초록 ▼

A refrigerator includes a dispensing assembly having a service zone recessed in an outer portion of the freezer door, an ice passage formed in a freezer door, and a chute member arranged at the service zone. The ice passage is aligned with an outlet of an ice maker unit and leads to the service zone

A refrigerator includes a dispensing assembly having a service zone recessed in an outer portion of the freezer door, an ice passage formed in a freezer door, and a chute member arranged at the service zone. The ice passage is aligned with an outlet of an ice maker unit and leads to the service zone for delivering ice pieces from the ice maker unit to the service zone. Further, the chute member is movable between a first position, wherein ice pieces delivered from the ice maker are directed into the service zone, and a second position, wherein ice piece delivered from the ice maker are diverted away from the freezer door and outside of the service zone to enhance the filling of oversized containers. The dispensing assembly also includes a drip tray for collecting excess water droplets, with the drip tray being substantially hidden within the freezer door.

대표청구항 ▼

1. In a refrigerator including freezer and fresh food doors pivotally mounted to a cabinet for selectively accessing respective freezer and fresh food compartments defined within the cabinet, a dispensing assembly for delivering ice pieces from the freezer compartment comprising: a service zone r

1. In a refrigerator including freezer and fresh food doors pivotally mounted to a cabinet for selectively accessing respective freezer and fresh food compartments defined within the cabinet, a dispensing assembly for delivering ice pieces from the freezer compartment comprising: a service zone recessed in an outer portion of one of the fresh food and freezer doors; and a chute member arranged at the service zone, said chute member being movable between a first position, wherein the chute member is arranged to direct ice from within the cabinet into the service zone, and a second position, wherein the chute member is arranged to divert ice away from the one of the fresh food and freezer doors and outside of the service zone. 2. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the chute member is mounted for pivotal movement, relative to the one of the fresh food and freezer doors, between the first and second positions. 3. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the chute member is mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis arranged within the service zone. 4. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein, in the first position, the chute member is recessed within the service zone and, in the second position, the chute member extends at an angle away from the service zone. 5. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: an actuating pad arranged above the chute member in the service zone. 6. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one finger depression formed in the service area adjacent the chute member to assist a user in manually gripping and pivoting the chute member from the first position to the second position. 7. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the service zone has a concave configuration relative to the cabinet. 8. The dispensing assembly according to claim 7, wherein the chute member is generally concave so as to conform to the concave configuration of the service zone. 9. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a drip tray positioned adjacent a bottom edge of the chute member. 10. The dispensing assembly according to claim 9, wherein the drip tray is substantially hidden from a front of the cabinet. 11. A method of dispensing ice through a door of a refrigerator comprising: repositioning a chute member from a first position, wherein the chute member is arranged entirely within a service zone recessed in an outer portion of the door, to a second position, wherein the chute member projects, at least partially, out of the service zone; causing a flow of ice to be directed along the chute member to a position outside of the service zone; and collecting the ice in a container located in front of the door. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: pivotally shifting the chute member between the first and second positions. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: manually pivoting the chute member between the first and second positions. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: engaging finger depressions adjacent to the chute member to assist in pivoting the chute member to the second position. 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: positioning the chute member in the first position; and dispensing water into the container. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: collecting excess water droplets within a drip tray arranged adjacent a bottom edge of the chute member. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: slidably removing the drip tray from a substantially hidden position within the service zone.