System and method of a kosher water heating device

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of heating water. More particularly, the invention relates to a device to provide boiling hot water during “Shabbat” and “Yom Kippur” to a kitchen faucet while adhering to Jewish Kashrut laws.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of heating water. More particularly, the invention relates to a device to provide boiling hot water during “Shabbat” and “Yom Kippur” to a kitchen faucet while adhering to Jewish Kashrut laws.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] People who are Jewish and living their lives in a manner that abides by the Jewish religious laws do not work during the Shabbat. The term “work” includes many actions that one may not consider work. However, these actions are not allowed nonetheless. Amongst various actions that are not allowed during the Shabbat is the turning on of electrical devices. Shabbat elevators, for example, are pre-programmed to keep on working automatically, to go up and down during the Shabbat and to stop on every floor, thus allowing the religious Jews to use the elevator without having to perform the action of pushing the floor button, thus activating an electrical device.

[0003] Another action that is not allowed according to Jewish religious laws is causing water to be heated by turning an electrical switch on or off, either manually or automatically. This action is considered work. It is not allowed to heat “New Water” during the Shabbat.

[0004] Another action that is not allowed according to Jewish religious laws is causing water to be driven upwards from under the kitchen faucet in such way that will cause fresh water to enter a heating tank, thus causing new water to be heated.

[0005] Usual water heaters, Instant Hot Water Tanks as known in the art, are not used due to the fact that when water comes out of a water tank that is connected to the kitchen faucet, new water from the city water line will enter said water tank from the city water line system and will also be heated, thus causing a violation of the Jewish religious prohibition. Additionally, these devices are located under the kitchen sink, thus causing a problem to drive the water upwards to the faucet without using a pump.

[0006] To clarify, unlike the above-mentioned problem that relates to providing heated water in the kitchen faucet during the Shabbat, this problem does not exist in the shower due to the fact that, when it comes to hot water in showers during the Shabbat, there are prior art systems that include a water tank that is preheated and, when the Shabbat starts, water inlet valves are closed to block the entrance of water to the tank so that, when the tap is opened, water can come from the tap in a passive manner, using the law of communicating vessels.

[0007] Additionally, there are solutions like storing a hot water tank above the height of the kitchen faucet on the kitchen counter and using said preheated water that comes out in a passive manner due to the law of communicating vessels. However, these water tanks consume precious kitchen space on the kitchen counter so, nowadays, there is an increasing use of compact Instant Hot Water Tanks that are placed under the kitchen counter and, therefore, below the faucet where they do not take the important and limited space of the kitchen counter.

[0008] Additionally, home boilers heat the water for the shower to an average temperature of 50-60 degrees Celsius, unlike the need for boiling hot water in the kitchen to be used for the preparation of hot beverages, approximately 90-98 degrees Celsius. Thus, the present invention relates to providing water hot enough to prepare hot beverages to kitchen faucets.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system that will be able to provide hot water without causing a violation of the Jewish religious laws of the Shabbat.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method that can provide hot water from a water tank without causing the water to be driven directly from the water tank to a water outlet, e.g. a faucet, but instead have active closed circulation of water within the system that can be turned on before the start of the Shabbat that will enable water to be poured out of said circulation by the opening of the water tap.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a system that can be turned on before the Shabbat, and provide hot water during the Shabbat, while not allowing “New Water” to be heated and without generating an action that can be construed as a violation of the Shabbat prohibitions by the Religious institutes, and thus be allowed.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention relates to the field of water heating. More particularly, the invention relates to a device to provide boiling hot water during “Shabbat” and “Yom Kippur” to a kitchen faucet while adhering to Jewish Kashrut laws.

