Patent Publication Number: US-2022221212-A1

Title: Free-standing ice or beverage dispensing appliance

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to ice and beverage dispensers, and more particularly to non-plumbed dispensing assemblies. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In home, restaurant, and office settings, it is common for multiple individual users to enjoy a wide variety of beverages. Such beverages may be hot or cold, flat or carbonated, flavored or unflavored, etc. For instance, coffee, tea, soft-drinks, vitamin/electrolyte drinks, purified chilled water, or hot water may all be desirable at various points in time. Currently, each type of beverage must be obtained from a different machine. At most, existing appliances permit one or two similar beverages (e.g., coffee and tea) to be generated at the same machine. If ice is desired, an entirely separate appliance (e.g., a dedicated icemaker or refrigerator) is often required. Moreover, typical existing appliances must be hard plumbed such that water is supplied from a connected water source, such as a municipal water system or well. 
     Such existing appliances present a number of drawbacks. For one, the number of machines required to prepare more than one or two beverages, let alone ice, is often prohibitive. Smaller offices or kitchens simply cannot dedicate space solely for the purpose of making a single beverage. In addition, having separate dispensing machines for each type of beverage can require a user to move between appliances in order to dispense different types of beverages or ice. This is inconvenient, providing for wasted time and effort. Separate appliances also lead to additional problems, such as more service calls, increased preventative maintenance and calibration and the need to store and have available extra spares parts. Furthermore, existing appliances often require large amounts of energy and assembled parts, even for relatively “basic” functions like chilling water. The need to hard plumb some appliances further limits their usability or mounting location. 
     As a result, it would be useful to provide an appliance having features for addressing one or more of the above-identified issues. In particular, it may be advantageous to provide an improved appliance for dispensing multiple types of beverages (e.g., with ice). Additionally or alternatively, it may be advantageous to provide an efficient free-standing appliance that does not need to be directly plumbed to a separate water source. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a free-standing appliance is provided. The free-standing appliance may include a cabinet, a water source, an icemaker, an ice bin, a cold water line, a hot water line, and a carbonated water line. The icemaker may be mounted within the cabinet downstream from the water source to receive water therefrom. The ice bin may be disposed within the cabinet downstream from the icemaker to receive ice therefrom. The cold water line may be mounted to the cabinet and define a cold water outlet downstream from the water source in fluid isolation from the icemaker. The hot water line may be mounted to the cabinet and defining a cold water outlet downstream from the water source in fluid isolation from the cold water line. A carbonated water line mounted to the cabinet downstream from the water source in fluid isolation from the hot water line. 
     In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a free-standing appliance is provided. The free-standing appliance may include a cabinet, a water tank, an icemaker, an ice bin, a cold water line, and a cooling jacket. The water tank may be disposed within the cabinet. The icemaker may be mounted within the cabinet downstream from the water tank to receive water therefrom. The ice bin may be disposed within the cabinet downstream from the icemaker to receive ice therefrom. The cold water line may be mounted to the cabinet and define a cold water outlet downstream from the water tank in fluid isolation from the icemaker. The cooling jacket may be mounted along the ice bin in conductive thermal communication therewith. The cooling jacket may be upstream from the cold water outlet to cool water thereto. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG. 1  provides a front perspective view of a free-standing appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  provides a side perspective view of the exemplary free-standing appliance of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  provides a side perspective view of an upper portion of the exemplary free-standing appliance of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  provides a top plan view of the exemplary free-standing appliance of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  provides an elevation view of the exemplary free-standing appliance of  FIG. 1 , wherein a removable brew module, additional tray, and roller set have been illustrated for the purposes of clarity. 
         FIG. 6  provides a side perspective view of the exemplary free-standing appliance of  FIG. 5 , wherein multiple door have been opened for the purposes of clarity. 
         FIG. 7  provides a side perspective view of a top portion of the exemplary free-standing appliance of  FIG. 6 , wherein a top panel has been removed for the purposes of clarity. 
         FIG. 8  provides a schematic view of the exemplary free-standing appliance of  FIG. 1  illustrating the flow paths of fluids within the free-standing appliance. 
