GB2260688A

GB2260688A - Fluid receptacle with fluid release and containment mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2260688A
Application number: GB9121490A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas * Lihou Mark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-10-10
Filing date: 1991-10-10
Publication date: 1993-04-28
Also published as: GB9121490D0

Abstract

A receptacle (1) for use in sinks and suitable for washing utensils and preparing food comprises a fluid outlet (9, Fig 2), a draining mechanism (2) and a guard means (3). The receptacle is part formed whereby the non formed part acts as a fluid outlet. The draining mechanism is co-operable with the receptacle by means enabling the operational position of the mechanism to determine whether fluid is retained in the receptacle or allowed to flow out of the receptacle. A guard means is also incorporated into the receptacle enabling unhindered operation of the draining mechanism, for example when the receptacle contains objects. The guard device may also function as a strainer and/or a collector of debris during the preparation of foods or when rinsing dirty tableware prior to washing. <IMAGE>

Description

Fluid receptacle with fluid release and containment mechanism.

This invention relates to a sink bowl with a fluid release and containment mechanism, and a guard device to prevent operational hindrance of the mechanism when the sink bowl contains objects.

Sink bowls are well known vessels used primarily in sinks for washing utensils and preparing food. They are manufactured in various forms so as to fit the multitude of shapes and sizes of kitchen sinks. Despite the growth in automatic dishwashers there is still a sizeable proportion of households that use a sink bowl.

When using conventional kitchen sink bowls, in order to drain off the fluid from the sink bowl, one has to tilt or lift the bowl clear of the sink and then pour off the fluid.

For people with weak wrists, or in small sinks, or where the tap arrangements are fixed and protrude over the sink, the draining of the fluid can become awkward possibly resulting in spillage of fluid over for example, work surfaces. It is my belief that the addition of a fluid release mechanism would make the described task simpler.

Furthermore when one has only a few wares to wash up, or one hasn't enough time for washing up, or one has wares with dried on food, it is often desirable to pre-soak the wares prior to washing. During this soaking process the fluid in the sink bowl generally becomes dirty, cold and sudless. In such cases one would be advised to remove all the wares from the bowl, put them somewhere, pour off the fluid, and start the washing process again. The present invention overcomes this far from enjoyable task by allowing the cold, dirty, and sudless fluid to be drained from the bowl by a drainage mechanism operationally unhindered by objects in the sink bowl. The present invention also has the advantage that the wares can be rinsed prior to washing without having to remove the sink bowl from the sink.

Devices are known similar to the proposed invention whereby drainage is achieved by a removable plug in the bowls base. The present device however has an advantage over these other devices in that the drainage mechanism's operation is unhindered by objects within the bowls form by means not reducing the working volume within the sink bowls form. The configuration of the present invention also lends itself to larger or multiple outlets facilitating in faster drainage, furthermore the fact that the drainage mechanism is co-operable with the bowl, means the drainage mechanism doesn't have to be completely removed and is therefore less likely to be lost.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which the particular components of the figures 2 to 5 will be labelled with a "P" to represents a top view of the component, and an "S" to represents a side view of the component. The figures are not to scale.

Figure 1 Shows in perspective one possible combination of the sink bowl (herein after called a receptacle), draining mechanism and guard device.

Figure 2 Illustrates the separation of components from a possible overall embodiment of the proposed invention whereby the drainage mechanism is located by a guide on the drainage mechanism itself, and a tapered recess in the receptacles wall. The figure includes a top and side view of the receptacle, a top and side view of the drainage mechanism, and a side view of the guard device.

Figure 3 Illustrates the separation of components from another possible overall embodiment of the proposed invention whereby the drainage mechanism is located by guide means in the receptacles wall. The figure includes top and side views of the receptacle and drainage mechanism.

Figure 4 Illustrates the separation of components from another possible overall embodiment of the proposed invention whereby the drainage mechanism is located by hinge and clip arrangements on the drainage mechanism's and receptacles form. The figure includes a top and two side views of the receptacle, drainage mechanism and guard device.

Figure 5 Illustrates the separation of components from another possible overall embodiment of the proposed invention whereby the drainage mechanism is a section of the receptacle and is located by guide means integral to the receptacles form. The figure includes a top view of the receptacle and side views of the drainage mechanism and guard device.

Referring to the figures 1 to 5 unless otherwise stated, the figures show some possible variations of the proposed invention which comprises a part formed receptacle (1), whereby the non formed part functions as an outlet (9) allowing fluid to flow from the receptacles form to space external its form. The position of the outlet as generally described in the figures 1 to 5 is in the wall (20) of the receptacle. The outlet could however be anywhere on the receptacles form for example, on the receptacles wall (20) but extending to its base (4). The receptacle may have a shaped base (4) sloping towards the outlet (9) to facilitate in fluid draining. The receptacle may also have depressions in its base to form feet (6), or be otherwise shaped or formed, or be provided with means, to raise the bottom of the receptacle from the sink and/or keep it stable in use.The receptacle may have a shaped rim (5), or handles (riot shown), or other means (not shown), integral, or external but in some way attached or located (not shown), to the receptacles form, to facilitate handling.

