EP2072694A2 - Sink - Google Patents

Abstract

The sink (1) has a sink bowl (2) and a tray surface (3). A heating unit is provided below the tray surface for heating tray surface, so that the tray surface is usable as warm retaining area (11). A heating element of the heating unit is fixed at the lower surface of the tray surface. The tray surface is made from glass, metal, particularly high-grade steel or a composite material, particularly acrylic quartz.

Description

The invention relates to a sink with at least one sink and at least one shelf.

Rinsing of the type mentioned are already known for decades and are used in the kitchen area essentially for rinsing dishes and for parking lots of kitchen items.

The object of the invention is now to expand the range of use known for decades rinsing.

According to the invention, a heating device for heating the storage area is provided for this purpose so that the storage area can be used as a holding area. The invention considerably extends the field of application of a sink. The storage space can thus be used not only for parking used or washed dishes, but at the same time as a warming surface for cups, plates, plates and other utensils, preferably made of ceramic, as well as prepared food and the like. By the invention, the storage space of the sink has a double function.

This can be dispensed with known from the prior art, electrically heated holding devices that are either permanently installed in kitchen countertops or are turned off as individual appliances in the kitchen area. In the known warming devices are separate units that are not only relatively expensive, but also have a significant amount of space. By the invention, it is ultimately possible, even with smaller kitchens, which have no sufficient space for a separate heater, to realize the warming function, namely by the footprint of the sink according to the invention, which is necessary anyway.

Finally, it has been recognized in the context of the present invention that the storage area of the sink, if it is used as a warming surface is needed before meals and then on the shelf in usually no used dishes. After meals, when it is no longer necessary to keep warm, the same area is then used in its original function, namely as a storage area. As a rule, the events in the kitchen do not overlap the processes "keeping warm before meals" and "stopping or rinsing off after meals".

Finally, the embodiment of the invention has the advantage that the holding surface also facilitates the Abspülvorgang when rinsed dishes is placed on a slightly heated storage area and results in a faster drying of the dishes due to the heated storage area.

In principle, it is possible to provide the heater above the shelf, so that heat is radiated down and thus results in heating the shelf. Of particular advantage, it is, however, that the heating device is provided below the shelf, so that the space above the shelf for free use is available and the handling of the user is not limited. The arrangement of the heater below the shelf and an accidental contact with the heater is excluded by the operator.

For ease of manufacture and assembly of the sink according to the invention, it is advisable that at least one heating element of the heater is fixed to the underside of the shelf, wherein the heating of the shelf takes place at least substantially by heat conduction. However, the heat transfer can be done additionally or separately by convection and / or radiation. Thus, the sink with the heater is a structural unit that can be manufactured as such and also installed.

Basically, there are different ways to operate the heater. A simple and preferred embodiment is to electrically operate the heater, wherein it is appropriate to provide a bottom electrical connection for the heater. In this way, the electrical connection remains invisible from the outside.

It is particularly advantageous that the heating element is designed so that the heat which can be emitted during operation does not exceed a predetermined limit value. By such an intrinsically safe heating device can be completely dispensed with thermostats or other temperature monitoring units and both the susceptibility and the production costs can be reduced thereby. Moreover, overheating of the storage area can be prevented in any case by the intrinsically safe heating without costly security measures.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the heating element is designed as a surface heating element or as a particular loop-shaped resistance heating, whose material, length and / or diameter are adapted to the limit for the maximum heat releasable. A corresponding adjustment is also present in the case of the surface heating element.

With the aforementioned intrinsic safety by resistance heating can be easily created an electrically heated storage area, which make it possible that a maximum system temperature without other control elements, such as thermostats, is not exceeded. Another positive aspect of this solution is that the system as a whole requires a low electrical power.

Particularly preferred in this context is that the heating element is designed as an elongated flat Widerstandsheizleiter, ultimately thus represents a mixed form between the heating wire and Flächenheizelement, this element is then printed or glued to the underside of the shelf. This results in a simple planar contact of the heating element to the underside of the storage area and thus a good heat transfer and at the same time a simple attachment of the heating element.

Moreover, it is of particular advantage that the heater in the installed state of the sink does not survive on the underside of the thickness of the worktop. Characterized in that the heating element, in particular including the connection remains within the worktop thickness, this will obstruct any built-under dishwasher, drawers or the like.

In principle, the shelf can be made of any material. In particular, the shelf consists of glass, metal or a composite material, such as acrylic quartz or the like. In the case of a storage area consisting of glass, the sink as a whole usually consists of different components. Thus, the upper side or the upper sink body of the sink made of glass, in particular safety glass, wherein an opening is provided in the region of the sink. Under this breakthrough then a sink, preferably made of stainless steel, attached, in particular glued under. The sink can overall but also in one piece made of metal (usually stainless steel), in which case both the sink and the shelf made of metal.

While it is basically possible to provide grooves or raised areas on the storage area, it is useful in the present invention if the storage area is at least partially planar. Preferably, the predominant area, in particular more than 70% of the storage area, should be flat on the upper side. In this way, a good surface heat transfer when using the storage area as a warming surface on the parts to be heated, which are located on the shelf, be guaranteed.

