Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02872011 2016-09-09
BASIN VENT (
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related in part to Canadian Patent
Appn. S.N.
2,846,537 filed on March 14, 2014 in the name of the inventor herein, Randall
Gallob.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates drying devices
and
water fixtures, including but not limited to basins and sink decks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Applicant has previously described in Canadian Appin.
2,846,537 filed March 14, 2014 for a Faucet Dryer, an automatic faucet
housing with a hand dryer outlet coming out of the faucet spout. Such a device
may be
positioriki above a sink basin such that the water and the air would be
dispensed at
different moments into the basin. In addition, prior installations of fixtures
have included
a faucet for dispensing water into a basin with an automatic dryer in
proximity. One of
the difficulties with such an installation is that if the separate automatic
dryer (or the
combination as described in the reference application) is pointed into a sink
basin and
activated, forced air stream causes a high pressure region within the sink
basin and the
air stream can deflect out of the sink bowl. The same issue can arise in
situations
where a special basin is provided to "catch" water from a user when they are
positioned
to dry their hands; i.e. the automatic dryer is above a separate basin than
the basin for
the excess water off the hands. With this arrangement with a high pressure air
stream
deflected out of a basin or catch several adverse effects can occur. The high
velocity
air coming out of the faucet nozzle pointed into the sink basin can be
deflected off the
sink basin at an angle out towards the user causing inconvenience. Also when a
sink
basin becomes filled with water then the water drains out of the sink, some
residual
water remains along the surface of the sink basin, or similarly, slow draining
sinks can
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leave residual water present when a drying cycle occurs. When high velocity
air coming
out of the faucet nozzle pointed into the sink basin deflects off of the sink
basin surface,
the surface water that has remained on the sink basin surface can be blown out
of the
sink basin towards the user causing inconvenience. High velocity air traveling
at an
angle over the residual water in a sink basin which has no direction except
back out of
the sink basin towards the user. Further, this high velocity air is typically
directed into
the basin, which is often parabolic or hemispherical along a vector that will
result in the
air deflecting back out of the basin with sufficient energy to cause
discomfort to a user.
In some types of devices, this redirected air carries with it water that
causes user
inconvenience, splashing up at the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One embodiment relates to a sink system. The system includes
a sink deck having a sink opening. A sink basin is disposed below the sink
deck and
defining a basin region. A portion of the sink deck forms a lip defining the
sink opening.
A vent ring separates a sink deck from the sink basin. The vent ring has a
plurality of
vent ring openings between supports. A plurality of vents are defined by the
vent ring
openings and one of the sink deck or the sink basin.
[0005]Another embodiment relates to a drying system which includes a
sink basin defining a sink basin region and separated from a sink deck by a
vent ring,
the sink deck having a lip extending into the sink basin region. The vent ring
has a
plurality of vents. A dryer is configured to direct forced air into the sink
basin. The dryer
is positioned relative to the basin region and the plurality of vents such
that substantially
all of a forced air from the dryer is directed into one or more of the
plurality of vents.
[0006]Another embodiment relates to a sink system comprising a sink
deck having a sink opening. A sink basin is disposed below the sink deck and
defines a
basin region. A portion of the sink deck forms a lip defining the sink opening
and
extending into the basin region. At least one vent is positioned below the
sink deck lip
and has an opening into the basin region.
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[0006A] In a broad aspect, the ivention pertains to a sink system comprising
a sink deck having a sink opening, a sink basin disposed below the sink deck
and defining
a basin region, a portion of the sink deck forming a lip defining the sink
opening, a vent
ring separating a sink deck from the sink basin, the vent ring having a
plurality of vent ring
openings between supports, and a plurality of vets defined by the vent ring
openings and
one of the sink deck or the sink basin.
[0006B] In a further aspect, the invention provides a drying system. A sink
basin defines a sink basin region and is separated from a sink deck by a vent
ring, the sink
deck having a lip extending into the sink basin region. The vent ring has a
plurality of
vents, and a dryer configured to direct forced air through a dryer exhaust
port into the sink
basin. The dryer is positioned relative to the basin region and the plurality
of vents directing
substantially all of the forced air from the dryer, is directed through the
dryer exhaust port
into the sink basin region and then into one or more of the plurality of
vents.
