US20050097668A1

US20050097668A1 - Sink apparatus and related methods

Info

Publication number: US20050097668A1
Application number: US10/960,201
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark Rothney; Kenneth Schmerber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-10-07
Filing date: 2004-10-06
Publication date: 2005-05-12

Abstract

The present invention provides a ventilated sink apparatus for reducing the amount of airborne contaminants escaping into the surrounding atmosphere from the sink basin and a method of used thereof.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 60/509,211, filed on Oct. 7, 2003, by Rothney et al. and titled VENTILATED SINK, wherein said provisional patent application is commonly owned by the assignee of the present patent application and wherein the entire contents of said provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of sink structures that promote occupational and/or personal health, and more specifically, to a ventilated sink apparatus for reducing the amount of airborne contaminants escaping from a sink basin into the surrounding atmosphere from the sink basin, and a method of use thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many laboratory, other industrial, commercial, and/or home-based activities carried out at a sink may generate undesirable airborne contaminants (e.g., vapors, gases, fine particles, etc.). These can have unpleasant odors or other irritating effects. Some can be physically and/or environmentally harmful, either to the surrounding physical plant and/or to personnel working at the sink. These effects can occur, for instance, when leaving containers open that have volatile or fine particulate contents, when preparing food items, when mixing volatile and/or particulate ingredients, when using cleaning compositions to clean items from the kitchen or lab, etc.
One illustrative context in which airborne contaminants can be generated occurs when cleaning and drying labware. Existing analytical methodology constraints in commercial and laboratory venues sometimes exclude the use of dishwashers and other automated labware cleaning systems. Therefore, labware cleaning may be performed manually at a sink. Typical labware cleaning steps include initial solvent wash or soak, cleaning and rinsing using water and optionally an adjuvant such as soap or the like, and a final solvent rinse with acetone or the like to dry the labware.
Acetone, a common drying solvent used for this purpose, has an ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) threshold limit value (TLV) of 500 ppm 8-hour time-weighted average and 750 ppm 15-minute short-term exposure limit. Airborne acetone levels may exceed these thresholds in some instances. Exposure monitoring during glassware cleaning and chemical dispensing or transfer would indicate that airborne concentrations of solvents, for example, acetone, may exceed occupational exposure limits (OELs). Factors that contribute to elevated airborne concentrations include lack of local exhaust ventilation, limited air circulation near sink areas, poor sink drainage, and use of hot water.
OSHA's hierarchy of regulations requires that feasible engineering controls are the preferred method of compliance for protecting employees from airborne contaminants and are to be implemented first. Various engineering controls to protect against airborne contaminants have been suggested for sink-based activities. Using a sink inside a fume hood can reduce the amount of airborne contaminants released into the surrounding atmosphere. This is not always desirable, practical, economic, or efficient in terms of carrying out lab activities and/or using lab space. Fume hood countertops tend to be a place where chemicals are mixed, reacted, and spilled. The resultant soiled surfaces inside a fume hood are not the most desirable place in which to carry out labware cleaning. Cleaning the fume hood area to carry out frequent labware cleaning can disrupt working time, and it can be too expensive to dedicate a fume hood just for cleaning operations. In a busy laboratory facility, there may also be a shortage of fume hoods relative to the amount of sink-based operations that could benefit from airborne contaminant protection.
Countertop systems with, e.g., a side draw exhaust, mounted near a sink in some fashion on the countertop are known. One significant drawback to a countertop system, e.g., traditional side-draw system, is that the exhaust ventilation is not integrally combined with the sink but is ancillary thereto. Many still suffer from the potential for solvent vapors to move across the breathing zone. Other issues include the loss of countertop space and the esthetically displeasing aspects of the system.
Therefore, there is a need to provide effective, economical protection against airborne contamination when working at the sink industrially (e.g., a laboratory or manufacturing facility), commercially (e.g., a restaurant or the like), or at home in the kitchen or workshop, etc. The demand is especially keen with respect to protection against occupational exposure to airborne contaminants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for reducing the amount of airborne contaminants escaping into the surrounding atmosphere from a sink area during sink-based operations. The invention is economical for new sink installations and may be easily retrofit onto existing sink set-ups. The invention also eliminates the need for bulky local exhaust hoods while preserving work space.
The present invention generally relates to a ventilated sink that integrates ventilation and drainage capabilities into a single apparatus, permitting effective protection against airborne contaminants that may be gaseous, vapor, particulate, or the like.
The present invention is applicable to a wide variety of sink-based operations, including food and chemical preparation or mixing, chemical synthesis, cleaning operations, container storage, sensitive item handling, etc. The present invention is particularly useful for labware, dishware, etc. washing operations utilizing solvents as well as during chemical transfer and mixing, but is not intended to be limited to these uses.
