초록 ▼

The invention relates to assemblies for use with refrigerators and refrigerators utilizing such assemblies to enable dispensing of cold water or ice made from purified water. Refrigerators of this type are provided with a unit which dispenses the cold water or ice and which units usually include a w

The invention relates to assemblies for use with refrigerators and refrigerators utilizing such assemblies to enable dispensing of cold water or ice made from purified water. Refrigerators of this type are provided with a unit which dispenses the cold water or ice and which units usually include a water input, and may on some occasions, include a valve in the input line. This latter valve is designed to open and close when the unit requires makeup water. An assembly is used in conjunction with the refrigerator and which assembly generally comprises a support means in the form of a cabinet for retaining a flask of purified water in an inverted position and where the water from the flask is introduced into a holding chamber in the cabinet. The water is pumped from the holding chamber by means of a pump in the cabinet, to the unit in the refrigerator through the water input. Further, a switch is electrically connected to the pump and is operable in response to the opening and closing of the valve for causing energization and de-energization of the pump. In an alternate embodiment, a water purifier, as for example, a zeolite exchange resin unit may be provided in place of the flask of purified water as means to provide a source of purified water.

대표청구항 ▼

An assembly for use with a refrigerator having a unit capable of dispensing cold water or ice and a water input operatively leading into said unit and a valve in said input, said assembly comprising: (a) a support housing; (b) container means to provide a source of purified water operatively support

An assembly for use with a refrigerator having a unit capable of dispensing cold water or ice and a water input operatively leading into said unit and a valve in said input, said assembly comprising: (a) a support housing; (b) container means to provide a source of purified water operatively supported by said support housing; (c) a water chamber associated with said support housing to receive water from said container means; (d) water transfer means disposed between the container means and the water chamber to allow the water to flow by gravity action from said container means into said chamber; (e) a pump associated with said support housing and having an input connected to said chamber and an output connected to the water input on said refrigerator to supply purified water through said water input to said unit; (f) switch means electrically connected to said pump and capable of causing energization and de-energization of said pump upon opening and closing of said switch means in response to opening and closing of said valve associated with the water input on said refrigerator and which valve is normally closed and opens only when said unit requires makeup water; (g) a separate cooling means in said support housing and being connected to said water chamber to receive purified water therefrom; and (h) a spigot on said support housing and being manually operable to permit dispensing of cooled purified water delivered from said cooling means.