초록 ▼

A liquid dispenser and self-filling container system, including a liquid supply line, a liquid container, a liquid dispenser positioned to deliver a supply of liquid to the container from the liquid supply line, a valve positioned in the liquid supply line to selectively deliver liquid to the liquid

A liquid dispenser and self-filling container system, including a liquid supply line, a liquid container, a liquid dispenser positioned to deliver a supply of liquid to the container from the liquid supply line, a valve positioned in the liquid supply line to selectively deliver liquid to the liquid dispenser, an optical sensor positioned relative to the liquid container to detect the presence of the container and a level of liquid in the container, and a control circuit connecting the optical sensor and the valve to open the valve when the sensor detects the presence of the container and a level of liquid below a maximum desired liquid level in the container and to close the valve when the sensor detects at least one of the absence of the container and a maximum desired liquid level in said container. Such a liquid dispenser may be a water dispenser in a refrigerator.

대표청구항 ▼

A liquid dispenser and self-filling container system, including a liquid supply line, a liquid container, a liquid dispenser positioned to deliver a supply of liquid to the container from the liquid supply line, a valve positioned in the liquid supply line to selectively deliver liquid to the liquid

A liquid dispenser and self-filling container system, including a liquid supply line, a liquid container, a liquid dispenser positioned to deliver a supply of liquid to the container from the liquid supply line, a valve positioned in the liquid supply line to selectively deliver liquid to the liquid dispenser, an optical sensor positioned relative to the liquid container to detect the presence of the container and a level of liquid in the container, and a control circuit connecting the optical sensor and the valve to open the valve when the sensor detects the presence of the container and a level of liquid below a maximum desired liquid level in the container and to close the valve when the sensor detects at least one of the absence of the container and a maximum desired liquid level in said container. Such a liquid dispenser may be a water dispenser in a refrigerator. 10/065,115, filed Sep. 18, 2002. Patent application Ser. No. 10/065,495, filed Oct. 24, 2002. Patent application Ser. No. 10/301,672, filed Nov. 22, 2002.