Refrigerator which removably holds a drink supply container having a valve co-acting with an engager
First Claim
1. A refrigerator operable to output a serving of a carbonated beverage made from a drink syrup, the refrigerator comprising:
- a housing including at least one compartment;
at least one door supported by the housing, the door providing access to the compartment;
a drink supply container holder supported by the housing, the drink supply container holder configured to removably hold at least one drink supply container which holds the drink syrup, the drink supply container having;
(a) at least one drink supply outlet valve operable to have a closed condition and an open condition; and
(b) at least one engagable member operatively coupled to the drink supply outlet valve, the engagable member being movable between;
(i) a first position associated with the closed condition of the drink supply outlet valve; and
(ii) a second position associated with the open condition of the drink supply outlet valve;
at least one engager movably coupled to the housing, the engager being movable between;
(a) an initial position in which the engager is adjacent to or in contact with the engagable member when the engagable member has the first position; and
(b) a different position in which the engager is at least momentarily in contact with the engagable member when the engagable member has the second position;
a water supplier supported by the housing;
a gas supplier supported by the housing, the gas supplier being fluidly connected to the water supplier; and
at least one processor which, through control of the engager, is programmed to cause the drink supply outlet valve to alternate between the closed condition and the open condition on multiple occasions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerator having a drink supply container holder for a beverage dispensing apparatus for a residential refrigerator. The beverage dispensing apparatus includes a drink supplier including the drink supply container holder for holding or maintaining at least one and preferably a plurality of drink supply containers, and at least one and preferably a plurality of valve actuators for causing the drink supply to be selectively released from the drink supply containers, a water supplier for selectively supplying carbonated water and non-carbonated water for producing the beverages, a gas supplier for supplying CO2 gas to carbonate the carbonated water provided by the water supplier and for supplying CO2 gas or other gas for pressurizing the drink supply containers to provide a consistent flow rate of the drink supply from the drink supply containers and one or more beverage requesters for enabling users to request one of a plurality of beverages.
100 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A refrigerator operable to output a serving of a carbonated beverage made from a drink syrup, the refrigerator comprising:
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a housing including at least one compartment;
at least one door supported by the housing, the door providing access to the compartment;
a drink supply container holder supported by the housing, the drink supply container holder configured to removably hold at least one drink supply container which holds the drink syrup, the drink supply container having;
(a) at least one drink supply outlet valve operable to have a closed condition and an open condition; and
(b) at least one engagable member operatively coupled to the drink supply outlet valve, the engagable member being movable between;
(i) a first position associated with the closed condition of the drink supply outlet valve; and
(ii) a second position associated with the open condition of the drink supply outlet valve;
at least one engager movably coupled to the housing, the engager being movable between;
(a) an initial position in which the engager is adjacent to or in contact with the engagable member when the engagable member has the first position; and
(b) a different position in which the engager is at least momentarily in contact with the engagable member when the engagable member has the second position;
a water supplier supported by the housing;
a gas supplier supported by the housing, the gas supplier being fluidly connected to the water supplier; and
at least one processor which, through control of the engager, is programmed to cause the drink supply outlet valve to alternate between the closed condition and the open condition on multiple occasions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A refrigerator operable to output a serving of a carbonated beverage made from a drink syrup, the refrigerator comprising:
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a housing including at least one compartment;
at least one door supported by the housing, the door providing access to the compartment;
a drink supply container holder supported by the housing, the drink supply container holder configured to removably hold at least one drink supply container which holds the drink syrup, the drink supply container having;
(a) at least one drink supply outlet valve operable to have a closed condition and an open condition; and
(b) at least one engagable member operatively coupled to the drink supply outlet valve, the engagable member being movable between;
(i) a predisposed first position associated with the closed condition of the drink supply outlet valve; and
(ii) a second position associated with the open condition of the drink supply outlet valve, at least one actuating device supported by the housing, the actuating device having an engager movable between;
(a) an initial position in which the engager is adjacent to or in contact with the engagable member when the engagable member has the first position; and
(b) a different position in which the engager is at least momentarily in contact with the engagable member when the engagable member has the second position;
a support member supported by the housing, the support member configured to support at least one beverage collector;
a water supplier supported by the housing;
a gas supplier supported by the housing, the gas supplier having at least one gas supply container fluidly connected to the water supplier; and
at least one processor which, through control of the engager, is programmed to cause the drink supply outlet valve to alternate between the closed condition and the open condition on multiple occasions. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A refrigerator comprising:
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a housing including at least one compartment;
at least one door supported by the housing, the door providing access to the compartment;
at least one drink supply container holder movably coupled to the housing, the drink supply container holder being;
(a) configured to removably hold a drink supply container having a drink supply outlet valve; and
(b) movable between a first position and a second position, the second position facilitating insertion of the drink supply container into the drink supply container holder, wherein the drink supply container can contain a variable volume of drink syrup that flows through the drink supply outlet valve when the valve is open;
at least one drink supply outlet valve actuator supported by the housing and operable to actuate the drink supply outlet valve when the drink supply outlet valve is in a position to be actuated;
a water supply apparatus supported by the housing, the water supply apparatus including at least one water dispenser; and
a gas supply apparatus supported by the housing, the gas supply apparatus fluidly connected to the water supply apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification