EP1190983B1 - Refrigerated water dispenser for domestic refrigerators - Google Patents
Refrigerated water dispenser for domestic refrigerators Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1190983B1 EP1190983B1 EP20010121693 EP01121693A EP1190983B1 EP 1190983 B1 EP1190983 B1 EP 1190983B1 EP 20010121693 EP20010121693 EP 20010121693 EP 01121693 A EP01121693 A EP 01121693A EP 1190983 B1 EP1190983 B1 EP 1190983B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- dispenser
- water
- container
- door
- compartment
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D23/00—General constructional features
- F25D23/12—Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
- F25D23/126—Water cooler
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/0857—Cooling arrangements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2323/00—General constructional features not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2323/122—General constructional features not provided for in other groups of this subclass the refrigerator is characterised by a water tank for the water/ice dispenser
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a refrigerated water dispenser for refrigerator doors according to the preamble of claim 1.
- a water dispenser corresponding to this description is known from US-A-5542265.
- This document discloses a water dispenser in which the water feed means open beyond a hollow compartment, without any protection from dust, insects etc. Moreover such document teaches to use a pump and a switch, which can have reliability problems.
- the reference numeral 1 indicates a refrigerator door comprising an inner side 2 (cold because it faces the refrigerated compartment 2A of the refrigerator) and an outer side 3 (facing the room), between which the usual thermal insulation expanded in situ and indicated by 4 is present.
- a structure 5 comprising a base 6 and a shell 7 is fixed, for example by the method described in the aforestated patent application.
- the shell 7 presents a frontal opening 8 closed by a flap 9 hinged lowerly, at 10, to the shell and subjected to a spring or elastic force tending to maintain it in its closed position.
- the structure 5 defines a compartment 11 in which the outlet 12 of a water feed conduit 13 is present.
- a valve comprising a rotatable valving element 14 provided with a through hole and connected to an operating lever or arm 15 which interferes with the trajectory of the flap 9.
- a spring not shown, for example a torsion spring, acts on the arm 15 to urge the valving element into the position in which it closes the conduit 13.
- a stop member also not shown, halts the arm in this position.
- the conduit 13 presents a flange 16 upstream of the valve, and passes through a hollow component 17, which remains embedded in the insulation 4 and is described hereinafter.
- the conduit 13 terminates with a thread 18, this thread engaging a member 19 presenting a flange 20 and forming part of the water flow path.
- the member 19 is of pipe shape and comprises a well 21 provided with a gasket 22 mounted on its open end.
- the well 21 can sealingly receive the exit mouth 24 projecting from the base of a water vessel or container 25, which hence becomes removably coupled to the member 19 and supported by suitable seats (not shown) provided on the door liner.
- the exit mouth is of frusto-conical shape in order not to allow escape of a ball 26A, which closes it and which on coupling the vessel 25 to the well 21 is moved upwards by the protuberance 23 to enable water to flow out when the valving element 14 passes to its open position.
- the container 25 comprises a removable cover 26 bounding a chamber 27 which is upperly open at 28 and is hydraulically connected to the compartment 25A of the container 25 via a conventional replaceable filter 29 which penetrates into the compartment 25A and is supported on the base of said cover.
- the combined vessel 25, cover 26, filter 29 and ball 26A can be extracted, i.e. removed from the well 21, cleaned, the filter replaced and then returned into position with a new filling of water.
- the water consumed can be replenished through the aperture 28 as required.
- the component embedded in the insulation 4 forms a passage P, which surrounds the conduit 13 and passes through the thickness of the door.
- the component 17 comprises a part 17A presenting a conventional elastic seal flange 17B and a part 17C mounted about the former and also provided with an elastic seal flange 17D.
- the part 17A can be closed by a plug 17E.
- the flange 16 can be provided with radial appendices and be housed in a seat 16A present in the base 6 and correspondingly shaped.
- a sensor 40 can be provided on the inner side of the door to measure the level of water in the container 25; the amplified signal from said sensor can be applied to a light source, which when lit indicates that the water level in the container is low and hence should be increased. If the sensor 40 is used, instead of the plug 17A a tube (not shown) can be connected to the component 17 for passage of the electric connection cable to the sensor. When the container is removed from the well 21 and refilled, the ball closes the exit mouth 24 to prevent escape of water.
- the senor 40 can be connected to a suitable circuit which automatically refills the container 25 with mains water, if the refrigerator is provided with a connection to the water main.
Description
- The present invention relates to a refrigerated water dispenser for refrigerator doors according to the preamble of claim 1.
- A water dispenser corresponding to this description is known from US-A-5542265.
- This document discloses a water dispenser in which the water feed means open beyond a hollow compartment, without any protection from dust, insects etc. Moreover such document teaches to use a pump and a switch, which can have reliability problems.
