EP2652216B1

EP2652216B1 - A washing sink

Info

Publication number: EP2652216B1
Application number: EP10816419.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mustafa Manavoglu; Fahir Baran TIGREL
Original assignee: Eczacıbası Yapi Gerecleri Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Eczacıbası Yapi Gerecleri Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2010-12-16
Filing date: 2010-12-16
Publication date: 2015-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-16
Also published as: WO2012080773A1; EP2652216A1

Description

Technical Field

Present invention relates to washing sinks used in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Prior Art

The most used members for personal cleaning uses are bathroom and kitchen basins, bathroom tubs etc. These members, which are manufactured from materials such as metal, ceramics or rigid material such as polymer, are produced in many different models and dimensions in accordance with the needs of the user. The most preferred aspects of the users for such washing members are that they should be aesthetically beautiful and their usage and cleaning should be easy. Additionally it is important that these members do not take up much space but can still be used without the water splashing out of the member. In the known state of the art various studies have been conducted regarding these washing members and the patent application with the number US3869732 is an example to one of studies. In this application a self cleaning toilet closet is described. This toilet comprises walls that can be folded from certain connection areas or joints and cleaning units mounted on these walls. During the cleaning process the walls of the toilet is folded thus making the toilet smaller in size. At this position the inside of the toilet is cleaned with nozzles that spray out water and after this process the walls are unfolded so that the toilet can be reused. In another patent application numbered US4934280 in the known state of the art, a cleaning worktop that can be folded and which is portable so it can be carried around is mentioned. The worktop shown here is designed like a bellow ensuring that it can be reduced to a smaller size so that space saving is achieved.
A combination of worktop and sink is described in WO03/034884 A , which is regarded as closest prior art.

Brief Disclosure of the Invention

The washing sink of the invention is developed as both flat worktop and washing place so as to it can be used in areas such bathrooms and kitchens. Said washing sink comprises at least one cover, which is on same level with the sink in its closed position, and creates at least one washing portion with at least one inner wall in its surrounding by being positioned in lower side in its open position.
Said cover can move by rotating about an axis or in upward/downward direction as linearly. Water coming in the washing portion is discharged from at least one water outlet here.
An alternative solution for the objectives below is defined in claim 9.

Objective of the Invention

An aim of the invention is to develop a washing sink, which can be formed as both worktop and washing place thanks to its opening/closing cover.
Another aim of the invention is to make the sink usable as flat worktop while washing process is not carried out.
A further aim of the invention is to develop a washing sink having aesthetical appearance.
Still a further aim of the invention is to develop a washing unit, usage and cleaning of which is easy.

Description of the Figures

The exemplary washing sinks of the invention are illustrated in annexed figures, wherein;

Figures 1-4 are perspective views of exemplary washing sinks in open and closed positions.

All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below.

Washing sink (1)
Upper surface (2)
Cover (3)
Washing portion (4)
Water outlet (5)
Inner wall (6)
Upper surface of wall (6a)
Rotation axis (E)

