Refrigerator with automatic liquid dispenser

US9085453B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC. · BE

Inventors

• Travis McMahan · Honea Path, US
• Nilton Carlos Bertolini · Anderson, US
• Thomas Robert George Thompson · Brentwood, GB
• Jorge Carlos Montalvo Sanchez · Anderson, US
• Cornel Comsa · Anderson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 10, 2012
• Grant date: Jul 21, 2015
• Expiry date: Jan 24, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F25D2600/02
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

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. In one example, the sensor is resiliently biased into contact with the container to sense a property of the container. In another example, the control indicates a stale liquid condition if a timer expires before the container has been removed from the door.