DISH AND SINK PROTECTOR

Abstract

A sink protector that fits around the sides of a sink, such as a kitchen sink. The sink protector may be made of a durable spongy rubber with nubs and suctions cups. Drainage holes may be provided to prevent water from collecting, allowing air and water movement. The sink protector may protect dishware and glasses from banging, breaking and chipping. Further, the sink protector may protect the sink from scratches, scrapes and chips, especially when washing large pots or pans in the sink. A flap may cover the top edge of a sink to protect the dishware or glasses from breaking.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/760,567, filed Feb. 4, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sink accessories and, more particularly, to a protector for dishes and sinks.

Sinks can be harmful to dishware, causing chips and breaks. Moreover, pots and pans can be rough on sink surfaces, causing scratches and scrapes. Current sink apparatus only provide protection to the bottom or the “saddle” of the sink. There is no protection readily available for both dishware and the sides of a sink.

As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus to protect the sides of sinks from being scratched or scraped themselves, and to protect dishes from being chipped or broken on the hard sides of the sink.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a sink protector comprises: at least one sidewall comprising a soft and flexible material, wherein the at least one sidewall comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the at least one sidewall is adapted to cover at least a portion of the sides of a sink; a plurality of suction cups protruding from the outer surface of the at least one sidewall; and a plurality of nubs comprising the soft and flexible material protruding from the inner surface of the at least one sidewall.

In another aspect of the present invention, a sink protector comprises: at least one sidewall comprising a soft and flexible material, wherein the at least one sidewall comprises an outer surface and an inner surface comprising a plurality of drainage holes through the outer surface and the inner surface, wherein the at least one sidewall is adapted to cover at least a portion of the sides of a sink; and a plurality of suction cups protruding from the outer surface of the at least one sidewall.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention show in use;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a section view of the present invention, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a section view of the present invention taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a sink protector that fits around the sides of a sink, such as a kitchen sink. The sink protector may be made of a durable spongy rubber with nubs and suctions cups. Drainage holes may be provided to prevent water from collecting, allowing air and water movement. The sink protector may protect dishware and glasses from banging, breaking and chipping. Further, the sink protector may protect the sink from scratches, scrapes and chips, especially when washing large pots or pans in the sink.

In certain embodiments, the sink protector may be a short, square or rectangular, tubular piece of material designed to fit around the inside sides of a sink. While most sinks are square or rectangular, the sink protector can be made to fit other shapes of sinks. The front of the sink protector may include a plurality of nubs and holes. The nubs may provide additional cushion while the holes may keep water from splashing while scrubbing. A back of the sink protector may include a plurality of suction cups. Small nubs may also be disposed between the suction cups to provide support for the sink protector in between the suction cups.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the present invention may include a sink protector 10. The sink protector 10 may include at least one sidewall made of a soft and flexible material. The at least one sidewall includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The at least one sidewall is adapted to cover at least a portion of the sides of a sink 24. The present invention may further include a plurality of suction cups 18 protruding from the outer surface of the at least one sidewall.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a plurality of nubs 16 protruding from the inner surface of the sidewalls. The plurality of nubs 16 may be made of the same soft and flexible material as the sink protector 10. The number of nubs 16 and the orientation of the nubs 16 may vary. For example, the nubs 16 may be oriented in a plurality of rows. The rows may be substantially parallel to one another.

The present invention may further include a plurality of drainage holes 20 through the outer surface and the inner surface. The drainage holes 20 may keep water from splashing while scrubbing. Therefore, when a user is washing the dishes, the water may go through the drainage holes 20 and drain to the bottom of the sink 24. The number of drainage holes 20 and the orientation of the drainage holes 20 may vary. For example, the drainage holes 20 may be oriented in a plurality of rows. The rows may be substantially parallel to one another. As illustrated in the Figures, the drainage holes 20 may surround the nubs 16 and suction cups 20.

In certain embodiments, a single suction cup 18 in each corner of each sidewall of the sink protector 10 may be used. In other embodiments, multiple suction cups may be disposed about each outer surface of the sink protector 10. For example, the suction cups 18 may be oriented in a plurality of rows. The rows may be substantially parallel to one another. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a portion of the plurality of nubs 16 may align with the plurality of sucking cups 18.

The present invention may further include a flap 14 protruding from a top end of the at least one sidewall. For example, a flap 14 may extend from each of the four sidewalls. The flap 14 may be made of the same material as the sidewalls, and may be adapted to cover a top edge of the sink 24.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the sink protector 10 of the present invention may include a plurality of sidewalls, such as four separate sidewalls. However, the sink protector 10 may include a single sidewall and may be molded as a one-piece unit. The sink protector 10 may be manufactured to fit conventional sink 24 sizes or, as needed, the sink protector 10 may be custom sized for specially sized or shaped sinks 24.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the nubs 16 may be inserted into the draining holes 20 at an overlapping edge and thereby fastens and interlocks the corners of the sidewalls. In such embodiments, a portion of the plurality of nubs 16 is disposed near an edge of a first sidewall, and a portion of the plurality of drainage holes 20 is disposed near an edge of a second sidewall adjacent to the first sidewall. The plurality of nubs 16 fits within the plurality of drainage holes 20 to connect the first sidewall and the second sidewall together.

The sink protector 10 may be made from various materials. Typically, a soft, flexible material may be used. In some embodiments, this material may also be water-impermeable to prevent water from being absorbed into the material. For example, a foam rubber may be used to make the sink protector. The material may be heat resistant. Therefore, a user may place a hot pan in the sink after taking the pan off the hot stove without damaging the sink protector.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A sink protector comprising:

at least one sidewall comprising a soft and flexible material, wherein the at least one sidewall comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the at least one sidewall is adapted to cover at least a portion of the sides of a sink;

a plurality of suction cups protruding from the outer surface of the at least one sidewall; and

a plurality of nubs comprising the soft and flexible material protruding from the inner surface of the at least one sidewall.

2. The sink protector of claim 1, wherein the at least one sidewall comprises a plurality of drainage holes through the outer surface and the inner surface.

3. The sink protector of claim 2, wherein the at least one sidewall comprises four separate sidewalls, wherein each of the separate sidewalls is adapted to cover a side of the sink.

4. The sink protector of claim 3, wherein a portion of the plurality of nubs is disposed near an edge of a first sidewall, and a portion of the plurality of drainage holes is disposed near an edge of a second sidewall adjacent to the first sidewall, wherein the plurality of nubs fits within the plurality of drainage holes to connect the first sidewall and the second sidewall together.

5. The sink protector of claim 1, further comprising a flap protruding from a top end of the at least one sidewall, wherein the flap is adapted to cover a top edge of the sink.

6. A sink protector comprising:

at least one sidewall comprising a soft and flexible material, wherein the at least one sidewall comprises an outer surface and an inner surface comprising a plurality of drainage holes through the outer surface and the inner surface, wherein the at least one sidewall is adapted to cover at least a portion of the sides of a sink; and

a plurality of suction cups protruding from the outer surface of the at least one sidewall.

7. The sink protector of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of nubs comprising the soft and flexible material protruding from the inner surface of the at least one sidewall.

8. The sink protector of claim 7, wherein the at least one sidewall comprises four separate sidewalls, wherein each of the separate sidewalls is adapted to cover a side of the sink.

9. The sink protector of claim 8, wherein a portion of the plurality of nubs is disposed near an edge of a first sidewall, and a portion of the plurality of drainage holes is disposed near an edge of a second sidewall adjacent to the first sidewall, wherein the plurality of nubs fits within the plurality of drainage holes to connect the first sidewall and the second sidewall together.

10. The sink protector of claim 6, further comprising a flap protruding from a top end of the at least one sidewall, wherein the flap is adapted to cover a top edge of the sink.