Patent Publication Number: US-7591399-B2

Title: Variable flow water dispenser for refrigerator freezers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/861,569, filed Jun. 4, 2004, this application hereby incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to water dispensers that can be located on the outer surface of a refrigerator door. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Ice and water dispensers are known for use in household refrigerator freezers. Variable flow liquid dispensers are also known. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a variable flow rate water dispenser mounted on a refrigerator door. The dispenser can include a dispenser nozzle and a user adjustable flow control and an actuator to allow the user to dispense water at a flow rate selected by the user. 
   The adjustable flow control can include one or more water valves having variable or different flow rates that can be operated alone or in combination to provide plural flow rates from the dispenser nozzle. 
   Alternately, the adjustable flow control can include a pump connected to a reservoir to dispense water from the dispenser nozzle at a flow rate selected by the user. 
   Alternately, the adjustable flow control can include a variable flow pump to dispense water from the dispenser nozzle at a flow rate selected by the user. 
   Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a variable flow rate water dispenser including a source of water and a dispenser housing mounted on a refrigerator door. The dispenser can include a nozzle for dispensing water from the dispenser housing and a user adjustable variable flow control controlling flow of water to the nozzle from the source of water. The user adjustable flow control can include a first water valve with a first flow rate and a second water valve having a second flow rate and an actuator. Operation of the actuator can cause the user adjustable flow control to operate the first water valve, the second water valve or both the first and second water valves depending on the flow rate selected by the user. 
   Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a variable flow rate water dispenser including a source of water and a dispenser housing mounted on a refrigerator door. The dispenser can include a nozzle for dispensing water from the dispenser housing, a variable flow pump controlling flow of water to the nozzle from the source of water and a user adjustable variable flow control. The user adjustable variable flow control can control operation of the variable flow pump and can include an actuator to cause the user adjustable flow control to operate the variable flow pump at a flow rate selected by the user. 
   The source of water can include a reservoir connected to a source of water to be automatically filled or can include a manually filled reservoir. The reservoir can be connected to the variable flow pump. The reservoir can also be expandable and can include a spring arranged to compress the reservoir. 
   The variable flow rate dispenser can include a user interface having a flow rate selector connected to the user adjustable variable flow control to allow a user to select a flow rate for the dispenser. The flow rate selector can include a touch pad control, plural switches or a potentiometer. 
   Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a dispenser housing mounted on a refrigerator door including a variable flow rate water dispenser and an ice dispenser. The variable flow rate water dispenser can include a reservoir connected to a source of water and a nozzle for dispensing water from the dispenser housing. The dispenser can include a control for dispensing water from the nozzle and for filling the ice maker including a user adjustable flow control. The user adjustable flow control can vary the flow rate of water supplied to the nozzle and can supply water to fill the ice maker. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of a refrigerator having a variable flow rate water dispenser according to the invention showing the location of certain components. 
       FIG. 1   a  is a partial front view of a refrigerator having a variable flow rate water dispenser according to the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a water dispenser housing according to the invention removed from the refrigerator. 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the water spout assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the water spout assembly removed from the dispenser housing shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of a water valve and valve control assembly according to the invention removed from the refrigerator. 
       FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the water valve and valve control assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a partial front view of another embodiment of water dispenser according to the invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a partial front view of another embodiment of water dispenser according to the invention. 
       FIG. 9A  is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of the water spigot assembly. 
       FIG. 9B  is a partial perspective view of the nozzle of the water spigot embodiment of  FIG. 9A . 
       FIG. 9C  is a partial sectional view of the nozzle of the water spigot embodiment of  FIG. 9A . 
       FIG. 9D  is a partial exploded view of the water spigot assembly of  FIG. 9A . 
       FIG. 9E  is partial bottom perspective view of the water spigot assembly of  FIG. 9A  with the spigot in the home position. 
       FIG. 9F  is a partial bottom perspective view of the water spigot assembly of  FIG. 9A  with the spigot in the extended position. 
       FIG. 10  is a partial schematic drawing of another embodiment of a valve assembly for providing variable fill rates. 
       FIG. 11A  is a partial schematic drawing of an alternate embodiment of a reservoir and pump for providing variable fill rates. 
