Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a main body defining a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, a refrigerator compartment door selectively closing the refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment door selectively closing the freezer compartment, and a dispenser installed on a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door to dispense drinking water through the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door.

Abstract: An appliance for dispensing product is provided including a storage compartment located within the appliance, a dispensing unit located on the exterior of the appliance including a dispensing outlet, and an actuating mechanism located on the exterior of the storage compartment. The actuating mechanism is configured to be moved from a neutral position to at least a first position and a second position. The first position is configured to trigger a release of a first type of product, and the second position is configured to release a second type of product, respectively, from the dispensing outlet. In one example, a switch can be provided to detect the position of the actuating mechanism, and each position triggers the release of a different type of product from within the appliance.

Abstract: A dispenser for a refrigerator is provided that increases a usable space of a storage compartment of the refrigerator. The dispenser includes a chute which receives contents from an inside of the refrigerator and discharges the contents to an outside through an opening provided on an end of the chute. A cover selectively opens or shuts the opening. A first unit causes the cover to slide relative to the opening so as to open or shut the opening.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a door and a dispenser mounted on the door. The door includes a front panel forming at least a part of the door's front surface. The front panel has a through-hole which is configured to at least partially correspond to the dispenser. The front panel is a glass plate, and has an upper region above the through-hole, a lower region below the through-hole and side regions which are located between the upper region and the lower region and which connect with the upper region and the lower region.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for determining a location of a container into which at least one of a liquid and ice is dispensed from a refrigerator. A sensor is configured to sense a position of the container, without contacting the container, and to send a first signal indicating the sensed position. A microprocessor is configured to receive the first signal and to send a second signal based on the first signal. An indicator is configured to receive the second signal and to indicate the position of the container.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the presently described technology provide methods and systems for providing an atomized food preservation solution to food stored in a refrigerator. Certain embodiments provide an atomization unit for a refrigerator for humidifying at least a portion of the refrigerator. The atomization unit comprises an atomizer for atomizing and dispensing fluid to at least a portion of the refrigerator, a water supply for providing water to the atomizer, the water supply providing water along a fluid supply path to the atomizer, a food preservation solute dispenser located along the fluid supply path at a location where fluid will flow over the food preservation solute dispenser. The food preservation solute dispenser provides a food preservative to be dissolved in water along the fluid supply path as fluid flows over the food preservation solute dispenser.

Abstract: Disclosed are a refrigerator for discharging water contained in a water tank when a predetermined time has passed to supply fresh water to a user and a method of controlling the same. The refrigerator includes a main body, a door pivotally mounted to the main body, a dispenser provided in the door to dispense water to the exterior, a water tank connected to the dispenser to accommodate the water, a water supply valve connected to the water tank to control a flow of the water to be supplied to the water tank, and a controller connected to the water supply valve and the dispenser to control the same and to discharge the water to the exterior when the water is accommodated in the water tank for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A refrigerator dispenser includes an ice dispensing actuator, a liquid dispensing actuator configured to be actuated concurrently with the ice dispensing actuator, an ice dispensing mechanism configured to dispense ice responsive to actuation of the ice dispensing actuator, and a liquid dispensing mechanism configured to dispense liquid responsive to actuation of the liquid dispensing actuator. The refrigerator dispenser also includes a controller configured to cause the ice dispensing mechanism to dispense ice responsive to actuation of the ice dispensing actuator, to cause the liquid dispensing mechanism to dispense liquid responsive to actuation of the liquid dispensing actuator, and to prevent the ice dispensing mechanism and the liquid dispensing mechanism from both dispensing responsive to concurrent actuation of both the ice dispensing actuator and the liquid dispensing actuator.

Abstract: A hot and cold water dispenser includes a base unit that has an open top end and a closed bottom end respectively. The base unit is formed from rigid material such that the base unit maintains a fixed shape when a traditional one gallon, square shaped bottle typically sold at supermarkets and other retail outlets (referred throughout the patent application as an “existing one-gallon water bottle”) is positioned therein. A mechanism heats and cools water contained within the base unit, and is housed within the base unit. A mechanism dispenses the heated and cooled water, and is housed within the base unit and directly connected to the heating and cooling mechanism.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing liquids, wherein quantities of liquid flowing through at least one reaction chamber are irradiated by at least one UV lamp and are removed after irradiation. The UV lamp continues to be operated for a period ?t1 after removal of the quantity of liquid. A liquid sterilization device comprising at least one UV lamp and at least one reaction chamber through which the liquid to be sterilized flows as well as a tap for removing quantities of liquid. A control and/or regulation device is connected to the tap and to the UV lamp and continues to operate the UV lamp for a period ?t1 once the tap is switched off.

