Apparatuses and methods for a refrigerator having liquid conditioning and enhancement components for enhanced beverage dispensing
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B67D-001/08
B67D-001/00
F25D-023/12
출원번호
US-0128983
(2008-05-29)
등록번호
US-9981839
(2018-05-29)
발명자
/ 주소
Van Dillen, Tiemen
Skalski, Lukasz D.
Gamberoni, Luca
Voglewede, Ronald L.
Cur, Nihat O.
Hortin, Gregory G.
출원인 / 주소
Whirlpool Corporation
대리인 / 주소
Nyemaster Goode, P.C.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
22
초록▼
Apparatuses and methods for conditioning a liquid stream with a liquid dispensing system associated with a refrigerator, preparing an enhanced beverage using one or more of the individually conditioned liquid streams and a liquid enhancement device and minimizing the potential for back contamination
Apparatuses and methods for conditioning a liquid stream with a liquid dispensing system associated with a refrigerator, preparing an enhanced beverage using one or more of the individually conditioned liquid streams and a liquid enhancement device and minimizing the potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system are provided.
대표청구항▼
1. A refrigerator with a liquid dispensing system providing multi-level conditioning of at least one liquid stream before being dispensed and a liquid enhancement system that prepares an enhanced beverage using conditioned liquid streams and minimizes potential for back contamination of the liquid d
1. A refrigerator with a liquid dispensing system providing multi-level conditioning of at least one liquid stream before being dispensed and a liquid enhancement system that prepares an enhanced beverage using conditioned liquid streams and minimizes potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system, the refrigerator comprising: a cabinet body; a dispenser associated with the cabinet body, the dispenser having an external liquid source inlet adapted for fluid communication with an external liquid source and a dispensing outlet area proximate a liquid dispensing outlet, which is an end of a conditioned liquid line, and an attachment interface that removably receives a liquid enhancement device mounted external to the dispenser, wherein the liquid dispensing outlet and the liquid enhancement device are separated by a dispenser cavity comprising an unobstructed air buffer within the dispenser; a plurality of liquid conditioning components comprising a liquid heating component that provides a heated liquid stream and a liquid cooling component that provides a cooled liquid stream; the liquid enhancement device housing a liquid enhancement component and a liquid flow path, the liquid enhancement device removably secured at the attachment interface, wherein securing the liquid enhancement device at the attachment interface closes off the dispenser cavity exterior to the liquid enhancement device and within the dispensing outlet area; and the liquid flow path having: a. a flow through mode comprising passing the at least one liquid stream through the liquid flow path and the liquid enhancement component to dispense the liquid enhancement component with the at least one liquid stream; andb. a flow by mode comprising passing the at least one liquid stream through a bypass liquid flow path, wherein the at least one liquid stream passes by the liquid enhancement component to dispense only the at least one liquid stream. 2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of liquid conditioning components further include a liquid carbonating component to provide a carbonated liquid stream. 3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the plurality of liquid conditioning components further include a liquid filtering component to provide a filtered liquid stream. 4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the liquid filtering component is in fluid communication with one or more of the plurality of liquid conditioning components. 5. The refrigerator of claim 4 further includes a plurality of separate liquid lines to communicate the at least one liquid stream, the plurality of separate liquid lines include at least a heated liquid line, a cooled liquid line, and a carbonated liquid line. 6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the at least one liquid stream is in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing outlet to provide one or more conditioned liquid streams when requested for dispensing. 7. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the liquid enhancement device includes a container body housing the liquid enhancement component and an outlet for dispensing the enhanced beverage at the cabinet body, wherein the liquid dispensing outlet pierces a cavity top cover entering an unobstructed air buffer within the liquid enhancement device, and wherein a tip of the liquid dispensing outlet dispenses liquid into a liquid enhancement device cavity while located in the unobstructed air buffer within the liquid enhancement device. 8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the liquid enhancement device and the attachment interface have cooperating attachment interfaces to removably secure the liquid enhancement device at the attachment interface to mix a conditioned liquid stream from the liquid dispensing outlet with the liquid enhancement component in the liquid enhancement device. 9. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein an air-tight seal is formed between the liquid dispensing outlet of the refrigerator and the liquid enhancement device to operate the liquid enhancement device at a pressure of the external liquid source. 10. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the liquid flow by mode or the flow through mode the liquid enhancement device is controlled by: a. a manually openable seal;b. a pressure rupturable seal;c. an adapter puncturable seal;d. a valve;e. a mechanical seal; orf. any combination of a-e. 11. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the one or more liquid enhancement components include: a. a flavoring component;b. a soluble component;c. a non-soluble component;d. a powder;e. a liquid;f. a brew;g. a nutraceutical;h. a medicine;i. a mineral;j. a vitamin;k. an aroma;l. any combination of a-k; orm. any combination of a-k where one liquid enhancement component interacts or reacts with another or with a conditioned liquid stream. 