       FIG. 11B  is a partial schematic drawing of the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 11A  showing the reservoir full of water. 
       FIG. 12  is a partial schematic drawing of an alternate embodiment of a reservoir and pump for providing variable fill rates. 
       FIG. 13A  is a partial schematic drawing of an alternate embodiment of a reservoir for providing variable fill rates showing the reservoir expanded. 
       FIG. 13B  is a partial schematic drawing of an alternate embodiment of a reservoir for providing variable fill rates showing the reservoir contracted. 
       FIG. 14  is a partial schematic drawing of an alternate embodiment of a reservoir that can be used with the variable flow rate dispenser according to the invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The use of refrigerator water dispensers has changed with the advent of the addition of water filters to refrigerators for filtering the chilled water dispensed through an ice and water dispenser. Such water filters are known to improve the taste and appearance of water for user consumption. Consumers are now using filtered water from the refrigerator water dispenser instead of using sink mounted or countertop water filtration systems. Accordingly, consumers are requiring more flexibility and features from their refrigerator water dispenser. Uses for water dispensers now include filling of large containers for cooking and consumption. One result of the new uses for refrigerator water dispensers is the need for new ways to fill larger containers. This can be accomplished by providing a variable flow rate water dispenser to provide high flow rates for filling larger containers and slower flow rates for filling smaller containers or for filling an automatic ice maker. This can also be accomplished by providing a refrigerator freezer water system with minimal internal flow restrictions and with flow straightening features for the spigot. While the water dispenser according to the invention is disclosed as part of an ice and water dispenser for a refrigerator freezer, those skilled in the art should understand that the water dispenser according to the invention can be used as a water dispenser only, and not combined with an ice dispenser. Accordingly, the water dispenser according to the invention will be referred to as a water dispenser with the understanding that water dispenser is to be understood as referring to both a water dispenser and an ice and water dispenser. The water dispenser according to the invention can be used with a measured fill water dispenser as disclosed in co-pending patent application US20030018, Ser. No. 10/861,203, which patent application is incorporated by reference. The water dispenser according to the invention can also be used with a water dispenser having a movable spigot as disclosed in co-pending patent application US20030308, Ser. No. 10/860,906, which patent application is incorporated by reference. 
   Turning to  FIG. 1 , a refrigerator freezer  8  can be seen in a schematic side view to show the relative position of certain water dispenser components. Refrigerator freezer  8  can have a freezer door  11  that can include a water dispenser  15  on the face of the freezer door  11 . While water dispenser  15  is shown on a side by side refrigerator freezer those skilled in the art will understand that the water dispenser can be used in conjunction with any refrigerator configuration, all refrigerator, top freezer, bottom freezer, or side by side configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 . Similarly, those skilled in the art with understand that the water dispenser  15  can be located on the face of the refrigerator door, not shown. Turning to  FIG. 1   a  and  FIG. 2 , water dispenser  15  is shown on the freezer door  11  of a side by side refrigerator freezer. The refrigerator freezer can also have a refrigerator door  12 . The freezer door  11  and refrigerator door  12  can have handles  13 . Water dispenser  15  can include a dispenser housing  16  mounted in the face of freezer door  11 . Dispenser housing  16  can include a dispenser enclosure  14  arranged to be mounted in freezer door  11  and a bezel  17 . Bezel  17  can accommodate a water dispenser control and a user interface  17 ′, not shown, that can be located at  17 ′ all as described in co-pending U.S. Patent Application US20030018 referred to above. Bezel  17  or dispenser enclosure  14  can include a dispensing cavity  18  arranged to accommodate glasses and the like on a tray  9 . Paddles or actuators  5  and  6  can be provided in the dispensing cavity  18  for actuating ice and water dispensing mechanisms respectively. 
