Patent Publication Number: US-2017363216-A1

Title: Fluid Valve With Multiple Inlets And Outlet

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/093,014 filed Dec. 17, 2014. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to valves for faucets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     Valves and valve cartridges have been used in plumbing fittings such as for faucets for years. Cartridge style valves allow for a fluid control mechanism to be packaged into a discrete unit that can then be easily designed into plumbing fittings. With respect to plumbing fitting design, the cartridge valve allows for reduced development time/cost and improved reliability by standardizing the valve design from fitting to fitting. 
     The typical valve cartridges on the market today used for standard kitchen and bath plumbing fittings (e.g., faucets and shower systems) are: mixing valves having two inlets and one outlet; diverting valves having one inlet and multiple outlets and on/off valves having one inlet and one outlet. The first combines fluid from two discrete supply lines into outlet flow. The second takes one flow path and diverts or split the path into several different paths. The third simply acts as a basic shut-off valve. These designs however do not meet the requirements of a valve for a single handle, two inlet/two outlet configuration. Further, specialty applications may require differing flow rates based on the application. The above described valves limit flow by the degree to which the valve is open, typically determined by the position of the handle used to open and close and valve. Any additional flow control that may be needed is then done externally of the valve. 
     Heretofore, when there has been a need for a two inlet/two outlet configuration this has been accomplished by using two discrete valves with each valve having its own handle or by using a single inlet/two outlet diverting valve. The former results in higher cost products due to the need for two handles and two valves as well as limiting available design options due to the need for the two handles. The latter results in only a single supply line, and thus restricts the design to working with only one fluid source. For example, in a hot water dispenser having a faucet with a cold water outlet, if it is desired that the water exiting the cold water outlet be chilled, the water must first be chilled and supplied to the faucet. With the diverting valve, when handle is moved to the hot water side, the cold water flows into the heating tank reducing the water temperature and efficiency of the tank. 
     Cartridge valves, while offering many advantages, often cost more than placing discrete parts into plumbing fittings. 
     Current valve cartridges come in flow rates published by the manufactures. For applications not fitting with the standard kitchen/bath faucets, flow controls must be added internal to the faucet to obtain the flow rates required. Alternatively, custom valves and faucets are designed for each application to obtain the flow rates required. This however limits the ability to change the flow rate of a faucet after it has been produced or requires additional components in the design. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a multi-flow valve has first and second discrete fluid inlets and first and second discrete fluid outlets. The valve has a normally closed position and first and second open positions. When the valve is in the normally closed position, fluid is blocked from flowing from the inlets to the outlets. When the valve is in the first open position, it couples a flow passage between the first inlet and the first outlet and fluid flows from the first inlet to the first outlet. When the valve is in the second open position, it couples the flow passage between the second inlet and the second outlet and fluid flows from the second inlet to the second outlet. 
     In an aspect, the valve is also configured to regulate the flow rate of fluid flowing through the valve. In an aspect, the valve inlets and/or outlets are configured for use of interchangeable orifice members thereat. Orifices in the orifice members that are used have openings that are sized to provide the desired flow rate for a particular application. 
     In an aspect, the multi-flow valve has a valve housing in which a spindle, a fluid flow selector and an inlet/outlet plate are received and a surface plate affixed to a proximal end of the valve housing abutting a proximal side of the inlet/outlet plate and a distal side of the inlet/outlet plate abutting a proximal side of the fluid flow selector plate. The inlet/outlet plate has first and second inlet openings and first and second outlet openings with the surface plate having corresponding inlet openings and outlet openings fluidly coupled to the corresponding first and second inlet openings and first and second outlet openings of the inlet/outlet plate. A fluid flow selector has a fluid flow passage therein. The fluid flow selector is rotatable with respect to the inlet/outlet plate among a plurality of rotational positions. The rotational positions include a closed position, a first open position and a second open position. The fluid flow passage bridges across only the first inlet opening to the first outlet opening when the fluid flow selector is in the first open position to fluidly couple the first inlet opening to the first outlet opening. The fluid flow selector bridges across only the second inlet opening to the second outlet opening to fluidly couple the second inlet opening to the second outlet opening when the fluid flow selector is in the second open position. The fluid flow passage does not bridge across the first inlet to the first outlet and or across the second inlet to the second outlet when the fluid flow selector is in the closed position. 
     In an aspect, the fluid flow selector is a fluid flow selector plate and the fluid flow passage is an offset arcuate channel in the fluid flow selector plate that is offset from a center of the fluid flow selector plate and that lies in an arc in which the first and second inlet openings and the first and second outlet openings of the inlet/outlet plate are disposed. 
     In an aspect, the offset arcuate channel bridges across the first outlet opening to the second outlet opening to fluidly couple the first outlet opening to the second outlet opening when the fluid flow selector is in the closed position. 
     In an aspect, a water dispenser includes a faucet spout and a multi-flow valve in accordance with any of the above aspects. In this aspect, the first outlet opening of the surface plate is fluidly coupled to a first outlet line of the faucet spout and the second outlet opening of the surface plate is fluidly coupled to a second outlet line of the faucet spout. In a variation, the second outlet opening is fluidly coupled to the first outlet line and the second outlet line is dispensed with. In an aspect, the first inlet opening is coupled to a source of water and the second inlet opening is coupled to a different source of water. In an aspect, the sources of water are hot and cold tap water. In an aspect, the sources of water are sources of conditioned water. 