The methodologies according to the present invention are suitable for reducing, and potentially substantially eliminating, airborne contaminant exposure during sink-based operations. This apparatus and method are improved, at least in one respect, compared to those currently used by those skilled in the art in that the safety of a airborne contaminant hood may be combined with the convenience of a sink, but without the confines and expense of a hood. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the instant invention. According to one aspect of the present invention, a sink apparatus includes: a sink basin; at least one exhaust aperture provided in the sink basin; and one or more exhaust pathways coupled to the at least one exhaust aperture such that an exhaust can flow from the sink basin into the one or more exhaust pathways via the at least one exhaust aperture.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of ventilating a sink includes the steps of: (1) providing a sink apparatus including: a sink basin; at least one exhaust aperture provided in the sink basin; and one or more exhaust pathways coupled to the at least one exhaust aperture such that an exhaust can flow from the sink basin into the one or more exhaust pathways via the at least one exhaust aperture; (2) and causing an exhaust to flow from the sink basin into the one or more exhaust pathways via the at least one exhaust aperture. Preferably, the method includes the step of performing a sink-based activity in the sink basin while the exhaust is flowing.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a sink apparatus includes: a sink basin; and at least a portion of an exhaust pathway extending through a portion of the sink basin in a manner effective to help reduce airborne contamination in a sink area.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of reducing airborne contamination in a sink area that includes a sink basin includes the step of causing an exhaust to protectively flow from the sink basin into an exhaust pathway in a manner that helps reduce exposure to airborne contaminants generated in the sink basin, wherein the exhaust pathway comprises one or more exhaust apertures coupled to the sink basin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sink area in which one embodiment of a ventilated sink apparatus of the invention is installed, showing section planes A-A and B-B.
FIG. 2 is an isometric, schematic view of one embodiment of a ventilated sink basin of the present invention that is incorporated into the sink apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an isometric, schematic view of one embodiment of a plenum enclosure unit of the present invention that is incorporated into the sink apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sink area of FIG. 1 taken along the plane A-A.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sink area of FIG. 1 taken along the plane B-B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The present invention is described with regard to the accompanying drawings which assist in illustrating various features of the invention. In this regard, the present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for reducing airborne contaminants from escaping into the surrounding atmosphere during sink-based operations. In particular, the present invention relates to a ventilated sink apparatus and a method of use thereof. It is recognized by those skilled in the art that prevention of exposure to airborne contaminants from a broad range of chemicals and chemical related operations may be performed in accordance with the present invention.
The following definitions will be helpful in understanding the specification and claims. The definitions provide herein should be borne in mind when these terms are used in the following examples and throughout the instant application.
As used herein, the term “airborne contaminant” includes, for example, one or more of a liquid, gas, vapor, air-borne particles, or the like. In labware cleaning operations, the contaminant typically is a liquid, vapor or gas. When mixing fine powders into other chemicals, the contaminant typically will include airborne powder and perhaps liquid splashes and/or airborne vapor from the chemicals.
The present invention relates to the prevention of exposure to airborne contaminants during sink-based operations (e.g., labware and dishware washing, chemical transfer and the like) via an exhaust ventilation system local to the sink in which such operations are performed. In preferred embodiments, the exhaust ventilation system provides an air flow barrier over the sink basin opening, helping to prevent airborne contaminants from escaping into the surrounding atmosphere, while allowing clear and easy access to the sink basin area.
An illustrative embodiment of a sink area 10 incorporating a preferred ventilated sink apparatus 12 of the present invention is generally illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, which are provided for the purpose of illustrating the practice of the present invention and which do not constitute limitations on the scope thereof. For the purpose of illustration, unless otherwise stated, the following description is directed to an embodiment which is used in either laboratory or manufacturing venues. This specificity is not meant to exclude the use of said sink configuration from use in household or other industrial or commercial venues, each of which are envisioned in conjunction with the instant invention.
Sink area 10 generally includes cabinet 14 including countertop 16 and cabinet front 18. Countertop 16 includes countertop cutout 20 to provide egress to sink basin interior 22 of the sink apparatus 12 mounted below the countertop 16. Faucet 24 is mounted in conventional fashion behind countertop cutout 20, with its threaded faucet end 26 and faucet mounting hardware 28 being on the underside of countertop 16 (see FIG. 4).