Disclosure of the Invention

The washing sink (1) of the invention, which is illustrated in different examples in Figures 1-3, is developed in such a structure that it can be used as both worktop and washing place in areas such bathrooms and kitchens. Since the sink (1) can be used in washing process, it has functionality; in addition, since this sink (1) can be used as flat worktop, it provides an aesthetical appearance for that place. Said sink (1) is illustrated in form of wash-hand basin as an example, it can be produced in form of sink, bath-tub or other washing sink used regarding similar aims. One of the most important features of the washing sink (1) is that said sink has a transformable structure. While said sink (1) is in form of flat worktop, it is not included in washing process.
To this end, the washing sink (1) of the invention comprises at least one cover (3), which is on the same level with the upper surface (2) of the sink in its closed position, and creates at least one washing portion (4) in its surrounding by being positioned in lower side in its open position. Water flows from a tap (not shown in figures) provided over the washing portion (4), which is created in result of movement of the cover (3), into said portion (4), and then it is discharged from at least one water outlet (5). Said water outlet (5) can be provided on the cover (3) (as shown in Figure 1) or in form of at least one space (shown as water outlet (5) in Figure 2) provided between the cover (3) and inner walls (6) in the washing portion (4), or else water outlet (5) is directly positioned on the inner wall (6). (The cover (3) gets the form of inner wall or a floor, with which water contacts in the washing portion (4) created in result of movement of the cover (3).)
In the exemplary washing sink (1) shown in Figure 1, the cover (3) is formed so as to move in upward/downward directions as linearly. While the sink (1) is in closed position, the cover (3) is on the same level with the upper surface (2) and thus, the sink (1) can be used as flat worktop. While the sink (1) is in open position, the cover (3) comes to a lower position, and thus, the cover (3) and the inner walls (6) form the washing portion (4). Here, the water outlet (5) is shown on the cover (3).
In the exemplary washing sink (1) illustrated in Figure 2, one cover (3) is formed so as to rotate about only one axis (E). In this figure, while the sink (1) is in closed position, the cover (3) is on the same level with the upper surface (2) and thus, the sink (1) can be used as flat worktop. While the sink (1) is in open position, the cover (3) is in inclined position and thus, the cover (3) and inner walls (6) in its surroundings form the washing portion (4). Here, the water outlet (5) is shown between the cover (3) and inner walls (6).
In another embodiment of exemplary washing sink (1) shown in Figure 3, two covers (3) are formed so as to they rotate about one each axis (E) as corresponding with each other. And here, while the sink (1) is in closed position, the covers (3) are on the same level with the upper surface (2) and the sink (1) can be used as flat worktop. While the sink (1) is in open position, the covers (3) are in inclined position and thus, the covers (3) and inner walls (6) in its surroundings form the washing portion (4). (In alternative embodiments of the invention, there can be used more covers (3), every one of which can rotate at least one each axis (E).
The covers (3) can move by means of various mechanisms (these mechanism are not shown in figures and they are preferably mechanisms, which are activated by electric and/or fluid). Upper position of the cover (3) is the position, in which it is on the same level with upper surface (2). Lower position of the cover (3) is the position, in which the washing portion (4) is formed. More than one cover (3) can be used (as shown 3) here. By using numerous covers (3), the washing portion (4) can be formed in different shapes. (In addition, there can be different pre-adjusted opening settings in movement of the covers (3), and also depth of the washing portion (4) can be adjusted by stopping when required.)
Another alternative washing sink (1) is shown in Figure 4. While said sink (1) is in closed position, the sink (1) is in form of flat worktop; and while it is in open position, inner walls (6) soar (upwardly) from inside of the upper surface (2) to outside of it. The part, which is surrounded by inner walls (6) soaring from the upper surface (2) of the sink (1) to outside (upwardly), forms the washing portion (4). After the washing process, the inner walls (6) incline downwardly and form the position, in which the sink (1) is being closed. (Moreover, as alternative for said example, although the inner walls (6) can be fixed, the part, on which upper surface (2) of the sink is provided, can be movable in upward/downward directions. In other words, the part, on which the upper surface (2) is provided, and the inner walls (6) move relatively according to each other in upward/ downward directions, and thus they form the washing portion (4)). In order to use the sink (1) as flat worktop, while it is in closed position, the upper surface (2) of the sink (1) and upper surface (6a) of the walls (6) should be preferably on the same level.
While the sink (1) of the invention is not in use for washing, it gets the form of flat worktop and thus, it can be cleaned much easily and it can be kept cleaner and drier. Therefore, both an aesthetical structure and healthy environment are provided.

Claims

A washing sink (1) having a structure which is transformable between an open and a closest position, the sink comprising an upper surface (2) next to a washing portion (4), which washing portion is formed at the open position of the sink (1), the sink comprising at least one inner wall (6) provided under the upper surface (2) and forming the washing portion (4) at the open position of the sink (1), the sink (1) comprises at least one movable cover (3), which is on the same level with the upper surface (2) and forms a flat worktop while the sink (1) is in the closed position, whereas said movable cover (3)is positioned in a lower position with respect to the upper surface (2) of the sink (1) and creates the washing portion (4) together with the inner wall (6) of the sink (1), which surrounds the cover (3), while the sink (1) is in open position.
A washing sink (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one water outlet (5) on the cover (3).
A washing sink (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one space between the cover (3) and at least one inner wall (6) is a water outlet (5).
A washing sink (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one water outlet (5) on the inner wall (6).
A washing sink (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cover (3) can move in upward/downward directions as linearly.
A washing sink (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that one each cover (3) can rotate about at least one axis (E).
A washing sink (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cover (3) is moved by means of a mechanism.
A washing sink (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that said mechanism is a mechanism, which is activated by electric and/or fluid.
A washing sink (1) having a structure which is transformable between an open and a closest position, the sink comprising an upper surface (2) next to a washing portion (4), which washing portion is formed at an open position of the sink (1), the sink (1) comprises inner walls (6), which rise from inside of the upper surface (2) to outside, and a part, on which upper surface (2) is provided, while the sink (1) is in open position they form the washing portion (4) by moving in upward/downward directions according to each other and the upper surface (2) of the sink (1) is on the same level with the upper surface (6a) of the inner walls (6) while the sink (1) is in closed position.