Hidden drain trough

Abstract

A sink that includes a door positioned to visually conceal a drain pipe, where the door can be opened by a user when needed to access the drain pipe. The door includes a door adjustment mechanism that allows the door to be opened by the user and then remain open without user intervention. The door adjustment mechanism can also be configured to release the door by the user's action and allow the door to close. In one or more instances, the door can be positioned such that there is a gap between an edge of the door and a basin portion of the sink. The gap can be large enough to allow water to flow from the basin of the sink to the drain pipe, but small enough to allow the drain pipe to be visually concealed.

Description

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to sinks, and in one embodiment, to a sink that includes a concealed drainpipe that can be concealed by a door that allows access to the drainpipe. Background of the Invention

[0002] Drainpipes can be employed in sinks to rapidly drain water from the bottom of the sink. While drainpipes allow water to rapidly drain from the sink, they are not aesthetically pleasing.

[0003] Attempting to conceal a trough drainpipe can create new problems in sink design. As an example, in some cases, a user of the sink may need access to the trough drainpipe to allow larger objects to drain or to be processed in a waste treatment device attached to the drainpipe. However, if the drainpipe is visually concealed (e.g., by a cover), larger objects may not be able to enter the drainpipe portion of the trough drainpipe. Summary of the Invention

[0004] As explained above, a cover that conceals a drainpipe visually while allowing water to flow into the drainpipe can allow the sink to maintain a desired visual aesthetic. As also explained above, the cover can provide a small slot or opening between the cover and the sink to allow water to flow into the trough drainpipe. In this way, the trough drainpipe can be visually concealed while maintaining a path for water to flow from the basin of the sink into the trough drainpipe. However, in instances where objects larger than the provided opening or slot need to enter the trough drainpipe, using a cover on the trough drainpipe can be problematic. As an example, if a user of the sink wishes to clean the trough drainpipe, or if the user wants to place solid objects such as food scraps into the drainpipe (i.e., when the drainpipe is connected to a waste treatment device), the small slot or opening will not be sufficient to allow the desired access.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need not only to cover or conceal the trough drainpipe, but also to provide an adjustable cover to provide access to the trough drainpipe for use cases where the slot or opening formed by the cover is inadequate. Various embodiments of a sink having a "concealed" trough drainpipe that address this need are disclosed herein. As explained herein, the trough drainpipe can be concealed or covered by a cover that is configured to visually conceal the trough drainpipe while providing a small opening or slot between the door and the basin of the sink to allow water to flow through the opening and into the trough drainpipe. In one or more instances, the cover can be configured to be opened or adjusted to increase the size of the opening, thereby allowing objects that may not fit through the opening / slot to enter the trough drainpipe when the cover is closed.

[0006] In one or more instances, the cover may be removable by a user. In another instance, the cover may be adjustable such that the user can place the cover in a first position when seeking access to the trench drain and in a second position when seeking to simply conceal the trench drain while allowing water to flow from the basin of the sink into the trench drain. The cover may be configured with one or more of a hinge, a torsion spring, and a pawl to enable the user to fix the cover in the first or second position. In one instance, the cover may be configured such that when the user first pushes the cover, the position of the cover changes to provide a wider access to the trench drain, and when the user secondarily pushes the cover, the cover returns to its initial position, thereby concealing the trench drain while providing an opening that allows water to flow from the sink basin into the trench drain.

[0007] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present invention includes any combination of two, three, four, or more of the disclosed embodiments, as well as any combination of any two, three, four, or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are explicitly combined in the specific embodiments described herein. This disclosure is intended to be understood such that any separable feature or element of the disclosed invention should be considered intended to be combinable in any of its various aspects and embodiments, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The disclosure described herein is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures. For clarity of illustration, the features shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some features may be exaggerated relative to other features for clarity. Additionally, where considered appropriate, reference numerals are repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

[0009] Figure 1A An example of a sink configured with a trench drain in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0010] Figure 1B An example of a Figure 1A top view of the trench drain of the sink shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0011] Figure 2A An example of a sink configured with a trench drain and a cover for the trench drain in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0012] Figure 2BShows an example of a sink according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 2A Another view of the shown sink.

