Drain cover

Abstract

 A drain cover for sinks and the like, comprising at least one dome (2), whose surface has dimensions which are appropriate and greater than those of the drain opening (3) and is provided, at the lower face (5), with a distribution of perimetric feet (7) which are suitable to rest on the surface (8) of the sink around the drain opening (3), so as to cover completely the drain, hiding it from sight and also preventing the escape of foul odors.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a drain cover for sinks and the like.

[0002] It is known that in the domestic field the drains of sinks, particularly in the kitchen, are usually provided with mesh filters or the like which are suitable to retain the dirt and impurities produced by food preparation, dish washing and other actions. The dirt and impurities, retained by the filter, obviously remain visible, causing an often unpleasant effect, and also tend to rot rapidly, producing foul odors.

[0003] It is also known that in the domestic field the drains of sinks, particularly those provided with a plug which can be opened and closed by means of a lever which can be operated manually, usually completely lack filters adapted to retain the dirt and impurities that fall therein due to everyday use, or have, as an alternative, in the portion inserted in the inlet of the drain, radial tabs which are arranged for example in a star-shaped configuration and allow to block the descent of sufficiently large objects. The dirt and impurities tend to deposit along the drain pipe, with the risk of blocking its passage section; further, since they cannot be removed easily, they usually produce foul odors.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is to obviate the drawbacks cited above, by providing a drain cover for sinks and the like which is suitable to hide from sight the impurities and dirt that stop at the drain opening of the sink and also prevent the escape of foul odors from the drain.

[0005] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a drain cover for sinks and the like which is suitable to retain autonomously dirt and impurities without the need for additional filters.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a filter for the plug of the drain of sinks which is suitable to retain even the finest impurities and dirt which fall into the sink due to its everyday use, thus preventing them from possibly obstructing the drain opening and also causing foul odors.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a drain cover having a structure which is simple, relatively easy to provide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation and has a relatively low cost.

[0008] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a drain cover for sinks and the like according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a partially sectional side elevation view of a drain cover according to the invention in a first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a partially sectional side elevation view of a cover according to the invention in a second embodiment;

Figure 3 is an exploded side elevation view of the cover of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a partially sectional side elevation view of a drain cover according to the invention in a third embodiment;

Figure 5 is a partially sectional side elevation view of a drain cover according to the invention in a fourth embodiment;

Figure 6 is an exploded side elevation view of the cover of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a partially sectional side elevation view of a drain cover according to the invention in a fifth embodiment and in the open position;

Figure 8 is a partially sectional side elevation view of the drain cover of Figure 7 in the closed position;

Figure 9 is a side elevation view of the drain cover according to the invention in a sixth embodiment thereof;

Figure 10 is a detail plan view of the cover of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a sectional view of the cover, taken along the line XI-XI of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a side elevation view of the drain cover according to the invention in a seventh embodiment thereof;

Figure 13 is a detail plan view of the cover of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a sectional view of the cover, taken along the line XIV-XIV of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a side elevation view of the drain cover according to the invention in an eighth embodiment thereof;

Figure 16 is a detail plan view of the cover of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a sectional view of the cover, taken along the line XVII-XVII of Figure 16;

Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of the cover according to the invention in a ninth embodiment;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of said cover;

Figure 20 is a partially sectional side elevation view of a cover according to the invention, in the open-plug configuration;

Figure 21 is a partially sectional side elevation view of the cover of Figure 18 in the closed-plug configuration;

Figure 22 is an exploded perspective view of the cover according to the invention, in a tenth embodiment.

[0009] In the exemplary embodiments that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to these specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.

[0010] Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

[0011] Moreover, it is noted that the same reference numerals have been used in the various embodiments to designate the same components.

[0012] With reference to Figure 1, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a drain cover for sinks and the like according to the invention in a first embodiment thereof.

[0013] The drain cover 1 comprises advantageously at least one dome, generally designated by the reference numeral 2, whose surface is sized appropriately and is larger than the surface of a drain opening 3 and forms an upper face 4, a lower face 5 and a perimetric rim 6. At the lower face 5, and particularly along the perimetric rim 6, the dome 2 is conveniently provided with a distribution of feet 7 which are adapted to rest on a surface 8 of the sink around the drain opening 3, so as to cover completely the drain, hiding it from sight and further preventing the escape of foul odors; the feet 7 are substantially mutually angularly equidistant and form between them a distribution of recesses 7a for the outflow of the water.