Sink apparatus 12 generally includes a sink basin 32 and an exhaust plenum housing 50 mounted around the outer, top periphery of sink basin 32. One aspect of the present invention provides a sink apparatus having a sink basin that has at least one wall coupling a sink rim to a sink bottom. Usually one wall is used if the sink basin is cylindrical or oval, etc.; otherwise a plurality of walls are used if the sink is generally rectilinear or the like. Although shown as generally rectilinear, it also is appreciated that can be configured to be used with a variety of other sizes and shapes depending upon factors including the desired end use and the nature of the sink area being used. Sink basin 32 includes sidewalls 34, front wall 36, and back wall 38. The preferred size and shape as shown are those of standard laboratory bench sinks, however, the size may be scaled up or down, accordingly and the basic shape may be altered in any number of ways, e.g., oval, triangle, parallelogram, trapezoid.
Sink basin 32 also includes bottom 40 having a sink drain 41. Top rim 44 of sink basin 32 defines a sink opening 42 substantially registered with countertop cutout 20.
One or more exhaust vents are provided in the one or more sink basin walls proximal to the sink basin top rim, generally above the highest level to which the sink would be filled with liquid. The exhaust vents may be distributed substantially uniformly around the perimeter of the entire sink basin, as this facilitates generating what is, in practical effect, an effective airflow barrier over the sink basin, helping to isolate the basin from the ambient area near the sink. Uniquely, sink basin 32 is provided with a plurality of exhaust apertures 46 preferably distributed around the periphery of sink basin as defined by walls 34, 36, and 38 proximal to top rim 44. Exhaust apertures 46 may be of any convenient size and shape, but are shown (e.g., FIG. 5) for illustrative purposes as elongated slot openings having a width of one inch between edges 47 and 49. The preferred peripheral distribution of exhaust apertures 46 helps to provide a uniform exhaust flow over the top of the sink when the exhaust system (not shown) functionality is engaged to sink apparatus 12. Generally, the exhaust apertures 46 would be situated on the sink basin walls high enough to be above the highest anticipated level of liquid to be held in the sink basin 32. In FIG. 5, edge 47 of exhaust aperture 46 is located 1.5 inches from top rim 44. However, just in case liquid were to overflow into the exhaust plenum system through apertures 46, the exhaust system, described further below, is fitted with one or more liquid drains 68.
Sink basin 32 is mounted to the underside of countertop 16 in any suitable way using conventional techniques now or hereafter developed. To drain liquid from sink basin 32, suitable plumbing (not shown) is fitted to sink drain 41. Note how the walls 34, 36, and 38 generally taper inward from the top rim 44 down to bottom 40. This facilitates fitting exhaust plenum housing 50 over sink basin 32 during installation, as described further below.
Exhaust plenum housing 50 includes sidewalls 52, front wall 54, backwall 56, and floor 60. Backwall 56 includes notch 58 to provide room for threaded faucet end 26 and its mounting hardware 28. Floor 60 includes cutout 62 defined by perimeter 61 that is sized to fit closely around sink basin 32. Housing 50 fits easily over the bottom of basin 32, but then the fit between the two components becomes relatively closer as housing 50 is slid upward to its installation position just under countertop 16 near the top of basin 32.
Preferred embodiments may include one or more additional, desired features. As mentioned above, the exhaust plenum may incorporate one or more liquid drains just in case liquid from the sink basin overflows into the plenum. The exhaust plenum optionally may incorporate replaceable or reusable filter media for absorbing/adsorbing airborne contaminants from the exhaust flow.
Mounting flange(s) 64 extends at least partially, but preferably substantially entirely as shown, around the top periphery of walls 52, 54, and 56 of exhaust plenum housing 50 and are used to help install exhaust plenum housing 50 to the underside of countertop 16 after sink basin 32 is installed. A bead of caulk is applied onto the top surface of flange 64, and then housing 50 is fit over sink basin 32 to abut the underside of countertop 16. Suitable mechanical means (not shown) such as screws, brackets, nails, or the like may be used to secure housing 50 into position. To help provide an airtight seal at joint 72, a bead of caulk 74 may be used. Thus, exhaust plenum housing 50 fits around the top periphery of sink basin 32 with the bottom portion of basin 32 projecting through cutout 62.
Preferably, the exhaust vent(s) are coupled to one or more exhaust plenums exterior to the sink basin. The plenum(s) may be hooked up to an existing exhaust system or to stand-alone unit/componentry. Once housing 50 is in position, an exhaust plenum 70 is thereby formed between housing 50 and sink basin 32. The plenum 70 is defined at least in part by the spacing between walls 52, 54, and 56 on the outer side of the plenum 70 and walls 34, 36, and 38 on the inside of the plenum 70. The plenum 70 in this preferred embodiment extends substantially around the entire periphery of sink basin 32, which helps to establish an even flow of exhaust into plenum 70 from the interior of sink basin 32 through exhaust apertures 46.
Exhaust thus enters plenum 70 through apertures 46 and exits plenum 70 through exhaust ports 66. Exhaust ports 66 may be further ducted to other exhaust lines (not shown) as desired. The sink apparatus 12 may be custom made to fit a space, or alternatively, be produced to accommodate existing fixtures and plumbing enabling retro-fitting thereof.