[0013] Figure 3A Shows an example of a sink configured with a grooved drain pipe and an adjustable cover in a first position of the grooved drain pipe according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3B Shows an example of a sink according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 3A Another view of the shown sink.

[0015] Figure 4A And Figure 4B Shows an example of a sink configured with a grooved drain pipe and an adjustable cover of the grooved drain pipe according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0016] In the following description of the present disclosure and embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, and specific embodiments that can be practiced are shown by way of illustration in the drawings. It should be understood that other embodiments and examples can be practiced and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0017] In addition, it should also be understood that unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" used in the following description are also intended to include the plural forms. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It should also be understood that the terms "includes", "including", "comprises", and / or "comprising", when used in this context, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or units, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, units, and / or groups thereof.

[0018] Figure 1A Shows an example of a sink configured with a grooved drain pipe according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 1AAs shown, the sink 100 may include a basin portion 102, a trench drain 104, and a faucet 106. When the faucet is opened, the basin portion 102 may initially receive water flowing out of the faucet 106. The trench drain 104 may be adjacent to the basin portion 102 (in some instances, they may be made of a single piece of material or may be put together as two separate pieces), and may be set lower than the basin portion. In other words, the bottom of the trench drain 104 may be lower than the basin portion 102 such that gravity will cause the water initially received by the basin portion to move to the trench drain 104. By setting the trench drain 104 such that it is lower relative to the basin portion 102, compared to instances where the trench drain is set flush with the basin portion 102, the water may move more quickly towards the trench drain due to gravity. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the basin portion 102 may be a horizontal surface. In alternative embodiments, the basin portion 102 may be inclined towards the trench drain 104 to provide a downhill path for the water to flow from the basin portion 102 to the trench drain 104. In another embodiment, the trench drain 104 may be inclined towards the drain 110 such that the downhill path is between the basin portion 102 and the trench drain 104.

[0019] Although the specification discusses the use of a trench drain, the present disclosure should not be considered limited to sinks having a trench drain. A door may be used to conceal any type of sink drain known to those skilled in the art. In one or more instances, the sink may have a conventional drain, and the drain may be positioned at the same height as the basin portion.

[0020] Figure 1B An example in accordance with the present disclosure is shown Figure 1A An example of a top view of the trench drain of the sink shown. As Figure 1B shown, the trench drain 104 may include a trench portion 108 and a drain portion 110. The trench portion 108 may receive water flowing out of the basin portion 102 of the sink 100. The drain portion 110 may include one or more holes through which the water flows into a connecting pipe (not shown) that connects the drain of the sink to a plumbing system.

[0021] As discussed above, as Figure 1A and Figure 1B shown, the trench drain may allow water to flow quickly from the basin to the drain due to gravity, forcing the water to flow from a higher position in the basin to a lower position in the trench drain. However, from an aesthetic perspective, the trench drain may be inelegant or unsightly compared to a conventional drainage system visible in the sink. Therefore, it may be desirable to block the user's view of the trench drain while maintaining the benefits obtained from the trench drain (i.e., rapid drainage of water).

[0022] In one or more embodiments, to visually conceal a trench drain, a door may be employed that conceals the trench drain while maintaining the path for water supply to flow from the basin portion of the sink into the trench drain. In this way, the trench drain can be visually concealed while still allowing the benefits of the trench drain to be realized (i.e., rapid drainage).

[0023] Figure 2A An example of a sink configured with a trench drain and a cover for the trench drain is shown according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 2A shown in the embodiment, sink 200 (similar to the sink discussed with respect to Figure 1A and Figure 1B may include a basin portion 202, a faucet 210, and a trench drain 204. The basin portion 202, faucet 210, and trench drain 204 may be the same as their corresponding portions 102, 106, and 104 discussed above with respect to Figure 1A and Figure 1B In addition, the trench drain 204 may include a trench portion and a drain portion, as in the example discussed above with respect to Figure 1B

[0024] Figure 2A Sink 200 may further include a door 206 that may be used to visually conceal the trench drain 204 from the user. The door 206 may be positioned such that a gap 212 is formed between the bottom of the door and the basin portion 202 of the sink 200. In one or more instances, the gap 212 formed between the basin portion 202 and the bottom of the door 206 may be small enough to visually conceal the trench drain 204 from the user. In other words, when the door 206 is closed, the user of the sink cannot see the trench drain 204. Figure 2B An alternative view of sink 200 is provided, which shows how the door 206 may be used to conceal the trench drain 204.

[0025] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the gap 212 formed between the door 206 and the basin portion 202 may be large enough to allow water received by the basin portion to flow through the gap 212 into the trench drain 204. In one embodiment, the gap 212 may be large enough to allow water to flow freely without any surface tension of the water causing a flow blockage. In other words, the gap 212 between the door 206 and the trench drain 204 may be large enough such that the surface tension of the flowing liquid does not "get stuck" in the gap and thereby reduce the flow rate of the liquid from the basin portion 202 to the trench drain 204. If the gap 212 between the door 206 and the trench drain 204 is too small, the surface tension of the liquid flowing through the gap may cause water to be trapped on the surfaces of the door and the trench drain, thereby reducing the flow of water and potentially eliminating the benefits achieved by using the trench drain.​Figure 2B The door 206 and the gap 212 are shown from an alternative perspective.

[0026] Although the door 206 may allow the trench drain 204 to be concealed from sight, in some use cases, the door may impede functionality. As an example, if a user wants to place food scraps or some other object that may not fit through the gap 212 into the trench drain 204, the door 206 may impede the functionality of the sink 200. In another example, the presence of the door 206 may make it difficult to clean the trench drain because a human hand or cleaning tool may not be able to fit through the gap 212 to access the trench drain 204 for cleaning.

[0027] One way to overcome the above problems is to allow the door 206 to be adjusted so that the gap 212 formed between the door 206 and the basin 212 can be enlarged or reduced based on the needs of the user. In one or more embodiments, the door 206 of the sink 208 may include a door adjustment mechanism 208. The door adjustment mechanism 208 may be configured to enable the door 206 to move so that the door can be opened and closed. By using the door adjustment mechanism 208 to enable the door 206 to be opened and closed, the user can access the trench drain 204 when needed.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the door adjustment mechanism may include an elastic member and a ratchet. The elastic member may be configured to resist the force of the user when the user opens the door 206 and then "rebound" to its original form when the user stops applying force to the door, thereby causing the door to close again. In this way, the door 206 can be opened by the user to access the trench drain 204. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the elastic member may include a compression spring, a tension spring, or a torsion spring. Alternatively, instead of using a spring, the elastic member of the door adjustment mechanism may include any material that can deform and absorb energy in the presence of a force and return to its original form once the force is removed.

[0029] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the user may wish to keep the door 206 in the open position after pushing it open. In this way, it will not be necessary for the user to apply a constant force to the door 206 to keep the door semi-open, but the door can be pushed to the open position and kept in that position until the user is ready to close the door. Therefore, in one or more embodiments, in addition to the elastic member as described above, the door adjustment mechanism may further include a ratchet. A ratchet may refer to any device for mechanically resisting or preventing the movement of an object until the ratchet is released. In the example of the door adjustment mechanism 208, the ratchet may be used to mechanically resist and prevent the movement of the elastic member that attempts to rebound and thereby close the door. Instead, the ratchet may resist the movement of the elastic member, thereby keeping the door open without the user having to keep the door open.

[0030] In one or more embodiments, a user may close the door by pushing the door to release a pawl, which may then allow an elastic member to return the door to its closed position. In this way, the user may control the position of the door and keep the door open or closed based on their desired use. Although the door adjustment mechanism 208 is described above as including an elastic member and a pawl, the present disclosure should not be considered limited to the described embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the door adjustment mechanism 208 that allows a user to open the door 206 and keep the door open, and then allows the user to close the door when the user desires, may be implemented in a variety of ways.

[0031] The door 206 and the basin portion 202 may be made of the same material. In one example, both the door 206 and the basin portion 202 may be made of stainless steel. In another example, both the door 206 and the basin portion 202 may be made of a polymer or ceramic.