   A water filter  14  can be positioned at the bottom of the refrigerator freezer  8 , and can be accessible from the front of the refrigerator freezer for servicing. Those skilled in the art will understand that the water filter  14  can be located outside the refrigerated space accessible from the front of the refrigerator through a grill customarily provided to cover the space below the refrigerator and freezer compartment doors. Water filter  14  can also be located in an above freezing refrigerated space, if desired, such as in the refrigerator compartment, or in insulation for the refrigerator compartment, freezer compartment or in the insulation for the refrigerator or freezer compartment doors (collectively referred to as a “refrigerated space”), again as well known to those skilled in the art. An icemaker  37  can be located in the refrigerator freezer and arranged to freeze water to form ice pieces as is well known to those skilled in the art. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , water reservoir  38  can be positioned in refrigerator freezer  8  in a refrigerated space for cooling a quantity of water prior to dispensing through water dispenser  15  under control of valve assembly  39 . The refrigerator freezer water system can be connected to a household water supply at connection end  50  via a compression fitting or other known connection arrangement to a household water system, not shown. Water line  51  can lead from connection end  50  to the inlet of water filter  14 . Water line  52  can lead from water filter  14  to valve assembly  39  and water line  52 ′ can lead from valve assembly  39  to reservoir  38 . Water lines  51 ,  52 ,  52 ′,  53  and  58  can be 5/16″ diameter tubing to reduce flow restrictions and provide higher flow rates to the water dispenser  15  than ¼″ tubing commonly used in household refrigerator freezers. Those skilled in the art will understand that ¼″ tubing can be used for one or more of the supply lines schematically shown in  FIG. 1  when desired flow rates can be achieved with the smaller tubing. Water line  53  can lead from reservoir  38  to fitting  57  at the bottom of refrigerator freezer  8  adjacent freezer door  11 . Fitting  57  can include a suitable check valve to prevent back flow of water into reservoir  38 . Water line  58  can lead from fitting  57  to water dispenser  15  and can pass through a hollow hinge pin supporting freezer door  11 . Water line  54  can lead from valve assembly  39  to fitting  55  on the back wall of refrigerator freezer  8 . Water line  56  can lead from fitting  55  to icemaker  37 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that water lines  56  and  58  can be carried in a conduit through the insulation normally provided between the refrigerator freezer liner and cabinet and in the freezer door  11 . While filter  14  is shown connected to the inlet of reservoir  38  in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , those skilled in the art will understand that filter  14  can be connected to the outlet of reservoir  38  or elsewhere in the refrigerator freezer water system if desired. 
   Turning to  FIG. 2  through  FIG. 4 , water dispenser  15  can include a dispenser housing  16  mounted in the face of freezer door  11 . Dispenser housing  16  can include a dispenser enclosure  14  arranged to be mounted in freezer door  11  and a bezel  17 . Bezel  17  can accommodate a user interface, not shown, that can be located at  17 ′ and can be a user interface as described in co-pending U.S. Patent Application US20030018 referred to above. Bezel  17  can include a dispensing cavity  18  arranged to accommodate glasses and the like on a tray  9 . According to the invention, a fixed spigot or a movable spigot  19  can be provided for the water dispenser that can be a movable spigot as described in co-pending patent application US20030308, filed concurrently with this application, which application is incorporated by reference. Dispenser housing  16  can include one or two dispenser paddles for actuating the ice dispenser or water dispenser as disclosed in co-pending patent application US20030018 referred to above. Alternately the user interface  17 ′ can include an actuator for the ice dispenser and/or water dispenser again as disclosed in co-pending patent application US20030018 referred to above. 
