Patent Description:
Numerous liquid dispensers have been developed that dispense consumable liquids including but not limited to hot water, chilled or cold water and/or a flavored beverage (e.g., coffee, tea, etc.) Liquid dispensers that dispense a hot consumable liquid have been designed to include a dispensing mechanism that provides a degree of child safety, e.g., a lever requiring two separate operations to prevent or reduce a child or other user from being scalded with a hot liquid. It is also generally the case that the temperature of the hot consumable liquid (e.g., water) dispensed by conventional liquid dispensers is no higher than about <NUM> (<NUM>°F) thus limiting the potential threat of scalding hazards. However, it is generally recognized that the ideal temperature for brewing coffee is between <NUM> (<NUM>°F) & <NUM> (<NUM>°F). This ideal temperature range for dispensing coffee increases the potential threat of scalding.

A prior art liquid dispenser according to the preamble of claim <NUM> is known from <CIT>.

The preferred forms of the present invention address one or more shortcomings of previously known liquid dispensers as discussed below or as will be readily apparent from the following discussion.

An object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a novel and unobvious liquid dispenser, a liquid flow control assembly or member and/or a liquid dispensing system for dispensing liquids.

Another object of a preferred from of the present invention provides a new and innovative liquid dispensing system, liquid flow control assembly or member and/or a liquid dispenser in which a flavored beverage and hot water are dispensed at two distinctly different temperatures and/or two distinctly different flow rates.

A further object of a preferred from of the present invention provides a new and innovative liquid dispensing system, liquid flow control assembly or member and/or liquid dispenser which provides liquid from a single liquid storage tank, reservoir or container at two different temperatures.

A still another object of a preferred form of the present invention includes a water flow control assembly or member operably connected to a single water tank to provide water from the single water tank at different temperatures to two different dispensing members/units/outlets of a liquid dispenser.

A still further object of a preferred from of the present invention is to provide a coffee cooler in which water from only an upper portion of a hot water tank, reservoir, container or other liquid retaining or holding structure is directed to a flavored beverage brewer (e.g. coffee or tea brewer) and water from an upper portion of the hot water tank, vessel, container, reservoir or other liquid retaining or holding structure is mixed with water from a lower portion of the same hot water tank, vessel, container, reservoir or other liquid retaining or holding structure and fed to a hot water dispensing nozzle, outlet or other dispensing structure so that the water fed to the hot water dispensing structure or device is at a different temperature (e.g., lower) than the water fed or directed to the flavored beverage brewer.

Yet another object of a preferred form of the present invention is to provide a liquid flow control assembly or member operably connected to a liquid storage reservoir, tank, container or other liquid retaining structure that utilizes the venturi effect to provide liquid at different temperatures to two different dispensing members/units/outlets of a liquid dispenser.

Yet a further object of a preferred form of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to provide hot water at two different temperatures from a single hot water tank, reservoir, container or other liquid retaining structure.

Another object of a preferred form of the present invention includes a manifold operably connected to a single hot water tank, reservoir, container or other liquid retaining structure to provide hot water at two different temperatures from the single hot water tank, reservoir, container or other liquid retaining structure.

A further object of a preferred form of the present invention includes a liquid flow control assembly or member that utilizes the venturi effect to provide hot water at two different temperatures from a single hot water tank, reservoir, container or other liquid retaining structure to two different dispensing components or devices of a liquid dispenser.

In summary, one preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a liquid dispensing system for a liquid dispenser. The liquid dispensing system includes a reservoir (i.e., any structure that retains, holds or stores one or more liquids) including an inlet for receiving a liquid from a liquid supply source, a chamber for storing the liquid received from the liquid supply source and an outlet for directing the liquid out of the chamber. A manifold is operably connected to the reservoir (preferably the manifold is detachably connected to the reservoir to allow all components of the manifold to be removed as a single unit from the liquid dispenser). The manifold includes a first port through which liquid from the upper portion of the chamber and liquid from the lower portion of the chamber are directed to a first dispensing outlet so that liquid from the upper portion of the chamber and liquid from the lower portion of the chamber mix prior to being dispensed from the first dispensing outlet. The manifold further includes a second port through which liquid from only the upper portion of the chamber is directed to a second dispensing outlet wherein the temperature of liquid directed to the first dispensing outlet is at a temperature different (e.g., lower) from the temperature of liquid directed to the second dispensing outlet.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for a hot water tank (i.e., any structure that retains, holds or stores one or more liquids) of a water dispensing system of a beverage dispenser for providing hot water at two different temperatures. The apparatus includes a liquid flow control assembly having at least a manifold configured to be operably connected to a hot water tank. The manifold includes a first port through which water from an upper portion of the hot water tank and water from a lower portion of the hot water tank are directed to a first dispensing outlet so that water from the upper portion of the hot water tank and water from the lower portion of the hot water tank mix prior to being dispensed from the first dispensing outlet. The manifold further includes a second port through which water from only the upper portion of the hot water tank is directed to a second dispensing outlet wherein the temperature of water directed to the first dispensing outlet is at a lower temperature than the temperature of water directed to the second dispensing outlet.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a coffee cooler for separately dispensing cold water, a flavored beverage and hot water. The coffee cooler includes a cold water source for providing cold or chilled water. A hot water reservoir (i.e., any structure that retains, holds or stores one or more liquids) is operably connected to the cold water source to receive water from the cold water source. The hot water reservoir includes a heating element to heat water stored in the hot water reservoir (e.g., a heating element partially of completely disposed in the reservoir or partially or completely external to the hot water reservoir but operably connected thereto). A water flow control assembly is operably connected to the hot water reservoir. The water flow assembly control is configured to provide water from only an upper portion of the hot water reservoir to a flavored beverage brewing device. The water flow control assembly is further configured to provide water to a hot water dispensing nozzle of the coffee cooler which is a mixture of water from a lower portion of the hot water reservoir and water from an upper portion of the hot water reservoir so that the temperature of the water provided to the flavored beverage brewing device is higher than the temperature of the water provided to the hot water dispensing nozzle of the coffee cooler.

The above preferred forms of the present invention described above provide various examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention to any of the preferred forms described above.

The preferred forms of the invention will now be described with reference to <FIG> and the corresponding descriptions. The appended claims are not limited to the preferred forms and no term and/or phrase used herein is to be given a meaning other than its ordinary meaning unless it is expressly stated otherwise.

Preferred forms of the present invention are directed to a liquid dispensing system, a liquid flow control assembly or member and/or a liquid dispenser for dispensing liquids at different temperatures. In a most preferred form, water at an optimal elevated temperature for dispensing a flavored beverage (e.g., coffee, tea, etc.) is provided and water at a lower but still elevated temperature is provided for dispensing hot water from a single hot water storage device (e.g., hot water tank, hot water reservoir, hot water container/vessel, etc.). The dispensing system may also dispense a chilled or cold liquid. The dispensing system may be connected to a replaceable <NUM> liter (<NUM> gallon) liquid storage bottle housed in and/or connected to the liquid dispenser (e.g., top-loaded liquid dispenser or a bottom-loaded liquid dispenser). The liquid dispensing system may be connected to other liquid sources including but not limited to one or more smaller liquid storage bottles, containers, reservoirs or vessels that are used in counter-top liquid dispensers. The liquid dispensing system alternatively may be directly connected to existing plumbing of a house, apartment, office, store or other commercial or residential structure.

While the preferred forms the present invention are directed to a liquid dispensing system, a liquid flow control assembly or member and/or a liquid dispenser for dispensing a heated flavored beverage at an optimal elevated temperature and hot water at a lower but still elevated temperature than the flavored beverage, the present invention is not limited to one or more components (e.g., a liquid dispensing system, a liquid flow control assembly or member and/or a liquid dispenser for dispensing liquids) for dispensing a flavored beverage at an optimal elevated temperature and hot water at a lower but still elevated temperature than the flavored beverage wherein the water is provided for both liquids from a single hot water storage device or structure. For example, both liquids provided by the single water (e.g., hot water, ambient temperature water, cool water or cold water) storage device or structure could be unflavored water at two or more different temperatures or two flavored beverages at two or more different temperatures.

Referring to <FIG>, a schematic view of a preferred liquid dispensing system A employing a preferred form of the invention is illustrated in one of many possible configurations. In the most preferred form, liquid dispensing system A is configured to direct hot water at a first temperature to a hot water dispensing nozzle, outlet, conduit or other dispensing structure of a liquid dispenser and hot water at a second temperature to a flavored beverage brewing assembly, unit or outlet of a liquid dispenser wherein the first temperature is different from the second temperature. Preferably, the temperature of hot water directed or provided to the hot water dispensing nozzle or other dispensing structure is no higher than <NUM> (<NUM>°F) and the temperature of hot water directed or provided to the flavored beverage brewing assembly, unit or outlet is in a range of <NUM> (<NUM>°F) to <NUM> (<NUM>°F). However, each of the temperatures or temperature ranges may be varied as desired. Preferably, the liquid dispenser is configured such that the dispensing flow rate of hot water from the hot water dispensing nozzle is higher than the dispensing flow rate of the flavored beverage dispensed from the liquid dispenser.

