SE545012C2

SE545012C2 - Sink strainer basket with formed in place foam gasket and method for producing a sink strainer basket

Info

Publication number: SE545012C2
Application number: SE2150929A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Sören Strandvall
Original assignee: Prevex Ab Oy
Priority date: 2021-07-13
Filing date: 2021-07-13
Publication date: 2023-02-28
Also published as: WO2023285415A1; SE2150929A1; EP4370812A1

Abstract

A strainer basket (1) arranged to be provided in an outlet (7a) of a sink (7), comprising a bowl shaped body having a bottom (4) and an essentially circular upper edge, wherein the bottom (4) is provided with at least one hole (4a) arranged for fluid flow therethrough and wherein the upper edge comprises an outwardly extending flange (5) having a first side (5a) and an opposite second side (5b), wherein the strainer bowl is arranged to be provided in the sink (7) outlet (7a) such that the second side (5b) rests on an edge of said sink (7) outlet (7a); wherein the second side (5b) of the flange (5) comprises a foam gasket (6) attached thereto, and arranged to be sandwiched between the second side (5b) of the flange (5) and the edge of the sink (7) outlet (7a) in order to prevent fluid flow therebetween.

Description

Technical field id="p-1"

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a strainer basket for a sink comprising a formed-in-place foam gasket, and a method for producing the same.

Background art id="p-2"

[0002] Sinks, such as sinks for restrooms and kitchens, typically have a bottom outlet where fluids may escape to a drain. The outlet may typically be a hole in the bottom of the sink. On the bottom side of the outlet, the sink is connected in ﬂuid communication with the drain. On the upper side of the outlet, a strainer basket is commonly arranged. The strainer basket is commonly bowl shaped, and is thus arranged with a circular upper edge and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is arranged with a plurality of holes at its bottom, which prevents solid objects from escaping from the sink into the drain, as thus potentially clogging the drain. Furthermore, the strainer basket is commonly adapted to receive a sink plug, used to facilitate two states, the first stopping water from leaving through the holes in the strainer bowl and through the sink outlet and the second allowing it. id="p-3"

[0003] The circular upper edge of the strainer basket is commonly arranged with a flange such that it may rest on the edge of the outlet hole on the upper side of the sink, such that the bottom extends through the outlet hole. Similarly, the drain pipe commonly comprises a bowl shaped connection unit, arranged to connect the drain pipe and the sink outlet. An upper circular edge of the bowl shaped connection unit comprises a flange, adapted to be contact with the edge of the outlet hole on the bottom side of the sink. As such, the strainer basket and the drain pipe connection unit sandwiches the sink outlet, when they are in operating position on the sink. ln operating position, the bowl shaped strainer basket is arranged in the bowl shaped connection unit. id="p-4"

[0004] As mentioned, the flange on the circular upper edge of the strainer basket rests on the edge of the outlet hole. Between these two surfaces, a gasket sealing ring is commonly provided. The sealing ring may for example be an essentially flat polyurethane (PU) ring, produced by stamping from a PU sheet. The sealing ring is commonly mounted between the outlet hole and the strainer basket. This is to prevent leakage, and thus to ensure that all ﬂuid from the sink is guided through the sink basket, down into the drain pipe. id="p-5"

[0005] There are several problems with the present solutions. A sealing ring which is stamped from a sheet produces material waste, in the form of unused parts of the sheet. Furthermore, using a ring sealing during mounting of the strainer basket, such as a PU ring sealing, inevitably requires providing loose parts. Such parts may get lost, or for other reasons may need to be replaced, which is highly inconvenient for the installer of the sink. Furthermore, a more efficient production of parts for sink outlets would entail saving time, money, and the environment. One way of making such a production more efficient would be to avoid having a separate production process for the production of the strainer basket sealing.

