Sink basin wash system

Abstract

A basin wash system for a sink can include a basin comprising an interior surface with one or more fluid inlets positioned proximal to a rim of the basin and a drainage outlet and one or more nozzles each configured to receive fluid from a fluid source and transmit the fluid through a respective one of the one or more fluid inlets. The fluid can be transmitted from each nozzle in a respective flow direction that is approximately tangent to the interior surface and approximately orthogonal to a respective line defining a shortest distance along the interior surface between the respective fluid inlet and the drainage outlet such that the transmitted fluid follows a spiraling flow path along the interior surface toward the drainage outlet.

Description

SINK BASIN WASH SYSTEMCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 638,194, filed April 24, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to sinks, in particular to systems for cleaning sinks.BACKGROUND

[0003] Sinks can collect substantial amounts of debris during use. A kitchen sink, for example, may collect food particles, and a bathroom sink may collect shed hair or shaved stubble. If such debris is not rinsed down the drain, it may stick to the surface of the sink basin, rendering the sink both unsightly and unsanitary. Manually rinsing a sink basin using, e.g., a detachable faucet spray head can be irritating and inefficient, as users are forced to chase debris around the basin with the spray in order to guide the debris into the drain. In sinks without a detachable spray head or an extendable spray nozzle, users may rinse the sink basin by collecting water from the faucet with their hands and tossing the water on the surface of the basin, which is frequently ineffective at removing all of the debris.SUMMARY

[0004] Provided herein are sinks with basin wash systems that can rinse debris from sink basins without user labor. A disclosed sink may have a basin that includes one or more fluid inlets in the interior surface of the basin that are positioned proximal to the rim of the basin. One or more nozzles may be fluidically couped to the fluid inlet(s). When opened, the nozzle(s) may spray fluid from a fluid source (e.g., the water supply for the sink) through the fluid inlet(s). The sprayed fluid flow along the interior surface of the basin, collecting any debris in its path and directing it toward the drain with a spiraling motion.

[0005] Fluid may be transmitted through the fluid inlets in the fluid basin such that a surface area of the interior surface of the basin that is rinsed by the fluid is maximized. The direction and pattern with which the fluid exits the fluid inlets in order to maximize the rinsed surface area may depend upon the geometrical characteristics of the basin. In a rounded basin, fluid may be transmitted out of the fluid inlets tangentially to the interior surface of thebasin. This may cause the fluid to flow along the interior surface of the basin toward the drain with a spiraling flow path. In a rectangular, flat-bottomed basin, fluid may be directed out of the fluid inlets along the basin walls in a downward direction toward the bottom of the basin.

[0006] The basin wash system may be operated using a controller. The controller may be configured to open and close one or more valves between the fluid inlets and the fluid source. There are a variety of potential implementations of the controller, ranging from a manually operable switch or lever that opens the valve(s) to a digital controller that can open the valves periodically or upon detection of debris in the sink basin.

[0007] Various properties of the fluid that is sprayed out of the fluid inlets may be adjustable. In particular, since hot fluid may be more effective at removing hardened or sticky debris, the temperature of the fluid that is sprayed out of the fluid inlets may be adjustable up to high (e.g., approximately 115 °F or higher) temperatures. Other spray characteristics such as the pressure and the spray pattern of the fluid that exits the fluid inlets can also be adjusted to optimize rinsing efficiency.

[0008] A basin wash system for a sink includes a basin comprising an interior surface with one or more fluid inlets positioned proximal to a rim of the basin and a drainage outlet and one or more nozzles. Each nozzle may be configured to receive fluid from a fluid source and transmit the fluid through a respective one of the one or more fluid inlets. In some embodiments, fluid is transmitted from each nozzle in a respective flow direction that is approximately tangent to the interior surface and approximately orthogonal to a respective line defining a shortest distance along the interior surface between the respective fluid inlet and the drainage outlet such that the transmitted fluid follows a spiraling flow path along the interior surface toward the drainage outlet. In other embodiments, fluid is transmitted from each nozzle in a respective flow direction downward toward a bottom of the basin and approximately along a respective line defining a shortest distance along the interior surface between the respective fluid inlet and the drainage outlet. In some embodiments, a sink assembly is provided which may include a sink and the basin wash system.

