AUTO WATER DISPENSER CUTOFF
First Claim
1. A refrigerator comprising:
- a refrigerated compartment;
a door to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment;
a dispenser positioned on the door that is configured to dispense content into a receiver vessel, the dispenser comprising;
a control unit;
an actuation system controlled by the control unit;
a dispensing outlet through which the content flows from the dispenser and into the receiver vessel;
a trough located below the dispensing outlet for collecting overflow content from at least one of the receiver vessel and the dispensing outlet; and
a sensor coupled to the trough and in electrical communication with the control unit, the sensor configured to detect overflow content contained within the trough.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerator includes a refrigerated compartment and a door to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense content into a receiver vessel. The dispenser includes a control unit, an actuation system controlled by the control unit, and a dispensing outlet through which the content flows from the dispenser and into the receiver vessel. The dispenser further includes a trough located below the dispensing outlet for collecting overflow content from at least one of the receiver vessel and the dispensing outlet. The dispenser further includes a sensor coupled to the trough and in electrical communication with the control unit. The sensor is configured to detect overflow content contained within the trough. A method for controlling the dispensing of content from a dispenser is also described.
33 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A refrigerator comprising:
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a refrigerated compartment; a door to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment; a dispenser positioned on the door that is configured to dispense content into a receiver vessel, the dispenser comprising; a control unit; an actuation system controlled by the control unit; a dispensing outlet through which the content flows from the dispenser and into the receiver vessel; a trough located below the dispensing outlet for collecting overflow content from at least one of the receiver vessel and the dispensing outlet; and a sensor coupled to the trough and in electrical communication with the control unit, the sensor configured to detect overflow content contained within the trough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for controlling the dispensing of content from a dispenser, the method comprising the steps of:
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dispensing content into a receiver vessel via a dispensing outlet; measuring a sensed value in a trough located below the dispensing outlet during the dispensing of content, said sensed value representing an overflow content level contained within the trough; comparing the sensed value to a reference value; and terminating the dispensing of content from the dispensing outlet when the sensed value differs from the reference value by a predetermined amount. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification