US20160289933A1

US20160289933A1 - Easy rinse sink

Info

Publication number: US20160289933A1
Application number: US14/677,421
Authority: US
Inventors: Willie Williams, Iii
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-04-02
Filing date: 2015-04-02
Publication date: 2016-10-06

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-cleaning sink, comprising a plurality of water spray injectors distributed on inner surface under an upper rim of the sink for delivering pressurized water to an inner bowl of the sink and a plurality of conduits connecting a reservoir containing a cleaning liquid to the sink. The sink further comprises an activation control operable for pumping a specific quantity of the cleaning liquid through one or more of the conduits and mixing with pressurized water delivered via the plurality of water spray injectors for cleaning the inner bowl of the sink.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a sink or wash basin used in kitchen or bathroom and more specifically relates to a self-cleaning sink equipped with an apparatus for easy rinsing of the sink inner surface by actuating a lever or a button.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sinks are commonly used in kitchen, bathroom, utility, and commercial applications for washing and cleaning. Various types and styles of sinks have achieved widespread application in residential and commercial markets. Typically, a sink comprises a faucet attached to a wash bowl like fixture comprising a drain which can be closed or opened using a drain plug. One of the common problem with the conventional sink is the debris or stain left on the inner surface the sink after use. Often the faucet doesn't provide a sufficient way to clean the sink, especially the inner surface of the sink, so one must splash water with their hand, wipe the sink clean with a cloth or a paper towel in order to clean the entire sink.
In certain cases, detachable type faucets are used for cleaning the sinks by spraying pressurized water through spray jets, but involves less cleaning efficiency and manual directing of faucets. In addition, sinks are also developed with electric pumps to spray water thus eliminating the need for faucets, however these sinks are needed to be sufficiently filled with water and cannot remove tough stains from sink surface.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved sink capable of self-cleaning or easy rinsing of the sink surface with pressurized water along with a cleaning liquid by simple actuation of a button or a lever switch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a self-cleaning sink, comprising a plurality of water spray injectors disposed on inner face beneath an upper rim of the sink, adapted for delivering pressurized water to the interior of the sink and a plurality of conduits adapted to carry a cleaning liquid from a reservoir to one or more of the water spray injectors. An actuator adapted for diverting the water flow from a faucet to the water spray injectors. The self-cleaning sink further comprises an activation control linked to a faucet, adapted for pumping a predefined amount of the cleaning liquid through at least one conduit delivered to the inner surface of sink via plurality of water spray injectors.
In an embodiment, the self-cleaning sink further comprises a holder made of materials such as a wire mesh or basket for holding the reservoir containing the cleaning liquid. Further, the plurality of water spray injectors are substantially distributed under the upper rim of the sink so as to deliver pressurized water all over the inner bowl of the sink. In an embodiment, the cleaning liquid from the reservoir is mixed with the pressurized water delivered to the inner bowl of the sink for rinsing off the stains and debris.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a self-cleaning sink, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the self-cleaning sink, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reservoir holding a cleaning liquid, according to different embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments presents a description of certain specific embodiments to assist in understanding the claims. However, the present invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, which illustrates a perspective view and a top view of a self-cleaning sink respectively. The sink 110 comprises a plurality of water spray injectors 112 distributed on an inner face beneath the upper rim of the sink 110, adapted for delivering pressurized water to an inner bowl surface of the sink 110. The sink further comprises a faucet 140 for delivering water to the bowl and an actuator 144 comprising a lever or a press type button adapted to divert water flow from the faucet 140 to the water spray injectors 112. The above configuration allows easy cleaning of the inner surface of the sink bowl with pressurized water delivered via water spray injectors 112, by simple actuation of the actuator 144. In an embodiment, the water spray injectors 112 are disposed in a hidden manner under the upper rim of the sink 110, such that these injectors 112 are not noticeable. The above hidden arrangement of water spray injectors 112 therefore provide an aesthetic appeal to the self-cleaning sink of the present invention.
A plurality of conduits 132, 134 and 136 in fluid connection with a reservoir 120 holding a cleaning liquid 124, adapted to pump out a specific amount of the cleaning liquid 124 from the reservoir 120 to the inner bowl of the sink 110. In an embodiment, the faucet 140 is coupled with an activation control 142 adapted for pumping the cleaning liquid 124 from the reservoir 120. In an embodiment, the activation control 142 comprising a lever or a button, is operatively coupled to an electrical or mechanical pump adapted to pump air into the reservoir 120 through a first conduit 132, in order to receive a predefined amount of the cleaning liquid through one or more second conduits 134, 136 delivered to the inner bowl of the sink 110 via one or more of the plurality of water spray injectors 112 along with pressurized water for cleaning off the stains or debris from the inner bowl surface.
The reservoir may comprise a container with an airtight closure, the container is secured within a reservoir holder 122 comprising a mesh basket or similar structure adapted for holding. The reservoir holder 122 may be mounted to a wall beneath the sink 110 or attached to the under body of the sink 110.
In an embodiment, the sink 110 further comprises a plurality of hollow nipples 114 attached to the exterior of the sink, adapted to receive the plurality of conduits 132, 134 and 136. For example, the hollow nipples 114 connected beneath to the exterior surface of the upper rim of the sink. The hollow nipples 114 forms an open channel connecting the inner bowl of the sink 110 and the second conduit 134, 136, thus allowing the cleaning liquid 124 to flow along with the pressurized water as exits through the water spray injectors 112. In an embodiment, the first conduit 132 is connected to an activation control 142 via a hollow nipple disposed beneath or adjacent to the faucet 140.
A plurality of conduits carrying a predefined amount of cleaning liquid from the reservoir, connected to the sink via hollow nipples. The cleaning liquid is mixed with water and delivered via water spray injectors substantially distributed on inner face under the upper rim of the sink for rinsing or cleaning the inner bowl surface. In an embodiment, the second conduit carrying cleaning liquid comprises two or more conduits which are connected via hollow nipples attached to the exterior surface under the upper rim of the sink.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the reservoir holding a cleaning liquid. The reservoir 120 comprises a container closed with a stopper 126 creating an airtight seal. The stopper 126 comprises a plurality of openings for receiving and holding the plurality of conduits 132-136. In an embodiment, the first conduit 132 is adapted to pump air into the reservoir 120, hence inserted only to a certain extent into the reservoir 120 so as to not contact the cleaning liquid 124. For example, the first conduit 132 is inserted into the reservoir 120 only to extend a quarter inch from the stopper 126. In an embodiment, the second conduit may comprise multiple conduits 134, 136 adapted to carry the cleaning liquid from reservoir 120 to the sink. The second conduit 134, 136 is inserted into the reservoir 120 till a substantial portion of the conduit is immersed in the cleaning liquid 124 or till the bottom of the reservoir 120.
In an embodiment, the activation control comprises a gravitron activation button configured for pumping out the cleaning liquid. The button may comprise a manual pump for pumping air into the reservoir, for example, the button can be pressed repeatedly for pumping air into the reservoir via a first conduit which forces out a specific amount of cleaning liquid through the second conduit for delivering to the inner bowl of the sink. In another embodiment, the gravitron activation button comprises a switch operatively coupled to an electric pump or a compressor adapted to pump air into the reservoir via the first conduit.
The water spray injectors can be selected from different types of spray units comprising overlap sprayers, rotating jet type sprayers and swirl type sprayers or its combinations for supply of water mixed with the cleaning liquid for efficient rinsing of the sink. The water spray injectors are activated by an actuator comprising a switch or a lever that is connected to the faucet and co-exist with the stopper. The actuator activates the water jets on the same principle as the lever in a shower, it diverts the water from the faucet to the water spray injectors.
The advantages of the self-cleaning sink includes easy rinsing of the sink interior using cleaning liquid by simple actuation of a button or switch. This eliminates the need to clean debris or manually wipe off the stains from the sink using cloth or tissue paper or splashing of water and promotes overall hygiene. The configuration of the plurality of water spray injectors allows cleaning of the inner bowl of the sink only with pressurized water even without the cleaning fluid. The self-cleaning sink can be installed in kitchen or bathroom or utility both for residential and commercial applications.
The present invention has been described with a preferred embodiment thereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications to the described embodiment can be carried out without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A self-cleaning sink, comprising:

a plurality of water spray injectors substantially distributed under an upper rim of the sink, adapted for delivering pressurized water to an inner bowl of the sink;

an actuator, adapted for diverting water flow from a faucet to the plurality of water spray injectors;

a plurality of conduits, in fluid connection with a reservoir holding a cleaning liquid and the sink;

an activation control, adapted for pumping a predefined amount of the cleaning liquid received via at least one of the plurality of conduits delivered to the inner bowl via the plurality of water spray injectors.

2. The sink of claim 1, further comprises a plurality of hollow nipples adapted to connect the plurality of conduits to the sink.

3. The sink of claim 1, further comprises a holder adapted to securely hold the reservoir, wherein the holder is mounted to a support wall or to an under body of the sink.

4. The sink of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conduits comprises a plurality of rubber hoses.

5. The sink of claim 1, wherein the activation control or actuator comprises a button or a lever or a switch.

6. The sink of claim 1, wherein the activation control is coupled to an electric pump or mechanical pump.

7. The sink of claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises a stopper forming an air tight seal.

8. The sink of claim 7, wherein the stopper comprises a multitude of openings for holding the plurality of conduits.

9. The sink of claim 1, wherein a first end of the first conduit is connected to the activation control and the second end is connected to the interior of the reservoir tank, without contacting the cleaning fluid.

10. The sink of claim 1, wherein a first of the second conduit is connected to the interior of the reservoir tank, contacting the cleaning fluid and second end is connected to the exterior of the upper rim of the sink.

11. The sink of claim 1, wherein the plurality of water spray injectors mix the cleaning fluid with water and deliver to the interior surface of the sink.