WO2019101293A1

WO2019101293A1 - Sink and method of installing same

Info

Publication number: WO2019101293A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/079911
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alessandro Cagliari; Ngoc An HUYNH
Original assignee: Franke Technology And Trademark Ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-21
Filing date: 2017-11-21
Publication date: 2019-05-31

Abstract

A system for and a method of installing a sink (1) in a worktop cutout (11 a) for creating a workplace, wherein a rim (5) of the sink (1) is flush with the worktop upper surface(llf), said system comprising: a sink, in particular kitchen sink, having at least one bowl (2) with a bottom wall (3) and a circumferential side wall (4), at least one outlet opening (3a) located in said bottom wall (3), and a circumferential rim (5) located at an upper edge of said bowl (2) around an outside thereof, said rim (5) extending outwardly from said side wall (4) by an extent (E); a number of adjusting elements (20) to be arranged on an outside of said bowl (2) adjacent said rim (5), which adjusting elements (20) have a first portion (20a) extending, in an installation state, outwardly beyond the extent (E) of said rim (5) for abutting an underside (11 d) of the worktop (11), and a second portion (20b) extending, in said installation state, essentially parallel to said side wall (4), a free end (20c) of said second portion (20b) being devised for abutting an underside of said rim (5), and which adjusting elements (20) have an adjusting mechanism (21 ) for adjusting a relative position between said first portion (20a) and said second portion (20b), thereby adjusting the height of the sink (1).

Description

Sink and method of installing same

Description

The present application relates to a sink installation system, for installing a sink, in particular a kitchen sink, in a worktop cut-out, according to claim 1 .

According to a further aspect, the application relates to a (kitchen) workplace according to claim 8 comprising a sink and a worktop, said worktop having a cut-out therein, in which said sink is installed.

Furthermore, according to another aspect thereof, the application relates to a method of installing a sink in a worktop cut-out according to claim 14.

Today, different installation methods are used for installing sinks, in particular kitchen sinks, in a built-in kitchen.

Using the undermount method, the sink has outwardly directed flanges along its side walls, which flanges are fixed to the lower surface or underside of a work- top by means of brackets or the like. Accordingly, with the undermount method, the sink has to be installed from below the worktop which may be cumbersome and difficult.

So-called inset or slimtop sinks present an edge portion around the sink bowl, which edge portion is intended to be placed on top of the upper worktop surface when installing the sink. The sink in question further presents clamps which are - on one side - attached to said edge portion, whereas the other extremity of said clamps is brought into contact with the lower worktop surface. Then, by means of screws comprised in said clamps, the sink is fixed to the worktop. Again, the main installation work has to be done from below the worktop, which can be cumbersome and difficult. Furthermore, said clamps can present a rather intricate design. So-called flushmount sinks differ from the above-mentioned inset or slim top sinks in that said edge portion of the sink is not located on top of the upper worktop surface, but is located in a shallow circumferential recess around a worktop cut-out. In this way, the sink does not protrude from the upper worktop surface, which can be appreciated for reasons of design and hygiene. Flush- mount sinks are fixed to the worktop by means of clamps, much like inset or slim top sinks.

Another way of installing a sink is described in US 9,689, 152 B2 or European patent application EP 14 010 023. The sink in question being rimless, it is easily deformed during installation. Furthermore, aligning the sink with the worktop during installation can be rather cumbersome.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new sink installation system and a corresponding installation method, which present a unique integration of the sink with the worktop, while facilitating the installation work. Furthermore, a cut-out section of the worktop shall be protected, which is not easily possible with the above-mentioned current installation methods.