In the case of a storage area consisting of glass, there are two alternatives for arranging the heating element. On the one hand, the heating element can be printed directly on the underside of the storage area. Subsequently, a decorative paint is applied. Then the unit is burned. In this variant, the heating element is visible from above through the storage area, which makes it easier for the user to recognize the heated area and to arrange the material to be heated thereon. In the other alternative, at least one color layer is first applied to the underside of the storage surface and then baked. It is understood that it is also possible to print different colors / layers in order to highlight the area of the holding surface. Subsequently, the heating element is printed on the baked ink layer and a renewed baking process is performed. The heating spiral is not visible from above. Especially at the The last-mentioned embodiment makes provision, on the upper side of the storage area, for markings, in particular in the form of prints or centering elements, for indicating the location of the lower-side heating element and for arranging the material to be heated.

In order to ensure in particular corrosion protection by possibly from below, for example, by a possibly rising from a dishwasher water vapor, a liquid-protective cover for the heating element and / or the electrical connection is provided on the underside. It is preferred in this context that the cover is applied to the heating layer, sealing coating. At the same time, the coating can also be designed as thermal insulation, which has the advantage that under the heater located parts, such as in drawers located objects, are not affected.

To control the heater manually controllable control means are provided by the operator. Although it is in principle possible to provide these control means also away from or away from the sink, in view of the fact that the sink is a unit which can be handled in a uniform manner, it is advisable to arrange the control means at the top of the sink.

The control means may be any means for actuating the heater, in particular sensors, pushbuttons and rotary or slide control.

In principle, it is possible to design the control means as a simple on / off switch, wherein the heater then has only one possible heat level. It is preferred, however, if the heating power of the heating device via the control means in predetermined levels or is infinitely adjustable. The heating power should be adjustable so that a temperature between 20 ° C and 120 °, in particular between 30 ° C and 90 ° C is adjustable. It is understood that the heater is to be formed according to the material used in the storage area accordingly.

In order not to inadvertently penetrate moisture from the top of the sink through the sink body, the sink is sealed in particular in the region of any openings for the control means.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing and the drawing itself. The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and described below.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Spüle,

Fig. 2

eine Unteransicht der Spüle aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf eine andere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Spüle,

Fig. 4

eine teilweise Schnittansicht der Abstellfläche einer erfindungsgemäßen Spüle,

Fig. 5

eine der Fig. 4 entsprechende Ansicht einer anderen Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Spüle,

Fig. 6

eine der Fig. 4 entsprechende Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Spüle und

Fig. 7

eine Vorderansicht einer montierten Spüle im Einbauzustand.

It shows

Fig. 1

a top view of a sink according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a bottom view of the sink Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a top view of another embodiment of a sink according to the invention,

Fig. 4

a partial sectional view of the storage area of a sink according to the invention,

Fig. 5

one of the Fig. 4 corresponding view of another embodiment of a sink according to the invention,

Fig. 6

one of the Fig. 4 corresponding representation of another embodiment of a sink according to the invention and

Fig. 7

a front view of a mounted sink in the installed state.

In the drawing, various rinses 1 are shown. The sinks 1 each have at least one sink 2 and at least one storage area 3.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to embodiments with only one sink 2 and only one storage space 3. Rinse 1 may in principle also have two sinks 2 and / or two shelves and rest basin or the like.

It is now provided that the sink 1 is associated with a heater 4, which serves to heat the storage area 3, so that the storage area 3 can also be used as a warming area and thus fulfills a dual function. As can be seen from a comparison of Fig. 1 and 2 shows, the heater 4, which has at least one heating element 5, attached to the bottom 6 of the storage area 3, wherein the heating of the storage area 3 and the Guts to be heated at least substantially by heat conduction. However, the heat transfer can be done additionally or separately by convection and / or radiation. The heater 4 is electrically operated in the present case and has for this purpose a lower-side electrical connection 7, which may be a plug, a plug receptacle or another electrical connection element. The heating element 5 is presently designed so that the deliverable amount of heat can not exceed a predetermined limit or a predetermined temperature, even without thermostats or other temperature monitoring units are provided. This is ultimately an intrinsically safe heating element 5.

As it turned out Fig. 2 results, the heating element 5 is mounted in meander loops on the bottom 6 of the storage area 3. In the present case, the heating element 5 is an elongate flat resistance heating conductor which has the cross-sectional shape of an elongated rectangle. It is understood that instead of the flat Widerstandsheizleiters basically a flat, such as rectangular or round Flächenheizelement that covers a large part of the bottom 6 of the shelf 3, can also be used as a Widerstandsheizdraht, then be provided a larger number of meander loops can. In the illustrated embodiment, the flat Widerstandsheizleiter is printed on the bottom 6 of the shelf 3.