The liquid dispensing system A includes a single hot water tank, reservoir, container, vessel or other liquid storage, holding or containing structure B having a heating element C (e.g., heating coil or coils) wherein a portion of heating element C is shown as being disposed in chamber <NUM> of container B. However, liquid in container B may be heated using any suitable heating device or member including but not limited to a heating element located partially or completely external to member B. As shown in <FIG>, water is supplied by liquid conduit, tube or member <NUM> to the bottom portion or inlet <NUM> of reservoir B such that water enters reservoir B at preferably a lowermost portion of chamber <NUM> of reservoir B from a water source D. The water entering inlet <NUM> and the water housed in the bottom portion of reservoir B will be at approximately the same temperature as the water in the water supply source (e.g., a cold or cool water storage device or a storage device storing water at ambient temperature). Arrow D in <FIG> schematically represents cooled or cold water being supplied to member <NUM> from a cooled or cold water supply source not shown in <FIG>. Preferably, the cooled or cold water supply source is a cold water reservoir, tank, vessel or container housed in or operably connected to the liquid dispenser (e.g., coffee cooler). However, the source of water supplied to hot water tank B can be from a source having ambient temperature water or any other suitable water source.

Preferably, a baffle <NUM> is provided in the lower portion of chamber <NUM> of member B to limit turbulence caused by incoming water and to keep water in the upper portion of chamber <NUM> at a higher temperature from that of the water in the lower portion of chamber <NUM>. Preferably, the temperature of water in the upper portion of chamber <NUM> is in the range of <NUM> (<NUM>°F) to <NUM> (<NUM>°F). However, this temperature range may be varied as desired. A temperature control sensor <NUM> is operably connected to chamber <NUM> and heating element C to maintain water in the upper portion of chamber <NUM> at the desired temperature or within the desired temperature range. Sensor <NUM> can take any known or subsequently developed form.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a liquid flow control assembly E is operably connected to container, tank, vessel or reservoir B. The liquid flow control assembly E preferably includes a liquid flow control F operably connected to liquid manifold G. Liquid flow control F can take the form of one or more conduits, tubes or other structures for conveying liquid. The lower open end <NUM> of liquid flow control F is located/positioned/operationally disposed in the lower portion of chamber <NUM>, preferably above baffle <NUM>. Upper open end <NUM> of liquid flow control F is preferably positioned in or operably connected to liquid passageway <NUM> configured to direct hot water to a hot water dispensing outlet, nozzle or other dispensing structure represented by arrow H in <FIG> and <FIG>. Liquid passageway <NUM> has an internal diameter or width that is sized to be larger than the external diameter or width of the portion of liquid flow control F disposed in liquid passageway <NUM> so that liquid can flow into passageway <NUM> around the portion of liquid flow control F positioned in or operably connected to passageway <NUM>. This configuration allows liquid to be supplied to liquid passageway <NUM> from the lower portion of chamber <NUM> through liquid flow control F and from the upper portion of chamber <NUM> through annular collar <NUM> of manifold G and corresponding first port <NUM> (shown in, for example, <FIG> and <FIG>) of manifold G.

As seen in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, first port <NUM> preferably has an internal diameter or width which is larger than the external diameter or width of horizontally extending section <NUM> of the liquid flow control F. The relative sizing of section <NUM> and first port <NUM> allows liquid to flow into first port <NUM> around section <NUM> from tank B.

Referring to <FIG>, manifold G includes a steam valve housing <NUM> in fluid communication with annular collar <NUM> and hot water tank B. Housing <NUM> includes a float chamber <NUM>, a float valve <NUM> pivotally mounted in float chamber <NUM> and steam release port <NUM>. Arrows <NUM> in <FIG> illustrate how valve <NUM> pivots upwardly and downwardly in float chamber <NUM> to engage and disengage from port <NUM>. Float valve <NUM> includes a sealing member <NUM> which seals port <NUM> when a sufficient amount of water or other liquid is in float chamber <NUM> to cause valve <NUM> to pivot upwardly to cause member <NUM> to engage and seal a lower portion of port <NUM> to prevent the discharge of a fluid (e.g., steam) from chamber <NUM> through port <NUM>. <FIG> depicts sealing member <NUM> in a position sealing port <NUM>.

