Patent ID: 8266922

Claim:
A method of selectively dispensing both heated water and cool water from a liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a liquid dispenser disposed in a door of a refrigerator, the liquid dispensing apparatus further comprising a water inlet, a first storage tank in fluid communication with the water inlet for retaining and heating water from the water inlet, a second storage tank in fluid communication with the water inlet for retaining water from the water inlet, an auxiliary tank in fluid communication with the water inlet and in two-way fluid communication with the first storage tank, the auxiliary tank comprising a housing and a piston disposed in the housing and movable in opposite first and second directions, the liquid dispenser being disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with each of the first storage tank and the second storage tank, the method comprising: at least partially filling the first storage tank with water from the water inlet; moving the piston in the first direction to fill at least part of the housing with water from the first storage tank and to pull water away from the liquid dispenser to the first storage tank; heating water in the first storage tank; at least partially filling the second storage tank with water from the water inlet; dispensing water from the liquid dispenser when the liquid dispenser is activated to dispense cooled water; and moving the piston in the second direction to expel water from the housing and push water towards the liquid dispenser when the liquid dispenser is activated to dispense heated water.