         FIG. 9  provides a schematic view of the exemplary free-standing appliance of  FIG. 1  illustrating various connections within the free-standing appliance. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     As used herein, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative flow direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, “upstream” refers to the flow direction from which the fluid flows, and “downstream” refers to the flow direction to which the fluid flows. 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIGS. 1 through 9  provide various views of a free-standing appliance  100 , including certain portions thereof. Generally, free-standing appliance  100  includes a cabinet or housing  120  that extends between a top  102  and a bottom  104  along a vertical direction V; between a first side  106  and a second side  108  along a lateral direction L; and between a front  110  and a back  112  along a transverse direction T. Each of the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular and thus form an orthogonal direction system. 
     As will be described in greater detail below, cabinet  120  supports or houses various components of free-standing appliance  100  to produce ice or dispense one more liquids (e.g., beverages) using a water source, such as a refillable internal water tank  122  (e.g., removably held within cabinet  120 ). For instance, an icemaker  124  may be mounted within cabinet  120  downstream from water tank  122  to receive water therefrom and form ice, which may supplied to a downstream ice bin  126  disposed within the cabinet  120 . Additionally or alternatively, one or more water lines (e.g., a cold water line  130 , a hot water line  132 , or a carbonated water line  134 ) may be mounted to (e.g., within) cabinet  120  downstream from water tank  122  to selectively dispense liquid(s) from one or more corresponding outlets. 
     Free-standing appliance  100  includes a delivery assembly  142  for delivering or dispensing one or more liquids (e.g., from cold water outlet  136 , hot water outlet  138 , or carbonated water outlet  140 ). In some embodiments, a dispenser recess  144  is defined below one or more of the outlets  136 ,  138 ,  140 . Additionally or alternatively, an actuating mechanism  146 , shown as a paddle, may be mounted below the outlet(s)  136 ,  138 ,  140  (e.g., within dispenser recess  144 ) for operating delivery assembly  142 . In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism  146  may be used to operate delivery assembly  142 . For example, delivery assembly  142  can include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. In certain embodiments, a control panel  148  is provided (e.g., mounted to a top panel  150  of cabinet  120 ) for controlling the mode of operation. For example, control panel  148  may include a plurality of user inputs (not labeled), such as one or more buttons, knobs, or graphical user interfaces (e.g., presented on a touchscreen display) for selecting a desired mode of operation or beverage to be dispensed. 
     Operation of the free-standing appliance  100  can be regulated by a controller  152  that is operatively coupled to control panel  148  or various other components, as will be described below. Generally, in response to user manipulation of control panel  148  or one or more sensor signals, controller  152  may operate various components of the free-standing appliance  100 . Controller  152  may include a memory and one or more microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of free-standing appliance  100 . The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller  152  may be constructed without using a microprocessor (e.g., using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuitry; such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. 
     Controller  152  may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout free-standing appliance  100 . In the illustrated embodiments, controller  152  is located within top panel  150 . In other embodiments, the controller  152  may be positioned at any suitable location within cabinet  120 . Input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between controller  152  and various operational components of free-standing appliance  100 . For example, control panel  148  and delivery assembly  142  may be in communication with controller  152  via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. Additionally or alternatively, controller  152  may be in communication with various other components of free-standing appliance  100 . For example, various valves, switches, light sources, etc. may be actuatable based on commands from the controller  152 . As discussed, control panel  148  may additionally be in communication with the controller  152 . Thus, the various operations may occur based on user input or automatically through controller  152  instruction. 
     In optional embodiments, a power receptacle  154  having one or more electrical outlet plugs (e.g., standard 3-prong outlets) may be mounted to cabinet  120  (e.g., at top panel  150 ). An electrical device, such as a coffee grinder or phone charger, having a mating inlet plug may selectively connect and disconnect from power receptacle  154 . 
     Although free-standing appliance  100  is not limited to any specific shape or dimensions, free-standing appliance  100  may generally be sized to fit within a fairly small room, such as an office breakroom, commercial kitchen, or in place of a so-called water cooler (i.e., fountain). Optionally, one or more casters or rollers  156  may be mounted to cabinet  120  (e.g., at the bottom  104 ) to support free-standing appliance  100  while permitting movement of the same. 