[0006C] In a still further aspect, the invenion provides a sink system
comprising a sink deck having a sink opening, and a sink basin disposed below
the sink
deck and defining a basin region. A portion of the sink deck forms a vent lip
defining at
least one basin vent open to the basin region, and the vent lip protrudes into
the basin
region.
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[0007] Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the present
disclosure may be set forth from consideration of the following detailed
description,
drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing
summary
of the present disclosure and the following detailed description are exemplary
and
intended to provide further explanation without further limiting the scope of
the present
disclosure claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008]
The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and
advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent and better understood
by
referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0009]
Figure 1A depicts an under mount sink, in cross-section, which
fits just under a sink deck and shows a close-up (Figure 1B) of the vent ring
in position
between the sink deck and sink basin; Figure 1C shows the individual Vent ring
as
installed onto such a plumbing arrangement;
[0010] Figure 2A depicts a solid surface integrated sink system showing
a molded or fabricated vent ridge along the front of the sink system. Figure
2B shows a
typical commercial integrated sink system.
[0011] Figure 3 depicts a basin which might have the vent ring molded
into the fixture as cast or as a separate mounting ring.
[0012] Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of the side view; Figure 4B is
front view of a faucet-dryer outlet;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013]
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar
symbols
typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The
illustrative
embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are
not meant
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,
to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be
made,
without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented
here. It will be
readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally
described
herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted,
combined, and
designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are
explicitly
contemplated and made part of this disclosure.
[0014] One implementation comprises a sink system 1. The sink
system 1 may include a vanity or other "deck" such as the sink deck 15. One
implementation of the sink system 1 comprises a dryer 13. Further, a faucet 30
may be
provided, as well as a drain 38. The dryer 13 provides forced air and the
faucet 30
provides water. In one embodiment, the dryer 13 and faucet may 30 be provided
separately from a fixture housing (not shown) or may be integrated within a
single
component such as within the fixture housing 40. A housing 40 forming a dryer-
faucet is
further described in Canadian Patent Appin. No. 2,846,537 filed March 14,
2014.
[0015] In one embodiment, the fixture housing 40 having an inlet 42 and
an outlet 43 with a passage defined there between. The housing 40 of various
form
factors as are known in the art. In one implementation the faucet 30 is
positioned with
the housing 40 extending above the sink deck 15 with the inlet 42 open to an
area
below the sink deck 15 and the outlet 43 positioned above the sink basin 16
such that
water is dispensed into the basin region 16a.
[0016] A water line (not shown) extends to the faucet 30 to
provide
water to the faucet. In one implementation, the water line 45 enters the
fixture housing
40 at the inlet 42. The faucet 30 includes a nozzle 33 which serves as the
exit point
from the fixture housing 40 for the water, dispensing the water into the basin
region 16a.
[0017] A forced air system 50, comprises dryer 13, a blower 10 and a
forced air line 12, such as a duct or plenum. The blower 10 provides forced
air directed
to the dryer 13 by the air line 12. The dryer 13 includes an exhaust 54 from
which the
forced air exits the dryer 13.
CA 02872011 2014-11-21
[0018] As described above, the use of a dryer 13 directed to a basin 16
to allow for collection of water from a user (such as their hands) as the
dryer 13 blows
results in inconvenience caused by a forced air stream 14 pointing into a sink
basin 16.
This forced air stream 14 is typically deflected towards a user due to the
shape of the
sink basin 16 and typical location of the fittings on the rear of the basin.
With respect to
Figure 1, by introducing a basin vent 22, for example a vent lip 21 and/or a
vent ring 19,
along all or a part of the edge of the sink basin 16, a forced air stream 14
blowing into a
sink basin 16 can be deflected out of the sink basin region 16a and underneath
the sink
deck 15, away from the user rather than deflected upwards into a user. In one
implementation, the basin vent 22 introduces a fixed surface area all along
the top of
the sink basin 16 where forced air stream 14, for example high velocity and/or
heated
air, is redirected away from a user, such as a passageway to escape the sink
basin 16
and not be deflected back out at the user.