[0032] Figure 3A An example of a sink configured with a trench drain and an adjustable cover of the trench drain in an open position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 3A Examples of show the same sink as Figure 2A and Figure 2B shown, but shows the door 306 in an open position. Thus, the sink 300, the basin portion 302, the trench drain 304, the door 306, the door adjustment mechanism 308, and the faucet 310 are the same as or similar to their corresponding parts visible in Figure 2A and Figure 2B The detailed discussion of those components is visible above. As Figure 3A shown, when the door 306 is open, the user may access the trench drain 304 for cleaning or various other uses described above. Also as discussed above with respect to Figure 2A and Figure 2B The door adjustment mechanism 308 may be configured to allow a user of the sink to keep the door in an open position without the intervention of the user. In other words, once the user pushes the door 306 open, the door may remain open (due to the door adjustment mechanism 308) until the user pushes the door again to close it. In one example, the user may push the door 306, thereby causing the release of a pawl that is part of the door adjustment mechanism 308. When the pawl is released, the elastic member of the door adjustment mechanism 308 may rebound to its original shape, thereby closing the door.

[0033] Figure 3B Shows another view of the sink of the example according to the present disclosure of Figure 3A shown. Figure 3B The view further shows the accessibility of the trench drain 304 when the door 306 is open.

[0034] In the above-described embodiments regarding Figures 2A to 3B the Figure 2A and Figure 2B doors 206 of Figure 3A and Figure 3B and the Figure 4A and Figure 4B doors 306 of Figure 4A are shown as being oriented perpendicular to their respective basin portions. However, the present disclosure should not be considered limited to doors in the stated configuration. In one or more instances, the doors may be oriented parallel to the drain basin. Figure 4A and Figure 4B An exemplary sink according to an embodiment of the present disclosure having a grooved drain pipe and a door oriented parallel to the basin is shown. Figure 4A Instances of Figure 2A and Figure 2B show a sink that is substantially the same as the sink shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B but shows a door 406 that is oriented parallel to the basin portion 402 of the sink 400. Thus, the sink 400, basin portion 402, grooved drain pipe 404, door adjustment mechanism 308, and faucet 310 are substantially the same or similar to their corresponding parts visible in Figure 2A and Figure 2B . A detailed discussion of those components is visible above. As discussed above, Figure 4A in instances of Figure 2A and Figure 2B the door 406 may be oriented parallel to the basin portion 402. The door 406 can be used to visually conceal the grooved drain pipe 404 when closed. The door 406 can be positioned such that a gap 412 is formed between the edge of the door and the basin portion 402. The nature of the gap 412 may be similar to Figure 2A and Figure 2B the gap 212 of Figure 3A and Figure 3B the gap 312 of

[0035] as long as the gap is large enough to allow water to pass unimpeded while being small enough to visually conceal the grooved drain pipe 404.

[0035] Similar to Figure 2A and Figure 3A the embodiments of Figure 4B the door 406 may include a door adjustment mechanism 408 that allows the door to be opened and held open by the user without the user's continuous intervention. The door adjustment mechanism 408 can also be configured to close the door when the user desires. Figure 4B shows the Figure 4A door in the open position.

[0036] In one or more instances, the door 406 may not include a door adjustment mechanism 408. Instead, the door 406 can act as a cover for the drain pipe 404, where the cover can be raised from the drain pipe having a protrusion to allow water to flow under the protrusion.

[0037] Although the present disclosure and examples have been described fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications should be understood to be included within the scope of the present disclosure and examples as defined by the claims. Finally, the entire disclosures of the patents and publications mentioned in this application are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0038] For purposes of explanation, the foregoing description has been made with reference to specific embodiments. However, the above illustrative discussion is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Given the above teachings, many modifications and variations are possible. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the technology and its practical application. Others skilled in the art can thereby best utilize the technology and various embodiments with various modifications suited to the particular uses contemplated.

[0039] Although the present disclosure and examples have been described fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications should be understood to be included within the scope of the present disclosure and examples as defined by the claims.

[0040] This application discloses a number of numerical ranges in the text and the drawings. The disclosed numerical ranges inherently support any range or value within the disclosed numerical range, including the endpoints, even if the precise range limitations are not recited verbatim in the specification, because the present disclosure can be practiced throughout the disclosed numerical range.

