Sink Helper Protective Cover

The present invention relates to a protective cover that is disposed over a kitchen sink including the faucet, any hot and cold handles, spray nozzle, and soap dispenser, as well as the back splash and upwardly to a portion of the back wall of the kitchen sink. The protective cover is provided with means to releasably secure its placement while in use, thereby preventing any liquids from seeping into the cracks and corners of the kitchen sink area, as well as helping to prevent growth of bacteria or mildew.

Traditionally, cleaning the kitchen sink has required the use of chemicals, scrubs, brushes, anti-bacterial wipes, and various solvents. The use of certain chemical compounds has been utilized to destroy or prevent bacteria, mold and mildew which can arise due to standing water in the area around the sink. And various chemical solutions also are employed to sanitize the sink space from contamination with raw meat products. Preventing the spread of bacteria and mold subjects the area to excessive wear and tear over the years, as well as the potential to not sanitize the sink space completely.

The effects of overuse around the kitchen sink area of a home are issues facing many homeowners. The protective cover of the present subject matter is adaptable to the confines of the standard sink. Unlike established products that cover just counter space, this invention protects the faucet and walls of the sink area as well, aiding to heavy duty and casual use of the space.

The prior art is replete with mats and countertop coverings for use in a kitchen environment. Typically, these mats and coverings are used to prevent water from collecting in a certain area, preventing the building up of mold, protecting the countertop surface from being chipped or damaged, and preventing the spread of germs and contamination derived from food packaging. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,166 to Rose discloses a reversible sink cover adapted to fit onto the well of a kitchen sink to cover the sink while not in use. The cover has plurality of magnets to removably secure the cover to a metal sink. The Rose cover simply provides a decorative cover for a sink and does not prevent or protect the sink and surrounding countertop areas from water or other contamination.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,708 to Mulaw teaches the use of a faucet splash guard and storage unit which is a free-standing article having a top storage shelf and includes an adjustable fastener which encircles the faucet to hold the articles rear wall in place. Mulaw's device is protect areas surrounding the sink from splash water as well as to provide extra shelf space. Among the many significant drawbacks to Mulaw, the splash guard is cumbersome and non-flexible.

U.S. Patent Application Publication 2008-0078020 A1 to Wright provides a light weight kitchen mat which can facilitate the cleaning of the kitchen sink area and help eliminate the formation of mold around the sink from standing water. The Wright mat has a plurality of sink rim covers having faucet and spray nozzle openings disposed therein and a wall cover piece to place against the kitchen wall behind the sink. Wright's mat leaves most of the sink exposed as well as the faucet and nozzle which extend through the openings. In addition, the mat in Wright does not protect the countertop areas surrounding the sink.

U.S. Patent Application Publication 2019/0223663 to Nielsen provides a disposable sink mat which is configured to be disposed within the sink basin and includes a cord element which the user can pull outwardly for gathering the four corners of the disposable sink mat and any waste contained on the mat. The Nielsen mat does not protect the sink, faucet, nozzle or surrounding areas from water or contamination.

Despite the efforts disclosed in the prior art, a need still exists for a simple protective cover which can shield a kitchen sink, the associated faucet and ancillary sink components, as well as a backsplash or wall behind the sink and any window above the kitchen sink.

The invention of the present subject matter relates to a protective cover to shield a kitchen sink and the area surround the sink including any backsplash or back wall area. The protective cover is provided with means located on its underside to removably secure the cover to the area being protected.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present subject matter to provide a protective cover to shield a kitchen sink and the area surrounding the sink to prevent any liquids from seeping into the cracks and corners of the kitchen sink area, as well as helping to prevent growth of bacteria or mildew.

It is another object of the present subject matter to a protective cover for a sink area which shields kitchen sink, faucet and ancillary accessories including hot and cold handles, spray nozzle and soap dispenser.

It is a further object of the present subject matter to provide a protective cover for a sink area which extends to shield the backsplash or wall area behind the sink.

