| JP2007177511 | DRAINAGE STRUCTURE OF KITCHEN SINK |
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| JP09041447 | WORK BENCH STRUCTURE FOR KITCHEN |
| Claims: 1. A sink comprising: • a receptacle received in a cut-out portion provided on a counter, said receptacle adapted to hold articles to be washed along with the water required for washing of said articles; said receptacle comprising: oa bottom face; oa pair of side faces upstanding from a periphery of said bottom face; and oa plurality of lip portions, wherein each lip portion is extending outwardly from an operative top edge of a corresponding side face, each lip portion resting on and secured to a peripheral portion of said cut-out portion configured on said counter for facilitating supporting of said receptacle by said counter; • a water drain disposed on said bottom face of said receptacle for facilitating draining out of water from said receptacle; and • a peripheral glass frame disposed along said lip portions of said receptacle and adapted to conceal said lip portions configured on said receptacle along with the securement between said lip portions of said receptacle and peripheral portions of said cut-out portion configured on said counter. 2. The sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receptacle is selectively supplied water from a water supply faucet disposed above said receptacle. 3. The sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lip portions configured on said reservoir are secured to said peripheral portion of said cut-out portion configured on said counter by means of a bead of silicone sealant. 4. The sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receptacle is made from stainless steel material. 5. The sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein said peripheral glass frame is made from transparent glass. 6. The sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein said peripheral glass frame is made from translucent glass. 7. The sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein said peripheral glass frame is made from opaque glass. 8. A method for configuring a sink and mounting said sink on a counter, said method comprising: • configuring an open receptacle having a bottom face and a pair of side faces upstanding from a periphery of said bottom face, said open receptacle configured by drawing a sheet of stainless steel over a die such that a lip portion is extending outwardly from an operative top edge of each of said side faces of said receptacle; • configuring a glass strip frame, wherein method of configuring said glass strip frame comprising: o cutting out a closed glass strip frame from a glass sheet; oroughening a face of said glass strip frame; o applying a glitter coat comprising a mixture of glitter material, suitable solvent and suitable hardner - laquer onto roughened face of said glass strip frame, wherein said solvent and said hardner - laquer facilitates adherence of said glitter material to said roughened face of said glass strip frame; o drying said glitter coat applied on said roughened face of said glass strip frame; o applying enamel paint, a ceramic coating, a powder coating in sequence over dried glitter coat; and o toughening of said glass strip frame; • mounting of said open receptacle onto a cut-out portion provided on the counter such that lip portion extending outwardly from each operative top edge of a corresponding side face is resting on and secured to a peripheral portion of said cut-out portion configured on the counter; • aligning said glass strip frame around said receptacle such that said glass strip frame is resting on said lip portions of said receptacle and said internal edges of said glass strip frame are flushing with corresponding side faces of said receptacle; and • securing said glass strip frame around said receptacle in said aligned configuration thereof. 9. The method for configuring said sink and mounting said sink on a counter, wherein said glitter coat is applied onto roughened face of said glass strip frame by spraying. 10. The method for configuring said sink and mounting said sink on a counter, wherein said glitter coat is applied onto roughened face of said glass strip frame by roller-coating. 11. The method for configuring said sink and mounting said sink on a counter, wherein said glitter coat is applied onto roughened face of said glass strip frame by screen printing. 12. The method for configuring said sink and mounting said sink on a counter, wherein said glitter coat is applied onto roughened face of said glass strip frame by using a brush. 13. The method for configuring said sink and mounting said sink on a counter, wherein a face of said glass strip frame is roughened by sand blasting. |
Field of the Invention:
The present invention generally relates to plumbing fixtures, more particularly, the present invention relates to a sink for washing utensils or small objects.
Background of the Invention:
A sink is in form of a receptacle mounted on a kitchen counter top. More specifically, the sink includes a flat bottom face and a pair of opposing and upstanding side faces that collectively define a receptacle for carrying out utensil washing therein by holding utensils and water used for washing the utensils. The water used for washing the utensils in the sink is supplied by at least one water supply in form of taps or faucets disposed just above the sink. The flat bottom face of the sink is provided with a drain connected to a drain pipe and adapted to facilitate removal of used water from the sink. The drain may include a strainer and/or shut-off device.
