WO2018131028A1

WO2018131028A1 - Kitchen dispensing system for plurality of liquids

Info

Publication number: WO2018131028A1
Application number: PCT/IL2017/051335
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yuval-Yoni DAHAN; Abraham Dahan
Original assignee: Unito Smart Technologies Limited
Priority date: 2017-01-16
Filing date: 2017-12-11
Publication date: 2018-07-19
Also published as: IL250141A0

Abstract

The invention provides an under-sink kitchen station for preparing and supplying water-based liquids for various kitchen uses. The station supplies desired compositions and temperatures flexibly, efficiently and safely, while also utilizing remote control.

Description

KITCHEN DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR

PLURALITY OF LIQUIDS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an under-sink kitchen supply station for preparing and supplying water-based liquids differing in parameters like temperature, composition, and the intended kitchen use.

Background of the Invention

Existing under-sink water supply conventionally receive incoming feed water from the water main. The cold-water pipe couples this feed water without heating or chilling to the cold-water faucet valve for dispensing purposes. An appropriate water heater is installed in-line with the hot water supply conduit to elevate the temperature of the water flowing there through, typically to a heated temperature range on the order of 50-65°C.

Improved water supply systems may include a filter to provide filtered drinking water at different temperatures, usually such systems include one or more reservoirs to maintain the cold or hot water, and eventually carbonated water, ready for use. Such systems may offer chilled water and carbonated water at about 5°C or hot water at about 100°C, whereas the temperature is preset to a certain value and cannot be flexibly modified in accordance with instant requirements. Some of the systems offer a reduced temperature for drinking water by using a mechanical mixing device with two inlet pipes of different diameters and one outlet pipe, the parameters of the resulting mixture being dependent on the cross-section areas of the pipes. In recent years, various secondary heating or cooling devices have been proposed, being located under the sink, to provide instant hot and chilled water, or soda. Such devices usually include a high-power heating element, or a cooling system device for mounting on or near the hot or cold faucet valve. These dispensing systems are inflexible, inefficient, and too energy- consuming. For example, US20110203306 discloses a hot and cold water dispenser which includes cooling means or heating means, the dispenser comprising a feed pipe and a temperature control pipe disposed inside or outside of the feed pipe along a longitudinal direction of the feed pipe, the temperature control pipe having a space for receiving the cooling means or the heating means. EP 1457458 discloses an electric cold and hot water dispenser with a detachable cold water reservoir, providing a clean water for drinking. US4880535 discloses a water supply station with a series of connected reservoirs for receiving and storing potable water under different temperature conditions; the station includes a first reservoir for receiving an incoming water flow and a second reservoir coupled to the first reservoir via an overflow conduit. When the first reservoir reaches a substantially filled condition, additional water flow spills through the overflow conduit into the second reservoir, the water within both reservoirs being maintained under different conditions, ready for immediate dispensing through appropriate dispensing valves, to be used in cold or hot beverages.

The existing water stations providing cold and hot water for drinking and cooking comprise under-sink reservoirs with pre-set and not well manageable conditions. The known means cannot flexibly satisfy a range of personalized demands. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a flexible system with a wide selection of liquid supplies, and to allow for gradual enlargement of a partially built system.

It is further an object of the present invention to increase the variety of the offered liquid types by allowing the fine regulation of the temperatures and the components concentrations, for example by providing mixing means to combine different types of the stored liquids.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a system integrating machines for serving soda, ice, slush, coffee, beer, or others, whereas the process of preparing the dispensed materials fully controlled by software application either directly or remotely.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a system controlled by a software application via mobile devices such as smartphones. It is another object of the present invention to provide a system capable of storing personal preferred conditions, and dispatching the aqueous liquids corresponding to the conditions on demand, including liquids exhibiting preferred selected concentrations of components in the water liquid, for example concentrations of C02 or syrup.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a water-based liquid in a state required by the predetermined purpose of use, the use including, for example, washing dishes, cooking certain food items, or preparing drinks which require specific temperature or temperature -time regimen for the preparation process.

It is also another object of the invention to optimize the power consumption of the kitchen liquid-providing system.

Further it is also the intention of the present invention to provide a system for supplying different types of aqueous liquids in the kitchen, with control means for monitoring and managing the system parameters, including sending alerts for service requirements, for consumables replacements, and for failure warnings.

