Sink Saver System

Abstract

The system is comprised of a watertight, folding “pan” that can be retrofitted to field fit any configuration of cabinet where a waterproof base is desired to prevent water damage due to leaking pipes. It incorporates nipples that slide over supply lines and drain pipes and are glued to the waterproof base. It also incorporates a drain system to clear water from the pan. It is mounted to a hard base that is configured to allow the system to fold and insert into an existing sink base.

Description

This invention is designed to: 1) prevent damage to bathroom or kitchen vanities due to burst water pipes, leaking supply lines or hardware, or leaking drain pipes, which results in rotting or discolored vanity bottoms and, eventually, damage to the subflooring and structure of a dwelling, and 2) to reline the bottom of vanities that have already been damaged from water leaks in order to negate the need for replacement.

The invention is constructed of a solid, flexible, waterproof membrane of varying size and color (See FIG. 1), mounted on a number of hard plastic base pieces. The hard plastic base pieces are to have approximately 0.325″ spacing between them to allow the invention to be folded (See FIG. 3) for ease of installation when there is a need to retrofit an existing cabinet unit that has the countertop fixed in place.

The invention manages to create a watertight basin in cabinets via form fitted waterproof nipples of varying sizes and colors which slip tightly over plumbing supply lines and drain lines (See FIG. 4), and are attached to the solid waterproof membrane by means of a contact cement or glue conforming to the material chosen to be used in manufacture.

The invention prevents water from contact with wood surfaces by means of: 1) a solid one piece waterproof membrane with approximate 2″ high formed edges around the diameter of the invention and, 2) sloping of one degree or another from the outer edges to the center (See FIG. 2) where it is channeled into a drain in the bottom of the invention that evacuates the accumulated water either into the existing drain from the sink basin or simply allows the water to be drained onto the ground under the structure. (See FIG. 5/5)

This invention is not the product of any federally sponsored research or development.

This invention was not the result of activities within the scope of a joint research agreement. This invention relates to the general field of construction, and has certain specific application to plumbers, cabinet makers, remodelers, and homeowners.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention will solve the longstanding problem that homeowners and business owners have had with water leaks under their sinks, causing the bottoms to rot out, attracting insects of all kinds, causing noxious mold to grow, and eventually spreading to the subflooring and structure causing it to rot out as well. This all leads to expensive repairs that will be prevented by the installation of this invention. Home remodeling experts, plumbers, homeowners, and other construction specialists have encountered this problem over the years, and the only answer has been to either rebuild the bottom of the vanity or replace it. More often than not, by the time someone has been called in to address the situation the problem has spread to the subflooring, structural support, adjoining wall structure, floor trim, sheetrock, etc. I have been unable to locate a product available that does what this invention will do.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed Sink Saver System invention will solve the problem of water damage occurring to cabinets and structures due to unnoticed water leaks by preventing said water from ever touching the wood, and instead channeling water away and out of the cabinet and structure. In addition, it will make the storing of various containers of cleaners, etc., which can leak and damage wood easier to clean in the case of a spill, and can be used by builders, cabinet installers, remodelers, etc. to give homeowners a more cost effective means of repairing their already damaged cabinets. With the simplicity of installation, even a novice homeowner can install it themselves.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the solid waterproof membrane before any holes are cut out to accommodate the supply and drain lines. It also shows the top of the approximate 2″ high lip edge surround.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the waterproof membrane. It shows an example of the hard plastic base that the membrane is adhered to, as well as an example of the type of slope that is used to channel water away from the edges and into the drain.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the invention, with arrows pointing to an example of the spacing between the hard plastic mounting surface that are required to allow the unit to fold for ease in shipping, packaging, and retrofitting applications.

FIG. 4 illustrates the waterproof nipples that are used to slide over various sized pipes used in plumbing. These nipples have a hole in the center (as depicted by the shaded area in the “TOP VIEW” drawing) that prevents water from passing between the nipple and the pipe once installed. The nipples are to have a larger base to allow adhesion to the waterproof membrane and sloped sides to accommodate water runoff as depicted in the “SIDE VIEW” drawing.

FIG. 5 illustrates an installed example of how the invention will look in a typical sink basin application, including the Sink Saver drain channeling water out and away from the cabinet bottom and the structure. The dark shaded areas depict the nipples around the pipes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments to illustrate the principles of the invention. The embodiments are provided to illustrate aspects of the invention, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalent; it is limited only by the claims.

Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

The invention herein detailed is designed to prevent water damage from occurring to various cabinets where water is used and drained out. This is accomplished by means of a solid waterproof membrane (FIG. 1), which incorporates an outer raised edge and sloped bottom (FIG. 2) to channel water away from the structure and out of a drain. (FIG. 5)

The invention can be installed in existing cabinets by means of a folding base which allows the invention to be unfolded under the cabinet and set in place. (FIG. 3).

The invention allows field installation by means of marking and cutting out pipe locations and sealing off the pipes using waterproof nipples that are attached with contact cement or glue. (See FIG. 4)

The disclosed embodiments are illustrative, not restrictive. While specific configurations of the invention have been described, it is understood that the present invention can be applied to a wide variety of construction and remodeling uses. There are many alternative ways of implementing the invention.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a continuous, solid but flexible, waterproof material such as rubber, latex, or PVC which contains an upward raised parameter edge of approximately 2″ high, forming a “pan” like container of unspecified dimensions; and preformed nipples made of said waterproof material; wherein said preformed nipples attach to said pan-like container by means of adhesive; wherein holes must be field drilled in the bottom of said pan like container to fit said nipples onto water pipes in varying locations.

2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a series of thin but stiff base pieces separated by a space of approximately 0.325″ allowing said pan like container to fold into itself; wherein said base pieces are attached to the underside of said system by means of said adhesive.

3. The invention of claim 2 further comprising a bottom of said pan like container which slopes downward and towards the center from the outside edges of said system to channel water towards the center of said system.

4. The invention of claim 3 further comprising a flat area in the center of said system to which a water drain can be connected to drain said water.

5. The invention of claim 4 further comprising various sized holes in the center of said nipples to allow said nipples to slide over water pipes of various sizes to create a watertight seal between said nipple material and said water pipes.

6. The invention of claim 5 further comprising a base of larger diameter on said nipples to accommodate adhesion of said nipple base to the bottom of said pan like container.