The object is achieved by means of a sink installation system according to claim 1 , for installing a sink in a worktop cut-out, comprising: a sink, in particular kitchen sink, having at least one bowl with a bottom wall and a circumferential side wall, at least one outlet opening located in said bottom wall, and a circum- ferential rim located at an upper edge of said bowl around an outside thereof, said rim extending outwardly from said side wall by an extent; a number of ad- justing elements to be arranged on an outside of said bowl adjacent said rim, which adjusting elements have a first portion extending, in an installation state, outwardly beyond the extent of said rim for abutting an underside of the work- top, and a second portion extending, in said installation state, essentially paral- lel to said side wall, a free end of said second portion being devised for abutting an underside of said rim, and which adjusting elements have an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a relative position between said first portion and said second portion. A thickness of said second portion, at least in parts thereof, preferably should not exceed said extent (of said rim extending outwardly from said side wall) so that it can fit between a cut-out side wall and said sink side wall in said installation state. According to another aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by means of a workplace according to claim 8, said workplace comprising a sink, in particular kitchen sink, having at least one bowl with a bottom wall and a circumferential side wall, at least one outlet opening located in said bottom wall, and a circum- ferential rim located at an upper edge of said bowl around an outside thereof, said rim extending outwardly from said side wall by an extent; a number of ad- justing elements arranged on an outside of said bowl adjacent said rim, which adjusting elements have a first portion extending, in an installation state, out- wardly beyond the extent of said rim and abutting an underside of the worktop, and a second portion extending, in said installation state, essentially parallel to said side wall, a free end of said second portion abutting an underside of said rim, and which adjusting elements have an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a relative position between said first portion and said second portion; and a work- top, said worktop having a cut-out therein, in which said sink is installed, said cut-out defining a cut-out side wall extending essentially at right angles with re- spect to an upper surface and a lower surface (i.e., said underside) of said worktop, wherein said cut-out side wall is located opposite said rim. A thickness of said second portion, at least in parts thereof, preferably should not exceed said extent (of said rim extending outwardly from said side wall) so that it fits between said cut-out side wall and said sink side wall in said installation state.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the object is also achieved by means of a method of installing a sink in a worktop cut-out according to claim 14, said method comprising a) providing a sink, in particular kitchen sink, having at least one bowl with a bottom wall and a circumferential side wall, at least one outlet opening located in said bottom wall, and a circumferential rim located at an upper edge of said bowl around an outside thereof, said rim extending out- wardly from said side wall by an extent; b) making said worktop cut-out, it being larger in dimension than an area circumscribed by said rim while defining a cut- out side wall extending essentially at right angles with respect to an upper and underside of said worktop; c) providing a number of adjusting elements on an outside of said bowl adjacent said rim, which adjusting elements have a first portion extending, in an installation state, outwardly beyond the extent of said rim and abutting said underside of the worktop, and a second portion extending, in said installation state, essentially parallel to said side wall of the sink, and which adjusting elements have an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a relative position between said first portion and said second portion; d) placing said sink in said cut-out from above said worktop, beginning with a bottom part of said sink opposite said rim so that said cut-out side wall is located opposite said rim, said sink resting within said cut-out on said respective free ends of said second portion, a free end of said second portion abutting an underside of said rim . A thickness of said second portion, at least in parts thereof, preferably should not exceed said extent (of said rim extending outwardly from said side wall) so that it fits between said cut-out side wall and said sink side wall in said installation state.

Owing to its unique rim design, the sink according to the present invention is capable of breaking current installation rules. Preferably, the rim extends across the worktop cut-out section (i.e., covers the cut-out side wall), thus potentially protecting the latter, and an upper edge of said rim is coplanar with the upper worktop surface, when installed.

In this way, a side wall of the worktop cut-out can be protected and does not require to be polished or otherwise treated prior to installing the sink, which can greatly reduce installation costs.

Preferably, the sink rim is floating in the worktop cut-out, i.e. does not come into contact with a side wall of said cut-out. A corresponding gap can be sealed by using any suitable sealant, e.g. a silicone sealant.

A tolerance (gap) between an outer part of the sink rim and the worktop aperture or cut-out can take on a nominal value of 1 mm with a tolerance of +/- 0.5 mm. The invention is not limited to these particular values.

Installation of the sink according to the present invention can be executed by pushing the sink in the worktop cut-out from above the worktop.

The sink can be kept in its final position within the worktop cut-out by means of the adjusting elements arranged around the worktop cut-out on the outside of the sink bowl in combination with an adhesive action of said sealant (e.g. sili- cone). As a final result, the installed sink can present a flushmount-like rim in terms of alignment with the worktop upper surface, while greatly facilitating the required installation work.

In an advantageous embodiment of the sink installation system according to the invention, the first portion of the adjusting elements is formed by a plate-like element with a threaded element extending from a first surface thereof; the sec- ond portion of the adjusting elements is formed by an angle piece having a first leg and a second leg, said first leg having a threaded piece (e.g., a threaded nut) engaging said threaded element and said second leg comprising said free end at a distal end thereof; an angle between said first leg and said second leg preferably being a right angle. This provides an easy and cost-efficient design with an adjusting mechanism that is easy to handle during installation of the sink.

In another advantageous embodiment of the sink installation system according to the invention, said adjusting mechanism is a screwing mechanism, preferably comprising at least the threaded element and the threaded piece that were men- tioned earlier. This kind of adjusting mechanism is particularly easy to handle during installation of the sink.