   Spigot  19  is shown in the inner or home position in  FIG. 4  and in an extended position in  FIG. 2 . A movable tray  9  can be movably mounted to dispenser housing  16  for movement between an inner dispensing position in the dispensing cavity and an outer dispensing position in front of the dispensing cavity. As shown in  FIG. 2 , tray  9  can be slidably mounted on a track  10  that can be mounted to housing  16  or bezel  17 . Alternately, those skilled in the art will understand that a fixed tray can be used instead of a movable tray. Spigot  19  can be movably mounted to bezel  17  for movement between an inner position ( FIG. 4 ) and an extended position ( FIG. 2 ). Spigot  19  can include a spigot body  20  that can include an enlarged channel  31  leading from a pivot end  29  to flow straightening vanes  28 . Spigot shroud  21  can include a semi-cylindrical wall  32  that can enclose flow straightening vanes  28  to form a fluid enclosure that can form a nozzle  24 . Spigot body  20  and a spigot shroud  21  can be held together and supported on bezel  17  by upper bracket  22  and lower bracket  23 . Spigot body  20  can include a mounting pin  30  that can be received in an opening  33  in lower bracket  23 . Pivot end  29  of spigot body  20  can pass through an opening  35  in spigot shroud  21  and an opening  34  in upper bracket  22 . Thus, spigot  19  can be held together by upper bracket  22  and lower bracket  23  when the brackets are mounted in bezel  17  with fasteners, not shown, that can pass through mounting holes  36 . Pivot end  29  can be connected to the water system in the refrigerator, described below, via conduit assembly  25 . Conduit assembly  25  can include a swivel interface arranged to be positioned on pivot end  29  to make a rotatable watertight connection with spigot body  20 . Conduit assembly  25  can also include a check valve, not shown, in body  27  to prevent drips of water from nozzle  24  by preventing small forward and backward oscillations of water in the direction of water flow when the valve controlling water flow is closed. It is to be understood that while tray  9  can be drawn out to its extended position when spigot  19  is rotated to its extended position, tray  9  can be left retracted in dispensing cavity  18  when the user desires to fill a container too large to be positioned between nozzle  24  and tray  9  when they are both positioned in the extended position. While spigot  19  is shown in two positions in the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 2  through  FIG. 4 , spigot  19  can be provided with one or more detent stops between the inner and extended positions. Similarly, while spigot  19  can be manually movable between the inner and outer positions in the embodiment of  FIG. 2  through  FIG. 4 , those skilled in the art that spigot  19  can be provided with a drive mechanism, not shown, that can include a stepper motor to drive the spigot between its inner and extended positions, and any intermediate positions. Likewise, tray  9  can be provided with a drive mechanism, not shown, to drive tray  9  between its inner and extended positions in conjunction with, or independently of, spigot  19 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , valve assembly  39  and valve control  40  can be seen removed from refrigerator freezer  8 . Valve assembly  39  can include a first valve  43  having a solenoid  44  to actuate valve  43  and a second valve  46  with a solenoid  47  to actuate valve  46 . Valve assembly  39  can also include a flow sensor  41  that can be positioned at the inlet to valve assembly  39  to measure flow of water through both valves  43  and  46 . Flow sensor  41  can be a Hall Effect sensor well known in the art for sensing flow of water through a passage, and can be connected to valve control  40  by cable  48 . The function of valve control  40  and flow sensor  41  in connection with measured fill dispensing of water is described in detail in co-pending patent application US20030018 referred to above. While two valves are shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  those skilled in the art will understand that one or three or more valves can be provided in the valve assembly  39  in order to provide variable water dispenser flow rates as described below. 
   Valve  43  can be connected to water line  54  to supply water to icemaker  37  to commence an ice making cycle as is well known in the art. Valve  43  can be arranged to dispense a predetermined quantity of water into the ice maker mold, not shown, using the measured fill capability described above. A normal fill amount for an ice maker can be approximately 130 cubic centimeters (“cc”) of water, although those skilled in the art will understand that the amount of water dispensed can be selected based on the capacity of the ice maker. Those skilled in the art will understand that the flow rate for valve  43  can be set to allow a water flow rate the icemaker can accommodate without splashing of water into the freezer compartment. The flow rate for valve  43  can be set to dispense 130 cc of water in 7.5 seconds at normal household water pressures. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the measured fill control can allow dispensing of a predetermined amount of water into the ice maker mold regardless of household water supply pressure. As a backup, control  40  can be arranged to operate valve  43  for 7.5 seconds in the event valve control  40  detects abnormal operation of flow sensor  41 . Valve  46  can be connected to water line  52 ′ to supply water to reservoir  38  that in turn will cause water to flow from reservoir  38  to water dispenser  15 . Valve  46  can be arranged to have a fill rate of 0.45 to 1.0 gallons per minute (“gpm”) in the normal range of household water system pressures of 20-120 pounds per square inch (“psi”). Those skilled in the art will understand that water flow through a valve will vary depending on the supply pressure. For example, valve  46  can be arranged to deliver 0.85 gpm at 60 psi. Those skilled in the art will understand that valve  46  flow rates can be increased or decreased as desired. Likewise those skilled in the art will understand that valve  46  can be a variable flow valve with a flow rate controlled by a valve control  40 , or can be a user manually adjusted flow rate valve as are well known in the art. 
   Turning to  FIG. 10  a plurality of valves can be connected to the ice and water dispenser to provide variable flow rates for the water dispenser. Water line  152  can lead from a water inlet or from a water filter, not shown, to an inlet chamber  155 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 10  three valves  143 ,  146  and  148  can be connected to inlet chamber  155  to receive water from water line  152 . While inlet chamber  155  is shown to provide water to a plurality of valves those skilled in the art will understand that other arrangements can be made to provide water to the plural valves including but not limited to a manifold connecting water line  152  with the plural valves  143 ,  146  and  148 . Those skilled in the art will also understand that a flow sensor can be provided at the inlet to inlet chamber  155  or at the inlet of one or more of valves  143 ,  146  and/or  148  as shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . First valve  143  can be connected to ice maker outlet chamber  156  that can be connected to water line  154  that can lead to an ice maker, not shown. Those skilled in the art will understand that water line  154  can be connected directly to first valve  143 . Second valve  146  and third valve  148  can be connected to water dispenser outlet chamber  157 . Water dispenser outlet chamber  157  can be connected to a water line  152 ′ leading to a water dispenser, not shown. Those skilled in the art will understand that other arrangements can be made to gather water from valves  146  and  148  including but not limited to a manifold connecting water line  152 ′ with valves  146  and  148 . First valve  143  can have a flow rate suitable for filling an ice maker cavity without splashing water into the freezer compartment. The flow rate for first valve  143  can be in the range 0.24 to 0.30 gpm at 60 psi to provide approximately 130 cc of water in 7.5 seconds as described above. Alternately, first valve  143  can be operated by a valve control including a flow sensor as described above to dispense a predetermined amount of water to fill the ice maker cavity as described above. Second valve  146  can have a flow rate selected to provide for a “slow” fill rate for the water dispenser. Third valve  148  can have a flow rate selected to provide a “medium” fill rate. Second valve  146  and third valve  148  can be operated together to provide a “high” fill rate. The “slow” fill rate can be as low as 0.25 gpm at 60 psi and the “high” fill rate can be as high as 1.5 gpm at 60 psi. Typically flow rates to the water dispenser can be selected to range from 0.45 gpm to 1.0 gpm for water supply pressures ranging from 20 to 120 psi. In one embodiment, the “slow” fill rate can be 0.35 gpm at 60 psi, the “medium” fill rate can be 0.5 gpm at 60 psi and the “high” fill rate can be 0.85 gpm at 60 psi. Those skilled in the art will understand that the actual flow rates may vary slightly depending on flow restrictions in the dispenser system such as a filter or a reservoir. Valves  143 ,  146  and  148  can be connected to a valve control and control system as disclosed in co-pending patent application US20030018 incorporated herein by reference in order to deliver water to the water dispenser at a flow rate selected by the consumer. Those skilled in the art will also understand that more than three valves can be provided in the valve arrangement of  FIG. 10  when more than three fill rates are desired. 
   A variable flow rate for the water dispenser can also be achieved by using a water pump to supply water to a water dispenser from a reservoir. Turning to FIG.  11 A,  FIG. 11B  and  FIG. 12  two variable flow embodiments utilizing a pump can be seen. The embodiment of  FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B  can have a reservoir  138  that can be located in a refrigerated space to provide a supply of cold water for the water dispenser. Reservoir  138  can include a container  135  having a flexible bladder  140  positioned in the container that can expand as it is filled with water to substantially fill container  135  as shown in  FIG. 11B . Bladder  140  can be formed of a NSF approved material with elastic properties. Bladder  140  can be connected to an inlet line  136  that can be connected to water line  51  ( FIG. 1 ) that can be connected to the household water system, not shown. Valve  137  can be connected between water line  136  and bladder  140  to control flow of water into bladder  140 . A sensor  139  can be provided to detect when bladder  140  is full as shown in  FIG. 11B . Those skilled in the art will understand that sensor  139  can be a mechanically operated switch or other well known sensor arranged to detect when bladder  140  has expanded to fill container  135 . Those skilled in the art will understand that container  135  can be substantially closed enclosure having at least a vent to allow bladder to freely expand and contract within the container  135 . Alternately, container  135  can be foraminous to provide support for bladder  140  when the bladder material is sufficiently rugged to not require enclosure for protection. 
