GB2536872A - Portable sink - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable sink unit for the purpose of water collection, storage and water usage tasks comprises a top container 1 that is housed at one end 14 of an open top container 11. The top container 1 may comprise an opening 2 positioned in the middle of the bottom edge 20 of a vertical face that is directly above said bigger container opening. A short hollow threaded pipe 3 with a hole (3, fig 3) may be connected to the opening 2. A threaded cap 4 may be attached to the pipe 3, covering the hole to restrict to stop the water flow. The lower container 11 may include two drainage holes 7, each positioned at the bottom edge of both long vertical sides of the bottom container and two handles 9/10, each positioned at the bottom edge of the long vertical sides of the tray container 11. There may be more than one top container and there may be a handle on the top container.

Description

Portable sink Description:

Invention relates to a portable unit that facilitates the easy use and storage of liquid, such as water. The portable unit provides a convenient, safe and hygienic area to use liquid in activities such as washing. Part of the unit, which is detachable, can also be used to fetch and carry water and the whole portable sink, as a unit can be moved easily when convenient.

In rural areas in developing countries and in some urban areas there are homes that do not have running water and lack space. Chores such as washing dishes, clothes, hands, brushing teeth and generally accessing water in a safe, hygienic and convenient space can be very challenging.

Also homes in disaster areas anywhere in the world face these same challenges when there is no running water, the same can be said for outdoor campers.

To overcome these problems this invention proposes a portable unit that comprises a detachable top container that stores water, and is housed on top of a bigger open top, bottom container at one end of it. The said top container has a male threaded, short and hollow pipe that extrudes away from the said top container's front side on the bottom edge, and the said male threaded, short and hollow pipe has a hole at the bottom, that comes out on the inside of the hollow in the said male threaded, short and hollow pipe. The said male threaded, short and hollow pipe is specifically located on the bottom edge, of the front side of the said top container which faces the other end of the said open top container, and does not house the said top container. The said male threaded, short and hollow pipe is also accompanied by a cap, with female threads, that screws on or off said male threaded short and hollow pipe. The said cap is also attached to a loose plastic string that is fixed to the said top containers front side. The said female threaded cap allows the user to control the amount of liquid dispensed,from the said top container, by how much the said female threaded cap covers the hole underneath the said male threaded, short and hollow pipe. It does this through the action of screwing the said female threaded cap on or off the said male threaded, short and hollow pipe. The said opening that houses the said male threaded short and hollow pipe also allows liquid to be poured into the said top container.

When the said top container is housed on the said open top bottom container, the said male threaded, short and hollow pipe lies horizontal to the flat bottom of the open top bottom container. Liquid can then be dispensed in order to wash dishes or make use of the liquid in any other way. The detachability of the top container also allows the user to carry the top container and fetch water or use the container for whatever purpose away from the said open top container. The said male threaded short and hollow pipe acts as both an inlet and outlet.

The said open top bottom container also acts as a basin that collects the dispensed water or liquid when it is dispensed from the top container. The said open top bottom container also has drainage holes that allows the liquid or water to be emptied, out of the said open top bottom container when convenient. There are also handles on the long sides of the said open top bottom container, however they could also be no such handles and different ways to hold and carry the portable sink unit can be incorporated in other embodiments of the invention.

The user is also able to move the whole unit to whichever location is convenient for the purpose.

The said top container and said open top bottom container can take any shape or form, including partial coverings of the topside or other sides on bottom container that can also be any size shape or form. Top container and open top bottom container could also be divided into different compartments that can be arranged in any way and take any shape form or size. The shape, position and method of housing the top container on open top bottom container can also vary in different embodiments of portable sink invention.

The drainage holes on open top bottom container can also be any number, shape, size, form and position on open top bottom container. Handles on said top container and said open top bottom container can also be placed anywhere and can take any shape or form including just a way to hold the open top bottom container.

The male threaded short and hollow pipe could also be any size shape and form and be positioned anywhere on top container.

The hole at the bottom of the male threaded short and hollow pipe, on the bottom edge of front side of the top container, can also be any shape, size form and position,and include for example small multiple holes or two or more bigger holes on the male threaded short and hollow pipe. The male threaded short and hollow pipe could also include some apparatus on the threads that covers the hole underneath, when the top container is being filled with liquid. This covering could take any shape size and position on male threaded pipe and could include anyway of housing it on the said male threaded short and hollow pipe.

Examples of different embodiments are shown below.

Embodiment 1 Comprises a top container that has a separate inlet for pouring in water, and an outlet for dispensing water. Said top container is housed on or in a bigger open top bottom container at one end.

The said inlet on said top container is positioned in the middle of the top side, of the said top container and the said outlet is positioned on the middle of the bottom edge, of the front side of said top container that faces the other end of said open top bottom container.

The said inlet comprises of a hole and stopper that can either be screwed on just placed in the hole, to secure the liquid contained in the said top container.

The said outlet comprises of a tap or any type of suitable liquid dispensing apparatus.

The shape of the top container is rectangle with rounded edges but the shape can take any form. The said open top container can also take any form but for the purposes of this embodiment it is shaped rectangle with rounded edges.