Abstract: An improved bottom mount refrigerator is provided with water and lighting systems housed in a space adjacent the top of the fresh food compartment between a false ceiling and the top wall of the liner. The water system includes a filter manifold, filter cartridge, storage tank, and valve mounted to a bracket. The lighting system, including the fixtures and wiring harness, are also mounted in the bracket. The water and lighting systems are pre-assembled on the bracket, which is then secured to the liner. The false ceiling includes a tank cover, a pivotal filter cover, and a removable light cover. The false drop ceiling hides the water and light systems and the mounting bracket. A front façade closes the gap between the ceiling and the liner. The ceiling and façade provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance for the upper portion of the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a dispenser to dispense water or ice, a door handle positioned below the dispenser, and a tray mounted to the door handle in a position to receive at least some water or ice dispensed from the dispenser. The tray coupled to the door handle attached to the door may receive excess or residue water or ice dispensed from the dispenser without deterioration of the exterior appearance of the door.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration appliance including a cabinet defining a fresh-food compartment and a freezer compartment. The refrigeration appliance includes a refrigeration system that is operable to provide a cooling effect to an interior of the fresh-food and freezer compartments. A pair of doors is pivotally connected to the cabinet with a hinge assembly for restricting access to the interior of the fresh-food compartment. Each door includes a side portion extending between an exterior face and an interior portion of the door. The side portions of the doors generally oppose each other when the doors are closed. A user interface is also provided to the side portion of at least one of the doors comprising an input device to be manipulated by a user for controlling a target temperature within at least one of the fresh-food and freezer compartments.

Abstract: A cooling system for beverage dispense has a circuit 5 in which binary ice is circulated. A modular heat exchange unit 13 for a plurality of beverage lines 25,27,29,31,33 is connected to the circuit 5 for cooling beverage prior to dispense from a dispense tap 35 in a serving area such as a bar. The ice fraction in the binary ice provides a thermal store that can absorb heat without increasing the temperature of the binary ice and enables the system to respond quickly to changes in the cooling requirements in the circuit 5.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration appliance including a cabinet defining a fresh-food compartment and a freezer compartment. The refrigeration appliance includes a refrigeration system that is operable to provide a cooling effect to an interior of the fresh-food and freezer compartments. A pair of doors is pivotally connected to the cabinet with a hinge assembly for restricting access to the interior of the fresh-food compartment. Each door includes a side portion extending between an exterior face and an interior portion of the door. The side portions of the doors generally oppose each other when the doors are closed. A user interface is also provided to the side portion of at least one of the doors comprising an input device to be manipulated by a user for controlling a target temperature within at least one of the fresh-food and freezer compartments.

Abstract: Refrigerator including a door, a dispenser mounted to the door, the dispenser having a dispensing opening for dispensing content, a button and tray combination device for controlling the dispensing of the content, as well as holding residue from the dispensing opening after the dispensing of the content, and a sensing device for sensing a height of the residue in the button and tray combination device.

Abstract: Disclosed therein is a hot and cold water dispenser, which includes cooling means or heating means for cooling or heating water. The hot and cold water dispenser includes: a feed pipe having a flow path formed therein for allowing a flow of water; and a temperature control pipe disposed inside or outside of the feed pipe along a longitudinal direction of the feed pipe, the temperature control pipe having a space for receiving the cooling means or the heating means therein to cool or heat water flowing through the feed pipe by means of the cooling means or the heating means.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a dispenser including a moving chute configured to move from a stored position in which an outlet of the moving chute is positioned in a space defined in a refrigerator door to an operable position in which the outlet of the moving chute is positioned outside of the refrigerator door.

Abstract: Described in this application is an improved cartridge, such as a water filter, and housing for the filter. The filter is preferably of the push-in type and the filter housing includes an assembly to automatically set the water filter in position as a cover over the filter is closed. According to one embodiment, the assembly consists of a cover and lever linkage which engage complimentary protrusions on the water filter.

Abstract: There are provided a refrigerator and a dispenser for the refrigerator. A light emitting unit is provided to emit light toward manipulation member of the dispenser so that the dispenser can be conveniently used and have a better aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.