Summary of invention id="p-6"

[0006] An object of the present invention is to overcome at least some of the problems outlined above. This is achieved by providing a sink strainer basket strainer basket arranged to be provided in an outlet of a sink, comprising a bowl shaped body having a bottom and an essentially circular upper edge, wherein the bottom is provided with at least one hole arranged for fluid flow therethrough and wherein the upper edge comprises an outvvardly extending flange having a first side and an opposite second side, wherein the strainer bowl is arranged to be provided in the sink outlet such that the second side rests on an edge of said sink outlet, wherein the second side of the flange comprises a foam gasket attached thereto, and arranged to be sandwiched between the second side of the flange and the edge of the sink outlet in order to prevent fluid flow therebetween, wherein the foam gasket is arranged to be applied to the second side of the flange when the foam gasket is in a liquid state, and wherein the foam gasket is arranged to transfer from the liquid state to a foamed state when it is applied to the second side. id="p-7"

[0007] ln an embodiment of the present disclosure, the foam gasket extends essentially the entire length of the flange, thereby forming a circular foam gasket. id="p-8"

[0008] ln an embodiment of the present disclosure, the foam gasket has a cross-section corresponding to a truncated ellipse. id="p-9"

[0009] ln an embodiment of the present disclosure, the foam gasket has a semi- circular cross-section. id="p-10"

[0010] ln an embodiment of the present disclosure, the foam gasket is arranged closer to an outer edge on the second side of the flange. id="p-11"

[0011] ln an embodiment of the present disclosure, the foam gasket is a Formed-in-Place foam gasket. id="p-12"

[0012] ln an embodiment of the present disclosure, the shape of a cross-section of the foam gasket is determined at least in part by the second side onto which it is aüached. id="p-13"

[0013] ln a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of producing a sink strainer basket comprising a foam gasket, comprising the steps of providing a strainer basket having an essentially circular upper edge, comprising an outwardly extending flange having a first side and an opposite second side; applying a gasket material in liquid state on the second side of the flange; wherein, after the gasket material in liquid state is applied to the second side, the gasket material is transferred from the liquid state to a foamed state, thereby attaching to the second side and forming the foam gasket. id="p-14"

[0014] ln an embodiment of the present disclosure, transferring of the gasket to the foamed state is by means of one of a change in temperature, a chemical rection or exposure to radiation. id="p-15"

[0015] ln an embodiment of the present disclosure, a final cross-section of the gasket is achieved after transferring of the gasket to the foamed state.

Brief description of drawinqs id="p-16"

[0016] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0017] Fig. 1 displays a strainer basket according to the present disclosure; id="p-18"

[0018] Fig. 2 displays a strainer basket according to the present disclosure provided in a sink; [0019] Fig. 3 displays a strainer basket according to the present disclosure; id="p-20"

[0020] Fig. 4 displays a strainer basket according to the present disclosure provided in a sink.

Description of embodiments id="p-21"

[0021] ln the following, a detailed description of a strainer basket for a sink comprising a formed-in-place foam gasket according to the present disclosure is presented. ln the figures, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements throughout the several figures. lt will be appreciated that these figures are for illustration only and do not in any way restrict the scope of the present disclosure. id="p-22"

[0022] With reference to Fig. 1 and 2, there is displayed a strainer basket 1, generally comprising a bowl-shaped body having a circular upper edge 2, a side wall 3 and a bottom 4. The circular upper edge comprises a circular flange 5 extending in a direction out from the side wall 3 having an upper first side 5a and an opposite second side 5b. On the second side 5b, a gasket 6 is provided. The strainer basket 1 is arranged to be installed in an outlet 7a of a sink 7. The outlet 7a of the sink 7 is commonly a circular hole having a diameter smaller than the diameter of an outer edge of circular flange 5. As such, when the strainer basket 1 is installed in the sink 7, it is inserted into the outlet 7a from above such that the flange 5 rests on the sink 7, while the side wall 3 and the bottom 4 extends through the outlet 7a. More specifically, the second side 5b of the flange 5 rests on the sink 7 at an edge of the sink outlet 7a. As such, the gasket 6 is provided, and at least partly compressed, between the second side 5b of the flange 5 and the sink 7 to prevent Ieakage therebetween. id="p-23"

