Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Sink with Recess for Receiving Cleaning Devices
Description
The present invention relates to a sink, particularly a household sink, with
at least one
sink basin and a peripheral sink margin at the upper end of the sink basin,
which presents,
between the sink basin and the sink margin, at least in sections, a
substantially level area.
Such sinks are known in numerous forms, for example, from GB 2 245 488 A. The
kitchen sink disclosed therein presents, next to the side of the sink basin, a
relatively flat recess,
in which a cleaning device, such as, a kitchen sponge or a dishcloth can be
stored.
However, besides the cleaning devices mentioned as examples above, in known
sinks,
particularly household or kitchen sinks, a household washing brush is also
commonly used,
which is dimensioned to be relatively large, and which presents particularly a
longitudinal
extension in the range of approximately 20 cm. Such household washing brushes,
in previously
known sinks, and also in the sink according to GB 2 245 488 A, do not have a
fixed place, so that
they are often stored lying in the sink basin or next to the sink, or in
additional receiving
containers. This is not only impractical, it is also aesthetically not
pleasing, and can, moreover,
lead to problems associated with humidity at the storage place of the washing
brush.
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The invention is based on the problem of further developing a sink of the
above-mentioned type, in such a way that larger cleaning devices, compared to
the
usual household washing brushes, can also be stored in a practical, hygienic,
and
aesthetically pleasing manner.
According to the invention, a sink, particularly a household sink, with at
least
one sink basin and a peripheral sink margin at the upper end of the sink
basin, which
presents, between the sink basin and the sink margin, at least in sections, a
substantially level area, is characterized in that, in that area, a recess is
provided
which is sufficiently deep to receive at least one household washing brush and
optionally additional cleaning utensils, substantially in a standing upright
position.
The substantially level area can be lowered compared to the sink margin.
The substantially level area, preferably within the recess, most preferably in
the
bottom area of the recess, can include an overflow opening is arranged for the
discharge of rinsing water overflowing out of the sink basin, which overflow
opening preferably ensures a sufficient overflow rate of preferably 12 L/min.
Before the overflow opening, a strainer element can be arranged, which is
designed to guarantee a sufficient overflow rate of preferably 12 L/min, even
if
cleaning utensils are accommodated in the recess.
The overflow opening can be in fluid-technical connection with a drain of the
sink. A margin of the recess can be raised at least in sections in comparison
to the
substantially level area.
The margin can present at least one perforation by means of which the sink
basin is in fluid-technical connection, via the overflow opening, with a drain
of the
sink. A cover element can be provided for closing an opening of the recess,
preferably such that it can be placed on the margin of the recess.
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A margin of the cover element can have a height which is undersized,
compared to a height of the recess margin.
A margin of the cover element can define a cover surface which is oversized,
compared to a surface defined by the recess margin.
The cover element can have a centering structure which, for the purpose of
centering the cover element, works in cooperation with the recess, preferably
the
margin of the recess. The recess can be designed in the form of a container
which is
open on one side and attached preferably from below to the sink, where the
sink, in
the area, presents a perforation whose dimensions correspond substantially to
the
container opening. The container can be made from a plastic material,
preferably a
plastic material with antimicrobial finishing. The sink can include a
suspended cup,
a suspended strainer or the like, to be suspended in the recess.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sink
comprising:
at least one sink basin;
a peripheral sink margin at an upper end of the sink basin;
a substantially level area provided, at least in sections, between the sink
basin and the sink margin;
a recess in the substantially level area, the recess having a depth dimension
to
receive at least one household washing brush having a longitudinal extension
thereof; and
a cover element for closing an opening of the recess, the cover element
having a centering structure which centers the cover element and works in
cooperation with a margin of the recess;
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wherein the recess is sufficiently deep so that the household brush can stand
in a
substantially upright and vertical position in the direction of its
longitudinal
extension without protruding above an upper edge of the recess.
A fundamental idea of the present invention accordingly is to design, in the
case of kitchen sinks, for example, according to GB 2 245 488 A, the
previously
known flat recess in the margin area with such depth that it can accommodate a
usual household washing brush, standing upright, with a longitudinal extension
of
approximately 20 cm. The term "standing upright" in this context means that
the
washing brush is not simply deposited, which would also be possible with a
flat
recess; rather, the sink brush is set up, for example, in the area of its
bristle head,
where the brush handle then points away from the set-up surface in question,
pointing in the vertical direction perpendicularly upwards. The term
"sufficiently
deep," in this context, is connected with the fact that a household washing
brush
which has been stored in this manner should not extend at all, or not
substantially,
above the margin of the recess. It is preferred that
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the recess is dimensioned in such a manner that in addition to, and
particularly to the side of, the
household washing brush, additional cleaning utensils can also be arranged
therein, such as a
sponge or a dishcloth and/or a dishwashing detergent bottle.
