GB2209932A

GB2209932A - Sink top

Info

Publication number: GB2209932A
Application number: GB8722280A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mauro Odorisio
Original assignee: VITREOUSLITE SNC DI MAURO OD
Current assignee: VITREOUSLITE SNC DI MAURO OD
Priority date: 1987-09-15
Filing date: 1987-09-22
Publication date: 1989-06-01
Also published as: GB8722280D0; DE3730946A1; NL8702244A; FR2620471A1

Description

1 230P55056 SINK TOP The invention relates to a kitchen sink top, for

instance of a type for domestic use but equally suitable for communal buildings and hotels.

Current trends in interior design have led to a wide range of options in kitchen sink units. stainless steel. procelain and plastic types are available in an almost infinite variety of shapes, featuring structural compositions designed to satisfy diversified user requirements. In practice, the tops most commonly manufactured have one or two bowls and a draining board, located either to one side or in the middle, some perhaps with corner sections, all of which are characterized by being pressed, cast or moulded in one piece and falling within a relatively limited number of versions produced in standard sizes. The standardized dimensions of kitchen sinks are determined essentially by convention. and also by the fact that the cabinets supporting them are mass produced in standard sizes.

It will be clear that such a situation also imposes limitations on the design of custom-built kitchen cabinets, conditioned as it is by the selection of mass 2 produced sink tops effectively available. Still more limited in scope is the embodiment of brick-built and similar fixtures on which to rest the sink. which will be designed and constructed to the preference of the user, and to make full use of available space. A flexible range of sink top designs adaptable to such projects is simply not available.

It will also be appreciated that the range of sizes and structural options currently available through normal trade channels cannot reasonably be extended other than by effecting marginal variations. due to the enormous difficulties involved in manufacture (diversified construction of moulds, unit costs) and in warehousing and transport (the need for space in which complex, cumbersome and non-stackable items can be accommodated).

According to the invention, there is provided a kitchen sink top comprising a plurality of modular elements, including at least one bowl element and at least one drainer element, interconnectable together in a plane of longitudinal development to form a continuous sink top.

It is thus possible to provide a composite kitchen sink top through the interconnection of a number of t 4 3 discrete modular elements, each having a single function. e.g. bowl. drainer, corner section, the assembly of which permits a plurality of dimensional variations. It is also possible to provide a single sink top with no break in structural continuity, and with no limit imposed either on extension and addition of further elements, or on the direction of its longitudinal development within the one plane.

It is further possible to provide an assembly of sink configuration required to suit an existing or selected support structure, by making available the requisite corresponding number of modular elements.

It is also possible to optimize the ratio between the number of dimensional variations per modular element and the cost of manufacture. on the basis of frequency and feasibility of selection, and to render freight and warehousing more simple and easy.

It is further possible to provide the user with the facility of varying the configuration and longitudinal development of a sink unit at any given moment, by adding or removing modular elements and/or replacing single elements that may have deteriorated, without being obliged to replace the entire top.

4 The invention will be further described by way of example. with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a number of examples of basic modular elements; Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section through two modular elements joined together; Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section through three modular elements joined together; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an installation including an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 illustrates a number of possible combinations of the modular elements of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a first special modular element in plan and in section; Figure 7 shows a second special modular element in plan and in section; and Figure 8 shows a third special modular element in plan and in section.

z With reference to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a number of basic modular elements serving for the assembly of a sink top, namely: a bowl 1, a larger bowl 2, an end drainer 3, a middle drainer 4, a middle-corner drainer 5, and an end-corner drainer 6. Two or more such elements can be joined together in various combinations. within the same plane of longitudinal development, to create a single sink top exhibiting no break in structural continuity. as illustrated in Figure 5.

The combinations shown in Figure 5 are by no means limitative, as the layout of the top can be altered or extended, according to requirements, by adding further modular elements.

Also illustrated by way of example in Figure 5 are the outlines of tap units, which might be wall-mounted, fitted to a flat surround offered by the top of the cabinet supporting the sink, or installed in the usual cutouts 7 that may be provided in any or all of the modular elements using conventional methods. The combinations of Figure 5 could also be augmented by adding further modular elements similar to those described by way of example, but differing perhaps through variation in at least one of the dimensions viewed in plan, for instance, as in the case of the two bowl elements 1 and 2 (Figure 1).