[0041] The following are some embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] In a first embodiment, a sink is disclosed that includes: a basin portion for receiving water dispensed by a faucet; a drain pipe for receiving water from the basin portion; and a door that visually conceals the drain pipe in a closed position, wherein the door is positioned relative to the basin such that a gap is formed between an edge of the door and the basin when the door is in the closed position to allow water to enter the drain pipe from the basin, and wherein the door can be opened to allow a user access to the drain pipe.

[0043] In a second embodiment, a sink as described in the first embodiment is disclosed, wherein the drain pipe is a trench drain pipe, and in some embodiments, the position of the trench drain pipe relative to the basin portion is such that gravity causes water to flow from the basin into the trench drain pipe.

[0044] In a third embodiment, a sink according to any one of the foregoing embodiments is disclosed, wherein the size of the gap between the edge of the door and the basin is large enough to allow water from the basin to flow unobstructed into the drain pipe. In a fourth embodiment, a sink according to any one of the foregoing embodiments is disclosed, wherein the door includes a door adjustment mechanism configured to keep the door open without user intervention once the door is opened. In a fifth embodiment, a sink according to any one of the foregoing embodiments is disclosed, wherein the door adjustment mechanism includes an elastic member configured to resist the user's force when the user opens the door.

[0045] In a sixth embodiment, a sink according to any one of the foregoing embodiments is disclosed, wherein the elastic member is a spring; in some embodiments, a compression spring. In a seventh embodiment, a sink according to any one of the foregoing embodiments is disclosed, wherein the door adjustment mechanism includes a pawl, and wherein the pawl and the elastic member are configured to keep the door open without user intervention once the door is opened.

[0046] In an eighth embodiment, a sink according to any one of the foregoing embodiments is disclosed, wherein the door is perpendicular to the basin. In a ninth embodiment, a sink according to any one of the foregoing embodiments is disclosed, wherein the door is parallel to the basin, for example, when the drain pipe is a trench drain pipe.

[0047] In a tenth embodiment, a sink according to any one of the foregoing embodiments is disclosed, wherein the basin portion and the door are made of the same material. In some embodiments, the material includes stainless steel, and in other embodiments, the material includes a polymer, for example, a synthetic polymer.

[0048] In an eleventh embodiment, a sink according to any one of the foregoing embodiments is disclosed, wherein the drain pipe is configured to be connected to a waste treatment device system. In a twelfth embodiment, a sink according to any one of the foregoing embodiments is disclosed, wherein the door is configured to open during use of the sink to allow food residues that are too large to fit in the gap to be processed in the waste treatment device.

[0049] In a thirteenth embodiment, a sink according to any one of the foregoing embodiments is disclosed, wherein the door is configured to be opened to clean the drain pipe.

Claims

1. A sink, comprising a basin portion having a horizontal basin surface for receiving water; a trough portion and a drain pipe, the trough portion having a trough surface, the drain pipe for receiving water from the basin portion; wherein the horizontal basin surface and the trough surface are connected by an inclined surface, and a door configured to visually conceal the trough portion and the drain pipe, wherein when the door is in the closed position, the drain pipe is visually concealed and a gap is formed between the edge of the door and the basin, thereby allowing water to flow from the basin to the drain pipe, and wherein the door can be placed in the open position to allow access to the trough portion and the drain pipe; wherein the door includes a door adjustment mechanism including an elastic member and a pawl, the door adjustment mechanism being configured to: resist the user's force when the user first pushes the door surface to place it in the open position, hold the door in the open position, and return the door to the closed position when the user secondarily pushes the door surface; the trough surface is disposed at a lower position relative to the horizontal basin surface, and the lower position of the trough surface relative to the horizontal basin surface causes gravity to cause water to flow from the horizontal basin surface to the trough surface.

2. The sink according to claim 1, wherein the basin portion and the door comprise the same material.

3. The sink according to claim 2, wherein the basin portion or the door comprises stainless steel or a polymer.

4. The sink according to claim 1, wherein the drain pipe is configured to be connected to a waste treatment device system.

5. The sink according to claim 4, wherein when the door is in the open position, food residues that are too large to pass through the gap pass through to the waste treatment device.

6. The sink according to claim 1, wherein the drain pipe can be cleaned when the door is in the open position.

7. The sink according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the door is perpendicular to the basin portion.

8. The sink according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the door is parallel to the basin portion.

9. The sink according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a spring.

10. The sink according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a compression spring.

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