Refrigerator with variable ice dispenser
US11519653B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 13, 2021 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 13, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D2400/361
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A variable ice dispenser for a refrigerator utilizes a variable control suitable for varying the rate of ice dispensing by the dispenser. In some instances, the variable control includes a variable control actuator that is movable between a range of positions including a home position, and movement of the variable control actuator in a first direction from the home position causes the variable ice dispenser to dispense cubed ice while movement of the variable control actuator in a second direction from the home position causes the variable ice dispenser to dispense crushed ice. Further, in some instances, the variable control may also selectively activate the ice dispenser such that the variable control actuator controls the ice dispensing rate while the variable ice dispenser is activated. In addition, in some instances, a variable control may also include a secondary control that switches between ice and water dispensing modes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.