Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage space therein and a door for opening and closing the storage space. The refrigerator comprises a water conduit for directing water supplied from an external water source to the main body of the refrigerator. An inlet valve distributes the water supplied from the water conduit into a hot water conduit and a separate cold water conduit. A cold water tank is mounted to one of the main body and the door for cooling the water supplied through the cold water conduit and then storing the cooled water therein. A hot water tube is mounted to one of the main body and the door for receiving the water supplied through the hot water conduit. The hot water tube includes a heater operably installed within the hot water tube and in direct contact with the water therein. The heater generates heat through the application of electric power thereto to heat the water within the hot water tube to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A variable temperature dispensing system and method for dispensing a variable temperature controlled fluid in an appliance includes a first fluid storage tank for holding the fluid at one temperature and a second fluid storage tank for holding the fluid at another temperature that is elevated relative to the one temperature of the first fluid storage tank. A dispenser outlet is fluidly connected to the first and second fluid storage tanks by at least one fluid line. A proportioning device is disposed along the at least one fluid line between the dispenser outlet and the first and second fluid storage tanks to proportion the fluid delivered from the first and second fluid storage tanks to the dispenser outlet. The proportioning device allows for the selection of a specific temperature for the fluid to be dispensed through the dispenser outlet and delivers the fluid at the selected specific temperature.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage space therein and a door for opening and closing the storage space. The refrigerator comprises a water conduit for directing water supplied from an external water source to the main body of the refrigerator. An inlet valve distributes the water supplied from the water conduit into a hot water conduit and a separate cold water conduit. A cold water tank is mounted to one of the main body and the door for cooling the water supplied through the cold water conduit and then storing the cooled water therein. A hot water tube is mounted to one of the main body and the door for receiving the water supplied through the hot water conduit. The hot water tube includes a heater operably installed within the hot water tube and in direct contact with the water therein. The heater generates heat through the application of electric power thereto to heat the water within the hot water tube to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A variable temperature dispensing system and method for dispensing a variable temperature controlled fluid in an appliance includes a first fluid storage tank for holding the fluid at one temperature and a second fluid storage tank for holding the fluid at another temperature that is elevated relative to the one temperature of the first fluid storage tank. A dispenser outlet is fluidly connected to the first and second fluid storage tanks by at least one fluid line. A proportioning device is disposed along the at least one fluid line between the dispenser outlet and the first and second fluid storage tanks to proportion the fluid delivered from the first and second fluid storage tanks to the dispenser outlet. The proportioning device allows for the selection of a specific temperature for the fluid to be dispensed through the dispenser outlet and delivers the fluid at the selected specific temperature.

Abstract: A dispensing system and method for storing and dispensing a temperature controlled fluid from an appliance includes a tank for storing the temperature controlled fluid and a dispenser outlet for dispensing the temperature controlled fluid. A dispenser fluid line fluidly couples the tank and the dispenser outlet. A pump dispenses the temperature controlled fluid from the tank through the dispenser outlet upon receipt of a dispense signal and subsequently withdraws any residual temperature controlled fluid from the dispenser fluid line.

Abstract: Hose connector and method for sealingly connecting respective first and second drain sections of an appliance are provided. The hose connector includes a mating piece positioned at a proximate end of one of the first and second drain sections. The mating piece is configured to define a bore. An insertion piece is configured at the corresponding proximate end of the other of the first and second drain sections to be received through the bore in the mating piece. One of the pieces is substantially rigid and includes at least a first radially-extending rib. The other of the pieces is generally resilient relative to the rigid piece. The radially-extending rib has a diameter sufficiently large relative to the corresponding diameter of the resilient piece to provide a hermetic seal to fluid passing through the connector, by substantially and uniformly compressing any portion of the resilient piece in contact with the rib in the rigid piece.

Abstract: A fuel vapor control valve for controlling the flow of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through an aperture in a fuel tank is provided. The fuel vapor control valve includes a housing mounted in the aperture and formed to include an inlet and an outlet, a chamber disposed in the housing, a pressure-relief valve disposed in the camber, and a vacuum valve disposed in the chamber and formed for movement relative to the pressure-relief valve. The vacuum valve is biased to relieve subatmospheric tank pressure below a predetermined minimum pressure and includes a base that is mounted on the pressure-relief valve and arranged to define a venting aperture. In addition, the fuel vapor control valve includes a ball that is movably positioned in the chamber to selectively interrupt the flow of fuel vapor through the venting aperture.

Abstract: A venting control system is provided for controlling discharge of fuel vapors from a vehicle fuel tank. The system includes a vent apparatus mountable in an aperture formed in the top wall of the fuel tank. The vent apparatus is formed to include a vapor inlet opening communicating with an interior region of the fuel tank, a vapor outlet opening, and a passageway interconnecting the vapor inlet and outlet openings. The system further includes a tubular skirt having an uppermost end coupled to the vent apparatus and a lowermost end and a fill-limit valve assembly coupled to the lowermost end of the tubular skirt. The tubular skirt and the fill-limit valve assembly are positioned to lie in the interior region of the fuel tank when the vent apparatus is mounted in the top wall aperture of the fuel tank.

Abstract: A fuel vapor control valve is provided for controlling the flow of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through an aperture in a fuel tank. The fuel vapor control valve includes a housing mounted in the aperture. The housing is formed to include an inlet in fluid communication with the fuel tank and an outlet. A valve is movable in the housing between a blocking position blocking flow of fuel vapor between the inlet and the outlet and a venting position allowing flow of fuel vapor between the inlet and the outlet. The fuel vapor control valve also includes a spring for biasing the valve toward its blocking position and a mechanism for using fuel vapor from the fuel tank to move the valve toward its venting position. A ball is movably positioned in the venting control chamber to selectively interrupt the fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling venting of fuel vapor through an aperture in a fuel tank. The apparatus comprises a housing mounted in the aperture and a valve moveable in the housing between a blocking position blocking flow of fuel vapor from the fuel tank through the housing and a venting position allowing flow of fuel vapor from the fuel tank through the housing. A spring biases the valve towards its blocking position. A mechanism is provided for using fuel vapor from the fuel tank to move the valve against the spring towards its venting position. The using mechanism includes a venting control chamber receiving fuel vapor from the fuel tank in a conduit communicating fuel vapor from the fuel tank to the venting control chamber. The conduit includes a first portion and a second portion moveable relative to the first portion to define an intermediate portion.