In figures 1 and 2, the drainage mechanism's locating means (10) are created by an integrally formed recess in the wall (20) of the receptacle, and a guide (12) located on the drainage mechanism's form (2) acting as a secondary guide for insertion and withdrawal along the outlet (9). The said recess is tapered so as to enable stacking of the receptacles in a space conscious manner. In figure 3 the drainage mechanism's locating means are created by integrally formed guide means (10) within the receptacles wall (20). In this particular case the said guide is circular enabling both rotation and a sliding action of the drainage mechanism (2). The said guide however could be any other shape (not shown), although by being a different shape a rotational action of the drainage mechanism may be impossible.In figure 4 the means for locating the drainage mechanism (2) is by a locator (10) formed integral to the receptacle (1), whereby the locator mates with a similar form (13) integral to the drainage mechanism in a hinging fashion. In this arrangement the drainage mechanism is secured in position by clipping devices (14) on the drainage mechanism's form, in this case clipping to the rim (5) of the receptacles form. In figure 5 the drainage mechanism (2) itself is a detachable part of the receptacles form (1) and is located by guide means (10) integral to the receptacles form.

To summarise the pre-described drainage mechanism locating means as well as add additional information on location methods it is stated that :- The receptacle (1) has a means to locate a draining mechanism (2) over or near to the outlet (9). These locating means could be guide means integral, or external but in some way attached or located (not shown), to the receptacles (1) or the drainage mechanism's (2) or the guard devices (3) or any other component/s (not shown), form, enabling insertion and withdrawal (figures 1,2 and 5), or rotation (figure 3), or another sliding action (not shown), of the draining mechanism.Alternatively the locating means could be achieved by the incorporation of hinge, clip, hook (not shown), catch (not shown), or other means (not shown), integral, or in some way attached or located (not shown), to the receptacles (1) or the drainage mechanism's or the guard devices (3) or any other component/s (not shown), form. The locating means could also be created from any combination of these pre-described and in some cases illustrated methods.

Referring to figures 1 to 5, the drainage mechanism's embodiment (2) is designed to act co-operably with the said locating means. In figures 1 and 2 the drainage mechanism's embodiment (2) takes the form of a plunger. In the specific embodiment illustrated in figure 3, the drainage mechanism's embodiment (2) takes the form of a circular, part formed plunger. In figure 4 the drainage mechanism's embodiment (2) incorporates integrally formed clips (14) and location forms (13) for attachment to the receptacles form (1). In figure 5 the drainage mechanism (2) is a releasably attached part of the receptacle. The drainage mechanism's described above are all detachable from the receptacle, however the drainage mechanism could also be an integral part of the receptacle. In this latter case the drainage mechanism would require an alternative operating means (not shown).The drainage mechanism may also have a handle (7) or other means integral, or external but attached or located (not shown), to the drainage mechanism's form to facilitate the drainage mechanism's operation.

Referring again to figures 1 to 5, it will be seen that the invention can incorporate a guard device (3) which prevents objects within the receptacles form (1) (such as cutlery, plates etc) from hindering the operation of the draining mechanism (2). In figures 1,2 and 5 the guard device (3) is located by guide means (11) integral to the receptacles form. In figure 4 the guard device (3) is located by legs (18) on its form locating into recesses (11) on the receptacles form (1), and clips (17) on its form clipping to the rim (5) of the receptacle (1). In figure 3 the guard device (3) is integral to the receptacles form (1).

To summarize the pre-described guard device (3) location means, as well as to add information on additional location means it is stated that :- The guard device (3) is located by guide, hinge, catch, clip, hook, or other means integral (figures 1,2,4 and 5), or external but in some way attached or located (not shown), to the receptacles (1) or the draining mechanism's (2) or any other component/s (not shown), form. The location means described may also allow for removal of the guard device (3) which would facilitate cleaning. Alternatively the guard device (3) may be an integral part of the receptacles form (1) (figure 3). The guard device may also be configured in any combination of the described methods for example it may be partly integral to the receptacles form and partly external but in some way attached or located to the receptacles form.

The guard device (3) may also have a secondary function, namely to filter debris contained in fluid that is being drained from the receptacle. Furthermore if the guard device was thoughtfully shaped and located in a suitably designed receptacle/drainage mechanism arrangement (not shown), then it could also act as a debris collector. The guard device may be perforated as shown in the figures 1 to 5, or be imperforate.

When the drainage mechanism (2) is positioned in such away that the outlet (9) is fully covered the receptacle will be made water-tight by means of, a number of seals (8) integral to the receptacles form (fig 4), or a number of seals integral to the drainage mechanism's form, or a number of seals attached releasably or otherwise to the receptacles (1) or the drainage mechanism's (2) (figure 2 -8) or the guard device's (3) or any other attached or located component/s (not shown), form, or the water pressure acting against the drainage mechanism in such a way as to cause a seal (as could be the case with the arrangement illustrated in figures 1,2 and 5), or the drainage mechanism being a good fit within the guide means (as could be the case with the arrangement illustrated in figure 3), or any combination of the above, or other means.

