Portable sink container with modified drain

Abstract

In one example embodiment, the present invention is a portable container for use in a sink. The sink has predetermined inner dimensions and a sink drain. The sink drain has an inlet with predetermined inner dimensions. The container comprises a bottom, sides, and a top opening. The container bottom has a drain. The container bottom and sides are formed with outer dimensions less than the predetermined inner dimensions of the sink such that the container may substantially fit in the sink. The container drain protrudes outwardly from the container bottom with an outlet. The outlet has outer dimensions substantially equal to or less than the predetermined inner dimensions of the sink drain inlet such that the container drain outlet may substantially fit in the sink drain inlet. And, in some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the container drain comprises a means for temporarily sealing the container drain with the sink drain so as to minimize possible leakage between the container drain and the sink drain.

Description

REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to, and is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/799,901 filed on May 4, 2010 entitled PORTABLE SINK CONTAINER.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to open top portable containers such as pots, pans and small tubs etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable open top containers such as pots, pans and small tubs have been around for thousands of years, and used for various purposes including carrying and or containment of items in solid and/or liquid forms, and for washing or cleaning something in containment. The latter being contemplated herein whereby one may be able to wash or clean something with a washing agent such as water in a container and thus contain the washing agent and any washing residue in the container. For example, if one was painting with latex paint using rollers and a brush and wanted to clean the rollers and brush, it's common to wash paint rollers and brushes in a household sink with water. This usually makes a big mess leaving paint and washing residue in the sink, thus requiring the sink to be thoroughly cleaned after the rollers and brushes are cleaned. Now, If one were to use a small open top container placed in the sink, this could minimize the mess and reduce paint and washing residue in the sink, but the paint and washing residue would still end up in the sink if the container were overfilled and/or emptied into the sink when done. Also, the container would still have to be washed out with a cleaning agent that would still require the cleaning of the sink if the container was washed in the sink. Accordingly, there need for a container that may be used for carrying and/or containment of items in solid and/or liquid forms and for washing or cleaning item(s) in containment, with the added provision(s) to control overfill, disposal of washing agent(s) and residue, and cleaning of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one example embodiment, the present invention is a portable container for use in a kitchen sink. The kitchen sink has predetermined inner dimensions and a sink drain. The sink drain has an inlet with predetermined inner dimensions. The container comprises a bottom, sides, and a top opening. The bottom has a drain. The container bottom and sides are formed with outer dimensions less than the predetermined inner dimensions of the sink such that the container may substantially fit in the sink. The container drain protrudes outwardly from the container bottom with an outlet. The outlet has outer dimensions substantially equal to or less than the predetermined inner dimensions of the sink drain inlet such that the container drain outlet may substantially fit in the sink drain inlet. And, in some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the container drain comprises a means for temporarily sealing the container drain with the sink drain so as to minimize possible leakage between the container drain and the sink drain.

Considering the present invention above, Applicant considers the following objectives.

It is an important objective of the present invention that it be structured for carrying items in solid and/or liquid forms.

It is another important objective of the present invention that it be structured for containment (at least temporarily) of items in solid and/or liquid forms.

It is another important objective of the present invention that it be structured for washing and cleaning items therein.

It is another important objective of the present invention that some preferred embodiments be structured small enough to substantially fit in a sink; and, be structured large enough for cleaning standard size paint rollers therein.

It is another important objective of the present invention that the container drain comprises a means for temporarily sealing the container drain with the sink drain so as to minimize possible leakage between the container drain and the sink drain.

It is yet another objective of the present invention that it be cost-efficient to manufacture and commercially viable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is more fully understood when the specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appended hereto, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front cross-section view of a sink.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the sink shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a front cross-section view of a present invention portable, sink container.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the present invention portable, sink container shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the present invention portable sink container shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, positioned in the sink shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 each show a different, example of a present invention portable, sink container.

FIG. 11 shows a front cross-section view of a present invention portable sink container with modified drain.

FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the present invention portable sink container shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows a front cross-section view of the present invention portable sink container with modified drain shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 positioned in the sink shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various drawings provided herein are for the purpose of illustrating possible embodiments of the present invention and not for the purpose of limiting same. Therefore, the drawings herein represent only a few of the many possible embodiments, variations and/or applications of the present invention.

Referring now to both FIGS. 1 and 2 together, FIG. 1 shows a front cross-section view of a sink, and, FIG. 2 shows a top view of the sink shown in FIG. 1. Sink 1 is rectangular with inner length dimension D2, and inner width dimension D1. As will be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, these D1 and D2 dimensions are important and will influence certain dimensions of the present invention portable sink container shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Sink 1 has a drain 3 with an inlet 5. Inlet 5 is round and has a width dimension D3. As will be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, this D3 dimension is also important and will influence certain dimensions of present invention portable sink container shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 together, FIG. 3 shows a front cross-section view of a present invention portable sink container; and, FIG. 4 shows a top view of the present invention portable sink container shown in FIG. 3. Portable sink container 21 has a bottom 23 and four sides 25, 27, 29 and 31. In this embodiment of the present invention, portable sink container 21 is rectangular with length dimension D5 and width dimension D6. Container 21 also has a drain 35 with an outlet 37 which has an outer dimension D7 as shown. In this embodiment of the present invention, drain 35 is provided means for straining solid matter from exiting the container thereof with straining holes such as straining hole 39. Container 21 may be used for carrying or containment of items in solid and/or liquid forms; and or, may be used for washing and cleaning something therein. In this embodiment, container 21 is molded from a plastic material with an upper lip 33 for rigidity to be cost-efficient and commercially viable. Nonetheless, this is simply one example embodiment and there are many other materials and/or manufacturing methods that could also be used.

FIGS. 5 and 6 together show the present invention portable sink container shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, positioned in the sink shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively. Some of the reference numbers shown in the earlier views are intentionally omitted so as not to crowd the drawings. Container 21 has its bottom and sides formed with outer dimensions less than the predetermined inner dimensions of sink 1 so that container 21 may substantially fit in kitchen sink 1. Therefore, when looking back at FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 together, dimension D5 of container 21 is less than dimension D2 of sink 1; and, dimension D6 of container 21 is less than dimension D1 of sink 1 so that container 21 may substantially fit in sink 1. This is an important feature of the present invention portable sink container that it's bottom and sides are formed with outer dimensions less than the predetermined inner dimensions of the kitchen sink(s) it is intended to substantially fit in. Although preferred embodiments of the present invention container are structured to substantially fit within a kitchen sink, it's not necessary for the entire container to fit within the sink. For example, a container may have an enlarged upper end, a rolled outer edge or lip that may extend outside the inner dimensions of a sink and over the top surface of a sink while the bottom and sides of the container substantially fit in the sink. Such an embodiment does not depart from the scope of the present invention. Also, the height of the present invention portable sink container need not fit totally within the sink but may be taller (or shorter) than the sink, provided that the container does not obstruct use of a faucet attached to the sink. Many household kitchen sinks have a standard top opening with at least one across width dimension of about 16 inches. Accordingly, if the present invention portable sink container is to substantially fit in a common kitchen sink with a standard top opening, the container would have at least one outer width dimension equal to or less than sixteen (16) inches.

Also, in FIG. 5 it can be seen that the outlet 37 of drain 35 of container 21 fits within the inlet of drain 3 of sink 1. Accordingly, if a container is structured to substantially fit in a common sink, and, the container has a drain outlet structured to substantially fit in the drain inlet of the sink, then one can wash something in the container using a sink faucet (not shown) and the water and washing residue would effectively drain out the container drain and right into the sink drain. Such a container device would keep a sink clean and eliminate the need to clean the sink after something is cleaned in the container. Since many kitchen sinks have a standard size drain with an inlet of about 3.5 inches across, the outlet of the present invention portable sink container should be less than 4 inches across, and more preferably equal to or less than 3.5 inches across so that the drain outlet of the container can substantially fit within the inlet of a common sink.

