EP2884013B1 - Seamless undermount stainless steel sink system - Google Patents

Seamless undermount stainless steel sink system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2884013B1
EP2884013B1 EP14020023.9A EP14020023A EP2884013B1 EP 2884013 B1 EP2884013 B1 EP 2884013B1 EP 14020023 A EP14020023 A EP 14020023A EP 2884013 B1 EP2884013 B1 EP 2884013B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stainless steel
sink
countertop
mounting
steel sink
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP14020023.9A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP2884013A1 (en
Inventor
Mehmet Hocaoglu
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Individual
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Individual
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/12—Plumbing installations for waste water; Basins or fountains connected thereto; Sinks
    • E03C1/18—Sinks, whether or not connected to the waste-pipe
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/12—Plumbing installations for waste water; Basins or fountains connected thereto; Sinks
    • E03C1/32—Holders or supports for basins
    • E03C1/33—Fastening sinks or basins in an apertured support
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/12—Plumbing installations for waste water; Basins or fountains connected thereto; Sinks
    • E03C1/32—Holders or supports for basins
    • E03C1/33—Fastening sinks or basins in an apertured support
    • E03C1/335—Fastening sinks or basins in an apertured support the fastening means comprising a screw
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49428—Gas and water specific plumbing component making

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to a system comprising a rimless stainless steel sink structured and disposed to be undermounted to a solid countertop, such as granite or marble, wherein an upper interface between the stainless steel sink and the solid countertop comprises an upper seal which prevents water, bacteria, or debris from entering between the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink and the top surface of the solid countertop.
  • the present invention is further directed to a method for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink to a solid countertop including but not limited to granite or marble.
  • Stainless steel is the most popular sink style on the market today and provides a complementary match to many kitchen appliances, such as, refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, water coolers, etc., which are also available in stainless steel or stainless steel finish. Sinks made of stainless steel offer numerous benefits including resistance to chipping, cracking or peeling. Furthermore, stainless steel sinks will not rust or fade, and they are easy to clean and maintain for long periods of time relative to other materials of construction.
  • topmount sink such as is shown in Figure 1 - PRIOR ART Topmount Sink.
  • a wide flange extends completely around the topmount sink such that when the topmount sink is positioned through a cut-out in a solid material countertop, the flange rests on the top surface of the countertop and is secured thereto via adhesives and/or mechanical fasteners.
  • the interface between the flange and the top surface of the countertop provides a place for water, moisture, bacteria, food, and other debris to accumulate thereby creating a visually unappealing and potentially unsanitary condition around the stainless steel sink.
  • undermount sink Another common type of stainless steel sink for mounting to a countertop is an undermount sink.
  • FIG 2 An example of a PRIOR ART Undermount Sink is illustrated in Figure 2 .
  • the undermount sink comprises a much narrower flange which is structured and disposed to enable the sink to be attached to the bottom surface of a solid countertop below a sink cut-out therethrough.
  • undermount sinks have flat rims or flanges around the edges which may be glued and/or mechanically mounted to the bottom surface of the countertop using mounting clips and screws.
  • the lip or sidewall of the sink cut out through the solid countertop must be finished to match the top surface, as it remains readily visible.
  • flush-Mount a so-called “Flush-Mount” sink which has a much narrower and flatter rim or flange around the top.
  • These flush mount sinks are structured to be mounted to a solid countertop through the top, wherein the narrow flat rim or flange rests in an equally narrow and thin recess cut into the solid countertop around the sink cut-out.
  • the combination of the narrow flat flange and the recess cut into the countertop serves to approximate a "flush-mount” appearance.
  • a seamless stainless steel sink system for installation to a solid material countertop including, but not limited to, granite or marble, which eliminates an interface where water, moisture, bacteria, food, and/or other debris can accumulate and create unsightly and unsanitary conditions. It would be further advantageous for such a seamless stainless steel sink system to utilize standard fabrication materials and techniques in order to provide an economical alternative to the aforementioned "flush-mount" stainless steel sinks systems. It would further be helpful for such a seamless stainless steel sink system to accommodate a variety of popular sink configurations including, but not limited to, rectangular, oval, kidney shaped, etc. Another benefit may be obtained by providing a stainless steel sink having a recessed divider between bowls to allow for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink having more than one bowl.
  • EP 1 422 352 A2 describes sink systems, in which a sink, in particular rimless sinks made of glass, having a flange glued to the sink, is mounted to a countertop. Different flange arrangements are shown, which either allow a top mounting or a bottom mounting of the sink.
  • FR 2 792 345 A1 relates to a rimless sink system, in which the sink is glued into a mounting aperture of a countertop.
  • FR 2 757 031 A1 also relates to a sink system, showing in one embodiment a rimless sink, which is supported by inclined walls of a mounting aperture. Attention is also drawn to US 2 080 573 A , which relates to a sink and countertop construction.
  • the sink is specified as an enameled cast iron sink of the undermount type having a circumferentially extending horizontal mounting flange comprising a groove for housing a sealing material.
  • the sink may also have an upwardly extending flange to extend into a cutout in the countertop, in which case the sealing material in the groove is extending upwardly into a space formed between the upwardly extending flange and the cutout in the countertop.
  • the present invention is directed to a seamless undermount stainless steel sink system and a method for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink, as set forth in claims 1 and 7, respectively.
  • a seamless undermount stainless steel sink system in accordance with the present invention comprises a stainless steel sink and a solid countertop.
  • the solid countertop comprises a stone material of construction such as, but not limited to granite or marble.
  • the solid countertop has a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface at least partially define a thickness therebetween, and in at least one embodiment, the thickness of the solid countertop remains substantially the same between the top surface and the bottom surface.
  • a sink mounting aperture is disposed through the solid countertop, and the sink mounting aperture comprises an inner periphery.
  • the present system further comprises a stainless steel sink, and the stainless steel sink includes a sidewall which partially forms at least one bowl.
  • the stainless steel sink comprises a plurality of bowls separated from one another by a corresponding recessed divider, as discussed in further detail below.
  • a stainless steel sink in accordance with the present invention further comprises a rimless upper edge along and around the sidewall, and an outer periphery is defined around the rimless upper edge.
  • the present seamless undermount stainless steel sink system also includes a mounting assembly which is structured to securely mount the stainless steel sink to the solid countertop.
  • the mounting assembly comprises at least one mounting bracket attached to a portion of the stainless steel sink at a predetermined mounting depth below the rimless upper end of the stainless steel sink, and in one further embodiment, the mounting assembly comprises a plurality of mounting brackets each being attached to a portion of the stainless steel sink, and each being positioned at a predetermined mounting depth below the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink.
  • a mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention includes a sink flange, which is utilized to attach the mounting flange to a portion of the stainless steel sink, and a countertop flange to secure the stainless steel sink to the solid countertop.
  • the countertop flange includes a countertop flange surface which, in at least one embodiment, is operatively disposed in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the sidewall of the stainless steel sink and is positioned at the predetermined mounting depth below the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink.
  • An upper interface is formed between the outer periphery of the stainless steel sink and the inner periphery of the solid countertop and, in accordance with the present invention, an upper seal is disposed in the upper interface between the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink and the top surface of the solid countertop. More importantly, the upper seal prevents water, moisture, bacteria, food, or debris from entering between the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink and the top surface of the solid countertop.
  • the present invention is further directed to a method for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink to a solid countertop, once again, including but not limited to granite or marble.
  • the present method includes fabricating a stainless steel sink with a rimless upper edge defining an outer periphery therearound, such as may be accomplished by hand fabrication.
  • the present method includes removing the mounting flange or lip from the stainless steel sink in order to obtain a rimless upper edge.
  • the present method further includes preparing a mounting template based on the outer periphery of the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink, and creating a sink mounting aperture through the solid countertop between a top surface and a bottom surface based on the mounting template, wherein the sink mounting aperture comprises an inner periphery configured to receive the outer periphery of the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink therethrough.