Other objects and advantages of present invention will appear as description proceeds. Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an under-sink kitchen supply station, for preparing and supplying water-based liquids, comprising elements selected from the group consisting of- i) a plurality of storage containers! ii) cooling means! iii) heating means! iv) mixing means! v) filtering means! vi) tubing configured to fluidly connect the elements and to enable flexibly adding and subtracting at least some of the storage containers! vii) valves configured to stop and renew said fluid tubing connections! and viii) a control unit moni^¬ toring and/or managing the status and performance of other elements. The under-sink kitchen supply station of the invention preferably comprises a control unit comprising at least one mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet. The under-sink kitchen supply station according to the invention, for preparing and supplying water-based liquids, preferably comprises at least the following elements : i) a plurality of storage containers! ii) cooling means, and heating means! iii) mixing means! iv) optionally filtering means! v) tubing configured to fluidly connect the elements and to enable flexibly adding and subtracting at least some of the storage containers! vi) valves configured to stop and renew said fluid tubing connections! and vii) a control unit monitoring the status and performance of all other elements and operating said means and said valves! wherein said storage containers comprise at least two liquids differing in the concentration of the non^¬ aqueous components, and wherein said water-based liquids comprise items selected from the group consisting of drinking water, chilled drinking water, hot drinking water, soda water, flavored beverage, water for cooking, and washing water. Said mixing comprise controllers that open valves of the containers to ensure mixing at the time required by the user or the program. The station for preparing and supplying water-based liquids of the invention, and the system for dispensing water-based liquids of the invention are configured to enable function, temperature, and construction flexibility. The station and the system preferably comprise an integrated machine for making a product selected from the group consisting of soda, ice, slush, beverage, juice, coffee, tea, and soup. Said control unit comprises sensing or actuating members integrated in a faucet, on a countertop, or in a remote device selected from smart phone and tablet. Said control unit comprises, in some embodiments, hub and/or cloud application. Said control unit may include wireless bidirectional communication for transmitting and receiving data, including operation commands, system set up, status, alerts, and data for maintenance requirements. The station of the invention comprises, in one embodiment, a controller and display positioned directly on the top of a granite kitchen area or on a stand elevated from the granite or integrated with the sink, to display system status, operate the system, and to allow modifications in the system setting. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, dispatching hot water in the station of the invention requires combined operation of at least two separated controlling knobs positioned at two separate locations for higher safety of the users, particularly of children. The control unit in the station of the invention communicates with other elements for controlling and synchronizing the operations, and for collecting relevant data. Said control unit preferably provides the status and alerts to the system user, including, but not limited to, service requirements, containers remaining contents, estimated replacement times, alert for replacement, pre-alert for life end of the consumable parts, or alert for any system failure. In one embodiment, said control unit sends the system data and alerts to a smartphone directly or indirectly through a hub or cloud application, either to the system user or to a service provider. Said mixing means of the system according to the invention provide said water-based liquid at the desired temperature and concentration of said components.

Said control unit is configured to remotely modify the system parameters, by using mobile devices including tablet or smartphone with dedicated software application. Said control unit is preferably configured to remotely lock the system or part of it for safety purposes. Some of the containers of the station according to the invention may contain flavor-imparting materials, either as concentrated water-based liquids or as capsules. Said control unit preferably comprises timers for controlling the system operation cycles and power consuming. The elements of the station and the system of the invention are configured to supply water of predetermined temperature and volume for a desired type of cooking or for preparing a specific beverage. Said control unit in the station and in the system according to the invention is preferably connected with other kitchen devices to manage the optimal kitchen power consumption. In one embodiment, the station of the invention comprises heating means for periodically supplying superheated water or steam of up to 110°C to any part of the system to prevent microbial contamination of the system. In a preferred embodiment, the station of the invention comprises means for recognizing voice commands.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent through the following examples, and with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1. is general view of a reservoir in one embodiment of the invention;

water from the main water line is filtered and flows into the tank through pipe 5 and is dispatched towards the faucet through pipe 4 when solenoid 3 is open; the tank may include local or main control unit located at the top of the reservoir chamber 2, the reservoir is connected to other reservoirs via electrical connector l;

