Sink with attachable decorative panel

Abstract

A sink with attachable decorative panel. A panel having an attachment portion and a front face with a decorative treatment is attached to the front surface of a sink.

1 . A kitchen apparatus, comprising: 
 a sink having a front surface including a first attachment portion;    a panel having a second attachment portion and a front face including a decorative treatment; and    at least one attachment member for joining said first and second attachment portions.    
   
   
       2 . The kitchen apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said sink comprises a recess on said front surface adapted to receive said panel.  
   
   
       3 . The kitchen apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and said second attachment portions are adapted to allow said panel to be affixed and subsequently removed from said front surface of said sink without substantial damage to either said panel or to said sink.  
   
   
       4 . The kitchen apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said front face of said panel is decorated with three-dimensional decoration.  
   
   
       5 . The kitchen apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said panel is constructed of metal.  
   
   
       6 . The kitchen apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said panel is constructed of a metal different from that of said sink.  
   
   
       7 . The kitchen apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said attachment member comprises at least one bolt.  
   
   
       8 . The kitchen apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said attachment member is a weld.  
   
   
       9 . A kitchen counter assembly comprising the kitchen apparatus of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       10 . A method for displaying a decorative treatment on the front surface of a kitchen apparatus, comprising: 
 providing a sink having a front surface including a first attachment portion;    providing a panel having a second attachment portion and a front face including a decorative treatment; and    attaching said panel to said front surface of said sink by joining said first and said second attachment portions by means of at least one attachment member.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said sink further comprises a recess on said front surface adapted to receive said panel.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising removing said panel from said sink without substantially damaging either the panel or the sink then subsequently attaching a second panel to said sink.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said front face of said panel is decorated with three-dimensional decoration.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said panel is constructed of metal.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said panel is constructed of a metal different from that of said sink.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising attaching said panel to said front surface of said sink using at least one bolt.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising attaching said panel to said front surface of said sink by welding.  
   
   
       18 . A method for providing a kitchen apparatus with a decorative treatment, comprising: 
 manufacturing a sink having a front surface including a first attachment portion;    separately manufacturing a panel having a second attachment portion and a front face including a decorative treatment; and    affixing said panel to said sink by joining said second attachment portion of said panel to said first attachment portion of said sink with at least one attachment member.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said sink further comprises a recess on said front surface adapted to receive said panel.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein subsequently said panel may be removed from said sink without causing substantial damage to said panel or to said sink.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said front face of said panel is decorated with three-dimensional decoration.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said panel is constructed of metal.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said panel is constructed of a metal different from that of said sink.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising affixing said panel to said front surface of said sink using at least one bolt.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising affixing said panel to said front surface of said sink by welding.