Front flow lavatory

Abstract

A lavatory is disclosed which dispenses water from its front side. The lavatory comprises a single body with a concavity for receiving water and a faucet port on the front side through which water may flow into the concavity. A solenoid valve, which is located underneath the sink body, receives water from a water supply and, when actuated, supplies water to the concavity of the sink body via the faucet port. Actuation of the solenoid valve is effected by one or more proximity switches which detect when a user is in proximity to the front side of the lavatory. The lavatory may also comprise a mixer valve which is located underneath the sink body and which is interposed between the water supply and the solenoid valve. The mixer valve functions to receive hot and cold water inputs from the water supply, to combine those hot and cold water inputs and to the combined hot and cold water to the solenoid valve.

1 . A lavatory which dispenses water from its front side, comprising:
 a. sink body comprising a concavity for receiving water and a faucet port on its front side through which water may flow into the concavity;   a solenoid valve which is located underneath the sink body for receiving water from a water supply and for supplying water from said water supply to the concavity of the sink body via the faucet port, when the solenoid valve is actuated; and   at least one proximity switch for actuating the solenoid valve when a user is in proximity to the front side of the lavatory.   
     
     
         2 . The lavatory of  claim 1 , wherein the concavity comprises a drain port which is formed in the bottom of the concavity to allow drainage of the water in the concavity. 
     
     
         3 . The lavatory of  claim 1 , wherein the concavity further comprises an overflow port to permit drainage of water from the concavity when the height of the water in the concavity reaches the overflow port. 
     
     
         4 . The lavatory of  claim 3 , wherein the overflow port is formed in the front portion of the concavity. 
     
     
         5 . The lavatory of  claim 3 , or in the overflow port extends around the periphery of the concavity. 
     
     
         6 . The lavatory of  claim 1 , wherein the water supply provides both hot and cold water and wherein the lavatory further comprises a mixer valve which is located underneath the sink body, which is interposed between the water supply and the solenoid valve, and which functions to receive the hot and cold water inputs from the water supply, to combine the hot and cold water inputs and to feed the combined hot and cold water to the solenoid valve. 
     
     
         7 . The lavatory of  claim 6 , wherein the concavity comprises a drain port which is formed in the bottom of the concavity to allow drainage of the water in the concavity. 
     
     
         8 . The lavatory of  claim 6 , wherein the concavity further comprises an overflow port to permit drainage of water from the concavity when the height of the water in the concavity reaches the overflow port. 
     
     
         9 . The lavatory of  claim 8 , wherein the overflow port is formed in the front portion of the concavity. 
     
     
         10 . The lavatory of  claim 8 , wherein the overflow port extends around the periphery of the concavity.