Dispenser with a service interface for a consumer electronic device

• US 7,810,343 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2007
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Kendall, James W., McCoy, Richard A., Moes, Christopher S., LeClear, Douglas D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jules; Frantz F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAUER, CASSEY D
• Application Number:
  US11/619,873
• Publication Number:
  US 20080164796A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,377 Days
• Field of Search: 623/31, 625/31, 312/405
• US Class Current: 62/331
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 2400/10 Refrigerator units
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 5/22 particularly adapted for household refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays

Abstract

A dispenser, a food dispensing appliance with a dispenser, and a system including a food dispensing appliance for providing at least one service to a consumer electronic device. The dispenser has a service interface providing at least one service for a consumer electronic device. The appliance comprises a cabinet, a door movably mounted to the cabinet and having a peripheral edge, and a dispenser on the door. A service interface is provided on the dispenser and provides at least one service for use by a consumer electronic device. The system comprises an appliance with a dispenser and service interface supplying the at least one service and an adapter capable of coupling to the service interface to receive the service and supply it to the consumer electronic device.

Claims

1. A refrigeration appliance comprising:

a cabinet defining at least one cooling chamber having an open face;

a door movably mounted to the cabinet for selectively closing the open face;

a dispenser provided on the door for dispensing a refrigerated food product through the door, and having a housing with an exterior topmost surface projecting outwardly from the door to define a support surface and an actuator for affecting the dispensing of the refrigerated food product and a user interface provided on the dispenser; and

a service interface provided on the support surface of the dispenser for communicating at least one electrical service;

wherein the service interface is exteriorly accessible from the refrigeration appliance, and when a consumer electronic device is coupled to the service interface, the consumer electronic device rests on the support surface and is provided with the at least one electrical service by the service interface.

2. The refrigeration appliance of claim 1, wherein the service interface comprises a recess in the support surface.

3. The refrigeration appliance of claim 1, wherein the service interface comprises an electrical connector selected from a power connector and a data connector.

4. The refrigeration appliance of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical service comprises a power and data communication service, and the service interface comprises a data connector integrated into a power connector.

5. The refrigeration appliance of claim 1, wherein the service interface comprises a power connector and a data connector located within a recess.

6. The refrigeration appliance of claim 1, wherein the door comprises a front surface and an elongated channel extending away from the dispenser substantially along the front surface, and the service interface is accessible through the channel.

7. The refrigeration appliance of claim 6, wherein the front surface comprises a planar surface and the channel lies beneath the planar surface.

8. A modular system comprising:

a cabinet defining at least one food storage chamber having an open face;

a door movably mounted to the cabinet for selectively closing the open face;

a dispenser provided on the door for dispensing a food product from the at least one food storage chamber through the door;

a first service interface provided on an exterior surface of the dispenser and providing at least one service for use by a consumer electronic device; and

an adapter mounted to an exterior surface of one of the door and the dispenser and comprising;

a recess for receiving and supporting the consumer electronic device;

a second service interface coupled to the first service interface to receive the at least one service; and

a third service interface located in the recess and coupled to the consumer electronic device to supply the at least one service to the consumer electronic device.

9. The modular system of claim 8, wherein the adapter provides a second service different from the at least one service.

10. The modular system of claim 8, wherein the second service interface and the third service interface are different.

11. The modular system of claim 8, wherein the at least one service is selected from a mechanical communication service, a power communication service and a data communication service.

12. The modular system of claim 8 wherein the adapter rests against a vertical surface of the door when coupled to the first service interface.

13. A modular system comprising:

a refrigerated cabinet defining at least a food storage chamber;

a dispenser provided on the exterior of the refrigerated cabinet for dispensing a refrigerated food product from the refrigerated food storage chamber and having an actuator for affecting the dispensing of the refrigerated food product and a user interface provided on the dispenser;

a first service interface provided on an exterior surface of the dispenser and providing at least one service for use by a consumer electronic device; and

an adapter mounted and coupled to the first service interface to receive the at least one service and comprising a device holder mounting the consumer electronic device and a second service interface supplying the at least one service to the consumer electronic device;

wherein the adapter rests against a vertical surface of the door when coupled to the first service interface.

14. The refrigeration appliance of claim 13, wherein the first service interface is provided on a top surface of the dispenser to facilitate the coupling of the consumer electronic device above the dispenser.

15. The refrigeration appliance of claim 13, wherein the first service interface is provided on a bottom surface of the dispenser to facilitate the coupling of the consumer electronic device below the dispenser.

16. A modular system comprising:

a refrigeration appliance having;

a cabinet defining at least one cooling chamber having an open face;

a door movably mounted to the cabinet for selectively closing the open face and comprising a front surface and an elongated channel located in the front surface;

a dispenser for dispensing a refrigerated food product from the cooling chamber through the door, and having an actuator for affecting the dispensing of the refrigerated food product and a user interface provided on the dispenser; and

a service interface accessible through the channel and operably coupled to the dispenser to provide at least one electrical service received from the dispenser; and

a consumer electronic device removably mounted within the channel to removably couple the consumer electronic device to the service interface to receive the at least one electrical service;

wherein the channel extends away from the dispenser substantially along the front surface.

17. The modular system of claim 16, wherein the channel extends away from the dispenser substantially along the entire front surface.

18. The modular system of claim 16, wherein the dispenser is provided within the channel.

19. The modular system of claim 16, wherein the service interface is provided on a top surface of the dispenser to facilitate the coupling of the consumer electronic device above the dispenser.

20. The modular system of claim 16, wherein the service interface is provided on a bottom surface of the dispenser to facilitate the coupling of the consumer electronic device below the dispenser.

21. The modular system of claim 16, wherein the service interface further provides a mechanical support service for the consumer electronic device.

22. The modular system of claim 21, wherein the service interface comprises a recess in the dispenser for mechanically supporting the consumer electronic device.