Liquid dispenser assembly for use with an appliance

• US 7,658,212 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2008
• Issued: 02/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Meuleners, William J., Fritze, Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): Maust; Timothy L
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARNETT, NICOLAS ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US12/197,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20090025826A1
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 141/82, 141/351, 141/360, 141/369, 141/375, 137544-546, 222/146.6, 62337-339, 623/89, 623/91
• US Class Current: 141/82
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0858 using compression systems
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0001 for liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0006 Manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0009 provided with cooling arrangements cooling perse F25
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/04 with special compartments, e.g. butter conditioners
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2323/121 the refrigerator is characterised by a water filter for the water/ice dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/81 Pitchers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/04 Refrigerators with a horizontal mullion

Abstract

A liquid filtering and dispensing system can be formed as an integral unit and configured for placement within an appliance compartment. The system can have a manifold with a filter connection including inflow and outflow attachments for a filter cartridge, an inlet, at least one outlet forming a dispenser and a valve to control flow through the integral system. The system can include a cooling reservoir fluidly located prior to the dispenser. The system can include a removable carafe and a carafe mount configured such that the carafe can receive liquid from the dispenser. The carafe mount can be configured to supply liquid from the carafe to a remote dispensing assembly such as a refrigerator door dispenser. The carafe mount can be positioned within the refrigerator compartment or within the refrigerator door.

Claims

1. An appliance comprising:

a refrigeration compartment having a refrigerator door moveable from a closed position to an open position, the refrigerator door comprising a first side and a second side, wherein, when the refrigerator door is in the closed position, at least a portion of the first side is exposed to the refrigeration compartment and the second side forms an outside surface of the appliance;

a dispensing system positioned inside the refrigeration compartment;

an inlet water source in fluid communication with the dispensing system;

a water filtration system positioned in the inlet water source upstream of the dispensing system;

a carafe support positioned on the first side of the refrigerator door inside the refrigeration compartment and configured to support a carafe in fluid communication with the dispensing system;

a carafe removably positioned in the carafe support; and

a door mounted dispenser positioned on the second side of the refrigerator door and configured to dispense fluid outside of the appliance, wherein the door mounted dispenser is in fluid communication with the carafe through a distribution port connected to the carafe support;

wherein, when the refrigerator door is in the closed position, the carafe is in fluid communication with the dispensing system, and when the refrigerator door is in the open position, the carafe is not in fluid communication with the dispensing system.

2. The appliance of claim 1 wherein, when the carafe is positioned in the carafe support, the distribution port opens a check valve connected to a supply port on the carafe.

3. The appliance of claim 1 further comprising a level sensor positioned to sense a fluid level in the carafe, wherein the level sensor is electrically connected to a control unit to provide an indication of overfilling of the carafe.

4. The appliance of claim 3 wherein the level sensor is positioned on the carafe support.

5. The appliance of claim 1 further comprising a proximity sensor positioned to sense the presence of the carafe in the carafe support, wherein the proximity sensor is electrically connected to a control unit to disable the dispensing system when the carafe is removed.

6. The appliance of claim 5 wherein the proximity sensor is positioned on the carafe support.

7. The appliance of claim 1 further comprising a cooling reservoir positioned inside the refrigeration compartment upstream of the dispensing system.

8. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the dispensing system comprises an actuation switch engageable by one of the carafe or the carafe support, wherein the actuation switch opens a dispenser valve fluidly connected to the dispensing system.