     In an aspect, the inlet/outlet plate includes third and fourth inlet openings and a mixed flow outlet opening. The fluid flow selector is a fluid flow selector plate having a mixed flow fluid passage that is an elongate central channel in the fluid flow selector plate. The fluid flow selector plate is movable radially with respect to the inlet/outlet plate among at least an auxiliary flow position, a neutral flow position and a mixed-flow position. The offset arcuate channel of the fluid flow selector plate lies in the arc in which the first and second inlet openings and the first and second outlet openings lie when the fluid flow selector plate is in the auxiliary flow position and the offset arcuate channel does not lie in this arc when the fluid flow selector plate is not in the auxiliary flow position and when the fluid flow selector plate is not in the auxiliary flow position the offset arcuate channel does not fluidly couple the first inlet opening to the first outlet opening, the second fluid opening to the second outlet opening or the first outlet opening to the second outlet opening regardless of the rotational position of the fluid flow selector plate. The plurality of rotational positions among which the fluid flow selector plate can be rotated when the fluid flow selector plate is in the mixed flow position include a mixed flow on position in which a section of the elongate channel extends over the third and fourth fluid inlets and the elongate channel bridges across and the third and fourth fluid inlets to the mixed flow outlet opening to fluidly couple the third and fourth fluid inlets to the mixed flow outlet, a third flow on position in which the section of the elongate channel extends over the third inlet opening and the elongate channel bridges across the third fluid inlet opening and the mixed flow outlet opening to fluidly couple the third fluid inlet opening to the mixed flow outlet opening but does not bridge across the fourth flow inlet to the mixed flow outlet opening, and a fourth flow on position in which the section of the elongate channel extends over the fourth inlet opening and the elongate channel bridges across the fourth inlet opening to the mixed flow outlet opening to fluidly couple the fourth inlet opening to the mixed flow outlet opening but does not bridge across the third inlet opening to the mixed flow outlet opening. When the fluid selector plate is in the neutral flow position none of the inlet openings and outlet openings are fluidly coupled to each other regardless of the rotational position of the fluid selector plate. 
     In an aspect, the mixed flow position includes a plurality of mixed flow positions including a mixed flow-low volume position and a mixed flow-high volume position. When the fluid flow selector plate is in the mixed flow-high volume position a larger section of the elongate channel extends over those of the third and fourth inlet openings to which the fluid flow selector plate has been rotated to extend over than when the fluid flow selector plate is in the mixed flow-low volume position. 
     In an aspect, the inlet/outlet plate includes third and fourth inlet openings and a mixed flow outlet opening and the multi-flow valve is a four inlet/three outlet multi-flow valve. The fluid flow selector plate includes inner and outer concentric disks that are each rotatable independently of each other with respect to the inlet/outlet plate. The outer concentric disk has the arcuate offset channel therein and the inner concentric disk has a mixed flow fluid passage that is an elongate central channel in the fluid flow selector plate. At least the inner concentric disk is movable radially with respect to the inlet/outlet plate among at least a neutral flow position and a mixed-flow position. The plurality of rotational positions among which the fluid flow selector plate can be rotated when the inner concentric disk is in the mixed flow position includes a mixed flow on position in which a section of the elongate channel extends over the third and fourth fluid inlets and the elongate channel bridges across and the third and fourth fluid inlets to the mixed flow outlet opening to fluidly couple the third and fourth fluid inlets to the mixed flow outlet, a third flow on position in which the section of the elongate channel extends over the third inlet opening and the elongate channel bridges across the third fluid inlet opening and the mixed flow outlet opening to fluidly couple the third fluid inlet opening to the mixed flow outlet opening and does not bridge across the fourth flow inlet to the mixed flow outlet opening and a fourth flow on position in which the section of the elongate channel extends over the fourth inlet opening and the elongate channel bridges across the fourth inlet opening to the mixed flow outlet to fluidly couple the fourth inlet opening to the mixed flow outlet opening but does not bridge across the third inlet opening to the mixed flow outlet opening. When the inner concentric disk is in the neutral flow position neither of the third and fourth inlet openings are fluidly coupled to the mixed flow outlet opening regardless of the rotational position of the fluid selector plate. 
     In an aspect, the mixed flow position includes a plurality of mixed flow positions including a mixed flow-low volume position and a mixed flow-high volume position. When the inner concentric disk is in the mixed flow-high volume position a larger section of the elongate channel extends over those of the third and fourth inlet openings to which the inner concentric disk has been rotated to extend over than when the inner concentric disk is in the mixed flow-low volume position. 
     In an aspect, the four inlet/three outlet multi-flow valve is changed to a three inlet/two outlet multi-flow valve by replacing its inlet/outlet plate with an inlet/outlet plate that does not have the second inlet opening and the second outlet opening. 
     In an aspect, a water dispenser includes a conditioned water source, a faucet spout and a multi-flow valve in accordance with any of the above aspects. The first and second inlet openings of the surface plate provide first and second inlets of the valve and the first and second outlet openings of the surface plate provide first and second outlets of the valve. The first outlet of the multi-flow valve is fluidly coupled to the conditioned water source. The second outlet of the valve is fluidly coupled to an outlet line of the faucet spout. An outlet of the conditioned water source is fluidly coupled to the outlet line of the faucet spout through a check valve. In an aspect, the second outlet of the valve is alternatively fluidly coupled to another outlet line of the faucet instead of the outlet line to which the outlet of the conditioned water source is fluidly coupled. In an aspect, the water dispenser can be a water dispenser of any of hot water, chilled water, filtered water, distilled water, deionized water, reverse osmosis water, carbonated water, or other types of conditioned water and the water source is a source of the conditioned water. 
     In an aspect, the water dispenser is a hot water dispenser with the water source being a heated tank and the hot water dispenser has a check valve through which the outlet of the water source is fluidly coupled to the outlet line of the faucet. In an aspect, the faucet has a vent line fluidly coupled to the heated tank that is the source of conditioned water. 
     In an aspect, the water dispenser further includes a hot/cold water mixing valve and the faucet spout has a mixed water outlet line fluidly coupled to an outlet of hot/cold water mixing valve. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a basic schematic view of a multi-flow valve having two inlets and two outlets in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an example embodiment of the valve of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view of a conditioned water dispenser having the valve of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view of a water dispenser having the conditioned water dispenser of  FIG. 3  and a hot/cold water mixing valve; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are exploded views of a four inlet/three outlet multi-flow valve in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 6A-6D  are diagrammatic views of the valve of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  in an auxiliary flow position; 
         FIGS. 7A-7D  are diagrammatic views of the valve of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  in a neutral position; 
         FIGS. 8A-8D  are diagrammatic views of the valve of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  in a mixed flow-low volume position; 
         FIGS. 9A-9D  are diagrammatic views of the valve of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  in a mixed flow-high volume position are exploded views of a another multi-flow valve in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are exploded views of a another four inlet/three outlet multi-flow valve in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  are diagrammatic views of a variation of the valve of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic view of a water dispenser having the valve of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagrammatic view of a water dispenser having the valve of either  FIG. 5A, 5B or 10A, 10B  in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 14  is a variation of the inlet/outlet plate of the valves of  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 10A, 10B  changing those valves to three inlet/two outlet valves in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure and with reference to  FIG. 1  which is a basic schematic of a two inlet/two outlet valve  100  in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a fluid valve  100  has two discrete fluid inlets, inlet  102  and inlet  104 , and two discrete fluid outlets, outlet  106  and outlet  108 . It should be understood that valve  100  can be a valve cartridge. Valve  100  has a normally closed position  112  and two open positions, open position  114  and open position  116 . When valve  100  is in the normally closed position, fluid is blocked from flowing from inlets  102 ,  104  to outlets  106 ,  108 . When valve  100  is in open position  114 , it fluidly couples a flow passage between inlet  102  and outlet  106  allowing fluid to flow from inlet  102  to outlet  106  and fluid flow from inlet  104  to outlet  108  is blocked. When valve  100  is in open position  116 , it fluidly couples the flow passage between inlet  104  and outlet  108  and fluid is allowed to flow from inlet  104  to outlet  108  and fluid flow from inlet  102  to outlet  106  is blocked. Regardless of the position of valve  100 , fluid does not flow from inlet  102  to outlet  108  or from inlet  104  to outlet  106 . Valve  100  provides for discrete fluid paths by which fluid from different sources can flow through the valve without the fluid from the different sources being mixed. When valve  100  is used in a kitchen or bath application, the different sources of fluid for example can include hot water, chilled water, filtered water, distilled water, deionized water, reverse osmosis water, carbonated water, and other types of water. 
     Valve  100  illustratively is coupled to a handle  118  that is moved to move the valve to its various positions. 
     In an aspect, valve  100  is also configured to regulate the flow rate of fluid flowing through it. In an aspect, valve inlets and/or outlets are configured for use of interchangeable orifice members thereat. Orifices in the orifice members that are used have openings that are sized to provide the desired flow rate for a particular application. This for example allows faucets to be manufactured with identical bodies, which allows standardization of faucets, but able to be configured to have different flow rates by the use of appropriately sized orifices at the inlets and/or outlets of the valve. 
     Valve  100  includes a movable flow passage member  110  having fluid flow passage  111  movable among closed position  112 , open position  114  and open position  116 . Movable flow passage member  110  is coupled to handle  118  that for example is moved clockwise (as oriented in  FIG. 1 ) to move movable flow passage member  110  to open position  114  from closed position  112  and counterclockwise to move movable flow passage member  110  to open position  116  from closed position  112 . When movable flow passage member  110  is in open position  116 , inlet  102  is fluidly coupled to outlet  106  with outlet  106  by fluid flow passage  111  bridging across inlet  102  to outlet  106  allowing fluid to flow from inlet  102  to outlet  106  and fluid is blocked from flowing from inlet  104  to outlet  108 . When movable flow passage member  110  is in open position  114 , inlet  104  is fluidly coupled to outlet  108  by fluid flow passage  111  bridging across inlet  104  to outlet  108  allowing fluid to flow from inlet  104  to outlet  108  and fluid is blocked from flowing from inlet  102  to outlet  106 . When movable flow passage member  110  is in closed position  112 , fluid is blocked from flowing from inlets  102 ,  104  to outlets  106 ,  108 , respectively. Further, regardless of the position of movable flow passage member  110 , fluid is blocked from flowing from inlet  102  to outlet  106  or from inlet  104  to outlet  108 . Valve  100  optionally includes a detent  120  shown in phantom in  FIG. 1  at closed position  112 . This detent may for example be a detent of the type conventionally used in certain prior art valve cartridges. 
       FIG. 2  shows a valve  200  that is an example embodiment of valve  100 . Valve  200  includes a valve housing  202  having a spindle  204 , a fluid flow selector plate  206  that provides movable flow passage member  110 , an inlet/outlet plate  208  having inlet openings  210 ,  212  that provide inlets  102 ,  104  and outlet openings  214 ,  216  that provide outlets  106 ,  108 , a surface plate  218  having inlet openings  220 ,  222  for inlets  102 ,  104  and outlet openings  224 ,  226  for outlets  106 ,  108 . The fluid flow selector plate  206  includes an elongate channel  228  therein that provides a flow passage as described below. While not shown in  FIG. 2 , handle  118  is illustratively coupled to the fluid flow selector plate  206 . 
     Interchangeable orifice members  230  are received in inlet openings  220 ,  222  of surface plate  218  and insert/seals  232  are received in outlet openings  224 ,  226  of surface plate  218 . It should be understood that orifice members  230  can also be seals. It should also be understood that orifice members  230  could be received in outlet openings  224 ,  226  instead of insert/seals  232  in which case insert/seals  232  could be received in inlet openings  220 ,  222  instead of orifice members  230 . It should be understood that orifice members  230  could be received in all of openings  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226 . Orifice members  230  include orifices  234  therein which are sized to provide the desired flow rate of fluid through valve  200 . 
     In operation, valve  200  is moved to the open position  116  ( FIG. 1 ) by rotating fluid flow selector plate  206  clockwise and when valve  200  is in the open position  116 , elongate channel  228  extends bridges across between inlet opening  210  and outlet opening  216  providing a flow passage between inlet  102  and outlet  106  fluidly coupling inlet  102  and outlet  106 . Valve  200  is moved to the open position  116  ( FIG. 1 ) by rotating fluid flow selector plate  206  counter-clockwise and when valve  200  is in the open position  114 , elongate channel  228  extends between inlet opening  212  and outlet opening  214  providing a flow passage between inlet  104  and outlet  108  fluidly coupling inlet  104  to outlet  108 . 
       FIGS. 11A-11C  show a fluid flow selector plate  1100  that is a variation of fluid flow selector plate  206  and in a variation, valve  200  has fluid flow selector plate  1100  instead of fluid flow selector plate  206 . In  FIGS. 11A-11C , fluid flow selector plate  1100  is coaxial with and behind inlet/outlet plate  208 . Fluid flow selector plate  1100  has an offset arcuate channel  1102  that provides the fluid passage. Offset arcuate channel  1102  is offset from a center of fluid flow selector plate  1100  and offset arcuate channel  1102  lies in an arc  1104  ( FIG. 11A ) in which inlet openings  210 ,  212  and outlet openings  214 ,  216  also lie. Fluid flow selector plate is rotatable with respect to inlet/outlet plate  208  among closed position  112  shown in  FIG. 11A , open position  114  shown in  FIG. 11B  and open position  116  shown in  FIG. 11C . When in closed position  112  shown in  FIG. 11A , arcuate channel  1102  does not bridge across any of inlet openings  210 ,  212  to any of outlet openings  214 ,  216 . In this closed position, offset arcuate channel  1102  does bridge across outlet opening  214  to outlet opening  216  to provide a vent path. 
     In operation, valve  200  having fluid flow selector plate  1100  is moved to the open position  114  ( FIG. 11B ) by rotating fluid flow selector plate  1100  counter-clockwise. When valve  200  having fluid flow selector plate  1100  is in open position  114 , offset arcuate channel  1102  bridges across inlet opening  210  to outlet opening  214  allowing fluid to flow from inlet opening  210  to outlet opening  214  but not from inlet opening  212  to outlet opening  216 . Valve  200  having fluid flow selector plate  1100  is moved to the open position  116  ( FIG. 11B ) by rotating fluid flow selector plate  1100  clockwise. When valve  200  having fluid flow selector plate  1100  is in open position  116 , offset arcuate channel  1102  bridges across inlet opening  212  to outlet opening  216  allowing fluid to flow from inlet opening  212  to outlet opening  216  but not from inlet opening  210  to outlet opening  214 . 
       FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view of a conditioned water dispenser  300  having valve  100 . It should be understood that valve  100  can be valve  200  having fluid flow selector plate  206  as shown in  FIG. 2  or having the fluid flow selector plate  1100  as shown in  FIGS. 11A-11C . A supply line  312  is fluidly coupled to inlet  102  of valve  100  and a supply line  314  is fluidly coupled to inlet  104  of valve  100 . Outlet  106  of valve  100  is fluidly coupled to water source  302  and outlet  108  of valve  100  is fluidly coupled to an outlet line  305  of a faucet spout  304 . An outlet  306  of the water source is also fluidly coupled to the outlet line  305  of faucet spout  304 . Conditioned water dispenser  300  can be any type of conditioned water dispenser including hot water, chilled water, filtered water, distilled water, deionized water, reverse osmosis water, carbonated water, or other types of conditioned water. In an aspect, outlet  108  is fluidly coupled to a separate outlet line  316  of faucet spout  304  instead of outline line  305 . 
     In an aspect, conditioned water dispenser  300  is a hot water dispenser and water source  302  is a heated tank. Conditioned water dispenser  300  then includes a check valve  308  through which outlet  306  is fluidly coupled to outlet line  305  of faucet spout  304 . Faucet spout  304  optionally then also has a vent path  310  that extends into the tank that is water source  302 . 
     In an aspect, outlet  108  is alternatively fluidly coupled to an outlet line  316  of faucet spout  304  instead of outlet line  305 . 
     With reference to conditioned water dispenser  300  being a hot water dispenser, in operation, when valve  100  is in open position  114  ( FIG. 1 ), water flows from supply line  312  into inlet  102 , from inlet  102  to outlet  106 , and from outlet  106  into water source  302  forcing hot water from water source out through outlet  306  into outlet line  305  of faucet spout  304 . When valve  100  is in open position  116  ( FIG. 1 ), water flows from supply line  314  into inlet  104 , from inlet  104  to outlet  108 , and from outlet  108  into outlet line  305  of faucet spout  304 . 
       FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view of a water dispenser  400  having conditioned water dispenser  300 , which has valve  100 , and also having a hot/cold water mixing valve  402 . It should be understood that valve  100  can be valve  200  having fluid flow selector plate  206  as shown in  FIG. 2  or having the fluid flow selector plate  1100  as shown in  FIGS. 11A-11C . The arrangement of conditioned water dispenser  300  in water dispenser  400  is essentially the same as shown in  FIG. 3  with an outlet line  404  of a faucet spout  406  fluidly coupled to outlet  108  of valve  100  of conditioned water dispenser  300  and also to outlet  306  of conditioned water dispenser  300 . Faucet spout  406  also has a mixed water outlet line  408  fluidly coupled to an outlet  410  of hot/cold water mixing valve  402 . Water dispenser  400  can optionally include a sprayer (not shown) in which case a mixed water sprayer outlet line  412  is also fluidly coupled to outlet  410  of hot/cold water mixing valve  402 . An inlet  414  of hot/cold water mixing valve  402  is fluidly coupled to a hot water supply line  416  and an inlet  418  is fluidly coupled to a cold water supply line  420 . 
       FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic view of water dispenser  1200  having valve  100  and a faucet spout  1202 . It should be understood that valve  100  can be valve  200  having fluid flow selector plate  206  as shown in  FIG. 2  or having the fluid flow selector plate  1100  as shown in  FIGS. 11A-11C . Supply line  312  is fluidly coupled to inlet  102  of valve  100  and supply line  314  is fluidly coupled to inlet  104  of valve  100 . Outlet  106  of valve  100  is fluidly coupled to a first outlet line  1204  of faucet spout  1202  and outlet  108  of valve  100  is fluidly coupled to a second outlet line  1206  of a faucet spout  1202 . In an aspect, outlet  108  is fluidly coupled to first outlet line  1204  instead of second outlet line  1206  and second outlet line  106  can then be dispensed with. 
     In an aspect, supply line  312  is illustratively a hot tap water supply line and supply line  314  is illustratively a cold tap water supply line and water dispenser  1300  is thus a faucet. 
     In an aspect, supply line  312  is fluidly coupled to a conditioned water device  1208  of conditioned water shown in phantom in  FIG. 12  that is fluidly coupled to a water supply line  1210  shown in phantom in  FIG. 12 . In an aspect, supply line  314  is fluidly coupled to a chiller/carbonation device  1212  shown in phantom in  FIG. 12  to which a water supply line  1216  shown in phantom in  FIG. 12  is fluidly coupled through a filter  1214  shown in phantom in  FIG. 12 . 
     In an aspect, a water supply line  1218  shown in phantom in  FIG. 12  is fluidly coupled through a filter  1220  shown in phantom in  FIG. 12  to supply line  312  and through filter  1220  to a chiller/carbonation device  1222  shown in phantom in  FIG. 12  that in turn is fluidly coupled to supply line  314 . 
     It should be understood that conditioned water device  1208  could be any of a filtered water device, a chiller/carbonation device, a pressurized hot water (boiling) tank, or a device that provides other types of pressurized fluids such as juice, tea, coffee and the like. 
       FIG. 5A  is an exploded view of a fluid valve  500  having four inlets and three outlets in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure and  FIG. 5B  is an exploded view of valve  500  from a different orientation. Valve  500  includes a valve housing  502  having a spindle  504 , a spindle carrier  506  in which opposed pins  508  (only one of which is shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B ) extending transversely from an end  510  of spindle  504  are received, a spindle adapter  512  in which end  510  of spindle  504  is received, a fluid flow selector  514  engaged with spindle adapter  512 , an inlet/outlet plate  516  having an inner surface  518  ( FIG. 5B ) abutting an outer surface  520  ( FIG. 5A ) of fluid flow selector  514  and a surface plate  522  having an inner surface  524  ( FIG. 5B ) abutting an outer surface  526  ( FIG. 5A ) of inlet/outlet plate  516 . A gasket  528  is received on an outer face  530  of surface plate  522 . Inlet outlet/plate  516  has four inlet openings, inlet openings  532 ,  534 ,  536  and  538 , and three outlet openings, outlet openings  540 ,  542  and mixed-flow outlet opening  544 . Surface plate  522  has inlet openings  546 ,  548 ,  550 ,  552  ( FIG. 5A ) corresponding to inlet openings  532 ,  534 ,  536 ,  538  of inlet/outlet plate  516  and outlet openings  554 ,  556 ,  558  ( FIG. 5A ) corresponding to outlet openings  540 ,  542 ,  544  of inlet/outlet plate  516 . A gasket  560  is disposed between inlet/outlet plate  516  and surface plate  522  and configured to seal around the respective openings in the inlet/outlet plate  516  and surface plate  522 . 
     Fluid flow selector  514  includes fluid passage  562  and fluid passage  564 . In the example embodiment of  FIGS. 5A &amp; 5B  and with reference to  FIG. 5A , fluid flow selector  514  is a fluid flow selector plate  566  and fluid passage  562  is an elongate central channel  568  in fluid flow selector plate  566  at a central portion  570  thereof and fluid passage  564  is an offset arcuate channel  572  in fluid flow selector plate  566  offset from central portion  570 . In the example of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  and as oriented in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , offset arcuate channel  572  which forms fluid passage  564  is disposed below elongate central channel  568  which forms fluid passage  562 . 
     As explained in more detail below, fluid flow selector  514  is rotatable with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  and also movable radially with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  to selectively fluidly couple inlet openings  532 ,  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544 , selectively fluidly couple inlet opening  536  to outlet opening  540  and selectively fluidly couple inlet opening  538  to outlet opening  542 . In this regard, spindle  504  is coupled by spindle carrier  506  and spindle adapter  512  to fluid flow selector  514 . Spindle  504  is rotated by a user to rotate fluid flow selector  514  with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  and moved back and forth (up and down as oriented in  FIG. 5 ) to move fluid flow selector  514  radially with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516 . Wings  574  of spindle carrier  506  limit rotation. Movement of spindle  504  back and forth (up and down as oriented in  FIG. 5 ) moves spindle adapter  512  radially back and forth which in turn moves fluid flow selector  514  radially with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516 . Fluid flow selector  514  is movable radially with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  among an auxiliary flow position  600 , shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , a neutral flow position  700 , shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C , a mixed flow-low volume position  800 , shown in  FIGS. 8A-8C , and a mixed flow-full volume position  900 , shown in  FIGS. 9A-9C . In each of these positions, fluid flow selector  514  is rotatable with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  to provide various fluid flows from the inlets of inlet/outlet plate  516  to the outlets of inlet/outlet plate  516  as discussed below. 
     In the example embodiment where fluid passage  564  is offset arcuate channel  572 , when fluid flow selector  514  is in auxiliary flow position  600  shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , fluid flow selector  514  is radially offset with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  with offset arcuate channel  572  in a same arc  602  as inlet openings  536 ,  538  and outlet openings  540 ,  542  and spindle  504  is at a zero degree angle with respect to a longitudinal axis  604  of valve  500  as shown in  FIG. 6D . 
