Kitchen environment with enhanced user experience and accessories

Abstract

A sink system with various features that may provide improved functionality for kitchens and associated kitchen systems, particularly with regard to a user experience within a “smart” kitchen environment. In general, a sink system includes one or more sink basins integrated into a cabinet or housing, and a faucet coupled to the sink. The sink system can include a produce washing station in a second basin. The sink system can include smart features including audiovisual features for controlling various features of the sink systems. The sink system can also include a beverage or hydration station feature in which water can be customized for a user or for a desired end use of the water by the user. For example, flavors, vitamins, minerals, carbonation, filtration, instant hot, chilled, coffee, ice, and cocktails can be added into the water and dispensed by the sink system.

1 . A sink system, comprising:
 a cabinet module;   a sink module coupled to the cabinet module, the sink module including at least one sink basin;   at least one faucet fluidly coupled to a water source, and configured to dispense water from the water source into the at least one sink basin;   a sensor module including at least one sensor positioned on at least one of the cabinet module, sink module, or at least one faucet,   wherein the sensor module is configured to sense at least one characteristic of the dispensed water, and provide an indication to a user about the at least one characteristic,   wherein the at least one characteristic is selected from the group consisting of water quality, temperature, flow rate, and water usage.   
     
     
         2 . The sink system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor module provides a visual, tactic, or audible indication to the user to indicate the relative or actual characteristic measured by the sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The sink system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor module provides a warning indication when a measured characteristic of the fluid exceeds a predetermined threshold, and optionally shuts off the faucet. 
     
     
         4 . The sink system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic comprises water quality, and the at least one sensor comprises a sensor configured to sense total dissolved solids. 
     
     
         5 . The sink system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic comprises water usage, where the water usage is measured daily, weekly, monthly, or annually. 
     
     
         6 . A sink system, comprising:
 a sink module including a first sink basin and a second sink basin;   at least one faucet fluidly coupled to a water source, and configured to dispense water from the water source into the at least one of the sink basins;   a first basket configured to nest within the second basin; and   an impeller coupled to one of the basket and a bottom of the second basin, wherein the impeller is configured to agitate water in the second basin when the basket is at least partially submerged in the water.   
     
     
         7 . The sink system of  claim 6 , further comprising a rotating magnet positioned within or under the second sink basin, wherein the impeller is rotationally driven via the rotating magnet. 
     
     
         8 . The sink system of  claim 6 , further comprising a second basket nestable at varying heights within the first basket. 
     
     
         9 . The sink system of  claim 8 , wherein a grid density of the first basket is less than a grid density of the second basket such that the second basket is configured to hold smaller sized items than the first basket. 
     
     
         10 . The sink system of  claim 6 , wherein a sidewall of the second basin includes at least one of a spray bar comprising a plurality of nozzles and one or more propulsion jets. 
     
     
         11 . The sink system of  claim 6 , further comprising a basin lid slidable along a ledge formed at a top end of the sink module, the basin lid being sized to cover the first basin or the second basin to cover the first basin or the second basin. 
     
     
         12 . The sink system of  claim 11 , wherein the basin lid includes a plurality of ridges collectively defining a pair of grooves therebetween to direct water off of the basin lid and into the first or second basin. 
     
     
         13 . The sink system of  claim 12 , further comprising a smooth portion configured to be used as a cutting board. 
     
     
         14 . The sink system of  claim 11 , further comprising an input panel positioned on a rim of the sink module, the input panel including—
 a flexible metal surface having a plurality of buttons defined on a first surface, and structure defining milled cavities on a second surface, each cavity corresponding to a respective button, and 
 a printed circuit board including a plurality of capacitive sensors coupled to the sink module below the flexible metal surface, wherein the flexible metal surface is configured to flex sufficiently to be sensed by one of the capacitive sensors when a user pushes a button, thereby triggering an input to the sink system. 
 
     
     
         15 . The sink system of  claim 14 , wherein a metal disk is coupled within each of the cavities, the metal disk being adjustable along a longitudinal length of the cavity to shorten a flex distance of the flexible metal surface to trigger an input to the sink system. 
     
     
         16 . A sink system, comprising:
 a cabinet module;   a sink module coupled to the cabinet module;   a water dispensing unit fluidly coupled to a water source, and configured to dispense water from the water source; and   an integrated beverage system, wherein the integrated beverage system is configured to dispense one or more additives into the water to be dispensed from the water dispensing unit.   
     
     
         17 . The sink system of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more additives comprises at least one of flavor additives, proteins, vitamins, minerals, health enhancement additives, adaptogens, crushed ice, caffeine, coffee, carbonation, and alcohol. 
     
     
         18 . The sink system of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the flavor additives are selected from the group consisting of lemon, lime, orange, ginger, berry, fruit punch, cranberry, grape, cola, and combinations thereof, and   the health enhancement additives are selected from the group consisting of vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), herbs, chia seeds, Omega-3s, antioxidants, pre-biotics, pro-biotics and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         19 . The sink system of  claim 16 , wherein the integrated beverage system includes a digital user interface configured to display at least one of personalized additive suggestions based on biometric data, personalized additive suggestions based on historic use, personalized additive suggestions based on end use, and user input. 
     
     
         20 . The sink system of  claim 16 , wherein the water dispensing unit comprises a housing for containing the one or more additives, and a water outlet or faucet.