Fig. 2. shows a soda machine according to one embodiment of the invention, the machine including cooling system pipe for water flow in and soda flow out 5 and C02 injection nozzle 6, mechanical relief valve, and electrical relief valve pipe 8, sensors to sense the upper level and lower level of the water, structured in accordance with the container shape to fit the compact design;

Fig. 3. represents the countertop controllers, one in the knob and the other control 3 integrated in the sink; Fig. 4. represents another embodiment of countertop controllers, one in the knob 2 and the other elevated from the granite surface by stand with pipe shape to be protected from water and accidental hit;

Fig. 5. is a scheme showing the piping, the electricity system and under- sink control units of a flexible liquid supply system according to one embodiment of the invention; water main line 1 and a supply of non- potable water 2 may be connected directly to faucet 3 to provide water for dish washing; filter 7 purifies water before the reservoirs; controller 5 is located within each reservoir, the integrating controller (main control unit) 5 is connected to all reservoirs;

Fig. 6. is a scheme showing the combined communication lines in one embodiment of the invention, comprising a control top counter mobile device and cloud; whereas line communication 3 and 6 represents the internal communication between the reservoirs controllers, lines 9 and 10 represent communication between reservoirs and main control, lines 11, 12, and 13 represent communication between main control and mobile router and topcounter control respectively, line 14 connects between counter top unit and faucet knob control unit and the router, lines 15 and 16 represent the connection between mobile and router and cloud respectively, and line 17 represents the connection line between router and cloud;

Fig. 7. figures 7 to 11 present a few examples of smartphone screens in a regulation in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; Fig 7 is the opening screen presenting possible appliances under the application control;

Fig. 8. represents another screen of the application showing the status of several elements in the system;

Fig. 9. represents another screen offering the user to choose the required soda strength; Fig. 10. shows a screen for presetting reservoir optional cycle operation by setting timers on each day of the week;

Fig. 11. shows a screen for presetting the temperature of the chilled water from a cooling reservoir; and

Fig. 12. shows another screen for setting an operation cycle.

Detailed Description of the Invention

A system for operating a plurality of aqueous liquids in the kitchen has now been developed, enabling to dispense independently and optimally more types of water-based liquids for various uses in the kitchen, including uses for various washing procedures, for cooking, and for preparing beverages.

The invention provides a flexible and expandable under-sink water base supply system, for supplying a wide range of liquid options on demand, the conditions being fully controlled and regulated by the user via the control and operation means.

In accordance with the present invention, the improved flexible water base supply station is integrated in compact arrangement, comprising selected storage reservoirs, optionally selected from a broad range, which store liquids such as hot water, cold water, non-potable water, such as water for dish washing, variety of syrup flavors for flavoring drinks, soda water, and other type of liquids used in the kitchen, supported by machines, such as apparatus for preparing soda, coffee, ice or others.

In one flexible arrangement, the reservoirs may be connected to the main water supply and to power, wherein the main water supply is connected to filter, and the purified water is filled to one or more reservoirs. When adding another reservoir, for example for another type of liquid, to the existing set of reservoirs in a flexible water system of the invention, the electric power and the purified water supply may be connected either to the main supply or to one of the existing reservoirs to save new piping and wiring. The new reservoir individual control unit will be connected to the main control unit to be synchronized with the existing system controllers.

The storage reservoirs are kept at different preset conditions, such as temperature, component concentrations, such as C02 content, suitable for desired beverages, for cooking, for washing, and for other uses on demand. The system is controlled by controllers and optionally backed up by microprocessor devices and by suitable software applications for data storing and processing, and for operating the actuator and other elements, and for executing the predetermined process steps. The system is further equipped with communication means to allow the communication between the system elements and the system user.

The system in one embodiment is fully controlled by remote device, such as smartphone, tablet or alike, with supporting complementary applications (software applications) for sending and receiving data and instructions.

The flexibility of the elements in the system imparts the system with a broad flexibility. As of today, water based supply stations necessitate to define the configuration of the system at the installation stage; the installations do not enable to enlarge the system and to incorporate additional reservoirs or machines, such as for producing soda or other beverages. Moreover, the installations dispatch the liquid from storage at constant or hardly modifiable conditions. On the other hand, the instant invention provides wide flexibility, by adding, reducing or replacing components in the system, such as storage reservoirs or machines to produce beverage, or by using the existing reservoirs and machines to provide a wide variety of liquids at conditions selected by the user. The system according to the invention is not limited by a specific configuration defined at the installation stage, and may be expanded gradually according to the demands of the user. The controlling system, also expandable, is built together with piping, electronics, and power hnes to form an integrated but flexible open system ready for connecting additional reservoirs and other system elements, as well as for modifying the existing ones.

