TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to cooling devices having a dispenser which can dispense
beverage or water by means of a fluid valve and adapted onto a door of the cooling
device.
PRIOR ART
[0002] Cooling devices generally comprise two parts namely a cooler part and/or a freezer
part. The cooling part retards the spoiling of foodstuff disposed therein and preserves
foodstuff. The freezer part provides freezing of the foodstuff disposed therein by
keeping the temperature of inside at zero degrees or lower than zero degrees. Besides
said basic functions, some elements are added for making cooling devices more usable.
There are cooling devices having a dispenser which can dispense water, beverage or
icy water without opening the door thereof. They can be dispensed through the dispenser
by means of a valve member like fluid valve. Since the valve member is accessible
through an outer wall of a door of the cooling device, dispensing is realized without
the need for opening the door. The dispenser is adapted onto an inner wall of the
door so as to remain inside the cooling device. Thus, the dispenser is provided to
exist within a heat insulated housing of the cooling device and the water or the beverage
is provided to be cooled. The water, coming from the dispenser, is dispensed with
the help of a dispense channel opened towards the inner wall from the outer wall by
opening the valve when desired provided on the cooling device door. One each grooves
are formed on the inner and outer walls of the door, which are connected to each other
by means of the dispense channel. A tank of the dispenser, wherein water is stored,
is positioned in a groove provided on the inner wall such that a valve/dispense opening
is placed to the dispense channel. The position of the groove provided on the inner
wall determines the position where the dispenser is fixed. Thus, both grooves are
at a position on the door where the user can easily access without the need for bending
of the user. On the base part of the groove provided on the outer wall of the door,
there is a tray so as to correspond under the valve member. After a glass is put on
the tray, the valve member is opened, and beverage/water can be filled to the glass.
[0003] For the cases where water is desired to be purified or when a beverage, comprising
particles, is desired to be purified, dispenser embodiments are provided called "tank
in tank" and comprising two tanks (water tanks) disposed one within the other. The
inner tank in the embodiments comprising at least two tanks disposed one within the
other has a filter member. The filter member purifies the water.
[0004] One of the dispenser embodiments, having tanks disposed one within the other, is
given in the patent application
US2011067433. In this application a water tank is described for a refrigerator having sufficient
capacity and dispensing water in an easy manner. The water tank includes a water storage
container to store water, a filter unit to purify water stored in the water storage
container, and a subsidiary container including a filter mounting part, on which the
filter unit is mounted, and mounted within the water storage container to divide the
inner space of the water storage container, and the water storage container includes
a protrusion protruded from the lower surface of the water storage container so as
to secure a capacity of the subsidiary container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide easy filling into the outer (lower)
tank, whose upper part is closed, in a stabile manner in water dispensers of cooling
devices comprising at least two tanks disposed one within the other.
[0006] In order to realize said object and the objects to be deducted from the detailed
description below, the present invention is a cooling device comprising a heat insulated
body; a door hinged to the body; a dispenser adapted to an inner wall of the door,
having an inner tank having a dispense opening and an outer tank having a valve opening,
disposed one within the other; and a valve member in fluid connection with the valve
opening. The cooling device is characterized in that an air channel is provided between
a lateral wall of the inner tank and a lateral wall of the outer tank corresponding
to the lateral wall of the inner tank in a manner to provide that the water filling
inside of the outer tank through the dispense opening of the inner tank takes the
place of air inside the outer tank by movement of air to the outside of the outer
tank. Thus, while water is being filled to the inner tank or while water is entering
into the outer tank from the inner tank, the air inside is replaced by the filled
water, and depending on this, the replaced air exits from the air channel and it is
discharged from the dispenser. Thus, filling process is realized in an easy and stabile
manner.
[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises an air opening
assisting the air channel and formed on the air channel in such a manner to provide
exit of air. Thus, when more water entrance is realized, more air, occupying the same
volume, is discharged and obstructions are prevented.
[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the air channel is in a chute form and
formed on the inner tank. Thus, in case the lateral walls of the inner tank and the
lateral walls of the outer tank are formed in a contacting manner, the chute form
is forming an air channel.