[0023] The bottom 4 of the strainer basket 1 is arranged with at least one hole 4a such that a fluid, commonly water, may flow from the sink and out through the at least one hole 4a. ln the embodiment displayed in Figs. 1 and 2, a plurality of holes 4a are provided. ln order to ensure that as much fluid as possible is guided through the holes 4a, it is important to avoid Ieakage in other places, such as between the second side 5b of the flange 5 and the sink 7. Therefore, the second side 5b of the flange 5 is arranged with the gasket 6 extending the entire length of the flange 5. The length of the flange 5 should here be interpreted as a circumferential length, the gasket 6 thereby forms a full circle on the second side 5b of the flange 5. The gasket 6 is a so called foam gasket 6. More specifically a formed-in-place foam gasket 6. This name relates to how the foam gasket 6 is produced and applied to the flange 5, which will be described below. id="p-24"

[0024] Fig. 2 displays an embodiment wherein the strainer basket 1 is installed in a common metal kitchen sink. id="p-25"

[0025] With reference to Fig. 3 and 4, there is displayed a strainer basket 1, having corresponding features as displayed in relation to Figs. 1 and 2. The foam gasket 6 in Fig. 3 however is provided over a larger radial area of the flange 5 compared to the gasket 6 displayed in Figs. 1 and 2. This may for example entail that the gasket 6 in Figs. 3 and 4 is thicker and/or that the flange 5 is thinner. Thus, it is clear that the foam gasket 6 may be adapted based on the shape and size of the strainer basket 1, and the intended use of the strainer basket 1. Thus, having a strainer basket provided with a formed-in-place foam gasket is a highly flexible and versatile solution. id="p-26"

[0026] Fig. 4 displays an embodiment wherein the strainer basket 1 is installed in a common bathroom ceramic sink. ln this embodiment, the sink outlet 7a may be provided with a metal rim. ln such a case, the second side 5b of the flangerests on said metal rim. id="p-27"

[0027] The formed-in-place foam gasket 6 is generally produced by first providing a gasket material in liquid state trough a dispenser having a nozzle and subsequently allowing the material to transfer from liquid state into an expanded foamed state, thus forming the foam gasket 6. The gasket material may for example be a polymer material such as PU, a rubber material or other material. The gasket material may furthermore be a composite of more than one material. ln such a case, the composite material may be mixed either before it is provided in the dispenser or inside the dispenser. The gasket material is in liquid state either before it is provided in the dispenser or heated to liquid state inside the dispenser. The gasket material in liquid state is discharged through the nozzle and out onto the second side 5b of the flange 5. The gasket material in liquid state is applied as a string along a circumferential length of the second side 5b of the gasket 5. The gasket material forms a three-dimensional string. The form-in-place technique is a high precision technique. This means that the gasket 6 may be positioned on the underlying surface, in this case the second side 5b, with high precision. ln Figs. 1 and 2, the gasket 6 is positioned closer to an outer edge of the flange 5. lt is furthermore thin, as compared to the gasket in Figs. 3 and 4. The gasket 6 displayed in Figs. 3 and 4 is a thicker gasket and thereby takes up a larger area of the second side 5b of the flange 5. The position and thickness of the gasket may thus be chosen based on the intended use of the strainer basket. id="p-28"

[0028] After the gasket material in liquid state has been applied to the second side 5b of the flange 5, the gasket material is transferred from liquid state into the foam gasket 6. This may be achieved in different ways. ln one embodiment the second side 5b of the flange 5, and thus also the gasket material, is exposed to an increased temperature, thus transferring the gasket material into the foam gasket 6. ln one embodiment, a chemical reaction is triggered in the gasket material when it is applied to the second side 5b of the flange 5, thus transferring the gasket material into the foam gasket 6. ln one embodiment, the difference in pressure inside and outside the dispenser causes the material to transfer into the foam gasket 6. ln one embodiment, the difference in temperature inside and outside the dispenser causes the material to transfer into the foam gasket 6. ln one embodiment the second side 5b of the flange 5, and thus also the gasket material, is exposed to radiation, thus transferring the gasket material into the foam gasket id="p-29"

[0029] When the gasket material transfers from liquid state to a foam gasket it increases in volume, and thus achieves its final shape having a cross-section essentially in the shape of a truncated ellipse, that is, an ellipse with a segment cut off such that the cross-section has one essentially flat side. The truncated/flat side of the cross-section is the side in contact with the second side 5b of the flange 5. ln one embodiment, the cross-section of the string of gasket material is in the shape of a truncated circle. ln one embodiment it is in the shape of a semi ellipse. ln one embodiment it is in the shape of a semicircle. The shape of the cross- section is dependent on properties of the gasket material such as viscosity, surface tension and temperature, as well as properties of the surface of the second side 5b of the flange 5, such as roughness and temperature. id="p-30"