     Turning especially to  FIGS. 1 and 7 through 9 , icemaker  124  is provided downstream from the water tank  122  to receive water therefrom for ice making operations. Icemaker  124  may be provided as any suitable ice making assembly (e.g., for forming nugget ice, cubed ice, shaved ice, etc.). In certain embodiments, icemaker  124  includes or is provided as nugget icemaker, and in particular is an auger-style icemaker  124 . Nonetheless, other suitable styles of icemakers are within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As shown, icemaker  124  may include a casing  160  into which water from water tank  122  is flowed (e.g., directly from water tank  122  through one or more conduits or indirectly from water tank  122 , such as through one or more intermediate storage volumes). For instance, water may be motivated by an inline pump  162  in fluid communication with water tank  122 . In the illustrated embodiments, a primary line  164  from water tank  122  feeds to a downstream ice assembly line  166  (e.g., as directed by one or more valves  158 ,  212  or pump  162 ). 
     As would be understood, an auger may be disposed at least partially within the casing  160 . During operation, the auger may rotate. Water within the casing  160  may at least partially freeze due to heat exchange, such as with a refrigeration system  172  as discussed herein. The at least partially frozen water may be lifted by the auger from casing  160 . Further, in exemplary embodiments, the at least partially frozen water may be directed by the auger to and through an extruder  168 . The extruder  168  may extrude the at least partially frozen water to form ice, such as nuggets of ice, as would be understood. 
     Formed ice may be provided by the icemaker  124  to ice bin  126  and may be received in the bin volume defined by ice bin  126 . For example, ice formed by the auger or extruder  168  may be provide to the ice bin  126 . In exemplary embodiments, a chute  170  may be included for directing ice produced by the icemaker  124  towards the bin volume defined by ice bin  126 . For example, as shown, chute  170  is generally positioned above ice bin  126  along the vertical direction V. Thus, ice can slide off of chute  170  and drop into ice bin  126 . Chute  170  may, as shown, extend between icemaker  124  and ice bin  126 , and may define a passage therethrough. Ice may be directed from the icemaker  124  (such as from the auger or extruder  168 ) through the passage of chute  170  to the ice bin  126 . In some embodiments, for example, a sweep, which may for example be connected to and rotate with the auger, may contact the ice emerging through the extruder  168  from the auger and direct the ice through the passage of chute  170  to the ice bin  126 . 
     As discussed, water within the casing  160  may at least partially freeze due to heat exchange, such as with a refrigeration system  172 . In exemplary embodiments, icemaker  124  may include a sealed system. The sealed refrigeration system  172  may be in thermal communication with the casing  160  to remove heat from the casing  160  and the interior volume thereof, thus facilitating freezing of water therein to form ice. Sealed refrigeration system  172  may, for example, include a compressor  174 , a condenser  176 , an expansion device  178 , and an evaporator  180 . Evaporator  180  may, for example, be in thermal communication with the casing  160  in order to remove heat from the casing  160  and water therein during operation of refrigeration system  172 . For example, evaporator  180  may at least partially surround the casing  160 . In particular, evaporator  180  may be a conduit coiled around and in contact with casing  160 , such as the sidewall(s) thereof. 
     During operation of refrigeration system  172 , refrigerant exits evaporator  180  as a fluid in the form of a superheated vapor or vapor mixture. Upon exiting evaporator  180 , the refrigerant enters compressor  174  wherein the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant are increased such that the refrigerant becomes a superheated vapor. The superheated vapor from compressor  174  enters condenser  176  wherein energy is transferred therefrom and condenses into a saturated liquid or liquid vapor mixture. This fluid exits condenser  176  and travels through expansion device  178  that is configured for regulating a flow rate of refrigerant therethrough. Upon exiting expansion device  178 , the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant drop at which time the refrigerant enters evaporator  180  and the cycle repeats itself. In certain exemplary embodiments, expansion device  178  may be a capillary tube or electronic expansion valve. Notably, in some embodiments, refrigeration system  172  may additionally include fans (not shown) for facilitating heat transfer to/from the condenser  176  or evaporator  180 . 
