GB2230945A

GB2230945A - Lid-fitted openings

Info

Publication number: GB2230945A
Application number: GB9004559A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eero Saarinen
Original assignee: Stala Oy
Current assignee: Stala Oy
Priority date: 1989-03-06
Filing date: 1990-03-01
Publication date: 1990-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 2010-03-01
Also published as: DE4006507A1; DK56990A; DK56990D0; GB2230945B; NO901035D0; GB9004559D0; FI86026B; FI86026C; SE9000743D0; FI891049L; SE9000743L; FI891049A0; NO901035L

Abstract

A lid-fitting opening is provided in a kitchen working surface, especially in a draining board, for dropping e.g. waste therethrough into a space below the surface, usually into a trash bucket. In order to make the opening of such easy, a lid (2) is hinged to a collar (5) and this hinge (4) is fitted with a spring (6) producing an opening movement. Collar (5) is provided with a catch (7) for locking lid (2) in closed position and for opening the lid (2) upon being pressed. <IMAGE>

Description

4 1 LID-FITTED OPENINGS The present invention relates to one or a

plurality of lid-fitted openings in a kitchen working surface, especially in a draining board, the purpose of such openings being to facilitate the disposal of loose material, particularly waste material, in a space or a vessel underneath which is reserved for such material.

This type of lid-fitted opening is known, e.g. from DE patent publications 33 13 366, 34 10 103, 34 37 033, 35 01 433 and 35 35 422 as well as from Finnish Patent application No. 880 308 (priority DE 37 01 893). The lid set forth in DE Patent publication 33 13 366 is hinged to a kitchen sink and it opens when a separate, also hinged waste bin is pivoting partially therebelow. The use of such a lid without the associated waste bin is troublesome, especially as it only opens 80 relative to the horizontal plane and so is not capable of holding itself open. In addition, its use anywhere else except in a purpose-built draining board in a working surface is next to impossible. DE Patent publications 34 10 103, 34 37 033, 35 01 433 and 35 35 422 as well Finnish Patent application No. 880 308 all disclose the same solution which relates to a waste disposal opening in a draining board, and especially in a draining board built in a surface. In those solutions, the opening is fitted with a removable lid which is difficult to open with greasy hands and for which it is difficult to find a suitable resting place while the opening is uncovered. 30 An object of the invention is to facilitate the use of a lid-fitted opening or openings in a working surface or a draining board. Accordingly, the present invention provides one or a plurality of lid-fitted openings in a kitchen working surface, 35- especially in a draining board, for dropping waste or other loose material into a space below the working surface, wherein the lid of each opening is attached by means of a hinge to a guide collar fitting in the opening.

2 Preferably, by hinging the lid to the guide collar and by fitting the hinge with a spring and the collar with a catch the problems of putting down a removable lid are avoided and the opening and closing of a lid particularly with greasy hands is 5 facilitated.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail, by example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Fig. 1 shows two lid- and collar-fitted openings in a draining board, one of the lids along with its collar being lifted out of the opening; and Fig. 2 shows a lid and a collar provided with hinges and springs.

In Fig. 1, a left-hand collar 5 along with a lid 2 attached thereto by means of a pair of hinges 4 is fitted in an opening 3 made in a draining board 1, and the right-hand one is lifted above the opening to show how easy it is to remove the lid and the collar from the opening. In Fig. 2, a collar 5 and a lid 2 are shown as a separate unit with lid 2 opened, the pair of hinges 4 and a pair of springs 16 producing a lidopening moment, as well as a lid-closing catch 7 mounted on collar 5 being clearly visible. When the lid 2 is closed, in a pressed-down position, a projection included in catch 7 keeps the lid closed, and upon pressing the catch 7, lid 2 is released from behind the projection rising to an open position through the action of spring 6. opening of lid 2 is very easy also with greasy hands by using e.g. the side of a hand, knuckles or the outer side of a little f inger to press the catch 7 and closing of lid 2 occurs in the same way by pressing the lid itself.

The unit consisting of collar 5 and lid 2, along with hinges 4 and spring 6 as well as catch 7, can be fitted just as well in an opening made in a draining board as e.g. in an opening sawn in a laminated-coated chipboard or even in a 35- lithoidal surface. For washing or other maintenance work the collar along with its lid can be readily removed from the opening by lifting and it can also be washed in a dish-washing machine.

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Claims

CLAIMS is 1. One or a plurality of lid-f itted openings in a kitchen

working surface, especially in a draining board, for dropping waste or other loose material into a space below the working surface, wherein the lid of each opening is attached by means of a hinge to a guide collar fitting in the opening.
2. A lid-fitted opening as set forth in claim 1, wherein a spring included in the hinge between the lid and the collar produces on the lid an opening moment and wherein the collar is provided with a catch for locking the lid in a closed position, the pressing of which catch causes the lid to open.
3. A lid-fitted opening as set forth in claims 1 or 2, wherein the lid opens by the action of the spring through 1100 from the closed position to the opened position.
4. A lid-fitted opening as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the collar pivots out of the opening by applying muscular strength to turn the opened lid still further open.
5. A lid-fitted opening as set forth in any of the preceding claimsf wherein the collar along with its lid is removable from the opening for washing or other maintenance work by just lifting it up.
6. A lid-fitted opening as set forth in any of the preceding claims wherein the collar along with its lid is capable of being washed with domestic dish-washing machines and detergents used therein.

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7. A lid-fitted opening as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the collar and the catch are manufactured from the same raw material in a single operation so as to f orm a substantially integral component.

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8. A lid-fitted opening substantially as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

1 Published 1990 at The Patent Office, State House, 68.71 IlighHolborn. London WC1R 4TP. Further copies maybe obtainedfrom, The Patent office. Sales Branch, St Mary Cray. Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray. Kent, Con. 1187