Patent Application
20230399830
The present invention relates generally to the field of kitchen sink splash guards. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sink splash guard device that can be placed behind a sink and faucet which prevents water from splashing and collecting on the backsplash area behind the sink and faucet to prevent mildew/bacteria buildup. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
When using a kitchen sink to wash dishes, water often splashes behind the faucet of the sink. Because of the small size of this area, cleaning said area can be difficult. However, if the area is not adequately cleaned, standing water can cause mildew and bacteria to form on the countertop. This is undesirable as it poses a health risk.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a splash guard device for kitchen sinks. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a sink splash guard device that prevents water from collecting on the countertop behind a kitchen sink. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a sink splash guard device that prevents mildew and bacteria buildup due to standing water on the countertop behind a kitchen sink. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a sink splash guard device that prevents water from collecting on the countertop behind a kitchen sink which can be universally applied to all sizes and configurations of sinks, faucets, and countertop space.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a sink splash guard device. The device is primarily comprised of a body with at least one leg. The body is angled and may have raised edges, such that water that splashes onto the body drains back down the body into a sink when the device is positioned behind a sink and in front of a backsplash. The body may have perforations or other guidelines that allow the body to be easily cut to fit any backsplash area behind a sink and also fit around any configuration of faucet.
In this manner, the sink splash guard device of the present invention accomplishes all the foregoing objectives and provides a splash guard device for kitchen sinks. More specifically, the device prevents water from collecting on the countertop behind a kitchen sink. In turn, this prevents mildew and bacteria buildup from standing water on the countertop behind a kitchen sink. Further, the device can be universally applied to all sizes and configurations of sinks, faucets, and countertop space.
The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a sink splash guard device. The device is primarily comprised of a body with at least one leg. The device is primarily made from a waterproof and/or mildew-resistant material. The body is preferably comprised of at least one raised edge on the top surface that prevents water from a sink from spilling around the surrounding area of the device. Instead, the raised edge funnels said water back into the sink. More specifically, the body preferably forms an angle less than 90 degrees such that the top surface slopes downwards from the rear of the body towards a sink.
The leg is comprised of at least one fastener that attaches to at least one reciprocating fastener on the bottom surface of the body. The fasteners may be any type of reciprocating fasteners such as, but not limited to, male and female fasteners, snap button, hook and loop, magnet, etc. The leg has an angled top edge (of an angle less than 90 degrees) that slants the body to form an angle less than 90 degrees, wherein the rear of the body sits taller than the front of the body to promote drainage back into the sink.
When used, the device is placed around a faucet and behind a sink between the sink and the backsplash to prevent water from collecting and mold from forming in said area. In one embodiment, the body is comprised of at least one cutout or opening that allows the faucet to remain unobstructed by the device. In another embodiment, the body is comprised of a first perforation line or guideline and a second perforation line or guideline. The first perforation allows a user to customize the width of the body to custom fit the body to the size of the area between the sink and backsplash by tearing and discarding the unwanted portion of the body. In addition, the second perforation may be curved and/or a circle that allows a user to create the cutout to accommodate a faucet by tearing the section of the body away from said area.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a body with a bottom surface with a first fastener, and a leg with an angled top edge and a second fastener. Then, the device can be cut or torn via perforations/guidelines to form a custom shape that can receive a faucet and fit in the area between a sink and a backsplash. Next, the second fastener of the leg can be attached to the first fastener of the bottom surface. Then, the device can be placed in the area between a sink and a backsplash to direct water which splashes from the sink back into the sink via the angle created by the leg.
Accordingly, the sink splash guard device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a splash guard device for kitchen sinks. More specifically, the device prevents water from collecting on the countertop behind a kitchen sink. In turn, this prevents mildew and bacteria buildup from standing water on the countertop behind a kitchen sink. Further, the device can be universally applied to all sizes and configurations of sinks, faucets, and countertop space. In this manner, the sink splash guard device provides a novel solution for standing water behind a faucet.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a splash guard device for kitchen sinks. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a sink splash guard device that prevents water from collecting on the countertop behind a kitchen sink. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a sink splash guard device that prevents mildew and bacteria buildup from standing water on a countertop behind a kitchen sink. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a sink splash guard device that prevents water from collecting on a countertop behind a kitchen sink that can be universally applied to all sizes and configurations of sinks, faucets, and countertop space.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a sink splash guard device primarily comprised of a body with at least one leg. The device is primarily made from a waterproof and/or mildew-resistant material and has at least one raised edge on the top surface that prevents water from a sink from spilling around the surrounding area of the device. Said raised edge funnels the water back into the sink. More specifically, the body preferably forms an angle less than 90 degrees such that the top surface slopes downwards from the rear of the body towards a sink.
The leg is comprised of at least one fastener that attaches to at least one reciprocating fastener on the bottom surface of the body. The fasteners may be any type of reciprocating fasteners such as, but not limited to, male and female fasteners, snap button, hook and loop, magnet, etc. The leg has an angled top edge (of an angle less than 90 degrees) that slants the body to form an angle less than 90 degrees wherein the rear of the body sits taller than the front of the body to promote drainage back into the sink.
When used, the device is placed around a faucet and behind a sink between the sink and the backsplash to prevent water from collecting and mold from forming in said area. In one embodiment, the body is comprised of at least one cutout or opening that allows the faucet to remain unobstructed by the device. In another embodiment, the body is comprised of a first perforation line or guideline, and a second perforation line or guideline that allow a user to customize the width of the body to custom fit the body to the size of the area between the sink and backsplash by tearing and discarding the unwanted portion of the body and to create the cutout to accommodate a faucet by tearing the section of the body away from said area.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a body with a bottom surface with a first fastener, and a leg with an angled top edge and a second fastener. Then, the device can be cut or torn via perforations/guidelines to form a custom shape that can receive a faucet and fit in the area between a sink and a backsplash. Next, the second fastener of the leg can be attached to the first fastener of the bottom surface. Then, the device can be placed in the area between a sink and a backsplash to direct water from the sink that splashes back into the sink via the angle created by the leg.
Accordingly, the sink splash guard device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a splash guard device for kitchen sinks. More specifically, the device prevents water from collecting on the countertop behind a kitchen sink. In turn, this prevents mildew and bacteria buildup from standing water on the countertop behind a kitchen sink. Further, the device can be universally applied to all sizes and configurations of sinks, faucets, and countertop space.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The body 110 is preferably comprised of at least one raised edge 140 on the top surface 120 of the device 100. The edge 140 is raised above the top surface 120 to prevent water from a sink 12 from spilling around the surrounding area of the device 100, and instead funnels said water back into the sink 12.
More specifically, the body 110 preferably forms an angle less than 90 degrees, such that the top surface 120 slopes downwards from the rear 112 of the body 110 towards a sink 12. In another embodiment, the body 110 is non-angled. In this embodiment, the bottom surface 150 of the body 110 receives at least one leg 160, as seen in
The leg 160 is comprised of at least one fastener 162 that attaches to at least one reciprocating fastener 152 on the bottom surface 150. The fasteners 152,162 may be any type of reciprocating fasteners such as, but not limited to, male and female fasteners, snap button, hook and loop, magnet, etc. As a result, a user can remove the legs 160 if they desire to have the device 100 sit flat. In another embodiment, the legs 160 may be fixedly attached to the body 110. The leg has an angled top edge 166 (of an angle less than 90 degrees) that slants the body 110 to form an angle less than 90 degrees wherein the rear 112 of the body 110 sits taller than the front 118 of the body 110 to promote drainage back into a sink. The exact angle of the top edge 166 may vary in different embodiments.
When used, the device 100 is placed around a faucet 10 and behind a sink 12 between the sink 12 and the backsplash 14 to prevent water from collecting and mold from forming in said area, as seen in
In another embodiment, the body 110 is comprised of a first perforation line or guideline 170, and a second perforation line or guideline 180. In one embodiment, the first perforation 170 allows a user to customize the width 190 of the body 110 to custom fit the body 110 to the size of the area between the sink 12 and backsplash 14 by tearing and discarding the unwanted portion of the body 110. In addition, the second perforation 180 may be curved and/or a circle that allows a user to create the cutout 114 to accommodate a faucet 10 by tearing the section of the body 110 away from said area. In another embodiment, the perforations 170,180 are printed guidelines that serve as a guide to aid the user in cutting excess body 110 material away as needed to custom fit the device 100.
In a further embodiment, the top surface 120 may also be comprised of at least one side wall 130. The side wall 130 may form a storage area with other side walls 130 and/or at least one edge 140. As a result, a user can store a plurality of cleaning or cooking-related items near the sink 12.
The body 110 may also be comprised of at least one indicia 116. The indicia 116 may be in the form of a simulative pattern, a design, etc., that may blend in or simulate the appearance of the existing sink 12 and/or backsplash 14. In this manner, the indicia 116 improves the aesthetic ability of the device 100.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using 200 the device 100, as seen in
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “sink splash guard device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the sink splash guard device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sink splash guard device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the sink splash guard device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the sink splash guard device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the sink splash guard device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the sink splash guard device 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/351,974, which was filed on Jun. 14, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63351974 | Jun 2022 | US |