     As noted above, ice may be received within the downstream ice bin  126 . For instance, ice bin  126  may define a bin opening  182  (e.g., at the top end of ice bin  126 ) to permit ice therethrough. In some embodiments, a drain aperture  184  is defined at a bottom end of ice bin  126 . For instance, drain aperture  184  may be defined through a base wall of ice bin  126  above a discrete melt water storage volume  186 . Ice held within ice bin  126  may gradually melt. Drain aperture  184 , may advantageously drain melt water away from ice bin  126 . In some embodiments, one or more conduits may extend from the melt water storage volume  186  to the icemaker  124  or water tank  122 . Thus, the melt water may be reused by free-standing appliance  100  to form ice. Optionally, one or more sanitizers  188  [e.g., ultraviolet (UV) light assembly or fluid filtration assembly] may be placed along the flow path from the melt water storage volume  186  to sanitize melt water before it is used to make ice or directed to another line within appliance  100 . 
     In some embodiments, ice bin  126  is mounted (e.g., removably or fixedly) to cabinet  120  below top panel  150 . A bin door  190  may be movably (e.g., rotatably or slidably) mounted on cabinet  120  to selectively permit access to the bin volume of ice bin  126 . In the illustrated embodiments, bin door  190  is rotatably mounted to cabinet  120  above ice bin  126 . Specifically, bin door  190  is disposed above bin opening  182  such that a user may selectively open bin door  190  and reach down to access ice within ice bin  126  though bin opening  182 . 
     At least one wall (e.g., front sidewall  192 ) of ice bin  126  may be visible from outside cabinet  120 . For instance, the front sidewall  192  may fit within a corresponding opening in an outer panel of cabinet  120 . Additionally or alternatively, the front sidewall  192  may be formed from a clear, see-through (i.e., transparent or translucent) material, such as a clear glass or plastic, such that a user can see into the storage volume of ice bin  126  and thus view ice therein. One or more internal sidewalls  194  may extend from the front sidewall  192  and be spaced apart from an inner surface of cabinet  120 . 
     In optional embodiments, a light source  196  is mounted within the cabinet  120 . Generally, during operation, light source  196  may selectively emit or direct light into ice bin  126 , illuminating any ice therein. Light source  196  may include a suitable light-emitting element, such as one or more fluorescent bulbs or light emitting diodes (LEDs). In exemplary embodiments, light source  196  is positioned above bin opening  182 . For instance, light source  196  may be mounted to a bottom surface of top panel  150  above bin door  190 . Along with illuminating ice bin  126  when bin door  190  is closed, light source  196  may provide illumination for a user when bin door  190  is open, such that a user can see the contents of ice bin  126 . 
     Turning especially now to  FIGS. 1, 6, and 8 , one or more cold water lines  130  are provided within cabinet  120 . For instance, from primary line  164 , cold water line  130  may extend (e.g., along one or more parallel or connected branches) to one or more cold water outlets  136  disposed at dispenser. As shown, an untreated branch  210  of cold water line  130  may extend from a multi-path valve  212  to an outlet port  214  defining a cold water outlet  136  above dispenser recess  144 . Water flowing from water tank  122  to cold water line  130  may be directed by one or more valves  158 ,  212  or pump  162 . 
     In certain embodiments, a water treatment assembly  216  is provided along cold water line  130 . Generally, water treatment assembly  216  may provide one or more units for filtering out or incorporating in one or more elements into water through cold water line  130 . Such units may be provided in stages along a treated branch  218  of cold water line  130  (e.g., downstream of a multi-path valve  212 ) upstream of outlet port  214  defining a cold water outlet  136 . For instance, water treatment assembly  216  may include one or more filtration stages  220  containing a filtration media (e.g., a paper filter cartridge, activated carbon, a mixed-bed media of commingled anion and cation resin, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, one or more additive stages  222  containing a water additive (e.g., electrolyte solute or mixture, flavor syrup, pH adjuster or alkaline additive, etc.) may be provided. In particular, an additive cartridge  224  holding the water additive may be selectively disposed on or received at additive stage  22 . Thus, as water is flowed through at least a portion of cold water line  130  (e.g., treated branch  218 ), such water may be filtered or intermixed with a water additive prior to being dispensed (e.g., from a cold water outlet  136 ). Optionally, treated water may further mix with untreated water prior to being dispensed. For instance, untreated branch  210  and treated branch  218  may terminate at a common outlet port  214  upstream of a cold water outlet  136 . 
