Portable sink

Abstract

A self-contained, light weight, portable sink provides running water anywhere power is available without the need for an external or outside water supply source. The portable sink comprises a reservoir recessed within a container that houses a refillable water storage tank and an electric pump comprising tubing connecting the storage tank to a swiveling faucet mounted above the reservoir. When plugged into a power supply source such as direct current, an adapter communicates with the pump, causing water to flow into the reservoir. The water may drain through a drainage hose terminating out from the container or may remain within the reservoir with the use of a drain plug. One or more holes in the wall of the container allow a user to easily access and store the drainage tube and power plug. The container may comprise a number of useful accessories including handles for easily transporting the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable sink apparatus comprising:
 a container comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and an interior, the top portion comprising an opening for a receptacle;   a faucet with an outlet end for dispensing water into the receptacle;   a storage tank within the interior of the container; and   a pump in communication with the faucet and the storage tank.   
     
     
         2 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pump is in communication with a power supply source external to the container. 
     
     
         3 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the interior of the container comprises an adapter in communication with the pump and a switch that communicates with the faucet, and wherein the container comprises a hole for the adapter to pass externally out from the container to receive power from a power source. 
     
     
         4 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the power source is at least one of: a direct current power source and an alternating current power source. 
     
     
         5 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a weight of no more than about 10 pounds prior to filling the storage tank. 
     
     
         6 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a size of less than about 5 cubic feet. 
     
     
         7 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pump is attached to an inner wall of the interior of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle comprises a reservoir within the opening of the top portion. 
     
     
         9 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the reservoir comprises a drainage hole. 
     
     
         10 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 9  comprising a removable drain plug for the drainage hole. 
     
     
         11 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the drainage hole comprises a drainage hose removably attached to and extending from a bottom face of the drainage hole to an outlet end that may be placed outside of the container to allow water to drain away from the interior when the apparatus is in use. 
     
     
         12 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle is removable from the opening in the top portion of the container. 
     
     
         13 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the storage tank comprises a vent. 
     
     
         14 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a cutting board insert that fits within the receptacle in the opening of the top portion. 
     
     
         15 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the top portion is hinged to the bottom portion. 
     
     
         16 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the storage tank holds no more than about 10 gallons. 
     
     
         17 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the container comprises a handle. 
     
     
         18 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a soap dish recessed into the top portion. 
     
     
         19 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a towel holder on an external side of the container. 
     
     
         20 . The portable sink apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the storage tank comprises potable water.