As steam builds up in float chamber <NUM> during operation of the liquid dispensing system, water or other liquid in float chamber <NUM> is forced out of chamber <NUM> causing valve <NUM> to pivot downwardly so that sealing member <NUM> is moved downwardly and away from port <NUM> to allow steam to be discharged or exhausted from float chamber <NUM> through port <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, float valve <NUM> includes a horizontally extending upper surface <NUM> and an outer peripheral and vertically extending skirt <NUM> connected to and extending downwardly from upper surface <NUM>. Upper surface <NUM> and skirt <NUM> form a cavity <NUM> for receiving fluid (e.g. steam or liquid). Sealing member <NUM> is connected to and extends upwardly from upper surface <NUM> of float <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, arrow I represents a lever or other known device that may be activated to cause the liquid dispenser to dispense hot water from hot water dispensing member or outlet H. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, manifold G includes a second port <NUM> connected to liquid passageway <NUM>. Liquid passageway <NUM> (shown in, for example, <FIG>) directs hot water from only the upper portion of chamber <NUM> to a flavored beverage brewing unit or outlet represented schematically by arrow J in <FIG>. Second port <NUM>, like port <NUM>, is in fluid communication with annular collar <NUM> and float chamber <NUM> so that liquid flows into the annular collar <NUM> and subsequently flows from the float chamber <NUM> into the corresponding port. However, first port <NUM> and/or second port <NUM> can be connected to annular collar <NUM> so that liquid passes directly from annular collar <NUM> into the corresponding port without first passing into float chamber <NUM>.

Annular collar <NUM> of manifold G can be sized so that a throat of hot water tank B extends into the internal cavity defined by annular collar <NUM>. One or more sealing members may be formed in the annular collar <NUM> and/or the throat of the member B or be formed as a separate piece from members <NUM> and B to provide a sealed connection between member <NUM> and member B. Alternatively, the throat of hot water tank B can be sized to receive the annular collar <NUM> in the internal cavity or space defined by the throat of the hot water tank B. It should be noted that manifold G can be connected to hot water tank B in a sealed manner in any other suitable manner.

Referring to <FIG>, liquid flow control F includes a vertically extending conduit <NUM> which has an open lowermost end (not shown in <FIG> but shown in <FIG> by reference numeral <NUM>) and an open uppermost end <NUM>. Preferably, conduit <NUM> is made of metal (e.g., stainless steel or any other suitable metal). The upper portion of conduit <NUM> extends into vertically extending section or conduit <NUM> which is in fluid communication with section <NUM> which in turn is in fluid communication with first port <NUM> as clearly shown in, for example <FIG>. Preferably, member <NUM> and first port <NUM> are made from a non-metallic material (e.g., plastic or any other suitable non-metallic material). Member <NUM>, first port <NUM>, section <NUM> and/or housing <NUM> can be formed as a single piece of non-metallic material. This construction or interconnection of conduit <NUM>, conduit <NUM>, section <NUM> and first port <NUM> allows water from the lower portion of chamber <NUM> to pass upwardly into conduit <NUM>, then into conduit <NUM>, then into section <NUM> and then into first port <NUM> and then subsequently into conduit <NUM>.

Vertically extending conduits <NUM> and <NUM> are spaced inwardly from inner, annular surface <NUM> of annular collar <NUM> as seen in, for example, <FIG>. Housing <NUM>, annular collar <NUM>, first port <NUM>, conduit or section <NUM>, second port <NUM> and conduit <NUM> can be formed from a single piece of transparent material.

Preferably, manifold G is detachably connected to hot water tank B so that manifold G can be readily separated from hot water tank B and readily removed from the liquid dispenser. Also, liquid flow control assembly E is preferably configured so that all components of manifold G and all components of liquid flow control F can be removed from the liquid dispenser as a single unit.

Referring to <FIG>, the flow of liquid from hot water reservoir, tank, vessel, container or other liquid retaining/hold structure B through the liquid flow control assembly E during various cycles, phases or stages of operation of the liquid dispenser (e.g., coffee cooler) will now be discussed. During a hot water dispense cycle, phase or stage, heated liquid from the upper portion of chamber <NUM> of hot water reservoir B passes upwardly along vertically extending conduit <NUM> (the flow path being represented by arrow L) and then into first port <NUM> to pass horizontally along an exterior surface of section or conduit <NUM> of liquid flow control assembly E (represented by arrow M) so that hot water from the upper portion of chamber <NUM> of member B is directed into first port <NUM> and conduit <NUM>. This movement or flow of liquid from member B and vertically along conduit <NUM> and horizontally along section or conduit <NUM> causes liquid in the lower portion of chamber <NUM> of member B (which is preferably at a reduced temperature from the liquid drawn from the upper portion of chamber <NUM> of member B) to be drawn into conduit <NUM> (represented by arrow N) and upwardly through conduits <NUM> and <NUM> and into section or conduit <NUM> and then into first port <NUM> and conduit <NUM> (represented by arrow O) by the venturi effect.

While the venturi effect is the preferred form of conveying liquid from the lower portion of member B into first port <NUM> and/or conduit <NUM>, a pump or other structure could be used to direct water or other liquid from the lower portion of chamber <NUM> of member B to mix with water from the upper portion of chamber <NUM> prior to hot water being dispensed from the liquid dispenser during a hot water dispense cycle, stage or phase to reduce the temperature of the water dispensed during a hot water dispense cycle, stage or phase. Arrow N, in <FIG>, illustrates/represents water drawn into conduit <NUM> from the lower portion of chamber <NUM> of member B by the venturi effect. Arrow O, in <FIG>, illustrates/represents water passing into section <NUM> and into first port <NUM> by the venturi effect. The mixing of liquid from the lower portion of chamber <NUM> and the upper portion of chamber <NUM> in first port <NUM> and/or conduit <NUM> significantly reduces the temperature of hot water dispensed during the hot water dispensing cycle, phase or stage of the liquid dispenser. As previously explained, the temperature of water in the upper portion of chamber <NUM> is preferably in the range of range of <NUM> (<NUM>°F) to <NUM> (<NUM>°F). The temperature of water dispensed during the hot water dispensing cycle, phase or stage is preferably no higher than <NUM> (<NUM>°F) so that the preferred embodiment of the present invention causes a reduction of at least <NUM> (<NUM>°F) in the water actually dispensed during a hot water dispensing cycle, phase or stage from the temperature of water in the upper portion of chamber <NUM>, i.e., the water in the lower portion of chamber is at a temperature such that when mixed with the water in the upper portion of chamber <NUM> will cause a reduction of preferably at least <NUM> (<NUM>°F).

Arrow P, in <FIG>, represents water flowing from only the upper portion of chamber <NUM> into second port <NUM> during a brewing cycle, stage or phase of the liquid dispenser. Arrow Q, in <FIG>, represents elevated temperature hot water (e.g., of <NUM> (<NUM>°F) to <NUM> (<NUM>°F)) being directed to the brewing unit or member so that coffee or other flavored beverage is at a temperature in the range of preferably of <NUM> (<NUM>°F) to <NUM> (<NUM>°F). Arrow R, in <FIG>, represents steam being released from steam release port <NUM> of manifold G.

<FIG> depicts one of many possible liquid dispensing assemblies/units/systems T in which the preferred forms of the present invention can be utilized. The liquid dispensing assembly T preferably includes a cold or cooled water reservoir <NUM> operably connected to liquid manifold <NUM>. Liquid manifold <NUM> at member <NUM> (e.g., inlet port) receives a supply of water which manifold <NUM> directs into reservoir <NUM>. Manifold <NUM> can take the form of the well-known SMARTFLO® removable water cartridge disclosed in <CIT> and/or <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>. The supply of water connected to member <NUM> can be an ambient temperature liquid storage container (e.g., a <NUM> liter (<NUM> gallon) water bottle) stored in or operably connected to the liquid dispenser (e.g., a bottom loaded dispenser or a top loaded dispenser). However, the liquid supply can be any of the previously described structures or any other suitable liquid supply.

Referring to <FIG>, liquid dispenser U is a bottom loaded dispenser with ambient temperature liquid container V (e.g., a <NUM> liter (<NUM> gallon) water bottle) stored in a lower portion of liquid dispenser U and connected to member <NUM> of manifold <NUM> using any suitable connecting member or members. However, the present invention can be used with any suitable liquid dispenser including but not limited to a top-loaded liquid dispenser and a liquid dispenser configured to be mounted on a countertop, table or other elevated structure. Alternatively, the supply of water can be a direct connection to the water source of the structure in which the liquid dispensing system is operationally positioned.