[0013] In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a kosher heating system to provide hot water during “Shabbat” through a faucet while adhering to Jewish Kashrut laws including, a water tank for containing water. The system includes a water pump for circulating water in and out of said water tank. One or more water tubes for circulating said water in and out of the water tank. A first water valve connected to the one or more water tubes that circulate the water in and out of the water tank and the first water valve is in fluid connection with to the faucet. The system further includes a heating element for heating the water in the water tank. A second water valve that can be operated to be closed or opened for the entry of new water that comes from an external water source to the water tank. A controller for controlling the operation of the heating element, the pump and the water valves. When the kosher heating system is in “Shabbat mode”, the kosher heating system is activated, the second water valve is closed to prevent water that comes from the external water source to enter the water tank. The heating element is activated to heat the water in the water tank. The pump is activated for circulating the water. When the first valve is opened, water from the circulated water is pushed to an outlet of the faucet.

[0014] When the kosher heating system is not in “Shabbat mode”, the second water valve is opened to allow water to come from the external water source to enter the water tank. The first water valve prevents the water flow from circulating back to the water tank. The water in the water tank is heated by the heating element and water is pushed to the faucet for use in such way that, when a hot tap of the faucet is opened, hot water is pushed out via the faucet.

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for kosher water heating during “Shabbat” while adhering to Jewish Kashrut laws comprising the steps of preheating water inside a water tank by a heater that continues to work during the Shabbat. If the kosher heating system of the invention is in “Shabbat mode”, then the valve is closed that enables supply of water to the water tank from the external source via a tube. The water pump is activated so that water circulates within the system in a continuous manner through the water tank and at least one water tube. When a hot tap on the faucet is opened, hot water is delivered through the faucet outlet., If the kosher heating system of the invention is not in “Shabbat mode”, then the water supply valve to the water tank is open, allowing entry of water to the tank from the external source and continuous circulation of water out of and into the tank is prevented. When a hot tap on the faucet is opened, hot water is delivered from the water tank to the faucet.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The invention may be understood upon reading of the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the general structure of the prior art, showing a system to electronically heat water to a desired temperature and deliver the water to a household kitchen faucet. Such a prior art device is in not Kosher for the Shabbat;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a schematic description of a feature of the present invention in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 5 schematically shows a method for using a system of the present invention; and

[0022] FIGS. 6a and 6b is a schematic description of a feature of the present invention in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings referred to above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Referring first to FIG. 1, prior art device 20 showing a system for electronically heating water to a desired temperature and for delivering the water to the household kitchen faucet. Such a prior art device 20 is not Kosher for the Shabbat.

[0025] The system 20, includes an instant hot water tank 200, a water pump 209, a heating element 201, a water entrance tube 202 to the water tank 200, a controller 208 to be electrically connected to a temperature sensor such as but not limited to a thermostat 213, the controller 208 receives data from the temperature sensor for controlling the operation (for example switching on or off) the heating element 201. The system 20 further includes an exit tube for heated water 204 to deliver the heated water to the faucet 210, with a tap 221 to control flow of water through the faucet. However, this type of system 20 cannot drive water upwards from under the kitchen to faucet without violating the guidelines of the Jewish religious laws in shabbat and “Yom Kippur”.

[0026] Some of the prior art describes automatic systems for heating water. However, there is a need for a system that can perform this action while following the guidelines of the Jewish religious laws. The devices and systems described in the prior art have several functions that can cause a violation of the Jewish religious laws. For example, by allowing new water to enter the heating tank 200 when the faucet 210 is open. Additionally, by driving water directly from the water tank 200 to the faucet 210. In the religious aspect, a water pump cannot turn on during a “Shabbat” for driving hot water from water tank 200. In addition, heating the new water that comes from tube 202 on “Shabbat” is also not allowed according to the Jewish tradition.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, showing a kosher heating system 1000 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system 1000 includes a water tank 100 a heating element 101, a heat sensor 113, a water valve 112 that can close and open the entry of new water for example from the city waterline that comes from tube 102 from entering the tank 100. A water tube 102 connected in one end to the water tank 100 and the other end connected to external water source for the entrance of water that comes for example from the external water source such as but not limited to the city water line, a first section of a water tube 104, and a second section of a water tube 105 to continuously circulate water from tank 100 and back to tank 100 during a predefined schedule of the Shabbat or other Jewish holy days. A water pump 115 that can be activated manually or automatically by any means known in the prior art to continuously circulate heated water in the water tank 100 during a predefined schedule through opening 111 and back to the water tank 100 through opening 107 to allow the reentrance of water back to the tank 100.

