Sink with undercounter hand drying apparatus

Abstract

A vanity unit with hand dryer includes a casement having a top, a front and a back. A basin having a rim is carried by the casement with the rim adjacent the top. A space is defined below the casement top and the basin, and an aperture is formed proximate the rim of the basin toward the front of the casement in communication with the space below the top and the basin. A faucet is carried by the casement intermediate the basin and the back, and a hand drying assembly supplies air through the aperture from the space.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vanity unit with hand dryer comprising:
 a casement having a top, a front and a back;   a basin having a rim, the basin carried by the casement with the rim adjacent the top;   a space defined below the casement top and the basin;   an aperture formed proximate the rim of the basin toward the front of the casement in communication with the space below the top and the basin;   a faucet carried by the casement intermediate the basin and the back; and   a hand drying assembly supplying air through the aperture from the space.   
     
     
         2 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the aperture directs air toward the back of the casement. 
     
     
         3 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the aperture is provided between the rim of the basin and the top. 
     
     
         4 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 1  further including a proximity sensor mounted proximate the aperture for activating the hand drying assembly. 
     
     
         5 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the hand drying assembly comprises:
 an air supply system; and 
 an air supply conduit having an end coupled to the aperture and an opposing end coupled to the air supply system. 
 
     
     
         6 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the air supply system includes an air drying unit for generating an airflow and the air supply conduit includes a manifold positioned in the space under the basin, the manifold having a nozzle end coupled to the aperture and a coupling end coupled to the air drying unit. 
     
     
         7 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the air supply system comprises:
 an air compressor; 
 the air supply conduit coupled to the air compressor through a pressure regulator and a shut-off valve movable between an normal closed position and an open position; and 
 the air supply conduit terminating in at least one air nozzle extending through the aperture. 
 
     
     
         8 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the air supply system further includes a compressed air storage tank coupled between the air compressor and the air supply conduit for receiving and storing compressed air. 
     
     
         9 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the air supply system further includes a filter coupled to an intake of the compressor for filtering incoming air. 
     
     
         10 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the air supply system further includes the air supply conduit including an inline air heating tube. 
     
     
         11 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the air supply system further comprises:
 a control unit coupled to the shut-off valve actuating the shut-off valve between the normal closed position and the open position; and 
 a proximity sensor positioned proximate the rim of the basin and proximate the front, and coupled to the control unit, wherein the proximity sensor sends a signal to the control unit to move the shut-off valve to the open position upon sensing an object. 
 
     
     
         12 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 8  further comprising a second air supply conduit coupled between the air compressor and a second vanity unit. 
     
     
         13 . A vanity unit with hand dryer comprising:
 a casement having a top, a front and a back;   a basin having a rim, the basin carried by the casement with the rim adjacent the top;   a space defined below the casement top and the basin;   an aperture formed proximate the rim of the basin toward the front of the casement in communication with the space below the top and the basin;   a faucet carried by the casement intermediate the basin and the back;   a hand drying assembly supplying air through the aperture from the space, the hand drying assembly including an air supply system, and an air supply conduit having an end coupled to the aperture and an opposing end coupled to the air supply system;   a proximity sensor mounted proximate the aperture for activating the hand drying assembly; and   wherein the aperture directs air from the sir supply system toward the back of the casement across the basin.   
     
     
         14 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the aperture is provided between the rim of the basin and the top. 
     
     
         15 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the air supply system includes an air drying unit for generating an airflow and the air supply conduit includes a manifold positioned in the space under the basin, the manifold having a nozzle end coupled to the aperture and a coupling end coupled to the air drying unit. 
     
     
         16 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the air supply system comprises:
 an air compressor; 
 a compressed air storage tank coupled to the air compressor for receiving and storing compressed air; 
 the air supply conduit coupled to the compressed air storage tank through a pressure regulator and a shut-off valve movable between an normal closed position and an open position; 
 the air supply conduit including an inline air heating tube having an on state and an off state; 
 the air supply conduit terminating in at least one air nozzle extending through the aperture; 
 a control unit coupled to the shut-off valve actuating the shut-off valve between the normal closed position and the open position and coupled to the inline air heating tube; and 
 a proximity sensor positioned proximate the rim of the basin and proximate the front, and coupled to the control unit, wherein the proximity sensor sends a signal to the control unit to move the shut-off valve to the open position and change the inline air heating tube to the on state upon sensing an object. 
 
     
     
         17 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the air supply system further includes a filter coupled to an intake of the compressor for filtering incoming air. 
     
     
         18 . A vanity unit as claimed in  claim 16  further comprising a second air supply conduit coupled between the air compressor and a second vanity unit.