  • each mounting bracket has a sink flange and a countertop flange.
  • the countertop flange comprises a countertop flange surface which is positioned at the predetermined mounting depth below the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink, and the present method further includes attaching one mounting bracket to the stainless steel sink.
  • the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink is positioned through the sink mounting aperture of the solid countertop such that each countertop flange surface is adjacent to the bottom surface of the solid countertop, and the stainless steel sink is secured to the bottom surface of the solid countertop via the at least one mounting bracket.
  • the present method includes applying an upper seal along an upper interface between the outer periphery of the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink and the inner periphery of the sink mounting aperture through the solid countertop, wherein the upper seal prevents water, moisture, bacteria, and debris from entering between the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink and the top surface of the solid countertop.
  • the present invention is directed to a seamless undermount stainless steel sink system which is generally shown as 10 throughout the figures. More in particular, and with reference to Figure 5 , the present system 10 comprises a solid countertop 20 and a stainless steel sink 30. As is apparent from Figure 5 , an upper seal 54 between the solid countertop 20 and the upper edge of the stainless steel sink 30 provides a virtually seamless interface between the solid countertop 20 and the stainless steel sink 30.
  • a solid countertop 20 is constructed from a solid material including, but not limited to, granite, marble, limestone, quartz stone, engineered stone, for example, acrylic and polyester composite engineered stone, recycled glass, and hardwood.
  • the solid countertop 20 in accordance with the present invention comprises a top surface 22 and a bottom surface 24.
  • the top surface 22 and bottom surface 24 at least partially define a thickness 25 therebetween, which is discussed in greater detail below with regard to the seamless interface between the solid countertop 20 and the stainless steel sink 30.
  • the solid countertop 20 includes a sink mounting aperture 26 disposed therethrough.
  • the sink mounting aperture 26 may be created by cutting through the solid countertop 20 in accordance with a template or guide which is drawn, etched, or temporarily attached thereto.
  • the sink mounting aperture 26 may be formed via drilling and or sawing utilizing bits and/or blades which are specifically designed for cutting through stone materials, such as, once again, granite, marble, etc.
  • Figure 4 further illustrates a solid countertop 20 in accordance with the present invention wherein the sink mounting aperture 26 at least partially defines an inner periphery 27 which extends along and around the entire inner edge of the sink mounting aperture 26.
  • a seamless undermount stainless steel sink system 10 in accordance with the present invention further comprises a stainless steel sink 30.
  • a stainless steel sink 30 it is understood to be within the scope and intent of the present invention for a stainless steel sink 30 to be constructed of any of a variety of grades of stainless steel which are presently utilized for the formation of sinks including, but not limited to, Type 304 stainless steel, Type 302 stainless steel, and Type 316 stainless steel, as well as 200 series stainless steels, just to name a few.
  • the present seamless undermount stainless steel sink system 10 and installation methodology may also be utilized to install sinks formed of other metal or metal alloy materials, and/or for undermount installation of a sink to a solid countertop 20 wherein the solid countertop 20 comprises a stone material of construction including, but not limited to, granite, marble, etc.
  • FIG 3 is illustrative of one embodiment of a stainless steel sink 30 in accordance with the present system 10.
  • the stainless steel sink 30 shown in the embodiment of Figure 3 comprises a plurality of bowls 32 which are separated by a recessed divider 33.
  • Figure 3 further illustrates that each bowl 32 comprises a drain 34 disposed through a bottom portion thereof.
  • Figure 4 is illustrative of another embodiment of a stainless steel sink 30 in accordance with the present invention comprising a single bowl 32 having a single drain 34 disposed therein.
  • a stainless steel sink 30 in accordance with the system 10 in accordance with present invention comprises a sidewall 36 which at least partially defines the bowl or bowls 32.
  • the sidewall 36 comprises an inner wall 36' and an outer wall 36".
  • a stainless steel sink 30 in accordance with the present system 10 further comprises a rimless upper edge 38 which extends around the entirety of the sidewall 36.
  • a stainless steel sink 30 in accordance with the present invention comprises an outer periphery 39 which extends along and around the entirety of the sidewall 36 of the stainless steel sink 30 proximate the rimless upper edge 38 thereof.
  • the rimless upper edge 38 of the stainless steel sink 30 is required in order to achieve the seamless undermount of the stainless steel sink 30 to the solid countertop 20 in accordance with the present system 10.
  • a stainless steel sink 30 may be fabricated by hand with a rimless upper edge 38, however, mass production of stainless steel sinks 30 commonly employs a process wherein a single piece of stainless steel is drawn and formed into a sink 30 which includes a mounting flange 35 extending around and along the upper portion of a sidewall 36, such as is shown in Figure 7 .
  • a seamless undermount stainless steel sink system 10 in accordance with the present invention may require removal of a mounting flange 35 from the sidewall 36 of stainless steel sink 30 in order to obtain a rimless upper edge 38, such as is shown in Figure 7A .
  • a seamless undermount stainless steel sink system 10 in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention comprises a stainless steel sink 30 having a recessed divider 33, specifically to permit a mounting flange 35 from being removed such as is shown in Figures 7 and 7A , while maintaining a plurality of bowls 32 attached to one another, once again, as shown in Figure 3 .
  • a seamless undermount stainless steel sink system 10 in accordance with the present invention further comprises a mounting assembly generally shown as 40.
  • a mounting assembly 40 comprises at least one mounting bracket 42, however, in at least one embodiment, a mounting assembly 40 in accordance with the present system 10 comprises a plurality of mounting brackets 42, such as is shown in the illustrative embodiments of Figures 3 and 4 . In at least one embodiment (not shown), a single mounting bracket may be disposed around the entirety of the sidewall 36 of the stainless steel sink 30 in accordance with the present invention.
  • the sink 30 is positioned through the top of the mounting flange 35 and the mounting flange 35 is secured to the sidewalls 36, thus providing a single mounting bracket 42 which extends along and around the entire sidewall 36 of the stainless steel sink 30.
  • a mounting assembly 40 comprises a plurality of mounting brackets 42 which are attached to an outer wall 36" of a sidewall 36 of a stainless steel sink 30. More in particular, the plurality of mounting brackets 42 are positioned in a spaced apart arrangement around the sidewall 36 of the stainless steel sink 30, and are attached thereto in order to provide a plurality of points for securing the stainless steel sink 30 to the underside of a solid countertop 20 along a bottom surface 24 thereof.
  • FIG. 6A is illustrative of just one embodiment of a mounting bracket 42 in accordance with the present invention.
  • the mounting bracket 42 includes a sink flange 43 which is disposed at a substantially right angle to a countertop flange 44.
  • Figure 6A further illustrates that a countertop flange 44 comprises a countertop flange surface 45 which, as discussed in greater detail below, is positioned adjacent to bottom surface 24 of the solid countertop 20 in order to secure the stainless steel sink 30 to the solid countertop 20.
  • countertop flange 44 in at least one embodiment, includes one or more countertop flange apertures 46 such as shown again in Figure 6A .
  • the countertop flange aperture(s) 46 facilitate securing the mounting bracket 42 to the bottom surface 24 of the solid countertop 20, as discussed in further detail below.
  • FIG. 6 presents a partial cross-section view of one illustrative embodiment of a stainless steel sink 30 seamlessly mounted to a solid countertop 20 in accordance with the present invention.
  • a mounting bracket 42 comprises a sink flange 43 and a countertop flange 44 as previously disclosed, wherein the sink flange 43 is attached to an outer wall 36" of the sidewall 36 via a sink interconnect 43'.
  • a sink interconnect 43' may comprise any of a variety of means for securely attaching a sink flange 43 to the outer wall 36" of a stainless steel sink 30.