   Flow of water out of reservoir  138  can be controlled by a valve  141  and/or a variable flow pump  142 . Those skilled in the art will understand that valve  141  can be omitted, or can be used alone without variable flow pump  142 . For example, when reservoir  138  is located below the water dispenser on the face of a refrigerator door and a variable flow pump  142  is used a valve  141  may not be necessary. However, when reservoir  138  is located above the water dispenser on the face of a refrigerator door, or when local codes require such a valve, a valve  141  can be used in conjunction with variable flow pump  142 . Likewise, variable flow pump  142  can be eliminated and valve  141  can be a variable flow valve controlled by a valve control such as valve control  40  to provide a user selected flow rate, or can be a manually user adjusted valve. Variable flow pump  142  can be arranged to deliver water to a water dispenser at predetermined rates. For example, variable flow pump can be arranged to deliver water at rates from 0.25 gpm to 1.5 gpm as in the case of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that variable delivery pumps are well known in the art and that such pumps can be arranged to deliver water over a wide range of flow rates as desired. Those skilled in the art will also understand that variable flow pump  142  can be connected to deliver water to an ice maker as well as to a water dispenser by provision of a two way valve connecting the pump to one or the other of the ice maker or water dispenser. Variable flow pump  142  can be arranged to provide continuously variable flow rates over a selected range, or can be arranged to deliver discrete flow rates such as 0.35 gpm, 0.5 gpm and 0.85 gpm as in the  FIG. 10  embodiment. As mentioned above, valve  141  can be a variable flow valve and can be arranged to deliver similar flow rates. Those skilled in the art will understand that variable flow pump  142  can be replaced by a single flow rate pump combined with a variable flow valve  141  as described above to provide user selected discrete or continuously variable flow rates. Valves  137  and  141 , sensor  139  and pump  142  can be connected to a control system as disclosed in co-pending patent application US20030018 incorporated herein by reference in order to maintain bladder  140  full and to cause valve  141  and/or variable flow pump  142  to deliver water to the water dispenser at a flow rate selected by the consumer. One advantage of the embodiment of  FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B  is the ability to deliver flow rates greater than the incoming water supply flow rate since the capacity of bladder  140  can be arranged to be larger than amounts of water expected to be dispensed in a single operation. 
   Another embodiment of a variable flow rate dispenser reservoir can be seen in schematic form by referring to  FIG. 12 . The embodiment of  FIG. 12  can include a reservoir  238  that can be located in a refrigerated space to provide cold water to a water dispenser. Those skilled in the art will understand that, alternately, reservoir  238  can be located outside of a refrigerator if desired. Locating reservoir  238  outside a refrigerator can be advantageous when the reservoir is arranged to be manually filled as described below. Reservoir  238  can include an opening  239  to the atmosphere to allow water to flow into and out of reservoir  238  at different rates. While opening  239  is shown in  FIG. 12  as a round hole, those skilled in the art will understand that opening  239  can take the form of a vent or siphon break to allow reservoir  238  to fill or empty freely. Reservoir  238  can be provided with a water line  252 ′ leading from a water valve  243  that can be connected to a water line  252  leading to the household water supply, not shown. Reservoir  238  can be provided with a level sensor  244  to determine the level of water in the reservoir  238 . While level sensor  244  is shown as a float sensor in  FIG. 12 , those skilled in the art will understand that other level sensors such as a pressure switch, a capacitive sensor or field effect sensor as are well known in the art can be used in place of sensor  244  as desired. Reservoir  238  can also be arranged to be manually filled in lieu of connecting the reservoir to the household water supply. Opening  239  can take the form of a removable cover or cap to facilitate manual filling of reservoir  238 . Manual filling might be desired in locations where the household water supply is unsatisfactory for any number of reasons including taste, mineral content, odor and/or appearance making bottled water a desirable choice. Those skilled in the art will understand that reservoir  238  