Dispenser assembly for a refrigerator door

US7287555B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Bernd Heger · Gundelfingen an der Donau, DE
• Mac McMillan · Pinehurst, US
• Peter Nalbach · Owen, DE
• Matthew Ricket · New Bern, US
• Ernest Spangler · Charlotte, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 30, 2005
• Grant date: Oct 30, 2007
• Expiry date: Dec 8, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F25D2325/021
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A dispenser assembly for a door of a refrigerator includes a tray of flap construction which is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the tray is received within a cavity of the dispenser assembly to present a support surface for a container such as a water glass. The tray is pivotable into a second position outside of the dispenser assembly so that an area normally underneath the tray is open to provide a second support surface for supporting larger containers than is possible with the tray in its first position. The now exposed bottom of the flap provides a third support surface outside of the cavity. The dispenser assembly can be used for dispensing water, ice, combinations thereof and may include lighting and other features. In an alternative construction, when the tray is pivoted into the second position, it is also forced out and away from the cavity of the dispenser assembly through a tray drive mechanism to accommodate different thicknesses of walls for a variety of different refrigerator door panels.