Refrigerator appliance with hot water dispenser
US9568240B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 27, 2015 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 27, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D2600/02
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet via a hollow hinge to selectively open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A water heater is mounted on an exterior surface of the cabinet about the hollow hinge and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel, and a hot water conduit is guided through the hollow hinge and extending from the water heater to the hot water dispenser to supply the hot water from the heater to the dispenser. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.