can be provided with a filter, not shown, that can be a gravity filter positioned to filter water as it is added to reservoir  238  at opening  239 . Those skilled in the art will also understand that a filter, not shown, can be connected in the water circuit with reservoir  238  and the water dispenser on the refrigerator door, not shown. Those skilled in the art will understand that when reservoir  238  is arranged for manual filling, reservoir  238  can be positioned in refrigerator  8  to facilitate manual filling of the reservoir, or can be positioned outside the refrigerator if desired. Reservoir  238  could take the form of a bottled water dispenser well known in the art and located adjacent the refrigerator as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. Valve  243 , if provided, and a sensor,  244  can be connected to a control system as disclosed in co-pending patent application US20030018 incorporated herein by reference in order to maintain reservoir  238  filled, or if arranged for manual filling to indicate that the reservoir should be refilled. As with the embodiment of  FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B , reservoir  238  can be provided with a valve  246  and/or a variable flow pump  247 , as desired, to provide water to the water dispenser at a flow rate selected by the user. Likewise, valve  246  and/or variable flow pump  247  can be arranged to deliver water to an ice maker as well as to a water dispenser. 
   Another embodiment of a reservoir for a water dispenser can be seen in schematic form by referring to  FIG. 13A  and  FIG. 13B . Reservoir  338  can be an expandable tank, that when connected to inlet and outlet water lines is closed to the atmosphere as with the case of reservoir  38  in  FIG. 1 . Reservoir  338  can expand and contract as water is added and removed from the tank at different rates. Reservoir  338  can be provided with a spring  339  arranged to compress the tank toward the position shown in  FIG. 13B . Water supplied to the tank can expand the tank toward the position shown in  FIG. 13A  overcoming the spring  339  tending to compress the tank. Providing reservoir  338  with a spring  339  can be an advantage for use in home water systems with adequate pressure but low flow rates. The pressure in the home water system may be adequate to expand and fill reservoir  338  over time. The system pressure combined with pressure from the spring can be sufficient to dispense water at a selected flow rate, as described above, that can be greater than the available household water system flow rate, when a valve or valves controlling flow to the water dispenser is/are opened. Those skilled in the art will understand that the inlet diameter can be smaller than the outlet diameter to allow higher flow rates of water out of the reservoir. Use of a larger outlet than inlet can provide an initial period of high flow rate, although, depending on the size of the reservoir, the high flow rate may drop to a flow rate corresponding to the available household water supply. While the embodiment of  FIG. 13A  and  FIG. 13B  shows a spring  339 , those skilled in the art will understand that reservoir  338  need not include a spring  339  when reservoir  338  is formed of a resilient material having a “memory” tending to compress reservoir  338  to the compressed position in  FIG. 13B  obviating the need for spring  339 ; when low flow rate water systems are not a concern; or when reservoir  338  is intended to be used with a variable flow pump as in the embodiments of  FIG. 11A ,  FIG. 11B  and  FIG. 12 . 
   Those skilled in the art will understand that a tank reservoir as shown in  FIG. 1  can be replaced with a coiled tubing reservoir  438  as shown in  FIG. 14 . The tubing  439  forming reservoir  438  can be formed of material that does not have good conductive properties such as polyethylene or can be formed of conductive material such as copper tubing. Those skilled in the art will understand that the reservoir can be placed in the refrigerator  8  in a refrigerated space where efficient heat exchange can take place to cool the water in the coiled tubing. Likewise, those skilled in the art will understand the diameter and number of coils of tubing can be selected to provide a reservoir holding the desired amount of water. Those skilled in the art will understand that use of a conductive material such as copper can enable a substantially endless supply of cold water provided the coil is arranged for adequate heat exchange, while an non-conductive coil serves as a chilled water holding tank that can be depleted. When a non-conductive holding tank is used warm water can be dispensed until sufficient time has passed for water in the holding tank to cool down. 