12. The refrigerator of claim 1 further comprising a control valve in fluid communication with one or more of the plurality of liquid conditioning components and the liquid dispensing outlet to control dispensing of the at least one liquid stream from the liquid dispensing outlet. 13. The refrigerator of claim 12 further comprising a user interface associated with the cabinet body, the user interface having a plurality of controls to control the liquid dispensing system and the liquid enhancement system to control conditioning, liquid enhancement levels and dispensing of the at least one liquid stream at the liquid dispensing outlet. 14. A refrigerator having a liquid dispensing system providing multi-level conditioning of at least one liquid stream before dispensed from the refrigerator, the refrigerator adapted to provide an enhanced beverage using one or more conditioned liquid streams and minimize potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system, the refrigerator comprising: a cabinet body having one or more refrigerated compartments; an indoor dispenser associated with the cabinet body, the indoor dispenser having a dispensing outlet area proximate a liquid dispensing outlet; a plurality of liquid conditioning components associated with the cabinet body to provide a plurality of individually conditioned liquid streams, the plurality of liquid conditioning components comprising a liquid heating component to provide a heated liquid stream and a liquid cooling component to provide a cooled liquid stream; a liquid enhancement device interface about the liquid dispensing outlet at the dispensing outlet area; a liquid enhancement device mounted external to the indoor dispenser having a liquid flow path with an inlet adapted to receive a conditioned liquid stream, an enhancement flow path and an outlet adapted to dispense the enhanced beverage; and the liquid enhancement device secured by the liquid enhancement device interface about the liquid dispensing outlet to enclosably communicate one or more the plurality of individually conditioned liquid streams through the liquid flow path, wherein securing the liquid enhancement device closes off the dispensing outlet area and provides a cavity comprising an unobstructed air buffer between the liquid dispensing outlet and the liquid enhancement device; and wherein the liquid flow path has a flow through mode passing liquid through the liquid flow path and the enhancement flow path and a flow by mode comprising passing liquid through a bypass liquid flow path, wherein the liquid passes by the enhancement flow path and by a discharge outlet of the enhancement flow path to dispense from the discharge outlet into the liquid flow path. 15. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein a liquid enhancement device outlet has a smaller diameter than the inlet to increase backpressure between the liquid dispensing outlet and the liquid enhancement device. 16. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein the liquid enhancement device further comprises a body, which comprises: a. a container body;b. a pouch body;c. a capsule body;d. a pod body; ore. any like shaped body suitable for storing and dispensing a liquid enhancement component; and wherein the liquid enhancement device uses one or more seals or valves to preserve hygienic integrity of the liquid enhancement component. 17. The refrigerator of claim 14 further comprising one or more means for minimizing potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system associated with the refrigerator, said means comprising: a. providing a break in the heated and cooled liquid steams between the liquid dispensing outlet and enhanced liquid within the liquid enhancement device;b. providing an unobstructed air buffer between the liquid dispensing outlet and enhanced liquid within the liquid enhancement device;c. providing a geometry downstream of the liquid dispensing outlet adapted to trap a pocket of air or gas to separate the liquid dispensing outlet from enhanced liquid within the liquid enhancement device; ord. providing any combination of a-d to minimize potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system. 18. A liquid dispenser providing multi-level conditioning of at least one liquid stream before being dispensed, the liquid dispenser adapted for use with a liquid enhancement device to provide an enhanced beverage using one or more conditioned liquid steams, the liquid dispenser comprising: a liquid dispensing body having a liquid dispensing outlet; a plurality of liquid conditioning components associated with the liquid dispensing body to provide a plurality of individually conditioned liquid streams, the plurality of liquid conditioning components comprising a liquid heating component to provide a heated liquid stream and a liquid cooling component to provide a cooled liquid stream; a liquid enhancement device interface at the liquid dispensing outlet, wherein the liquid dispensing outlet and the liquid enhancement device are separated by a cavity comprising an unobstructed air buffer; and the liquid enhancement device mounted external to the liquid dispensing outlet and having an inlet adapted to secure to the liquid enhancement device interface to enclosably communicate a conditioned liquid stream from the liquid dispensing outlet, through an enclosed liquid dispensing area, to the liquid enhancement device; the liquid enhancement device having a compartment, the compartment comprising an unobstructed air buffer and having a pierceable top cover; and a liquid flow path having at least one mode comprising a flow by mode having an enhancement flow path with an outlet in communication with the liquid flow path and an inlet in communication with an enhancement component, wherein liquid passed by the outlet dispenses the enhancement component and liquid from the liquid enhancement device as the enhanced beverage. 19. The liquid dispenser of claim 18, wherein the liquid enhancement device interface and the liquid enhancement device have cooperating attachment interfaces to secure the liquid enhancement device about the liquid dispensing outlet and wherein the liquid enhancement device preserves hygienic integrity of the enhancement component. 