash-basin 10 is mounted on the supporting member 20 and a step side surface 12h that extends upwards from an outer end of the mounting portion 12b and is connected to an inner end of the step lower surface 12g. The step lower surface 12g may be a horizontal surface, or may be an inclined surface of the step portion 12A, which is a downward slope toward the outer lateral surface 11f side of the wash bowl portion 11.

[0053] A caulking-processed portion 23 to which a caulking material for stopping water, such as silicone, is applied is provided in a boundary portion between the step side surface 12h of the step portion 12A and the supporting member 20. Since the boundary portion between the step side surface 12h and the supporting member 20, and the step side surface 12h are at positions on the back of the outer peripheral surface 12c of the outer lateral portion 12, and are generally positioned below a user's line of sight, who uses the wash-basin, the boundary portion and the step side surface are parts that are hidden and inconspicuous. That is, also the caulking-processed portion 23 provided in the boundary portion is a portion that is unlikely to be seen by the user.

[0054] Caulking-treatment is applied on the step portion 12A between the peripheral edge 12i of the mounting portion 12b and the supporting member 20. A dimension of a recess of the step portion 12A (a depth dimension of the step lower surface 12g and a height of the step side surface 12h) is set to a size that allows, for example, a finger, a spatula, or the like to be put in between the supporting member 20 and the peripheral edge, the size allowing caulking work of finishing a caulking material applied by a finger or the like. The depth of the step lower surface 12g can be set to, for example, 10 mm, and the height of the step side surface 12h can be set to 15 mm (at least 13 mm). Although the height of the step side surface 12h is not particularly limited, it is preferable that the height of the step side surface be 1.3 or more times the depth dimension of the step lower surface 12g (dimension in the width direction X1).

[0055] In some embodiments, the mounting portion 12b is narrowly formed to be continuous on the front side and both lateral sides of the wash bowl portion 11 along the outer lateral portion 12. Herein, a width of the mounting portion 12b is set to, for example, 15 mm or lower.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 2 to FIG. 5, the back portion 14 is integrally formed to be connected from the top portion 11d of the peripheral edge portion 11b of the wash bowl portion 11. The back portion 14 has an upper surface portion 14a, back surface portions 14b1 and 14b2, and connecting portions 14d1 and 14d2. The upper surface portion 14a extends to the back side, that is, the wall 13 side at a height of the top portion 11d. The back surface portions 14b1 and 14b2 extends downwards from a back end portion of the upper surface portion 14a. The connecting portion 14d1 extends from the lower end of the back surface portion 14b1 in a substantially horizontal direction. The connecting portion 14d2 extends from the lower end of the back surface portion 14b2 in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a water faucet provided portion 14c where various types of water faucets, drain valve operation portions, and the like are disposed in a substantially middle portion in the width direction is provided on the upper surface portion 14a of the back portion 14. The water faucet provided portion 14c is provided between fixing portions 15A and 15B on both sides, which are to be described later.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 11, the back surface portions 14b1, 14b2 are formed on both lateral sides from the wash bowl portion 11. The connecting portions 14d1 and 14d2 that are connected and integrated with the outer lateral surface 11f of the wash bowl portion 11 are connected to a lower end of each back surface portion 14b1, 14b2.

[0059] The connecting portions 14d1 and 14d2 each are formed in a plate shape extending in the substantially horizontal direction. Mounting portions 14e1 and 14e2 to be mounted on the supporting member 20 and the fixing portions 15A and 15B, which are positioned above the mounting portions 14e1 and 14e2 and on which fixing tools (not shown) such as bolts are mounted, are formed in the connecting portions 14d1 and 14d2. The mounting portions 14e1 and 14e2 and the fixing portions 15A and 15B are provided on the back side of the outer lateral surface 11f of the wash bowl portion 11. The mounting portions 14e1 and 14e2 are formed to be aligned with the mounting portion 12b of the outer lateral portion 12. In addition, end surfaces 14f of both lateral sides of the back portion 14 are formed to be aligned with the outer peripheral surface 12c of the outer lateral portion 12.

[0060] In a state where the mounting portion 14e1 is mounted on the supporting member 20, the fixing portion 15A is formed in a flat plate shape at a position slightly separated away from the upper surface of the supporting member 20, and a long hole 15b1 is formed in a substantially center of the flat plate shaped surface. Similarly, also the fixing portion 15B is formed in a flat plate shape, and a long hole 15b2 is formed in a substantially center of the flat plate shaped surface.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of recessed grooves 16A, 16B1, and 16B2 is formed on a lower surface side of the wash-basin 10 in a boundary portion between the peripheral edge portion 11b positioned to an outer peripheral portion of the wash bowl portion 11 and the wash bowl portion 11.

[0062] The first recessed groove 16A is formed in a boundary portion between the mounting portion 12b of the outer lateral portion 12 and the outer lateral surface 11f of the wash bowl portion 11, and continuously extends from the front of the wash bowl portion 11 to both lateral sides in the width direction X1 in a C-shape when seen from below.

