Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for conditioning a liquid stream with a liquid dispensing system associated with a refrigerator, preparing an enhanced beverage using one or more of the individually conditioned liquid streams and a liquid enhancement device and minimizing the potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system are provided.

Abstract: A pressure cooking device (10, 100) for cooking food materials (80), comprising: a sealed cooking chamber (20) arranged to accommodate food materials (80); a steam supplying unit (30, 130) arranged to supply steam to the sealed cooking chamber (20); and a steam channel (40) arranged to interconnect the steam supplying unit (30, 130) and the sealed cooking chamber (20); wherein the pressure cooking device (10, 100) further comprises a control unit (11) adapted to control the cooking process based on the liquid water content and/or the humidity in the sealed cooking chamber (20). By virtue of this invention, the liquid water content and/or the humidity in the sealed cooking chamber (20) could be adjusted conveniently.

Abstract: A refrigerator or liquid dispensing appliance adapted for receiving, storing, managing, processing and dispensing a liquid enhancement component for preparation of a finished beverage is disclosed. Delivery, processing and management of the liquid enhancement component includes loading a solid liquid enhancement component at a product interface, and managing the transfer of the liquid enhancement component through various systems of the invention including processing to provide a processed liquid enhancement component for discharging for preparing a finished beverage.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for conditioning a liquid stream with a liquid dispensing system associated with a refrigerator, preparing an enhanced beverage using one or more of the individually conditioned liquid streams and a liquid enhancement device and minimizing the potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system are provided.

Abstract: A refrigerator or liquid dispensing appliance adapted for receiving, storing, managing, processing and dispensing a liquid enhancement component for preparation of a finished beverage is disclosed. Delivery, processing and management of the liquid enhancement component includes loading a solid liquid enhancement component at a product interface, and managing the transfer of the liquid enhancement component through various systems of the invention including processing to provide a processed liquid enhancement component for discharging for preparing a finished beverage.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension.

Abstract: An appliance includes a dispenser for dispensing a mixture of a diluent and a consumable. The mixture may be a beverage wherein the diluent is water and the consumable is a flavorant. The dispenser includes a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the diluent at the inlet. The rate at which the consumable is added to the diluent is dependent upon the pressure of the diluent at the inlet. The consumable may be provided in a single container, or a user may specify a particular type of consumable from a plurality of containers provided on a rotation carousel.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for retrofitting an indoor water dispenser of an existing refrigerator having a water outlet with one or more components to provide secondary water conditioning to dispense an enhanced beverage using water from the water outlet of the indoor water dispenser are provided.

Abstract: An appliance includes a dispenser for dispensing a mixture of a diluent and a consumable. The mixture may be a beverage wherein the diluent is water and the consumable is a flavorant. The dispenser includes a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the diluent at the inlet. The rate at which the consumable is added to the diluent is dependent upon the pressure of the diluent at the inlet. The consumable may be provided in a single container, or a user may specify a particular type of consumable from a plurality of containers provided on a rotation carousel.

Abstract: A refrigerator with a liquid conditioning system providing a variety of levels and types of conditioned liquid streams for outputting to a refrigerator dispenser is disclosed. A liquid conditioning circuit having means for outputting ambient, cold, heated, filtered, and carbonated liquid streams for use in combination with a refrigerator is also disclosed. A finished beverage made from a conditioned liquid stream or combination of conditioned liquid streams is enhanced with one or more liquid enhancements components provided by a liquid enhancement system.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for conditioning a liquid stream with a liquid dispensing system associated with a refrigerator, preparing an enhanced beverage using one or more of the individually conditioned liquid streams and a liquid enhancement device and minimizing the potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system are provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for conditioning a liquid stream with a liquid dispensing system associated with a refrigerator, preparing an enhanced beverage using one or more of the individually conditioned liquid streams and a liquid enhancement device and minimizing the potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system are provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for retrofitting an indoor water dispenser of an existing refrigerator having a water outlet with one or more components to provide secondary water conditioning to dispense an enhanced beverage using water from the water outlet of the indoor water dispenser are provided.

Abstract: A method for reducing displacement of a wash basket that is rotatable about an axis of rotation within a washing machine. The method comprises the steps of: mounting a balancing ring to the basket in the plane that is generally perpendicular to a rotation axis of the basket. Another step is supporting the wash basket by a tuned suspension structure to the machine and determining two resonance critical frequencies for two translational degrees of freedom and three resonance rotational frequencies for the three rotational degrees of freedom of the suspension structure. The method also comprises the step of tuning the suspension structure so that the two critical frequencies of translation each occur at or below a critical first motor speed and so that the three rotational frequencies occur at a second speed that is above the critical rotation speed.

Abstract: A method and a suspension structure for reducing displacement of a wash basket of a washing machine includes first providing the wash basket with a balance ring. The balancing ring is attached to the basket in the plane that is generally perpendicular to a rotation axis of the basket. The balancing has a balancing mass that is movable relative to the ring. The wash basket is supported by a tuned suspension structure to the machine. Two resonance critical frequencies for two translational degrees of freedom and that are in the plane of the balancing ring are determined. The three resonance rotational frequencies for the three rotational degrees of freedom of the suspension structure are also determined. The suspension structure is tuned so that the two critical frequencies of translation each occur at or below a critical first motor speed and so that the three rotational frequencies occur at a second speed that is above the critical rotation speed.