Disclosed herein is a bifurcated beverage preparation system for use with beverage capsules having frustoconical side walls, first and second sealed ends for containing a predetermined volume of a flavoring agent, a beverage preparation head including a housing having a liquid inlet and a beverage delivery spout, a retractable holder for positioning a beverage capsule along a liquid flow path extending between the liquid inlet and the beverage delivery spout, a hydraulically operated plunger for engaging and puncturing the beverage capsule when positioned along the liquid flow path, thereby exposing the flavoring agent contained therein, and a hydraulic operating unit mounted remotely from the housing and the faucet spout, operative to supply a liquid at a predetermined temperature and under a predetermined pressure to the liquid, thereby causing a flow of the liquid along the flow path through the beverage capsule, thereby delivering an outflow of a flavored beverage.

A mixer faucet having a left-right clicking mechanism and configured to increase a degree of freedom of the faucet is provided. The mixer faucet includes a lever handle and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes: a tilting lever that is configured to move in conjunction with a movement of the lever handle, turn forward and rearward, and also turn leftward and rightward; a lower case; an upper case; a lower sealing member; an inner sealing member; and a click rotary member. The click rotary member is exposed to the outside of the valve assembly. The click rotary member is rotated leftward and rightward by a rotation force applied from the tilting lever. The click rotary member includes a first click engaging portion. The upper case includes a second click engaging portion. An engagement between the first click engaging portion and the second click engaging portion generates a left-right click.

A sink system and methods of making and using sink systems including a sink basin and a discharge conduit coupled to the sink basin, which is positioned to expel fluid into the sink basin via an outlet thereof. The flow of fluid through the discharge conduit may be activated via a motion sensor or switch coupled directly to the basin or a spacer ring positioned between the basin and the countertop. Controls for adjusting the temperature and/or flow rate of fluid through the discharge conduit may also be coupled to the basin or a spacer ring positioned between the basin and the countertop, or alternatively, to a surface of the countertop.

A sink system and methods of making and using sink systems including a sink basin and a discharge conduit coupled to the sink basin, which is positioned to expel fluid into the sink basin via an outlet thereof. The flow of fluid through the discharge conduit may be activated via a motion sensor or switch coupled directly to the basin or a spacer ring positioned between the basin and the countertop. Controls for adjusting the temperature and/or flow rate of fluid through the discharge conduit may also be coupled to the basin or a spacer ring positioned between the basin and the countertop, or alternatively, to a surface of the countertop.

Dispensing of hot water having an adjustable temperature by way of a water outlet fitting that can be installed on a sink. This is achieved by a continuous flow heater and a measured value sensor arranged in a water inlet of the water outlet fitting as the hot water heater. The measured value sensor detects a measurement variable with regard to water flowing through the continuous flow heater (10). The water dispensing device has a control unit, which is designed to regulate a flow rate through the continuous flow heater as a function of measured values of the measured value sensor in order to adjust the temperature of the hot water.

Dispensing of hot water having an adjustable temperature by way of a water outlet fitting that can be installed on a sink. This is achieved by a continuous flow heater and a measured value sensor arranged in a water inlet of the water outlet fitting as the hot water heater. The measured value sensor detects a measurement variable with regard to water flowing through the continuous flow heater (10). The water dispensing device has a control unit, which is designed to regulate a flow rate through the continuous flow heater as a function of measured values of the measured value sensor in order to adjust the temperature of the hot water.

A mixing valve includes a mixing chamber, a first flow control valve having a first flow control opening, and a second flow control valve having a second flow control opening. The first and second flow control openings each have a diameter of approximately six millimeters and the mixing valve has a flow coefficient of approximately 2.5 when both flow control valves are in a mid-open position.

A multifunction tap assembly (18) for dispensing water, includes a tap body with a spout (2) for dispensing water. A valve body (6) has a mixer valve (8) including an inlet for water (20) from a hot water supply (H), an inlet for water (22) from a cold water supply (C), and an outlet. A selector control (14) on the valve body (6) can selectively direct cold water (30, 32) from the cold water supply to one or more water processing stations (34, 38). Each water processing station (34, 38) has an inlet for receiving cold water from the cold water supply as directed by the selector control (14) and processes the cold water to provide a processed water (36, 40) for dispensing from an outlet. A manifold connection (26) provides fluid communication between the outlet of the mixer valve (14) and each processing station outlet and has a manifold outlet in fluid communication with the spout (2).

A multifunction tap assembly (18) for dispensing water, includes a tap body with a spout (2) for dispensing water. A valve body (6) has a mixer valve (8) including an inlet for water (20) from a hot water supply (H), an inlet for water (22) from a cold water supply (C), and an outlet. A selector control (14) on the valve body (6) can selectively direct cold water (30, 32) from the cold water supply to one or more water processing stations (34, 38). Each water processing station (34, 38) has an inlet for receiving cold water from the cold water supply as directed by the selector control (14) and processes the cold water to provide a processed water (36, 40) for dispensing from an outlet. A manifold connection (26) provides fluid communication between the outlet of the mixer valve (14) and each processing station outlet and has a manifold outlet in fluid communication with the spout (2).

A programmable sink valve system for controlling water flow into a sink is provided. The programmable sink valve system includes a housing including a main inlet and a main outlet, wherein the main inlet is connected to a water source; a valve assembly including a valve, wherein the valve assembly includes a valve inlet connected to the main inlet and a valve outlet connected to the main outlet; a flow sensor positioned on one of the valve assembly and the main outlet to monitor flow data; a controller connected to the valve of the valve assembly and the flow sensor; a timer configured to provide time data to the controller; and a memory. The controller receives the flow data from the flow sensor, receives the time data from the timer, and actuates the valve of the valve assembly in response to the flow data or the time data.