In yet another advantageous embodiment of the sink installation system accord- ing to the invention, said first portion of the adjusting elements is adhesively attached or attachable to the worktop, preferably by means of a suitable primer or adhesive (in the form of a liquid adhesive or a double-sided adhesive tape). This provides a safe and easy way of durably installing the adjusting elements.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the sink installation system according to the invention, a number of bracket elements are arranged on or are to be lo- cated on said circumferential side wall, said bracket elements having a first leg and a second leg, an angle between said first leg and said second leg preferably being a right angle, said bracket elements being adhesively attached or attach- able to said circumferential side wall with their respective first leg and to an un- derside of the worktop with their respective second leg, said second leg extend- ing outwardly beyond the extent of said rim for abutting an underside of the worktop. These bracket elements can provide the actual fixation between sink and worktop. Preferably, they are only installed once aligning of sink and work- top has been completed. In this way, they are always located in the right posi- tion, without having to cope with manufacturing tolerances.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the sink installation system ac- cording to the invention, it comprises a number of spacer elements for insertion between said rim and a cut-out side wall, said cut-out side wall preferably ex- tending essentially at right angles with respect to an upper and lower surface of said worktop, for maintaining a circumferentially equal gap width between said rim and said cut-out side wall, prior to attaching the above-mentioned bracket elements. In this way, a uniform gap between sink rim and worktop cut-out can be achieved, which is an important esthetical feature.

Owing to the mentioned installation method, the rim of the sink comprised in the sink installation system according to the present invention can be much thinner than standard in the market, e.g. 4 or 5 mm vs. 15 through 30 mm, which can be seen as advantageous in terms of esthetics. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the sink according to the present invention, a value of the extent by which the sink rim extends outwardly from the sink side wall is comprised between 2.5 mm and 6 mm, preferably between 2.5 mm and 5 mm, and more preferably equals about 4.5 mm, as mentioned.

In another embodiment of the sink installation system according to the present invention, said rim can be configured in solid material or can be configured by outward and downward bending of the side wall material used for production of the sink.

For easy installation and for achieving an esthetical effect, the sidewall of the sink can have an essentially flat configuration. Furthermore, the sink as such can have an overall rectangular shape, when seen from above, preferably with rounded corners.

According to another embodiment, which is advantageous from an esthetical point of view, the sink rim can have a polished, preferably glossy or mirror pol- ished, upper face, while said circumferential side wall preferably has a brushed surface at least on an inside of said bowl.

In a preferred further embodiment of the workplace according to the present in- vention, a distance between said rim and said worktop cut-out side wall can be essentially uniform around said sink for achieving a superior esthetical effect. This has already been mentioned above and can be achieved by means of said spacer elements, as detailed above.

In yet another embodiment of the workplace according to the present invention, an adhesive sealing joint is located around said rim between said sink and said cut-out side wall, preferably a silicone joint or the like. While filling the gap be- tween the floating rim and the cut-out side wall, said joint can be devised to du- rably hold the sink in place within the worktop cut-out, preferably in combination with a fixing action of the bracket elements.

According to yet another embodiment of the workplace according to the present invention, an upper face or upper edge of said rim can be essentially coplanar with the upper worktop surface, thus achieving a superior esthetical and hygien- ical effect.

In another embodiment of the workplace according to the present invention and as mentioned earlier, said first portion of the respective adjusting elements can be adhesively attached to a lower surface of said worktop adjacent said cut-out, preferably by interposition of a primer layer between said first portion and said underside of the said worktop.

In a further embodiment of the workplace according to the present invention and as also mentioned earlier, a number of bracket elements can be located on said circumferential side wall, said bracket elements having a first leg and a second leg, an angle between said first leg and said second leg preferably being a right angle, said bracket elements being adhesively attached to said circumferential side wall with their respective first leg and to an underside of the worktop with their respective second leg, said second leg extending outwardly beyond the extent of said rim and being attached, preferably adhesively, to said underside of the worktop. A liquid glue or adhesive can be used for attaching the bracket elements to both the sink and the worktop. Alternatively, doubled-sided adhe- sive tape could be employed . Combination of different adhesive techniques is possible.

As already mentioned before, an embodiment of the inventive method can corn- prise placing the sink in the worktop cut-out from above the worktop, beginning with a bottom part of the sink, which bottom part is located opposite said rim. This may greatly facilitate installation of the sink, in particular in comparison with current undermount methods.

In yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention, said meth- od may comprise placing the sink in the worktop cut-out and adjusting it therein by adjusting said adjusting mechanism for adjusting a relative position between said first portion and said second portion for individual adjusting elements until an upper face of said rim is essentially coplanar with the upper surface of the work top.

After method step d), in yet another further embodiment of the inventive method, a number of spacer elements can be inserted between said rim and said cut-out side wall, for maintaining a circumferentially equal gap width between said rim and said cut-out side wall, prior to attaching said bracket elements.

A silicone joint or the like can be used - after removal of said spacer elements and after fixing said bracket elements - to effectively close the gap between the sink rim and the cut-out side wall, while protecting the latter from moisture or the like. Furthermore, the adhesive sealing material of the joint can help to hold the sink in place after curing or setting. Accordingly, in a further embodiment of the method after step d), preferably after completion of the additional step de- scribed above, a bead of an adhesive and/or sealing material can be placed around said rim, preferably a silicone material or the like, between said rim and said cut-out side wall so that an adhesive sealing joint is formed around said rim between said sink and said cut-out side wall, preferably a silicone joint or the like.

In yet a further embodiment of the inventive method, an excess of said adhesive sealing material above said rim and/or above said upper surface of said worktop can be removed to achieve a superior esthetical effect, e.g. by scraping off said excess.

However, in a highly preferred embodiment of the method according to the in- vention, actual fixation between sink and worktop is achieved by means of ad- hesively attaching a number of bracket elements having a first leg and a second leg, an angle between said first leg and said second leg preferably being a right angle, on said circumferential side wall with their respective first leg and to an underside of the worktop with their respective second leg, said second leg ex- tending outwardly beyond the extent of said rim and abutting said underside of the worktop. This had already been explained in detail farther up.

For protecting the worktop surface, in particular from said sealing material, in a further embodiment of the inventive method, the worktop can be provided on its upper surface, adjacent a contour of the cut-out, with a removable protective cover, in particular a tape, which protective cover can be removed after comple- tion of the installation.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will now be described in connection with exemplary embodiments thereof with relation to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sink as comprised in the pre- sent invention, with a detailed view showing the sink rim;

Figure 2 shows a first method step for installing the sink of Fig. 1 in a worktop cut-out;

Figure 3 shows a second method step for installing the sink of Fig.

1 in a worktop cut-out;

Figure 4 shows a third method step for installing the sink of Fig. 1 in a worktop cut-out;

Figure 5 shows a detailed view after completion of the third method step; Figure 6 shows the situation of Fig. 5 from a different perspective;

Figure 7 shows the situation of Fig. 5 from another different per- spective;

Figure 8 shows a fourth method step for installing the sink of Fig. 1 in a worktop cut-out;

Figure 9 shows a fifth method step for installing the sink of Fig. 1 in a worktop cut-out;

Figure 10 shows a detailed view after completion of the fifth method step;

Figure 1 1 shows the result after completion of a sixth method step for installing the sink of Fig. 1 in a worktop cut-out;

Figure 12 shows a seventh method step for installing the sink of

Fig. 1 in a worktop cut-out;

Figure 13 shows an eighth method step for installing the sink of

Fig. 1 in a worktop cut-out;

Figure 14 shows a ninth method step for installing the sink of Fig. 1 in a worktop cut-out;

Figure 15 shows the result after completion of the ninth method step for installing the sink of Fig. 1 in a worktop cut-out;

Figure 16 shows a tenth method step for installing the sink of Fig. 1 in a worktop cut-out; and

Figure 17 shows the result after completion of the tenth method step for installing the sink of Fig. 1 in a worktop cut-out. In Fig. 1 , a sink as comprised in the present invention is denoted by means of reference numeral 1 . Said sink 1 can - without limitation - be devised as a kitchen sink of rectangular shape, and it is preferably made of metal. It compris- es a bowl 2 with a bottom wall 3 and a circumferential side wall 4. At least one outlet opening 3a is located in said bottom wall 3. A circumferential rim 5 is lo- cated at an upper edge of said bowl 2 around an outside thereof, as can be readily seen from the enlarged detailed view in Fig. 1 . Said rim 5 extends out- wardly from said side wall 4 by an extent (cf. e.g. Fig. 1 1 ). The rim 5 preferably has a polished upper face 5a, while said circumferential side wall 4 preferably has a brushed surface 4a at least on an inside of said bowl 2.