Liquid dispenser U includes a cover W operably movably/pivotally connected to the dispenser housing of the liquid dispenser U so that components of the liquid dispenser system can be removed including but not limited to the removal of liquid flow control assembly E as a single unit. The liquid dispenser housing can take the form of the housing of the STORM® water cooler or any other type of housing. Alternatively, the housing, cover and/or beverage brewing unit of the liquid dispenser U can take the form disclosed in <CIT>.

Referring to <FIG>, removable liquid manifold <NUM> directs cooled or cold water from reservoir <NUM> to the lowermost portion of hot water retaining structure <NUM> via member, port <NUM> and conduit <NUM>. Preferably, member <NUM> is the same or similar to member B. Liquid flow control assembly <NUM> is the same or similar to liquid flow control assembly E. Member <NUM> is the activation member (e.g., lever) to dispense hot water represented by arrow Y from liquid dispenser U. Brewing element <NUM> is operably connected to hot water member <NUM> via conduit <NUM>. In a preferred form, brewing element <NUM> is configured to receive a pod for dispensing a single serving of a flavored beverage (e.g., coffee, tea, etc.). Member <NUM> is a flavored dispensing nozzle, outlet or other dispensing structure for dispensing a flavored beverage (e.g., coffee, tea, etc.) from liquid dispenser U.

Air pump <NUM> is activated for a predetermined period (e.g., preferably a short period) to flush any residual water out of the single-serving pod and the flavored beverage dispensing assembly <NUM> to allow the user to remove the single-serving pod and/or the flavored beverage dispensing assembly <NUM> with minimal dripping upon removal of the single-serving pod and/or the flavored beverage dispensing assembly <NUM>. A one-way valve <NUM> prevents water from flowing back to air pump <NUM>.

A flow measuring unit/device <NUM> is connected to conduit <NUM> to measure the flow of water through conduit <NUM>, for example, to make sure that the flow rate of the flavored beverage is lower than the flow rate of the hot water dispensed by member <NUM>. A solenoid valve <NUM> is connected to conduit <NUM> to control the flow of hot water to inlet port <NUM> of the flavored beverage dispensing assembly <NUM>. A switch <NUM> detects when the cover of the liquid dispenser is in a closed position. Manifold <NUM> during a cold or cooled water dispensing stage, cycle or phase commenced by activation of lever <NUM>, supplies cold or cooled water from reservoir <NUM> to dispensing outlet/nozzle/conduit or other dispensing structure <NUM> so that liquid dispenser U can dispense cold or cooled water represented by arrow X in <FIG>. The components of liquid dispensing system T can function or operate as described in <CIT> with the notable exceptions of member <NUM> and assembly <NUM> which operate/function as described herein.

Referring to <FIG>, the liquid dispenser U may include three or more dispensing conduits or other structures for dispensing three or more different beverages, (e.g., coffee or other flavored beverage, hot water and cold or cooled water). Member <NUM> supporting cup <NUM> below and adjacent dispensing structures/nozzles/conduits may be adjustable so that the height of cup <NUM> relative to the dispensing members/nozzles/conduits of liquid dispenser U can be readily varied or member <NUM> can be moved (i.e., pivoted) between a storage position and an operating position.

Claim 1:
A liquid dispensing system (A) for a liquid dispenser (U), said liquid dispensing system (A) comprising:
(a) a reservoir (B, <NUM>) including an inlet (<NUM>) for receiving a liquid from a liquid supply source (<NUM>, V), a chamber (<NUM>) for storing the liquid received from the liquid supply source (<NUM>, V) and a reservoir outlet for directing the liquid out of said chamber (<NUM>); and,
(b) a manifold (G) operably connected to said reservoir (B), said manifold (G) including a first port (<NUM>) through which liquid from an upper portion of said chamber (<NUM>) and liquid from a lower portion of said chamber (<NUM>) are directed to a first dispensing outlet (H) so that liquid from said upper portion of said chamber (<NUM>) and liquid from said lower portion of said chamber (<NUM>) mix prior to being dispensed from said first dispensing outlet (H), characterized in that said manifold (G) further includes a second port (<NUM>) through which liquid from only said upper portion of said chamber (<NUM>) is directed to a second dispensing outlet (J), and in that the temperature of liquid directed to said first dispensing outlet (H) is at a temperature different from the temperature of liquid directed to said second dispensing outlet (J).