Ice dispenser with automated flap opening

US8376184B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Martin Buchstab · Bopfingen, DE
• Jürgen Diebold · Eschborn, DE
• Irene Dumkow · Sontheim, DE
• Klaus Flinner · Mössingen, DE
• Markus Hanichl · Heidenheim, DE
• Bernd Heger · Gundelfingen an der Donau, DE
• Peter Nalbach · Owen, DE
• Günter Raubold · Neu-Ulm, DE
• Gerald Schmidt · Gerstetten, DE
• Martin Schweyer · Bissingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 12, 2008
• Grant date: Feb 19, 2013
• Expiry date: Sep 20, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F25C2600/04
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A device for removing condensation from an ice duct of an ice dispenser for a refrigerator. The device may include a flap, which is arranged to seal an output opening of the ice dispenser and a controller for the flap, which is designed to move the flap between a closed position, in which the inner side of the flap contacts the edge of the outlet opening and a dispensing position in which the flap is withdrawn from the edge of the outlet opening to permit the dispensing of ice cubes. Further, the controller is designed to open the flap after expiry of a first time period, during which the flap is not moved by the action of a user or by the controller and to close the flap after expiry of a second time period.