Sink design with dissimilar materials

Abstract

A vanity basin or kitchen basin is made of upper and lower portions of two dissimilar materials. An inner basin is inserted into an outer basin and extends a portion of the way down. The outer basin is separately attached to the counter. The inner basin may be formed integral with the countertop. The inner basin mates with a receiving surface of the outer basin, and a seal may be formed between the inner and outer basins.

1 . A basin, comprising: 
 an outer basin made of a first material;    an inner basin made of a second material and inserted into and extending a portion of the way down into the outer basin, and forming a continuous inner surface therewith.    
   
   
       2 . The basin of  claim 1  wherein the outer basin and inner basin are separately attached to a counter.  
   
   
       3 . The basin of  claim 1  further comprising a sealant between the outer and inner basins  
   
   
       4 . The basin of  claim 1  wherein the outer basin is made of stainless steel, ceramic, steeled enamel, or cast polymer.  
   
   
       5 . The basin of  claim 1  wherein the outer basin is made of stainless steel.  
   
   
       6 . The basin of  claim 1  wherein the inner basin is made of cultured marble, ceramic, or any material of which an adjacent countertop is made.  
   
   
       7 . The basin of  claim 1  wherein the inner basin forms a seamless junction with a countertop.  
   
   
       8 . The basin of  claim 1  wherein the outer basin further comprises a recessed upper portion for receiving a mating end of the inner basin so that the inner surface of the inner basin is flush with the adjacent inner surface of the outer basin.  
   
   
       9 . The basin of  claim 8  wherein the recessed upper portion of the outer basin contains a flange and the mating end of the inner basin contains a corresponding groove for receiving the flange.  
   
   
       10 . The basin of  claim 8  wherein the recessed upper portion of the outer basin contains a plurality of posts and the mating end of the inner basin contains a corresponding plurality of holes for receiving the posts.  
   
   
       11 . A method of making a basin, comprising: 
 mounting an outer basin formed of a first material on a support structure;    inserting an inner basin made of a second material, and separately mounted to the support structure, a portion of the way into the outer basin to form a continuous inner surface therewith.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising forming a seal between the outer and inner basins.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising forming the outer basin of stainless steel.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the inner basin is inserted into the outer basin by providing a recessed upper portion in the outer basin for receiving a mating end of the inner basin so that the inner surface of the inner basin is flush with the adjacent inner surface of the outer basin.