In a first variant of the sink according to the invention, the mentioned level
area between
the sink basin and the sink margin is lowered with respect to the latter. In
this manner,
embodiments of the sink according to the invention can be produced in which,
in the area of the
sink basin, one can entirely omit the otherwise normally required overflow
opening, because
overflowing rinsing water first reaches the recess, due to the lowered area,
before it can rise
above the sink margin.
Moreover, in this context, one can provide in the mentioned area, preferably
within the
recess, most preferably in the bottom area of the recess, an overflow opening
for the discharge of
rinsing water that overflows out of the sink basin. Here, it is preferred that
the overflow opening
is dimensioned in such a way that it guarantees a sufficient overflow rate of
preferably 12 L/min.
In order to make it possible, particularly if the overflow opening is located
in the bottom
area of the recess, to prevent the blocking of overflow openings by a
household washing brush
and possibly other cleaning devices stored in the recess, another variant of
the sink according to
the invention provides for the arrangement of a strainer element (drain
strainer) before the
overflow opening. Said strainer element should be designed in such a way that,
even if cleaning
utensils are accommodated in the recess, a sufficient overflow rate of
preferably 12 L/min is
guaranteed.
In a preferred variant of the sink according to the invention, the overflow
opening is in
fluid-technical connection with a drain of the sink. In this context, the term
"drain of the sink"
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relates particularly to the sink drain which is in fluid-technical connection
with a drain opening
arranged at the bottom of the sink basin.
In an additional variant of the sink according to the invention, a margin of
the recess is
raised at least in sections in comparison to the level area between the sink
margin and the sink
basin. Such a recessed margin can be used to place a cover element on it,
which closes the recess
opening in an aesthetically pleasing manner, particularly when cleaning
utensils are stored in the
recess.
In order to allow the already mentioned overflow of rinsing water, in spite of
the raised
recess margin, another variant of the sink according to the invention provides
that the recess
margin presents at least one opening or one perforation by means of which the
sink basin is in
fluid-technical connection, via the overflow opening, with the drain of the
sink.
Moreover, in this context, according to an additional variant of the sink
according to the
invention, it is possible to provide that a margin of the cover element
presents a height which is
undersized in comparison to a height of the recess margin. Thus, when the
cover element is
applied on the recess margin, it is possible, due to the mentioned undersize,
for overflowing
rinsing water to flow through, under the cover margin, to the margin of the
recess, from which it
can reach the overflow opening, via the mentioned perforations or the
mentioned opening.
In order to reliably guarantee this operating mode, another variant of the
sink according
to the invention provides that the margin of the cover element defines a cover
surface which is
oversized, in comparison to the surface defined by the outer edge of the
recess margin. Thus, the
cover element cannot be applied in a sealing manner with its margin over the
entire
circumference against the outer edge of the recess margin, and thus close the
fluid-technical
connection between the sink basin and the overflow opening.
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As an additional way to prevent such a disadvantageous effect, another variant
of the sink
according to the invention provides that the cover element presents a
centering structure which,
for the purpose of centering the cover element, works in cooperation with the
recess, preferably
with the inner margin of the recess. The mentioned centering structure ensures
that the cover
element can be placed on the recess opening only in such a manner that a
sufficient clearance
remains, between the margin of the recess and the cover margin, to allow
overflowing rinsing
water to flow through.
In a particularly preferred variant of the sink according to the invention,
the recess is
designed in the form of a container which is open on one side, and which is
attached preferably
from below to the sink. In this context, the sink has, in the above-mentioned
level area, between
the sink basin and the sink margin, a perforation the dimensions of which
correspond
substantially to the container opening. The container can be attached
permanently in the area of
the perforation or in a detachable manner to the sink itself.
However, alternatively, the recess can also be designed to form a single part
or a single
piece with the remainder of the sink; in particular it can be made of the same
material as the
remainder of the sink, which can however be disadvantageous in terms of
manufacturing costs,
under some circumstances.
If the recess is designed in the form of a container which is attached in the
mentioned
manner to the remainder of the sink, said container is preferably made of a
plastic material. Said
plastic material can additionally have an antibacterial finishing, so that no
excessive
multiplication of harmful or unsightly bacterial cultures occurs during the
storage of the
normally wet cleaning utensils.