[0009] A basin wash system can include one or more valves for controlling fluid flow between the fluid source and the one or more fluid inlets. The one or more valves may connect the fluid source to the one or more nozzles. A valve of the one or more valves may be configured to connect to a faucet of the sink. In some embodiments, each valve of the one or more valves is a component of a nozzle of the one or more nozzles. In other embodiments,each valve of the one or more valves is embedded in a fluid inlet of the one or more fluid inlets.

[0010] The system may have a controller configured to open and close the valves in the one or more fluid inlets. The controller may be a button, a lever, or a switch. For example, the controller may be a button that is configured to pneumatically control the one or more valves.

[0011] Fluid that is transmitted through the one or more fluid inlets may have a pressure of at least 15 psi. In addition, a temperature of the fluid that is transmitted through the one or more fluid inlets can be adjustable. For example, fluid that is transmitted through the one or more fluid inlets may be adjustable to a maximum temperature of at least 115 °F. In some embodiments, the one or more fluid inlets are configured to increase a lateral spread of the fluid as it is transmitted out of the one or more fluid inlets.

[0012] In some embodiments, the basin comprises a single fluid inlet. In other embodiments, the basin comprises at least two fluid inlets. In other embodiments, the basin comprises at least four fluid inlets.

[0013] In some embodiments, the interior surface of the sink basin comprises at least one tapered shelf positioned proximal to at least one fluid inlet, and the at least one tapered shelf is configured to facilitate transmitting the fluid from the at least one fluid inlet in the respective flow direction.

[0014] In some embodiments, during use of the basin wash system, the one or more nozzles are configured to continuously transmit fluid so as to form a continuous film of fluid coating the interior surface of the sink basin.

[0015] In some embodiments, the basin wash system includes a diverter switch configured to connect to a faucet of the sink and configured such that when the diverter switch is in a first position, fluid from the fluid source is transmitted out of the faucet; when the diverter switch is in a second position, fluid from the fluid source is transmitted out of the one or more fluid inlets; and when the diverter switch is in an intermediate position between the first and second positions, fluid from the fluid source is directed through both the faucet and the one or more fluid inlets.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0016] The following figures show various sink basin wash systems and components of sink basin wash systems. The systems and components shown in the figures may have any one or more of the characteristics described herein.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a sink basin wash system, according to some embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a fluid flow path between a fluid source and a fluid inlet in a sink basin wash system, according to some embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 3 A shows a top-down view of an example sink with a sink basin wash system, according to some embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 3B shows a top-down view of another example sink with a sink basin wash system, according to some embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 3C shows a top-down view of another example sink with a basin wash system, according to some embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a controller, according to some embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 5 shows a top-down view of another example sink with a sink basin wash system, according to some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Described are sinks with basin wash systems that can rinse debris from sink basins without user labor. A disclosed sink may have a basin that includes one or more fluid inlets in the interior surface of the basin that are positioned proximal to the rim of the basin. One or more nozzles may be fluidically couped to the fluid inlet(s). When opened, the nozzle(s) may spray fluid from a fluid source (e.g., the water supply for the sink) through the fluid inlet(s). The sprayed fluid may flow along the interior surface of the basin, collecting any debris in its path and directing it toward the drain with a spiraling motion.

