Kitchen sink with interchangeable modular components

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to kitchen sinks. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to modular kitchen sinks configured to receive and use functional modules for various utilitarian purposes. One example is a modular kitchen sink having a faucet, a basin, a sink chassis configured to partially receive one or more functional modules, and a cover plate positioned over the sink chassis, such that the one or more functional modules are partially sealed within the sink chassis and partially positioned above the cover plate proximate the faucet. Each of the one or more functional modules may be configured to perform a kitchen sink function such as heating or cooling fluids, or dispensing soap, for example. Examples of the present disclosure advantageously satisfy the functional and aesthetic requirements necessary for modern sinks while incorporating multiple functional modules configured to perform a variety of useful functions.

1 . A modular sink, comprising:
 a basin;   a sink chassis configured to partially receive one or more functional modules; and   a cover plate positioned over the sink chassis, wherein the cover plate is configured to partially seal one or more functional modules within the sink chassis, and wherein the cover plate is configured to enable one or more functional modules to partially extend above the cover plate.   
     
     
         2 . The modular sink of  claim 1 , wherein the sink chassis defines a cuboid geometry. 
     
     
         3 . The modular sink of  claim 1 , wherein the sink chassis defines a plurality of openings for partially receiving one or more functional modules. 
     
     
         4 . The modular sink of  claim 1 , wherein the sink chassis defines a plurality of separated cavities for partially receiving one or more functional modules. 
     
     
         5 . The modular sink of  claim 1 , wherein the sink chassis is configured to receive one or more functional modules through a top chassis surface, and wherein the sink chassis is configured to receive one or more utility tubes through a bottom chassis surface. 
     
     
         6 . The modular sink of  claim 1 , wherein the cover plate is removably coupled to the sink chassis. 
     
     
         7 . The modular sink of  claim 1 , wherein the cover plate defines a first plurality of openings aligned with a second plurality of openings of the sink chassis, and wherein the first and second pluralities of openings are configured to receive one or more functional modules, such that the cover plate separates one or more functional modules between a sealed portion within the sink chassis and an external portion positioned above the cover plate. 
     
     
         8 . The modular sink of  claim 1 , wherein the sink chassis defines at least one support structure configured to removably couple one or more functional modules to the sink chassis. 
     
     
         9 . The modular sink of  claim 1 , wherein the sink chassis is configured to accommodate two or more interlocked functional modules. 
     
     
         10 . A modular sink, comprising:
 a basin;   a sink chassis defining a first plurality of openings extending between a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the sink chassis is configured to receive a functional module through the top surface of each of the first plurality of openings, and wherein the sink chassis is configured to receive at least one utility tube through the bottom surface of each of the first plurality of openings;   at least one support structure positioned within each of the first plurality of openings, wherein the at least one support structure is configured to interface with a functional module when received by the sink chassis, to removably couple a functional module to the sink chassis; and   a cover plate positioned over the sink chassis, wherein the cover plate defines a second plurality of openings aligned with the first plurality of openings of the sink chassis, such that the cover plate is configured to enable at least one functional module to extend partially above the cover plate when received by the sink chassis.   
     
     
         11 . The modular sink of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one support structure is positioned against a wall defined between the top surface and the bottom surface of the first plurality of openings. 
     
     
         12 . The modular sink of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one support structure comprises a snap-in feature configured to removably couple a functional module to the sink chassis. 
     
     
         13 . The modular sink of  claim 10 , wherein the cover plate is configured to enable a utility connection structure of a functional module to extend below the cover plate when received by the sink chassis, and wherein the cover plate is configured to enable an external feature of a functional module to extend above the cover plate when received by the sink chassis. 
     
     
         14 . The modular sink of  claim 10 , further comprising a faucet positioned along the sink chassis. 
     
     
         15 . The modular sink of  claim 10 , wherein the cover plate is removably coupled to the sink chassis. 
     
     
         16 . The modular sink of  claim 10 , wherein the sink chassis is configured to accommodate two or more interlocked functional modules. 
     
     
         17 . A modular sink, comprising:
 a basin;   a plurality of functional modules each configured to perform a unique utilitarian function;   a sink chassis defining a first plurality of openings extending between a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the plurality of functional modules are received through the top surface of the first plurality of openings, and wherein the sink chassis is configured to receive at least one utility tube through the bottom surface of the first plurality of openings;   at least one support structure positioned within each of the first plurality of openings, wherein the at least one support structure is configured to interface with at least one functional module of the plurality of functional modules, to removably couple the at least one functional module to the sink chassis; and   a cover plate positioned over the sink chassis, wherein the cover plate defines a second plurality of openings aligned with the first plurality of openings of the sink chassis, wherein the cover plate is configured to separate each of the plurality of the functional modules between a sealed portion within the sink chassis and an external portion positioned above the cover plate.   
     
     
         18 . The modular sink of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of functional modules comprises at least one of a glass rinser, a soap dispenser, a side sprayer, an instant hot water module, a filtered water module, a utensil module, an acoustic speaker, a heating or cooling module, a lighting module, an aroma module, and an ultraviolet sanitizer module. 
     
     
         19 . The modular sink of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of functional modules are configured to interlock with each other. 
     
     
         20 . The modular sink of  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of functional modules comprise a utility connection structure and an external feature, and wherein the cover plate is configured to separate each utility connection structure of the plurality of the functional modules from each external feature of the plurality of functional modules, such that each utility connection structure is sealed within the sink chassis and each external feature extends above the cover plate.