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A refrigerator includes a beverage dispenser mounted in a refrigerating compartment thereof for dispensing a beverage through the refrigerator door. The dispenser includes a beverage-storing vessel having a beverage outlet in the form of a valved spigot which is arranged to project through a hole in

A refrigerator includes a beverage dispenser mounted in a refrigerating compartment thereof for dispensing a beverage through the refrigerator door. The dispenser includes a beverage-storing vessel having a beverage outlet in the form of a valved spigot which is arranged to project through a hole in the door when the door is closed. The spigot includes an internal valve which is attached to a first magnet. The door carries a valve actuator which includes a second magnet adapted to generate a magnetic repulsive force against the first magnet to open the valve against a valve-closing spring force when the actuator is moved to a valve-opening position. A sealing arrangement is provided to create an air-tight seal between the spigot and hole when the door is closed. A manually releasable latch is disposed within the refrigerator for releasably retaining the vessel against accidental removal.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [8.] A beverage storage vessel adapted to be mounted in a refrigerating compartment of a refrigerator for dispensing a cold beverage through a door of the refrigerator, the vessel comprising:a vessel body for storing a beverage and having a beverage outlet;a spigot mounted on

[ What is claimed is:] [8.] A beverage storage vessel adapted to be mounted in a refrigerating compartment of a refrigerator for dispensing a cold beverage through a door of the refrigerator, the vessel comprising:a vessel body for storing a beverage and having a beverage outlet;a spigot mounted on the vessel body and adapted to project through a refrigerator door when the door is closed, the spigot including:a spigot body forming a beverage passage communicating with the outlet,a valve movably disposed within the spigot body between a passage-opening position and a passage-closing position, anda magnet attached to the valve, adapting the valve to be moved to its passage-opening position by a magnetic force generated between the magnet and another magnet carried by the door.