Unlike the known systems, which mostly provide limited storage options with preconditioned setup (set temperature and concentration), and which can dispatch the stored contents only at preset temperatures and concentrations, the present invention is equipped with a control unit, preferably a remote control unit comprising smartphone, supported by software application for fine regulating the dispatched liquid conditions, for controlling the machines in the system, and for operating the processes and cycles, while complying with the personal demands of the users.

The mixing means of the system further contribute to its flexibility. The suitable control system ensures accurate parameters of the delivered liquids, including temperatures and components concentrations. In one embodiment, the desired parameters are achieved by mixing at least two liquids differing in the desired parameter. In a particular case, diluting with water provides lower content of sugar, other ingredients, or C02 in the final beverage.

The control of the preparation procedures enhances the process flexibility. Furthermore, a wider diversity of dispatched liquids may be obtained by the flexible processing management. For example, carbonized water may be provided in different C02 contents. This may be achieved, for example, by mixing it with water at suitable temperature, or by controlhng the process of preparation, gas pressure or soda flow rate. As for mixing flavors, once the user chooses a mixture and a concentration, the data is processed by the control device to mix the right liquids in the right proportions. The data may be stored in the system memory for reuse in the future activities. Alternatively, adding flavor capsules is employed. The capsules may be fed to tray located on the countertop or below, and once the base liquid, such as water or soda, is dispatched, the selected capsule is employed either manually or automatically and the liquid may flow through the selected capsule space, or the capsule content is fed from a magazine automatically by the tray feeder. The system shows flexibility due to the communication support. The communication means in the system according to the invention employ several controller communication levels, being supported by suitable software applications, which enable storing instructions, forwarding data such as presetting parameters or operation cycles, locking the system remotely for safety reason, and operating timers for saving energy.

To support the flexibility of the liquid dispensing system according to the invention, the following control means are included, employed separately and/or in combination: a control subunit attached to a specific reservoir, the control unit to control and synchronize several reservoirs, countertop controller integrated in faucet electrical knob to control the faucet on/off valves to dispatch selected liquids, mobile device with appropriate software applications to control the whole system performance remotely and to establish the line of communication. Each of the reservoirs may include individual control unit means for controlling the reservoir conditions, including temperature, pressure, and component concentrations. The system is controlled by maintaining internal and external communication lines with each individual reservoir controller integrated in the system for detecting the status of the reservoirs (use, out of use, etc.) and synchronizing them, thereby optimizing the whole system performance (considering the energy consumption, etc.). The control unit collects the data from each of the individual reservoirs. Such data may include detecting the temperature of each reservoir on real time, the operation state, the performance of the system devices, such as motors, compressors, heaters, coolers, filter units, detecting possible leakage in the system, etc. The data are processed and actuators may control the machines and valves, and may send alerts to the user regarding needed service, maintenance requirements, and the times for recommended replacements. All data collected is stored in local memory storage and may be backed up by cloud storage application for remote statistical analyses and for the maintenance service or for the service provider.

The flexibility of the liquid dispensing system allows for a highly diversified menus to fit personally taste of individual users. Each person may choose and store its preferred liquids and conditions, and when the user presents its identity, the controller unit will provide the personal favorite liquid. For example, available is water for preparing tea at recommended temperature such as 75 °C and then cool the tea to a preferred lower temperature suitable for drinking, such as for example cooled to 40°C for comfortable drinking, or water for preparing coffee at a higher temperature, or water for cooking certain foodstuff.

Another feature of the system for dispensing the kitchen liquids according to the invention is its enhanced safety. The plurality of control units of the system allows implementing more than one safety level, such as two or more safety levels. For example, choosing the dispatching boiling water from counter top control while dispatching (controlling the on/off valve) is done from the faucet. The mobile device communication offers additional remote safety lock of the boiling or hot water options, to prevent children or unauthorized person from dispatching hot or boiling water.