[0019] In one implementation, the vent lip 21 has flow through passages
and a small catching edge 23 and with the vents 22 allows the high velocity
air 14 to be
diverted out of the sink basin 16. In one implementation, the vent lip 21 is
cast as part
of the sink basin 16. In an alternative implementation, the vent lip 21 is a
separate
component engageable with the sink deck 15. The vent lip 21 has a
circumference
(though it need not be circular nor have the exact shape of the basin 16) that
is slightly
less than the sink basin 16. Thus, the sink basin 16 terminates "under" the
sink deck 15
such that there is an area, the vent lip 21, of the sink deck 15 that is
exposed about the
inner perimeter of the basin 16. This vent lip 21 protrudes into the basin 16
provide a
protruding edge 23. In one implementation, the vent lip 21 protrudes
sufficiently to
prevent the forced air stream 14 from escaping the basin 16, for example 1/2
inch past
the vents 22. In essence, it is believed that the lip 21 acts as an air dam to
stop the air
stream 14 as well as water from escaping the basin 16 upwards, such as towards
a
user or above the deck 15. Rather, in certain implementations the air stream
14 is
deflected back towards the basin 16 by the vent lip 21.
[0020] In one implementation, a vent ring 19 is utilized to allow the high
velocity air 14 to be diverted from the sink basin 16 away from the user. The
vent ring
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19 can, in one implementation, be an integral part of the sink basin 16. In an
alternative
implementation, the vent ring 19 is an integral part of the sink deck 15.
Further, where
the vent ring 19 is a separate component it may be removably affixed to one of
the sink
basin 16 or the sink deck 15 and permanently affixed to the other. In a
further
implementation, the vent ring 19 is a separate component allowing for a
"retrofit" of an
existing installation. In this embodiment, the separate piece of the vent ring
19 is
assembled in between the sink deck 15 and the basin 16 (for example, a "under
mount
sink"). The vent ring 19 may have substantially the shape of the sink basin
16, the vent
ring 19 may be elliptical.
Further, in certain embodiments the vent ring 19 is not
elliptical but rather includes a first end and a second end and does not
extend around
the entire sink basin, for example as shown in Figure 2A-B. IN one embodiment,
as
shown in Figure 1B, the vent ring 19 includes a plurality of openings 11
formed between
supports 9. The openings 11 form, in conjunction with either the sink basin 16
or the
sink deck 15, the vents 22. In one embodiment, the openings 11 are located in
a
portion of the vent ring 19, for example in a 120 degree arc portion, as the
forced air is
only directed to this area of the sink system 1. In an alternative embodiment,
the
openings 11 are disposed about the entire vent ring 19.
[0021] In one embodiment, no vent ring 19 is utilized, rather the vent 22
is formed by a gap between the lip 21 and the sink basin 16, as shown in
Figure 3. A
trap 62 may be utilized to provide a trap or filter in the vent 22.
[0022]
In a preferred embodiment, the forced air 14, or substantially all
that continues to move with sufficient velocity, is directed into the vent 22.
[0023]
In one implementation, along the circumference of the vent ring
19 are one or more openings 11 to the outside of the sink basin 16 (for
example,
exposing the area under the sink deck 15 outside of the basin 16). In a
further
implementation, the vent lip 21 has an edge 23 that redirects the high
velocity air and
divert out of the sink basin 16. The one or more openings 11 may be spaced
about the
vent ring 19 (for example, evenly disbursed about the vent ring 19). Further,
the one or
more openings 11 may be an opening such as a hole or passage in the ring 19 or
may
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' .
be an entire void within the ring 19 (essentially breaking the continuity of
the ring 19,
such that the ring 19 comprises more than one physical component) or result
from the
absence of the ring 19 and be formed between the sink deck 15 and the sink
basin 16.
