Liquid dispenser with self-filling container
US6681585B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 23, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 23, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D2331/81
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A liquid dispenser and self-filling container system, including a liquid supply line, a liquid container, a liquid dispenser positioned to deliver a supply of liquid to the container from the liquid supply line, a valve positioned in the liquid supply line to selectively deliver liquid to the liquid dispenser, an optical sensor positioned relative to the liquid container to detect the presence of the container and a level of liquid in the container, and a control circuit connecting the optical sensor and the valve to open the valve when the sensor detects the presence of the container and a level of liquid below a maximum desired liquid level in the container and to close the valve when the sensor detects at least one of the absence of the container and a maximum desired liquid level in said container. Such a liquid dispenser may be a water dispenser in a refrigerator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.