Applicant contemplates many uses for the present invention portable sink container including the washing and cleaning of various items including for example paint brushes and rollers. It's common for people to wash their paint brushes and rollers in a kitchen sink, which makes a big mess in the kitchen sink requiring a thorough cleaning of the kitchen sink after the brushes and rollers are cleaned. The present invention portable sink container eliminates this requirement. Since cleaning of paint rollers and brushes is considered, some embodiments of the present invention container should be large enough for a 9 inch standard paint roller to be cleaned lying down therein. Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments of the present invention portable sink container, the container has at least one inner across width dimension equal to or greater than 9 inches to facilitate the cleaning of a standard 9 inch paint roller lying down. And as mentioned before, many common kitchen sinks have a standard top opening with at least one across width dimension of about 16 inches. So, if the present invention portable sink container is to substantially fit in a kitchen sink, and, the container be large enough to facilitate the cleaning of a standard 9 inch paint roller laying down, such an embodiment of the present invention container would have to be structured having at least one inner width dimension equal to or greater than nine (9) inches; and, at least one outer width dimension equal to or less than sixteen (16) inches.

Applicant further contemplates some embodiments of the present invention having special features such as cavities and protrusions to facilitate drainage and drying of a roller or rollers in an upright position. Applicant further contemplates some embodiments of the present invention having special features such as hooks or devices on the sidewalls (not shown) to temporarily hold a brush in an upright position for drainage and drying. Applicant further contemplates some preferred embodiments of the present invention having means for temporarily stopping drainage from the container by means of a drain plug that could be physically connected to the container as shown in FIG. 10, or a valve type device built into or a separate component of the container drain, etc.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 each show a different, example of a present invention portable, sink container. FIG. 7 shows a round container with molded built in drain and straining slots. FIG. 8 shows an oval shaped container with drain and straining holes. FIG. 9 shows a rectangular container with side handles to facilitate usage at a work site, and a drain with straining holes and structural provisions to temporarily hold two paint rollers upright for drying after cleaning. And, FIG. 10 shows a square container with a non-centered drain with straining holes. The container also has a drain plug attached to a plastic chain for stopping drainage from the container as desired by a user.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12 together, FIG. 11 shows a front cross-section view of a another embodiment of the present invention portable sink container; and, FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the present invention portable sink container shown in FIG. 11. Portable sink container 121 has a bottom 123 and four sides 125, 127, 129 and 131. In this embodiment of the present invention, portable sink container 121 is rectangular with length dimension D9 and width dimension D13. Container 121 also has a drain 135 with an outlet 137 which has an outer across-width dimension D11 as shown. In this embodiment of the present invention, drain 135 is provided means for straining solid matter from exiting the container thereof with straining holes such as straining hole 139. A sealing means 141 is used for temporarily sealing container drain 135 with a sink drain such as sink drain 3 of sink 1 (shown best in FIG. 13) to minimize possible leakage between the container drain 135 and a sink drain while the container is utilized in a sink.