20. A refrigerator having a liquid dispensing system providing multi-level conditioning of at least one liquid stream before being dispensed, the refrigerator having a liquid enhancement system adapted to provide an enhanced beverage using one or more conditioned liquid streams and minimize the potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system, the refrigerator comprising: a cabinet body having a liquid dispensing outlet with an attachment interface adapted for removable receipt of a liquid enhancement device; a beverage receiving point in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing outlet; a plurality of individually conditioned liquid streams comprising: a. a cooled liquid stream and a heated liquid stream;b. a cooled liquid stream and a carbonated liquid stream;c. a heated liquid stream and a carbonated liquid stream; ord. a cooled liquid stream, a heated liquid stream and a carbonated liquid stream; the liquid enhancement device mounted external to the liquid dispensing outlet and having a liquid flow path, an enhancement flow path and a liquid enhancement component, the liquid enhancement device removably secured at the attachment interface of the liquid dispensing outlet for preparing the enhanced beverage, wherein the liquid dispensing outlet and the liquid enhancement device are separated by a cavity comprising an unobstructed air buffer; wherein the liquid enhancement device includes a liquid flow path with an inlet in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing outlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the beverage receiving point, the liquid flow path having a flow through mode having an outlet of the liquid flow path in fluid communication with an inlet of the enhancement flow path and a liquid enhancement device outlet to pass liquid through the liquid flow path and the enhancement flow path and a flow by mode having an outlet of the enhancement flow path in fluid communication with the liquid flow path and the liquid enhancement component to pass liquid through the liquid flow path and by the outlet of the enhancement flow path and pass the liquid enhancement component though the enhancement flow path. 21. The refrigerator of claim 20, wherein the plurality of individually conditioned liquid streams further comprises an oxygenated liquid stream. 22. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a liquid enhancement device cavity is sized to minimize the potential of back contamination into the liquid dispensing system and hygienic integrity of the liquid enhancement component in the liquid enhancement device is preserved. 23. A refrigerator with a liquid dispensing system providing multi-level conditioning of at least one liquid stream before being dispensed and a liquid enhancement system that prepares an enhanced beverage using conditioned liquid streams and minimizes potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system, the refrigerator comprising: a cabinet body; a dispenser associated with the cabinet body, the dispenser having an external liquid source inlet adapted for fluid communication with an external liquid source and a dispensing outlet area proximate a liquid dispensing outlet, which is an end of a conditioned liquid line, and an attachment interface that removably receives a liquid enhancement device mounted external to the dispenser, wherein the liquid dispensing outlet and the liquid enhancement device are separated by a dispenser cavity comprising an unobstructed air buffer within the dispenser; a plurality of liquid conditioning components comprising a liquid heating component that provides a heated liquid stream and a liquid cooling component that provides a cooled liquid stream; the liquid enhancement device housing a liquid enhancement component and a liquid flow path, the liquid enhancement device removably secured at the attachment interface, wherein securing the liquid enhancement device at the attachment interface closes off the dispenser cavity exterior to the liquid enhancement device and within the dispensing outlet area; and the liquid flow path having: a. a flow through mode comprising passing the at least one liquid stream through the liquid flow path and the liquid enhancement component to dispense the liquid enhancement component with the at least one liquid stream; andb. a flow by mode comprising passing the at least one liquid stream through a bypass liquid flow path, wherein the at least one liquid stream passes by the liquid enhancement component to dispense only the at least one liquid stream; wherein the liquid enhancement device includes a container body housing the liquid enhancement component and an outlet for dispensing the enhanced beverage at the cabinet body, wherein the liquid dispensing outlet pierces a cavity top cover entering an unobstructed air buffer within the liquid enhancement device, and wherein a tip of the liquid dispensing outlet dispenses liquid into the liquid enhancement device cavity while located in the unobstructed air buffer within the liquid enhancement device. 24. The refrigerator of claim 23, wherein a liquid enhancement device inlet is in fluid receiving communication with the liquid dispensing outlet to combine a conditioned liquid stream with the liquid enhancement component within the liquid enhancement device and dispense out a liquid enhancement device outlet as the enhanced beverage. 25. The refrigerator of claim 23 further comprising one or more means to enclosably communicate one or more of a plurality of conditioned liquid streams from the liquid dispensing outlet through or by the liquid enhancement device, said means comprising: a. cooperating attachment interfaces on the liquid enhancement device and the attachment interface to connect the liquid enhancement device and the attachment interface together to secure the liquid enhancement device to the attachment interface at a dispensing outlet area.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (22)
Boticki John A. (Racine WI) Lohr James H. (Yorkville Township ; Racine County WI) Seaman ; Jr. Charles E. (Kenosha WI), Back flow prevention device.
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