[0063] The second recessed groove 16B1 is formed in a boundary portion between the mounting portion 14e1, which is positioned on one side of the back portion 14 in the width direction X1, and a back side portion of the outer lateral surface 11f of the wash bowl portion 11. Similarly, the second recessed groove 16B2 is formed in a boundary portion between the mounting portion 14e2, which is positioned on the other side of the back portion 14 in the width direction X1, and the back side portion of the outer lateral surface 11f of the wash bowl portion 11. The first recessed groove 16A is configured at the same position as the connecting portion 12a of the outer lateral portion 12. Herein, in the wash-basin 10, the back portion 14 forms a water faucet attaching portion. A back surface 14A of the water faucet attaching portion is configured with the mounting portions 14e1 and 14e2, a back surface 14g of the water faucet provided portion 14c, and the connecting portions 14d1 and 14d2.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 12, the first recessed groove 16A and the second recessed grooves 16B1 and 16B2 are curved as a whole in sectional view seen from a groove extending direction, and are connected to the wash bowl portion 11 and the mounting portion 12b or 14e via curved surfaces 16a (refer to FIG. 11).

[0065] In some embodiments, the second recessed grooves 16B1 and 16B2 are set to have a larger groove width and a larger groove depth than the first recessed groove 16A.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, an attachment opening portion 21 for providing the wash-basin 10 is formed in the supporting member 20. The attachment opening portion 21 has a shape having a size that allows the wash-basin 10 mounted at a predetermined position to cover the attachment opening portion from above. As shown in FIG. 3, the attachment opening portion 21 has a back opening portion 21a and a front opening portion 21b. A pipe or the like of the water faucet disposed in the water faucet provided portion 14c is inserted to the back opening portion 21a. The front opening portion 21b is formed to be wider than the back opening portion 21a and the wash bowl portion 11 is disposed in the front opening portion 21b.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, a provision surface 22a where the mounting portion 12b provided at the lower end of the outer lateral portion 12 of the wash-basin 10 is mounted is provided on a peripheral edge of the front opening portion 21b on the front side and both lateral sides on the upper surface of the supporting member 20. The provision surface 22a is continuously provided flat.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 3, attaching surfaces 22b are formed on the supporting member 20 at positions of opposing the fixing portions 15A and 15B of the wash-basin 10. The attaching surfaces 22b are formed as substantially flat surfaces protruding from both lateral sides of the attachment opening portion 21 in directions of each other. In other words, the attaching surfaces 22b are formed to protrude to an inner side from end portions of the front opening portion 21b on both lateral sides.

[0069] In order to provide the wash-basin 10 with the use of such a supporting member 20, the wash-basin 10 is disposed from above the attachment opening portion 21, the wash bowl portion 11 is disposed to oppose (be partially inserted to) the front opening portion 21b, and the water faucet provided portion 14c of the back portion 14 is disposed in the back opening portion 21a. The mounting portion 12b provided at the lower end of the outer lateral portion 12 on the front side and both lateral sides of the wash bowl portion 11 is mounted on the provision surface 22a on the peripheral edge of the front opening portion 21b. In addition, the fixing portions 15 provided on both sides in the width direction on the back side of the wash bowl portion 11 are mounted to oppose the attaching surfaces 22b. Then, the wash-basin 10 can be supported by the supporting member 20 by firmly supporting and fixing the wash-basin 10 to the supporting member 20 with the use of the fixing tools (not shown). After then, a caulking material is applied to the boundary portion between the step side surface 12h of the step portion 12A of the outer lateral portion 12, which is on an inner side of the step portion 12A, and the supporting member 20. The applied caulking material is finished by making the caulking material smooth with the use of a finger or a spatula.

[0070] Next, effects of the wash-basin 10 will be described.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, since a boundary portion between the peripheral edge 12i of the mounting portion 12b of the outer lateral portion 12 and the supporting member 20 is positioned in the recessed portion formed by the step portion 12A on the outer lateral surface 11f side of the wash bowl portion 11, the boundary portion is at a position hidden from a line of sight of a person who uses the wash-basin 10. That is, since caulking-treatment is applied on the boundary portion, the caulking-processed portion 23 becomes inconspicuous, and thus an appearance can be improved.

[0072] In addition, since a glaze gather or a burnt residue part generated at the time of firing is positioned on the inner side of the step portion 12A, there is an advantage of being inconspicuous from the outside.

[0073] Since a configuration where the recessed portion is formed by the step portion 12A is adopted, it is possible to remove dirt inside by using a space of the recessed portion.

[0074] By providing the step portion 12A, it becomes possible to suppress the spread of a burnt residue attributable to thermal deformation at the time of firing, and the deformation of the mounting portion 12b of the outer lateral portion 12 can be prevented. Thus, the improvement of an appearance can be achieved.

[0075] In some embodiments, caulking-treatment is applied on the step portion 12A between the peripheral edge 12i of the mounting portion 12b and the supporting member 20. That is, when performing caulking-treatment on the boundary of the step portion 12A between the outer lateral portion 12 and the supporting member 20, caulking work can be performed by putting, for example, a finger or a spatula into the recessed portion formed by the step portion 12A since the step portion 12A has a size that allows the caulking work.