[0028] Water junction valve 106 can be a mechanical valve, an electronic valve, or any other suitable water valve. The tube junction 116 is connected to the faucet 110 in such way that when a user opens the hot water tap 121 (or the equivalent thereof) at least most of the water flow that flows in the first section of water tube 104 flows towards faucet outlet 110 and the rest of the water flows through second section of tube 105. Water junction valve 106 can also be a mechanical valve as part of the faucet 110. To further clarify, faucet 110 can include tube junction 116 and / or water junction valve 106 (and / or valve 103).

[0029] A controller such as but not limited to a microcontroller 108 is electrically connectable to electricity and is connected to and controls the various components of the system, such as, but not limited to, the thermostat / heat sensor 113, the heating element 101, the valve 112, the pump 115, and valve 106 (and / or valve 103). All valves are preferably electronically controllable by the controller 108. In some embodiments of the present invention, heating element 101 may include more than one heating element. In some embodiments of the present invention the heating element(s) 101 may include a first heating element with a thermostat such that, when operated, the first heating element is configured to heat the water up to a boiling temperature. The first heating element is operated before the system 1000 enters “Shabbat mode” and will not be operated during the Shabbat. A second heating element will operate before the Shabbat starts and will continuously operate during the Shabbat to keep the water temperature above approximately 80 degrees Celsius. The second heating element will start to operate when the system enters “Shabbat Mode”. When the system 1000 is not in “Shabbat mode”, the first heating element works as a regular automatic water heater with a thermostat and the second heating element will not operate and thus the second heating element will not heat the water in tank 100.

[0030] In some embodiments of the present invention, the thermostat of heating element 101 functions in such a way that the heating element automatically turned on based on the configurations of the thermostat to continuously keep the water close to 100 degrees Celsius (boiling temperature). In these embodiments, the heating element will automatically and continuously keep the water close to 100 degrees Celsius all the week including Shabbat.

[0031] Any of the valves 103, 112, 106 can be replaced with any other equivalent element that is known in the art and can be used to stop and release the flow of water.

[0032] Controller 108 is electrically connected to valve 112, valve 106 (and / or valve 103), and pump 115 so that it can activate the pump 115 and also allow or not allow the entrance of new water to the water tank 100 via water tube 102.

[0033] In preferred embodiments of the present invention, an opening 111 in the water tank 100 can be positioned (but not necessarily) in the bottom section of the tank 100, above the height of the heating element 101.

[0034] In some embodiments of the present invention, water opening 111 can be placed at any height in the tank 100 and be connected to the water tank 100 via an extension of a tube (not shown) with its end inside the space of tank 100, above the height of heating element 101.

[0035] Referring also to FIG. 4, in some embodiments of the present invention, the activation time and Shabbat schedules of system 1000 can be remotely controlled by an external party 700 that can be an official body such as but not limited to the Israeli rabbinical institution or any other religious authority. The external party can remotely wiredly or wirelessly electrically connected to the system 1000 and the external party 700 can communicate with system 1000 by any suitable communication means known in the prior art, such as but not limited to smart phones and computers. The system and the external party 700 can communicate with one another over any suitable communication network 600 known in the prior art. System 1000 can receive data from external party 700 such as but not limited to Shabbat timetables and schedules of Jewish holy days and use the data to coordinate the function of system 1000 automatically, thus saving the time of the users to adjust the automatic time in which the system 1000 will be operating in “Shabbat mode”.

