Sink With Integrated Work Surface

Abstract

One embodiment of a sink with an integrally molded work surface area ( 12 ) with sink basins ( 13,14 ) where the work surface is located between basins and at a level higher than the bottom of the sink basins but lower than the edge of the entire sink unit ( 11 ). The work surface provides an area for a range of tasks including can opening, draining with a colander, filling pots with water, preparing and cutting uncooked meats, and operating a salad spinner. The entire combination of sink basins and work surface connects continuously in form to provide a more sanitary and faster food preparation process allowing for the accomplishment of a variety of tasks including easy and simple clean up.

1 . A sink comprising:
 a) a plurality of sink basins with respective drains,   b) a multipurpose work surface, wherein at least two of said basins are separated from each other by a form comprising said work surface so that said form functions as a divider between said basins and wherein said work surface is a generally horizontal surface at a level above the bottom of said sink basins but lower than the level where said sink attaches to a counter top, and wherein said work surface is large enough to accommodate and support multiple tasks employed in meal preparation.   
     
     
         2 . The sink of  claim 1  wherein the location of said work surface ensures the prevention of liquid and/or food matter from flowing naturally into or onto any other surface except said basins and, conversely, any liquid or food matter at the bottom of said basins will not flow by natural gravity onto said work surface unless at times one or more of said drains of said basins is stopped for the purposes of filling said sink with water, being that said work surface is elevated with respect to the bottom of said sink basins and simultaneously recessed with respect to said counter top. 
     
     
         3 . The sink of  claim 1  wherein said basins and multipurpose work surface is of one continuous piece of material. 
     
     
         4 . The sink of  claim 1  wherein said work surface is rectangular in nature and positioned between at least two of said basins so that no more than two of its four sides are restricted by a barrier of a vertical surface or wall of said sink,
 whereby liquid or debris on the work surface may be dispersed in more than one direction into one or more of said basins. 
 
     
     
         5 . The sink of  claim 1  wherein said work surface is of a completely smooth nature, lacking any corrugation, grooves, channels, relief, or chasing,
 whereby having a surface free of such articulations that would be a hindrance in the rinsing and cleaning of said surface. 
 
     
     
         6 . The sink of  claim 1  wherein the area of said work surface is of sufficient size to fully support a can of food wholly and without the aid of a person,
 whereby a can opener can be applied with ease to said can and any contents spilled intentionally or accidentally during the operation of opening said can will land only on said work surface and/or flow into one of said basins. 
 
     
     
         7 . The sink of  claim 1  wherein the area of said work surface is of sufficient size to fully support a common colander wholly and without the aid of a person,
 whereby any container of liquid or food that requires draining can be poured into said colander and any contents spilled intentionally or accidentally or any liquid flowing out of said colander during the act of draining will land on said work surface so that those portions of said contents can flow naturally into said basins easily without any of said contents or liquids flowing over the top edge of said sink or onto said counter top. 
 
     
     
         8 . The sink of  claim 1  wherein the area of said work surface is of sufficient size to fully support a typical cooking pot of common size wholly and without the aid of a person and said work surface is at an elevation low enough relative to a common faucet,
 whereby said pot can sit low enough to accommodate the clearance required to fit under said faucet and be filled with water. 
 
     
     
         9 . The sink of  claim 1  wherein the area of said work surface is of sufficient size to fully support a substantial portion of uncooked meat, chicken, or fish,
 whereby said uncooked meat, chicken, or fish can be prepared for cooking. 
 
     
     
         10 . The sink of  claim 1  wherein the area of said work surface is of sufficient size to serve effectively as a cutting surface or cutting board,
 whereby items of food such as uncooked meats can be cut on said surface conveniently. 
 
     
     
         11 . The sink of  claim 1  wherein the area of said work surface is of sufficient size to fully support a typical salad spinner wholly and without the aid of a person,
 whereby any liquid released out the bottom of said salad spinner during operation will land on said work surface so that at any time said liquid can flow into any of said basins easily without any of said liquid flowing over the top edge of said sink or onto said counter top. 
 
     
     
         12 . A sink comprising:
 a) two sink basins with respective drains,   b) a multipurpose work surface, wherein said basins are separated from each other by a form comprising said work surface so that said form functions as a divider between said basins and wherein said work surface is a generally horizontal surface at a level above the bottom of said sink basins but lower than the level where said sink attaches to a counter top, and wherein said work surface is large enough to accommodate and support multiple tasks employed in meal preparation.   
     
     
         13 . The sink of  claim 12  wherein the location of said work surface ensures the prevention of liquid and/or food matter from flowing naturally into or onto any other surface except said basins and, conversely, any liquid or food matter at the bottom of said basins will not flow by natural gravity onto said work surface unless at times one or more of said drains of said basins is stopped for the purposes of filling said sink with water, being that said work surface is elevated with respect to the bottom of said sink basins and simultaneously recessed with respect to said counter top. 
     
     
         14 . The sink of  claim 12  wherein said basins and multipurpose work surface is of one continuous piece of material. 
     
     
         15 . The sink of  claim 12  wherein said work surface is rectangular in nature and positioned between said basins so that no more than two of its four sides are restricted by a barrier of a vertical surface or wall of said sink,
 whereby liquid or debris on the work surface may be dispersed in more than one direction into one or more of said basins. 
 
     
     
         16 . The sink of  claim 12  wherein said work surface is of a completely smooth nature, lacking any corrugation, grooves, channels, relief, or chasing,
 whereby having a surface free of such articulations that would be a hindrance in the rinsing and cleaning of said surface. 
 
     
     
         17 . The sink of  claim 12  wherein the area of said work surface is of sufficient size to fully support a common colander wholly and without the aid of a person,
 whereby any container of liquid or food that requires draining can be poured into said colander and any contents spilled intentionally or accidentally or any liquid flowing out of said colander during the act of draining will land on said work surface so that those portions of said contents can flow naturally into said basins easily without any of said contents or liquids flowing over the top edge of said sink or onto said counter top. 
 
     
     
         18 . The sink of  claim 12  wherein the area of said work surface is of sufficient size to fully support a typical cooking pot of common size wholly and without the aid of a person and said work surface is at an elevation low enough relative to a common faucet,
 whereby said pot can sit low enough to accommodate the clearance required to fit under said faucet and be filled with water. 
 
     
     
         19 . The sink of  claim 12  wherein the area of said work surface is of sufficient size to fully support a substantial portion of uncooked meat, chicken, or fish, and the act of cutting with knives,
 whereby said uncooked meat, chicken, or fish can be prepared and/or sliced on said work surface before cooking. 
 
     
     
         20 . The sink of  claim 12  wherein the area of said work surface is of sufficient size to fully support a typical salad spinner wholly and without the aid of a person,
 whereby any liquid released out the bottom of said salad spinner during operation will land on said work surface so that at any time said liquid later flow into either basin easily without any of said liquid flowing over the top edge of said sink or onto said counter top.