     When fluid flow selector  514  is in auxiliary flow position  600 , it can be rotated with respect inlet/outlet plate  516  among an auxiliary flow off position  606  shown in  FIG. 6A , a first auxiliary flow on position  608  shown in  FIG. 6B  and a second auxiliary flow on position  610  shown in  FIG. 6C . In each of these auxiliary flow positions, fluid passage  562  does not fluidly couple either of inlet openings  532 ,  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  and there is thus no fluid flow from either of inlet openings  532 ,  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544 . More specifically in the embodiment where fluid flow selector  514  is fluid flow selector plate  566  and fluid passage  562  is elongate central channel  568 , elongate central channel  568  does not bridge across either of inlet openings  532 ,  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  when fluid flow selector plate  566  is in the auxiliary flow position  600 . 
     When fluid flow selector  514  is in auxiliary flow off position  606  shown in  FIG. 6A , fluid passage  562  does not fluidly couple inlet opening  536  to outlet opening  540  or inlet opening  538  to outlet opening  542  and there is thus no fluid flow from inlet opening  536  to outlet opening  540  or from inlet opening  538  to outlet opening  542 . More specifically in the embodiment where fluid flow selector  514  is fluid flow selector plate  566  and fluid passage  564  is offset arcuate channel  572 , offset arcuate channel  572  does not bridge across inlet opening  536  to outlet opening  540  or across inlet opening  538  to outlet opening  542  when fluid flow selector plate  566  is in the auxiliary flow off position  606 . 
     In an aspect, when fluid flow selector  514  is in auxiliary flow off position  606 , fluid passage  564  fluidly couples outlet opening  540  to outlet opening  542 . More specifically in the embodiment where fluid flow selector  514  is fluid flow selector plate  566  and fluid passage  564  is offset arcuate channel  572 , offset arcuate channel  572  bridges across outlet opening  540  to outlet opening  542 . This aspect is advantageously used in hot water dispensing systems having a non-pressurized tank to provide a vent path when fluid flow selector  514  is in auxiliary flow off position  606 . 
     When fluid flow selector  514  is in first auxiliary flow on position  608  shown in  FIG. 6B , fluid passage  564  fluidly couples inlet opening  538  to outlet opening  542  but not inlet opening  536  to outlet opening  540  allowing fluid to flow from inlet opening  538  to outlet opening  542  but not from inlet opening  536  to outlet opening  540 . More specifically in the embodiment where fluid flow selector  514  is fluid flow selector plate  566  and fluid passage  564  is offset arcuate channel  572 , offset arcuate channel  572  bridges across inlet opening  538  to outlet opening  542  but not across inlet opening  536  to outlet opening  540  when fluid flow selector plate  566  is in first auxiliary flow on position  608 . 
     When fluid flow selector  514  is in second auxiliary flow on position  610  shown in  FIG. 6C , fluid passage  564  fluidly couples inlet opening  536  to outlet opening  540  but not inlet opening  538  to outlet opening  542  allowing fluid to flow from inlet opening  536  to outlet opening  540  but not from inlet opening  538  to outlet opening  542 . More specifically in the embodiment where fluid flow selector  514  is fluid flow selector plate  566  and fluid passage  564  is offset arcuate channel  572 , offset arcuate channel  572  bridges across inlet opening  536  to outlet opening  540  but not across inlet opening  538  to outlet opening  542  when fluid flow selector plate  566  is in second auxiliary flow on position  610 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7A-7C , when fluid flow selector  514  is in neutral flow position  700 , fluid passage  562  does not couple either of inlet openings  532 ,  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  regardless of the rotational position of fluid flow selector  514  with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  as shown by positions  702  ( FIG. 7A ),  704  ( FIG. 7B ) and  706  ( FIG. 7C ) which correspond to rotational positions  606 ,  608 ,  610  of fluid flow selector  514  with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C . Also, fluid passage  564  does not couple inlet opening  536  to outlet opening  540  or inlet opening  538  to outlet opening  542  regardless of the rotational position of fluid flow selector  514  with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516 . 
     In the example embodiment where fluid flow selector  514  is fluid flow selector plate  566  and fluid passage  562  is an elongate central channel  568  and fluid passage  564  is offset arcuate channel  572 , when fluid flow selector plate  566  is in neutral flow position  700  shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C , fluid flow selector plate  566  is radially centered with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  with offset arcuate channel  572  in a different arc as arc  602  in which inlet openings  536 ,  538  and outlet openings  540 ,  542  lie so that no portion of offset arcuate channel  572  overlaps arc  602 . Also, no portion of elongate central channel  568  will overlap inlet openings  532 ,  534  regardless of the rotational position of fluid flow selector  514  with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516 . Further, spindle  504  is at an angle  708  with respect to a longitudinal axis  604  of valve  500  as shown in  FIG. 7D  with angle  708  shown between a centerline  710  of spindle  504  and longitudinal axis  604  of valve  500 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8A-8C , when fluid flow selector  514  is in mixed flow-low volume position  800 , fluid passage  564  does not couple inlet opening  536  to outlet opening  540  or inlet opening  538  to outlet opening  542  regardless of the rotational position of fluid flow selector  514  with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516 . When fluid flow selector  514  is in mixed flow-low volume position  800 , it can be rotated with respect to inlet/out plate  516  among a mixed flow-low volume on position  802  shown in  FIG. 8A , a first flow-low volume on position  804  shown in  FIG. 8B  and a second flow-low volume on position  806  shown in  FIG. 8C . It should be understood that position  800  is referred to as a mixed flow-low volume position because when fluid flow selector  514  is in this position, its rotational positions include mixed flow-low volume on position  802  that allows fluid to flow from both of inlet openings  532 ,  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  thus providing a flow of mixed fluid at mixed-flow outlet opening  544  even though a flow of mixed fluid is not provided at mixed-flow outlet opening  544  when fluid flow selector  514  is either its first flow-low volume on position  804  or its second flow-low volume on position  806 . 