The sink system of the present invention reduces the potential for airborne contaminants to cross the breathing zone and also minimizes the loss of countertop space. Such ventilated sinks as described in the present invention are effective at containing airborne solvent concentrations well below OELs for many operations. Thus, the goal of protecting personnel engaged in glassware cleansing and/or chemical transfer may be achieved and provides continued alignment with commitments of providing a workplace free of recognized health hazards.
At least the surfaces, and preferably the bulk of the ventilated sink apparatus 12 are fabricated from one or more materials that are resistant to chemical substances within the scope of intended use of apparatus 12. A variety of materials may be used and include, for example, granite, marble, stainless steel, ceramic, composite, fluoropolymer or other non-reactive polymers with respect to the intended use (epoxy resin, for instance), iron and porcelain combinations, combinations of these, and mixtures thereof. For lab or industrial applications, the preferred material is chemically stable, heat and cold resistant, acid and base resistant, and rigid and sturdy. Furthermore, it may be formulated to include additives to inhibit UV damage and prevent splitting, splintering and cracking, as well as possess fire retardant properties. Other desirable additives include antioxidants, fungicides, bactericides, antistatic agents, inorganic or organic fillers, and the like. Desirably, the apparatus made according to the instant invention has an acceptably long service life and is durable for its intended use.
In use, an exhaust is drawn through these vents to help withdraw contaminants generated in the sink basin. Airborne contaminants arising inside the sink basin will have a tendency to be pulled into the exhaust system of the sink, significantly reducing the amount of airborne contaminants that otherwise might be released into the ambient area near the sink. The airflow establishes a physical barrier to guide contaminants into the exhaust plenum while keeping airborne contaminants out of the ambient area near the sink, yet personnel may still easily access the sink interior without obstruction. Sink-based operations may then be carried out under the protection offered by the resultant airflow. In operation, the exhaust plenum 70 of ventilated sink apparatus 12 is ducted to an appropriate exhaust system (not shown) by fitting additional exhaust lines to exhaust ports 66. The exhaust system may be one of continuous operation or electrically interfaced with the sink apparatus 12 via a standard on/off switch. When the exhaust system is properly attached and engaged, it creates a continuous flow of air from the ambient area near the sink into the sink basin 32 via countertop cutout 20 and sink opening 42. This flow then proceeds generally outward over the top of sink basin 32 through the exhaust apertures 46 and into plenum 70. From there, the flow is exhausted through ports 66. Airborne contaminants generated in sink basin 32 tend to rise upward and get pulled into and carried away by the exhaust flow. In this manner, the tendency of airborne contaminants to rise above sink basin 32 and escape into the ambient area near the sink is dramatically reduced.
The rate of desired airflow drawn into the plenum 70 may vary over a wide range. However, if it is too slow, the protection offered by the flow may be less than desired. If too fast, the air inside the sink basin 32 may be too turbulent. Balancing such concerns one recommended operating condition found to provide excellent protection characteristics involves operating at a volumetric flow rate, Q, of 120 ft³/min, where Q is given by Q=A*V, where A is the area (ft²) of the sink opening 42 and V is the velocity (ft/min) of the air moving through the sink opening 42. This condition would be suitable, for instance, when V is about 60 ft/min and the sink opening area is about 2 ft². The total area of the exhaust apertures 46 desirably would be sufficient to provide an air flow velocity through these of about 225 ft/min.
The instant invention provides a simple, integrated, ventilated sink apparatus and method of use thereof. By incorporating an air barrier over a sink basin, exposure to chemical substances from inside the basin is limited and may be substantially eliminated. This sink apparatus and method do not require costly and sophisticated equipment or specially trained personnel, and reduces exposure health hazards.
Sink apparatus 12 shown in the Figures has a single sink basin 32. The principles of the present invention may also be used for sinks with multiple basins. For example, consider a typical kitchen sink with two basins, in which each basin is separated by a dividing wall. Incorporating principles of the invention into such embodiments, one or more basins may be fitted with exhaust apertures leading to an exhaust plenum as desired. To facilitate protective transfer of items from one basin to the other, the dividing wall between basins may be relatively lower than the peripheral sink walls, thus helping to ensure that items remain below the sink rim periphery during transfer. Exhaust apertures may also be provided in the dividing wall to enhance protection. While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather an exemplification of the preferred embodiment thereof. The present invention, in various embodiments, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, subcombinations, and subsets thereof. Many other variations are possible. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure. The present invention, in various embodiments includes providing devices and methods in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation. The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. Although the description of the invention has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modification, other variations and modification are within the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by examples provided herein.

