AU2008100256A4 - An improved sink - Google Patents

Description

P001 Section 29 Regulaton 3.2(2))

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: AN IMPROVED SINK The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 00 O AN IMPROVED SINK c The present invention relates to improvements in sinks, particularly sinks of the type intended for domestic or commercial washing of crockery, cutlery and S other kitchen utensils.

S 5 Conventionally wash up sinks comprise one or two bowls adapted to retain water for a washing operation and to release water via a drain outlet. Normally, o when two bowls are provided they are located side by side with a dividing wall Otherebetween such that each bowl has its own separate drain and one or both Sbowls can be filled with water for a washing and/or rinsing operation. Such 00 0 10 conventional sinks may have a drainage platform on one or both opposed sides N of the bowl or bowls for placing articles, once washed rinsed, thereon to drain excess water therefrom. Conventional sinks of the abovementioned kind tend to require significant water usage, especially when two bowls are provided and used. Moreover, a single bowl sink of this type generally is too small to allow convenient washing of larger parts or implements, for example barbeque plates including grill plates, and a conventional double bowl sink is equally no more convenient to use when larger articles must be washed because the individual bowls are generally no larger than a single bowl sink.

The objective of the present invention is to provide an improved sink design that may be used in a conventional manner when conventional or small sized articles are to be washed but may also be conveniently used when larger articles are to be washed.

According to the invention there is provided a sink having an upper region and a first bowl depending downwardly from said upper region adapted to contain water with at least one drainage opening leading from said first bowl, said sink including at least one second region adapted to contain water depending downwardly from said upper region and being located immediately adjacent said first bowl, the or each said second region having a second region base wall spaced above a first bowl base wall without any wall structure between the or each said second region and said first bowl located above said second region base wall(s) whereby when water fills said sink to a level above the or each said second region base wall, said water freely flows between said first bowl and said second region(s).

00 In one preferred embodiment the sink may include one said first bowl and one said second region immediately adjacent said one first bowl. In a second preferred embodiment, the sink may include one first bowl and a pair of said second regions located on opposite sides of said first bowl. Conveniently, the S 5 only drainage outlet from the sink is provided leading from the first bowl and the or each said second regions are free of any drainage outlet.

tConveniently the upper region includes a peripheral flange and a ledge Smeans spaced downwardly from said peripheral flange, said ledge means including at least ledge sections located on opposed side edge regions of said O0 0 10 sink extending along at least a portion of the first bowl and an adjacent said 1 second region. The ledge means is provided to allow an additional element such as a chopping board, basket, or auxiliary bowl to be supported on the ledge means at their opposed edge regions and to be positioned over the sink in various positions by moving the additional element along the ledge means.

Conveniently the ledge sections as defined above are formed as a continuous ledge located below the peripheral flange.

In a further preferred arrangement, at least one drainage platform is positioned immediately adjacent either a said second region or said first bowl, the or each said drainage platform being located at a height above the or each said second region base wall(s). The drainage platform or platforms may drain directly into the adjacent said second region or the first bowl.

The invention will be better understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is an upper perspective view of a sink according to one preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig 2 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sink shown in Fig 1 showing the sink partially filled with washing water; and Fig 3 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sink similar to Fig 2 showing the sink fully filled with washing water.

Referring to the drawings, the sink 10 is shown with an upper region 11 having a peripheral flange 12 adapted, in use, to be fitted at bench height in a kitchen, laundry or similar area. The sink may conveniently be pressed from a suitable metal such as stainless steel but other materials and methods of forming 00 O may equally be used. The sink includes a peripheral ledge 13 located below the N flange 12. Other arrangements might also be provided where the ledge is Sformed, for example only on the opposed sides 14, 15 or only on the opposed ends 16, 17. The intention with the ledge 13 is that it will allow auxiliary elements N 5 such as a chopping board, drainage basket or auxiliary bowl to be supported on opposed edges on the ledge 13 and if desired, moved there along to be positioned as desired.

OThe sink 10 further includes a first relatively deep bowl 18 having a centrally located drainage outlet 19 in a base wall 20, the drainage outlet being of 00 0 10 any known or conventional structure. A second region 21 of the sink 10 is C provided immediately adjacent the first bowl 18, the second region 21 includes a second region base wall 22 positioned generally mid way or intermediate the upper flange 12 and the base wall 20 of the first bowl 18. An upright wall 23 separates the second region 21 from the base wall 20 of the first bowl 18 but does not extend above the level of the base wall 22 of the second region 21.

Conveniently the sink 10 includes upright side walls 24, 25 and upright end walls 26, 27 to contain water within the sink when desired. As is shown in Fig 2, if small conventional articles are to be washed, the sink may be filled to a level 28 just below the second region base wall 22. If larger articles are to be washed, then the sink may be filled to a level covering the second region base wall 22 as shown at 29 in Fig 3. When the water is to be drained, it all may flow out through the drainage outlet 19.

Various modifications of the sink arrangement are anticipated. Such modifications include the possibility of providing two second regions 21 generally as described above with a said second region 21 being located on opposite sides of the single bowl 18. The second region base walls 22 may be located at the same height or at differing heights relative to the base wall 20 of the first bowl 18.

In another possible arrangement one or possibly two drainage platforms integrally formed with the sink 10 may be provided draining into the first bowl 18, the second region 21 or both the first bowl 18 and the second region 21. Other modifications or alternative arrangements within the scope of the annexed claims are also anticipated. For example, a conventional overflow drain outlet may be provided from an upper region of the sink walls 24 to 27.

Claims (4)

1. A sink having an upper region and a first bowl depending downwardly from Ssaid upper region adapted to contain water with at least one drainage opening c leading from said first bowl, said sink including at least one second region adapted to contain water depending downwardly from said upper region and INbeing located immediately adjacent said first bowl, the or each said second region having a second region base wall spaced above a first bowl base wall without any wall structure between the or each said second region and said first bowl located 00oo above said second region base wall(s) whereby when water fills said sink to a c 10 level above the or each said second region base wall, said water freely flows between said first bowl and said second region(s).

2. A sink according to claim 1 wherein the or each said second region is free of any drainage outlet.

3. A sink according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the upper region includes a peripheral flange and a ledge means spaced downwardly from said peripheral flange, said ledge means including at least ledge sections located on opposed side edge regions of said sink extending along at least a portion of the first bowl and an adjacent said second region.

4. A sink according to claim 3 wherein said ledge sections are formed as a continuous peripheral ledge located below said peripheral flange. A sink according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein at least one drainage platform is positioned immediately adjacent either a said second region or said first bowl, the or each said drainage platform being located at a height above the or each said second region base wall(s). IMA DESIGN PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS UIP1169AU00