Portable handsink and method for use

• US 20070261162A1
• Filed: 03/30/2007
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Danny Atkinson
• Original Assignee: Danny Atkinson
• Inventors: Atkinson, Danny
• Granted Patent: US 8,245,330 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/623
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 1/04 for domestic or like local supply
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 11/02 for domestic or like local water supply
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 2001/045 using household water
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/18 Sinks, whether or not connected to the waste-pipe
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/00 Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use

Abstract

Exemplary apparatuses and methods for providing clean hot and/or cold water on demand from a portable structure include water storage tanks that store the clean water, and a sink assembly for dispensing the clean water to a user. A pumping system pumps water from the water storage tanks to the sink assembly, and a filtration system that filters water flowing from the sink assembly to the water storage tanks.

Claims

1. A portable handsink, comprising:

means for storing water;

means for dispensing water;

means for circulating water between the storing means and dispensing means;

means for sensing a level of stored water; and

means for controlling the direction of water circulation based on the sensed water level.

2. The handsink of claim 1, wherein the storing means comprises:

means for heating at least a portion of the stored water.

3. The handsink of claim 2, wherein the storing means comprises:

means for separately storing heated water.

4. The handsink of claim 1, wherein the circulating means comprises:

means for routing water between the storing means and the dispensing means.

5. The handsink of claim 4, wherein the routing means comprises:

means for pumping water from the storing means to the dispensing means.

6. The handsink of claim 4, wherein the circulating means is a closed loop.

7. The handsink of claim 1, wherein the controlling means comprises:

means for restricting a flow of water through the routing means; and

means for electronically controlling a status of the restricting means.

8. The handsink of claim 4, comprising:

means for receiving dispensed water, wherein the routing means routes water from the receiving means to the storage means.

9. The handsink of claim 8, comprising:

means for filtering water routed from the receiving means to the storage means.

10. A method for controlling a direction of water flow in a portable handsink including water storage tanks, a pumping system, a plumbing system, and a sink assembly, the method comprising:

activating the pumping system to pump water out of the water storage tanks to the sink assembly;

monitoring a water level in the water storage tanks; and

controlling a flow of water from the sink assembly to the water storage tanks by adjusting a position of a plurality of valves in the plumbing system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein activating the pumping system comprises:

opening at least one of a hot water valve and a cold water valve.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein controlling the flow of water comprises:

adjusting the position of the plurality of valves to divert water flow through a diversion pipe of the plumbing system,

wherein water is diverted through the diversion pipe when the water level in one of the water storage tanks is at a maximum fill level.

13. A portable handsink, comprising:

water storage tanks;

a sink assembly;

a pumping system that pumps water from the water storage tanks to the sink assembly;

a filtration system that filters water flowing from the sink assembly to the water storage tanks.

14. The portable handsink of claim 13, further comprising:

a plumbing system that interconnects the water storage tanks, the pumping system, the sink assembly, and the filtration system in a closed loop.

15. The portable handsink of claim 14 wherein the plumbing system includes a plurality of interconnected pipes and a plurality of valves strategically mounted in the plurality of pipes.

16. The portable handsink of claim 15, wherein each water storage tank includes a water level sensor.

17. The portable handsink of claim 16, further comprising:

a processor that receives water level data from the water level sensor and controls a direction of water flow from the sink assembly to the water storage tanks based on the water level data.

18. The portable handsink of claim 13, wherein the water storage tanks include a hot water tank and a cold water tank.

19. The portable handsink of claim 16, wherein the plumbing system includes a diversion pipe that diverts water into one of the water storage tanks based on a position of at least one of the plurality of valves.

20. The portable handsink of claim 18, wherein the hot water tank includes a heating element.