[0014] The dome 2 of the cover according to the invention conveniently forms, at the lower face 5, at least one extension 9, which is arranged substantially along the axis of the dome 2 and is suitable to enter the drain opening 3 in order to center the cover. In greater detail, the dome 2 forms, at the lower face 5, a plurality of parallel extensions 9 which are arranged substantially along the axis and are suitable to enter the drain opening 3 so as to provide optimum centering of the cover.

[0015] The method of use of the cover is fully intuitive.

[0016] It has thus been shown that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects.

[0017] The cover allows to cover the drain effectively, hiding dirt and impurities from sight; the cover further prevents the escape of foul odors from the drain.

[0018] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0019] A second embodiment of the cover according to the invention is shown in Figures 2 and 3. Here the cover comprises advantageously at least one filter 10, which is associated with the lower face 5 of the dome 2 and is suitable to enter at least partially the drain opening 3 of the sink, so as to retain dirt and impurities, preventing clogging of the drain pipe.

[0020] More particularly, the filter 10 is substantially shaped like a cup which is flared at the base and has a surface which is affected by a uniform distribution of openings 11, which are suitable to allow the stream of drain water to pass and retain dirt and impurities.

[0021] Advantageously, the filter 10 is rendered removable in order to allow to clean it quickly and easily; for this purpose, the lower face 5 of the dome 2 forms at least one pair of elastic tabs 12, each of which ends with respective teeth 13, said tabs being suitable to retain the filter 10 by interlocking engagement at its upper rim (reference should be made, in this regard, to the exploded view of Figure 3).

[0022] Figure 4 relates to a third embodiment of the drain cover according to the invention. In this example, the dome 2 has the upper face 4 which forms a uniform distribution of mutually substantially parallel feet 14, which are made of rubber or plastics and are suitable to cushion the jet of water of the tap, preventing splashes.

[0023] A fourth embodiment of the cover according to the invention is shown in Figures 5 and 6. Here the cover comprises, in addition to the removable filter 10, at least one cage 15, which is associated with the lower face 5 of the dome 2 and is suitable to contain at least one tablet 16 of water-soluble scale remover and/or deodorant substance, of a substantially traditional type, which is adapted to be struck by the stream of the drain water.

[0024] The cage 15 is preferably rendered removable in order to replace the tablet 16; the lower face 5 of the dome 2 forms, for this purpose, at least one pair of elastically deformable tabs 17 provided with respective teeth 18 which are suitable to retain the cage 15 by engagement at its upper rim. Conveniently, the cage 15, during use, is accommodated within the filter 10 with an assembly sequence which is shown intuitively in Figure 6.

[0025] Figures 7 and 8 are views of a fifth embodiment of the drain cover according to the invention.

[0026] Advantageously, in this embodiment the filter 10 can perform a translational motion manually and selectively along the drain opening 3 from an open position, in which it allows the regular outflow of the water (Figure 7), to a position for closing the opening 3 (Figure 8), in which it prevents the outflow of water, substantially plugging the drain. The filter 10 has a lower portion 19 which is affected by a uniform distribution of openings 11 for draining water and retaining dirt and impurities, an intermediate portion 20 with openings 21 for the outflow of water, and an upper portion 22 for connection to the lower face 5 of the dome 2. The filter is in fact provided with a lower annular gasket 23, which separates the lower portion 19 from the intermediate portion 20, for engagement in the drain opening 3 in the open position so as to allow the outflow of the water through the openings 21 and the openings 11, providing the filtering action, and an upper annular gasket 24, which separates the intermediate portion 20 from the upper portion 22, for engagement in the drain opening 3 in the closed position, so as to completely prevent the outflow of water.

[0027] It should be noted that in all the embodiments described above the dome 2 can be conveniently enhanced with various decorative patterns in relation to the environment in which it is used (with pictures, enamels, particular color effects).

