US20070056092A1

US20070056092A1 - Swirl sink and method of use

Info

Publication number: US20070056092A1
Application number: US11/224,343
Authority: US
Inventors: John Prather
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-12
Filing date: 2005-09-12
Publication date: 2007-03-15

Abstract

The swirl sink is a wash basin having a molded lip, wherein the molded lip comprises a set of holes located at specified intervals. Each hole would have an angled channel that allows the water to flow out of the hole creating a swirling spiraling effect. Each hole would connect to a flexible water line by way of nipple. Once the water is turned on at the faucet, the water would be channeled through the flexible water line by a lever that would be lifted to cause the water to flow through the flexible water line and lowered to shut off the water flow. When the water is flowing through the flexible water line it would be at a reduced pressure thereby preventing splashing when exiting the angled channels into the sink.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Wash basins and sinks for use in kitchens, bathrooms and other locations.

BACKGROUND

Now that out houses are a thing of the past, housing now contains indoor plumbing which not only includes a toilet but includes the facilities to bath and a wash basin or sink. Bathroom sinks are used for a number of tasks including washing ones face and hands, brushing teeth, shaving, soaking or washing objects.
Because we use our bathroom sinks for so many chores. They easily become dirty. For example, it is not uncommon to find drops of toothpaste in a bathroom sink. This is very common due to the use of the sink for brushing teeth. Another common use that helps to create a dirty sink is shaving. Most often shaving takes place over the sink because of the need for water unless an electric razor is being used. Therefore, during the shaving process, hair is inserted into the sink. If you are using an electric razor, this process is reduced but not eliminated. Even when shaving with an electric razor a small amount of hair falls from the electric razor. If the shaving process is taking place over the sink, these hairs fall into the sink.
Washing ones face and hands is probably the most common use for any sink. The degree of dirt that is released into the sink during this process is contingent upon the user's needs. If one's hands are extremely dirty then there is a larger amount of dirt that is released into the sink. For example if one has been digging in the dirt, then a large amount of dirt would be washed from one's hands into the sink. During this hand washing process the dirt is spread along the sides and base of the sink. The same is true if you are soaking something in the sink to get it clean.
Cleaning the bathroom sink is not a chore that anyone wants to complete on a daily basis. However, since the bathroom sink has a large number of variants that cause it to be dirty, this chore needs to be completed on a regular basis. Presently, the best way to do this is by applying cleanser and then using the faucet to rinse the cleanser down the drain. In an effort to keep this process from needing to be completed more often, most individuals try to rinse the sink on an as needed basis. Typically, one would attempt to rinse the hair out of the sink when the shaving process is completed, or when you are through washing your hands or brushing your teeth. However, with the current sink configuration, it requires that you use a washing device or at the very least your hands to spread the water around the sides of the sink.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one embodiment of the present invention the wash basin would comprise a ceramic bowl.
In another embodiment the wash basing would comprise a faucet.
In still another embodiment the faucet would operate to control the supply of water.
In yet another embodiment the wash basin comprises a metal lever.
In another embodiment the metal lever would be located on the back of the ceramic bowl.
In still another embodiment the wash basin would comprise a flexible water hose.
In yet another embodiment the metal lever would operate to control the flow of water through the flexible water hose.
In another embodiment the wash basin would comprise a molded lip.
In still another embodiment the molded lip would be located around the edge of the ceramic bowl.
In yet another embodiment the molded lip would comprise holes located at regular intervals.
In another embodiment the flexible water hose would cause water to flow at a reduced pressure.
In still another embodiment each hole would comprise an angled channel.
In another embodiment each hole would comprise a nipple operable to attached to the flexible water hose.
In yet another embodiment the metal handle would cause water to flow through the flexible water hose by lifting the handle.
In still another embodiment lowering the metal handle would cause water to cease to flow through the flexible water hose.
In yet another embodiment the angled channels operate to cause the water to flow out creating a swirling effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a swirl sink.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a swirl sink.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.
FIG. 1 illustrates a swirl sink 10 having a ceramic bowl 20, faucet 30, metal handle 40, molded lip 50, angled holes 60, flexible water hose 70 and a drain 80. The swirl sink 10 is operable to function as a regular sink or can be manually switched to a swirl sink 10. By turning on the faucet 30, water proceeds to flow out of the faucet 30, into the ceramic bowl 20 and out the drain 80 in a normal sink. However, with the swirl sink 20, when the faucet 30 is turned on, water initially flows out of the faucet 30 into the ceramic bowl 30. To switch to the swirl sink 20, one would pull the metal handle 40 which would cause the water to flow through the flexible water hose 70 to the angled holes 60 and out the angled holes creating a swirling spiraling flow of water around the edges of the ceramic bowl 20. The flow of water in ceramic bowl 20 forms a swirling spiraling pattern. For the swirl sink 10 to operate properly, the ceramic bowl 20 will comprise a molded lip 50 wherein the angled holes 60 are located. By having the molded lip 50, the angled holes 60 can be situated to allow the water to flow around the sides of the ceramic bowl 20 before exiting out the drain 80 located in the bottom of the ceramic bowl 20. Once the user is through with rinsing the edges of the ceramic bowl 20, the metal handle 40 can be lowered causing the water to flow out of the faucet 30 in a normal manner.
The metal handle 40 not only operates to cause the water to cease to exit from the faucet 30 it also causes the water pressure to be reduced thereby preventing splashing of the water when it exits out of the angled holes 60 into the ceramic bowl 20.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the swirl sink 10 and further depicts the metal handle 40, the angled holes 60, the flexible water hose 70 and the molded lip 50. By using the swirl sink 10 water enters the ceramic bowl 10 along the sides of the ceramic bowl 10 in a swirling spiraling direction so as to flow out in a swirling pattern. This allows the user flexibility in rinsing the ceramic bowl 20.
One advantage to this type of configuration is the ease of rinsing/cleaning the ceramic bowl 20. For example, just by pulling the metal handle 40, toothpaste, hair and the like can be easily rinsed down the drain 80. Also when cleaning the ceramic bowl 20, the cleaner can be easily rinsed from the sided by engaging the metal handle 40. By allowing the user to rinse the ceramic bowl 20 on a regular use basis and further allowing the ceramic bowl 20 to be cleaned easier, the user's time involved in the cleaning process is reduced. Another advantage to the swirl sink 10 is that normally, during the cleaning process water is splashed outside of the ceramic bowl 20 onto the surrounding counter top. However, since the metal handle 40, also operates to reduce the water pressure as it flows through the flexible water hose 70 and out of the angled holes 60, the amount of water splashed during the cleaning process can be reduced. The use of the swirl sink 10 also eliminated the need for one to use their hands to rinse the sides of the ceramic bowl 20.
Although an embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described in detail herein, along with certain variants thereof, many other varied embodiments that incorporate the teachings of the invention may be easily constructed by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A wash basin comprising:

a ceramic bowl comprising a faucet attachment, wherein said faucet attachment operates to supply water;

a metal handle located on the back of said ceramic bowl operable to cause water to flow through a flexible water hose; and

a molded lip around the edge of the ceramic bowl, wherein said molded lip includes holes situated at regular intervals.

2. The wash basin of claim 1, wherein said flexible water hose would cause water to flow at a reduced pressure.

3. The wash basin of claim 1, wherein each hole would comprise an angled channel and a nipple operable to attach to said flexible water hose.

4. The wash basin of claim 1, wherein lifting said metal handle would cause the water to flow through the flexible water hose and out of the holes into the wash basin.

5. The wash basin of claim 1, wherein lowering the handle would cause the water to cease to flow through the flexible water hose and out of the holes.

6. The wash basin of claim 1, wherein said angled channels operate to cause water to flow out in a swirling pattern.

7. A sink rinsing system comprising:

a ceramic bowl comprising a molded lip;

a flexible water hose;

holes built into the molded lip, wherein each hole would comprise an angled channel and a nipple operable to attach to said flexible water hose;

a metal lever attached to the ceramic bowl, wherein lifting said lever causes water to flow through said flexible water hose and into said ceramic bowl through said holes in a swirling spiraling pattern; and wherein lowering said lever causes water to cease to flow through said flexible water hose; and

a drain located in the bottom of the ceramic bowl; said drain operable to allow water to flow out of the ceramic bowl.

8. The sink rinsing system of claim 7, wherein said holes are located at regular intervals.

9. The sink rinsing system of claim 7, wherein water flows through said flexible water hose at a reduced pressure.

10. The sink rinsing system of claim 7, wherein said angled channel operates to cause the water to flow out in a swirling pattern.

11. A method of rinsing a sink comprising a ceramic bowl, a water supply, a faucet, a flexible water hose, a metal lever, a set of holes further having an angled channel and a nipple, and a drain; said method comprising the steps of:

supplying water from the water source by turning on said faucet;

lifting the metal lever to allow water to flow through said flexible water hose into the nipple and out the angled channel in a swirling, spiraling pattern then out through the drain;

lowering the metal lever causing the water to cease flowing through the flexible hose; and

turning off the water source.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of flowing water through the flexible water hose at a reduced pressure.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said holes are located regular intervals.