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Additionally to, or instead of, the mentioned cover element, a suspended cup,
suspended
strainer or the like can be arranged in the area of the recess, so that the
mentioned recess has an
additional utility value.
Additional properties and advantages of the present invention can be obtained
from the
following description of embodiment examples in reference to the drawing.
Figure 1 shows a design of the sink according to the invention in the
installed state,
and in a general perspective view;
Figure 2 shows the sink according to Figure 1 with placed cover
element;
Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the sink according to Figure
2 in the area
of the recess;
Figure 4 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the recess in a
preferred
embodiment of the sink according to the invention in the bottom area of the
sink; and
Figure 5 shows a detailed general perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of
the recess in a sink according to the invention, with partial cutout.
Figure 1 shows a sink according to the invention which is marked as a whole
with the
reference numeral 1, in the installed state. The sink 1 presents a fully
functional sink basin 2 as
well as a peripheral sink margin 3 at the upper end of the sink basin 2.
According to the
representation in Figure 1, the sink 1 comprises, moreover, a drip surface 4
as well as a (smaller)
additional basin 5, which, however, does not need to be described further
here.
Between the sink basin 2 and the sink margin 3, the sink 1 presents a
substantially level
area 6, in which a faucet 7 is arranged particularly, in the present case. In
addition, in the
mentioned area 6, a recess 8 is also provided which is sufficiently deep to
allow the
accommodation, in standing upright position, of at least one household washing
brush and
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optionally additional cleaning utensils (not shown in Figure 1), which
arrangement will be
discussed in further detail below. In the context of the present invention,
the term "sufficiently
deep" means that the mentioned household washing brush, which may be a
standard household
washing brush represented diagrammatically in Figure 5, can be accommodated
substantially
vertically, that is standing in the recess 8 in the direction of its
longitudinal extension, without
protruding above the upper edge 8a of the recess 8, which arrangement will
also be discussed in
further detail below. The mentioned additional cleaning utensils comprise,
according to the
present invention, for example, a sponge, a scouring pad, a cloth or the like.
As one can see furthermore in Figure 1 in the bottom right area, the recess 8
is in fluid-
technical connection, in its bottom area 8b, via a pipe element 9, with a
water drain (not shown)
of the sink 1 or of the sink basin 2.
Due to the mentioned relatively large dimensioning of the recess 8 in the
vertical
direction, it is also within the scope of the invention to store larger
cleaning utensils, in
comparison to the mentioned household washing brushes, in an aesthetically
pleasing way in a
place provided for that purpose. Here, any rinsing water still present on or
in the cleaning device
will be discharged through the pipe element 9.
Figure 2 also shows the sink 1 according to Figure 1, except this time with
the cover
element 10 placed on the recess 8 in the marginal area 8a of the recess (see
Figure 1), said
element being discussed in further detail below in reference to Figure 3.
The sink 1 according to the invention, particularly with the cover element 10
placed on it,
has an aesthetically pleasing appearance, because the often unsightly cleaning
utensils are
accommodated in the recess 8, and hidden by the cover element 10.
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The cover element 10 ¨ like the remainder of the sink 1 ¨ is preferably made
from
stainless steel; however, the invention is in no way limited to such a
material selection. In
particular, the sink 1 and/or the cover element 10 can also be made from any
other known
material that is suitable for the described use (plastic, mineral casting or
the like).
Figure 3 shows in detail a cross-sectional view of the sink 1 according to
Figure 2 in the
area of the recess 8. As one can see in the representation in Figure 3, the
area 6 is lowered with
respect to the sink margin 3, and presents there a perforation (not marked)
delimited by a
peripheral edge 6a, into which a container 11, which on one side is open
towards the top
according to Figure 3, is inserted, and which forms the recess 8. The
container 11 presents, in its
upper marginal area, a peripheral thickening 11a with a lateral peripheral
groove 11 b, by means
of which it is attached at reference numeral 6a to the sink 1. Here, the
dimensions of the
mentioned sink perforation correspond substantially to the upper opening of
the container 11.
Between the sink and the container, in the mentioned attachment area, a
sealing means is
preferably also arranged, which is not marked in Figure 3 to simplify the
representation.
The placed cover element 10 shown in Figure 3 presents a central recess 10a
which can
also be seen in Figure 2, in which, in the middle area, a handle element 10b
for gripping the
cover element 10 is arranged.
As one can also see particularly in Figure 5, the upper edge 8a, 1 1 c of the
recess 8 or of
the container 11 is raised at least in sections in comparison to the area 6 of
the sink 1. According
to the representation in Figure 5, this is the case in the upper corner areas
of the container 11.
