Examples herein relate generally to reservoirs for use in water distribution systems within an appliance. The reservoir herein allows for the combination of various components prepared by separate manufacturing processes and for reducing waste of those manufacturing components. Specifically, the reservoir herein provides a daisy-chain structure for forming a ganged reservoir system.

A method for operating a water dispenser, the water dispenser having a water supply, a carbon dioxide supply, an outlet for pouring water into a container placed below the outlet, a controller and a user interface, the method including the following steps, which are executed in response to an activation of the water dispenser via the user interface: determining a nominal value of a water volume (V) that is to be filled into the container determining a nominal value of a waiting period (WP) by means of the controller determining nominal values of a first partial volume (V1) and a second partial volume (V2) by means of the controller (V1+V2=V), in particular by determining a volume ratio (R) with R=V1/V for dividing the water volume (V) into the partial volumes (V1, V2) pouring the first partial volume (V1) through the outlet waiting through the waiting period (WP) pouring the second partial volume (V2) through the outlet.

A removable liquid transport assembly configured to be readily installed in and removed from a liquid dispenser to permit the liquid dispenser to be readily sanitized. The removable liquid transport assembly preferably includes a liquid manifold, a valve assembly and a pump head. The removable liquid transport assembly is configured such that liquid can flow in a first direction through the removable liquid transport assembly to permit a liquid to be dispensed from a liquid dispenser and liquid can flow in a second direction back to a liquid storage container to prevent damage to one or more components of the liquid dispenser.

A refrigerator comprises a body comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising a first storage compartment, and a second storage compartment, and a partition wall to separate the storage compartment into the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment, a first control valve configured to control a flow of water received from an external water supply source, an ice maker configured to generate ice using the water discharged from the first control valve, a second control valve configured control a flow of the water discharged from the first control valve, a dispenser comprising an operating lever configured to supply the water received from the second valve, and an automatic water supply device configured to supply the water received from the second valve to a water container and configured to control the water container to be filled with a predetermined amount of water.

A beverage dispensing device comprising a beverage reservoir, a receptacle that receives a beverage container including a beverage and discharges the beverage from the beverage container into the beverage reservoir, a cutting mechanism that opens the beverage container to release the beverage, a cooling system comprising one or more thermoelectric coolers including one or more plate-like surfaces along the flow path wherein the cooling system performs at least one of chilling or warming the beverage that flows over at least part of the plate-like surface. The beverage dispensing device further comprising a pump that transfers the beverage from the beverage reservoir to the cooling system, an aeration component that receives and aerates the beverage from the cooling system, and a discharge nozzle coupled to the aeration component that dispenses the beverage.

Apparatus, and methods for constructing and implementing beverage containment and dispensing systems are provided herein. An example apparatus includes a thermally-insulated container, an adjustable pressure regulator positioned within the thermally-insulated container, a stopper component, and one or more tubes connected to the adjustable pressure regulator and to the stopper component. The example apparatus also includes an external housing within which the thermally-insulated container is contained, and a user-controllable faucet component affixed to the external housing and connected to the adjustable pressure regulator through the external housing and thermally-insulated container via at least one conduit.

A water output device is provided. The water output device comprises a housing mechanism; a water purification mechanism, which comprises a water purifier located within the housing mechanism; a refrigeration mechanism, which comprises a compressor located within the housing mechanism; a tank assembly, which comprises a first tank mechanism configured for providing hot water, and second tank mechanism configured for providing ice water and soda water; the first tank mechanism comprises a hot water tank in communication with the water purifier; the second tank mechanism comprises a ice water tank in communication with the water purifier, a soda water tank located within the ice water tank, a water pump in communication with the ice water tank and the soda water tank respectively, and a cooling pipe spirally extended into the ice water tank.

A water storage device and a refrigerator, the water storage device comprising: a housing having a water inlet end and a water outlet end, and a water distribution plate. The water distribution plate divides a water storage cavity into a water inlet cavity and a water outlet cavity; a gap for allowing water to flow through is provided between the outer edge of the water distribution plate and the inner wall of the housing; when the water distribution plate moves from the water inlet end towards the water outlet end, water entering the water inlet cavity from the water inlet end will not mix with cold water in the water outlet cavity.

Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.

A system is described for providing automated bottled water reordering service based on monitored usage. The system comprises a water dispenser, a sensor and a server. The water dispenser is connected with a replaceable bottled water for supplying a drinking water from the bottled water. The sensor monitors a drinking water consumption in the water dispenser. The server receives a data associated with the drinking water consumption from the sensor and then determines whether a trigger event has occurred by comparing the drinking water consumption with a reference. After the trigger event has occurred, The server sends a replenishment message to a customer device for the customer to confirm whether or not to place a replenishment order of a bottled water delivery service.