[0036] The system can further include an internal clock or a timer 109 that can be instruction set executed by the controller 108 to monitor the time and allow controller 108 to execute its actions automatically, namely the closing of valve 112, the opening of water junction valve 106 (and / or 103) to allow water to reenter water tank 100 and the activation of pump 115, all in an adjacent time before the Shabbat starts specifically, with the activation of the “Shabbat mode”, as described herein, based on the timetables of the Shabbat. The controller 108 or device 1000 may further include a communication module to enable the controller 108 to be connected wiredly or wirelessly to external party 700 having for example a mobile device application therefrom, to allow the system 1000 to be updated with different timetables and schedules for the activation of the system 1000.

[0037] The system 1000 described in the present invention can be activated either manually or automatically in such way that, when the Shabbat starts, the system is turned on, and “Shabbat mode” is activated meaning that valve 112 is closed and pump 115 starts to continuously circulate hot water in tubes 104 and 105 while the heating element continues to work regularly based on the thermostat definitions.

[0038] When the system is not in the “Shabbat mode”, it can be operated in a similar manner to existing electronic water heating devices, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. When not in “Shabbat mode”, valve 106 (FIG. 2) blocks the water flow to tube section 105 (or valve 103 blocks the water flow to tube section 104), water from the city waterline enters the water tank 100, the water is heated to a predefined temperature and thereafter delivered from the tank to the faucet 110 through tube section 104 (or tube section 105) using the regular technologies known in the art, whether it be a pump, the law of communicating vessels, pressure from said external source, or any other way known in the art. In some embodiments, valve 106 is in tube 104 and can block the water flow to tube section 104, with the heated water delivered from the tank to the faucet 110 through tube section 105. In some embodiments, valve 103 can block the water flow in tube section 104, with the heated water delivered from the tank to the faucet 110 through tube section 105. In embodiments where valve 103 is present, valve 106 need not be present and similarly, if valve 106 is present, valve 103 need not be present. Note that valve 103 (or valve 106) can be at any location in tube 104 and, similarly, valve 106 can be at any location in tube 105. As noted hereinbelow, either or both of valve 103 or valve 106 can be comprised within tap 110.

[0039] When the system is activated and the “Shabbat mode” starts, valve 112 is closed by the controller 108, preventing the entry of water from the city waterline to tank 100 via tube 102, thus preventing “new water” from being heated in water tank 100.

[0040] Additionally, system 1000 keeps the water temperature at a desired predefined temperature by using the thermostat / heat sensor 113, the controller 108 and the heating element 101.

[0041] Additionally, pump 115 is activated, thus starting to circulate water in and out of the tank through tubes 104 and 105 in a continuous and circulatory manner as long as there is water left in tank 100. When the hot water is depleted, pump 115 will continue to work but no water will reach the faucet 110.

[0042] When the faucet 110 is closed, the water being circulated goes out from tank 100, via tube junction 116 and back to tank 100 in a continuous manner.

[0043] When a user opens the faucet 110 of the hot water, the water flow movement is directed via tube junction 116 towards the water outlet of faucet 110 in the user's kitchen sink or any other type of desired water outlet located above the system 1000.

[0044] When system 1000 is activated during the Shabbat, there is a water pressure directed at the water outlet 119 of the faucet 110 from the internal circulation towards hot water faucet 110 in such way that when hot water faucet is opened, hot water is pushed via outlet 119 of the faucet 110 without performing a “work” as defined in accordance to the Jewish religious law.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 3, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is shown a system 3000 that functions in a manner similar to the system 1000 described in FIG. 2. Tank 300 has a single opening 301, with the opening 301 connected to a tube subsystem 302, which includes an inlet tube 303 for the entrance of water from the city waterline and a valve 305 to stop and release the flow of water, and an outlet tube 304 for allowing the exit of water, optionally using the law of communicating vessels, and a valve 306, which can be either in outlet tube 304 or any other suitable location and which functions in the same manner as valve 106 or valve 103 (FIG. 2).

