A COOLING APPLIANCE HAVING A WATER DISPENSING UNIT

Abstract

 A cooling appliance comprising; a body (1); a door (2) pivotable attached onto the body (1) between a closed and an open position, wherein the door (2) and the body (1) delimits an inner volume in the closed position of the door (2); an inner liner (3) facing the inner volume; a storage unit (4) removable attached onto the inner liner (3) comprising a water outlet; a water dispensing unit (5) comprising; a housing (6) at least partly enclosing; a nozzle (7) removable placed to the water outlet to regulate water flow upon being activated; a button (8) having a neutral orientation during which the water is prevented to flow and a pressed orientation during which the button (8) is configured to activate the nozzle (7).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling appliance, in particular to a cooling appliance having a water dispenser.

[0002] Most of the modern cooling devices are provided with water dispensing units. The water dispensing unit have different structural properties. Some water dispensing units comprise a storage unit that is used to store cold water inside a fresh food compartment wherein the cold water is transferred to the dispensing unit mostly provided on a front surface of the door. A second type of water dispensing unit comprises the storage unit provided in the fresh food compartment, similar to the previous one with the difference that the storage container has a tap which needs to be activated by the user. These type of water dispensing units do not transfer the water to a different location. In such water dispensing units, the user simply opens the tab provided directly on the storage container. Such water dispensing units are provided on the inner surface of the door or somewhere else inside the fresh food compartment. A problem with said water dispensing units is that the storage containers are needed to be taken out in order to increase the inner volume of the cooling appliance when the water dispensing unit is not in use. Another problem with such water dispensing units is that the tap, after being activated, drops droplets of water into the inner volume of the cooling appliance. Such a situation decreases the quality perception of the product and causes the inner volume of the cooling appliance to get wet which in turn may cause bacterial infections. Some of such water dispensing units comprises drip trays that are hard to empty and clean.

[0003] A prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as WO2018202292A1 among others, the document disclosing a cooling appliance having a water dispensing unit and a storage unit wherein the storage unit is provided on an inner surface of the door and a dispensing unit provided on an outer surface of the door.

[0004] A prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as US6574984B1 among others, the document disclosing a cooling appliance having a water dispensing unit and a storage unit removably placed onto an inner surface of the door.

[0005] A prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as US5791523A among others, the document disclosing a cooling appliance having a water dispensing unit and a storage unit wherein the storage unit is provided on an inner surface of the door and a dispensing unit provided on an outer surface of the door.

[0006] An objective of the present invention is to provide a water dispensing unit and a storage container feeding the water dispensing with water wherein the storage unit is placed inside the fresh food compartment and wherein the storage unit can also be used for storing articles.

[0007] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a water dispensing unit having a drip tray to prevent water drippings into the fresh food compartment.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a water dispensing unit that can be easily attached and removed from the storage container, thereby facilitating cleaning of the water dispensing unit.

[0009] The method realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims comprises a cooling appliance. The cooling appliance comprises a body and a door attached to the body between a closed and an open position. The body and the door delimits an inner volume wherein the articles are kept cold. The inner volume is surrounded with an inner liner. The inner liner is provided both in the inner surface of the body and on the rear surface of the door facing the inner volume of the body. A storage unit is removable placed onto the inner liner. Meaning that the storage unit can be placed on the rear surface of the door or on the inner surface of the body. The storage unit comprises a water outlet preferably provided at a lower surface thereof. The cooling appliance further comprises a water dispensing unit provided in the close vicinity of the water outlet and comprises a housing wherein the housing partly encloses a nozzle and a button. The nozzle is placed to the water outlet and is used to control the flow of water. The button is used to activate the nozzle and moves in the housing in a slidably manner between a neutral orientation and a presses position. During neutral orientation and as the name suggests, the button remains idle and no water flows through the nozzle. When and if the user applies a force on the button to obtain water, the button moves toward the presses orientation. During passage from neutral to the orientation, the button activates the nozzle and water flows through it. The button comprises a drip tray that is used for collecting drops of water as the orientation changes from pressed toward the neutral. By means of the button having the drip tray, water spillages are prevented. Another advantageous effect provided by means of this invention is that the button, along with the housing, can be easily removed from the storage container, facilitating the cleaning.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the button comprises a pusher and the nozzle comprises a protrusion wherein the pusher is configured to activate the nozzle as its orientation changes from neutral toward the pressed position. The pusher comprises an inclined part via which the pusher abuts against the protrusion. By means of the pusher having said inclined part, the button gradually activates the nozzle. As a result of this, the user may easily control the water flow rate.