Additional advantage of the system according to the invention is optimized energy economy for the kitchen devices. The flexible water system, managed by suitable software applications, optimizes the use of components of different temperatures at optimal time points, and optimal ratios, both from viewpoints of the ordered products and maximal energy saving, while preventing overloading the power electricity system. The supply station and the system for dispensing aqueous liquids in the kitchen exhibits optimal control of consumables. The end of life is monitored and followed-up for all parts of the system. The consumable items like filters, C02 tank, syrup tank, and others, may be monitored to calculate the remaining life time of filters, remaining quantity of C02 in the tank, remaining amounts of syrup (s) in the syrup (s) tanks, and to alert for replacement or pre-alert life end of the consumable parts, or any fail in the system.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

The flexible water system of the invention is connected to customized faucet that provides in parallel normal water for dishing, standard hot and cold non-potable water for washing, and water for drinking, cooking, and making beverages. The system of the invention comprises in one embodiment a faucet which is provided with faucet cleaning means, which dispenses a minimal amount of the desired type of liquid for cleaning the faucet before releasing the required amount of liquid. In another embodiment, the system comprises more than one faucet fore dispensing the water-based liquids.

Fig 1 is general view of the individual reservoir. Water from main water line is filtered and flows into the tank through pipe 5 and is dispatched towards the faucet through pipe 4 whenever solenoid 3 is open. The tank may include local or main control unit located at the top of the reservoir chamber 2, the reservoir is connected to other reservoirs via electrical connector 1. Fig 2 shows a soda machine according to the invention. The machine includes cooling system 2 with fan 1 and compressor 3. The cooling system cools tank 4 which holds water and tank 9 which holds the soda. Both tanks are exposed to the cooling system to ensure chilled soda water. The soda container includes the following components : inlet chilled water and outlet soda water both through pipe 5 controlled with separate electrical solenoid valve, C02 injector 6 which is connected to C02 supply tank controlled by solenoid, high level and low level sensors for detecting the soda level in the tank, mechanical safety pressure relief for automatically relieving pressure from soda tank when the pressure surpasses the preset relief pressure and electrical pressure relief, both using pipe 8. The process for preparing soda starts with electrical pressure solenoid valve open to keep atmospheric pressure in the soda tank, inlet chilled water solenoid opens, and chilled water flows into the soda tank due to the line pressure of the inline pipe. The height sensor sends a signal when water reaches the required high level. The C02 injector solenoid valve opens and injects C02 gas through the injector in accordance with the pre-programed cycle by the system control unit. When the soda is ready to be dispatched, the solenoid opens the valve. Fig 3 represents the countertop controllers, one in the knob and other integrated in the sink. Fig 4 represents another countertop controller, one in the knob and the other one on an elevation from granite surface to be protected from water and accidental hit. Fig. 5 shows the electric system and the control units of the flexible kitchen water supply system of the invention. Water main line 1 and 2 supply non-potable water to the system. The lines are optionally connected directly to the faucet 3 to provide non-potable water for washing, the drawing further shows the connections to piping, and outline power line, and communication lines represented for supporting the expandable arrangement. Line 1 represents cold water of main supply, connected to filter 7 to purify water before it flows into the reservoirs! controller 6 is located within each reservoir while the integrating controller (main control unit) 5 is connected to all reservoirs. Fig 6 represents the combined optional communication lines in the system according to the invention, including individual control located in electronic box 5, main control, top counter control, mobile device, router, and cloud. Line communications 3 and 6 represent the internal communication between the reservoirs controllers, lines 9 and 10 represent the internal reservoirs connection to the main control, line 13 represents the connection between main control an counter top control, line 11 represents the connection line between main control and mobile, and line 12 represents the line from main control to the router. Top counter control is connected to the faucet control 8 located on the faucet 7 and to the router by lines 14 and 15, line 16 represents the mobile connection to the router and cloud, respectively, and line 17 represent the connection of the router and cloud. All the lines connections may be bi directional lines. Fig 7 to 11 present several examples of mobile device screens in applications supporting the status check setting operation commands and setting. Fig 7 is the opening screen presenting possible appliances under the application control. Fig 8 represents a screen of the application showing the status of few devices in the system allowing setting and commands. Fig 9 represents a screen of the application serving the user in choosing the required soda intensity. Fig 10 shows a screen for presetting reservoir optional cycle operation by setting timers on each day of the week. Fig 11 shows a screen for presetting the temperature, including chilled water temperature setting of the cooling reservoir. Fig 12 shows a screen for setting an operation cycle.