   Turning to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , alternate embodiments of user interfaces for variable flow water dispensers can be seen. In  FIG. 7  bezel  117  can include user interface  117 ′ that can include a flow rate selector  120 . Flow rate selector  120  can be a slider of a multiple contact switch or a potentiometer  120 ′ to position the multiple contact switch or to adjust the potentiometer  120 ′ connected in a control circuit, not shown, for a variable flow pump as disclosed in the embodiments of  FIG. 11A ,  FIG. 11B  and  FIG. 12 . Use of multiple position switches or a potentiometer in a control circuit to control the speed of a variable speed pump are well known in the art. As a user selects a container size/fill rate by moving flow rate selector  120 , a control circuit, not shown, can cause the water dispenser to dispense water from spigot  119  at the selected flow rate. In  FIG. 8  bezel  217  can include user interface  217 ′ that can include a flow rate selector  220 . Flow rate selector  220  can be a touch pad controller having “+” and “−” pads to adjust the flow rate. User interface  217 ′ can include a user display  221  to display the selected flow rate. The user interface  217 ′ of  FIG. 8  can be used with a variable flow rate valve arrangement such as disclosed in the embodiment of  FIG. 10  or the variable flow pump embodiments of  FIG. 11A ,  FIG. 11B  and  FIG. 12 . Instead of flow rate selector  120  as in  FIG. 7 , a paddle, similar to paddle  6  in  FIG. 1   a , in dispenser cavity  18  can be arranged to be the actuator of a multiple position switch or potentiometer  120 ′ as in  FIG. 7  to actuate the plurality of switches or the potentiometer  120 ′ as the user presses against the paddle to cause the dispenser control to dispense water. Pressing the paddle further into the dispenser cavity can cause the dispenser control to increase flow rate in the same manner as sliding flow rate selector  120  or can cause the dispenser control to increase the flow rate in discrete steps as in the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 9A through 9F  another embodiment of a spigot can be seen. Referring to  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9D , spigot  319  can include a spigot body  320  leading from pivot end  329  to nozzle  324 . As shown in  FIG. 9C  spigot body  320  can include flow straightening vanes  328  adjacent nozzle  324 . Nozzle  324  can include an aerator screen  332  adjacent the outlet of nozzle  324 . Nozzle  324  can also include one or more aerator air intakes  333  adjacent and above screen  332  and below flow straightening vanes to inject air into the stream of water flowing out of nozzle  324  to a minimize splashing as water is dispensed into a container. Nozzle  324  can be enlarged relative to the spigot body  320  in order to decrease the outlet velocity of water from the nozzle. Those skilled in the art will understand that a suitable flow restrictor, not shown, can be included in nozzle  324 , or if desired elsewhere in the system such as a flow washer in a water valve, for use in jurisdictions having water flow control regulations requiring such flow restrictors. Referring to  FIG. 9E  and  FIG. 9F , spigot  319  including spigot body  320  and spigot shroud  321  can mounted in bezel  317  by lower bracket  323  and an upper bracket, not shown, similar to spigot  19  in  FIG. 1 . Also shown in  FIG. 9E  and  FIG. 9F  is an ice dispenser chute  335  that can be provided in bezel  317  when an ice dispenser is included with a water dispenser. 
   Returning to  FIG. 9A , a check valve  327  can be provided in spigot body  320  to prevent drips from the spigot by preventing small forward and backward oscillations of water in the direction of flow when the valve is shut. Check valve  327  can be held against a seat formed in spigot body  320  by a check valve spring  331 . When the water dispenser is activated the flow of water through pivot end  329  into spigot body  320  is sufficient to open check valve  327  to allow water to flow into and out of nozzle  324 . When water dispensing is complete and flow of water stops check valve  327  again closes as is well known in the art. Spigot  319  can be provided with a swivel interface, not shown, like that in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  to allow spigot  319  to be rotated between the inner or home position ( FIG. 9E ) and the extended position ( FIG. 9F ). As described in connection with the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , spigot  319  can be manually movable between the inner and extended positions, or can be provided with a drive mechanism to move the spigot between the inner and extended, and if desired one or more intermediate positions. 
   While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.