[0024] In one embodiment, a user uses the automatic faucet/dryer 13 by
washing their hands underneath the outlet exhaust 54 of a dryer 13, which, in
one
embodiment is mounted to an undermounted sink 18 (Figure 1) having the sink
basin 16
or a sink deck 15. Inside the outlet 43 of the fixture housing 40 is the
exhaust 54 for the
dryer 13, exhausting forced air 14 which comes from the blower 10 through a
forced air
line 12 out through the faucet/dryer exhaust 54. It should be appreciated the
forced air
14 may be exhausted from a separate dryer 13 or a dryer 13 included together
with a
faucet 30 within the fixture housing 40. At the end of the washing sequence,
water flow
stops and high velocity air 14 blows out of the exhaust 54 onto a user's wet
hands
blowing off the water while the hands are still within the sink basin 16. This
is much the
same routine a user follows when they place their hands under a commercial
hand
dryer in a public restroom which is mounted along a wall away from the washing
sink
basin 16, causing water to be blown to the floor. The forced air stream 14
blows down
along the bottom contour of the sink basin 16 and gets redirected upward
deflecting off
the lip 21 and the air flows out beyond the vent 22 so as to not inconvenience
the user
with air (or water) blowing up towards their frontal position.
[0025] This diversion of high velocity air and water which
otherwise
would deflect up towards the standing user is redirected to a lower pressure
region by
virtue of the vent ring 19. As the high velocity drying air blows over the
hands, some of
the air hits areas at the bottom of the sink basin 16. As shown in Figure 1,
the
undermount sink 18 is mounted to the underside of the sink deck 15 and the
circular
vent ring 19 is interposed in between the sink 18 and the sink deck 15. Along
the edges
of the circular vent ring 19 are openings 11 which can be of various
configurations. The
circular vent ring 19 is mounted such that a lip 21 is formed on the underside
of the sink
deck 15. For example, the circumference of the opening in the sink deck 15 for
the
basin 16 is less than the circumference for the vent ring 19, with the
overhanging or
extending portion corresponding to the lip 21.
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[0026] In an alternate embodiment, best shown in Figure 2A the circular
vent ring can be linear vent lip 21 all along the inside front of a typical
commercial
integrated sink 24. In this application the vent lip 21 also forms the edge 23
on the lip
inside of the sink basin 16. In similar fashion an undermount lavatory sink, a
user uses
the automatic faucet/dryer 13 by washing their hands underneath the outlet
nozzle
which is mounted to an integrated sink deck 24. Inside the outlet nozzle is an
exhaust
port for the high velocity hand drying air which comes through a forced air
line 12 out
through the faucet/dryer fitting exhaust 54. At the end of the washing
sequence with no
water flow, high velocity air 14 blows out of the outlet nozzle onto a user's
wet hands
and blows off the water while the hands are still within the sink basin 16 and
detection
zone. On some integrated sink 24 the high velocity hand dryer air deflects off
the
bottom of the sink basin 16 and off the lip 21 and out towards the outside of
the sink
basin 16 as shown in Figure 2A.
[0027]
In a similar method, the high velocity hand dryer air 14 is
redirected to a lower pressure zone and does not inconvenience user with
deflected
high velocity hand dryer air 14 up towards the user.
[0028]
In yet another implementation, the actual lip 21 and ring 19 is
cast into a sink basin 16, Fig 3 depicting a cross section. For example, the
openings 11
of the vent ring 19 can be molded within vitreous china forming the sink basin
16 so that
the high velocity air flow 14 channels itself out of the sink basin 16. Thus,
in certain
implementations the ring 19 is a unitary portion of the sink basin 16.
[0029]
In an alternative embodiment the vent ring 19 can be located
along the front edge of a longitudinal sink deck 15, solid surface integrated
sink system
In this embodiment with a sink deck 15 the vent lip 21 can be molded into a
front lip of
the sink deck assembly. With this embodiment, when the forced air stream 14
blows
into the sink deck 15, the molded in vent lip 21 will allow the air to escape
out of the sink
area and not back up towards the user. The molded intermittent holes 22 in the
vent
ring 19 open to the outside of the sink deck 15 area allowing the forced air
stream 14 to
escape the sink area.
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[0030]
In one embodiment, a basin vent may be utilized without an
associated faucet or soap dispenser. For example, in one embodiment a basin 16
includes a high velocity blower 10 producing the air stream 14 but no
associated faucet.
Such a faucet-less basin may be utilized alone or in combination with the
basin's 16
having a faucet associated therewith. In a particular embodiment, this faucet-
less basin
is positioned closer to the edge of the deck 15, such as for ease of reach for
a user in
front of a sink.
[0031]
The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been
presented for purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended
to be
exhaustive or limiting with respect to the precise form disclosed, and
modifications and
variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired
from practice
of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the scope of the invention
be defined
by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
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