[0011] In an embodiment, the drip tray is produced integrally with the button.

[0012] In another embodiment, the drip tray is a separate part from the button and is removable placed onto the button.

[0013] In another embodiment, the drip tray comprises a bottom and plurality of side walls forming an open top box shaped drip tray. The box forms an inner volume for storing water drops coming from the nozzle. The upper ends of plurality of walls are curved towards the inner volume. By means of this curvature, water stored inside the drip tray can not jump over the walls due to movement of button caused by users.

[0014] In an embodiment, the bottom of the drip tray is in concave up shape. As a result, more water can be stored inside the drip tray. Concavity also smooths the movement of the water inside the drip tray and prevents the water from jumping over the side walls of the drip tray.

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises a biasing means. The biasing means is a helical spring or a leaf spring biasing the button towards the neutral position.

[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the storage unit comprises a pair of guides at a lower surface thereof and the housing comprises a pair of fixing means that are configured to be seated into the said guides in a slidably manner. By means of this, the housing is slidably placed under the storage unit. The user may simply pull the housing and free the water dispensing unit from the storage unit. During the movement of the housing along the guides, the housing or the button does not contact the nozzle. Thereby, the user may easily remove the housing, clean it by simply flushing it with water and reattach it to the storage unit.

[0017] In an embodiment, the storage unit comprises a cover. The user needs to open the cover in order to fill the storage container with water. In the case wherein the user uses the storage container for storing solid articles, the cover acts as a means to limit air circulation, therefore keeping the articles inside fresher for a longer period of time. Also thanks to the cover, the storage container can be used as a butter compartment.

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, a plug is provided to close the water outlet. This is the case when the user uses the storage container for storing solid articles.

[0019] By means of the present invention, the spillage of the water into the interior volumes of the cooling appliance is prevented. Additionally, the storage container can be used both for storing water and solid articles, improving usage of inner volume of the cooling appliance.

[0020] The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in the claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.

Figure 1 - is a front view of the cooling appliance

Figure 2 - is an isolated view of the door

Figure 3 - is an isolated view of the storage unit and the water dispensing unit

Figure 4 - is a side view of the water dispensing unit along dashed A-A lines in Figure 3

Figure 5 - is a rear view of the nozzle and the water dispensing unit

Figure 6 - is an exploded side view of the water dispensing unit

Figure 7 - is a perspective view of the nozzle and the water dispensing unit in neutral position

Figure 8 - is a perspective view of the nozzle and the water dispensing unit in pressed position

[0021] The following numerals are assigned to different parts demonstrated in the drawings and referred to in the present detailed description of the invention:

1. Body

2. Door

3. Inner liner

4. Storage unit

5. Water dispensing unit

6. Housing

7. Nozzle

8. Button

9. Drip tray

10. Protrusion

11. Pusher

12. Biasing means

13. Channel

14. Tab

15. Guide

16. Fixing means

17. Cover

[0022] The present invention relates to a cooling appliance comprising; a body (1); a door (2) pivotable attached onto the body (1) between a closed and an open position, wherein the door (2) and the body (1) delimits an inner volume in the closed position of the door (2); an inner liner (3) facing the inner volume; a storage unit (4) removable attached onto the inner liner (3) comprising a water outlet; a water dispensing unit (5) comprising; a housing (6) at least partly enclosing; a nozzle (7) removable placed to the water outlet to regulate water flow upon being activated; a button (8) having a neutral orientation during which the water is prevented to flow and a pressed orientation during which the button (8) is configured to activate the nozzle (7). The cooling appliance comprises the body (1) and the door (2) pivotably attached to the body (1) by means of hinges.