  • the sink interconnect 43' comprises a weld between the sink flange 43 and the outer wall 36" of the sidewall 36.
  • an appropriate adhesive such as, by way of example only, an epoxy or a polyester resin, is utilized as sink interconnect 43' in order to securely attach a sink flange 43 to the outer wall 36" of the sidewall 36.
  • the sink interconnect 43' comprises a mechanical fastener such as a screw, a bolt, a rivet, etc., in order to securely attach the sink flange 43 to the outer wall 36" of the stainless steel sink 30. It will further be appreciated that a combination of one or more sink interconnects 43' may be employed in order to further assure that the sink flange 43 is securely attached to the stainless steel sink 30.
  • a countertop interconnect 44' is utilized to securely attach a countertop flange 44 to a portion of the bottom surface 24 of the solid countertop 20.
  • the countertop interconnect 44' may comprise any of a variety of appropriate attachment means.
  • a countertop interconnect 44' comprises an epoxy resin in order to securely attach the countertop flange 44 to the bottom surface 24 the solid countertop 20, an in one further embodiment, a two-part epoxy resin is utilized as a countertop interconnect 44'.
  • the epoxy resin is permitted to flow through countertop flange aperture(s) 46 and onto the underside of the countertop flange 44 to further facilitate securely attaching the countertop flange 44 to the bottom surface 24 of the solid countertop 20.
  • a mechanical fastener such as a masonry screw may be utilized as a countertop interconnect 44' in order to securely attach countertop flange 44 to the bottom surface 24 of the solid countertop 20.
  • a combination of an adhesive and a mechanical fastener may be utilized as a countertop interconnect 44' in order to further assure that the countertop flange 44 is securely attached to the bottom surface 24 of the solid countertop 20.
  • mounting assembly 40 may comprise a mounting clip 49 which is secured into the bottom surface 24 of the solid countertop 20 via fastener 49'. As shown in Figure 6 , a portion of the mounting clip 49 extends over a portion of the countertop flange 44 in order to further assure that the countertop flange 44 remains securely attached to the bottom surface 24 of the solid countertop 20.
  • each mounting bracket 42 is securely attached to the outer wall 36" of the stainless steel sink 30 at a predetermined mounting depth 48. More in particular, and again as shown in Figure 4 , the countertop flange surface 45 of each mounting bracket 42 is disposed at a predetermined mounting depth 48 from the rimless upper edge 38 of the stainless steel sink 30. More in particular, a predetermined mounting depth 48 corresponds to the thickness 25 of the solid countertop 20. Present industry standards dictate that slid granite or marble countertops are provided with a thickness of either two centimeters or three centimeters.
  • the countertop flange surface 45 of the mounting bracket 42 is positioned at a predetermined depth 48 of eighteen millimeters below the rimless upper edge 38 of the stainless steel sink 30, for installation to a standard two centimeter thick solid countertop 20.
  • the countertop flange surface 45 of the mounting bracket 42 is positioned at a predetermined depth 48 of twenty-eight millimeters below the rimless upper edge 38 of the stainless steel sink 30.
  • the predetermined mounting depth 48 comprises a tolerance of plus or minus one millimeter relative to the thickness 25 of the solid countertop 20.
  • the predetermined mounting depth 48 at which the countertop flange surface 45 is positioned below the rimless upper edge 38 of the stainless steel sink 30 when the mounting flange is securely attached to the outer wall 36" of the stainless steel sink 30 must be no more nor no less than one millimeter of the thickness 25 of the solid countertop 20.
  • the rimless upper edge 38 will be within one millimeter of the top surface 22 of the solid countertop 20 which, as will be appreciated, permits the seamless installation of stainless steel sink 30 in accordance with the present system 10.
  • an upper interface 52 is formed between the inner periphery 27 of a sink mounting aperture 26 and the outer periphery 39 along the rimless upper edge 38.