[0025] Fluid may be transmitted through the fluid inlets in the fluid basin such that a surface area of the interior surface of the basin that is rinsed by the fluid is maximized. The direction and pattern with which the fluid exits the fluid inlets in order to maximize the rinsed surface area may depend upon the geometrical characteristics of the basin. In a rounded basin, fluid may be transmitted out of the fluid inlets tangentially to the interior surface of the basin. This may cause the fluid to flow along the interior surface of the basin toward the drain with a spiraling flow path. In a rectangular, flat-bottomed basin, fluid may be directed out of the fluid inlets along the basin walls in a downward direction toward the bottom of the basin.

[0026] The basin wash system may be operated using a controller. The controller may be configured to open and close one or more valves between the fluid inlets and the fluid source. There are a variety of potential implementations of the controller, ranging from a manuallyoperable switch or lever that opens the valve(s) to a digital controller that can open the valves periodically or upon detection of debris in the sink basin.

[0027] Various properties of the fluid that is sprayed out of the fluid inlets may be adjustable. In particular, since hot fluid may be more effective at removing hardened or sticky debris, the temperature of the fluid that is sprayed out of the fluid inlets may be adjustable up to high (e.g., approximately 120 °F or higher) temperatures. Other spray characteristics such as the pressure and the spray pattern of the fluid that exits the fluid inlets can also be adjusted to optimize rinsing efficiency.

[0028] A block diagram of an exemplary sink basin wash system 100 is shown in FIG. 1. Basin wash system 100 may be a component of a sink assembly such as a bathroom sink, a kitchen sink, or a utility sink and may include a sink basin 110 of the sink. An interior surface of sink basin 110 (that is, the surface of sink basin 110 that faces the sink faucet’s outlet) may include one or more fluid inlets 102. Fluid inlet(s) 102 may be fluidically coupled to receive fluid from one or more nozzles 104 which, in turn, may be configured to fluidically couple to receive fluid (e.g., water) from a fluid source 106 (e.g., the water supply for the sink). In some embodiments, nozzle(s) 104 transmit fluid received from fluid source 106 through fluid inlet(s) 102. Fluid that is sprayed through fluid inlet(s) 102 by nozzle(s) 104 may flow along an interior surface of sink basin 110 toward a drainage outlet in sink basin 110. In other embodiments, nozzle(s) 104 are not present, and fluid received from fluid source 106 is transmitted directly through fluid inlet(s) 102.

[0029] Sink basin 110 may have any suitable geometrical form factor. In some embodiments, sink basin 110 has a rounded interior surface with a circular or elliptical rim. In other embodiments, sink basin 110 has a rectangular rim with a flat bottom that is orthogonal to the interior surface walls.

[0030] In some embodiments, sink basin 110 includes between 1 and 20, between 1 and 15, between 1 and 12, between 1 and 10, between 1 and 5, or between 1 and 3 fluid inlets. In other embodiments, sink basin 110 includes more than 20 fluid inlets. Fluid inlet(s) 102 can be located anywhere on the interior surface of sink basin 110. In some embodiments, fluid inlet(s) are located proximal to the rim of sink basin, for example within 5 inches, 4 inches, 3 inches, 2 inches, or 1 inch of the rim of the sink basin.

[0031] Fluid inlet(s) 102 can have any suitable shape. For example, a fluid inlet 102 may be circular, elliptical, triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal, hexagonal, or octagonal. The shape of a fluid inlet 102 may affect the direction in which fluid exits theinlet, the pressure with which fluid exits the inlet, the spray pattern created by the inlet, or a combination thereof.

[0032] Nozzle(s) 104 may include any suitable type of nozzle. In some embodiments, a nozzle 104 is a jet nozzle that is configured to transmit fluid through a fluid inlet 102 at a high pressure, e.g., a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure but less than a pressure that would injure the user. For example, a nozzle 104 may be a jet nozzle that is configured to transmit fluid through a fluid inlet 102 at a pressure between approximately 14.7 psi and 80 psi, e.g., approximately 15 psi, 20 psi, 30 psi, 40 psi, 50 psi, 60 psi, or 70 psi. A nozzle 104can also be a fluidic oscillating nozzle or a low-pressure nozzle (e.g., to allow for higher flow).

