Dispensing unit lighting system

• US 20050044871A1
• Filed: 06/03/2004
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Nowak, David R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,040,110 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/264
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0875 Means for illuminating the beverage to be dispensed
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/124 the flow being started or stopped by means actuated by the vessel to be filled, e.g. by switches, weighing
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler

Abstract

A lighting system for dispensing units such as ice and water dispensers on refrigerators includes a paddle on a shaft for activating and deactivating the dispenser by force applied from a receptacle. The shaft is configured as a light tube. A light source is positioned above the shaft to supply light into the shaft and paddle in the non-deflected condition. A prism is provided to receive light from the light source when the paddle is depressed, and to redirect light from the light source towards a receptacle positioned for receiving ice or water dispensed by the dispenser.

Claims

1. A lighting system for a dispensing unit having an actuator connected to a dispenser to activate and deactivate the dispenser by depressing the actuator with a receptacle for receiving a product dispensed by said dispensing unit, said lighting system comprising:

a light source;

at least a portion of said actuator configured as a light tube and positioned in a non-depressed condition for receiving light from said light source; and

a target area of said actuator illuminated by light from within said portion configured as a light tube.

2. The lighting of system of claim 1, said light source being an LED.

3. The lighting of system of claim 1, said actuator including a shaft configured as a light tube and positioned to receive light therein from said light source.

4. The lighting of system of claim 3, said actuator including a paddle at an end of said shaft, said paddle configured for illumination from within by light from said shaft.

5. The lighting system of claim 1, including a light director for redirecting light from said light source when said actuator is depressed.

6. The lighting system of claim 5, said light director being in fixed position.

7. The lighting of system of claim 5, said light source being an LED.

8. The lighting system of claim 5, said light director being a prism.

9. The lighting system of claim 5, said light director positioned and configured with respect to said light source for redirecting light from said light source toward an inner surface of the receptacle pressed against said actuator.

10. A dispensing unit comprising:

a dispenser;

an actuator having a shaft with a connected end operatively associated with said dispenser and a distal end configured as a paddle, said actuator operatively associated with said dispenser for activating and deactivating said dispenser by depressing and releasing said paddle, said shaft being configured as a light tube and said paddle being adapted for external illumination by light from within said paddle conducted through said shaft; and

a light source near said connected end of said actuator, said light source supplying light to said light tube.

11. The dispensing unit of claim 10, including a light director for redirecting light from said light source when said paddle is depressed.

12. The dispensing unit of claim 11, said light director being in fixed position

13. The dispensing unit of claim 11, said light director being a prism.

14. The dispensing unit of claim 11, said light source being an LED.

15. The dispensing unit of claim 10, said light source being an LED

16. A means for using a dispensing unit comprising:

means for providing a dispenser and an actuator for the dispenser, the actuator having a shaft connected to the dispenser and a paddle at a distal end of the shaft;

means for providing the shaft in the form of a light tube and the paddle for external illumination by light from within the paddle conducted through the shaft;

means for providing a light source near the end of shaft;

means for transferring light from the light source through the tube and into the paddle; and

means for illuminating the paddle with light from within.

17. The means of claim 16, including means for depressing the paddle with a receptacle.

18. The means of claim 17, including means for redirecting light from the light source into the receptacle.

19. The means of claim 18, including means for redirecting the light from the light source against an interior surface of the receptacle farthest from the light source.

20. The means of claim 18, including means for redirecting the light from the light source against an interior surface of the receptacle closest from the light source.

21. A dispensing unit comprising:

a dispenser;

an actuator operatively associated with said dispenser for activating and deactivating said dispenser by depressing and releasing said actuator;

a light source near said actuator, said light source positioned for illuminating said actuator, and

a light director positioned for receiving and redirecting light from said light source when said actuator is depressed.

22. The dispensing unit of claim 21, said light director being a prism.