FIG. 13 shows the present invention portable sink container shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, positioned in the sink shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Some of the reference numbers shown in the earlier views are intentionally omitted so as to not crowd the drawings. Container 121 has its bottom and sides formed with outer dimensions less than the predetermined inner dimensions of kitchen sink 1 so that container 121 may substantially fit in kitchen sink 1. Therefore, when looking back at FIGS. 1, 2, 11 and 12 together, dimension D9 of container 121 is less than dimension D2 of sink 1; and, dimension D13 of container 121 is less than dimension D1 of sink 1 so that container 121 may substantially fit in kitchen sink 1. This is an important feature of the present invention portable sink container that it's bottom and sides are formed with outer dimensions less than the predetermined inner dimensions of the kitchen sink(s) it is intended to substantially fit in. Although preferred embodiments of the present invention container are structured to substantially fit within a kitchen sink, it's not necessary for the entire container to fit within the sink. For example, a container may have an enlarged upper end, a rolled outer edge or lip that may extend outside the inner dimensions of a sink and over the top surface of a sink while the bottom and sides of the container substantially fit in the sink. Also, the height of the present invention portable sink container need not fit totally within the sink but may be taller (or shorter) than the sink, provided that the container does not obstruct use of a faucet attached to the sink. Such an embodiment does not depart from the scope of the present invention. It can also be seen in FIG. 13 that the outlet 137 of drain 135 of container 121 fits within the inlet of drain 3 of sink 1. Accordingly, if a container is structured to substantially fit in a common sink, and, the container has a drain outlet structured to substantially fit in the drain inlet of the sink, then one can wash something in the container using a sink faucet and water (not shown) and the water and any washing residue would effectively run out the container drain and right into the sink drain. Such a container device would keep a sink clean and eliminate the need to clean the sink after something is cleaned in the container. Since many kitchen sinks in the U.S.A. for example have a standard size drain with an inlet of about 3.5 inches across, the drain outlet of the present invention portable sink container for distribution in the U.S.A. should have an across-width dimension that is preferably less than 4 inches across, and more preferably less than 3.5 inches across so that the drain outlet of the container drain can substantially fit within the inlet of a common kitchen sink in the U.S.A. In this embodiment of the present invention, drain 135 of container 121 comprises a sealing means 141 for temporarily sealing container drain 135 with sink drain 3 of sink 1 so as to minimize the potential of leakage, backsplash, etc. between the container drain 135 and sink drain 3 while container 121 is utilized in sink 1. In this embodiment, sealing means 141 is simply an elastic rubber ring with an across-width diameter slightly greater than the across-width diameter of the sink drain (D3 in FIG. 1) so that sealing means 141 may conform to and temporarily seal with sink drain 3 of a sink 1. Nonetheless, in other embodiments the sealing means could include more than one rubber ring, and/or be made of materials other than rubber, etc. The drain of the present invention sink container protrudes out from the bottom of the container so it will protrude into a sink drain such as sink drain 3 of sink 1 shown in this FIG. 13. In this embodiment of the present invention, drain 135 is molded as part of container 121, however, in other embodiments the drain could be a separate component attached and sealed to the container. It's also possible to have the drain made form a thin elastic material whereby the drain may pop down and protrude from the bottom when utilized, and pop back up so the bottom of the container is flat when not in use. This would be similar to the spout on a five gallon can which is pulled out when utilized for pouring, and then pushed back in when not in use so the top of the can is flat for stacking with other cans. In addition, the drain of the present invention portable sink container may be provided means for temporarily stopping drainage from the container. That means could simply be a drain plug or a valve type device that is part of or attached to container drain, etc.

Applicant contemplates many uses for the present invention portable sink container including the washing and cleaning of various items including for example paint brushes and rollers. It's common for people to wash their paint brushes and rollers in a kitchen sink, which makes a big mess in the kitchen sink requiring a thorough cleaning of the kitchen sink after the brushes and rollers are cleaned. The present invention portable sink container eliminates this requirement. Since the cleaning of paint rollers and brushes is considered, some embodiments of the present invention container should be large enough for a 9 inch standard roller to be cleaned lying down therein. Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments of the present invention portable sink container, the container has at least one inner across width dimension equal to or greater than 9 inches to facilitate the cleaning of a standard 9 inch paint roller lying down. And as mentioned before, many kitchen sinks have a standard top opening with at least one across width dimension of about 16 inches. So, if the present invention portable sink container is to substantially fit in a kitchen sink, and, the container be large enough to facilitate the cleaning of a standard 9 inch paint roller laying down, such an embodiment of the present invention container would have to be structured having at least one inner width dimension equal to or greater than nine (9) inches; and, at least one outer width dimension equal to or less than sixteen (16) inches.

When considering the present invention, simplicity and obviousness should not be confused or considered the same. Accordingly, the novelty and complexity of the present invention must be measured by the combination of structure and function resulting from the many interrelated objectives set forth herein.

Upon reading and understanding the specification of the present invention described above, modifications and alterations will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the patent as claimed or the equivalence thereof.

Claims

1. A portable container for use in a sink, said sink having predetermined inner dimensions and a sink drain, said sink drain having an inlet with predetermined inner dimensions, said container comprising a bottom, sides, and a top opening, said bottom comprising a drain, said container bottom and sides being formed with outer dimensions substantially equal to or less than the predetermined inner dimensions of said kitchen sink such that said container may substantially fit in said kitchen sink, said container drain protruding outwardly from said container bottom with an outlet, said outlet having outer dimensions substantially equal to or less than the predetermined inner dimensions of said sink drain inlet such that said container drain outlet may substantially fit in said sink drain inlet, and, said container drain comprising a means for temporarily sealing said container drain with said sink drain so as to minimize any possible leakage between said container drain and said sink drain while said container is utilized in said sink.

2. The portable container of claim 1, wherein said container drain outlet has at least one outer across-width dimension substantially equal to or less than four (4) inches.

3. The portable container of claim 1, wherein said container has at least one inner across-width dimension substantially equal to or greater than nine (9) inches.

4. The portable container of claim 1, wherein the container has at least one outer across-width dimension substantially equal to or less than sixteen (16) inches.

5. The portable container of claim 1, wherein the container has at least one outer across-width dimension substantially equal to or less than sixteen (16) inches; and, at least one inner across-width dimension substantially equal to or greater than nine (9) inches.

6. The portable container of claim 1, wherein said container drain is provided means for straining solid matter from exiting the container thereof.

7. The portable container of claim 1, wherein said container is molded with said drain molded therein.

8. The portable container of claim 1, wherein the container is provided means for temporarily stopping drainage from said drain.

9. The portable container of claim 1, wherein the sealing means for temporarily sealing said container drain with said sink drain is at least one elastic ring attached to the container drain.

10. A portable container for use in a sink, said sink having predetermined inner dimensions and a sink drain, said sink drain having an inlet with predetermined inner dimensions, said container comprising a bottom, sides, and a top opening, said bottom comprising a drain, said container bottom and sides being formed with outer dimensions substantially equal to or less than the predetermined inner dimensions of said kitchen sink such that said container may substantially fit in said kitchen sink, said container drain protruding outwardly from said container bottom with an outlet, said outlet having outer dimensions substantially equal to or less than the predetermined inner dimensions of said sink drain inlet such that said container drain outlet may substantially fit in said sink drain inlet, and, said container drain comprising a means for temporarily sealing said container drain with said sink drain so as to minimize any possible leakage between said container drain and said sink drain while said container is utilized in said sink, said container having at least one outer across-width dimension substantially equal to or less than sixteen (16) inches, said container having at least one inner across-width dimension substantially equal to or greater than nine (9) inches, and, said container drain outlet having at least one outer across-width dimension substantially equal to or less than four (4) inches.

11. The portable container of claim 10, wherein said container drain is provided means for straining solid matter from exiting the container thereof.

12. The portable container of claim 10, wherein said container is molded with said drain molded therein.

13. The portable container of claim 10, wherein the container is provided means for temporarily stopping drainage from said drain.

14. The portable container of claim 10, wherein the sealing means for temporarily sealing said container drain with said sink drain is at least one elastic ring attached to the container drain.

15. A portable container comprising a bottom, sides, and at least one outer across-width dimension substantially equal to or less than sixteen (16) inches and at least one inner across-width dimension substantially equal to or greater than nine (9) inches, said bottom comprising a drain formed protruding outwardly with an outlet having at least one outer across-width dimension substantially equal to or less than four (4) inches, and, said container drain having at least one elastic ring attached thereto.

16. The portable container of claim 15, wherein said container drain is provided means for straining solid matter from exiting the container thereof.

17. The portable container of claim 15, wherein said container is molded with said drain molded therein.

18. The portable container of claim 15, wherein the container is provided means for temporarily stopping drainage from said drain.

19. The portable container of claim 16, wherein said container is molded with said drain molded therein.

20. The portable container of claim 16, wherein the container is provided means for temporarily stopping drainage from said drain.