[0033] Basin wash system 100 may include a controller 112 for controlling the flow of fluid through fluid inlet(s) 102. Controller 112 may be configured to open and close one or more valves 108. A valve 108 may be a component of a nozzle 104 - in other words, nozzle 104 may itself be configured to open and close. A valve 108 can also be embedded in a fluid inlet 102 to allow the fluid inlet to open and close. In systems with multiple nozzles 104 or multiple fluid inlets 102, controller 112 may be configured to open the valves 108 in each nozzle 104 or in each fluid inlet 102 simultaneously or independently. Opening each nozzle 104 or each fluid inlet 102 independently may allow specific regions of sink basin 110 to be targeted.

[0034] Alternatively, a valve 108 may connect fluid source 106 to nozzle(s) 104. In some embodiments, such a valve 108 is a T-valve that also connects fluid source 106 to the sink’s faucet. Controller 112 may be configured to switch a flow of fluid from fluid source 106 between nozzle(s) 104 and the faucet.

[0035] Controller 112 may be manually operable and may include a user control such as a lever, a button, a switch, a remote, a motion or touch sensor, or any other suitable manual control device. For example, controller 112 can be a button that is configured to pneumatically control valve 108 through an air tube that connects valve 108 to an underside of the button. Controller 112 can be positioned on or adjacent to the sink faucet so that it is easily accessible to the user.

[0036] In some embodiments, valve(s) 108 may be electronically controlled by controller 112. For example, valve(s) 108 may be solenoid valves. Controller 112 may control the solenoid valves by transmitting an electrical signal to the solenoid valves, e.g., up on receipt of a user input via a button, a switch, a remote, or the like.

[0037] Controller 112 can also include digital components. For example, controller 112 may be or may include a microcontroller comprising one or more processors. In some embodiments, controller 112 is configured to control valve(s) 108 automatically, e.g., by using a suitable sensor (e.g., a camera) to detect debris in sink basin 110 and, upon detecting debris, automatically opening valve(s) 108 or by periodically opening valve(s) 108 (e.g., once every 3 hours, once every 6 hours, once every 9 hours, once every 12 hours, once every 24 hours, etc.).

[0038] Various characteristics of the fluid that is transmitted through fluid inlet(s) 102 may be adjustable, for example by controller 112 or by a separate control device or mechanism. In particular, the temperature of the fluid that is transmitted through fluid inlet(s) 102 may be adjustable, for example between about 50 °F and about 212 °F, between about 50 °F and about 200 °F, between about 50 °F and about 180 °F, between about 50 °F and about 160 °F, between about 50 °F and about 140 °F, or between about 50 °F and about 120 °F. The temperature of the fluid may be adjusted by controlling a mixing valve (which may be one of valve(s) 108) between fluid source 106 and fluid inlet(s) 102. Increasing the temperature of the fluid may allow, e.g., sticky or dried debris that cannot be easily removed with coolertemperature fluid to be targeted and rinsed.

[0039] In some embodiments, basin wash system 100 includes one or more components for increasing a pressure of the fluid from fluid source 106 before it is sprayed through fluid inlet(s) 102. For example, basin wash system 100 can include a pressure pod. The pressure pod may be positioned upstream from valve 108. Fluid from fluid source 106 may enter a vessel of the pressure pod. The fluid pressure of the fluid may compress a spring within the vessel, thereby increasing the potential energy of the spring. This spring can be any suitable spring, for example a metal coil spring, a rubber bladder, or an air spring. When valve 108 opens, the spring’s potential energy releases, forcing the fluid out of the vessel at a high pressure.