     When fluid flow selector  514  is in mixed flow-low volume on position  802  shown in  FIG. 8A , fluid passage  562  fluidly couples inlet openings  532 ,  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  allowing fluid to flow from both inlet openings  532 ,  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544 . When fluid flow selector  514  is in first flow-low volume on position  804  shown in  FIG. 8B , fluid passage  562  fluidly couples inlet opening  532  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  but not inlet opening  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  allowing fluid to flow only from inlet opening  532  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  but not from inlet opening  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544 . When fluid flow selector  514  is in second flow-low volume on position  804  shown in  FIG. 8B , fluid passage  562  fluidly couples inlet opening  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  but not inlet opening  532  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  allowing fluid to flow only from inlet opening  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  but not from inlet opening  532  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544 . In an aspect, only a small portion of fluid passage  562  opens to either or both inlet openings  532 ,  532  (depending on which of the above mixed flow-low volume positions fluid flow selector  514  is in) so that the volume of fluid that can flow from any of inlet openings  532 ,  544  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  is low. More specifically in the embodiment where fluid flow selector  514  is fluid flow selector plate  566  and flow passage  562  is elongate central channel  568 , a first section  808  of end portion  810  of elongate central channel  568  that opens to either or both of inlet openings  532 ,  534  (depending on which of the above mixed flow-low volume positions fluid flow selector  514  is in) has an area that is sized so that it allows only a low volume of fluid to flow from any of the inlet openings  532 ,  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544 . 
     In the example embodiment where fluid flow selector  514  is fluid flow selector plate  566  and fluid passage  562  is elongate central channel  568  and fluid passage  564  is offset arcuate channel  572 , when fluid flow selector plate  566  is in mixed flow-low volume position  800  shown in  FIGS. 8A-8C , fluid flow selector plate  566  is radially offset with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  toward inlet openings  532 ,  534  with offset arcuate channel  572  in a different arc than arc  602  in which openings  536 ,  538  and outlet openings  540 ,  542  lie so that no portion of offset arcuate channel  572  overlaps arc  602 . Further, spindle  504  is at an angle  812  with respect to a longitudinal axis  604  of valve  500  as shown in  FIG. 8D . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9A-9C , fluid passage  564  does not couple inlet opening  536  to outlet opening  540  or inlet opening  538  to outlet opening  542  regardless of the rotational position of fluid flow selector  514  with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516 . When fluid flow selector  514  is in mixed flow-high volume position  900 , it can be rotated with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  among a mixed fluid flow-high volume on position  902  shown in  FIG. 9A , a first fluid flow-high volume on position  904  shown in  FIG. 9B  and a second fluid flow-high volume on position  906  shown in  FIG. 9C . It should be understood that position  900  is referred to as a mixed flow-high volume position because when fluid flow selector  514  is in this position, its rotational positions include mixed-flow high volume on position  902  that allows fluid to flow from both of inlet openings  532 ,  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  thus providing a flow of mixed fluid at outlet opening  532  even though a flow of mixed fluid is not provided at mixed-flow outlet opening  544  when fluid flow selector  514  is either its first flow-high volume on position  904  or its second flow-high volume on position  906 . 
     When fluid flow selector  514  is in mixed flow-high volume on position  902  shown in  FIG. 9A , fluid passage  562  fluidly couples inlet openings  532 ,  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  allowing fluid to flow from both inlet openings  532 ,  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544 . When fluid flow selector  514  is in first flow-high volume on position  904  shown in  FIG. 9B , fluid passage  562  fluidly couples inlet opening  532  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  but not inlet opening  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  allowing fluid to flow only from inlet opening  532  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  but not from inlet opening  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544 . When fluid flow selector  514  is in second flow-high volume on position  904  shown in  FIG. 9B , fluid passage  562  fluidly couples inlet opening  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  but not inlet opening  532  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  allowing fluid to flow only from inlet opening  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  but not from inlet opening  532  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544 . In an aspect, a portion of fluid passage  562  that opens to either or both inlet openings  532 ,  532  (depending on which of the above mixed flow-low volume positions fluid flow selector  514  is in) is larger than when fluid flow selector  514  is in the mixed flow low-volume position  800  so that the volume of fluid that can flow from any of inlet openings  532 ,  544  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  is high. More specifically when fluid flow selector  514  is fluid flow selector plate  566  and fluid flow passage  562  is elongate central channel  568 , a second section  908  of fluid passage  562  that opens to either or both inlet openings  532 ,  534  (depending on which of the above mixed flow-low volume positions fluid flow selector  514  is in) is sized so that the volume of fluid that can flow from any of inlet openings  532 ,  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  is high. In this regard, it should be understood that second section  908  of fluid passage  562  includes first section  808  of fluid passage  562  and second section  908  is larger than first section  808 . 
     In the example embodiment where fluid flow selector  514  is fluid flow selector plate  566  and fluid passage  562  is an elongate central channel  568  and fluid passage  564  is offset arcuate channel  572 , when fluid flow selector plate  566  is in mixed-flow high volume position  900  shown in  FIGS. 9A-9C , fluid flow selector  514  is radially offset with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  toward inlet openings  532 ,  534  with offset arcuate channel  572  in a different arc than arc  602  in which inlet openings  536 ,  538  and outlet openings  540 ,  542  lie so that no portion of offset arcuate channel  572  overlaps arc  602 . Further, spindle  504  is at an angle  910  with respect to a longitudinal axis  604  of valve  500  as shown in  FIG. 9D . 
     In an aspect, fluid flow selector  514  is also positionable anywhere between mixed flow low-volume position  800  and mixed flow high-volume position  900  to adjust the volume of fluid flow that flows from either or both inlet openings  532 ,  534  (depending on the rotational position that fluid flow selector  514  is in) to mixed-flow outlet opening  544 . 