Claims

1. A sink apparatus, comprising:

a sink basin;

at least one exhaust aperture provided in the sink basin; and

one or more exhaust pathways coupled to the at least one exhaust aperture such that an exhaust can flow from the sink basin into the one or more exhaust pathways via the at least one exhaust aperture.

2. The sink apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sink basin comprises a sink basin interior and at least one wall with a top rim and wherein the one or more exhaust pathways comprises an exhaust plenum positioned around at least a portion of the periphery of the sink basin, wherein the exhaust plenum is in fluid communication with the sink basin interior at least through said at least one exhaust aperture.

3. The sink apparatus of claim 2, wherein the exhaust plenum further comprises at least one liquid overflow drain.

4. The sink apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of slot-shaped exhaust apertures provided around a periphery of the at least one sink basin wall proximal to the top rim of the at least one sink basin wall.

5. A method of ventilating a sink, comprising the steps of:

providing the sink apparatus of claim 1; and

causing an exhaust to flow from the sink basin into the one or more exhaust pathways via the at least one exhaust aperture.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of performing a sink-based activity in the sink basin while the exhaust is flowing.

7. A method of ventilating a sink, comprising the steps of:

providing the sink apparatus of claim 2; and

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of performing a sink-based activity in the sink basin while the exhaust is flowing.

9. A method of ventilating a sink, comprising the steps of:

providing the sink apparatus of claim 3; and

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of performing a sink-based activity in the sink basin while the exhaust is flowing.

11. A method of ventilating a sink, comprising the steps of:

providing the sink apparatus of claim 4; and

12. The method of claim 1 1, further comprising the step of performing a sink-based activity in the sink basin while the exhaust is flowing.

13. A sink apparatus, comprising:

a sink basin; and

at least a portion of an exhaust pathway extending through a portion of the sink basin in a manner effective to help reduce airborne contamination in a sink area.

14. A method of reducing airborne contamination in a sink area comprising a sink basin, comprising the step of

causing an exhaust to protectively flow from the sink basin into an exhaust pathway in a manner that helps reduce exposure to airborne contaminants generated in the sink basin,

wherein the exhaust pathway comprises one or more exhaust apertures coupled to the sink basin.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the exhaust helps to establish a physical barrier to help guide contaminants from the sink basin into the exhaust flow, thereby helping to reduce exposure to the contaminants that might otherwise occur in the absence of the exhaust flow.