Refrigerator with automatic liquid dispenser
First Claim
1. An improved refrigerator having a cabinet defining a fresh food compartment, a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet and comprising an interior surface in communication with the fresh food compartment when the door is closed, and a container supported on the door and configured to receive liquid from a liquid dispenser located within the fresh food compartment, the improvement comprising:
- a sensor configured to sense a property of the container, wherein the sensor utilizes a magnetic sensing element located adjacent to the container and a magnetic body provided within the container that is detectable by the magnetic sensing element,wherein the magnetic body is exposed to the liquid within the container, is less dense than the liquid within the container, and is further movable along a height of the container; and
an electrically operated control in communication with the sensor and configured to regulate dispensing of liquid into the container based upon the sensed property of the container,wherein the liquid dispenser further comprises a spout for dispensing the liquid into the container,wherein the refrigerator further comprises a support shelf arranged below the spout, andwherein the container further comprises a cover to close off a top opening of the container, the cover comprising a fill cup fluidly connected to an interior of the container whereby the container is configured to receive liquid from the spout via the fill cup.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a fresh food compartment and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet and including an interior surface in communication with the fresh food compartment when the door is closed. A liquid dispenser is arranged on the interior surface of the door, and a container is supported on the door and configured to receive liquid from the liquid dispenser. A sensor is configured to sense a property of the container, and a control is in communication with the sensor. The control is configured to regulate dispensing of liquid into the container based upon the sensed property of the container. The sensor utilizes a magnetic sensing element located adjacent to the container.
66 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An improved refrigerator having a cabinet defining a fresh food compartment, a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet and comprising an interior surface in communication with the fresh food compartment when the door is closed, and a container supported on the door and configured to receive liquid from a liquid dispenser located within the fresh food compartment, the improvement comprising:
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a sensor configured to sense a property of the container, wherein the sensor utilizes a magnetic sensing element located adjacent to the container and a magnetic body provided within the container that is detectable by the magnetic sensing element, wherein the magnetic body is exposed to the liquid within the container, is less dense than the liquid within the container, and is further movable along a height of the container; and an electrically operated control in communication with the sensor and configured to regulate dispensing of liquid into the container based upon the sensed property of the container, wherein the liquid dispenser further comprises a spout for dispensing the liquid into the container, wherein the refrigerator further comprises a support shelf arranged below the spout, and wherein the container further comprises a cover to close off a top opening of the container, the cover comprising a fill cup fluidly connected to an interior of the container whereby the container is configured to receive liquid from the spout via the fill cup. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification