EP0908565B1

EP0908565B1 - Sink for kitchens, bathrooms and the like

Info

Publication number: EP0908565B1
Application number: EP19970500145
Authority: EP
Inventors: Norah Martha Benas De Brigante
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-08-26
Filing date: 1997-08-25
Publication date: 2003-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2017-08-25
Also published as: HK1020588A1; BR7700405U; ES2208851T3; EP0908565A1; DE69725310D1; DE69725310T2; AR002221A4

Description

The present invention relates to a sink for kitchens, bathrooms and the like, whose cost of manufacture is substantially lower than that of the known sinks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Widely known in the art are sinks for kitchens, bathrooms and the like, which are made up of a body and have fitted into their drainage outlet a valve provided with a plurality of orifices to permit water to pass through the drainage outlet.
In the known sinks said valve is a part independent of the body of the sink, the valve being fitted during the sink manufacturing process.
Moreover, in the known sinks said valve includes a closure fitment which permits the passage of water through the drainage outlet to be closed off. This closure fitment can be a plug which is independent of the valve or a movable fitment incorporated into the valve, which must be fitted during the sink manufacturing process.
The valves are usually fixed to the drainage outlet by perimetric welding, while to the underside they are attached by means of a clamp to the pipe which leads to the U-bend, thereby achieving a watertight seal between the valve outlet and the pipe. The closure fitment is usually basket-shaped and is attached to the valve by means of a bolt, allowing the closure fitment to move with respect to the valve.
Clearly, this construction is complex and expensive, involving a high percentage of waste material due to the sections which must be cut out and hollowed in the manufacturing of said components.
The sink of the invention for kitchens, bathrooms and the like, which sink calls for a much simpler manufacturing process and substantially lower manufacturing cost, has been designed in order to solve the aforesaid disadvantages, while at the same time fulfilling a function identical to that of the currently known sinks.
Patent GB-A-1 298 801 refers to a sink liner formed as one-piece moulding of a synthetic plastic material for fitment in a kitchen sink when peeling or cleaning vegetables. He has a cylindrical spigot projected downwardly for fitment within the outlet of the sink, said liner including a portion, which is perforated and used as a strainer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The sink for kitchens, bathrooms and the like is made up of a body whose lower part includes an outlet provided with a plurality of orifices which allow water to pass towards a drainage pipe, said outlet being formed of a single piece with the rest of the sink body and being a cavity provided with a plurality of orifices formed in the bottom of the body is characterized in that said outlet is a valve including a movable closure fitment made up of a basket-shaped body which is attached by means of a bolt to a lower linking body which is welded to the bottom part of the valve, in such a way that in a first position allows water to pass through the orifices towards the drainage pipe and in a second position closes off the passage of water.
This characteristic provides a sink whose manufacturing process is much simpler, with considerable saving of materials and labour.
The sink of the invention also provides the following advantages:
a) Reduction of the following processes in die-pressing of the valve:
- cutting of strips;
- cutting of discs;
- die-pressing the valve body;
- cutting away of excess material from the die-pressing process;
b) Reduction of the cost of polishing, since it is included in the cost of polishing the sink;
c) Easier installation;
d) Lower consumption of materials:
- the greater cost, pertaining to the main valve body, is eliminated, for that body now forms a single piece with the sink body;
- reduced size of the lower base which is attached to the central part of the bottom of the sink, which is the site of the drainage outlet, since the diameter of the drainage outlet is some 50% smaller than the orifice which forms the drainage outlet in the known sinks;
- smaller measurements of the leaktightness gasket required to seal the bottom part;
e) Prevents the possibility of water leaks around the valve periphery due to faulty installation or damage to the leaktightness gasket which seals the valve against the sink;.
f) Prevents the accumulation of dirt on the edge of the valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the matters described in this specification some drawings are attached which, solely by way of example, show a practical case of embodiment of the sink of the invention.
Figure 1 is an elevation view in cross-section of the sink of the invention for kitchens, bathrooms and the like; and
Figure 2 is a plan view of the sink of the invention for kitchens, bathrooms and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As can be appreciated in Figure 1, the sink of the invention is made up of a body 1 whose lower part has a cavity 2 which functions as a valve. This valve 2 forms a single piece with the rest of the sink body 1.
As can be appreciated in Figure 2, the valve 2 is provided with a plurality of orifices 3 which permit the outlet of water towards the pipes (not shown).
The sink of the invention also includes a closure fitment 4 which permits selective opening or closure of the passage of water through the orifices 3 of the valve 2. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of said closure fitment, which is made up of a basket-shaped body 4 which is attached by means of a bolt 5 to a lower linking body 6 which is welded to the bottom part of the valve 2.
In order to assist understanding, Figure 2 shows the sink of the invention without any closure fitment, showing clearly that the valve 2 forms a single piece with the rest of the sink.
As is obvious, the closure fitment of the valve does not necessarily have to be that shown in Figure 1.
Independent of the object of the invention will be the materials used in manufacture of the sink components, the shapes and dimensions of same and all accessory details which might be presented, as long as they do not affect its essential nature, which is set out in the attached claims.

Claims

Sink for kitchens, bathrooms and the like, which is made up of a body (1) whose lower part includes an outlet (2) provided with a plurality of orifices (3) which allow water to pass towards a drainage pipe, said outlet (2) being formed of a single piece with the rest of the sink body (1) and being a cavity provided with a plurality of orifices (3) formed in the bottom of the body (1), characterized in that said outlet (2) is a valve including a movable closure fitment (4) made up of a basket-shaped body (4) which is attached by means of a bolt (5) to a lower linking body (6) which is welded to the bottom part of the valve (2), in such a way that in a first position allows water to pass through the orifices towards the drainage pipe and in a second position closes off the passage of water.