[0028] A sixth embodiment of the drain cover according to the invention is shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11.

[0029] This embodiment comprises the dome 2 to which the filter 10 is rigidly fixed and in particular is provided in a single mold with the dome 2. The filter 10, which is affected by openings 11 arranged on the bottom and laterally and provided with various shapes, has a total height which is slightly lower than the length of the feet 7, so that the entire cover, in the operating condition, rests with the feet 7 against the surface 8 of the sink, so as to block dirt and impurities.

[0030] Advantageously, the dome 2 forms a circular upper opening 25 and comprises an upper disk 26, which is detachable and forms a circumferential rim 27 which engages, preferably by pressing, in a respective shoulder 28 which is formed at the upper opening 25. By removing the disk 26 manually, it is possible to clean the filter 10 or replace the tablet 16 of water-soluble scale remover and/or deodorant substance.

[0031] A seventh embodiment of the drain cover according to the invention is shown in Figures 12, 13 and 14.

[0032] In this embodiment, the dome 2 advantageously comprises means 29 for detachable fixing to the surface of the sink 8: the detachable fixing means 29 prevent the drain cover from floating when the drain of the sink is closed and the sink is filled. The removable fixing means 29 comprise at least one pair of tubular extensions 30, which protrude in a parallel arrangement from the lower face 5 and are open in a lower region; the stems of two respective lateral suckers 31, suitable to adhere to the surface of the sink 8, engage detachably in the openings of said extensions.

[0033] An eighth embodiment of the drain cover according to the invention is shown in Figures 15, 16 and 17.

[0034] In this embodiment, the dome 2 has the filter 10 which forms a raised portion 32 which is suitable to accommodate conveniently, in the open position, a drain plug 33 of the type provided with lever means which are adapted to actuate a pusher 34, which allows to lift the plug 33 from a closed position, in which it forms a seal against the rim 35 of the drain opening 3 by means of a gasket 36, to an open position, in which it allows the outflow of the drain water.

[0035] The raised portion 32 is preferably arranged eccentrically with respect to the filter 10, so as to allow correct positioning of the drain cover with respect to the drain opening 3 (since usually the drain opening 3 is arranged at one of the vertical walls and therefore usually there is little space for positioning the cover).

[0036] The filter 10 is further provided with means 29 for detachable fixing to the surface of the sink 8 which comprise a distribution of holes 37 which are provided in said filter proximate to the rim and in which the stems of respective lateral suckers 31, suitable to adhere to the surface of the sink 8, engage detachably.

[0037] The raised portion 32 has a lateral surface which is affected by vertical water passage slits 38 and can be provided with a shape that is most suitable in each instance, for example frustum-shaped or spherical dome-shaped, so as to accommodate the plug 33 in the open position without said plug, by rising, causing the separation of the dome 2 from the surface of the sink 8.

[0038] Figures 18, 19, 20 and 21 illustrate a ninth embodiment of the drain cover according to the invention.

[0039] This embodiment, too, is specifically indicated for use in sinks provided with a drain plug 33 of the type provided with lever means which are suitable to actuate a pusher 34 which allows to lift the plug 33 from a closed position, in which it forms a seal on the rim 35 of the drain opening 3 by means of a gasket 36, to an open position, in which it allows the outflow of the drain water.

[0040] The filter 10 is affected by a distribution of openings 11, which are for example circular or otherwise shaped and have dimensions which are suitable to retain even the finest dirt and impurities. The openings 11 must in any case have such dimensions as to allow the regular outflow of the water without the risk of clogging or obstruction.

[0041] The filter 10, made for example of a material such as plastics or other suitable materials, has a substantially circular flat shape and is adapted to rest around the rim 35 of the drain opening 3 of the sink 2.

[0042] According to the invention, the filter 10 is provided in a lower region with means, generally designated by the reference numeral 39, for detachable connection to the upper face 40 of the plug 33; further, the dome 2 is associated with the filter 10 in an upper region and is suitable to cover the drain opening 3 and the plug 33, hiding it from sight and also preventing the escape of foul odors.

