WASHBASIN, METHOD FOR PROVIDING A WASHBASIN, AND SANITARY SYSTEM

[0001]The invention concerns a washbasin, in particular a washbasin produced from a curable casting compound, such as a sink, a basin, or the like, for arrangement in and/or on a mounting device, comprising a basin section delimiting an inner mounting space and having a basin wall and a collar section, in particular a circumferential collar section, having a lower surface, an upper surface opposite the lower surface, and an edge surface, where the collar section extends from a free end of the basin wall in a direction facing away from the inner mounting space.

[0002]The invention further relates to a method for providing a washbasin for arrangement in and/or on a mounting device.

[0003]The invention also relates to a sanitary system comprising a washbasin and a mounting device.

[0004]EP 3 936 672 A1 describes a washbasin made from a curable casting compound for installation as a surface-mounted washbasin or for flush installation in a countertop. The washbasin includes a circumferential collar section. For manufacturing reasons, a lateral demolding incline is included on the collar section in the form of a chamfered edge, which forms the transition from an upper surface of the collar section to a lateral edge surface. When installed as a surface-mounted washbasin, the collar section rests on the top side of the countertop. In the case of flush-mounted installation, the collar section rests on a gradation in the countertop in such a way that the upper surface of the collar section runs parallel to the top of the countertop, in particular lying in the same plane as the top of the countertop.

[0005]However, the disadvantage of this type of flush installation is that a large and unsightly gap is created between the washbasin and countertop due to the demolding incline on the side. In order to reduce the gap, it has become common practice to remove the lateral demolding incline after the casting process as an additional process step, for example, by milling, which is time-consuming and cost-intensive. Milling also produces milling dust, which is costly to dispose of and also entails increased occupational health and safety measures.

[0006]It is therefore a goal of the present invention to provide a washbasin and a sanitary system that can be manufactured in a simplified manner and at low cost. In addition, a simple and cost-effective method for providing a washbasin is to be specified.

[0007]A further goal of the present invention is to provide an alternative washbasin, an alternative method for providing a washbasin, and an alternative sanitary system.

[0008]In one embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned goals of a washbasin, in particular a washbasin made from a curable casting compound, such as a sink, a basin, or the like, for arrangement in and/or on a mounting device, comprising a basin section delimiting an inner mounting space and having a basin wall and a collar section, in particular a circumferential collar section, having a lower surface, an upper surface opposite the lower surface, and an edge surface, where the collar section extends from a free end of the basin wall in a direction facing away from the inner mounting space, in that the collar section has a transition from the upper surface to the edge surface with a chamfer with a radius of less than 3 mm, preferably at most 2 mm, in particular at most 1 mm, and in particular preferably 1 mm.

[0015]In one embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned goals with a sanitary system comprising a washbasin in accordance with one of claims 1 to 6 and a mounting device, wherein the washbasin is arranged in and/or on the mounting device.

[0016]The chamfer can have a radius of more than 0.01 mm, preferably more than 0.1 mm, in particular more than 0.5 mm.

[0017]One of the advantages of this is that a particularly small gap between the collar section and the mounting device can be ensured for flush-mounted installation using such a washbasin. This eliminates the need for time-consuming removal of a lateral demolding incline and rounded edge and provides an inexpensive and easy-to-produce washbasin.

[0018]The mounting device can, for example, have a countertop with an opening for positioning the washbasin in and/or on it.

[0019]Further features, advantages, and additional embodiments of the invention are described or disclosed below.

[0020]According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper surface and the edge surface are inclined to each other at an angle of less than 96°, preferably less than 94°, in particular less than 92°, preferably 90°, and at an angle of more than 84°, in particular more than 86°, and preferably more than 88°. One of the advantages of this is that a small gap can be achieved between the edge surface and the mounting device for flush-mounted installation.

[0021]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the collar section has a width, relative to an extension in a direction facing away from the inner mounting space, of less than 20 mm, preferably a maximum of 15 mm, in particular preferably 15 mm, and more than 1 mm, in particular more than 5 mm, preferably more than 7.5 mm, and in particular more than 10 mm. One advantage of this is that this provides for a washbasin requiring less material. In addition, less installation space is required in the area of the mounting device for such a washbasin.

[0022]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the collar section has a height of at most 20 mm, preferably of at least 4 mm and at most 10 mm, in particular of at least 5 mm and at most 6 mm, and more than 1 mm, and preferably at least 4 mm. One of the advantages of this is that a collar section is provided with a low material input, while at the same time a sufficiently high load-bearing capacity of the collar section and thus of the washbasin can be provided.

[0023]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the washbasin is designed for installation as a surface-mounted washbasin and/or as an undermounted washbasin and/or for flush-mounted installation. In particular, the washbasin is designed for installation as a surface-mounted washbasin as well as an under-mounted washbasin and also for flush-mounted installation. This enables the variable use of a washbasin with one geometry for several different installation variants. A surface-mounted washbasin is particularly easy to install in and/or on the mounting device. The washbasin can be designed in such a way that the lower surface of the collar section rests at least partially against the mounting device when it is arranged in and/or on the mounting device. The advantage of an under-mounted washbasin is that edges where dirt and water can accumulate are eliminated. It is conceivable that the washbasin is designed in such a way that the upper surface of the collar section rests at least partially against the mounting device when it is arranged in and/or on the mounting device. When the washbasin is installed flush with the surface, the upper surface and an upper side of the mounting device run in one plane when arranged in and/or on the mounting device. Flush installation eliminates edges where dirt and water can accumulate. This means that an easy-to-clean washbasin can be provided. In the case of flush-mounted installation, the lower surface and/or the edge surface can at least partially rest against the mounting device when arranged in and/or on the mounting device. The collar section can be arranged in a gradation of an opening of the mounting device.

