A networked system for providing and maintaining a set of liquid dispenser stations is described. The fluid dispensers communicate with a managing/supervisory cloud server via an interposed base station. The fluid dispensers communicate locally with the base station via wireless communication network links. The base station operates as an accumulator of status/usage information provided by the dispenser stations and bridge for passing information and control commands between the cloud server and the individual dispenser stations. The dispenser stations are configured with control processors (controllers) to facilitate performing a variety of local control operations associated with dispensing liquids that have been cooled (or heated) prior to dispensing by the dispenser stations. Additionally, the dispenser stations cooperatively operate with the cloud server (via the base station) to support a variety of real time control and maintenance operations relating to the dispenser stations operating at potentially thousands of distinct geographic locations.

Provided is a water purifier. The water purifier includes a water purifier body including a housing defining an outer appearance and a filter provided in the housing to filter raw water introduced from the outside, a water discharge module including a water discharge nozzle that protrudes forward from the water purifier body to supply the water passing through the filter to the outside of the water purifier body, and a tray disposed below the water discharge nozzle. The water discharge module includes a case having a lower end through which the water discharge nozzle is exposed, an ultraviolet (UV) lamp disposed above the water discharge nozzle in the case to emit ultraviolet rays to an inner surface of the water discharge nozzle, a protection window made of a light transmission material and disposed below the UV lamp to protect the UV lamp against water, and at least one light source that irradiates light to the inside or outside of the water discharge nozzle according to turn-on/off of the UV lamp.

This disclosure includes devices, systems, apparatuses, and implementations associated with a wall-mounted beverage dispensing system. The beverage dispensing system is configured to fit between standard space between studs. In some implementations, the studs may provide the sole support for the beverage dispensing system. The beverage dispensing system may include a filter that is accessible for replacement without the use for tools.

A contactless interface for a beverage dispenser including a sensor and circuitry. The sensor has a field of view and is configured to sense an object located in a detection zone of the sensor. The detection zone is an area within the field of view and at a distance less than a maximum detection distance from the sensor. The circuitry is configured to output a detection signal while the object is sensed within the detection zone. The detection signal is an electrical signal.

A bottle filling station may include a liquid dispenser configured to dispense liquid. A pan can be configured to collect at least a portion of the dispensed liquid with a liquid flow circuit providing liquid to the liquid dispenser. A filter can be disposed in the liquid flow circuit configured to filter the liquid in the liquid circuit and a non-filtering bypass can provide liquid to the liquid dispenser bypassing the filter.

A free-standing appliance may include a cabinet, a water source, an icemaker, an ice bin, a cold water line, and one or more other features. The icemaker may be mounted within the cabinet downstream from the water source to receive water therefrom. The ice bin may be disposed within the cabinet downstream from the icemaker to receive ice therefrom. The cold water line may be mounted to the cabinet and define a cold water outlet downstream from the water source in fluid isolation from the icemaker.

The present invention relates to a multi-purpose hydration station for dispensing different kinds of beverages, soft ice, ice, hot water and non-heated water. More specifically, the multi-purpose hydration station features a hot water dispenser unit, a non-heated water dispenser unit, a beverage dispenser unit, a soft ice dispenser unit and an ice maker for dispensing the user's requested item and eliminates the need to use separate dispensing machines to dispense different kinds of beverages or items. Additionally, the hydration station features a refrigeration and a non-refrigeration storage area to allow the users to store their items as per their requirements. The hydration station offers a convenient solution for setting up a hydration station that saves space, energy and expenses of the user.

In a water purifier or other liquid dispenser, a sensor configured to transmit and receive a distance measuring signal is installed in a water discharge module moving vertically or disposed at the front of a main body, to sense a height of the inlet of a container accurately without a no-response duration of the sensor. Additionally, in the water purifier, the water discharge module discharges purified water at a point spaced a certain distance apart from the inlet of the container, to prevent the inlet of the container from contacting the lower surface of the water discharge module.

A water purifier or other liquid dispenser may sense a height of the inlet of a container accurately through an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver that are disposed at different positions of a water discharge module moving vertically. Additionally, in the water purifier, the water discharge module may discharge purified water at a point spaced a certain distance apart from the inlet of the container, based on infrared sensing, thereby preventing the inlet of the container from contacting the lower surface of the water discharge module.

A liquid dispenser station includes a liquid dispenser configured to dispense liquid that passes through a filter. The filter is disposed within the liquid dispenser station. The liquid dispenser has an access door to provide access to the filter. The filter includes a key to open the access door.