A filter housing can be configured to receive a filter media to form a filter assembly. Water filter media housings can be adapted for filter-as-you-pour filtration in the context of container (e.g., pitcher) systems where filtering is achieved as the user pours water from the container. The filter housing can have a frame and an optional casing securable about the frame. A filter assembly can include a filter media within, connected to, or associated with a filter housing. The filter media can be securable in an at least partially curved configuration and/or within, connected to, or associated with the filter housing.

A coffee maker includes a base for supporting a coffee cup. A support arm is mounted on an upper surface of the base and extends perpendicularly to the base. The support arm includes a chamber. A holding tube extends outward from a top portion of the support arm. A reservoir securely is held by the holding tube and receives a liquid. A bracket extends outward from an intermediate portion of the support arm. A dissolution cup is supported by the bracket. A driver is mounted in the support arm and is configured to drive the reservoir to rotate. The liquid in the reservoir flow swirlingly into the dissolution cup to fully and evenly contact with surfaces of the coffee powder, thereby fully extracting the coffee powders. The liquid flows into the coffee cup after dissolving the coffee powder.

Methods and apparatus for providing water with a selectable total dissolved solids content. The apparatus includes a reverse osmosis filter system to provide filtered water having a dissolved solids content less than the selectable total dissolved solids content and for mixing water having a dissolved solids content exceeding the selectable total dissolved solids content with the filtered water in a ratio to provide water with the selectable total dissolved solids content. Various embodiments are disclosed.

A filter housing can be configured to receive a filter media to form a filter assembly. Water filter media housings can be adapted for filter-as-you-pour filtration in the context of container (e.g., pitcher) systems where filtering is achieved as the user pours water from the container. The filter housing can have a frame and an optional casing securable about the frame. A filter assembly can include a filter media within, connected to, or associated with a filter housing. The filter media can be securable in an at least partially curved configuration and/or within, connected to, or associated with the filter housing.

A filter housing can be configured to receive a filter media to form a filter assembly. Water filter media housings can be adapted for filter-as-you-pour filtration in the context of container (e.g., pitcher) systems where filtering is achieved as the user pours water from the container. The filter housing can have a frame and an optional casing securable about the frame. A filter assembly can include a filter media within, connected to, or associated with a filter housing. The filter media can be securable in an at least partially curved configuration and/or within, connected to, or associated with the filter housing.

A portable drinking water filter system, such as a pitcher, having a sleeve and a floatable body including a filter opening configured to receive a water filter, the floatable body having a seal extending outward from an outer surface of the floatable body. The floatable body is disposed in a sleeve cavity such that a body seal engages the sidewall and restricts water from passing between the floatable body and the sidewall. The seal is configured to create friction with the sidewall, wherein the friction created when the floatable body rises in the sleeve is different than when the floatable body lowers in the sleeve. The friction created when the floatable body rises in the sleeve is greater than when the floatable body lowers in the sleeve, allowing the floatable body to auto-retract toward a cavity base without burping.

A water dispenser includes a main body and a water container. The main body has a receiving space and a connecting socket. The water container includes a container body and a water dispenser connector. The container body has a receiving chamber for storing a liquid. The water dispenser connector is connected to the container body and located at a bottom portion of the container body. When the water container is mounted in the receiving space of the main body, with the water dispenser connector connected to the connecting socket of the main body, the liquid in the receiving chamber of the container body can flow through the water dispenser connecter to the connecting socket of the main body. Once the water container is detached from the main body, the water dispenser connector stops the liquid from flowing out of the receiving chamber of the container body.

Container holder (3) for use in a nutritional liquid preparation machine (1) for the preparation of a nutritional liquid from the mixture of ingredients contained in a container and liquid supplied by the machine in the container; said holder comprising a body with a container receiving seat (31) arranged for receiving the container (4) in a defined container sitting position and a filtration unit (12); such filtration unit comprising a liquid outlet (25) wherein the filtration unit is arranged with the container holder to be movable between a first position in which the container receiving seat (31) of the holder is uncovered for enabling the loading and unloading of the container in the container holder and a second position in which the container receiving seat (31) is covered by the filtration unit for enabling the liquid outlet (25) of the filtration unit to be positioned at the inlet side of the container (4) when a container is present in the container holder (3).

The invention relates to a device (100) for providing liquid for a beverage machine (110), comprising a water tank (10) having at least one water inlet (11) which can be connected in a controllable manner to a water connection in order to fill the water tank (10), a control device (30) for controlling the water inlet (11) that can be connected in a controllable manner, and at least one filling level sensor (41, 42) for generating a signal which indicates at least whether or not a first filling level of liquid inside the water tank (10) has been reached or exceeded. In order to achieve easier cleaning, in particular descaling of the device (100), the at least one filling level sensor (41, 42) can be or is connected to the control device (30) to transmit the signal and the control device (30) is designed to control the water inlet (11) according to the signal of the at least one filling level sensor (41, 42) and according to at least one operating mode, wherein the operating mode is either a filling mode or an emptying mode. Furthermore, a controllable drainage device (44) for draining liquid from the water tank (10) is present.

A control apparatus for a water purifier includes a storage device and a control unit. The storage device is configured to store discharge information that includes an amount of beverage discharged from the water purifier in a time slot of a predetermined period of time. The control unit is configured to analyze the discharge information, set the time slot in a power-saving schedule based on analysis of the discharge information, and control the water purifier to perform a power-saving operation based on determining that an operation time is within the time slot set in the power-saving schedule.