[0046] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a flow chart for a method to provide hot water from a water tank located at a lower height than a kitchen faucet in a Kosher way that abides by the Jewish laws of the Shabbat in accordance with the present invention. For clarity, the parts are labelled as in FIG. 2; the system of FIG. 3 functions in a similar manner. The flow chart comprises the following steps.

[0047] In step 900, the water inside water tank 100 is preheated by a heater means such as but not limited to an electrical heater 101 that continues to work during the Shabbat. It should be noted that the heater means can be energized by any suitable energy such as electricity or gas. If the kosher heating system of the invention 1000 is in “Shabbat mode”, in step 902 the water supply to water tank 100 that comes from tube 102 is closed using valve 112. Controller 108 activates water pump 115 in step 904. In step 906 water is circulated in a continuous manner through water tank 100 and tubes 105 and 104. If a user wants to use the circulated hot water, then in step 908 the user opens faucet 110 for the hot water so that at least most of the water flow that flows in the first section water tube 104 flows towards outlet 119 of faucet 110 and the rest of the water flows through the second section of tube 105 towards opening 107. Hot water is pushed towards outlet 119 of faucet 110 without performing a “work” as defined in Jewish religious law. If the user doesn't use the hot water, the hot water continues circulating. If the kosher heating system of the invention 1000 is not in “Shabbat mode”, in step 910 the water supply valve 112 to water tank 100 is opened. In step 912, water continuous circulation is prevented by using valve 106 to block the water flow to tube section 105 or valve 103 to block the water flow to tube section 104, and valve 112 is opened to allow water from tube 102, e.g., the city waterline, to enter the water tank 100. In step 914 the water is heated to a predefined temperature and thereafter is deliverable from the tank 100 to the faucet 110 using the regular technologies known in the art, whether be it a pump, the law of communicating vessels, or any other way known in the art. If the user wants to use the hot water, in step 916 the user opens the hot water tap 121 of faucet 110.

[0048] FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b show an enlarged schematic view of the flow of water in tube junction 116 of system 1000, where FIG. 6a shows the water flow when tap 121 is open (shown schematically by a vertical bar) in “Shabbat mode”, showing the water flow naturally goes up in accordance with the existing flow direction despite the additional opening due to the applied water pressure from the pump 115. FIG. 6b shows the water flow when tap 121 is closed (shown schematically by a horizontal bar). Then the water doesn't have another outlet and, as a result, flows back to the tank 100 via tube 105.

[0049] The fact that the water circulation is activated before the Shabbat, combined with the fact that when the hot water tap 121 is opened, the water is not purposely driven / drawn to the faucet 110 but poured out from an active internal circulation through water junction 10, while not turning on any pump at the moment of opening the faucet tap 121, only using a pump that was activated before the “Shabbat” and not during the “Shabbat”. In addition, the closing of water supply water valve 112 before the “Shabbat” is entered and not allowing any additional water to be heated, enables the system 1000 to provide a limited amount of hot water during the “Shabbat” in a “Kosher” way which is limited to the amount of hot water inside water tank 100 and is circulated for example via tubes 105 and 104. The use of the system 1000 described herein allows people who adhere to the religious Jewish directions to have available hot water without doing work as defined by the Rabbanut and Jewish religious establishment. Thus, providing an improved quality of life during the Shabbat, all the while abiding to the religious laws and or directions.

[0050] While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried out with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without exceeding the scope of the claims.

[0051] It should be understood that the above description is merely exemplary and that there are various embodiments of the present invention that may be devised, mutatis mutandis, and that the features described in the above described embodiments, and those not described herein, may be used separately or in any suitable combination; and the invention can be devised in accordance with embodiments not necessarily described above.