[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises a grid
form formed on the inner tank, providing to take out the inner tank from the outer
tank by holding the inner tank. Thus, while the inner tank and the outer tank are
positioned one within the other, if the inner tank is desired to be removed from the
outer tank, it can be held and removed easily thanks to the grid form provided in
an uneven surface form. Since the grid form is embodied on the air channel, fingers
can enter through the air channel and the inner tank can be easily grabbed thanks
to the uneven structure of the grid form.
[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, a mouth part of the inner tank comprises
a bended edge formed on the mouth part of the inner tank in a manner to provide the
mouth part of the inner tank being held on a mouth part of the outer tank. All of
the edges of the inner tank, which is in rectangular prism form, can be in a bended
form. Thus, sealing is provided between the inner and outer tank, and thereby the
inner tank is fixed on the outer tank from at least one region thereof.
[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the mouth parts at each of the two
tanks overlap in a manner that the inner tank is fixed and hang on the outer tank.
Thus, the inner tank is fixed on the outer tank such that the mouth parts thereof
are aligned.
[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises a lid
formed in a manner to cover the mouth part of the outer tank. Thus, entry of undesired
substances into the dispenser is prevented.
[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises a filter
filtering the foreign substances in the water filled in the inner tank. Thus, the
water, filled in the inner tank where the filter is positioned, is filtered and afterwards
fills the outer tank.
[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the inner tank comprises a filter
housing receiving the filter in and having the dispense opening dispensing the filtered
water. Thus, the filter is disposed in a filter housing which is the bottom part of
the inner tank.
[0015] In another embodiment of the present invention, the inner tank comprises an upper
portion being wide, limited by the lateral walls of the inner tank and filled with
water. Thus, the water to be filtered is stored and it is formed at a level higher
than the filter so as to provide filtering of the water.
[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the water levels at each of the two
tanks are equal at state of the dispenser is fully filled and the valve member of
the dispenser is closed. Thus, the inner volume capacities of both tanks are benefited
completely.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0017] In Figure 1a, the rear perspective view of an inner tank of a dispenser having the
subject matter air channel and a grid form is given.
[0018] Detail A is the detailed view of the air channel, an air opening and the grid form
taken from Figure 1 a.
[0019] In Figure 1b, the rear two dimensional view of a dispenser inner tank having the
air channel is given.
[0020] In Figure 1c, the top two dimensional view of the dispenser inner tank having the
air channel is given.
[0021] In Figure 2a, the frontal perspective view of a dispenser in dismantled form is given
where the dispenser comprises an outer tank, an inner tank positioned inside the outer
tank, a lid covered thereon and a valve member.
[0022] In Figure 2b, the lateral two dimensional view, illustrating the water levels inside
the dispenser filled with water, is given.
[0023] Detail B is the detailed view taken from Figure 2b. In Detail B, it can be seen in
an obvious manner that the water levels inside the inner and outer tanks are equal.
[0024] In Figure 2c, the lateral two dimensional view of a dispenser of a valve member is
given.
[0025] In Figure 3, the rear two dimensional view of a cooling device door where subject
matter dispenser is assembled is given.
[0026] Cross section A-A is the longitudinal cross sectional view of the door given in Figure
3 and having subject matter dispenser thereon.
[0027] In Figure 4, the frontal perspective view of a cooling device having a dispenser
assembled from an inner wall of the door is given.
[0028] In Figure 5, the frontal two dimensional view of a cooling device door having a groove
thereon is given.
[0029] Cross section D-D is the longitudinal cross section of the door given in Figure 5
and without the subject matter dispenser.
[0030] In Figure 5a, the perspective view of an inner groove formed on the inner wall of
the door wherein the dispenser tank is disposed is given.
[0031] In Figure 5b, the perspective view of an outer groove formed on the outer wall of
the door and where the valve member of the dispenser is accessible.
THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] The present invention is a cooling device (1) having a dispenser (2). Products like
foodstuff, beverage, etc. are stored inside a heat insulated body (12) of the cooling
device (1). For providing access to the stored products, an openable door (10) is
hinged to an edge of the body (12). The dispenser (2) is positioned at an accessible
region of the door (10). The dispenser (2) is generally positioned at a determined
place between the shelves (11) on an inner wall (100) of the door (10). Thus, water
is dispensed with the help of a valve member (3) of the dispenser (2) in an accessible
manner from an outer wall (101) of the door (10) without opening the door (10).