     In additional or alternative embodiments, at least a portion of cold water line  130  may be chilled (e.g., to draw heat from or otherwise cool water within that portion of cold water line  130 ). For instance, a chilled branch  226  of cold water line  130  may be provided upstream of a corresponding cold water outlet  136  (e.g., downstream of a multi-path valve  212 ). 
     Generally, a passive or active chiller is provided along chilled branch  226 . In some embodiments, a cooling jacket  230  is provided as a passive chiller to cool water within chilled branch  226 . Specifically, cooling jacket  230  may define at least a portion of chilled branch  226 . Moreover, cooling jacket  230  may extend along at least a portion of ice bin  126 . In some such embodiments, cooling jacket  230  is disposed between one or more internal sidewalls  194  of ice bin  126  and an inner surface of cabinet  120 . Specifically, cooling jacket  230  may be in conductive thermal communication with ice bin  126 . Thus, heat from cooling jacket  230  (e.g., water therein) may gradually be conducted to ice bin  126  such that ice within ice bin  126  is able to cool water within cooling jacket  230 . Optionally, one or more valves (e.g., multi-path valves  212 ) are disposed upstream from cooling jacket  230  such that a predefined volume of water may generally be held within cooling jacket  230  to ensure a steady supply of chilled water (e.g., at a cold water outlet  136 ). 
     In further additional or alternative embodiments, a carbonated water line  134  is provided downstream from water tank  122 . Specifically, carbonated water line  134  may be provided in fluid isolation from a hot water line  132 . In some embodiments, carbonated water line  134  is downstream of cold water line  130  (e.g., at chilled branch  226 ). Optionally, carbonated water line  134  terminates at an outlet port  214  defining a cold water or carbonated water outlet  140 . In certain embodiments, the carbonated water outlet  140  is in fluid isolation from at least one cold water outlet  136  (e.g., even though it may alternately serve as a separate cold water outlet  136 ). For instance, chilled branch  226  and carbonated water line  134  may terminate at a common outlet port  214  that defines or is upstream of a cold and carbonated water outlet  136 ,  140 . 
     Generally, a carbon dioxide tank  232  (e.g., mounted within cabinet  120 ) is disposed in selective communication with carbonated water line  134  to carbonate at least a portion of the water therein. For instance, as would be understood, a CO 2  mixer  244  downstream from carbon dioxide tank  232  may be selectively activated to carbonate water prior to being dispensed. Although illustrated as an in-line carbonation assembly, it is noted that a batch carbonation assembly may be provided, as would be understood. 
     Turning especially now to  FIGS. 1 and 5 through 9 , in addition to cold water line  130 , one or more hot water lines  132  may be provided within cabinet  120 . For instance, from primary line  164 , hot water line  132  may extend to one or more hot water outlets  138  disposed at delivery assembly  142 . As shown, although hot water line  132  and cold water line  130  may both be downstream from water tank  122 , hot water outlet  138  may be in fluid isolation from each cold water outlet  136 . Water flow from water tank  122  to hot water line  132  may be directed by one or more valves  158 ,  212  or pump  162 . 
     Generally, a heating element or heater  234  is provided along the hot water line  132  to selectively heat water upstream from hot water outlet  138 . In some embodiments, a heater tank  236  is disposed within cabinet  120  upstream from hot water outlet  138  (e.g., along hot water line  132 ). Heater tank  236  may generally define an enlarged volume that is less than that of water tank  122 . Thus, a suitable volume of hot water may be held or maintained within heater tank  236 . In some embodiments, heater  234  is provided as or includes an electric heater element  238  (e.g., resistive heating wire, resistive thermal element, such as a CALROD®, an inductive heating element, etc.) mounted within heater tank  236  (e.g., to selectively heat the water therein). During use, electric heater element  238  may thus be selectively activated (e.g., by controller  152 ) to generate or maintain a volume of water between, for instance, 160° Fahrenheit and 210° Fahrenheit. 