Referring now to Fig. 1 1 , the above-mentioned extent, by which the rim 5 ex tends outwardly from said side wall 4, has been denoted by reference numeral E. In a preferred embodiment, a value of said extent E can be comprised be- tween 2.5 mm and 6 mm, preferably between 2.5 mm and 5 mm, and more pref- erably equals about 4.5 mm.

As can further be gathered from Fig. 1 1 , the rim 5 is configured in solid material for increased mechanical strength. Alternatively, it could be configured by out- ward and downward bending of the side wall 4 material.

Fig. 2 shows a first method step for installing sink 1 of Fig. 1 in a worktop 1 1 with cut-out (or aperture) 1 1 a having a circumferential side wall 1 1 b. Worktop 1 1 can be made of wood, metal, stone or any other suitable (composite) material. It should be noted that the side wall 1 1 b of cut-out 1 1 a needs not to be polished or otherwise treated when installing sink 1 as described above when using an in- stallation method according to the present invention. As shown, worktop 1 1 has an essentially rectangular cut-out 1 1 a, which cut-out 1 1 a is intended to be fitted with a sink 1 as described above in connection with Fig. 1 . To this end, the cut- out 1 1 a is made larger in dimension than an area circumscribed by the sink rim (element 5 in Fig. 1 ), thus defining a cut-out side wall 1 1 b extending essentially at right angles with respect to an upper and lower surface (underside) of said worktop. A degreasing wipe 100 or the like is then used to clean indicated areas 1 1 c, preferably all along the longer sides of cut-out 1 1 a, on the underside 1 1 d of worktop 1 1 . Then, according to Fig. 3, a primer 101 is used in indicated areas 1 1 e on the underside 1 1 d of worktop 1 1 , which areas 1 1 e preferably are located adjacent the corners of cut-out 1 1 a on said longer sides, as shown.

As can be seen from Fig. 4, said areas 1 1 e are then used for adhesively attach- ing a number of adjusting elements 20, which are described in more detail with reference to Fig. 5 below. Preferably, said adjusting elements 20 are fitted with a double-sided adhesive tape for attaching purposes, although a liquid adhesive could be used instead.

Fig. 5 illustrates how an adjusting element 20 is fixed to the underside 1 1 d of worktop 1 1 in one of the designated areas 1 1 e (Fig. 4) by applying pressure in a direction of the arrows shown. Adjusting element 20 has a first portion 20a ex- tending, in an installation state shown in Fig. 5, outwardly for abutting the un- derside 1 1 d of the worktop 1 1 , and a second portion 20b extending, in said in- stallation state, essentially parallel to said cut-out side wall 1 1 b. A free end 20c of said second portion 20b is devised for abutting an underside of the sink rim, as will be described below.

The adjusting element 20 further has an adjusting mechanism 21 for adjusting a relative position between said first portion 20a and said second portion 20b. To this end, in the embodiment of Fig. 5 the first portion 20a of the adjusting ele- ment 20 is formed by a plate-like element 20a’ with a threaded element 20a” extending in normal direction from a first surface thereof. Said first surface is located opposite, i.e. facing away from the worktop underside 1 1 d in the instal lation state. The second portion 20b of the adjusting element 20 is formed by an angle piece having a first leg 20b’ and a second leg 20b”, said first leg 20b’ having a bore (denoted 20b3; Fig. 1 1 ) and comprising (or interacting with) a threaded piece 20b4 (an internally threaded nut) engaging said threaded ele- ment 20a”, while said second leg 20b” comprises said free end 20c at a distal end thereof. Furthermore, as can be gathered from Fig. 1 1 , an angle a between said first leg 20b’ and said second leg 20b” is essentially a right angle (a « 90°).

Owing to the above-description, said adjusting mechanism 21 is a screwing mechanism, comprising at least the threaded element 20a” and the threaded piece 20b4. As can be gathered from Fig. 1 1 , by moving (by means of a screw- ing action using a suitable tool 30) the threaded piece 20b4 up or down along threaded element 20a”, a relative position of the first portion 20a and the sec- ond portion 20b can be changed, which also changes a relative position of free end 20c and the worktop 1 1 , especially in respect of an upper surface 1 1 f there- of (cf. Fig. 1 1 ). This particular feature can be used to align upper face 5a of rim 5 and the upper surface 1 1 f of worktop 1 1 during installation.

Fig. 6 shows the same situation as in Fig. 5, but from another perspective. Dur- ing installation, it should be assured that an inner side of second leg 20b” (i.e., facing the cut-out side wall 1 1 b) makes contact with said cut-out side wall 1 1 b (arrow in Fig. 6).

Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 7, the adjusting elements 20 should be align with a start of cut-out radius R, i.e. a curved region of cut-out side wall 1 1 b.

Fig. 8 is another perspective view from below worktop 1 1 showing the location of adjusting elements 20 and use of tool 30 (screwing action S) for upward or downward adjustment of the respective second portions 20b.

After initial adjustment of the adjusting elements 20, the sink 1 is lowered into cut-out 1 1 a as denoted by means of arrows in Fig. 9. The dimensions of cut-out 1 1 a must be such that in is slightly larger than an area defined by an outer con- tour of rim 5 so that the latter can fit into the cut-out 1 1 a. Furthermore, as shown in particular in Fig. 1 1 , a thickness of said second portion 20b” does not exceed extent E (of said rim 5 extending outwardly from said side wall 4) so that second portion 20b” fits between cut-out side wall 1 1 b and sink side wall 4 in the installation state depicted in Fig. 1 1 . In the same way, overall dimensions of first portion 20b’ and angle a must be such that it fits next to sink side wall 4 when arranged on threaded element 20a” without interfering with said side wall 4. In this way, sink 1 is lowered into cut-out 1 1 a until rim 5 touches the free ends 20c of the adjusting elements 20 with its underside 5b (cf. detailed view in Fig. 10). The free ends 20c are then adjusted (i.e., lowered) as shown in Fig. 8, until rim 5 (upper face 5a) and worktop 1 1 (upper surface 1 1 f) are aligned flush, as shown in Fig. 1 1 . Fig. 12 illustrates the step of inserting a number of spacer elements 40 (wedg- es) between sink rim 5 (Fig. 1 1 ) and cut-out side wall 1 1 b (Fig. 1 1 ), said cut-out side wall 1 1 b preferably extending essentially at right angles with respect to an upper surface 1 1 f and lower surface or underside 1 1 d of the worktop 1 1 . The wedges 40 are devised for maintaining a circumferentially equal gap width of the order of 1 mm between sink rim 5 and cut-out side wall 1 1 b, which is important for esthetical reasons. This gap can then be sealed with a suitable sealant, e.g. silicone as shown in Fig. 16.

Worktop 1 1 can be provided, adjacent a contour of cut-out 1 1 a, with a remova- ble protective cover made from strips of a suitable tape material, if required.

Referring now to Fig. 13, a bracket element 50 from a number of preferably identical bracket elements is shown having a first leg 50a and a second leg 50b, an angle b between said first leg 50a and said second leg 50b preferably being a right angle, said bracket elements 50 being adhesively attachable to said cir- cumferential side wall of the sink with their respective first leg 50a and to the underside of the worktop with their respective second leg 50b. To this end, bracket element 50 is provided with a suitable adhesive material 60 (glue), e.g. silicone, as shown, by means of a glue gun 70 or the like. Double-sides adhe- sive Tape could be used instead. Said bracket elements 50 are devised for ac- tually fixing the sink to the worktop, whereas the sealant mentioned earlier in connection with Fig. 16 has only secondary fixing properties.

Then, bracket elements 50 are adhesively attached to both the sink 1 (side wall 4) and underside 1 1 d of worktop 1 1 , as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 14. They are held in place until the glue has taken hold. Preferably, the worktop surfaces to be glued are moistened prior to applying the glue. Fig. 15 shows the result.

Fig. 16 shows the step of filling gap 6 between sink 1 (rim) and worktop 1 1 (cut- out) with a suitable sealant, as stated before, by means of a sealant gun 80 or the like. More specifically, this comprises placing a bead of an adhesive sealing material around said rim, preferably a silicone material or the like, between said rim and said cut-out side wall so that an adhesive sealing joint 6a is formed around said rim between said sink 1 and said cut-out side wall, preferably a sili- cone joint or the like. Finally, in the method step illustrated in Fig. 17, any excess of said adhesive sealing material above said rim and/or above the upper surface 1 1 f of worktop 1 1 is removed by means of a suitable cutting or scraping tool 90, thus achieving a complete workplace according to an aspect of the present invention.

