Modular washbasin

Abstract

 A washbasin, comprising a water collecting sink (1) with a bottom surface (11), a drain (10) formed in the bottom surface (11) of the sink (1), the drain (10) being adapted to permit the outlet flow of water delivered from an external delivery device (S); the washbasin comprises a frame (6) removably engaged with an inner periphery of the sink (1), and arranged so that it projects at least partially from the sink (1) defining a side wall of the washbasin; the drain (10) is hidden from view by means of a screen (3) removably arranged inside the water collecting sink (1) so as to define a lower chamber (4) in cooperation with said bottom surface (11), the lower chamber (4) being hydraulic communicated with the drain (10), said screen (3) defining, in cooperation with a top portion (62) of said frame (6), a top, open chamber (8) of the washbasin, the lower (4) and the top chamber (8) being in mutual hydraulic communication through at least a slit (7) formed between the screen (3) and the frame (6) so as to permit the flow of water from the delivery device (S) to the drain (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns the field of bathroom furnishing, and in particular it regards a new type of washbasin.

[0002] The washbasins are no longer considered only functional elements, but actual furniture elements with an outstanding importance in making the bathroom or the kitchen a more sophisticated and valuable space. In particular, the users feel stronger and stronger the need for an aesthetically valuable and customizable product that can be simply modified in accordance with changes brought in the furniture style and design of the room.

[0003] Considering the continuous evolution of the market and fashion, the search is very active for a new solution offering results susceptible of particular appreciation compared to the products currently available in the field of the bathroom furniture, in order to satisfy the quest for originality by the clients/users.

[0004] For these reasons, the bathroom furniture field is crowded with the most different solutions, aiming at anticipating the wishes and the tastes of the user, in terms of an effective design and of the possibility of customizing the product without affecting the practical and functional aspects of the product.

[0005] The difficult object is to satisfy the users' needs through solutions that can be also practical and easily maintainable, besides being simple and aesthetically valuable. In accordance with the present invention, a new washbasin is provided that reaches the aforementioned object in a surprisingly effective manner.

[0006] According to the present invention, this and other objects are achieved with a washbasin, comprising a water collecting sink with a bottom surface, a drain formed in the bottom surface of the sink, said drain being adapted to permit the outlet flow of water delivered from an external delivery device; the washbasin further comprises a frame removably engaged with an inner periphery of the sink, and arranged so that it projects at least partially from the sink defining a side wall of the washbasin; the drain is hidden from view by means of a screen removably arranged inside the water collecting sink so as to define a lower chamber in cooperation with said bottom surface, the lower chamber being hydraulic communicated with the drain; the screen defines with a top portion of said frame a top, open chamber of the washbasin; the lower and the top chamber are in mutual hydraulic communication through at least a slit formed between the screen and the frame so as to permit the flow of water from the delivery device to the drain.

[0007] The characteristics and advantages of the washbasin according to the invention will become clearer from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given as a non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

• figure 1 is an axial section view of a washbasin according to the invention wherein the flow of water flowing from a hydraulic delivery device (like a faucet) is shown, the device being represented only schematically; and
• figure 2 is an exploded view of a washbasin according to the invention in a different overall shape than the example shape of figure 1 .

[0008] With reference to the above figures, a washbasin according to the invention comprises a water collecting sink 1 connected, according to the prior art, to a support basement 2, like, for example, a console table schematically represented in figure 1 by means of a flat top 2.

[0009] The water collecting sink is designed with at least one drain hole 10 formed in a bottom surface 11 of the sink; in the example represented in figure 1, the bottom surface 11 has a substantially rectangular outline. A drain tube (not represented in the figures) is generally connected to the drain hole 10. The drain tube permits the flow of water collected inside of the sink, towards an outer sewage system (not shown).

[0010] Water is delivered from a water delivery device (S), schematically represented in figure 1, as, for example, a faucet arranged outside of the washbasin above the console table.

[0011] According to the invention, a screen 3, normally but not necessarily flat, is removably arranged inside the water collecting sink 1. The flat screen 3 comprises a sheet 30 and support elements 31 connected to a lower face 30a of the sheet. The support elements 31 are, for example, but not necessarily, synthetic material members as rubber feet 31. The support elements 31 permit the sheet 30 to rest on the bottom surface 11 of the sink 1, so as the sheet 30 is spaced from the bottom creating with the same a lower chamber 4.