Personalized settings enable to preset, for example special tea or coffee preparation conditions, or conditions for cooking certain food items, such as spaghetti. For some users, delicate coffee requires accurate temperature range between 91 and 96°C, depending on coffee type; for other users, some tea leaves require a range of temperatures between 75-85°C, depending on the type of tea (green tea, black tea, etc.). The special personal conditions are stored in the system of the invention for repeated use.

It can be concluded that the invention relates to the following aspects. It relates to an under-sink kitchen liquid supply station, for preparing and providing on demand verity of optional liquid based products, whereas the system has controlling devices and means that allow for a great flexibility in changing, enlarging or decreasing the variety of supplied products, and also in adding, changing, or reducing the system elements, including storage reservoirs. Machines for producing soda, coffee, and others, may flexibly added and changed. A variety of products can be supplied on demand; the system control units include wireless bidirectional communication using mobile devices such as smartphone for transmitting and receiving data. The station, and the system for providing the products by the station, are preferably fully controlled, operated and monitored by at least one mobile device supported by suitable software application, such as smartphone or tablet. An under-sink kitchen liquid supply station of the invention preferably includes at least two controllers, possibly comprising storage container dedicate controller, under-sink system control unit, integrated control unit in the faucet, countertop control unit, remote device controller such as smart phone or tablet with dedicated application. The system may be controlled by at least one optional controller and display, whereas the display is positioned directly on the top granite area, or on device elevated from granite such as vertical pipe positioned on the granite, or integrated with the sink, to display system status and to allow operating the system. The kitchen water based supply station preferably dispatching hot water, while combining at least two separated controlling units, for higher safety, positioned at separate locations, for example combining two of the following items: mobile device, controller attached to the sink, controller attached on the countertop, or controller located in the faucet. The system control units may communicate with each other for controlling and synchronizing the operations and collecting data. The station of the invention preferably comprises storage reservoirs with presetting conditions, which conditions may be set or changed by using a mobile device. The supply station and the system preferably comprise a control which provides status and alerts for the required service, such as water filter usage and end of life, remaining C02 in the containers, and estimated replacement times, syrup storage contents, etc. The system controller can send the system data and the alerts to the mobile phone or other destination, either directly or indirectly through hub or cloud application; for example, a message to the service provider or for service alert is dispatched. The supply station is capable of providing controlled mixtures of available under-sink liquids to provide the liquid required at the desired temperature and concentration. The system parameters, including set up parameters, can be remotely set up or modified preferably by using mobile device such as tablet or smartphone with software application. The kitchen water-based supply station, preferably remote- controlled by a smartphone, comprises a control unit defining working parameters and cycles, such as managing soda machine and controlling the quantity and timing of C02 injection, the pressure of the soda tank, the soda mixture dispatch, the quantity to be dispatched, etc. The system controller unit can send the system data and alerts to the mobile phone or other destination, either directly or indirectly through hub or cloud application. For example, a message is forwarded to the service provider, or for service alert. In one embodiment, the kitchen water based supply station comprises flavors stored as capsules, to be mixed with liquids on demand. The supply station, supported by dedicated software application, may include timers for controlling the system operation cycles, and power consumption. The kitchen water based supply station dispatches the liquids at desired conditions defined by the purpose of use. For example, by choosing the liquid to be suitable for preparing coffee, tea, or cooking, the controller automatically dispatches the right liquid mixture to fit the required task and application, from viewpoint of the temperatures, times, and component concentrations. The supply station may comprise the data with personal preferences of the users, dispatching the liquids at the desired conditions to fit a preprogramed preference plan. The control unit may dispatch liquid at a first value of temperature suitable to the first stage of use, such as extracting tea or coffee powder, and then lower the temperature to a second value by adding cold water to fit a personal requirement for comfortable drinking. For example, tea may be extracted with water of at 75°C, and the extract may be cooled by dispatching water of a lower temperature. The mobile device and software application preferably control kitchen devices for synchronizing their operation and managing kitchen power consumption. Each of the cooling or heating means in the system may serve to more than one system element, such as a reservoir. The kitchen supply station may supply ice or slush, or aqueous liquids, and dispatches the products through a variety of outlets.