     It should be understood that the terms low volume and high volume as used herein are relative terms with respect to each other. That is, low volume means that the volume of fluid flow is lower than the volume of fluid flow at high volume. 
       FIG. 10A  is an exploded view of a fluid valve  1000  having four inlets and three outlets in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure that is a variation of valve  500  and  FIG. 10B  is an exploded view of valve  1000  from a different orientation. The discussion of valve  1000  will thus focus on the differences. 
     Valve  1000  includes a valve housing  1002 , a spindle  1004 , a handle adapter  1006 , a spindle adapter  1008 , fluid flow selector  1010 , inlet/outlet plate  516  and surface plate  522 . Fluid flow selector  1010  illustratively includes fluid flow selector concentric disks  1014 ,  1016  with flow selector disk  1014  an inner concentric disk and referred to herein as inner concentric flow selector disk  1014  and fluid flow selector disk  1016  an outer concentric disk and referred to herein as outer concentric flow selector disk  1016 . Inner flow selector disk  1014  is movable radially and rotationally within outer concentric flow selector disk  1016  and thus also with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516 . Outer concentric flow selector disk  1016  is movable rotationally with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516 . 
     Spindle  1004  is coupled via spindle adapter  1008  to inner concentric flow selector disk  1014  and spindle  1004  is moved back and forth to move inner concentric flow selector disk  1014  radially with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  and rotated to rotate inner concentric flow selector disk  1014  with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516 . A handle  1018 , illustratively a ring, disposed at an outer face  1024  of valve housing  1002  is coupled via handle adapter  1006  to outer concentric flow selector disk  1016  and handle  1018  is rotated to rotate outer concentric flow selector disk  1016  with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516 . 
     Inner concentric flow selector disk  1014  includes fluid passage  562  which is illustratively elongated central channel  568 . Inner concentric flow selector disk  1014  is movable radially and rotationally with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  to mixed flow positions comparable to those described above with respect to flow valve  500 . That is, inner concentric flow selector disk  1014  is positionable with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  to position fluid passage  562  to fluidly couple either or both inlet openings  532 ,  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544  at various volume flows (depending on the radial position of inner concentric flow disk  1018  as well to a position where flow passage  562  does not fluidly couple either of inlet openings  532 ,  534  to mixed-flow outlet opening  544 . 
     Outer concentric flow selector disk  1016  includes fluid passage  564  which is illustratively offset arcuate channel  572 . Outer concentric flow selector disk  1016  is rotatable with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  to auxiliary flow positions comparable to those described above with respect to flow valve  500 . That is, outer concentric flow selector disk  1016  is rotatable with respect to inlet/outlet plate  516  to position fluid passage  562  to fluidly couple inlet opening  532  to outlet opening  540 , fluidly couple inlet opening  534  to outlet opening  542 , or where fluid passage  564  does not fluidly couple inlet opening  532  to outlet opening  540  or inlet opening  536  to outlet opening  542 . In an aspect, when fluid passage  564  is in the position where it does not fluidly couple inlet opening  532  to outlet opening  540  or inlet opening  538  to outlet opening  542 , fluid passage  564  fluidly couples outlet opening  540  to outlet opening  542  to provide a vent path. 
     In valve  1000 , movement of inner concentric flow selector disk  1014  is independent of movement of outer concentric flow selector disk  1016 . Spindle  1004  is moved by a user to select the desired mixed flow position and handle  1018  moved by the user to select the desired auxiliary flow position. 
       FIG. 14  shows an inlet/outlet plate  516 ′ that is a variation of inlet/outlet plate  516 . Inlet/outlet plate  516 ′ does not have inlet opening  538  or outlet opening  542 . Replacing inlet/outlet plate  516  in fluid valve  500  or fluid valve  1000  changes these fluid valves from four inlet/three outlet valves to three inlet/two outlet valves and this variation only has one auxiliary flow on position instead of two. In an aspect a faucet having this variation is configured to limit the rotation of the handle so that when the applicable fluid flow selector is in the auxiliary flow position, it can only be rotated between one auxiliary flow on position and the auxiliary flow off position. In an aspect of fluid valve  1000  having inlet/outlet plate  516 ′, a valve housing  1002  has a stop  1022  shown in phantom in  FIG. 10B  that limits the rotation of outer concentric disk  1016  so that it can only be rotated between one auxiliary flow on position and the auxiliary flow off position. 
     Fluid valves  500 ,  1000  can for example be used for a water dispenser of the type described above with reference to conditioned water dispenser  300 , water dispenser  400  and water dispenser  1200 .  FIG. 13  is a diagrammatic view of a water dispenser  1300  having a fluid valve  1302  that can be either of fluid valve  500  or fluid valve  1000 . With the exception of having valve  1302  instead of valve  100 , water dispenser  1300  is otherwise the same as conditioned water dispenser  400 . Inlet openings  546 ,  548  of surface plate  522  are fluidly coupled to hot and cold tap water supply lines  1304 ,  1306 , respectively, and mixed-flow outlet opening  558  of surface plate  522  is fluidly to a mixed flow outlet line  1320  of a faucet spout  1312 . Inlet opening  550  of surface plate  522  is fluidly coupled to auxiliary supply line  1308  (which is a supply line for a first type of auxiliary water) and outlet opening  554  of surface plate  522  is fluidly coupled to an inlet of water source  302  of water dispenser  1300 . An outlet of water source  302  is fluidly coupled to outlet line  1316  of faucet spout  1312 . Outlet opening  556  of surface plate  522  is also fluidly coupled to outlet line  1316  or, alternatively, to outlet line  1318  of faucet spout  1312  as shown in phantom in  FIG. 13 . If water dispenser  1300  is a hot water dispenser, it also includes check valve  308  and vent path  310  as shown in phantom in  FIG. 13 . 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.