Abstract: A frozen product dispenser is characterized by at least two product freeze barrels for receiving product therein and for freezing the product for dispensing, and a refrigeration system for chilling the at least two barrels. The refrigeration system has at least two evaporators for and heat transfer coupled to each barrel, separate and controllable expansion valves each having an outlet coupled to an inlet to an inlet to an associated one of the evaporators, at least two compressors having outlets coupled to inlets to the expansion valves and inlets coupled to outlets from the evaporators, and at least one condenser in fluid circuit between outlets from the compressors and inlets to the expansion valves.

Abstract: Systems and components for providing or receiving a substance through a substance communication coupling system. A substance switch is provided for selectively communicating the substance between a first substance communicating device, such as a host or other substance source and a second substance communicating device, such as a substance consumer. The substance switch is activated to transfer a substance in response to detection of a contactless proximity target associated with one of the substance communicating devices by a proximity sensor associated with the other of the substance communicating devices.

Abstract: A substance communication coupling system includes a substance connector component for communication of a substance with another substance connector component. A substance switch is provided for selectively permitting communication of the substance between the substance connector components. The substance switch is activated to transfer a substance from a substance source to a substance consumer in response to a proximity sensor engaging a proximity target.

Abstract: A substance communicating device for use in conjunction with an appliance or a system including an appliance and a consumable holder. The appliance has a first substance service connector component and a first service switch component. The substance communicating device has a second substance service connector component operably engageable with the first substance connector component to permit the communication of a substance between the first and second substance service connector components. The substance communicating device further has a second service switch component operably associated with the second substance service connector component, the second service switch component being configured to engage the first service switch component when the first and second substance service connector components are engaged to selectively permit the communication of the substance between the substance communicating device and the appliance.

Abstract: A refrigerator which includes a dispenser installed at a door so as to enable a user to extract water or ice without opening a door. The dispenser includes a case forming an extraction section which is a space through which the desired object is extracted, a push button installed to the case and causing the desired object to be extracted by push operation, a cover having an opening formed by cutting out part thereof and pivotably installed to the case so as to open and close the extraction section, and a lever hinged to the cover so as to open and close the opening and pushing the push button while the opening is open. Therefore, a front appearance of the refrigerator is beautifully maintained. Further, the refrigerator prevents foreign materials such as dust from entering extraction ports through which the desired objects are extracted.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes refrigerator cabinet, a door attached to the refrigerator cabinet, an ice and water dispenser mounted at the door for dispensing ice and water through the door, the ice and water dispenser including a multifunction dispensing actuation pad having a plurality of actuation points and wherein ice or water is dispensed upon selectively applying a pressure to one of the plurality of actuation points on the dispensing actuation pad. A method of operating a refrigerator includes the steps of providing a refrigerator and selectively applying pressure to at least one of a plurality of actuation points on a dispensing actuation pad of the refrigerator to select an ice and water dispenser function.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. A refrigerator according to an embodiment includes a main body configured with a plurality of parts, a door coupled to the main body, an RF reader provided in the main body to read out information recorded in each RF tag attached to the parts, a display part provided on the door to display replacement information or abnormal states of the parts, and a controller for controlling the operation of the display part.

Abstract: A water tank for a refrigerator that withstands high pressure and prevents leakage of water and a refrigerator having the same. The water tank includes a plurality of water storage containers to store water and at least one communication member through which the water storage containers communicate with each other. The water storage containers and the at least one communication member are integrally formed by injection molding. Joints are considerably reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing costs, simplifying a manufacturing process, and improving productivity.

Abstract: An ice/liquid dispensing bay for a domestic refrigeration device is provided. The ice/liquid dispensing bay has a drip tray that defines a lower end of the bay and a drip plate that covers the drip tray. The drip plate has an edge with at least one locking recess into which a locking projection engages in a locked position.

Abstract: A refrigerator has a freezing chamber at the bottom, and a refrigerating chamber over the freezing chamber. The refrigerator includes an ice making unit and an ice dispenser mounted in a refrigerating chamber door that allows ice to be dispensed without opening the door. A sub-PCB is mounted in the refrigerating chamber door for controlling operations of the ice making unit and the dispenser. A cold air supply duct supplies cold air from a cold air supply unit to the ice making unit.