The sink is generally made of stainless steel material as it represents a good tradeoff between cost, usability, durability, and ease of cleaning. Most stainless steel sinks are made by drawing a sheet of stainless steel over a die. For mounting the sink on the counter top, a portion of the counter top is cut as per dimensions of the sink to be mounted and the sink is placed inside the cut out portion of the counter top, after checking the fit between the sink and the cut out portion of the counter top and after applying a continuous bead of silicone sealant around an outwardly extending lip portion of the sink. Such a joining process results in a visible seam around a periphery of the sink at a junction between the lip portion of the sink and l the counter top, such a seam adversely affects aesthetic appeal of the sink and the counter top.
Further, although the sinks made of stainless steel are resistant to damage from hot or cold objects and are also resistant to damage from impacts, area around the sink is vulnerable to damage by impacts of hot or cold objects, chemical action of detergents and spillage during cleaning of utensils in the sink.
Accordingly, there is a need of a process for securing a tough, wear and abrasion resistant, smooth and easy to clean material all along the periphery of the sink to conceal the joint between the sink and the counter top and to enhance aesthetic appeal of the sink and the counter top.
Objects of the Invention:
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for securing a wear and abrasion resistant glass strip all along a periphery of a sink.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sink that includes a wear and abrasion resistant glass strip secured all along a periphery of the sink to enhance aesthetic appeal of the sink.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sink that includes a wear and abrasion resistant glass strip secured all along a periphery of the sink to enhance aesthetic appeal of a counter top on which the sink is mounted.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sink that includes a glass strip secured all along a periphery of sink for facilitating easy cleaning of areas immediately surrounding the sink. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of configuring the sink, wherein the method involves conveniently securing a wear and abrasion resistant glass strip all along a periphery of the sink.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of configuring a sink that involves securing a wear and abrasion resistant glass strip all along a periphery of the sink in a cost effective manner.
Summary of the Invention:
A sink for washing utensils and small articles is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The sink includes a receptacle, a water drain and a peripheral glass frame. The receptacle includes a bottom face, a pair of side faces and a plurality of lip portions. Each of the side faces is upstanding from a periphery of the bottom face. Further, each of the lip portions is extending outwardly from an operative top edge of a corresponding side face. Furthermore, each lip portion is resting on and secured to a peripheral portion of a cut-out portion configured on a counter for facilitating supporting of the receptacle by the counter. The receptacle is received in the cut-out portion provided on the counter and is adapted to hold utensils and articles to be washed along with water required for washing of the utensils and articles. The water drain is disposed on the bottom face of the receptacle for facilitating draining out of water from the receptacle. The peripheral glass frame is disposed along the lip portions of the receptacle and is adapted to conceal the lip portions configured on the receptacle along with the securement between the lip portions of the receptacle and the peripheral portions of the cut-out portion configured on the counter. Typically, the receptacle is selectively supplied water from a water supply faucet disposed above the receptacle.
Generally, the lip portions configured on the reservoir are secured to the peripheral portion of the cut-out portion configured on the counter by means of a bead of silicone sealant.
Specifically, the receptacle is made from stainless steel material.
Typically, the peripheral glass frame is made from transparent glass.
Alternately, the peripheral glass frame is made from translucent glass.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention the peripheral glass frame is made from opaque glass.
In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for configuring a sink and mounting the sink on a counter. The method of configuring the sink and mounting the sink on the counter involves configuring an open receptacle having a bottom face and a pair of side faces upstanding from a periphery of said bottom face. The open receptacle is configured by drawing a sheet of stainless steel over a die such that a lip portion is extending outwardly from an operative top edge of each of the side faces of the receptacle. The method of configuring the sink and mounting the sink on the counter further involves configuring a glass strip frame, wherein the method for configuring the glass strip frame involves cutting out a closed glass strip frame from a glass sheet, roughening a face of the glass strip frame, thereafter applying a glitter coat made by mixing glitter material, suitable solvent and suitable hardner - laquer onto roughened face of the glass strip frame. The solvent and the hardner - laquer facilitates adherence of the glitter material to the roughened face of the glass strip frame. After applying the glitter coat onto the roughened face of the glass strip frame, drying of the glitter coat is carried out. Thereafter, enamel paint, a ceramic coating and a powder coating in sequentially applied on the dried glitter coat. In the end, toughening of the glass strip frame is carried out. The method of configuring the sink and mounting the sink on the counter still further involves mounting of the open receptacle onto a cut-out portion provided on the counter such that lip portion extending outwardly from each operative top edge of a corresponding side face is resting on and secured to a peripheral portion of the cut-out portion configured on the counter. The method of configuring the sink and mounting the sink on the counter further involves aligning the glass strip frame around the receptacle such that the glass strip frame is resting on the lip portions of the receptacle and the internal edges of the glass strip frame are flushing with corresponding side faces of the receptacle. The method of configuring the sink and mounting the sink on the counter still further involves securing the glass strip frame around the receptacle in aligned configuration thereof.
