Dual capacity sink

Abstract

A dual capacity sink has two basins divided by a divider which extends to a much lesser height than the peripheral walls of the sink. In one capacity the sink is capable of holding a volume of fluid, such as soap or rinse water, in one or both of the basins up to the top the divider. In this capacity, the basins can be used individually, for example, one to wash and one to rinse. In another capacity the sink is capable of holding a second volume of fluid using the two basins and also the available space in the sink above the divider. In this second capacity the sink effectively becomes a large single basin sink. There is sufficient fluid in the sink above the divider for submerging items that are larger than either of the basins individually. A method of washing items in such a sink is also disclosed.

1 . A sink comprising a bottom and upright side walls extending up along the periphery of the sink to a rim at a first height from the bottom, the sink also having a first basin and a second basin divided by a divider, the divider extending up to a second height less than the first height, wherein in a first capacity the sink is capable of holding a first volume of fluid in one of the first and second basins at a level no greater than the second height, and in a second capacity the sink is capable of holding a second volume of fluid in the first and second basins combined and also at a level greater than the second height such that there can be a sufficient volume of fluid in the sink between the first and second heights usable for submerging an item in the sink above the divider that is too large to be submerged in either of the first and second basins individually.  
   
   
       2 . The sink of  claim 1 , wherein the second height is between 20 and 70 percent of the first height.  
   
   
       3 . The sink of  claim 2 , wherein the first height is between about 6-9.  
   
   
       4 . The sink of  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the first and second heights is at least 1.5 inches.  
   
   
       5 . The sink of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second basins are substantially equal in volume.  
   
   
       6 . The sink of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second basins are unequal in volume.  
   
   
       7 . The sink of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom of the first basin is essentially at the same height as the bottom of the second basin.  
   
   
       8 . The sink of  claim 1 , wherein the basin includes a drain opening in the bottom of at each of the first and second basins.  
   
   
       9 . The sink of  claim 1 , wherein the sink is cast iron.  
   
   
       10 . The sink of  claim 1 , positioned adjacent a faucet having a spout with an outlet positionable to direct a spray of fluid from the spout into each of the first and second basins.  
   
   
       11 . The sink of  claim 10 , wherein the outlet is disposed at a third height at a distance of at least 6 inches above the second height.  
   
   
       12 . The sink of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second basins can contain 1 gallon of fluid.  
   
   
       13 . A sink comprising a bottom and upright side walls extending up along the periphery of the sink to a rim at a first height from the bottom, the sink also having a first basin and a second basin divided by a divider, the divider extending to a second height less than the first height, wherein in a first capacity the sink is capable of holding a first volume of fluid in one of the first and second basins at a level no greater than the second height, and in a second capacity the sink is capable of holding a second volume of fluid in the first and second basins combined and also at a level greater than the second height such, wherein the second height is no more than 70 percent of the first height.  
   
   
       14 . A method of washing items in a sink having first and second basins separated by a divider, the method comprising: 
 supplying fluid to a first zone of the sink corresponding to said first basin;    supplying fluid to a second zone of the sink corresponding to said second basin;    supplying fluid to a third zone of the sink corresponding to a volume of the sink vertically above said first and second basins and said divider; and    submerging in the fluid the item to be washed where the item is too large to be submerged in either basin such that at least portion of the item is in the third zone.