[0023] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the button (8) comprises a drip tray (9) configured to collect water drops from the nozzle (7). The body (1) and the door (2) defines the inner volume during the closed position of the door (2). The inner volume contains shelves and articles to be cooled. The inner volume is limited by the inner liner (3) wherein the inner liner (3) is preferably a thermoplastic material covering the rear surface of the door (2) and the inner surface of the body (1) facing the inner volume. The cooling appliance further comprises the storage unit (4) wherein the storage unit (4) is removable placed onto the inner liner (3). The inner liner (3) comprises support structures onto which the storage unit (4) is placed. The storage unit (4) comprises a water outlet. The water outlet is preferably in the form of a hole having threads on its inner surface. Normally, the storage unit (4) can be used to store articles therein such as cans, bottles, fruits or vegetables. Additionally, the storage unit (4) is water tight except for the water outlet. The cooling appliance further comprises the water dispensing unit (5) wherein the water dispensing unit (5) comprises the housing (6), the nozzle (7) and the button (8). The nozzle (7) is rotatably placed into the water outlet. The nozzles (7) are commonly known in the prior art. The housing (6) houses the button (8). The button (8) can be moved by the force exerted by the user along the housing (6) and has two end orientations. During the neutral position, the button (8) does not contact the nozzle (7) and the water remains inside the storage unit (4). When and if the button (8) is pressed, the button (8) moves towards pressed position and contacts the nozzle (7), activating the nozzle (7) and allowing the water to flow freely under the effect of gravity from the nozzle (7). The button (8) comprises the drip tray (9) wherein the drip tray (9) is configured to be protectively below the nozzle (7). As a result of this, the remaining droplets of water dripping from the nozzle (7) is captured and stored inside the drip tray (9). An advantageous effect provided by means of this is that the quality perception of the product is improved. Also, the user does not need to wipe the droplets of water from the top of the parts or articles that are underneath the water dispensing unit (5).

[0024] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the nozzle (7) comprises at least a protrusion (10) and that the button (8) comprises at least a pusher (11) having an inclined surface wherein the pusher (11) is configured to abut against the protrusion (10) and lift a part of the nozzle (7) as the orientation of the button (8) changes from the neutral orientation to the pressed orientation. The button (8) moves along the housing (6) upon being pressed and abuts against the nozzle (7). The button (8) comprises the pusher (11) wherein the pusher (11) has an inclined surface that comes into contact with the nozzle (7) via the protrusion (10) provided on the nozzle (7). In an embodiment, the pusher (11) and the protrusion (10) is singular. In another embodiment, the pusher (11) and the protrusion (10) are provided pairwise on button (8) and the nozzle (7) respectively. The inclined surface of the pusher (11) gradually lifts the protrusion (10) and therefore a part of the nozzle (7) as the orientation of the button (8) changes from the neutral orientation to the pressed orientation. By means of this, the flow rate of the water can be controlled.

[0025] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the drip tray (9) in an integral part of the button (8). The drip tray (9) can be provided as an integral part of the button (8). The housing (6) can be easily removed from the storage unit (4) along with the button (8) and therefore the drip tray (9). Afterwards the user turns the drip tray (9) upside down, removing the water from the drip tray (9). By providing the drip tray (9) as an integral part to the button (8) mold and manufacturing related costs are improved.

[0026] In another preferred embodiment, the drip tray (9) is removable placed inside the button (8). The user may reach towards the rear side of the housing (6) and easily remove the drip tray (9). Afterwards the user turns the drip tray (9) upside down, removing the water from the drip tray (9) and replace the drip tray (9) back into the button (8). This provides further convenience in cleaning the drip tray (9).

[0027] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the drip tray (9) comprises a bottom, plurality of wall extending upwards from the bottom delimiting an inner volume wherein the excess water is stored and that the upper ends of the walls are curved towards the inner volume. The drip tray (9) is in the form of a polygonal box with an open top. Multiple side walls originating from the bottom of the drip tray (9) extends upwards forming the inner volume wherein the excess water is stored. The upper ends of the said walls are curved towards the inner volume of the drip tray (9). This prevents the spillage of water stored inside the drip tray (9) as the user presses to the button (8). In order to provide further convenience to the user, a small crevice is provided on the side wall, allowing to user to easily pour the excess water. The location of the said crevice is perpendicular to the movement direction of the button (8) so as to prevent spillage of water stored inside the drip tray (9) as the user presses to the button (8).

[0028] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom wall of the drip tray (9) is concave up. Thereby, the bottom wall of the drip tray (9) increasing water storage capacity, meanwhile remaining invisible behind the button (8). The concave shape of the bottom wall also minimizes the spillage of water stored inside the drip tray (9) as the user presses to the button (8).