[0024]It should be noted that the lower surface, the upper surface, and the edge surface can each be attached to the mounting device directly or indirectly, for example via an intermediate sealing and/or adhesive layer.

[0025]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the basin section and the collar section are manufactured in one piece as a plastic molded part using a curable casting compound. Washbasins made of casting compounds offer a high degree of design freedom in terms of the shape of the washbasin. They are also characterized by a smooth and non-porous surface, which is particularly hygienic and easy to clean. In addition, such washbasins are extremely resistant to mechanical impacts, which increases their service life.

[0026]Further important features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the sub-claims, from the drawings, and from the associated description of the illustrations based on the drawings.

[0027]It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination indicated in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of this invention.

[0028]Preferred designs and embodiments of this invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, with identical references referring to identical, similar, or functionally identical components or elements.

[0029]The schematic diagram

[0030]FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a part of a washbasin in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 2a, 2b shows a spatial and sectional view of a sanitary system with a washbasin in accordance with the embodiment in FIG. 1 in a state arranged as a surface-mounted washbasin;

[0032]FIG. 3a, 3b shows a spatial and sectional view of a sanitary system with a washbasin in accordance with the embodiment in FIG. 1 in a state arranged as an undermounted washbasin;

[0033]FIG. 4a, 4b shows a spatial and sectional view of a sanitary system with a washbasin according to the embodiment in FIG. 1 in a flush-mounted state; and

[0034]FIG. 5 shows the steps of one process according to one embodiment of this invention.

[0035]FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a part of a washbasin in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036]Washbasin 1 has a basin section 3 delimiting an inner mounting space 2 with a basin wall 4 and a collar section 5, in particular a circumferential collar section 5 with a lower surface 6, an upper surface 7 opposite the lower surface 6, and an edge surface 8. The collar section 5 extends from a free end 9 of the bowl wall 4 in a direction facing away from the inner mounting space 2. FIG. 1 shows part of the bowl wall 4 and the collar section 5.

[0037]A detailed section of the collar section 5 of the washbasin 1 is shown on the left in FIG. 1. The collar section 5 has a transition 10 from the upper surface 7 to the edge surface 8 with a chamfer 11 with a radius 12 of 1 mm. In addition, the upper surface 7 and the edge surface 8 are inclined at an angle 13 of 90° to each other. A width 14 of the collar section 5, which is related to an extension in a direction facing away from the inner mounting space 2, is 15 mm here. Furthermore, the collar section 5 has a height 15 of 5 mm.

[0038]The basin section 3 and the collar section 5 are manufactured in one piece as a plastic molded part using a curable casting compound. The washbasin 1 is designed for installation as a surface-mounted washbasin, as an undermounted washbasin, and for flush-mounted installation. FIGS. 2a and 2b show a sanitary system with a washbasin in accordance with the embodiment in FIG. 1 in a state arranged as a surface-mounted washbasin in a spatial view and in a sectional view.

[0039]The sanitary system 101 comprises a mounting device 102 with a countertop 103, which is provided with an opening 104. The washbasin 1 is arranged in the opening 104 as a surface-mounted washbasin, with the lower surface 6 of the collar section 5 partially resting on an upper surface 107 of the countertop 103.

[0040]FIGS. 3a and 3b show a sanitary system with a washbasin according in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in a state arranged as an under-mounted washbasin in a spatial and in a sectional view.

[0041]The washbasin 1 is arranged as an undermounted washbasin on an underside 105 of a countertop 103 in the area of an opening 104. The upper surface 7 of the collar section 5 is partially in contact with the countertop 103.

[0042]FIGS. 4a and 4b show a sanitary system with a washbasin in accordance with the embodiment in FIG. 1 in a flush-mounted state in a spatial view and in a sectional view.

[0043]The mounting device 102 of the sanitary system 101 comprises a countertop 103 with an opening 104. In this case, the opening 104 has a gradation of 106, which is formed in such a way that the upper surface 7 of the collar section 5 and an upper surface 107 of the countertop 103 extend in a plane 108. The lower surface 6 of the collar section 5 is in contact with the gradation 106 of the countertop 103. A gap dimension 109 between the edge surface 8 and the countertop 103 is 1.5 mm here.

[0044]FIG. 5 shows the steps of a method in accordance with one embodiment of this invention.

[0045]In a first step S1, a mold for the washbasin 1 is provided. In step S2, a curable casting compound is introduced into the prepared mold. The casting compound is then cured in step S3. The cured casting compound can be a composite plastic, for example, which has a polymer matrix and an inorganic filler.

[0046]In a subsequent step S4, the washbasin 1 is demolded from the casting mold. In step S5, the demolded washbasin 1 is then prepared without post-processing, in particular without machining, for installation as a surface-mounted washbasin, as an undermounted washbasin, and for flush-mounted installation. In other words, the washbasin 1 can be installed as a surface-mounted washbasin, as an under-mounted washbasin, and for flush installation in the mounting device 102 without reworking the shape of the washbasin 1. There is no need for time-consuming milling of the collar section 5 after demolding.

[0056]Although this invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited to them but can be modified in a variety of ways.

REFERENCE LIST