[0040] In some embodiments, basin wash system 100 is configured to direct a cleaning agent (e.g., soap) through one or more fluid inlet(s) 102. Fluid source 106 can include, e.g., a water reservoir and a cleaning agent reservoir. In some embodiments, a first subset of fluid inlet(s) 102 is fluidically coupled to receive water from the water reservoir and a second subset of fluid inlet(s) 102 is fluidically coupled to receive cleaning agent from the cleaning agent reservoir. In other embodiments, each fluid inlet 102 is fluidically coupled to a valve, a first inlet of which is fluidically coupled to receive water from the water reservoir and asecond inlet of which is fluidically coupled to receive cleaning agent from the cleaning agent reservoir. A user may control when inlet(s) 102 transmit cleaning agent or water by controlling the valve.

[0041] Basin wash system 100 may be used whenever debris collects in sink basin 110. Sink basin 110 may collect both solid debris and liquid debris. If the sink is a kitchen sink, for example, sink basin 110 may collect debris such as food particles, cooking oil, coffee grounds, and grease. If the sink is a bathroom sink, sink basin 110 may collect debris such as shed hair, stubble, makeup, and toothpaste. When a user notices debris in sink basin, they may operate controller 112 (e.g., push a button, flip a switch, move a lever, etc.) to cause fluid to be transmitted out of fluid inlet(s) 102 in order to rinse the debris from sink basin 110.

[0042] A diagram of a fluid flow path between a fluid source 206 and a fluid inlet 202 in a basin wash system (e.g., basin wash system 100 shown in FIG. 1) is provided in FIG. 2. Fluid inlet 202 may be located in an interior surface of a sink basin such as sink basin 110 (FIG. 1). Fluid from fluid source 206 may be sprayed through fluid inlet 202 by a nozzle 204. A valve 208 may connect fluid source 206 (or a conduit 216 from fluid source such as a pipe or a hose) to nozzle 204. When valve 208 is opened (e.g., by a controller such as controller 112 shown in FIG. 1), fluid from fluid source 106 may flow through valve and be received by nozzle 204, which may then transmit the fluid out of fluid inlet 202 and into the sink basin.

[0043] FIGS. 3A-3C and FIG. 5 illustrate top-down views of example sinks with basin wash systems. Specifically, FIGS. 3 A-3B and FIG. 5 show top-down views of sinks with rounded sink basins 310 and FIG. 3C shows a top-down view of a sink with a rectangular sink basin 310. One or more fluid inlets 302 may be positioned proximal to a rim 320 of sink basin 310. One or more nozzles (e.g., nozzles 104 shown in FIG. 3 A) may transmit water from a fluid source (e.g., fluid source 106) to fluid inlet(s) 302, e.g., upon receipt of user input through a controller 312.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3 A-3C, a sink with a basin wash system can include a diverter switch 342. Diverter switch 342 may be positioned in any suitable location, for example on a body of the faucet 324 of the sink. When diverter switch 342 is in a first position, fluid from the fluid source may be transmitted out of the faucet 324. When diverter switch 342 is in a second position, fluid from the fluid source may be transmitted out of fluid inlet(s) 302. In some embodiments, when diverter switch 342 is in an intermediate position, fluid from the fluid source is directed through both the faucet 324 and through fluid inlet(s) 302. Thevolume of fluid that is transmitted into sink basin 310 may be determined by, e.g., the position of the faucet control handles and a mixing valve.

[0045] If sink basin 310 is rounded (FIGS. 3 A-3B and FIG. 5), fluid may be transmitted out of each fluid inlet 302 in a direction that is approximately tangent to the interior surface 318 of sink basin 310 and approximately orthogonal to a line L that defines the shortest distance along interior surface 318 between the fluid inlet 302 and drainage outlet 322. The shape of fluid inlet(s) 302, the orientation of the nozzle(s) that spray the fluid through fluid inlet(s) 302, or a combination thereof may cause the fluid to exit fluid inlet(s) 302 in a direction that is tangential to the interior surface 318 of sink basin 310. After exiting fluid inlet(s) 302, the fluid may follow a spiraling flow path 326 to a drainage outlet 322 at the bottom of sink basin 310. The spiraling flow path may maximize the surface area of basin interior surface 318 that is rinsed by the fluid, facilitating efficient debris removal.

