A dispense control system for a dispensing assembly of a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The dispensing assembly defines a base plane for receiving a container. A dispense control system includes an emitter for directing a beam of energy toward the container and the base plane and a receiver for detecting a projection of the beam of energy in an image plane of the receiver. The dispense control system may be configured to obtain a measured displacement of the projection when the container is positioned on the base plane, and an actual height of the container or a liquid level within the container may be determined from the measured displacement of the projection.

A water discharge device includes a case, a microphone, a voice recognition module, a speaker, a first elevation cover connected to the case, a second elevation cover configured to move upward and insert into an inside of the first elevation cover, an elevation motor connected to the second elevation cover, a water discharge nozzle disposed at a lower end of the second elevation cover, a water discharge valve configured to regulate water flow toward the water discharge nozzle, a flow sensor configured to sense a flow rate of the water flow, a sensor disposed at the second elevation cover and configured to, based on the second elevation cover moving downward, sense whether the sensor contacts a container disposed below the second elevation cover, and a controller configured to control operation of the elevation motor and the water discharge valve.

A representative system includes: an exterior housing defining an interior compartment; a water tank disposed within the interior compartment; a filtration system configured to receive a flow of water from outside the exterior housing, filter the flow of water and provide filtered water to the water tank; an ice maker, disposed along a first flow path from the water tank, configured to produce ice from the filtered water provided from the first flow path; an ice bin configured to receive the ice from the ice maker; a user interface configured to receive a user input corresponding to a request for chilled water; a water control valve, disposed along a second flow path from the water tank, configured to receive the filtered water provided from the second flow path and provide a controlled flow of the filtered water to the ice bin in response to the user input such that the controlled flow of the filtered water is cooled by the ice in the ice bin to form chilled water; and a water dispenser fluidly communicating with the ice bin and configured to provide the chilled water outside of the exterior housing according to the user input.

A water purifier includes a main body including a water supply pipe provided therein and a water chute connected to the main body to discharge drinking water. The water chute is capable of rotating about the main body in a left and right direction and has a length adjustable in a forward and backward direction and an upward and downward direction.

A representative system includes: an exterior housing defining an interior compartment; a water tank disposed within the interior compartment; a filtration system configured to receive a flow of water from outside the exterior housing, filter the flow of water and provide filtered water to the water tank; an ice maker, disposed along a first flow path from the water tank, configured to produce ice from the filtered water provided from the first flow path; an ice bin configured to receive the ice from the ice maker; a user interface configured to receive a user input corresponding to a request for chilled water; a water control valve, disposed along a second flow path from the water tank, configured to receive the filtered water provided from the second flow path and provide a controlled flow of the filtered water to the ice bin in response to the user input such that the controlled flow of the filtered water is cooled by the ice in the ice bin to form chilled water; and a water dispenser fluidly communicating with the ice bin and configured to provide the chilled water outside of the exterior housing according to the user input.

A water ejecting apparatus includes a case and a water ejection unit connected to the case. The water ejection unit includes a fixed cover connected to the case, having atop dead point and a bottom dead point, and including a lifting gear provided between the top dead point and the bottom dead point, a lifting cover movably coupled to the fixed cover, a lifting motor coupled to the lifting cover and a gear module interworking with the lifting motor and the lifting gear, a water ejection nozzle for ejecting water, a signal detecting unit that detects a frequency generation (FG) signal generated by the lifting motor during an operation of the lifting motor, and a controller configured to control the operation of the lifting motor upon determining that the lifting cover reaches the top dead point or the bottom dead point based on the FG signal.

A dialysis system is described having components for facilitating a health-enhanced environment in the vicinity of a dialysis machine in the home. The health-enhancing components may include air improvement components and potable water supply components integrated and/or otherwise incorporated into the home dialysis machine. By incorporating the ability for monitoring, cleaning, and controlling air and/or water quality into the home dialysis machine, the dialysis machine is no longer just a source of life for the dialysis patient but also a source of health enhancement for the entire household. The system may further display and/or remotely communicate information concerning the dialysis treatment, the air quality and the potable water quality corresponding to operation of the dialysis machine in the home environment.

A system and method for dispensing sparkling and other pressurized beverages from a container. Sparkling wine and other beverages may be dispensed without removing a cork or other closure. One or more needles may be inserted through the closure and sparkling beverage dispensed through the one or more needles. The one or more needles may be inserted at an angle to the vertical or axis of the bottle opening in which the closure is positioned, e.g., to avoid contact with a metal retainer on the closure. Dispensed beverage may be directed to a pressurized reservoir to help maintain or recover carbonation prior to dispensing.

A water discharge device is disclosed. A water discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a main body unit including a first main body and a second main body movably connected to the first main body; and a discharge unit connected to the second main body so as to be moved with the second main body, and connected to a water source so as to discharge water in the water source to the outside, wherein the discharge unit comprises a plurality of link members having flow channels through which water flows, respectively, and rotatably connected to each other so as to connect the flow channels in a sealed manner.

A refrigerator having a dispenser that includes an outlet and that is configured to dispense content through the outlet and along an output flow path. The refrigerator also includes a detection unit configured to detect user activity that is indicative of a desire to fill a container with content using the dispenser. The refrigerator further includes an optical system that is configured to, in response to detecting the user activity, direct a beam of light along at least a portion of the output flow path of the dispenser to assist a user in positioning a container to receive content dispensed along the output flow path.