A liquid (24) and or ice (60) dispensing system (10) for a door or wall (14) mounted dispenser of an appliance is provided. The system (10) includes a source of liquid (24) and or ice (60) which is adapted to be delivered to a dispensing outlet (24, 60). The source is controlled by a valve means whi
A liquid (24) and or ice (60) dispensing system (10) for a door or wall (14) mounted dispenser of an appliance is provided. The system (10) includes a source of liquid (24) and or ice (60) which is adapted to be delivered to a dispensing outlet (24, 60). The source is controlled by a valve means which can be activated by at least one switch means (22) associated with said system (10). The switch means (22) is activated by movement of an actuator means (12) through which said outlet (24, 60) dispenses said liquid (24) or ice (60). The actuator means (12) includes a formation (30) comprising a portion extending away from the actuator means (12).
대표청구항▼
1. A liquid and or ice dispensing system for a door or wall mounted dispenser of an appliance, said system including a source of liquid and or ice which is adapted to be delivered to a dispensing outlet, said source being controlled by a valve which can be activated by at least one switch associated
1. A liquid and or ice dispensing system for a door or wall mounted dispenser of an appliance, said system including a source of liquid and or ice which is adapted to be delivered to a dispensing outlet, said source being controlled by a valve which can be activated by at least one switch associated with said system, said switch being activated by movement of an actuator, said outlet being arranged to dispense said liquid or ice such that it passes through said actuator, said actuator comprising a first portion and a formation comprising a second, tapered portion which converges as it extends away from the first portion, said actuator being pivotable upwardly about an axis to activate said switch, said first and second portions establishing a leverage system, whereby such upward pivoting of the actuator results from horizontal pressing against said second portion. 2. A liquid and or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said formation includes one or a combination of more than one of the following: a part conical or frusto-conical portion; and a semi-circular or crescent shaped construction. 3. A liquid and or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator is adapted to be activated by a user pushing an open bottle or receptacle against said actuator to dispense liquid and or ice into said bottle or receptacle. 4. A liquid and or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system is configured to be mounted in an appliance cabinet with said outlet oriented at an angle to a vertical axis or vertical plane of a door or wall of the appliance cabinet. 5. A liquid and or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said angle is such that liquid and or ice dispensed from said outlet travels downward and inward away from a user of said system positioned in front of the appliance. 6. A liquid and or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second actuator is provided, located below said first actuator, said second actuator being able to activate said valve independently of said first actuator, so as to dispense liquid and or ice from said outlet. 7. A liquid and or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first and second actuators can be locked to prevent usage by said user via a user interface. 8. A liquid and or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first actuator can be selectively unlocked via a user interface independently of said second actuator. 9. A liquid and or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positional relationship of said formation and said first portion and or the shape of said formation, is such that a user can apply by means of a receptacle or a finger of their hand, a force to said formation and or said first portion, so as to activate said valve. 10. A liquid and or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein a second actuator is provided, located below the first actuator, said second actuator being able to activate said valve independently of said first actuator, so as to dispense liquid and or ice from said outlet. 11. A liquid and or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein a third actuator, for dispensing ice, is provided. 12. A liquid and or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a user interface which operates to perform one or more of the following: a) lock or unlock all three actuators independently;b) lock or unlock all three actuators simultaneously;c) lock or unlock said third actuator independently of locking or unlocking said first and second actuators which are locked or unlocked simultaneously. 13. A liquid and or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein once one or both of said first and second actuators are unlocked, and said third actuator is unlocked, then said liquid and or ice is able to be dispensed without having to interact with said user interface. 14. A liquid and or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 1 characterised by one or a combination of more than one of the following: said liquid is water; said liquid and ice can be dispensed independently or simultaneously through one outlet or a multiple of outlets through said actuator; said system is located in an ice and water dispensing system module adapted to be mounted into or on a door or cabinet of an appliance. 15. An appliance having a liquid and or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 1. 16. An appliance as claimed in claim 15, wherein said appliance is characterised by one or a combination of more than one of the following: it is a freezer or a refrigerator; said liquid and or ice dispensing system is mounted in a door of said appliance; said liquid and or ice dispensing system is mounted in a wall of said appliance; said liquid is water; said liquid is a premixed drink. 17. A liquid or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator is upon installation located close to or adjacent a forward most panel of an appliance door or cabinet. 18. A liquid or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator is located in an ice and water dispensing apparatus, so that said actuator is adjacent to an ice dispensing outlet. 19. A liquid or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator is wider than it is deep. 20. A liquid or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator comprises a lever moveable by a user or by a receptacle held by a user. 21. A liquid or ice dispensing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator is moveable in one or more than one of the following ways to cause the dispensing of said liquid from said outlet: in a generally vertical direction; in a generally horizontal direction; in an arcuate path; in a path that has both a vertical and horizontal component of direction; activated by a finger of a user, when an opening surrounded by a rim of a receptacle is also placed near to said actuator.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (7)
Berry, Martin F.; Bressner, Gorm; Westphalen, Detlef; Robbins, III, Zebulon S.; Beittel, David; Wright, Bill, Beverage dispenser.
Heims, Doug A.; Bergmann, Tim; Stauffer, David A.; Eveland, Michael J.; Kniffen, Todd E.; Sawhney, Ravi Kumar; Zinni, John Frank; Nugent, Timothy Mark, Water bottle fill button for refrigerators.
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