[0012] As shown in figure 1, the flat screen 3 is arranged inside the sink such that the sheet 30 is substantially parallel with respect to the flat top of the console table 2, and, consequently, with respect to the bottom surface 11 of the basin, when said surface is substantially planar as in the present case. To this purpose, the support members, in the depicted embodiment, are four in number and arranged close to respective corners of the sheet 30; the latter having a rectangular shape like the bottom 11 of the water collecting sink 1.

[0013] The flat screen 3 and in particular the sheet 30 has a reduced surface area than the surface area of the bottom surface 11. Therefore, when the flat screen 3 is placed inside the sink, it does not cover the whole bottom surface 11, but instead a perimeter gap 5 is defined between a peripheral side 12 of the sink 1 and a peripheral edge 30b of the sheet 30. The gap 5 runs along the perimeter of the sink 1 and presents a uniform width when the flat screen 3 is arranged in the sink 1 in a correct position, that is substantially in a central position with respect to the bottom surface 11. To assist the correct placement of the flat screen 3, lead and reference seats (not represented) can be formed in the bottom surface 11 for the support members 31.

[0014] The gap 5 is adapted to permit the introduction of a tubular frame 6. The frame 6 has an overall shape corresponding to the shape of the water collecting sink 1; for instance, if the water collecting sink 1 has a rectangular shape (like in the present embodiment), the frame 6 is also rectangular and is sized so that the perimeter of the side 12 of the sink 1 can match and contact the outer side 60 of the frame.

[0015] The tubular frame 6 comprises, according to the present embodiment, a base 61, having an axial height equivalent to the depth of the sink 1, and a top portion 62.

[0016] The base 61 is inserted in the gap 5, to rest on the bottom 11 of the basin 1. Accordingly, the top portion 62 results external to the sink 1 and raises from the flat top of the console table 2 so as to form, substantially, a continuation of the sink, defining a side wall of the washbasin.

[0017] Similarly to the flat screen 3, also the frame 6 is inserted in a removable manner inside the basin 1 and is not fixed to but results simply laying on the bottom 11 by means of the base 61. More precisely, the base 61 can in turn rest on the bottom 11 or on the top of the console table via a step formed on the outside between the base 61 and the top portion 62.

[0018] As shown in figure 1, the flat screen 3 and the frame 6 define an open top chamber 8; in detail, the sheet 30 defines the bottom of said top chamber 8 and the top portion 62 of the frame defines the side wall thereof.

[0019] As shown in figure 1, once the flat screen 3 is inserted in the gap 5, a slit 7 is formed between the base 61 and the perimeter edge 30a of the sheet 30. The slit 7 runs without interruptions along the whole perimeter of the sheet 30 and of the frame 6. The slit 7 puts into hydraulic communication the lower chamber 4 and the top chamber 8.

[0020] In detail, the liquid flowing from the faucet flows in the top chamber 8, and then towards the peripheral slit 7 and through the same, it is collected in the lower chamber 4 inside the water collecting sink 1. The liquid is the drained from the water collecting sink 1 to the sewage through the drain hole 10.

[0021] The washbasin according to the invention offers several advantages: first, thanks to the provision of the flat screen 3, the bottom of the basin 11 and in particular the drain 10 results completely hidden to the view of an external observer.

[0022] In this way, the washbasin has a high aesthetic value because it appears like a continuation of the top of the console table, integrating perfectly with the piece of furniture.

[0023] Advantageously, the frame 6 and the flat screen 3 are simply laid and not fixed permanently, so as to permit a quick assembly/disassembly of the washbasin and consequently offering the user the possibility to change the appearance of the washbasin (and more in general of the bathroom) whenever desired.

[0024] The frame 6 and the flat screen 3 can be also simply extracted to permit the immediate replacement and/or repair in case of faults/damages, or to assist the cleaning of the washbasin.

[0025] Another advantage is that, thanks to the screen 3, it is simpler to recover objects accidentally fallen down inside the washbasin, because the water no longer flows directly and freely towards the drain hole 10.

[0026] The washbasin according to the invention can be made of any type of material commonly used for the bathroom furniture according to the known technique, like, for example, but not exclusively, wood, ceramic, metal, stone, plastic or other plastic compounds like, for example Corean^® (material comprising about one third of acrylic resin and two thirds of a natural mineral such as an aluminium compound).

[0027] Moreover, the frame can be made of analogous or different materials with respect to the material of the other elements and can be simply customized so as to change the appearance of the bathroom environment. For example the frame can be chosen by the user among a collection of different models for shapes, materials, colours, and finishing defined by the manufacturer.

[0028] Similarly to the frame, also the screen 3 can be customized as desired or as established by the manufacturer; for example, logos or distinctive signs can appear on the surface of the sheet 30.

[0029] According to different constructions, the washbasin of the present invention can have different overall shapes than that previously mentioned. In this respect, figure 2 shows in a exploded view, a different solution wherein the washbasin, the screen 3 and the tubular frame 6 are substantially round-shaped. For example, the shape can be circular or oval. Furthermore, the frame, the screen and the bottom surface of the sink can have mutually different shapes, although remaining adapted to be insertable into each other.

[0030] In addition, the washbasin can be used not only in a bathroom but in any other suitable facility, such as in a kitchen. The washbasin according to the invention can be used also in business or public facilities.

[0031] The invention is not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated above, but it encompasses any variant construction as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A washbasin comprising a water collecting sink (1) with a bottom surface (11), a drain (10) formed in the bottom surface (11) of the sink (1), said drain (10) being adapted to permit the outlet flow of water delivered from an external delivery device (S); the washbasin further comprises a frame (6) removably engaged with an inner periphery of said sink (1), and arranged so that it projects at least partially from said sink (1) defining a side wall of the washbasin; said drain (10) is hidden from view by means of a screen (3) removably arranged inside said water collecting sink (1) so as to define a lower chamber (4) in cooperation with said bottom surface (11), said lower chamber (4) being hydraulic communicated with said drain (10), said screen (3) defining, in cooperation with a top portion (62) of said frame (6), a top, open chamber (8) of the washbasin, said lower (4) and said top chamber (8) being in mutual hydraulic communication through at least a slit (7) formed between said screen (3) and said frame (6) so as to permit the flow of water from said delivery device (S) to said drain (10).

2. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein said screen (3) comprises a sheet (30) and support members (31 ) connected to a lower surface (30a) of said sheet (30), said support members (31) being adapted to rest on said bottom surface (11) of said water collecting sink (1).

3. The washbasin according to claim 2, wherein said sheet (30) has a reduced surface area with respect to the surface area of the bottom surface (11 ), thereby a gap (5) is formed between a perimeter side (12) of said sink (1) and a perimeter edge (30b) of said sheet (30), said gap (5) housing a base (61) of said frame (6) so that said slit (7) is formed peripherally between said base (61) and said perimeter edge (30b) of said sheet (30).

4. The washbasin according to any of the previous claims, wherein said sheet (30) is substantially flat.

5. The washbasin according to the claim 4, wherein said bottom surface (11) is substantially flat and said sheet (30) is arranged inside said sink (1) in a parallel fashion with respect to said bottom surface (11).

6. The washbasin according to any of the claims from 2 to 5, wherein said bottom surface (11) of said water collecting sink (1), said sheet (30) of said flat screen (3) and said frame (6) have corresponding peripheral shapes.

7. The washbasin according to any of the claims from 2 to 6, wherein said bottom surface (11) of said water collecting sink (1), said sheet (30) of said flat screen (3) and said frame (6) have rectangular, circular or oval peripheral shapes.

8. The washbasin according to any of the claims from 3 to 7, wherein said frame (6) has a tubular shape consecutively defining said base (61) and said top portion (62).

9. The washbasin according to any of the claims from 2 to 8, wherein lead and reference seats are formed in said bottom surface (11) for housing said support members (31) to assist the correct placement of said screen (3).

10. A method for assembling a washbasin comprising the steps of: providing a water collecting sink (1 ) with a bottom surface (11) and a drain (10); arranging a screen (3) over said sink (1) in a spaced fashion from said bottom (11), defining a lower chamber (4) in hydraulic communication with said drain (10) and a peripheral gap (5) between the periphery of said screen (3) and the periphery of said sink (1); inserting a tubular frame (6) in said gap (5) so that at least a slit (7) is peripherally formed between said flat screen (3) and said frame (6), whereby a top portion (62) of said frame (6) projects from the water collecting sink (1) to define a side wall of the washbasin, said top portion (62) with said screen (3) defining a top chamber (8) of said washbasin; said lower chamber (4) and said top chamber (8) being hydraulically communicated via said slit (7).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said sink (1), said frame (6) and said screen (3) are each chosen among a number of available items different at least in colour or material.

Drawing