[0046] Fluid may be transmitted through fluid inlet(s) 302 at a flow rate that is sufficient to maintain a spiraling flow path 326 in a sink with a rounded sink basin 310 (FIGS. 3 A-3B and FIG. 5). In some embodiments, fluid is transmitted through fluid inlet(s) 302 with a flow rate between 1 gpm and 15 gpm, for example a flow rate of at least 2 gallons per minute (gpm), at least 3 gpm, at least 4 gpm, or at least 5 gpm. In some examples, the nozzle(s) (e.g., nozzle 104) may be configured to continuously supply water at a low flow rate (e.g., 1 or 2 gpm) during use so as to create a continuous thin water film coating the interior surface 318 of the sink basin 310, which can prevent any debris from adhering to the interior surface 318.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, in some examples, sink basin 310 may include one or more tapered shelves 502 positioned proximal to one or more fluid inlet(s) 302. The tapered shelves 502 are configured to receive fluid from fluid inlet(s) 302 (e.g., via nozzle(s) 104) and guide the fluid to flow along the tapered shelf 502 in a direction that is approximately tangential to the interior surface 318 and orthogonal to line L shown in FIG. 3 A. From the tapered shelf 502, the fluid can continue to flow around the interior surface 318 of the sink basin 310. This can facilitate the formation of the spiraling flow path along interior surface 318 and can allow for more efficient cleaning below the sink basin rim 320. As shown in FIG. 5, multiple tapered shelves 502 may taper in the same direction to guide fluid from multiple fluid inlets 302 to flow in the same direction around interior surface 318 (e.g., in a clockwise direction). In some examples, multiple tapered shelves 502 may taper in opposite directions, such that fluid from a first fluid inlet 302 is directed to flow in a first direction while fluid from a second fluid inlet 302 is directed to flow in an opposite direction. Thetapered shelves 502 may be integrally formed out of the material making up the sink basin 310. The tapered shelves 502 may be tapered in depth, such that the depth of the shelf decreases moving farther away from the fluid inlet 302. The tapered shelves 502 may be slightly inclined down toward the drainage outlet 322. The parts of sink basin 310 shown in FIG. 5 can be the same or substantially similar to those shown in FIGs. 3 A and 3B.

[0048] If sink basin 310 has a rectangular form factor (FIG. 3C), fluid may be transmitted out of each fluid inlet 302 downward (that is, toward the bottom of sink basin 310) along a line L that defines the shortest distance along interior surface 318 between drainage outlet 322 and the fluid inlet 302. In this embodiment, flow paths 326 may be substantially linear and converge as they approach drainage outlet 322. Such a sink basin 310 may have at least one fluid inlet 302 in the interior surface 318 of each wall of basin 310. In some embodiments, fluid inlet(s) 302 may be configured to increase the lateral spread of the fluid streams that exit outlet(s) 302 in order to maximize the surface area of basin interior surface 318 that is rinsed by the fluid. As with sink basin 310 shown in FIG. 5, a rectangular sink basin may also include one or more tapered shelves to receive and direct the flow of fluid from one or more fluid inlets.

[0049] In some embodiments, the fluid inlets are positioned at the bottom of the sink basin proximal to the sink’s drainage outlet. Fluid may be transmitted from each fluid inlet along an interior surface of the sink basin in a direction toward the rim of the sink basin (e.g., upwards, away from the drainage outlet). The fluid may approach the rim of the sink basin and then divert backwards toward the drainage outlet under the force of gravity.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of computer system 428 that may be a component of or configured to control a controller (e.g., controller 112 shown in FIG. 1) for controlling the flow of fluid between a fluid source and a fluid inlet in a basin wash system. As shown in FIG. 4, computer system 428 can be any suitable type of microprocessor-based device, such as a personal computer, workstation, server, or handheld computing device such as a phone or tablet. The computer can include, for example, one or more of processor(s) 430, input device 432, output device 434, storage 436, and communication device 438.