  • an upper interface tolerance 52' must be one millimeter or less. Stated otherwise, the distance between the inner periphery 27 of a sink mounting aperture 26 and outer periphery 39 along the rimless upper edge 38 is one millimeter or less when a stainless steel sink 30 is mounted through a sink mounting aperture 26 of a solid countertop 20 in accordance with the present system 10.
  • the seamless undermount stainless steel sink system 10 in accordance with the present invention further comprises a sealing assembly 50.
  • the sealing assembly 50 includes an upper seal 54 which is applied along and around the upper interface 52 between the inner periphery 27 of sink mounting aperture 26 and the outer periphery 39 of the outer wall 36" of the stainless steel sink 30.
  • the upper seal 54 comprises an epoxy glue or an epoxy resin which will securely bond to both the solid countertop 20 and the stainless steel sink 30, thereby providing an essential impervious seal over and along the upper interface 52.
  • the upper seal 54 comprises a polyester resin to securely bond to both the solid countertop 20 and the stainless steel sink 30, once again, providing an essential impervious seal over and along the upper interface 52.
  • the upper seal 54 comprises a polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, an epoxy resin, an acrylic casting resin, or combinations thereof.
  • the upper seal 54 will serve to prevent water, moisture, bacteria, food, and/or other debris such as may be encountered in a sink environment from entering into the area between the solid countertop 20 and the stainless steel sink 30, in particular, into and through the upper interface 52 therebetween.
  • a top coat 55 is applied to the upper seal 54 wherein the top coat 55 is selected based on the color of the top surface 22 of the solid countertop 20 so as to camouflage the presence of the upper seal 54.
  • the top coat 55 in at least one embodiment, comprises a color matching epoxy or polyester resin selected to simulate the color of the solid countertop.
  • the upper seal 54 and/or top coat 55 may be further finished by sanding, buffing, etc., so as to further camouflage the presence of the upper seal 54, thereby enhancing the overall seamless appearance between stainless steel sink 30 and the solid countertop 20 along the upper seal 54, such as is shown best in Figure 5 .
  • a sealing assembly 50 in accordance with the present invention further comprises a lower seal 58, such as is shown in Figure 6 .
  • a lower seal 58 may comprise a waterproof silicone adhesive material which is utilized to seal a lower interface 56 between the outer wall 36" of the stainless steel sink 30 and the bottom surface 24 of the solid countertop 20.
  • the present invention further comprises a method for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink to a solid countertop, which is shown as 100 in Figure 8 .
  • the present method 100 includes fabricating a stainless steel sink with a rimless upper edge 110, wherein the rimless upper edge at least partially defines an outer periphery therearound. As previously stated, this may be accomplished via hand fabrication techniques, wherein the sink as fabricated is rimless. Alternatively, when a stainless steel sink is fabricated by drawing and/or forming via mass production techniques, a mounting flange must be removed from the top of the sink, such as via cutting via mechanical of laser cutter equipment.
  • fabricating a stainless steel sink with a rimless upper edge 100 requires that the front and rear sidewalls of the sink be essentially straight, with deviations long the sidewalls of less than one-half millimeter inward or outward.
  • the rimless upper edge must not have deviations of more than one millimeter along and around its entire length. That is to say, if the sink is placed upside down on a completely flat surface, there must not be more than a one millimeter gap between the rimless upper edge of the sink and the flat surface at any point between the upper edge and the surface.
  • the present method 100 further comprises preparing a mounting template 120 based on the outer periphery of the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink.
  • the mounting template may be prepared 120 by turning the sink upside down on a template medium, such as tracing paper, cardboard, etc.
  • the sink may be placed upside down directly on the solid countertop itself, and its outline traced directly thereon.
  • the present invention further provides for creating a sink mounting aperture through the solid countertop 130, wherein the mounting aperture extends between a top surface and a bottom surface of the solid countertop based on the mounting template.
  • the sink mounting aperture comprises an inner periphery configured to receive the outer periphery of the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink therethrough.
  • the present method includes positioning at least one mounting bracket at a predetermined mounting depth 140 below the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink.
