Water vessel with an integrated storage compartment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water vessel comprising a shell; a closable storage compartment integrated to the shell; and a closure member displaceable between an open position to provide access to the storage compartment and a closed position to substantially prevent liquid contained in the shell to leak into the storage compartment. It also relates to a closable storage compartment in combination with a water vessel and a method for integrating storage space to a water vessel.

1 . A water vessel comprising: 
 a shell;    a closable storage compartment integrated to said shell; and    a closure member displaceable between an open position to provide access to said storage compartment and a closed position to substantially prevent liquid contained in said shell to leak into said storage compartment.    
   
   
       2 . A water vessel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said storage compartment is recessed in an inner surface of said shell.  
   
   
       3 . A water vessel as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising at least one guide for guiding movement of said closure member between said open and closed positions.  
   
   
       4 . A water vessel as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said at least one guide is selected from the group consisting of a hinge, a pivot, and a rail.  
   
   
       5 . A water vessel as claimed in  claim 3 , which comprises at least one abutment member adapted to restrict the movement of said closure member between said open and closed positions.  
   
   
       6 . A water vessel as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said compartment is a tilt-out drawer and said closure member is mounted to said tilt-out drawer.  
   
   
       7 . A water vessel as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said compartment is a sliding drawer and said closure member is mounted to said sliding drawer.  
   
   
       8 . A water vessel as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising at least one seal provided between said closure member and said water vessel shell when said closure member is closed against an inner face of said water vessel shell.  
   
   
       9 . A water vessel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said compartment is mounted to a side wall of said shell.  
   
   
       10 . A water vessel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said compartment comprises a cell member and a receptacle operably disposed in said cell member.  
   
   
       11 . A water vessel as claimed in  claim 10 , comprising an opening in said shell, said cell member being adapted to be mounted in said opening to project outside said water vessel.  
   
   
       12 . A water vessel as claimed in  claim 10 , which comprises at least one guide associated with said cell member and said receptacle to guide the movement of said receptacle within said cell member.  
   
   
       13  A water vessel as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a drain and wherein said compartment is adapted to evacuate residual water contained therein in said drain.  
   
   
       14 . A water vessel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said water vessel is selected from the group consisting of: a sink basin, a shower, a spa, a bathtub, and a tub shower.  
   
   
       15 . A closable storage compartment in combination with a water vessel having a shell, said storage compartment being integrated to said shell and having an opening accessible from within said shell, and a closure member for selectively closing said opening.  
   
   
       16 . A combination as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said storage compartment is recessed in an inner surface of said shell.  
   
   
       17 . A combination as claimed in  claim 15 , comprising at least one guide for guiding movement of said closure member between said open and closed positions.  
   
   
       18 . A combination as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said storage compartment comprises a cell member and a receptacle operably disposed in said cell member.  
   
   
       19 . A combination as claimed in  claim 18 , comprising an opening in said shell, said cell member being adapted to be mounted in said opening to project outside said water vessel.  
   
   
       20 . A combination as claimed in  claim 18 , which comprises at least one guide associated with said cell member and said receptacle to guide the movement of said receptacle within said cell member.  
   
   
       21 . A combination as claimed in  claim 15 , comprising a drain and wherein said compartment is adapted to evacuate residual water contained therein in said drain.  
   
   
       22 . A combination as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said water vessel is selected from the group consisting of: a sink basin, a shower, a spa, a bathtub, and a tub shower.  
   
   
       23 . A method of integrating storage space to a water vessel, comprising: 
 providing a water vessel having a shell;    providing a storage compartment in an inner surface of said shell; and    providing a closure member for selectively closing said storage compartment.    
   
   
       24 . A method as claimed in  claim 23 , further comprising providing at least one guide for said closure member for guiding movement of said closure member between an open position and a closed position.  
   
   
       25 . A method as claimed in  claim 23 , further comprising providing a seal for preventing liquid contained in said shell to leak into said storage compartment.  
   
   
       26 . A method as claimed in  claim 23 , further comprising adapting said compartment to evacuate residual water contained therein.  
   
   
       27 . A method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said water vessel is selected from the group consisting of: a sink basin, a shower, a spa, a bathtub, and a tub shower.