The present invention relates to an integrated, modular and rotatable kitchen and other services unit.

Various units have been proposed which integrate some functions of a kitchen and are conceived to be used in small rooms.

AT393443 discloses a kitchen tower having kitchen elements arranged eccentrically around a vertical axis, wherein at least one kitchen element is mounted so that it can pivot about the axis, the kitchen elements being able to be brought into a mutually aligning rest position and into working positions differing from the rest position. The kitchen elements are suspended on a hollow column. The service lines supplying the kitchen elements are arranged in the interior of the hollow column.

The aim of the present invention is to provide an improved modular and rotatable integrated kitchen unit with the aim of achieving environmental sustainability and a significant economic saving.

Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a kitchen and other services unit that allows to drastically reduce the space occupied by household appliances and other essential objects in the kitchen and in other rooms.

A further object of the invention is to provide a unit which allows to reduce the waste of components and materials and therefore allows a saving of the energy consumed to manufacture them.

Another important object is to provide an integrated kitchen unit that is particularly suitable in small spaces, in environments such as studio apartments, open spaces, and rooms, since it can be arranged as an island or in front of a window or French window, resting against a wall with a space that is contained within 1.5 m.

A further object of the invention is to provide a unit that includes, in a very compact construction, all the essential components and several accessories required to prepare and eat a meal, as well as to tidy up and wash everything that has been used in the kitchen environment and/or in other rooms.

This aim and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by an integrated modular kitchen and other services unit, characterized in that it comprises a tubular pole to which fixed modules and modules that rotate about said pole are applied; each of said modules constituting a functional kitchen component, such as a sink, a hob, a refrigerator, an oven, a table, a worktop, etc.; each rotating module defining at least two positions: a closed position, in which said rotating module is comprised within the contour of said fixed modules, and an active open position, in which a rotating module is rotated with respect to said fixed modules and is external to their contour; said unit comprising a system for recovering and recycling the water used by the sink and by the dishwasher.

The unit includes all the mechanical, hydraulic and electrical utilities required for its operation.

Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the integrated kitchen unit according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the unit with some of the modules rotated and arranged in the active condition;

Figure 3 is another perspective view of the rear side of the unit of the preceding figure;

Figure 4 is a front view of the unit of the preceding figure;

Figure 5 is a side view of the unit, shown with the modules in the closed position;

Figure 6 is a rear view of the unit of the preceding figure;

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the essential components of the unit; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the unit installed in a living space;

Figure 9 is a schematic view of the recycling system of the unit;

Figure 10 is a partially sectional side view of the unit;

Figure 11 is a plan view, taken along the sectional plane IX-IX of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a plan view, taken along the sectional plane XII-XII of Figure

10;

Figure 13 is a partially sectioned view of the unit with the sink module in the closed position;

Figure 14 is a view, similar to the preceding figure, showing the sink module in the active position;

Figure 15 is a partially sectional plan view of the unit with the sink module in the closed position;

Figure 16 is a view, similar to the preceding one, showing the sink module in the active position;

Figures 17-19 are respectively views and plan views of the unit, showing the opening sequence of the sink module;

Figure 20 is a perspective view of the integrated kitchen unit according to another aspect of the invention;

Figure 21 is a perspective view of the unit of the preceding figure with some modules in the open position;

Figure 22 is a perspective view of a portion of the unit with some modules in the active position.

With reference to the cited figures, the integrated kitchen unit according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1 , has a tubular pole 2, to which fixed modules and modules that rotate about the pole are applied.

As will become apparent from the description that follows, the various modules are interchangeable in their position and/or are integrated with other modules according to the specific and extension requirements. Each fixed or rotating module constitutes a functional kitchen component, such as a sink, a hob, a refrigerator, an oven, a table, a worktop, etc.

Each rotating module defines at least two positions: a closed position, in which the rotating module is included within the contour of the fixed modules, and an active open position, in which a rotating module is rotated with respect to the fixed modules and is external to their contour.