  • the mounting bracket has a sink flange and a countertop flange, wherein the countertop flange comprises a countertop flange surface which is positioned at the predetermined mounting depth below the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink.
  • the present method 100 comprises attaching at least one mounting bracket to the stainless steel sink 150, and in one further embodiment, the present method comprises attaching a plurality of mounting brackets to the stainless steel sink 150, wherein each mounting bracket is positioned and attached to the stainless steel sink at the predetermined mounting depth below the rimless upper edge.
  • a sink interconnect 43' such as disclosed above, is utilized to securely attach the mounting bracket (s) to the stainless steel sink, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the method 100 of the present invention further comprises positioning the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink through the sink mounting aperture of the solid countertop 160, such that the countertop flange surface is adjacent to the bottom surface of the solid countertop.
  • the present method 100 further provides for securing the stainless steel sink to the bottom surface of the solid countertop via at least one mounting bracket 170.
  • the method 100 provides for securing the stainless steel sink to the bottom surface of the solid countertop via a plurality of mounting brackets 170.
  • a countertop interconnect 44' such as disclosed above, is utilized to secure the stainless steel sink to the solid countertop in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the present method for seamless undermount installation of a stainless steel sink to a solid countertop 100 further comprises applying an upper seal along an upper interface 180 between the outer periphery of the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink and the inner periphery of the sink mounting aperture through the solid countertop.
  • the upper seal may comprise a polyester resin, and in one further embodiment, the upper seal may comprise a color matched polyester resin.
  • the upper seal prevents water, moisture, bacteria, and debris from entering between the rimless upper edge of the stainless steel sink and the top surface of the solid countertop.
  • the top surface of the solid countertop may be masked around the inner periphery of the sink mounting aperture prior to applying the upper seal, so as to avoid unwanted application of the resin to the countertop itself.
  • a top coat is applied to the upper seal in order to camouflage its presence, and in one further embodiment, the upper seal may be finished, such as via sanding, buffing, and/or polishing, so as to even further conceal the presence of the upper seal at the seamless interface between the stainless steel sink and the solid countertop.
  • the present method 100 includes applying a lower seal along a lower interface 190, wherein the lower seal comprises a substantially waterproof material, such as silicone, to prevent water or moisture from entering a lower interface between the outer wall of the stainless steel sink and the bottom surface of the solid countertop, as previously disclosed hereinabove.
  • a substantially waterproof material such as silicone
  • the present method 100 comprises steps which may be performed by different parties at different locations. Specifically, steps 110 through 150 may be performed at a factory which manufactures stainless steel sinks in accordance with the present invention, while steps 160 through 180 may be performed by an individual or contractor who physically installs a stainless sink manufactured in accordance with the present invention in an end user's home or business.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Sink And Installation For Waste Water (AREA)
EP14020023.9A 2013-12-10 2014-03-05 Seamless undermount stainless steel sink system Active EP2884013B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/101,939 US20150059083A1 (en) 2013-08-29 2013-12-10 Seamless undermount stainless steel sink system

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EP2884013A1 EP2884013A1 (en) 2015-06-17
EP2884013B1 true EP2884013B1 (en) 2020-07-01

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US (2) US20150059083A1 (es)
EP (1) EP2884013B1 (es)
CA (1) CA2839586C (es)
ES (1) ES2819227T3 (es)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9689152B2 (en) 2013-08-29 2017-06-27 Mehmet Hocaoglu Seamless undermount stainless steel sink system
US10221552B2 (en) 2013-08-29 2019-03-05 Ukinoxusa Kitchen System, Inc. Seamless undermount sink system and installation method
US9290919B2 (en) * 2013-10-23 2016-03-22 Dow Blaine Mounting driver for undermounted sinks
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US20150059083A1 (en) 2015-03-05
EP2884013A1 (en) 2015-06-17
CA2839586A1 (en) 2015-06-10
US20150059082A1 (en) 2015-03-05
CA2839586C (en) 2020-02-25
ES2819227T3 (es) 2021-04-15

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