[0043] The filter 10 advantageously forms a circular raised portion 32, the lateral surface of which is crossed by a distribution of vertical slits 38 for the passage of water which are mutually substantially equidistant and are suitable to retain dirt and impurities: the raised surface 32 is further affected by a hole 41 which is concentric thereto. The raised portion 32 is suitable to accommodate in a lower region the plug 33 in its open position (Figure 20), so as to keep the filter 10 at the same height with respect to the drain opening 3 of the sink 2 regardless of the position assumed by the plug 33.

[0044] The means 39 for detachable connection to the plug 33 comprise conveniently at least one central sucker 42, which is suitable to adhere to the upper face 40 of the plug 33 and has a stem 43 which is engaged slidingly in the hole 41 provided in the filter 10.

[0045] The filter 10 forms in an upper region a plurality of pins 44, which are provided in an appropriate number and are for example mutually angularly equidistant. Correspondingly, the lower face of the dome 2 forms substantially tubular seats 45 for the detachable insertion of the respective pins 44 of the filter 10 (Figure 20); this allows to remove easily the dome 2 in order to clean the filter 10 of the dirt and impurities that it has retained.

[0046] The outer surface of the dome 2 can of course be provided with decorations of various kinds and can be made of any material (for example enameled material of the same color as the sink, or others).

[0047] The method of use of the drain cover according to the invention described above is fully intuitive. It can be installed easily by first fixing the central sucker 42 to the upper face 40 of the plug 33; the stem 43 is then inserted in the hole 41 until the filter 10 rests against the rim 35 of the drain opening 3.

[0048] Every time the plug 33 is moved, by way of the action of the pusher 34, from the closed configuration (Figure 21) to the open configuration (Figure 20), the rise of the plug 33 causes the central sucker 42 to be arranged below the raised portion 32 by way of the sliding of the stem 43 in the hole 41. This allows to keep the filter 10 constantly in contact with the rim 35 of the drain opening 3, thus preventing the dirt from optionally flowing out without being retained.

[0049] In a tenth embodiment according to the invention (Figure 22), the drain cover conveniently comprises at least one container 46 of antibacterial sanitizing and/or deodorant substances, which is suitable to be inserted between the filter 10 and the dome 2 and is retained in position by the pins 44 inserted in the seats 45.

[0050] The container 46 is for example of the disposable type and is provided with at least one substantially permeable surface which is suitable to disperse the substances by way of the action of the drained water.

[0051] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0052] All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent ones.

[0053] In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements without thereby abandoning the scope of the protection of the appended claims.

[0054] The disclosures in Italian Patent Applications No. BO2005A000682 and No. BO2006A000114, from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0055] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A drain cover for sinks and the like, characterized in that it comprises at least one dome (2), whose surface has dimensions which are appropriate and greater than those of the drain opening (3), said dome being provided, at its lower face (5), with a distribution of perimetric feet (7) which are suitable to rest on the surface (8) of the sink around said drain opening (3), so as to cover completely the drain, hiding it from sight and also preventing the escape of foul odors.

2. The cover according to claim 1, characterized in that said feet (7) are mutually substantially angularly equidistant and form between them a plurality of recesses (7a) for the outflow of water.

3. The cover according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said dome (2) forms, at said lower face (5), at least one extension (9), which is arranged substantially along the axis of said dome (2) and is suitable to enter the drain opening (3) so as to center the cover.

4. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said dome (2) forms, at said lower face (5), a plurality of extensions (9), which are arranged substantially along the axis of said dome (2) and are suitable to enter the drain opening (3) so as to center the cover.

5. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one filter (10), which is associated with said lower face (5) of said dome (2) and is suitable to enter at least partially the drain opening (3) of the sink, so as to retain dirt and impurities, preventing the clogging of the drain pipe.

6. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said filter (10) is substantially cup-shaped and is affected by a uniform distribution of openings (11) which are suitable to allow the flow of water and retain dirt and impurities.

7. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that said filter (10) can be removed in order to allow to clean it.

8. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lower face (5) of said dome (2) forms at least one pair of elastic tabs (12) which are suitable to retain said filter (10) by engaging with interlocking at its upper rim.

9. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said dome (2) has an upper face (4) which forms a uniform distribution of substantially parallel feet (14), which are suitable to cushion the jet of water, preventing splashes.

10. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one cage (15), which is associated with said lower face (5) of said dome (2) and is suitable to contain at least one tablet (16) of water-soluble scale remover and/or deodorant substance which is adapted to be struck by the stream of drain water.

11. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lower face (5) of said dome (2) forms at least one pair of elastically deformable tabs (17), which are suitable to retain said cage (15) by engagement at its upper rim.

12. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said filter (10) can perform a manual and selective movement along the drain opening (3) from an open position, in which it allows the outflow of water, to a position for closing the drain in which it prevents the outflow of water.

13. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said filter (10) has a lower portion (19) which is affected by a uniform distribution of openings (11) for draining the water and retaining dirt and impurities, an intermediate portion (20) with openings (21) for the outflow of water, and an upper portion (22) for connection to said lower face (5) of said dome (2), said filter (10) being provided with a lower annular gasket (23) for engagement in the drain opening (3) in the open position, so as to allow the outflow of the water from said openings (21) and from said openings (11), providing the filtering action, and an upper annular gasket (24) for engagement in the drain opening (3) in the closed position, so as to prevent completely the outflow of water.

14. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said filter (10) is rigidly fixed to said dome (2).

15. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said dome (2) forms at least one circular upper opening (25) and comprises an upper detachable disk (26), which forms a circumferential rim (27) which is suitable to engage in a respective shoulder (28) provided at said upper opening (25).

16. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said dome (2) comprises means (29) for detachable fixing to the surface of the sink (8) which are suitable to prevent the drain cover from floating when the drain of the sink (8) is closed and said sink is filled.

17. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said removable fixing means (29) comprise at least one pair of tubular extensions (30), which protrude in a parallel arrangement from the lower face (5), are open in a lower region and in the openings of which the stems of two respective lateral suckers (31), suitable to adhere to the surface of the sink (8), engage.

18. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said filter (10) forms at least one raised portion (32), which is designed to accommodate, in the open position, a plug (33) of the drain of the type provided with lever means which are suitable to actuate a pusher (34) which allows to lift said plug (33) from a closed position, in which it forms a seal on the rim (35) of the drain opening (3) by means of a gasket (36), to an open position, in which it allows the outflow of the drain water.

19. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said raised portion (32) is arranged preferably eccentrically with respect to said filter (10), so as to allow the correct positioning of the drain cover with respect to the drain opening (3).

20. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means (29) for removable fixing to the surface of the sink (8) comprise a distribution of holes (37), which are provided in said filter (10) proximate to the rim and in which the stems of respective lateral suckers (31), suitable to adhere to the surface of the sink (8), engage detachably.

21. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one filter (10), which is affected by a distribution of openings (11) whose dimensions are suitable to retain dirt and impurities, said distribution being provided, in a lower region, with means (39) for detachable connection to the upper face (40) of the plug (33) of the drain, of the type which can move between a lower closure position and an upper opening position, with which at least one dome (2) is associated in an upper region, said dome being suitable to cover the drain opening (3) and said plug (33), hiding them from sight and also preventing the escape of foul odors.

22. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detachable connection means (39) comprise at least one central sucker (42), which is suitable to be fixed to the upper face (40) of the plug (33) and whose stem (43) is engaged slidingly in a respective hole (41) which is provided in said filter (10).

23. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said filter (10) forms at least one raised portion (32), which is substantially concentric to said hole (41) and whose lateral surface is affected by a distribution of vertical slits (38) for the passage of water which are suitable to retain dirt and impurities, said raised portion (32) being adapted to accommodate in a lower region the plug (33) in its open configuration, so as to keep said filter (10) at the same height with respect to the drain opening (3) of the sink (8) regardless of the position of said plug (33).

24. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said filter (10) is provided with a plurality of pins (44) for detachable insertion in respective seats (45) which are formed by the lower face of said dome (2).

25. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one container (46) of antibacterial sanitizing and/or deodorant substances, which is suitable to be inserted in and retained between said filter (10) and said dome (2), said container (46) being provided with at least one substantially permeable surface which is suitable to disperse the substances by way of the action of the drained water.

26. The cover according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container (46) is of the disposable type.

Drawing