Periodically incorporated cycle of heated water or steam, of up to 110°C, may wash the station's components for cleaning and preventing microbial or other biological growth. In a preferred embodiment, the kitchen water based supply station is activated by voice commands. The soda machine may have a tank structure which allows simultaneous cooling more tanks at the same time, whereas the soda tank is partially located in the cooling water tank and part of it is in touch with the cooling system for direct cooling.

While this invention has been described in terms of some specific examples, modifications and variations are possible. It is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be realized otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. An under-sink kitchen supply station, for preparing and supplying water-based liquids, comprising elements selected from the group consisting of:

i) a plurality of storage containers;

ii) cooling means!

hi) heating means;

iv) mixing means!

v) filtering means!

vi) tubing configured to fluidly connect the elements and to enable flexibly adding and subtracting at least some of the storage containers;

vi) valves configured to stop and renew said fluid tubing connections; and

vii) a control unit monitoring and/or managing the status and performance of other elements.

2. The under-sink kitchen supply station of claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises at least one mobile device selected from smartphone and tablet.

3. The under-sink kitchen supply station of claim 1, for preparing and supplying water-based liquids, comprising the following elements^ i) a plurality of storage containers;

ii) cooling and heating means;

hi) mixing means;

iv) filtering means;

v) tubing configured to fluidly connect the elements and to enable flexibly adding and subtracting at least some of the storage containers;

vi) valves configured to stop and renew said fluid tubing connections; and vii) a control unit monitoring the status and performance of all other elements and operating said means and said valves;

wherein said storage containers comprise at least two liquids differing in the concentration of the non-aqueous components, and wherein said water-based liquids comprise at least four items selected from the group consisting of drinking water, chilled drinking water, hot drinking water, soda water, flavored beverage, water for cooking, and washing water.

4. The station of claim 1, comprising a machine for making a product selected from the group consisting of soda, ice, beverage, juice, coffee, tea, and soup.

5. The station of claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises sensing or actuating members integrated in a faucet, on a countertop, or in a remote device selected from smart phone and tablet.

6. The station of claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises hub and/or cloud application.

7. The station of claim 1, wherein said control unit includes wireless bidirectional communication for transmitting and receiving data, including operation commands, system set up, status, alerts, and data for maintenance requirements.

8. The station of claim 1, further comprising a controller and display positioned directly on the top of a granite kitchen area or on a stand elevated from the granite or integrated with the sink, to display system status and to allow modifications in the system setting.

9. The station of claim 1, wherein dispatching hot water requires combined operation of at least two separated controlling knobs positioned at two separate locations for higher safety of the users, particularly of children.

10. The station of claim 1, wherein said control unit communicates with other elements for controlling and synchronizing the operations, and for collecting the data.

11. The station of claim 1, wherein said control unit provides the status and alerts to the system user, including service requirements, containers remaining contents, estimated replacement times, alert for replacement, pre-alert for life end of the consumable parts, or alert for any system failure.

12. The station of claim 1, wherein said control unit sends the system data and alerts to a smartphone directly or indirectly through hub or cloud application, either to the system user or to a service provider.

13. The station of claim 1, wherein said mixing means provide said water- based liquid at the desired temperature and concentration of said components.

14. The station of claim 1, wherein said control unit is configured to remotely modify the system parameters, by using mobile devices including tablet or smartphone with suitable software application.

15. The station of claim 1, wherein said control unit is configured to remotely lock the system or part of it for safety purposes.

16. The station of claim 1, wherein said containers include flavor-imparting materials, either as concentrated water-based liquids or as capsules.

17. The station of claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises timers for controlling the system operation cycles and power consuming.

18. The station of claim 1, wherein said elements are configured to supply water of predetermined temperature and volume for a desired type of cooking or for preparing a specific beverage.

19. The station of claim 1, wherein said control unit is connected with other kitchen devices to manage the optimal kitchen power consumption.

20. The station of claim 1, wherein said heating means and the control unit periodically supply superheated water or steam of up to 110°C to prevent microbial contamination of the system.

21. The station of claim 1, further comprising means for recognizing voice commands. 1/12

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