Typically, the method for configuring the sink and mounting the sink on a counter involves application of the glitter coat onto roughened face of the glass strip frame by spraying.
Alternatively, the method for configuring the sink and mounting the sink on a counter involves application of the glitter coat onto roughened face of the glass strip frame by using a roller. Further, the method for configuring the sink and mounting the sink on a counter involves application of the glitter coat onto roughened face of the glass strip frame by screen printing
Still further, the method for configuring the sink and mounting the sink on a counter involves application of the glitter coat onto roughened face of the glass strip frame by using a brush.
Furthermore, the method for configuring the sink and mounting the sink on a counter involves roughening a face of said glass strip frame by sand blasting.
Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings:
The invention will now be explained in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a sink having a receptacle and a glass strip frame secured all along a periphery of the receptacle, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the sink of Figure 1; and Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the sink of Figure 1; Detailed Description of the Accompanying Drawings:
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which do not limit the scope and ambit of the invention. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration. The block diagram and the description hereto are merely illustrative and only exemplify the invention and in no way limit the scope thereof.
The present invention discloses a process for securing a glass strip frame all along an immediate periphery of a sink receptacle made from stainless steel material and mounted on a counter top. However, the process for securing a glass strip frame all along an immediate periphery of a sink receptacle is not limited to receptacles made from any particular material and is applicable for receptacles made from natural granite, composite, plastic, copper or quartz. Further, the sink receptacle can be of any shape depending upon customer requirements. More specifically, the sink receptacle may be a bowl shaped receptacle, one and a half bowl with drainer or without drainer or two bowl with or without drainer.
Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing, a sink 100 with a receptacle provided with a glass strip frame 10 secured all along a periphery thereof is disclosed. The glass strip frame 10 is adapted to provide wear, abrasion resistance to areas that are most vulnerable to damaging impacts of hot or cold objects, chemical action of detergents and spillage during cleaning of utensils and other articles in the receptacle of the sink 100 i.e. the areas immediately surrounding the receptacle of the sink 100. Further, the glass strip frame 10 is adapted to provide a glittering, smooth and aesthetically appealing look to the areas immediately surrounding the receptacle of the sink 100. Furthermore, securing the glass strip frame 10 all along the periphery of the receptacle of the sink 100 facilitates easy cleaning of the areas immediately surrounding the receptacle of sink 100. The method of configuring the sink in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes configuring a receptacle. The receptacle is having a bottom face and a pair of side faces upstanding from a periphery of the bottom face of the receptacle. The receptacle is configured by drawing a sheet of stainless steel over a die such that a lip portion is extending outwardly from an operative top edge of each of the side faces of the receptacle. The method for securing a glass strip frame 10 all along an immediate periphery of the receptacle of the sink 100 involves selecting a glass sheet of same shape as that of the receptacle of the sink 100 and of dimensions larger than dimensions of the receptacle of the sink 100 such that equal margins are available along opposite faces the glass sheet, when the receptacle of the sink 100 is centrally placed on the glass sheet. More specifically, the margins available along opposite faces the glass sheet are at least about 0.5". Thereafter, a closed internal cavity is cut and machined on the glass sheet such that shape and dimensions of the internal cavity exactly matches with the shape and inside-dimensions of the receptacle of the sink 100. The remaining glass sheet left after carrying out all the cutting and machining operations may be referred to as glass strip frame 10. The glass strip frame 10 may be made of a transparent, translucent or an opaque glass. Further, the glass used for configuring the glass strip frame 10 may be toughened or non-toughened glass. However, the glass used for configuring the glass strip frame 10 secured along the periphery of the receptacle of the sink 100 of the present invention is not limited to being transparent, translucent or opaque.
The glass strip frame 10 includes a front face and a back face, wherein the front face is the one that is facing outwardly and is visible after securing the glass strip frame 10 to the receptacle of the sink 100. The back side of glass strip frame 10 may be made rough to facilitate better bonding/adherence of a glitter material, enamel paint, a ceramic coating, a powder coating or any other paint/coating onto the back side of the glass strip frame 10. More particularly, the back side of the glass strip frame 10 may be made rough by sand blasting or any other method. However, the present invention is not limited to any particular method used for roughening the back side of the glass strip frame 10.