[0076] In some embodiments, since the wash bowl portion 11 and the outer lateral portion 12 are formed of ceramics and the hollow portion 12f is formed in the outer lateral portion 12, the step portion 12A can be formed. By forming the hollow portion 12f, the rim 30 can be made unlikely to be broken even if the rim is thin.

[0077] In some embodiments, the inner surface 12e and the outer peripheral surface 12c, which define the hollow portion 12f, approach each other as going upwards, the inner surface 12e abuts against the outer peripheral surface 12c at the top portion 12d, and thereby the outer lateral portion 12 has a tapered shape toward the top portion 12d. Thus, shaper design can be realized.

[0078] In some embodiments, in a case where the step lower surface 12g of the step portion 12A is formed as an inclined surface of the step portion 12A, which is in a downward slope toward the outer lateral surface 11f side of the wash bowl portion 11, glaze is sent to a direction where the step lower surface 12g of the step portion 12A descends at the time of manufacturing, and thereby a glaze gather can be formed at a position of the step side surface 12h between the mounting portion 12b of the outer lateral portion 12 and the step lower surface 12g, which is a position hidden from a line of sight of a person.

[0079] In some embodiments, dirt is unlikely to stick to the inner surface of the overflow flow path 11i since the inner surface is smoothly finished by glaze covering the inner surface of the overflow flow path 11i connected from the overflow hole 11g of the wash bowl portion 11 to the drainage path 11h. Since the cleanability of the flow path inner surface covered with glaze is enhanced and it is possible to simply remove the stuck dirt, the dirt becomes inconspicuous.

[0080] As described above, in some embodiments, the caulking-processed portion 23 in the boundary portion between the wash-basin 10 and the supporting member 20, or the like becomes inconspicuous, and thus an appearance can be improved.

[0081] Although embodiments of a wash-basin according to the present invention is described hereinbefore, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit thereof.

[0082] For example, although an example in which the wash bowl portion 11 has a substantially quadrangular shape in plan view is described in some embodiments, the shape of the wash bowl portion 11 is not particularly limited. The present invention is applicable in the same manner even when the shape of the wash bowl portion is, for example, a circle, a semicircle, a polygon, and the like.

[0083] For example, in a modification example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a wash-basin 10A has a circular shape. A substantially semicircular wash bowl portion 11A and the back portion 14 having a water faucet attaching portion on the back side of the wash bowl portion 11A are provided in the wash-basin. The wash-basin 10A according to the modification example is a type that does not abut against a wall, and the step portion 12A is formed over an entire periphery of the outer peripheral surface 12c of the outer lateral portion 12 having the hollow portion 12f. The recessed groove 16A (recessed portion) is formed on a lower surface side of the wash-basin 10A of the modification example in a boundary portion between a peripheral edge portion connected to an outer peripheral portion of the wash bowl portion 11A (the mounting portion 12b of the outer lateral portion 12) and the wash bowl portion 11.

[0084] Although the first recessed groove 16A is continuously provided in the outer lateral surface 11f of the wash bowl portion 11 in some embodiments, the first recessed groove may be partially provided. Although a configuration where both of the first recessed groove 16A and the second recessed grooves 16B are provided, any one of the first recessed groove and the second recessed grooves may be provided. In addition, a structure in which the recessed grooves 16A and 16B are not provided may be adopted.

[0085] The material of the wash-basin 10 is not limited to ceramics; the wash-basin may be made of a resin. In a case where the wash-basin is made of a resin, the outer lateral portion 12 can be made without having the hollow portion 12f, and thus sharper design can be realized.

[0086] Although the wash-basin 10 having the peripheral edge portion supported by the supporting member 20, such as a counter, a wash-basin having a structure in which the back surface portion 14b is attached to a wall having a vertical surface, instead of being mounted on the supporting member 20, may be adopted. In this case, the step portion 12A formed in the outer lateral portion 12 is not in contact with the supporting member 20, and there is no effect of the caulking-processed portion described above becoming inconspicuous. However, the step portion can be easily cleaned.

[0087] It is possible to replace the configuration elements described herein with known configuration elements as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0088] In addition, the present invention is not limited by the description made above, and is limited only by the accompanying claims.

[0089] In some embodiments, caulking-treatment in the boundary portion between the wash-basin and the supporting member, or the like becomes inconspicuous, and thus the appearance can be improved.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0090] 10: wash-basin [0091] 11: wash bowl portion [0092] 11b: peripheral edge portion [0093] 11c: inner surface [0094] 11f: outer lateral surface [0095] 12: outer lateral portion [0096] 12A: step portion [0097] 12a: connecting portion [0098] 12b: mounting portion [0099] 12c: outer peripheral surface [0100] 12g: step lower surface [0101] 12h: step side surface [0102] 12i: peripheral edge [0103] 14: back portion [0104] 14c: water faucet provided portion [0105] 14d: connecting portion [0106] 14e: mounting portion [0107] 15: fixing portion [0108] 16A: first recessed groove [0109] 16B: second recessed groove [0110] 17: connection portion [0111] 20: supporting member [0112] 23: caulking-processed portion [0113] 30: rim

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US20190323216A1 – US 20190323216 A1

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