A sink is provided. The sink includes a basin having a front wall. The sink includes a rim supported at and extending outwardly from an upper end of the front wall in a substantially horizontal orientation. The sink includes an apron extending from the rim. The apron extends vertically between a top wall and an opposing bottom wall and laterally between a first side wall and an opposing second side wall. The apron is coupled to the basin only at the top wall of the apron by the rim. The apron extends laterally outward past the rim such that a first rear edge of the first side wall and a second rear edge of the second side wall are spaced apart from the rim.

In accordance with the present invention, a device and method of buffering a surface while still maintaining the surface's visual appearance is disclosed. This invention relates to protecting a surface from deformation from objects placed on the surface while at the same time maintaining the surface's visual clarity and appearance. This invention may include the use of a sheet of silicone, some of the disclosed embodiments of which are uniquely configured with concave cavities and convex protrusions, and a wetting agent to achieve the stated buffering and visual appearance of the surface.

An item of equipment includes at least one worktop formed of at least one substrate made of monolithic glass material with a surface area of greater than 0.7 m.sup.2. The substrate exhibits a luminosity L* of less than 10, a haze of less than 30% and a light transmission T.sub.L of less than 10%. The item of equipment also includes at least one heating element and at least one interface for communication with at least one element of the worktop and/or with at least one external element for wireless communication. The item of equipment is devoid of light source(s).

An item of equipment includes a worktop formed of at least one substrate made of transparent monolithic glass material with a surface area of greater than 0.7 m.sup.2, provided with a coating to exhibit a haze of greater than 15%, a light transmission T.sub.L of less than 80% and an opacity indicator of greater than 50. The item of equipment also includes at least one light source to materialize one or more zones or one or more elements or displays of the substrate. The light source occurs straight above the substrate, for a display by projection, or under the substrate, for a display by transmission through the substrate. The item of equipment also includes at least one interface for communication with at least one element of the worktop and/or with at least one external element for wireless communication. The item of equipment is devoid of heating element(s).

An appliance includes at least one worktop formed from at least one substrate made of a monolithic glazing material and of area larger than 0.7 m.sup.2. The substrate has a luminosity L* lower than 10, a haze lower than 30% and a light transmission T.sub.L lower than 10%. The appliance also includes at least one light source to materialize one or more zones or one or more elements or displays of the substrate, the at least one light source being located under the substrate and being hidden thereby when the at least one light source is turned off. The appliance also includes at least one interface for communicating with at least one element of the worktop and/or wirelessly with at least one external element. The appliance does not include any heating elements.

The present invention relates to those articles that include any kind of agglomerated artificial stone and polymerisable resin, such as tiles or slabs, to be used as construction material, characterised for consisting of different strati or veins, of heterogeneous variable mass that provide a special aesthetic effect similar to the natural stone products.

A concealed bridge assembly is provided for supporting adjacent lateral edges of cooktop units that are mounted in a kitchen countertop. The concealed bridge assembly can be used for traditional raised mounting of cooktop units or true-flush mounting of cooktop units. When used with traditional mountings, the concealed bridge assembly has a top that is sized to be flush with the countertop surface and the approximate length of the countertop opening. If true-flush mounting is desired, the top of the concealed bridge assembly is flush with the top surface of a kerf cut in the countertop.

The present invention provides a countertop (10) comprising a backer sheet (16) of a relatively lightweight, rigid material; an outer layer (14) of agglomerated stone disposed on a top surface (16a) of the backer sheet (16) to create a central portion (14a) of the countertop; and an outer layer (14) of agglomerated stone disposed on a side surface (16c, 16d) of the backer sheet (16) to create an edge portion (14b, 14c) of the countertop (10); wherein the central portion (14a) and edge portion(s)(14b, 14c) form a one piece agglomerated stone layer (14). The present invention also provides a moulding process to manufacture the agglomerated stone countertop (10).

The invention relates to a kitchen furniture item, comprising a cabinet part (1), on the surface of which a hob (2) is provided, and a furniture element (3) which laterally adjoins the cabinet part (1) and comprises a fixed lower cabinet (4) and a height-adjustable tabletop (5), wherein the tabletop (5) has an edge surface (6) which is perpendicular in the in-use position and which faces the cabinet part (1). Overall space can be saved in such a way that at least one suction opening (8) is provided in the edge surface (6), and a blow-out opening (12) is arranged in the lower cabinet (4), said blow-out opening being connected to the suction opening (8) via a flexible hose (11).

A surface including a notch. The notch is defined by first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface extends at a non-zero angle with respect to the first surface. The surface includes a metal edge inserted entirely into a volume of space defined by the first and second surfaces and attached to the surface. The metal edge includes a first piece having a male connector. The metal edge further includes a second piece that includes a female connector that interconnects with the male connector, wherein when the male connector engages the female connector the second piece extends lengthwise along a direction at which the first piece extends. The metal edge further includes a front surface that faces away from the second surface and a rear surface that faces the second surface and covers a portion of the second surface.