[0030] The process of forming the foam gasket 6 described above also has the positive effect that the gasket 6 is also attached to the second side 5b of the flange 5. The foam gasket 6 may be seen as being attached already when the gasket is applied in liquid form. The foam gasket 6 is preferably seen as being fully attached after the gasket has transferred from liquid state into the foam gasket 6. Thereby, no loose gasket parts have to be provided during installation of the strainer basket 1 in the sink 7. ln prior art, where loose gasket parts are provided, and arranged on the flange 5 by hand, it is difficult to position them with high precision. Furthermore, they are sometimes attached with weak adhesives, if attached at all, which increases the risk achieving an offset position, or loosing the gasket part. Furthermore, the material waste in the disclosed process is essentially zero. Essentially all the produced gasket material is used in the final product. Reducing production waste is central in the efforts of achieving sustainable industrial DFOCGSSGS. id="p-31"

[0031] ln the above, it will be understood that when reference is made to a gasket, when it is in liquid state, it is not yet functional as a gasket. A functional gasket according to the present disclosure is achieved when it is transferred into a foamed state. id="p-32"

[0032] Preferred embodiments of a strainer basket comprising a foam gasket have been disclosed above. However, a person skilled in the art realises that this can be varied within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the inventive idea. id="p-33"

[0033] All the described alternative embodiments above or parts of an embodiment can be freely combined or employed separately from each other without departing from the inventive idea as long as the combination is not contradictory.

Claims

1. A strainer basket (1) arranged to be provided in an outlet (7a) of a sink (7), comprising a bowl shaped body having a bottom (4) and an essentially circular upper edge, wherein the bottom (4) is provided with at least one hole (4a) arranged for fluid flow therethrough and wherein the upper edge comprises an outwardly extending flange (5) having a first side (5a) and an opposite second side (5b), wherein the strainer basket (1) is arranged to be provided in the sink (7) outlet (7a) such that the second side (5b) rests on an edge of said sink (7) outlet (7a): wherein the second side (5b) of the flange (5) comprises a foam gasket (6) attached thereto, and arranged to be sandwiched between the second side (5b) of the flange (5) and the edge of the sink (7) outlet (7a) in order to prevent fluid flow therebetween, wherein the foam gasket (6) is arranged to be applied to the second side (5b) of the flange (5) when the foam gasket (6) is in a liquid state, and wherein the foam gasket is arranged to transfer from the liquid state to a foamed state when it is applied to the second side (5b).

2. The strainer basket (1) according to claim 1, wherein the foam gasket (6) extends essentially the entire length of the flange (5), thereby forming a circular foam gasket (6).

3. The strainer basket (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the foam gasket (6) has a cross-section corresponding to a truncated ellipse.

4. The strainer basket (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the foam gasket (6) has a semi-circular cross-section.

5. The strainer basket (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the foam gasket (6) is arranged closer to an outer edge on the second side (5b) of the flange (5).

6. The strainer basket (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the foam gasket is a Formed-in-Place foam gasket.

7. The strainer basket (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shape of a cross-section of the foam gasket (6) is determined at least in part by the second side (5b) onto which it is attached.

8. A method of producing a sink (7) strainer basket (1) comprising a foam gasket (6), comprising the steps of: providing a strainer basket (1) having an essentially circular upper edge, comprising an outwardly extending flange (5) having a first side (5a) and an opposite second side (5b); applying a gasket material in liquid state on the second side (5b) of the flange (5); wherein, after the gasket material in liquid state is applied to the second side (5b), the gasket material is transferred from the liquid state to a foamed state, thereby attaching to the second side (5b) and forming the foam gasket (6).

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein transferring of the gasket to the foamed state is by means of exposing the gasket to one of a change in temperature, a chemical rection or exposure to radiation.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a final cross-section of the gasket is achieved after transferring of the gasket to the foamed state.