The tubular pole 2 is preferably constituted by a tubular member made of steel, which is ground and subsequently milled to form recesses in which the bearings that allow the rotation of the individual modules are inserted.

The pole can also include self-tapping modules with constant pitch for its assembly, which act as an integrated support for their completion.

By way of example, the tubular pole 2 has a diameter of 80 mm or more, up to 140 mm, and is welded to a base plate 3 that can have a size of 690 x 690 mm, with a height of 5 mm. The plate acts as a base for the load-bearing tubular pole and as a resting surface for resting and anchoring to the floor.

The unit also has an upper anchor for fastening the unit to the ceiling or to the wall.

The upper anchor may have different shapes according to the requirements.

The upper anchor may be constituted by a tubular member with optional completion modules, which allow the unit to reach the maximum height of the ceiling 4, to which it is anchored by means of a plate 5, similar to the base plate, as shown schematically in Figure 8.

Another embodiment of the upper anchor has a tubular member that is extensible and allows to block the unit to the ceiling, for example also for lofts and attics with sloping ceilings.

Another embodiment of the upper anchor is constituted by an L-shaped member that allows anchoring to the wall that is nearest to the installation point of the unit.

The various modules are mounted by means of systems with bearings that rotate about the pole 2.

This system ensures both the support of each module and the rotation and, by virtue of locking systems, also the positioning of the open component, for example to lock the rotation of the sink module at 90° with respect to the closed module position.

The empty part inside the pole is used to accommodate the piping, as will be described in detail hereinafter.

The integrated kitchen unit according to the present invention may be constituted by a combination of different modules, each studied to accommodate a household appliance and optionally an additional component connected thereto.

For example, a module that contains a microwave oven may be configured to contain also a coffee machine and any other accessories, such as a titanium dioxide sanitizing hood.

The modular unit of the present invention also allows to arrange the modules according to various configurations, adapting them to the requirements of the various users, who can choose, at ordering time, the preferred configuration.

This modularity also allows to replace modules with others while keeping fixed certain limiting heights, such as the height of the sink and of the hob.

Figures 1-6 show a possible configuration of the integrated unit according to the present invention, which includes, in the specific case, a refrigerator 6, which is arranged in the lowest part of the unit and, moving upward, a freezer 7, a drawer 8, a sink 9, a hob 10, one or more worktops 11 , a dishwasher 12, a combined oven 13, an extractor hood 14 with integrated lighting, and two cabinets, designated respectively by the reference numerals 15 and 16.

The rear part of the dishwasher module 12 includes a vertical greenhouse 17. The oven module 13 also includes a vertical greenhouse 17 on its rear side.

The unit also includes photovoltaic panels 30 associated with one or more modules.

The photovoltaic panel, sized specifically, may be used to generate the power required for the operation of the unit and may be used to recharge a battery.

The tubular pole 2 includes the system for supplying and draining the dishwasher and other household appliances arranged above the sink, the hood 14, the lighting LEDs, the optional microwave oven, the coffee machine, the purifying system.

A system 18, with integrated siphon for draining the sink 9, is arranged in the lateral space to the side of the refrigerator, in the dedicated module 6, 7.

As shown schematically in Figures 13-16, the water connection of the sink is managed by means of two pipes, respectively designated by the reference numerals 18 and 19, which are extended vertically in the space of the refrigerator module 6 to the side of this household appliance.

This hydraulic connection must ensure the possibility to rotate the sink module 9, which rotates through 90° so that it can be opened and used.

The two pipes include a supply pipe 19 which carries water to the faucet and is composed of a rigid part, which arrives flush with the sink module 9 and then becomes semirigid in order to allow movement.

In this situation there are no pipe length problems, since the running water is propelled by the pressure and exits spontaneously.