     In some embodiments, a brew module  240  is provided to aid in the generation or dispensing of one or more hot beverages. For instance, brew module  240  may define a brew chamber  242  in which a brew pod (e.g., sealed, disposable cup, or reusable mesh cup) may be received downstream from hot water outlet  138 . In some embodiments, brew module  240  is mountable within dispenser recess  144  such that brew module  240  can be in fluid communication with hot water outlet  138  when mounted within dispenser recess  144 . For example, when brew module  240  is installed on delivery assembly  142 , an inlet of the brew module  240  may receive a water delivery tube to receive heated water therethrough. During use, heated water from the heater tank  236  may thus flow into the brew chamber  242 . Within brew module  240 , heated water may mix with, dissolve, or extract portions of a particulate material (e.g., held in a brew pod) to form a liquid beverage (e.g., a liquid coffee or tea solution), which may then exit brew module  240  through an outlet defined through brew module  240 . 
     Turning now especially to  FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 6 , free-standing appliance  100  may further include a liquid level sensor  250  to detect a level of liquid within a cup or container below cold water outlet  136 , hot water outlet  138 , or carbonated water outlet  140 . In some embodiments, liquid level sensor  250  is mounted above the dispenser recess  144  to detect a height of liquid dispensed to a container from the cold water outlet  136 . For instance, liquid level sensor  250  may be in communication with controller  152  and operable to measure the height of a liquid within the corresponding container. In exemplary embodiments, liquid level sensor  250  can be any suitable device for detecting or measuring distance to an object. For example, liquid level sensor  250  may be an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, or a laser range sensor. Controller  152  can receive a signal, such as a voltage or a current, from liquid level sensor  250  that corresponds to the detected presence of or distance to a liquid within the corresponding container. Based on the received signal, controller  152  can initiate or direct an auto-fill sequence. Specifically, controller  152  can determine the height of dispensed liquids within a corresponding container to ensure a predetermined level or dispensed volume is provided to the corresponding container. 
     In optional embodiments, liquid level sensor  250  can work in tandem with one or more other sensors to control the auto-fill sequence. As an example, in certain embodiments, a movable container tray  252  is provided to support a container below delivery assembly  142  (for the purposes of illustration, two trays  252  are shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Movable container tray  252  may be selectively mounted to cabinet  120  at a plurality of predetermined discrete heights along the vertical direction V. For instance, each discrete height may provide or define a separate receiving index (e.g., post, recess, clip, etc.) on which movable container tray  252  may be mounted. At each discrete height a separate fixed tray sensor  254  (e.g., reed switch, Hall effect sensor, pressor sensor, etc.) may be provided to detect the presence of movable container tray  252 . In some such embodiments, controller  152  may be configured to receive a signal from the fixed tray sensor  254  at which movable container tray  252  is mounted, and further direct the auto-fill sequence based on the same. For instance, controller  152  may the use the tray sensor signal to detect a distance between the movable container tray  252  and the liquid level sensor  250 , and thus estimate a base height of the container that is to be filled. 
     As an additional or alternative example, one or more sensors may be provided to selectively halt or prevent an auto-fill sequence from proceeding. In some such embodiments, a door sensor  256  is mounted to cabinet  120  in selectively engagement with door. For instance, door sensor  256  may generally detect when bin door  190  is moved away from the closed position and transmit/halt a signal to controller  152  in response to the same. To that end, door sensor  256  may include any suitable physical detection sensor (e.g., reed switch, Hall effect sensor, pressor sensor, etc.) to selectively engage with bin door  190  in the closed position. In response to placement of the bin door  190  away from the closed position, door sensor  256  may thus transmit a door ajar signal to the controller  152 . In response to receiving the door ajar signal, the controller  152  is may halt or prevent the auto-fill sequence. 
     Advantageously, free-standing appliance  100  supply and dispense multiple types of beverages within a relatively small or unplumbed assembly. Additionally or alternatively, one or more beverage may be efficiently generated or supplied within close proximity to generated ice (e.g., without requiring a full refrigerator appliance). 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.