Abstract: A door is mounted on a refrigerator body by a mechanism enabling the door to be opened selectively at either side thereof while the other side forms a hinge. The mechanism includes a pair of hinge pins disposed on opposite sides of either the body or the door, and a pair of pin slots carried by the other of the body and door for receiving respective ones of the hinge pins when the door is closed. Pin grippers are mounted adjacent respective slots, and each pin gripper is movable between a release state permitting a respective pin to enter and leave its respective slot, and a retaining state preventing the respective pin from leaving its respective slot. A latch bar is manually slidable between first and second positions for holding one of the pin grippers in its retaining state while releasing the other pin gripper.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a water dispensing system which includes a receptacle removably disposed within a refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator. A valved feed duct extends into the refrigerator for supplying fresh water to the receptacle when the water level in the receptacle falls below a predetermined level. An ultrasonic water level detector determines when the water level falls below the predetermined level and sends a signal to a controller which then opens the valved feed duct.

Abstract: A separate-type refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator comprises: a cooling system having a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator for generating cool air, the evaporator having a first evaporating portion and a second evaporating portion which are arranged in series; a main cabinet for forming a main storage room; an auxiliary cabinet installed adjacent to the main cabinet, being spaced from the main cabinet by a predetermined distance, for forming an auxiliary storage room, so that the cool air communicates between the main storage room of the main cabinet and the auxiliary storage room of the auxiliary cabinet; a main fan installed inside the main cabinet, for transferring the cool air from the first evaporating portion to the main storage room of the main cabinet; and an auxiliary fan installed inside the main cabinet, for transferring the cool air from the second evaporating portion to the auxiliary storage room of the auxiliary cabinet.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a water dispensing system having a water tank disposed in the refrigerator, and a water dispensing pipe extending from the tank to the door of the refrigerator. The tank is disconnected from the pipe and removable from the refrigerator to be refilled or cleaned. When the tank has been removed, valves on the tank and pipe, respectively, close to prevent water leakage. When the tank is reinstalled, both valves become re-opened. In another aspect of the invention, a case disposed in the refrigerator door is adapted to receive water receptacles which are inserted upside down. Upon insertion, the receptacles become opened to discharge water into a water groove disposed in the case. A pump discharges water from the groove to a dispensing outlet when a switch is actuated.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a water storage container disposed in a refrigerating compartment for dispensing drinking water through a door of the refrigerator. The container is open at its upper end, and an ultraviolet lamp is mounted above the container so that ultraviolet light from the lamp enters the container and sterilizes the water disposed therein. The lamp is disposed in a groove formed in the underside of a partition wall which divides the refrigerator interior into the refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment disposed thereabove.