The drain pipe 18 is connected to the drain of the sink. In this case also, the drain pipe includes a rigid base part and a semirigid part 20, which however, differently from the supply part, enters the rigid part and is locked, without hindering sliding completely, by a rubber gasket. This system allows, when the sink is opened, the sliding of the pipe in order to allow the shortening and subsequent extension of the semirigid pipe, allowing in any case the correct degree of waterproofing of the system.

Downstream of the semirigid pipe there is the necessary siphon 21 , which is integrated in the rigid part of the drain pipe 18, adapted to ensure blocking of the return drain odors.

The pipes for supplying the dishwasher 12 pass through various rotating modules and are arranged within the tubular pole 2, exiting into the module by means of a hole in the pole.

This system allows to avoid space and movement problems while also having some space available inside the dishwasher module.

The unit according to the present invention includes a system for recovering and recycling the water used by the sink and by the dishwasher.

The water and drain pipes enter the refrigerator module 6, i.e., the one that is lowest and closest to the ground, as can be seen in the sectional view of Figure 1 1.

The refrigerator module 6 contains the actual refrigerator 61 , to the side of which a filtering member 22 is thus accommodated which contains the system for the first filtering of the water that arrives from the sink and the corresponding pump.

A dishwasher drain pipe 23 is connected to the filtering member and collects the water that is not required for micro-irrigation, a pipe for clean water from the water mains 24, for the top-up that is required if the recycled water is not sufficient, and a pipe 25 that arrives from the recycled water pump of the sink, which arrives from the first filtering of the water.

A dishwasher drain pipe 26 carries the water that exits from the washing toward the filtering system for micro-irrigation.

A water inlet pipe for the dishwasher 27 is connected to the tank for storing the water of the first filtration.

A pipe for micro-irrigation of the vertical garden 17 carries the water from the second filtering from the dishwasher.

As shown schematically in the sectional view of Figure 12, the dishwasher module 12 accommodates a second member 29 which comprises a tank for collecting the purified water for use in the dishwasher, a second filter for purifying the water of the dishwasher, and a small pump for supplying the micro- irrigation system.

The water that exits from the sink, having passed the siphon 21 , reaches the filtering member 22 and, after the corresponding cleaning, is pushed by means of the hydraulic pump into the tank 29 that is arranged in the dishwasher module 12.

This system allows to store the water required for the operation of the household appliance even when it is not in use. The system is integrated also by the addition of an intake pipe 24 from the water mains in order to compensate, if necessary, the lack of water.

Once used by the dishwasher, the water in output is discharged into the filtering and accumulation system for micro-irrigation of the vertical garden: the excess water is discharged into the dedicated drain pipe. The water that is instead purified is accumulated for the time of use in order to be able to water the plants of the vertical garden 17; the excess water that filters from the pots of the garden is drained into the same pipe as the water of the dishwasher.

The unit according to the present invention also advantageously includes an air purification system that is constituted by a square large mesh filter treated with Ti0 ₂ , which is crossed by the air aspirated by the axial fan and is lit by a special UVA lamp that activates the sanitizing process. This component is arranged in the extractor hood module 14 so that already when one is cooking and the hood, which includes also the spot lighting to light the worktop, is open, the air of the room is purified by the system. This system is capable of purifying an average room from pollutants in a few hours.

The worktop modules 11 are provided in two main configurations.

A first configuration with three individual tables, visible in Figures 1-7, constituted by three identical members, measuring 700 x 700 x 30 mm, and radiused corners at 50 mm, which are superimposed and rotate autonomously and can be extended in a tilt-down or sliding fashion onto themselves in order to create either an open worktop simultaneously with a sink and a hob or a surface for eating the meal with the three members open simultaneously. A second configuration includes a fold-down table plus a single table: below, a fold-down table composed in height by two single table modules, with a total height of 60 mm, and above a single table module, which is identical to the one of the configuration with three single tables. The fold-down table has a module with a length of 600 mm, which allows, by means of retractable hinges, to extend the worktop with a total cantilever of 1200 mm, adapted to be used as dinner table.