[0033] In Figure 2a, the frontal perspective view of a dispenser (2) in dismantled form
is given where the dispenser (2) comprises an outer tank (21), an inner tank (20)
positioned inside the outer tank (21), a lid (23) covered thereon and a valve member
(3). The valve member (3) is adapted to a valve opening (210) of the outer tank (21).
In Figure 2b, the lateral two dimensional view of the dispenser (2) illustrated in
Figure 2a is given. The water levels (x and y) inside both tanks (20, 21) are observed
to be equal. This illustrates that both tanks (20, 21) are full up to mouth parts
(207, 212). Detail B is the detailed view taken from Figure 2b. In Detail B, it can
be seen in an obvious manner that the water levels inside the inner and outer tanks
(20, 21) are equal. In Figure 2c, the lateral two dimensional view of a dispenser
(2) having a valve member (3) is given.
[0034] The dispenser (2) comprises at least two tanks (20, 21) disposed one within the other
wherein water will be stored. One of these is the outer tank (21) and the other one
is the inner tank (20) positioned by means of a certain elevation difference in the
outer tank (21). The inner tank (20) has a mouth part (207) wherein water can be filled.
The size of the inner tank (20) is smaller than the size of the outer tank (21), and
however, a mouth part (207) of the inner tank (20) and a mouth part (212) of the outer
tank (21) are at the same level. The inner tank (20) has a wide upper part (206) wherein
water is filled and stored for being filtered; and a filter housing (205) formed in
an extension form under the upper part (206) and wherein a filter (22) is disposed.
In order for the water, exiting the filter (22), to flow into the outer tank (21),
a dispense opening (204) is formed at a part of the inner tank (20) close to the base
of the filter housing (205). The filter (22) is in the form of cartridge and is sized
so as to enter into the filter housing (205). In order for the filtered water to be
discharged to the outer tank (21), the filter (22) is disposed to the filter housing
(205) so as to cover over the dispense opening (204) of the inner tank (20). The inner
tank (20) is formed such that the lateral walls (203) thereof (20) can seat partially
to the lateral walls (211) of the outer tank (21) or such that the mutually bended
edges (208) of the inner tank (20) or all of the bended edges (208) can seat to a
mouth part (212) of the outer tank (21), Thus, the inner tank (20) is hung and fixed
at a certain height inside the outer tank (21). The position of the inner tank (20)
is configured by taking into consideration the height difference. The filter (22)
has a permeable structure so as to filter the water and purify it and provide the
water to advance downwardly. After the inner tank (20) is fixed into the outer tank
(21), a lid (23), having a form covering thereon, is closed onto the mouth part (207)
of the outer tank (20).
[0035] In Figure 1a, the rear perspective view of an inner tank (20) of a dispenser having
an air channel (200) being the subject matter and a grid form (201) is given. Detail
A taken from Figure 1a is the detailed view of the air channel (200) of the inner
tank (20), an air opening (202) and the grid form (201 In Figure 1b, the rear two
dimensional view of the inner tank (20) having the air channel (200) is given. In
Figure 1c, the top two dimensional view of the inner tank (20) having the air channel
(200) is given.
[0036] A chute is formed along a lateral wall (203) of an upper part (206) of the inner
tank (20) and extending along a lateral wall (203) of the inner tank (20). The air
channel (200) is formed when the lateral wall (203) of the inner tank (20) is joined
with the lateral wall (211) of an outer tank (21) positioned correspondingly. The
air opening (202) is an auxiliary member facilitating air output through the air channel
(200).
[0037] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, when the inner tank (20) is
disposed into the outer tank (21), there remains a gap between the lateral wall (211)
of the outer tank (21) and the lateral wall (203) of the inner tank (20). In this
embodiment, an air opening (202) is formed on a bended edge (208) of the inner tank
(20). The part, existing between the two lateral walls (203, 211), forms an air channel
(200). Air output is realized to the outer environment through the air opening (202).
