The present invention provides a cold water tank. In the cold water tank, an accommodation space for accommodating a fluid is partitioned by means of partition walls alternately disposed in the transverse direction such that the fluid flows straight along the partition walls, and an evaporator having m evaporation pipes forming an offset and m1 connection pipes connecting the m evaporation pipes is disposed in the accommodation space opposite to the partition walls so as to be heat-exchanged with the fluid. Therefore, the cold water tank has increased contact surface area heat-exchanged with the fluid and prevents excessive ice formation, and thus provides an enhanced cold water dispensing performance.

A variable temperature control assembly for a water dispenser, using a variable water temperature selector, that delivers water to the consumer at the temperature requested on the variable temperature selector by calculating the required ratio of hot water, cold water and ambient water needed to deliver water at the temperature requested.

A consumer operable retail beverage container filling arrangement for use in a retail environment is provided, comprising a housing, a beverage dispensing unit for dispensing a beverage, comprising a retail beverage container holder for receiving and holding a retail beverage container, wherein the beverage dispensing unit is at least partially provided in the housing, a consumer interaction module for receiving a consumer input and generating a consumer control signal based on the received consumer input, and a dispensing controller arranged for receiving the consumer control signal and controlling the beverage dispensing unit to dispense the beverage in accordance with the consumer control signal.

Provided is a portable, self-contained beverage apparatus. The beverage apparatus includes a container assembly having a known storage capacity for storing a consumable liquid, and a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly that dispenses variable, non-zero quantities of additives into the consumable liquid. The dispensing assembly includes multiple apertures structured and arranged to retain vessels containing the additives to be dispensed into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus also includes a level sensor disposed within the container assembly that determines a consumable liquid level of the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly.

Systems and methods for receptacle auto fill using inductive sensing are provided. One example system includes a dispensing system capable of dispensing liquid. The system includes a sensor. The sensor includes a coil positioned adjacent to a dispensing area of the dispensing system. The system includes a receptacle capable of holding a volume of liquid. The system includes a floating object positioned within the receptacle and permitted to move upwards and downwards based on a liquid fill level of the receptacle. The floating object includes a conductive strip providing a first impedance at a first vertical position of the strip and a second impedance at a second vertical position of the strip. The first impedance is different than the second impedance. The system includes a controller configured to control the dispensing system based at least in part on an amount of inductance exhibited between the coil and the conductive strip.

Disclosed is a water dispenser which includes a faucet, a water bottle and a sensor. The water bottle contains drinking water therein and supplies drinking water to the faucet. The sensor is to detect an indication of dispensing of drinking water from the drinking water dispenser. The indication of dispensing relates to a level of the drinking water remaining in the water supply bottle in weight or volume.

The present disclosure relates to liquid dispensing arrangements, and particularly to arrangements for distribution of a dispensed liquid.

A variable temperature control assembly for a water dispenser, using a variable water temperature selector, that delivers water to the consumer at the temperature requested on the variable temperature selector by calculating the required ratio of hot water, cold water and ambient water needed to deliver water at the temperature requested.

A variable temperature control assembly for a water dispenser, using a variable water temperature selector, that delivers water to the consumer at the temperature requested on the variable temperature selector by calculating the required ratio of hot water, cold water and ambient water needed to deliver water at the temperature requested.

Systems and methods for providing water to a countertop appliance, and a pitcher which may be used with such systems and methods, are provided. The pitcher may include at least one pitcher wall and an internal volume defined within the at least one wall of the pitcher. The pitcher may be configured to be received in an autofill dispenser in a refrigerator appliance. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet defining a fresh food chamber. The pitcher may also be configured to couple to a countertop appliance whereby the internal volume of the pitcher is in fluid communication with the countertop appliance to provide water from the internal volume of the pitcher to the countertop appliance when coupled.