Abstract: A refrigerator dispenser includes an ice dispensing actuator, an ice dispensing chute, an ice dispensing housing positioned within a refrigerator door cavity and configured to define an ice dispensing cavity through which ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute passes, a liquid dispensing chute positioned closer to a front surface of a refrigerator door than the ice dispensing housing, and a liquid dispensing actuator positioned on the ice dispensing housing and configured to receive input to inspire dispensing of liquid through the liquid dispensing chute.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a container support configured to removably support at least one liquid container having an end with a gas inlet valve and a liquid outlet valve. The refrigerator has at least one gas line and at least one gas inlet valve engager positionable adjacent to such end of the liquid container, and the gas inlet valve engager is configured to be fluidly connected to the gas inlet valve of such end of the liquid container. The refrigerator has at least one liquid outlet valve engager positionable adjacent to such end of the liquid container. The refrigerator has at least one electrical line operatively coupled to the liquid outlet valve engager.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and dispensing aerated and/or blended products, such as food products.

Abstract: A cooler table comprising a storage compartment formed with a top edge, and a tabletop. The tabletop is manipulable between a closed position in which it closes the top edge, and a table position in which it is mounted on a post extending from the storage compartment serving as a table while allowing access to the storage compartment.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing blended iced beverages is characterized by a cabinet for storing a plurality of supplies of beverage ingredients and a refrigeration system for chilling an interior of the cabinet to chill the beverage ingredient supplies. A duct extends between the cabinet interior and a remote point of delivery of the beverage ingredients and a tubing bundle extends from the supplies and through the duct to the delivery point to deliver beverage ingredients from the supplies to the delivery point. The interior of the duct is chilled to chill the tubing bundle and beverage ingredients in the tubing bundle, so that chilled beverage ingredients are always provided to the point of delivery, even when the machine is idle for an extended period of time. Various techniques are provided for chilling the interior of the duct.

Abstract: A pre-packaged, flexible container of ice and air is disclosed. The pre-packaged, flexible container includes a first member having a hermetically sealed outer periphery which encloses a cavity. The cavity has a volume of less than about 20 cubic inches. The flexible container also includes ice and air contained within the cavity. The ice is present as an individual piece or as multiple pieces. The remainder of the cavity is occupied by air. The air fills at least about 50% of the volume of the cavity. Furthermore, the container, ice and air have a combined weight of less than about 5 ounces.

Abstract: To provide a beverage dispenser capable of appropriately and smoothly supplying a supercooled beverage. According to the present invention, there is disclosed a beverage dispenser including a beverage supply circuit 7 which supplies a carbonated beverage to the outside a primary cooling device 13, a secondary cooling device 30, and a heat exchanger 16 for supercooling which allows these components to cool the carbonated beverage flowing through the beverage supply circuit 7 into a supercooled state at a temperature of a solidifying point or less. The heat exchanger 16 supplies the carbonated beverage in the supercooled state to release the supercooled state in the outside, and the carbonated beverage on standby for serving in a portion of the beverage supply circuit 7 cooled by at least the heat exchanger 16 for supercooling is maintained in an unsaturated state.

Abstract: A water dispensing system for a refrigerator comprising a refrigeration compartment includes a manifold assembly, a monitoring device coupled to the manifold assembly and including at least one sensor, and a filter assembly including a filter housing removably mounted to the manifold assembly. The filter assembly is configured to be compatible with a plurality of suitable filter media. At least two indicators are in signal communication with the at least one sensor when the filter housing is mounted onto the manifold assembly. A controller is operatively coupled to the monitoring device. The controller is configured to identify the filter assembly and the filter medium based on a signal received from the at least one sensor and operate the water dispensing system based on the identification of the filter assembly and the filter medium.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator including a main body providing a storage, a dispenser provided to the main body and configured to dispense water or ice, an operable operation part provided to the dispenser, and a dispenser motor driven according to operating the operation part, wherein the dispenser motor includes, a stator generating a magnetic field, a rotator rotatable by the magnetic field, and a compression member applying a frictional force to the rotator while rotation of the rotator is stopped. The dispensing of water or ice is quickly stopped by stopping the operating of the operation part.