For applying the glitter material onto a back side of the glass strip frame 10, the glitter material is first mixed with suitable solvent and than in suitable hardner- laquer to give excellent adherence to glass. The resulting mixture of glitter material, suitable solvent and hardner-laquer is applied onto the backside of the glass strip frame 10 by spraying, roller coating, screen printing or spreading by brush. The layer of resulting mixture of glitter material, suitable solvent and hardner-laquer applied on the backside of the glass strip frame 10 may be referred to as glitter coat. However, the present invention is not limited to any particular method for applying the glitter coat onto the backside of the glass strip frame 10.
After the glitter coat applied onto the backside of the glass strip frame 10 has dried up, a coat of enamel paint, ceramic coating, powder coating or any other paint/coating is applied, on the glitter coat. Thereafter the glass strip frame 10 is toughened by a suitable process. The toughening of the glass strip frame 10 generally takes place before application of glitter coat on the backside of the glass strip frame 10 and application of enamel paint, powder coating or any other paint/coating on the glitter coat. However, if a ceramic coating is applied after application of glitter coat on the backside of the glass strip frame 10, then toughening of the glass strip frame 10 takes place after application of glitter coat on the backside of the glass strip frame 10 and application of ceramic coating on the glitter coat. After, the application of the glitter coat on the backside of the glass strip frame 10 and application of coat of enamel paint, ceramic coating, powder coating or any other paint/coating on the glitter coat, the coatings on the back side of the coated glass strip frame 10 is allowed to dry. Thereafter, an adhesive film/tape is applied to the coated portion of the glass strip frame 10. Further thereafter, an adhesive or sealant is applied below the adhesive film or adhesive tape applied to the coated portion of the glass strip frame 10, i.e. back side of the glass strip frame 10. The receptacle of the sink 100 is then placed below the glass strip frame 10 and aligned with the glass strip frame 10 in such a manner that top horizontal surface of the lip portions of the receptacle of the sink 100 face the adhesive film or adhesive tape applied to the coated portion of the glass strip frame 10, with the adhesive or sealant between the adhesive film or adhesive tape and the top horizontal surface of the lip portions of the receptacle of the sink 100, bonding between the glass strip frame 10 and the receptacle of the sink 100 is facilitated. Further, before bonding the receptacle of the sink 100 to the back side of the glass strip frame 10, proper alignment of the receptacle of the sink 100 with respect to glass strip frame 10 is ensured by flushing internal edges 10(a), 10(b), 10(c) and 10(d) of the glass strip frame 10 with the corresponding side faces 100(a), 100(b), 100(c) and 100(d) of the receptacle of the sink 100.
The receptacle of the sink 100 is bonded to the glass strip frame 10 after ensuring proper alignments there-between, the receptacle of the sink 100 with glass strip frame 10 secured on top thereof is supported on a pair of fixed supports i.e. peripheral portions of the cut-out portion of the counter generally referred by numerals 20(a) and 20(b) such that edges of the receptacle of the sink 100, i.e. the lip portions configured on the receptacle of the sink are supported on the pair of fixed supports 20(a) and 20(b). In this configuration, the lip portions configured on the receptacle of sink 100 is sand- witched between the glass strip frame 10 and the fixed supports 20(a) and 20(b). The fixed supports may be made of wooden board or a plywood board or a medium-density fiber-board (MDF) or any other material. The glass frame may be pre-installed with an under-mount for facilitating installation of the sink.
Technical Advantages and Economic Significance:
The method for configuring a sink involving securing a wear and abrasion resistant glass strip all along a periphery of a receptacle of the sink is easy and convenient. The method for configuring a sink involving securing a wear and abrasion resistant glass strip secured all along a periphery of the receptacle of the sink enhances aesthetic appeal of the sink as well as of the kitchen counter top on which the sink is mounted. The wear and abrasion resistant glass strip secured all along a periphery of the receptacle of the sink facilitates easy cleaning of the areas immediately surrounding the receptacle of the sink. The wear and abrasion resistant glass strip secured all along a periphery of the receptacle of the receptacle of the sink is having a robust construction.
The numeral values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the invention and the claims unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.