[0029] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing (6) comprises a biasing means (12), biasing the button (8) towards the neutral orientation. The housing (6) comprises the biasing means (12), pushing the button (8) towards the neutral orientation. The biasing means (12) is preferably a spring provided at a rear side of the housing (6). By means of the biasing means (12), the button (8) is forced to return to its neutral position as soon as the user stops exerting force onto the button (8).

[0030] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing (6) comprises a channel (13) and that the button (8) comprises a tab (14) configured to guide the movement of the button (8) inside the channel (13). The housing (6) comprises the channel (13) extending along the movement direction of the button (8) that is used to guide button (8).

[0031] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage unit (4) comprises a pair of guides (15) provided at a lower surface thereof and that the housing (6) comprises a pair of fixing means (16) via which the housing (6) is slidably placed underneath the storage unit (4). By means of the guides (15) and the fixing means (16) provided the housing (6) is easily and slidably placed underneath the storage unit (4). The user matches the position of the fixing means (16) with the guides (15) and simply pushed the housing along the storage unit (4).

[0032] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage unit (4) comprises a cover (17). The user needs to open the cover (17) in order to fill the storage unit (4) with water. In a preferred embodiment, the cover (17) is pivotably attached onto an upper surface of the storage unit (4) between a closed and an open position. The cover (17) prevents particles to contact the water stored inside the storage unit (4). It is also possible to store solid articles inside the storage unit (4) when the storage unit (4) is not utilized as a water storage unit (4). In this case, the storage unit (4) acts as a shelf with a cover.

[0033] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage unit (4) comprises a plug (not shown) that is used for closing the water outlet. In case of the storage unit (4) being used as a shelf or a container to store solid articles, the plug is used to close the water outlet. This helps keep articles fresh for a longer time.

[0034] An advantageous effect provided by means of the invention is that the water is prevented to drop to an interior surface of the cooling appliance.

[0035] Another advantageous effect provided by means of the invention is that the water dispensing unit (5) is easily removable from the storage container (4) facilitating its cleaning.

[0036] Another advantageous provided by means of this invention is that the storage container (4) can be used to store solid articles therein, thereby improving the usage of inner volume of the cooling appliance.

Claims

1. A cooling appliance comprising;

a body (1);

a door (2) pivotable attached onto the body (1) between a closed and an open position, wherein the door (2) and the body (1) delimits an inner volume in the closed position of the door (2);

an inner liner (3) facing the inner volume;

a storage unit (4) removable attached onto the inner liner (3) comprising a water outlet;

a water dispensing unit (5) comprising;

a housing (6) at least partly enclosing;

a nozzle (7) removable placed to the water outlet to regulate water flow upon being activated;

a button (8) having a neutral orientation during which the water is prevented to flow and a pressed orientation during which the button (8) is configured to activate the nozzle (7),

characterized in that

the button (8) comprises a drip tray (9) configured to collect water drops from the nozzle (7).

2. A cooling appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle (7) comprises at least a protrusion (10) and that the button (8) comprises at least a pusher (11) having an inclined surface wherein the pusher (11) is configured to abut against the protrusion (10) and lift a part of the nozzle (7) as the orientation of the button (8) changes from the neutral orientation to the pressed orientation.

3. A cooling appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the drip tray (9) in an integral part of the button (8).

4. A cooling appliance according to claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the drip tray (9) is removable placed inside the button (8).

5. A cooling appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the drip tray (9) comprises a bottom, plurality of wall extending upwards from the bottom delimiting an inner volume wherein the excess water is stored and that the upper ends of the walls are curved towards the inner volume.

6. A cooling appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that the bottom wall of the drip tray (9) is concave up.

7. A cooling appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the housing (6) comprises a biasing means (12), biasing the button (8) towards the neutral orientation.

8. A cooling appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the housing (6) comprises a channel (13) and that the button (8) comprises a tab (14) configured to guide the movement of the button (8) inside the channel (13).

9. A cooling appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the storage unit (4) comprises a pair of guides (15) provided at a lower surface thereof and that the housing (6) comprises a pair of fixing means (16) via which the housing (6) is slidably placed underneath the storage unit (4).

10. A cooling appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the storage unit (4) comprises a cover (17).

11. A cooling appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the storage unit (4) comprises a plug that is used for closing the water outlet.

Drawing