The said inlet and outlet could also take any shape or form.

Embodiment 2 Comprises of top container housed at one end of open top bottom container. The said top container includes two or more compartments, that each individually have a hole that houses a male threaded short and hollow pipe, with a hole at the bottom that comes out in the inside of said male threaded short and hollow pipe. A female threaded cap screws on or off the said male threaded short and hollow pipe, allowing the liquid to be dispensed depending on how much the said hole at the bottom is covered by the said female threaded cap, through the action of screwing on or off the said cap. The said male threaded, short and hollow pipe acts as both an inlet and outlet, for pouring in liquid and dispensing it. When liquid is being dispensed the said male threaded short and hollow pipe would ordinarily lie horizontal to the flat bottom of said open top bottom open top container.

The said open top bottom container is divided into two or more compartments, which either correspond in position to the two or more compartments on the said top container or do not.

The arrangement of compartments on said top container or method of housing it into the open top bottom container can take any shape or form. The open top bottom container can also take any shape or form.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of preferred embodiment of invention of portable sink. which comprises a top container with one opening that has a male threaded short and hollow pipe, which has a small hole at the bottom. The said hole at the bottom of said male threaded short and hollow pipe surfaces inside the hollow in the said male threaded, short and hollow pipe, and the said the top container is housed at one end of the open top bottom container.

Figure 2 shows preferred embodiment of invention shown in figure 2, which comprises said top container with a male threaded short and hollow pipe opening, which includes a hole at the bottom that surfaces inside the hollow in said male threaded short pipe.

Figure 3 shows the apparatus labelled 2, 3 and 4 in figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a closer view of apparatus labelled 2, 3 and 4 in figure 2 Figure 5 shows a cross section view of apparatus labelled 2, 3 and 4 in figure 2 Figure 6 shows an exploded view of embodiment of invention that comprises an inlet on top side of top container and an outlet that is positioned on front side of said top container. The said outlet lies horizontal to flat bottom of open top bottom container, when said top container is housed at one end of said open top bottom container.

Figure 7 shows an assembled embodiment of invention depicted in figure 6 that includes a top container that is housed on one end of open top bottom container. The said top container comprises of an inlet on top side of said top container, and an outlet on front side of said top container that faces the other end of an open top bottom container.

Figure 8 shows partly exploded bottom isometric view of embodiment of invention shown in figure 6 and figure 7.

Figure 1.

Portable sink unit, includes an open top bottom container 11, which houses a top container 1, on top edges 12, at one end of said open top bottom container 11. The said top container 11, is detachable and is housed in such a way that the back side 15, of said top container 1, is parallel to container 1, sit on edges 4 and 5 of said open top bottom container 11.

The said open top bottom container has a drainage hole 7, on either long side 18 of said open top bottom container 11. These drainage holes 7, are situated at the bottom of sides 18, of said open top bottom container 11.

The said drainage holes 7, are each fitted with a male threaded short and hollow pipe 6, on the outside of long sides of open top bottom container 11, towards the opposite end of open top bottom container that does not house the said top container 1. A female threaded cap 8, can be used to secure or close the said drainage holes 7, by screwing it on the male threaded short and hollow pipe 6. The said male threaded short and hollow short pipe 6, also allows pipes to be fitted in when convenient. Other embodiments could also include any number, shape and positioning of drainage holes on portable sink embodiment.

The said open top bottom container 11, includes handles 9 and 10 that are fitted on the outside of long sides 8, of said open top bottom container 11. However different embodiments could include no such handles 9 and 10 or incorporate different ways to hold the said open top bottom container 11, when a user wishes to move the portable sink unit.

The said top container 1 also includes, on front side 19 and in the middle of bottom edge 20, an opening 2 that houses a male threaded and hollow short pipe 3 that comprises a hole at the bottom that surfaces inside the hollow in the said short pipe. A female threaded cap 4 is included that secures the hole in said male threaded and hollow short pipe 3. water or liquid can be dispensed from the top container 1, through the hole underneath the said male threaded and hollow short pipe 3, the amount is regulated by how much the female threaded cap covers the hole underneath through the action of screwing the said cap 4 on or off the said male threaded, short and hollow pipe.

In other possible embodiments a handle or handles could be placed on the front side 19 or anywhere on the said top container. Drainage holes could also be place anywhere on said open top bottom container 11 and take any shape or form.

Figure 2 shows an assembled depiction of portable sink embodiment shown in figure 1, that includes a top container 1 that is housed on top of open top bottom container 5 at one end on edges 9. Said top container is detachable and comprises male threaded short and hollow pipe 2 that is positioned on front side of said top container 1, at the bottom and in the middle. A female threaded cap 3 is also included and screws on male threaded short and hollow pipe 2, that has a hole at the bottom. Two Handles 14 are included and are each positioned on the outside sides 13 of said open top bottom container 5.

Two Drainage holes 7 and 8 are each positioned on either long sides 13 of said open top bottom container.

Figure 3 includes a closer view of male threaded, short and hollow pipe and cap that's depicted in figure 1 as 3 and 4.