Claims

1 . Sink installation system, for installing a sink (1 ) in a worktop cut-out (1 1 a), comprising:

a sink (1 ), in particular kitchen sink, having at least one bowl (2) with a bottom wall (3) and a circumferential side wall (4), at least one outlet open- ing (3a) located in said bottom wall (3), and a circumferential rim (5) locat- ed at an upper edge of said bowl (2) around an outside thereof, said rim (5) extending outwardly from said side wall (4) by an extent (E);

a number of adjusting elements (20) to be arranged on an outside of said bowl (2) adjacent said rim (5), which adjusting elements (20) have a first portion (20a) extending, in an installation state, outwardly beyond the ex tent (E) of said rim (5) for abutting an underside (1 1 d) of the worktop (1 1 ), and a second portion (20b) extending, in said installation state, essentially parallel to said side wall (4), a free end (20c) of said second portion (20b) being devised for abutting an underside (5b) of said rim (5), and which ad- justing elements (20) have an adjusting mechanism (21 ) for adjusting a relative position between said first portion (20a) and said second portion (20b).

2. Sink installation system according to claim 1 , wherein

the first portion (20a) of the adjusting elements (20) is formed by a plate- like element (20a’) with a threaded element (20a”) extending from a first surface thereof;

the second portion (20b) of the adjusting elements (20) is formed by an angle piece having a first leg (20b’) and a second leg (20b”), said first leg (20b’) comprising a threaded piece (20b4) engaging said threaded element (20a”) and said second leg (20b”) comprising said free end (20c) at a dis- tal end thereof;

an angle (a) between said first leg (20b’) and said second leg (20b”) pref- erably being a right angle.

3. Sink installation system according to claim 1 , wherein

said adjusting mechanism (21 ) is a screwing mechanism, preferably corn- prising at least the threaded element (20a”) and the threaded piece (20b4) according to claim 2.

4. Sink installation system according to claim 1 , wherein

a number of bracket elements (50) are arranged or are to be located on said circumferential side wall (4), said bracket elements (50) having a first leg (50a) and a second leg (50b), an angle (b) between said first leg (50a) and said second leg (50b) preferably being a right angle, said bracket ele- ments (50) being adhesively attached or attachable to said circumferential side wall (4) with their respective first leg (50a) and to an underside (1 1 d) of the worktop (1 1 ) with their respective second leg (50b), said second leg (50b) extending outwardly beyond the extent (E) of said rim (5) for abutting an underside (1 1 d) of the worktop (1 1 ).

5. Sink installation system according to claim 1 , further comprising

a number of spacer elements (40) for insertion between said rim (5) and a cut-out side wall (1 1 b), said cut-out side wall (1 1 b) preferably extending essentially at right angles with respect to an upper surface (1 1 f) and an underside (1 1 d) of said worktop (1 1 ), for maintaining a circumferentially equal gap width between said rim (5) and said cut-out side wall (1 1 b), prior to attaching said bracket elements (50) according to claim 4.

6. Sink installation system (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein

a value of said extent (E) is comprised between 2.5 mm and 6 mm, prefer- ably between 2.5 mm and 5 mm, and more preferably equals about

4.5 mm.

7. Sink installation system (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein

said rim (5) is configured in solid material or is configured by outward and downward bending of the side wall (4) material, said rim (5) preferably hav- ing a polished upper face (5a), preferably a glossy or mirror polished upper face (5a), said circumferential side wall (4) preferably having a brushed surface (4a) at least on an inside of said bowl (2).

8. Workplace, comprising:

a number of adjusting elements (20) arranged on an outside of said bowl (2) adjacent said rim (5), which adjusting elements (20) have a first portion (20a) extending, in an installation state, outwardly beyond the extent (E) of said rim (5) and abutting an underside (1 1 d) of the worktop (1 1 ), and a second portion (20b) extending, in said installation state, essentially paral- lel to said side wall (4), a free end (20c) of said second portion (20b) abut- ting an underside (5b) of said rim (5), and which adjusting elements (20) have an adjusting mechanism (21 ) for adjusting a relative position between said first portion (20a) and said second portion (20b);

and a worktop (1 1 ), said worktop (1 1 ) having a cut-out (1 1 a) therein, in which said sink (1 ) is installed, said cut-out (1 1 a) defining a cut-out side wall (1 1 b) extending essentially at right angles with respect to an upper surface (1 1 f ) and an underside (1 1 d) of said worktop (1 1 ), wherein said cut-out side wall (1 1 b) is located opposite said rim (5).

9. Workplace according to claim 8, wherein

a distance or gap (6) between said rim (5) and said cut-out side wall (1 1 b) is essentially uniform around said sink (1 ).

10. Workplace according to claim 8, wherein

an adhesive sealing joint (6a) is located around said rim (5) between said sink (1 ) and said cut-out side wall (1 1 b), preferably a silicone joint or the like.

1 1 . Workplace according to claim 8, wherein

an upper face of said rim (5) is essentially coplanar with said upper work- top surface (1 1 f).

12. Workplace according to claim 8, wherein

said first portion (20a) of the respective adjusting elements (20) is adhe- sively attached to a lower surface or underside (1 1 d) of said worktop (1 1 ) adjacent said cut-out (1 1 a), preferably by interposition of a primer (101 ) between said first portion (20a) and said underside (1 1 d) of the said work- top (1 1 ).

13. Workplace according to claim 8, wherein

a number of bracket elements (50) are located on said circumferential side wall (4), said bracket elements (50) having a first leg (50a) and a second leg (50b), an angle (b) between said first leg (50a) and said second leg (50b) preferably being a right angle, said bracket elements (50) being ad- hesively attached to said circumferential side wall (4) with their respective first leg (50a) and to an underside (1 1 d) of the worktop (1 1 ) with their re- spective second leg (50b), said second leg (50b) extending outwardly be- yond the extent (E) of said rim (5) and being attached, preferably adhe- sively, to said underside (1 1 d) of the worktop (1 1 ).

14. Method of installing a sink (1 ) in a worktop cut-out (1 1 a), comprising:

a) providing a sink (1 ), in particular kitchen sink, having at least one bowl (2) with a bottom wall (3) and a circumferential side wall (4), at least one outlet opening (3a) located in said bottom wall (3), and a circumferen- tial rim (5) located at an upper edge of said bowl (2) around an outside thereof, said rim (5) extending outwardly from said side wall (4) by an ex tent (E);

b) making said worktop cut-out (1 1 a), it being larger in dimension than an area circumscribed by said rim (5) while defining a cut-out side wall (1 1 b) extending essentially at right angles with respect to an upper surface (1 1 f) and to an underside (1 1 d) of said worktop (1 1 );

c) providing a number of adjusting elements (20) on an outside of said bowl (2) adjacent said rim (5), which adjusting elements (20) have a first portion (20a) extending, in an installation state, outwardly beyond the ex tent (E) of said rim (5) and abutting the underside (1 1 d) of the worktop (1 1 ), and a second portion (20b) extending, in said installation state, es- sentially parallel to said side wall (4), and which adjusting elements (20) have an adjusting mechanism (21 ) for adjusting a relative position between said first portion (20a) and said second portion (20b);

d) placing said sink (1 ) in said cut-out (1 1 a) from above said worktop (1 1 ), beginning with a bottom part of said sink (1 ) opposite said rim (5) so that said cut-out side wall (1 1 b) is located opposite said rim (5), until said sink (1 ) is resting within said cut-out (1 1 a) on said respective free ends tion (20b) abutting an underside (5b) of said rim (5).

15. Method according to claim 14, comprising:

adjusting said adjusting mechanism (21 ) for adjusting a relative position between said first portion (20a) and said second portion (20b) for individual adjusting elements (20) until an upper face (5a) of said rim (5) is essential- ly coplanar with said upper surface (1 1 f) of said worktop (1 1 ).

16. Method according to claim 14, comprising:

after step d), preferably after the additional step according to claim 15, in- serting a number of spacer elements (40) between said rim (5) and said cut-out side wall (1 1 b), for maintaining a circumferentially equal gap width between said rim (5) and said cut-out side wall (1 1 b).

17. Method according to claim 14, comprising:

after step d), preferably after the additional step according to claim 16, ad- hesively attaching a number of bracket elements (50) having a first leg (50a) and a second leg (50b), an angle (b) between said first leg (50a) and said second leg (50b) preferably being a right angle, on said circumferen- tial side wall (4) with their respective first leg (50a) and to an underside (1 1 d) of the worktop (1 1 ) with their respective second leg (50b), said sec- ond leg (50b) extending outwardly beyond the extent (E) of said rim (5) and abutting said underside (1 1 d) of the worktop (1 1 ).

18. Method according to claim 14, comprising:

after step d), preferably after the additional step according to claim 17 and after removing said spacer elements (40), placing an adhesive sealing ma- terial around said rim (5), preferably a silicone material or the like, between said rim (5) and said cut-out side wall (1 1 b) so that an adhesive sealing joint (6a) is formed around said rim (5) between said sink (1 ) and said cut- out side wall (1 1 b), preferably a silicone joint or the like.

19. Method according to claim 18, comprising:

removing an excess of said adhesive sealing material above said rim (5) and/or above said upper surface (1 1 f) of said worktop (1 1 ).