[0051] Input device 432 can be any suitable device that provides input, such as a touch screen or monitor, keyboard, mouse, or voice-recognition device. Output device 434 can be any suitable device that provides output, such as a touch screen, monitor, printer, disk drive, or speaker.

[0052] Storage 436 can be any suitable device that provides storage, such as an electrical, magnetic, or optical memory, including a RAM, cache, hard drive, CD-ROM drive, tape drive, or removable storage disk. Communication device 438 can include any suitable device capable of transmitting and receiving signals over a network, such as a network interface chip or card. The components of the computer can be connected in any suitable manner, such as via a physical bus or wirelessly. Storage 436 can be a non -transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising one or more programs, which, when executed by one or more processors, such as processor(s) 430, cause the one or more processors to execute methods or techniques described herein. Software 440, which can be stored in storage 436 and executed by processor(s) 430, can include, for example, the programming that embodies the functionality of the present disclosure (e.g., as embodied in the systems, computers, servers, and / or devices as described above). In some embodiments, software 440 can include a combination of servers such as application servers and database servers.

[0053] Software 440 can also be stored and / or transported within any computer-readable storage medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as those described above, that can fetch and execute instructions associated with the software from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. In the context of this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium can be any medium, such as storage 436, that can contain or store programming for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0054] Software 440 can also be propagated within any transport medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as those described above, that can fetch and execute instructions associated with the software from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. In the context of this disclosure, a transport medium can be any medium that can communicate, propagate, or transport programming for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The transport-readable medium can include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or infrared wired or wireless propagation medium.

[0055] Computer system 428 may be connected to a network, which can be any suitable type of interconnected communication system. The network can implement any suitable communications protocol and can be secured by any suitable security protocol. The network can comprise network links of any suitable arrangement that can implement the transmissionand reception of network signals, such as wireless network connections, T1 or T3 lines, cable networks, DSL, or telephone lines.

[0056] Computer system 428 can implement any operating system suitable for operating on the network. Software 440 can be written in any suitable programming language, such as C, C++, Java, or Python. In various embodiments, application software embodying the functionality of the present disclosure can be deployed in different configurations, such as in a client / server arrangement or through a Web browser as a Web-based application or Web service, for example.

[0057] The foregoing description, for the purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the techniques and their practical applications. Others skilled in the art are thereby enabled to best utilize the techniques and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0058] The articles “a” and “an” herein refer to one or to more than one (e.g., at least one) of the grammatical object. Any ranges cited herein are inclusive. The term “about” used throughout is used to describe and account for small fluctuations. For instance, “about” may mean the numeric value may be modified by ±0.05%, ±0.1%, ±0.2%, ±0.3%, ±0.4%, ±0.5%, ±1%, ±2%, ±3%, ±4%, ±5%, ±6%, ±7%, ±8%, ±9%, ±10% or more. All numeric values are modified by the term “about” whether or not explicitly indicated. Numeric values modified by the term “about” include the specific identified value. For example, “about 5.0” includes 5.0.

[0059] Although the disclosure and examples have been fully described with reference to the accompanying figures, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the disclosure and examples as defined by the claims. Finally, the entire disclosure of the patents and publications referred to in this application are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A basin wash system for a sink comprising: a basin comprising: an interior surface with one or more fluid inlets positioned proximal to a rim of the basin, and a drainage outlet; and one or more nozzles each configured to receive fluid from a fluid source and transmit the fluid through a respective one of the one or more fluid inlets, wherein the fluid is transmitted from each nozzle in a respective flow direction that is approximately tangent to the interior surface and approximately orthogonal to a respective line defining a shortest distance along the interior surface between the respective fluid inlet and the drainage outlet such that the transmitted fluid follows a spiraling flow path along the interior surface toward the drainage outlet.