In figure 3, the said male threaded, short and hollow pipe 6 comprises a female threaded cap 1, that screws on male threads 2 of said male threaded short and hollow pipe 6. A hole 3 is included on said male threaded, short and hollow pipe 6, the hole goes through the said male threaded, short and hollow pipe 6 at an angle and surfaces inside the hollow 4 in said male threaded, short hollow pipe 6.

The said male threaded, short and hollow pipe 6 allows liquid to be poured in and the said hole 3 allows liquid to be dispensed.

The shape, position and form of said hole 3 can vary in different embodiments the same can be said of the actual male threaded, short and hollow pipe 6 and cap 1.

Figure 4 includes a closer view of a male threaded, short and hollow pipe that's depicted in figure 3 as 6 and the cap that's depicted in figure 3 as 1.

In the view shown in figure 4 the said female threaded cap 1 includes the female threads 2 that screw on to male threads 4 of said male threaded, short and hollow pipe 6. A hole 3, goes through the said male threaded, short and hollow pipe 6, and surfaces in the hollow 5 in said male threaded, short and pipe 6.

The function of this apparatus is to allow liquid to be poured in and to dispense the liquid by way of covering or uncovering the hole 3. This is achieved by screwing on and off the said cap 1 on male threaded, short and hollow pipe 6.

Figure 5 includes a cross section drawing of male threaded, short and hollow pipe 5 and cap 4 that's depicted in figure 1 as 3 and 4. Features shown include a female threaded cap 4, a said male threaded, short and hollow pipe 5, a hollow cavity 3, inside said male threaded, short and hollow pipe 5 and a small hole 1 that cuts trough said male threaded, short and hollow pipe 5.

Figure 6 shows an exploded embodiment of portable sink that includes a top container 6 that is housed on edges 9 and 15 of open top bottom container 5. The said top container 6 is housed at one end of said open top bottom container 5 and is detachable.

The said top container 6 includes an opening 2 in the middle of top side 17 of said top container 6 and a stopper 1 that fits into opening 2. On the front side 16, of said top container 6 there is another opening 3 that houses a tap 4. The said tap 4 allows liquids to be dispensed and the opening 2 on top side of said top container allows liquids to be poured in. The stopperl secures the said opening 2.

On the long sides 14 and 18 of the open top bottom container 5, and towards the end that houses the said top container 6, there are two handles 11 and 13 that are each fixed on the said long sides 14 and 18 of said open top bottom container These said handles 11 and 13 enable the user to carry and move the portable sink unit when convenient. Also on long sides 14 and 18 of open top bottom container S, and towards the end that does not house the said top container 6 there are two drainage holes 7 on each side. These said drainage holes 7 house a male threaded, short and hollow pipes 8 and each said male threaded short and hollow pipe 8 is accompanied by a female threaded cap that screws on said male threaded short and hollow pipe 8 to secure the opening.

A Hose like pipe can also be fitted on the said male threaded short and hollow pipe 8 to allow liquid or water to drain from open top bottom container 5.

In other possible embodiments the said top container 6 and open top bottom container 5 could take any shape or form. Handles could also be placed anywhere on the portable sink unit and take any shape and form.

Further Embodiments of invention portable sink could also include openings on said top container that take any shape and form.

Figure 7 includes an assembled embodiment of the portable sink that is depicted in figure 6. The top container 5 includes opening with stopper 1, and on the front side a tap 2 is housed on a hole in the said top container. The said top container 5 is housed at one end of the open top bottom container 12, and is detachable.

On long sides of said open top bottom container 12 and towards the end that houses the top container 5, two handles are located and on same long sides towards the end that does not house the said top container 5 there are two drainage holes 6 on each side. Each drainage hole houses a male threaded short and hollow pipe 7, and a female threaded cap 8, that can be used to close the said male threaded short and hollow pipe 7, by way of screwing on the said female threaded cap on the said male threaded short and hollow pipe 7. Hose pipes can also be alternatively fitted on the said male threaded short and hollow pipe 7, in order to allow liquid to be drained from open top bottom container 12 Figure 8 includes exploded underside view of embodiment of the portable sink that is shown in figure 6 and figure 7. The view includes a top container 4 that comprises of an opening 1 on front side and houses a tap 2. Two handles 6 are fixed one each side of the long sides 9 of open top bottom container 3. Two drainage holes are also located on the long sides 9 of the open top bottom container 3, and they each house a male threaded short and hollow pipe 7, and female threaded cap 5.

The portable sink invention can take the form of any number of embodiments that can include a top container that is of any shape and comprise of different compartments. Also the arrangement and form of inlets for liquids that are poured in and outlets that allow liquids to be dispensed can take any form and shape. The top container could also have handles that that take any shape and form. The way, method or position of housing the top container on open top bottom container can take any shape or form.

The open top bottom container can also take any shape or form including partial covering of the top side.

The open top bottom container could also comprise of no handles or way of carrying that could take any form.

The bottom open top container could also comprise of one or more drainage holes that are arranged in any way, position and take any shape or form.