[0038] Moreover, at least one or pluralities of grid forms (201) are embodied at a vicinity
of the mouth part (207) of the inner tank (20) and on the air channel (200). When
the inner tank (20) is desired to be removed from the outer tank (21), the grid form
(201) provides the user to remove the inner tank (20) in an easy manner by using the
fingers on the grid form (201).
[0039] In Figure 3, the rear two dimensional view of a cooling device door (10) where subject
matter dispenser (2) is assembled is given. Cross section A-A is the longitudinal
cross sectional view of the door (10) given in Figure 3 and having subject matter
dispenser (2) thereon. The dispenser (2) illustrated in Figure 2c is adapted to an
inner groove (102) of the inner wall (100) of the door (10).
[0040] In Figure 4, the frontal perspective view of a cooling device (a refrigerator) (1)
having a dispenser (2) assembled from an inner wall (100) of the door (10) is given.
[0041] In Figure 5, the frontal two dimensional view of a cooling device (1) door (10) having
an outer groove (103) thereon providing access to the valve member (3) is given. Cross
section D-D is the longitudinal cross section of the door (10) given in Figure 5 and
without the subject matter dispenser (2). In Figure 5a is the perspective view of
an inner groove (102) wherein the outer tank (21) of the dispenser (2) is disposed
and formed on the inner wall (100) of the door (10). In Figure 5b is the perspective
view of an outer groove (103) formed on the outer wall (101) of the door (10) and
where the valve member (3) of the dispenser (2) is accessible.
[0042] A dispense channel (104) is embodied from the outer wall (101) towards the inner
wall (100) on the cooling device (1) door (10). The valve member (3) is passed through
the dispense channel (104) and fixed thereto. The outer groove (103) provides manual
access to the valve member (3).
[0043] The inner groove (102) determines the position of the dispenser (2) since the dispenser
(2) is adapted and therefore, the inner groove (102) is on the door (10) at a position
where the user can easily access without bending. The dispense channel (104) begins
from the inner groove (102) and ends on the outer groove (103), since valve member
(3) is passed through, the inner groove (102) is formed on the door (10) at a higher
position than the outer groove (103) for providing flow.
[0044] In more details, the operation principle of the present invention is as follows.
[0045] The tank, wherein the water is filled firstly, is the inner tank (20) during filling
water into the dispenser (2) by opening the lid (23). The water, filtered through
the filter (22) provided in the inner tank (20), flows into the outer tank (21) through
the dispense opening (204) of the inner tank (20). The inside of the outer tank (21)
is filled with filtered drinkable water. When the outer tank (21) is completely full,
the full water levels of the outer tank (21) and of the inner tank (20), in other
words, x and y are equalized.
[0046] However, during the filling process, an air channel (200), provided on the inner
tank (20), provides filling of the outer tank (21) in a rapid and stabile manner.
While filling the outer tank (21), because of the liquid filling into the outer tank
(21), there occurs a need for exchanging places of the filling liquid with the present
air inside the outer tank (21), According to the communicating vessels theory, the
height of the water provided inside the tanks is equalized as long as the type of
the liquid inside the tanks is the same and as long as the pressure on the liquid
is the same. Thus, meanwhile, air output is required from inside the outer tank (21)
by means of mass transfer. In order for air not to clog the dispense opening (204)
of the inner tank (20) and in order for air not to prevent easy filling, it should
follow the air channel (200) path. Air passes through the air channel (200) and discharges
upwardly. Afterwards, air exits the lid (23) and mixes to the environment air.
[0047] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, an air opening (202) is formed
on the air channel (200). Pluralities of air openings (202) can be formed at a region
close to the mouth part (207) of the inner tank (20). The air opening (202) can function
in an auxiliary manner to the air channel (200). Some air, exiting the air channel
(200), is discharged into the inside of the inner tank (20) through the air opening
(202) and to the outer environment through the lid (23).
[0048] When the dispenser (2) is desired to discharge, clean or change, the inner tank (20)
is held from the grid form (201) provided on the air channel (200) and can be easily
removed from the place thereof. The grid form (201) prevents the inner tank (20) from
slipping from the hands of the user. When the filtered water inside the outer tank
(21) is finished, water is filled to the inner tank (20). After the water is refilled,
filtration will begin again.