2. The basin wash system of claim 1, further comprising one or more valves for controlling fluid flow between the fluid source and the one or more fluid inlets.

3. The basin wash system of claim 2, wherein the one or more valves connect the fluid source to the one or more nozzles.

4. The basin wash system of claim 2, wherein a valve of the one or more valves is configured to connect to a faucet of the sink.

5. The basin wash system of claim 2, further comprising a controller configured to open and close the one or more valves in the one or more fluid inlets.

6. The basin wash system of claim 1, wherein the fluid that is transmitted through the one or more fluid inlets has a pressure of at least 15 psi.

7. The basin wash system of claim 1, wherein a temperature of the fluid that is transmitted through the one or more fluid inlets is adjustable to at least 115 °F.

8. The basin wash system of claim 1, wherein the interior surface comprises at least one tapered shelf positioned proximal to at least one fluid inlet of the one or more fluid inlets, theat least one tapered shelf configured to facilitate transmitting the fluid from the at least one fluid inlet in the respective flow direction.

9. The basin wash system of claim 1, wherein, during use of the basin wash system, the one or more nozzles are configured to continuously transmit fluid so as to form a continuous film of fluid coating the interior surface of the basin.

10. The basin wash system of claim 1, comprising a diverter switch configured to connect to a faucet of the sink and configured such that: when the diverter switch is in a first position, fluid from the fluid source is transmitted out of the faucet; when the diverter switch is in a second position, fluid from the fluid source is transmitted out of the one or more fluid inlets; and when the diverter switch is in an intermediate position between the first and second positions, fluid from the fluid source is directed through both the faucet and the one or more fluid inlets.

11. A sink assembly comprising: a sink; and a basin wash system comprising: a basin; an interior surface comprising a plurality of fluid inlets positioned proximal to a rim of the basin, and a drainage outlet; and a plurality of nozzles each configured to receive fluid from a fluid source and transmit fluid through a respective one of the plurality of fluid inlets, wherein fluid is transmitted from each nozzle in a respective flow direction downward toward a bottom of the basin and approximately along a respective line defining a shortest distance along the interior surface between the respective fluid inlet and the drainage outlet.

12. The sink assembly of claim 11, further comprising one or more valves for controlling fluid flow between the fluid source and the plurality of fluid inlets.

13. The sink assembly of claim 12, wherein the one or more valves connect the fluid source to the plurality of nozzles.

14. The sink assembly of claim 12, wherein a valve of the one or more valves is configured to connect to a faucet of the sink assembly.

15. The sink assembly of claim 12, further comprising a controller configured to open and close the one or more valves in the plurality of fluid inlets.

16. The sink assembly of claim 11, wherein the fluid that is transmitted through the plurality of fluid inlets has a pressure of at least 15 psi.

17. The sink assembly of claim 11, wherein a temperature of the fluid that is transmitted through the plurality of fluid inlets is adjustable to at least 115 °F.

18. The sink assembly of claim 11, wherein the interior surface comprises at least one tapered shelf positioned proximal to at least one fluid inlet of the plurality of fluid inlets, the at least one tapered shelf configured to facilitate transmitting the fluid from the at least one fluid inlet in the respective flow direction.

19. The sink assembly of claim 11, wherein, during use of the sink assembly, the plurality of nozzles are configured to continuously transmit fluid so as to form a continuous film of fluid coating the interior surface of the basin.

20. The sink assembly of claim 11, wherein the basin wash system comprises a diverter switch connected to a faucet of the sink, the diverter switch configured such that: when the diverter switch is in a first position, fluid from the fluid source is transmitted out of the faucet; when the diverter switch is in a second position, fluid from the fluid source is transmitted out of the one or more fluid inlets; and when the diverter switch is in an intermediate position between the first and second positions, fluid from the fluid source is directed through both the faucet and the one or more fluid inlets.

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