It is an additional object of the present subject matter to provide a protective cover for a sink area which extends to shield a window ledge above a kitchen sink.

It is still another object of the present subject matter to provide a protective cover for a sink area which has an opening through which a faucet can extend.

It is a yet another object of the present subject matter to provide a protective cover for a sink area which has an expandable mid portion to accommodate a sink with two basins.

It is an additional object of the present subject matter to provide a cover for sink area which is disposed in a kitchen island.

These and other objects of the present subject matter are accomplished by providing a protective cover for use over a sink area which can be releasably secured to the sink and the adjacent areas surrounding the sink. Preferably, the protective cover is composed of a plastic sheet material, non-absorbent material or water-impermeable material which can be washed and folded when not in use. In one embodiment, the protective cover is in the form of a single use, disposable material.

In the following description, like reference numbers are used to identify like elements. Furthermore, the drawings are intended to illustrate major features of exemplary embodiments in a diagrammatic manner. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of every implementation nor relative dimensions of the depicted elements and are not drawn to scale. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to clearly describe various specific embodiments disclosed herein. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the presently claimed invention may be practiced without all the specific details discussed below. In other instances, well known features have not been described so as not to obscure the invention.

The present subject matter directed to a protective cover in the form of a plastic material, water impermeable material or other non-absorbent material. Referring to the Figures, the protective covercomprises an upper surfaceand an under surface. As shown in, the under surfaceof protective coveris provided with a plurality of adhesive strip piecesto releasably secured the protective cover from the countertop area and backsplash or window adjacent a standard double basin sink.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in, the releasable securing means on the under surfacecan be in the form of a plurality of miniature suction cups.

In another embodiment shown in, the under surfaceis provided with releasably securing means in the form of a continuous adhesive stripalong the outer edge of the under surfaceof the protective coverto a sink and the surrounding countertop area adjacent to and surrounding a sink. Preferably, the releasably securing means is in the form an adhesive strip materialhaving a contact side composed of a material which will adhere to the surface and when released from the contact surface will not leave a residue. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, any type of releasably securing adhesive means is contemplated to be within the scope of the present subject matter. In another alternate embodiment, the releasably securing means can be in the form of a replaceable double-sided adhesive tape

Referring, when the kitchen sink is disposed within a countertop against a wall, the protective coveris adaptable to extend upwardly from the rear countertop area to the top of the backsplash or back wall which typically continues to the bottom of a cabinet or window fixture, this area being denoted. The backsplash or back wall arearanges from about twelve inches (12″) to about twenty-four inches (24″). The areaon either side of the sink is of sufficient size to protect the countertop and ranges from about twelve inches (12″) to about twenty-four inches (24″) from the mid-portion of the sink. The areaof the protective cover on the front side of the sink ranges from about six inches (6″) to about twelve inches (12″). Accordingly, the protective covermeasure about forty-eight inches (48″) to about sixty inches (60″) in length and from about thirty-six inches (36″) to about forty-eight inches (48″) in width. In one embodiment, the protective coveris provided with a crease along the width to facilitate installing the protective cover at the line where the backsplash or back wall meets the countertop.

In the embodiment shown in, the protective coveris disposed over then entire sink and surrounding area adjacent to the sink, thereby covering not only the sink but also the faucet, hot and cold handles, spray nozzle and soap dispenser. In this embodiment, the protective cover is provided with an area of expandable materialof sufficient size to accommodate a faucet and the other sink components such that the expandable material can fit over the faucet and other sink components. A slotted tear stripmay be provided within the protective cover such that the faucet can extend through the protective cover. Preferably, the edges of the slotted tear stripare provided with gripping means about the shaft of the faucet to prevent water or other contamination from seeping through the slotted tear strip. More preferably, the slotted tear stripis reinforced about its edges to provide gripping means and to prevent tearing.

shows the protective cover of the present subject matter draped over a sink and countertop area adjacent a sink disposed within a kitchen island.

While several illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternative embodiments are contemplated and can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.