[0049] The inner tank (20) is formed so as to engage into the outer tank (21), The inner
tank (20) has a volume equal to approximately the half of the volume of the outer
tank (21), The outer tank (21) has a water capacity of 2 liters. The effective volume
of the dispenser (2) will be equal to at least 50-60% of the total tank volumes. Except
the air gap formed by the air channel (200), since the bended edges (208) are covering
the mouth part (212) of the outer tank (21), seating between the two tanks (20, 21)
is provided.
[0050] For aesthetical purposes, the air channel (200) is formed in chute form on a lateral
wall (203), provided behind, of the inner tank (20). In an alternative embodiment
of the present invention, the chute form can be formed on the face of the lateral
wall (211) of the outer tank (21) facing inwardly.
[0051] In the alternative embodiments of the present invention, the form of the subject
matter air channel (200) can be changed such that water will not flow from the outer
tank (21) towards the outer environment and such that only air output is provided.
[0052] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser (2) can have
pluralities of inner tanks (20) positioned one inside the other. The spare filter
(22) or pluralities of filters (22) can be positioned inside the inner tanks (20).
REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0053]
- 1
- Cooling device
- 10
- Door
- 100
- Inner wall
- 101
- Outer wall
- 102
- Inner groove
- 103
- Outer groove
- 104
- Dispense channel
- 11
- Shelf
- 12
- Body
- 2
- Dispenser
- 20
- Inner tank
- 200
- Air channel
- 201
- Grid form
- 202
- Air opening
- 203
- Lateral wall
- 204
- Dispense opening
- 205
- Filter housing
- 206
- Upper portion
- 207
- Mouth part
- 208
- Bended edge
- 21
- Outer tank
- 210
- Valve opening
- 211
- Lateral wall
- 212
- Mouth part
- 22
- Filter
- 23
- Lid
- 3
- Valve member
- X
- Water level in the inner tank
- Y
- Water level in the outer tank
1. A cooling device comprising a heat insulated body (12); a door (10) hinged to the
body (12); a dispenser (2) adapted to an inner wall (100) of the door (10), having
an inner tank (20) having a dispense opening (204) and an outer tank (21) having a
valve opening (210), disposed one within the other; and a valve member (3) in fluid
connection with the valve opening (210); and characterized in that an air channel (200) is provided between a lateral wall (203) of the inner tank (20)
and a lateral wall (211) of the outer tank (21) corresponding to the lateral wall
(203) of the inner tank (20) in a manner to provide that the water filling inside
of the outer tank (21) through the dispense opening (204) of the inner tank (20) takes
place of air inside the outer tank (21) by movement of air to the outside of the outer
tank (21),
2. A cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device comprises an air
opening (202) assisting the air channel (200) and formed on the air channel (200)
in such a manner to provide exit of air.
3. A cooling device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the air channel
(200) is in a chute form and formed on the inner tank (20).
4. A cooling device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling device
comprises a grid form (201) formed on the inner tank (20), providing to take out the
inner tank (20) from inside of the outer tank (21) by holding the inner tank (20).
5. A cooling device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a mouth part (207)
of the inner tank (20) comprises a bended edge (208) formed on the mouth part (207)
of the inner tank (20) in a manner to provide the mouth part (207) of the inner tank
(20) being hold on a mouth part (212) of the outer tank (21),
6. A cooling device according to claim 5, wherein the mouth parts (207, 212) at each
of the two tanks (20, 21) overlap in a manner that the inner tank (20) is fixed and
hang on the outer tank (21),
7. A cooling device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cooling device comprises a
lid (23) formed in a manner to cover the mouth part (212) of the outer tank (21),
8. A cooling device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling device
comprises a filter (22) filtering foreign substances in the water filled in the inner
tank (20).
9. A cooling device according to claim 8, wherein the inner tank (20) comprises a filter
housing (205) receiving the filter (22) in and having the dispense opening (204) dispensing
the filtered water.
10. A cooling device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner tank
(20) comprises an upper portion (206) being wide, limited by the lateral walls (203)
of the inner tank (20) and filled with water.
11. A cooling device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the water levels
(x and y) at each of the two tanks (20, 21) are equal at state of the dispenser (2)
is fully filled and the valve member (3) of the dispenser (2) is closed.