Sink apparatus and related methods

Abstract

The present invention provides a ventilated sink apparatus for reducing the amount of airborne contaminants escaping into the surrounding atmosphere from the sink basin and a method of used thereof.

1 . A sink apparatus, comprising: 
 a sink basin;    at least one exhaust aperture provided in the sink basin; and    one or more exhaust pathways coupled to the at least one exhaust aperture such that an exhaust can flow from the sink basin into the one or more exhaust pathways via the at least one exhaust aperture.    
   
   
       2 . The sink apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sink basin comprises a sink basin interior and at least one wall with a top rim and wherein the one or more exhaust pathways comprises an exhaust plenum positioned around at least a portion of the periphery of the sink basin, wherein the exhaust plenum is in fluid communication with the sink basin interior at least through said at least one exhaust aperture.  
   
   
       3 . The sink apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the exhaust plenum further comprises at least one liquid overflow drain.  
   
   
       4 . The sink apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of slot-shaped exhaust apertures provided around a periphery of the at least one sink basin wall proximal to the top rim of the at least one sink basin wall.  
   
   
       5 . A method of ventilating a sink, comprising the steps of: 
 providing the sink apparatus of  claim 1;  and    causing an exhaust to flow from the sink basin into the one or more exhaust pathways via the at least one exhaust aperture.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the step of performing a sink-based activity in the sink basin while the exhaust is flowing.  
   
   
       7 . A method of ventilating a sink, comprising the steps of: 
 providing the sink apparatus of  claim 2;  and    causing an exhaust to flow from the sink basin into the one or more exhaust pathways via the at least one exhaust aperture.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of performing a sink-based activity in the sink basin while the exhaust is flowing.  
   
   
       9 . A method of ventilating a sink, comprising the steps of: 
 providing the sink apparatus of  claim 3;  and    causing an exhaust to flow from the sink basin into the one or more exhaust pathways via the at least one exhaust aperture.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of performing a sink-based activity in the sink basin while the exhaust is flowing.  
   
   
       11 . A method of ventilating a sink, comprising the steps of: 
 providing the sink apparatus of  claim 4;  and    causing an exhaust to flow from the sink basin into the one or more exhaust pathways via the at least one exhaust aperture.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1   1 , further comprising the step of performing a sink-based activity in the sink basin while the exhaust is flowing.  
   
   
       13 . A sink apparatus, comprising: 
 a sink basin; and    at least a portion of an exhaust pathway extending through a portion of the sink basin in a manner effective to help reduce airborne contamination in a sink area.    
   
   
       14 . A method of reducing airborne contamination in a sink area comprising a sink basin, comprising the step of 
 causing an exhaust to protectively flow from the sink basin into an exhaust pathway in a manner that helps reduce exposure to airborne contaminants generated in the sink basin,    wherein the exhaust pathway comprises one or more exhaust apertures coupled to the sink basin.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the exhaust helps to establish a physical barrier to help guide contaminants from the sink basin into the exhaust flow, thereby helping to reduce exposure to the contaminants that might otherwise occur in the absence of the exhaust flow.