The Proposed invention as substantially described herein may also have means (not shown) to fix the drainage mechanism's position of operation at any operational position or at a number of specific operational positions. The said fixing means may be integral, or external but in some way attached or located to the receptacles (1) or the guard device's (3) or the draining mechanism's ~(2) or any other component/s, form. The described fixture of the drainage mechanism (2) may also comprise a co-operation between a number of these fixture means for example, a hook on the drainage mechanism locating with recesses on the receptacle. Similarly there may be means to prevent the drainage mechanism from being removed from the receptacles form such that it is no longer in any way attached.

The invention may also have means (not shown), enabling fluid to flow from the outlet (9) and directly into the sink waste outlet (not shown). The said means may be due to the positional nature of the outlet (9), or a fluid guide (not shown) leading from the outlet (9) directly to the sink waste outlet (not shown), or other means enabling the said result to be achieved.

Referring to figure 1 and 2, the receptacle (1) will contain fluid when the drainage mechanism is fully inserted in the guide means (10) as shown in figure 1. The drainage mechanism will allow fluid to escape from the receptacles form as and when the drainage mechanism is withdrawn along the said guide means in the direction of the arrow (19) shown in figure 2. Referring to figure 3 the receptacle (1) will contain fluid when the drainage mechanism is fully inserted in the guide means (10) and is rotated to a position whereby a section of its solid part (15) covers the outlet (9). The drainage mechanism (2) will allow fluid to flow from the receptacle (1) when a non-solid part (16) is rotated to a position opposite the outlet (9).Referring to figure 4 the receptacle (1) will contain fluid when the drainage mechanism (2) is correctly located in the locator (10) on the receptacles form (1), and the clipping devices (14) on the drainage mechanism's form (2) are clipped to the rim (5) of the receptacle. Un-clipping the drainage mechanism's clipping devices (14) will enable fluid to flow from the receptacles form (1). Referring to figure 5 the receptacle (1) will contain fluid when the drainage mechanism (2) which is part of the receptacles form (1), is fully inserted in the guide means (10) integral to the receptacles form (1). Withdrawal of the drainage mechanism along its guide means (10) will enable fluid to flow from the receptacles form.

Finally the proposed invention may have any number of fluid outlets (9), or any number of drainage mechanisms (2), or any number of guard devices (3), or any number of other components either directly or indirectly referred to in the overall description, or any combination of these features.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device for use in sinks for drainage washing or other purposes comprising, an open topped, part formed receptacle whereby the non-formed part is located on the wall of the receptacle and functions as a fluid outlet, a draining mechanism co-operable with the receptacles form by means enabling its operation from at least one position whereby fluid can flow from the receptacles form to space external this form, to at least one other position whereby fluid will be contained within the receptacle, and a means to allow unhindered operation of the drainage mechanism.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid outlet may extend from the receptacles wall to the base of the receptacle.

3. A device as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the draining mechanism is a solid formed device operated by insertion and withdrawal along suitably formed guide means integral or external but in some way attached, to the receptacles form.

4. A device as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the draining mechanism is a part formed, circular or cone shaped device operated by rotation in guide means integral or external but in some way attached, to the receptacles form.

5. A device as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the draining mechanism is a solid formed device operated by a hinge and clip type arrangement in an opening and closing manner.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the draining mechanism incorporates a handle either integral, or external to the draining mechanisms form, to facilitate in operation of the draining mechanism.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means are provided to fix the drainage mechanism's position of operation at any operational position or a number of operational positions.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, whereby a perforate or imperforate guard device is located over or near the non formed part of the receptacle by means integral, or external but in some way attached, to the receptacles form

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the guard device is removable.

10. A device as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the guard device is an integral part of the receptacle form.

CLAIMS CONTINUED

11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the guard device is suitably shaped to act as a strainer.

12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the guard device is suitably shaped to act as a strainer and/or debris collector .

13. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base of the receptacle is shaped in such a fashion as to facilitate draining through the non formed part of the receptacle.

14. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the receptacle may have depressions in its base to form feet, or be otherwise shaped or formed, or be provided with means, to raise the bottom of the receptacle from the sink and/or keep it stable in use.

15. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the receptacle may have a shaped rim, or handles, or other means, integral or external but in some way attached or located to the receptacles form to facilitate handling.

16. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein their may be any number of fluid outlets, or any number of drainage mechanisms, or any number of guard devices, or any combination or configuration of these features and devices.

17. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the guide means for location of the draining mechanism are integral, or external but in some way attached to the receptacles form.

18. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the guide means for location of the draining mechanism are integral, or external but in some way attached to the draining mechanisms form.

19. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the guide means for location of the draining mechanism are integral, or external but in some way attached to the guard devices form

20. A device as claimed in claims 1 to 16, wherein the guide means for location of the draining mechanism are integral, or external but in some way attached to a combination of the receptacles, drainingf mechanisms, guard devices or associated components forms.

21. A device for use in sinks for drainage, washing or other purposes as substantially described herein and described with reference to figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.