Claims

1. A heating system to provide hot water through a faucet during “Shabbat” comprising:a water tank configured for containing water;a water pump configured for circulating water in and out of said water tank;at least one water tube configured for circulating said water into and out of said water tank;a first water valve in fluid connection with said at least one water tube, said first water valve configured, when open, to allow circulation of said water out of said water tank, through said at least one water tube, and back into said water tank, said first water valve also being in fluid connection with a faucet configured, when open, to allow said water to flow out;a heating element configured for heating the water in said water tank;a second water valve in fluid communication with an external water source and with said water tank, said second water valve configured, when closed, to prevent entry of new water from said external water source into said water tank and configured, when open, to allow entry of new water from said external water source into said water tank;a controller configured to control operation of said heating element, said water pump, said first water valve and said second water valve;wherein, when said heating system is in “Shabbat mode”, said second water valve is closed by said controller, preventing said entry into said water tank of said new water from said external water source; the water in said water tank is kept hot by said heating element; said first valve is opened by said controller and said pump is activated by said controller, thereby, when a hot tap of said faucet is closed, circulating the water out of said water tank, through said at least one water tube and back into said water tank; and, when said hot tap of said faucet is opened, said pump pushes at least a portion of the water through said at least one water tube and said fluid connection with said faucet and out via said faucet, with the rest of the flow returning to said water tank via said at least one water tube;when said heating system is not in “Shabbat mode”, said second water valve is opened by said controller to allow water to enter said water tank from said external water source; said first water valve is closed by said controller, preventing the water in said at least one water tube from returning to said water tank via said at least one water tube, the water in said water tank is kept hot by said heating element, and when said hot tap of said faucet is open, said water is pushed through said water tube and said fluid connection to said faucet and out via the faucet.

2. A heating system according to claim 1, wherein said system further comprises an internal clock used for automatic activation of the heating system in an adjacent time before Shabbat starts.

3. A heating system according to claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a heat sensor for monitoring and controlling water temperature in said water tank.

4. A heating system according to claim 1, wherein activation time and Shabbat schedules of the heating system can be remotely controlled by an external party, said external party remotely wired or wirelessly electrically connected to said system and said external party can communicate with said system by any communication means; said system and said external party communicate with one another over a communication network; said system receives data from said external party containing data of “Shabbat” timetables and schedules of Jewish holy days and uses said data to coordinate functioning of said system automatically.

5. A heating system according to claim 4, wherein said external party is a rabbinical institution or any other religious authority.

6. A heating system according to claim 1, wherein said system comprises two water openings, having a tube designed to allow the entrance of water and a second tube designed to be used for circulation of water, said tube being connected to a faucet and to the water tank.

7. A heating system according to claim 1, wherein said system comprises a first section of the at least one water tube, and a second section of the at least one water tube to continuously circulate water from said water tank and back to said tank during a predefined schedule of the Shabbat or other Jewish holy days.

8. A heating system according to claim 7, wherein the first water valve is a water junction connected to said faucet in such way that when a user opens said hot water tap, at least most of the water flow that flows in said first section of said at least one water tube flows towards a faucet outlet and the rest of the water flows through said second section of said at least one water tube.

9. A heating system according to claim 7, wherein said system further comprises a heat sensor for sensing temperature of said water.

10. A heating system according to claim 8, wherein said controller further controls the heating element, the first water valve and the second water valve of the heating system.

11. A method for heating water during “Shabbat” comprising steps of:preheating water inside a water tank by a heating element that keeps said water hot during the “Shabbat”;if the heating system of the invention is in “Shabbat mode”, thenclosing a water supply valve in an inlet water tube so as to prevent supply of new water to said water tank;activating a water pump;circulating water in a continuous manner through said water tank and at least one water tube; andupon opening of a faucet hot tap, delivering hot water through a faucet outlet, where at least a portion of the water flow flows through said faucet outlet and the rest of the water continuously circulates through said at least one water tube and said water tank; andif the heating system of the invention is not in said “Shabbat mode”, thenopening said water supply valve;preventing said continuous circulation of said water;said heating element keeping hot the water in said water tank; andupon opening of a faucet hot tap, delivering said hot water from said water tank to said faucet outlet.

12. A method for water heating during “Shabbat” according to claim 11 further comprising steps of sensing the temperature in said water tank and thereby controlling the temperature of the water in said water tank.

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