- The present invention, although using the teachings of that patent, proposes a particularly simple and economical solution, the innovative aspects of which are highlighted in the accompanying claims.
- The invention will be more apparent from the ensuing detailed description given hereinafter by way of non-limiting example with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawing showing a section through the water dispenser of the present invention installed on a refrigerator door.
- In the figure the reference numeral 1 indicates a refrigerator door comprising an inner side 2 (cold because it faces the refrigerated compartment 2A of the refrigerator) and an outer side 3 (facing the room), between which the usual thermal insulation expanded in situ and indicated by 4 is present. On the outer side, a structure 5 comprising a
base 6 and a shell 7 is fixed, for example by the method described in the aforestated patent application. - As taught in said patent application, the shell 7 presents a
frontal opening 8 closed by aflap 9 hinged lowerly, at 10, to the shell and subjected to a spring or elastic force tending to maintain it in its closed position. - The structure 5 defines a
compartment 11 in which theoutlet 12 of a water feed conduit 13 is present. - Within this conduit 13, in the outlet part which penetrates into the
compartment 11, a valve is present comprising arotatable valving element 14 provided with a through hole and connected to an operating lever orarm 15 which interferes with the trajectory of theflap 9. A spring, not shown, for example a torsion spring, acts on thearm 15 to urge the valving element into the position in which it closes the conduit 13. A stop member, also not shown, halts the arm in this position. - The rotation (arrow F) of the
flap 9 produced by the user causes thelever 15 to move and the conduit B to rotate into the open position with consequent dispensing of water. - The conduit 13 presents a
flange 16 upstream of the valve, and passes through ahollow component 17, which remains embedded in theinsulation 4 and is described hereinafter. The conduit 13 terminates with athread 18, this thread engaging amember 19 presenting aflange 20 and forming part of the water flow path. - On screwing the
member 19 onto the conduit 13, theflanges - The
member 19 is of pipe shape and comprises awell 21 provided with agasket 22 mounted on its open end. - From the base of the well there projects a
protuberance 23, the purpose of which is clarified hereinafter. - The
well 21 can sealingly receive theexit mouth 24 projecting from the base of a water vessel or container 25, which hence becomes removably coupled to themember 19 and supported by suitable seats (not shown) provided on the door liner. - The exit mouth is of frusto-conical shape in order not to allow escape of a
ball 26A, which closes it and which on coupling the vessel 25 to thewell 21 is moved upwards by theprotuberance 23 to enable water to flow out when thevalving element 14 passes to its open position. - The container 25 comprises a
removable cover 26 bounding achamber 27 which is upperly open at 28 and is hydraulically connected to thecompartment 25A of the container 25 via a conventionalreplaceable filter 29 which penetrates into thecompartment 25A and is supported on the base of said cover. - The combined vessel 25,
cover 26,filter 29 andball 26A can be extracted, i.e. removed from thewell 21, cleaned, the filter replaced and then returned into position with a new filling of water. The water consumed can be replenished through theaperture 28 as required. - As can be seen from the figure, the component embedded in the
insulation 4 forms a passage P, which surrounds the conduit 13 and passes through the thickness of the door. Thecomponent 17 comprises apart 17A presenting a conventionalelastic seal flange 17B and apart 17C mounted about the former and also provided with anelastic seal flange 17D. Thepart 17A can be closed by aplug 17E. - For centering purposes the
flange 16 can be provided with radial appendices and be housed in aseat 16A present in thebase 6 and correspondingly shaped. - A sensor 40 can be provided on the inner side of the door to measure the level of water in the container 25; the amplified signal from said sensor can be applied to a light source, which when lit indicates that the water level in the container is low and hence should be increased. If the sensor 40 is used, instead of the
plug 17A a tube (not shown) can be connected to thecomponent 17 for passage of the electric connection cable to the sensor. When the container is removed from thewell 21 and refilled, the ball closes theexit mouth 24 to prevent escape of water. - In a further embodiment the sensor 40 can be connected to a suitable circuit which automatically refills the container 25 with mains water, if the refrigerator is provided with a connection to the water main.
Claims (8)
- A refrigerated water dispenser for refrigerator doors, comprising a water container (25, 26), water feed means (13, 19) and a hollow structure (5) to be applied to the outer face of the door (1) and defining a compartment (11), said water feed means (13, 19) extending through the door (1) and terminating with a connection means (21) to which said water container (25, 26) is removably coupled, characterised in that said water feed means (13, 19) opens in the compartment (11) and presents within the compartment (11) a dispensing valve (14) operated by a lever or arm (15) interfering with the trajectory of a flap (9) hinged to the hollow structure (5) and closing an aperture (8) providing access to the compartment (11).
- A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water container (25, 26) is coupled to the connection means (21) by a bottom tubular appendix (24) thereof in which a valving means (26A) is situated.
- A dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein the appendix (24) is frusto-conical and the valving means (26A) is a ball arranged to cooperate with a protuberance (23) present in the connection means (21).
- A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein a filter (29) is removably provided in the container (25, 26).
- A dispenser as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the water feed means (13, 19) passes through the door (1) inside a passage (P) bounded by an element (17) embedded in the door insulation (4).
- A dispenser as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a sensor (40) for the water level in the container (25, 26) is positioned outside of this latter to monitor the level.
- A dispenser as claimed in claims 5 and 6, characterised in that the level sensor (40) is connected to a control circuit by a wire disposed within a tube connected to the element (17) embedded in the door insulation (4).
- A dispenser as claimed in claim 6, wherein the level sensor (40) is connected to an automatic system for filling the container (25) with mains water.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITMI000541 | 2000-09-26 | ||
ITMI20000541 IT250457Y1 (en) | 2000-09-26 | 2000-09-26 | REFRIGERATED WATER DISPENSER FOR DOMESTIC REFRIGERATORS |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1190983A2 EP1190983A2 (en) | 2002-03-27 |
EP1190983A3 EP1190983A3 (en) | 2002-04-24 |
EP1190983B1 true EP1190983B1 (en) | 2003-11-26 |
Family
ID=11444480
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20010121693 Expired - Lifetime EP1190983B1 (en) | 2000-09-26 | 2001-09-14 | Refrigerated water dispenser for domestic refrigerators |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1190983B1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR0104276B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60101301T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2210077T3 (en) |
IT (1) | IT250457Y1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2009127025A2 (en) * | 2008-04-16 | 2009-10-22 | Whirlpool S.A. | Arrangement of filter assembly for water dispensing-storing device |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU2005207860A1 (en) | 2004-01-20 | 2005-08-11 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Water dispenser with water filter for a refrigerator |
ES2395274T3 (en) * | 2004-10-05 | 2013-02-11 | Whirlpool Corporation | Domestic refrigerator with a water dispenser set |
EP1890097A1 (en) | 2006-08-07 | 2008-02-20 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Refrigerator with a drinking liquid dispenser, and system for supplying information relating to the status of the liquid in the dispenser |
CN101738049A (en) * | 2008-11-14 | 2010-06-16 | 博西华家用电器有限公司 | Refrigerator and manufacture method thereof |
CN102401535B (en) * | 2010-09-15 | 2016-06-15 | 博西华家用电器有限公司 | Discharging device and refrigerator thereof |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5096095A (en) * | 1988-12-06 | 1992-03-17 | Burton John E | Door beverage dispenser |
DE8901630U1 (en) * | 1989-02-13 | 1989-04-06 | Bosch-Siemens Hausgeraete Gmbh, 8000 Muenchen, De | |
US5490547A (en) * | 1994-08-12 | 1996-02-13 | Abadi; Meyer | System for providing a supply of chilled fluid |
US5542265A (en) * | 1995-06-30 | 1996-08-06 | Rutland; Michael D. | External refrigerator-mounted liquid dispenser |
KR0160414B1 (en) * | 1995-12-12 | 1999-01-15 | 김광호 | Auto drink supplement equipment of water dispenser for a refrigerator |
US6039219A (en) * | 1998-01-20 | 2000-03-21 | Bach; Lanae E. | Liquid dispensing system for a refrigerator |
-
2000
- 2000-09-26 IT ITMI20000541 patent/IT250457Y1/en active
-
2001
- 2001-09-14 DE DE2001601301 patent/DE60101301T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-09-14 ES ES01121693T patent/ES2210077T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-09-14 EP EP20010121693 patent/EP1190983B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-09-25 BR BR0104276A patent/BR0104276B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2009127025A2 (en) * | 2008-04-16 | 2009-10-22 | Whirlpool S.A. | Arrangement of filter assembly for water dispensing-storing device |
WO2009127025A3 (en) * | 2008-04-16 | 2010-03-25 | Whirlpool S.A. | Arrangement of filter assembly for water dispensing-storing device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE60101301D1 (en) | 2004-01-08 |
EP1190983A3 (en) | 2002-04-24 |
DE60101301T2 (en) | 2004-11-25 |
ITMI20000541V0 (en) | 2000-09-26 |
BR0104276B1 (en) | 2009-01-13 |
EP1190983A2 (en) | 2002-03-27 |
ES2210077T3 (en) | 2004-07-01 |
ITMI20000541U1 (en) | 2002-03-26 |
BR0104276A (en) | 2002-05-07 |
IT250457Y1 (en) | 2003-09-10 |
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