In the in the Fig. 1 and 2 illustrated embodiment, the storage surface 3 of the sink 1 made of glass. It is then understood that the storage area 3 is formed by a glass plate, which makes up the entire upper part of the sink 1. In the area of the sink 3 is a breakthrough 8, under which the sink 2 is attached, in particular glued under. In the illustrated embodiment with a glass shelf, a 10 mm thick safety glass is provided, the minimum thickness should be 6 mm. At the in Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment, the sink 1 made of stainless steel, wherein the sink 2 is deep-drawn. It is understood that this can in principle also be welded to the sink body.

At the in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment, the top 9 of the shelf 3 is flat, while in the in Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment, two mutually parallel stages 10 are provided. Although this is not shown, the heating element 5 is in this embodiment only in the lying between the two stages 10 area, which thus forms a holding portion 11. However, it goes without saying that the region lying outside the steps can also be provided with a heating element on the underside, so that these regions can also constitute holding regions.

In the 4 to 6 are different Ausflümmgsformen in connection with the underside mounted on the shelf 3 heating element 5 shown. At the in Fig. 4 illustrated embodiment, the heating element 5 is applied directly to the bottom 6 of the storage area 3. Below the heating element 5 is a sealing coating as a cover 12. In the in Fig. 5 illustrated embodiment is located directly on the bottom 6 a baked ink layer 13. Below the color layer 13 is the heating element 5, which in turn is covered by the cover 12 downwards. In the embodiment according to Fig. 6 the heating element 5 is in turn attached directly to the underside 6 of the storage surface 3, wherein the heating element 5 and not covered by the heating element 5 areas of the bottom 6 are covered by an overlying paint layer 13. The conclusion towards the bottom forms the ultimately intended for corrosion protection cover 12th

For controlling the heating device 4 control means 14 are provided. The arrangement of the control means 14 on the sink 1 is arbitrary. At the in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment, the control means 14 are close to the sink 2, while in the in Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment the Control means 14 are provided at the edge of the sink 1 remote from the sink 2. Is the upper rinse body of glass, as in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 is provided, it is in the control means 14 is preferably a sensor (touch control), while in the in Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment with the existing metal storage area 3, a sliding or rotary control is provided. Via the control means 14, the heater 4 is not only switched on and off, but also adjustable, so that there is a temperature adjustment range between a minimum of 20 ° C and a maximum of 120 ° C. It is understood that all lying within the aforementioned interval intervals and ranges are basically possible, for example, 30 ° C to 100 ° C, 30 ° C to 80 ° C or 30 ° C to 70 ° C.

In Fig. 7 is a possible installation situation shown. The sink 1 according to the invention is inserted into an unspecified installation opening of a worktop 15. The area of the shelf 3 partly surmounted by another kitchen appliance, in this case a dishwasher 16. It can be seen that the heater 4 including the heating element 5 and the terminal 7 remain within the thickness of the worktop 15, so do not survive downwards, so that the Dishwasher 16 is not hindered by this. Below the sink 2 are drain pipes 17. To the terminal 7, an electrical supply cable 18 is connected, which is connected at the end to a power connection, not shown.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

kitchen sink

2

Sink

3

shelf

4

heater

5

heating element

6

bottom

7

Connection

8th

breakthrough

9

top

10

step

11

Holding area

12

cover

13

coat of paint

14

control means

15

countertop

16

dishwasher

17

drain pipe

18

power cable

Claims (15)

Sink (1) with at least one sink (2) and at least one shelf (3)
characterized,
that a heating device (4) is provided for heating the storage surface (3) so that the bearing surface (3) is provided as a holding area (11) for tableware and food available. Sink according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat transfer takes place at least substantially by heat conduction, convection and / or radiation. Sink according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heating device (4) is provided below the shelf (3). Sink according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one heating element (5) of the heating device (4) on the underside (6) of the shelf (3) is fixed. Sink according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating device (4) is electrically operated and that, preferably, a lower-side electrical connection (7) for the heating device (4) is provided. Sink according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating element (5) is designed so that the heat which can be emitted during operation does not exceed a predetermined limit value. Sink according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating element (5) is designed in particular as a meander loop-shaped resistance heating element or as a resistance surface heating element. Sink unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating element (5) is designed as a flat resistance heating conductor and is printed or glued onto the underside (6) of the storage surface (3). Sink according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating device (4) in the installed state of the sink (1) on the underside does not project beyond the thickness of the worktop (15). Sink according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the case of a storage surface (3) consisting of glass, the heating element (5) is printed directly on the underside (6) of the storage surface (3), on the underside (9) printed on the heating element (5). 6) a color layer (13), in particular decorative color layer provided and the layer composite is baked. Sink unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the case of a storage surface (3) consisting directly of glass, a preferably baked ink layer (13), in particular a decorative color layer, is provided on the ink layer (13), the heating element (5 ) and the layer composite is baked. Sink according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cover (12) for the heating element (5) and / or the electrical supply cable (7) for corrosion protection is provided on the underside. Sink according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (12) has a sealing coating applied to the heating element (5). Sink according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that manual control means (14), in particular sensors, pushbuttons, rotary or slide control, are provided for controlling the heating device (4). Sink according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating power of the heating device in predetermined stages and / or is infinitely adjustable, in particular in a temperature range between 20 ° C and 120 ° C.

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