6 Adjacent modular elements are joined together by a system of matching edges 8. for example with a male edge 81 offered by the draining boards 3, 4 and 6 and the female edge 811 offered by at least one side of the bowl element 2. Such an arrangement could of course be varied. Indeed the same element might be provided with both male and female edges 81 and 811, as in the case of the corner drainer 5. The structural continuity obtained with such a system is illustrated in the two longitudinal sections of Figures 2 and 3, whilst Figure 4 shows an example of how the sink top might be put together on a purpose-built support structure.

once in position, the matching edges 81 and 811 can be firmly cemented or glued together, producing a firm joint whilst permitting subsequent separation. Where the shape of the single modular elements so dictates, for reasons of appearance, the alternative also exists of butt-joining the respective moulded rims of adjacent elements. for instance using mastic or adhesive.

Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section through a sink comprising a middle drainer 4, positioned between two bowl elements 2 such that liquids can be drained off in either direction; to this end, the surface of the drainer 4 is embodied with a watershed by which it is divided into two symmetrical and oppositely inclined gradients 9.

J 7 The end drainer element, the middle drainer element and the middle-corner or end-corner drainer elements might also be embodied in a first variant having a moulded profile in which the surface converges onto a shallow collection basin 10 which is fitted with a conventional waste outlet 11, as shown in Figure 6. Thus, each of the modular drainer elements becomes independent, and the necessity of running liquids off into the nearest bowl element 1 or 2 and out through the respective waste 12, as occurs in Figures 2 and 3, can be avoided.

The end drainer element, the middle drainer element and the middle-corner or end-corner drainer elements can also be embodied in a second variant comprising a basin 13 (see Figures 7 and 8),Ahe outlet 14 of which is designed to be associated with conventional waste disposal means. This particular type of element is positioned to best advantage near to a tap unit.

It is thus possible to provide a sink top which is flexible, versatile, and adaptable to any given situation. Moreover, the notable longitudinal development that can be obtained in no way compromises functional requirements, given the availability of independent drainer elements as described above.

8 The embodiment of the modular sink top described and illustrated is disclosed strictly by way of example. Numerous modifications and variations are possible. in particular as regards the shape, the opimum number, the effective size and the ultimate selection of the modular elements.

9

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A kitchen sink top comprising a plurality of modular elements, including at least one bowl element and at least one drainer element. interconnectable together in a plane of longitudinal development to form a continuous sink top.

2. A kitchen sink top comprising a plurality of interconnecting modular elements including at least one bowl element and at least one drainer element, the modular elements being arranged to be connected together within a plane of longitudinal development in such a way as to form a single sink top exhibiting no break in structural continuity.

A modular sink top as claimed in Claim 2, where the adjacent modular elements are connected to each other by means of matching edges incorporated into at least one side of each element to form a s.eparabl joint provided with mastic or adhesive.

A modular sink top as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the adjacent modular elements are connected to each other by butting together respective moulded rims of the adjacent elements to form a separable joint provided with mastic or adhesive.

A modular sink top as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4. wherein the modular elements making up the sink top are selected from a set comprising at least one end bowl element of at least one size. at least one middle bowl element of at least one size, at least one end drainer element of at least one size, at least one middle drainer element of at least one size. at least one end-corner drainer element of at least one size. and at least one middle-corner drainer element of at least one size.

6. A modular sink top as claimed in Claim 5. each of the or each end drainer element. each middle drainer element. the or each middle-corner drainer element. and the or end-corner drainer element has a moulded with a drainer surface converging toward collection basin fitted with a waste outlet wherein the or each prof ile a shallow A modular sink top as claimed in Claim 5, wherein each of the or each end drainer element. the or each middle drainer element. the or each middle- corner drainer element, and the or each end-corner drainer element includes a basin with an 11 outlet arranged to be associated with waste disposal means.

8. A modular sink top as claimed in Claim 5, wherein each of the or each middle drainer element and the or each middle-corner drainer element has awatershed profile with oppositely inclined gradients for liquid run off to either side.

A kitchen sink top substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

10. Kitchen furniture including a kitchen sink top as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

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