The materials chosen for the manufacture of the kitchen unit are materials that are simple and easy to work: lacquered or laminated wood for the individual modules, metal for the load-bearing and anchoring systems.

The arrangement at a close distance of the various household appliances allows them to interact with each other also from an energy standpoint.

The water is reused three times within the assembly, with a first filtration, a second filtration and a third passage.

In the first filtration, the water that is used and arrives from the sink is filtered and reused in the dishwasher.

In the second filtration, the water that arrives from the dishwasher is purified further and reused to water the plants of the vertical garden.

In the third passage, the water that exits from the vertical garden, because it is not absorbed by the plants and is pure, can be reused in the sink as water for washing or externally to water other plants.

The heat generated by the pump of the refrigerator is used, by integrating it, to heat the water of the dishwasher.

The electric power generated by the solar panels 30 supplies and integrates the electric components of the tower-style kitchen.

A vertical wall portion of one or more modules used as garden 17 allows the growing of aromatic plants for everyday use, the growth of which is enhanced by controlled lighting and temperatures. All this is done so as to always have available fresh spices and essences.

The integrated kitchen unit according to the present invention is particularly suitable to exploit in the best possible way the household appliance area intended for eating, on the assumption that space is a valuable and expensive asset, also in terms of environmental sustainability, and that its containment leads to a saving that today is no longer avoidable.

Likewise, a size reduction of the articles entails a reduction of the wastes of components and materials and therefore a saving of the energy used to manufacture them.

The saving of space and material leads to an improvement in the utilization of resources and to a lower waste and therefore approaches the prerequisites of environmental sustainability that the invention has set as its goal.

The vertical extension of the system allows to have a ground footprint of 0.49 m ² and a height that reaches the ceiling, thus occupying a space that is usually unused.

The small dimensions allow placement in regions that until today were unthinkable: in island fashion, both in the middle of an open space or room or even in front of a window or French window, resting against a wall with a space that is contained to 1.5 m.

In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, a modular integrated kitchen unit having been provided which is capable of utilizing in an optimum manner the space intended for all cooking activities: meal preparation, meal eating and cleaning and tidying up at the end of the meal.

An important advantage of the present invention is due to the materials used, which include lacquered wood with a finish that is pleasant to the touch and adapted to give an aesthetic and technical value to the unit together with other characteristics, such as for example the exposed microwave oven and the convenient retractable faucet which, by being embedded in the sink, allows the rotation of the module being considered.

The present integrated unit is extremely compact but allows to have a capacious refrigerator, integrated cooking systems, including the induction hob and the microwave oven, systems for rinsing and washing, constituted by the complete sink and by the dishwasher of adequate capacity, and other devices such as the coffee machine.

The unit has compact dimensions, approximately 70 x 70 cm, with a height that varies from a minimum of 2 meters until it reaches the ceiling of the room.

The unit is ideal for island placement but also to be rested against the wall of the room.

The rotating hood contains the lighting, follows the user around the column and becomes soft in various tones at mealtime around it with the aid of the extractable tables.

While the food is being prepared, the light is calibrated to offer optimum lighting on the worktops.

The air treatment system, using nano-materials based on titanium dioxide to purify the environmental air and capable of purifying an average room in a few hours of operation, is also arranged in the extractor hood module.

The various household appliances at a close distance can interact easily and can exchange heat, moisture and cooling with each other and with the environment in order to save energy.

A characterizing element that integrates the production of electric power are the solar panels arranged in the various upper modules, which are capable of supplying power to part of the household appliances autonomously, preferably positioning the unit in front of a window.

A vertical wall used as garden allows the growing of aromatic plants for everyday use, the growth of which is enhanced by controlled temperature and lighting.

All this is done to always have available fresh spices and essences without having to go to the home garden or to the greengrocer.

The configuration of the unit with tilt-down double top allows to have an actual table for lunch or dinner with company.