Abstract: A water cooler (10) comprises an internal tank (400) that is normally connected to an inverted reservoir (200) and to a delivery spout (122). A cup shaped filter (300) is placed in the water passage (138, 152, 402) leading from the reservoir to the tank. The filter contains filtration material. It also has microscopic openings (323) in its cover and base (306) through which water passes into and out of a filter cup.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a dispenser for supplying selected supply objects such as water, ice, and the like, including: a dispenser body; a button unit formed on the dispenser body and selecting types of supply objects; and a supply object display unit for displaying differently according to types of supply objects selected via the button unit. A display lamp unit includes a water supply lamp, an ice cube supply lamp and a crushed ice supply lamp to correspond to a water supply button, an ice cube supply button and a crushed ice supply button of the button unit, and the water supply lamp, the ice cube supply lamp and the crushed ice supply lamp implement different colors, whereby different colors may be implemented at the display lamp unit according to types of supply objects selected via the button unit.

Abstract: A refrigerator door having a dispenser is disclosed. The refrigerator door includes an outer case forming a front appearance of the refrigerator door, an inner case forming a rear appearance of the refrigerator door, and an insulation layer disposed between the outer case and the inner case. First and second mounting frames are installed at both side ends of the refrigerator door and have first and second mounting slots longitudinally formed in the first and second mounting frames in opposition to each other. The dispenser is detachably coupled to a front surface of the outer case and includes a housing, which forms an external appearance of the dispenser and is formed with a recess section. An external plate section is coupled to the front surface of the outer case except for an area in which the dispenser is installed, forming an external appearance of the refrigerator door.

Abstract: A refrigerator dispenser includes an ice dispensing actuator, an ice dispensing chute, an ice dispensing housing positioned within a refrigerator door cavity and configured to define an ice dispensing cavity through which ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute passes, a liquid dispensing chute positioned closer to a front surface of a refrigerator door than the ice dispensing housing, and a liquid dispensing actuator positioned on the ice dispensing housing and configured to receive input to inspire dispensing of liquid through the liquid dispensing chute.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing soft serve frozen food product, such as soft serve ice cream and the like, provides the ability to select the fat content or other characteristic of the ice cream dispensed from the machine.

Abstract: A refrigerator dispenser includes an ice dispensing actuator, an ice dispensing chute oriented closer to a front surface of a refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator, a liquid dispensing actuator oriented closer to the front surface of the refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator and the ice dispensing chute, and a liquid dispensing chute oriented closer to the front surface of the refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator, the ice dispensing chute, and the liquid dispensing actuator. The ice dispensing actuator, the ice dispensing chute, the liquid dispensing actuator, and the liquid dispensing chute are arranged in a serial order, along a vertical plane that extends substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the refrigerator door within which the cavity exists, from a relatively deep position within the cavity to a relatively shallow position within the cavity or the front of the cavity.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.

Abstract: A method and device for producing ice droplets on-demand in a refrigerator is provided wherein small water droplets are dropped from a valve through a supercooled chamber where the water freezes and forms ice pieces, such as in the form of pellets, while free-falling through the chamber, with the ice being directed to a dispenser assembly. The size and dispensing rate of the droplets can be selected by a user and regulated by a controller. The method and device eliminates the need for bulk ice storage and dispensing components.

Abstract: A water dispenser is provided for dispensing hot water, cold water, and carbonated water, all of which is filtered. The dispenser includes a housing defining a front dispensing face, a rear face, opposite side walls and a bottom wall. A filter is mounted in the housing and has a rear end connectable to a source of water and a front end accessible at the front face of the housing to facilitate replacing the filter. A dispensing faucet is disposed at the front face of the housing. A hot water tank is located at one side of the housing and has an inlet for receiving filtered water from the filter and a hot water outlet near the dispensing faucet for delivering hot water thereto. An ice bank assembly is located at an opposite side of the housing and has an inlet for receiving filtered water from the filter and a cold water outlet near the dispensing faucet for delivering cold water thereto. A compressor is mounted on the bottom wall of the housing and is coupled to one end of the ice bank evaporator.

Abstract: Device for conditioning water produced by environmental conditioning or dehumidification apparatuses or plants, comprising a device (2) for measuring the quantity of water produced by a condenser (1) which transforms atmospheric humidity into water, a feeder (4) of a corrective composition of salts and mineral substances, preferably in the form of tablets (P), for dispensing at least one of them in proportion to the quantity of water measured, a mixing vessel (5) receiving the measured water and at least a tablet (P) provided by the feeder (4), a control and command unit (6) that activates the feeder (4) in proportion to the quantity of water measured and received, and a tank (7) for collecting and filtering the water provided with means (70) for filtering micro-organisms and bacteria and a valve (81) for the exit of potable water.