Moreover, the mentioned upper edge 8a, 11c presents peripherally a series of
cut-outs/openings
or perforations 8c or lid through which the sink basin 2 is in fluid-technical
connection with the
container 11 or the recess 8. The relative height dimensions of the sink basin
2, sink margin 3,
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level area 6, and the mentioned cut-outs/openings or perforations 8c, lid are
chosen and
designed in such a way that water which overflows out of the sink basin 2 runs
through the
mentioned openings or perforations 8c, lid into the container 11, before it
flows over the sink
margin 3. In other words, the lower edges of the openings or perforations 8c,
lid are in a lower
position than the sink margin 3.
In the lower area of the container 11 or in the bottom area 8b of the recess
8, in Figure 5,
there is also a connection of the pipe element 9 already mentioned with a view
to Figures 1 and 2
to an overflow opening 8d arranged in the bottom area 8b of the recess 8,
which arrangement can
also be seen in the detailed cross-sectional view in Figure 4. For the
protection of the overflow
opening 8d, a drain strainer 12 is arranged in the mentioned area, where the
drain strainer 12,
according to the representation in Figure 4 and Figure 5, presents a series of
tongue-like
protrusions 12a, by means of which it is held with engagement in the marginal
area of the
overflow opening 8d. Between the mentioned protrusions 12a, the drain strainer
12 in each case
presents recesses 12b, through which water can flow out of the inner space of
the recess 8 or of
the container 11 into the already mentioned pipe element 9, which is attached
in the area of the
overflow opening 8d by means of an outer retaining nut 13 on the recess 8 or
the container 11.
Via the number or size of the recesses 12b, or the diameter of the overflow
opening 8d, one
ensures that the pipe element 9 guarantees a sufficient overflow rate of 12
L/min. Here, the drain
strainer 12 ensures that the overflow opening 8d cannot be blocked by cleaning
utensils
introduced into the recess 8 or the container 11, such as the household
washing brush 14
represented schematically in Figure 5.
Figure 5 also illustrates again the already mentioned depth dimension T of the
recess 8 or
of the container 11, which is adapted to the dimensions of a typical household
washing brush 14.
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The container 11 as well as preferably at least also the drain strainer 12 is
made most
preferably of a plastic with antibacterial finishing.
Due to the fact that, in the bottom area 8b of the recess 8, the mentioned
overflow
opening 8d is provided, it is possible to entirely omit the provision of such
an overflow opening,
particularly in the area of the sink basin 2.
Finally, again in reference to Figure 3, a special embodiment of the sink
according to the
invention is discussed in greater detail.
According to the representation in Figure 3, the placed cover element 10
serves
particularly to close the recess 8 or the container 11 so they are hidden from
view. However, if
the above-mentioned overflow opening 8d is the only overflow opening of the
sink 1, a sufficient
fluid-technical connection between the sink basin 2 and the mentioned overflow
opening 8d must
be guaranteed, even in the case where the cover element 10 has been placed in
position. This is
achieved according to the representation in Figure 3 by the fact that the
peripheral outer margin
10c of the cover element 10 defines a cover surface which is oversized in
comparison to a
surface defined by the outer edge of the recess or container margin 8a, 11c.
In this manner,
rinsing water overflowing out of the sink basin 2 along the arrow F in Figure
3 can pass under
the cover margin 10c, and flow, via the openings or perforations 8c, 11b, into
the recess 8 or the
container 11. For this purpose, it is possible to provide, moreover, that the
mentioned cover
margin 10c has a height h (see Figure 3), which is undersized, in comparison
to the height H ¨
drawn in Figure 5 ¨ of the recess margin 8a with respect to the level area 6
of the sink 1, that is
h < H. In this manner, it is guaranteed that, even if the cover element 10 has
been placed in
position, rinsing water overflowing out of the sink basin 2 can reach the
overflow opening 8d.
Naturally, the dimensions of h, H or the dimensions of the openings and
perforations 8c, 11d, can
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also be selected here in such a way that a sufficient overflow rate of 12
Ilmin is guaranteed.
With the cover element 10 placed in position, one thus gets a completely
covered or coverable
overflow. Additionally or alternatively one can also use, instead of the cover
element 10, a
suspended cup (not shown) or a corresponding suspended strainer in the area of
the upper
container opening.
The recess 10a of the cover element 10, which has been discussed in reference
to Figure
3, can be designed as a centering structure which works in cooperation with
the recess 8, or with
the container 11 in the area of the recess margin 8a, for example, with
clamping effect, to center
the cover element 10.
