Patent Grant
10663219
This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Turkish application TR 2016/09939, filed Jul. 19, 2016; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a household cooling appliance having a dispenser unit, which is configured for dispensing a liquid and/or a free flow refrigerated good. The dispenser unit has an insert, which by walls bounds a niche. Into the niche a receptacle can be inserted for receiving the liquid and/or the free flow refrigerated good to be dispensed. The dispenser unit moreover has a drip tray, which is separate from the insert, for collecting liquid that can be inserted into the niche, wherein the drip tray has a drip well.
Household cooling appliances for storing and preserving food items are known from the prior art. It is also known that such appliances in a door closing a receiving space for food items contains a dispenser unit or an output unit for liquid and/or free flow refrigerated good, such as for instance ice cubes or crushed ice. Also with the door being closed thus the dispenser of this liquid or this free flow refrigerated good is facilitated. For instance from international patent disclosure WO 2009/080635 A2 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 8,966,927) a corresponding dispenser unit is known.
Moreover from international patent disclosure WO 2007/118787 A1, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 8,122,734, a household cooling appliance containing a corresponding dispenser device is known. In this design moreover on the front side of the door an additional decorative plate, for instance a furniture front plate, which is separate therefrom, is arranged. This furniture front plate contains a hole or a recess, by which the dispenser unit or a niche of this dispenser unit is also accessible. The dispenser unit in this design is also attached to the decorative plate.
Moreover, from international patent disclosure WO 2009/110674 A1 a corresponding dispenser unit is known, which additionally also has an electronics module. The electronics module contains control elements and moreover also has a display unit. Further, a separate drip tray can there be inserted into the niche. The drip tray, however, is arranged to rest only on a bottom side and is held magnetically at the rear portion to a rear wall. The drip tray integrated as a cover has a grid.
In the known design the drip tray is easily shifted out of position. The handling of the drip tray is not very convenient for the user and liquid dripping in splashes up again in an undesired way so that also portions of the niche are moistened in an undesired way by the splashing liquid.
It is the task of the present invention to provide a household cooling appliance, in which the suitability of the drip tray of the dispenser unit is improved. In particular in this connection it is the task to provide a drip tray, which is easier to handle for a user and thus with regard to removal and insertion of the drip tray from the niche and into the niche is improved. In particular it is also the task not to allow for the liquid dripping in to splash out again in an undesired way. Moreover, it is the task of the instant invention to arrange the drip dray of the dispenser unit in a secure position within the niche.
These tasks are solved by household cooling appliances having the features according to the independent claims.
According to a first independent aspect of the invention a household cooling appliance with a dispenser unit for dispensing a liquid and/or free flow refrigerated good is configured. The dispenser unit, which can also be referred to as output unit, contains a separate insert, which by vertical side walls and a bottom wall bounds a niche. This niche is freely accessible and into this niche a receptacle for receiving the liquid and/or the free flow refrigerated good dispensed can be inserted. The dispenser unit moreover contains a drip tray, which is separate from the insert and which is configured for collecting liquid dripping or draining into the niche. The drip tray contains a drip well.
An essential idea of the invention is to be seen in that the drip tray has a grip element, which extends within the drip well and is accessible from the top for gripping. By such a design the drip tray is easier to be handled by a user, since the removal from the, in particular box-shaped or tray-like, insert or the insertion into the insert is more targeted. Since the drip tray preferably is shaped to fit the side walls relatively precisely, by the now provided grip element the drip tray can be easily grasped and removed in a targeted way, even if it is arranged in its end position in the insert. A difficult removing of the drip tray, which involves major mounting effort, possibly with the aid of an auxiliary tool, is no longer required. By the position of the grip element same is also arranged correspondingly flush-mounted so that it does not protrude in an undesired way and does not impair the insertion of a receptacle into the niche.
In particular the grip element is integrated and thus integrally formed with the drip tray.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is envisaged that the grip element is T-shaped. This individual shape design is particularly advantageous for the gripping with two fingers, in particular with the forefinger and the thumb of a hand. On the one hand, thereby the gripping with these two fingers can easily be performed on the T-stem, on the other hand by the T-roof and thus by the top horizontal bar a kind of stop for the finger is formed so that an undesired slipping off is prevented. Moreover, by this shape then by the T-roof also a kind of lever stop can be provided, by which then also when performing a pivoting movement for lifting the drip tray out of the niche an element can be provided, which supports this corresponding counter pressure and the conversion of the lever effect.
Preferably it is envisaged that the T-shape is arranged prostrated. This means that the T-stem extends towards a sidewall of the drip well and the T-roof is orientated towards the interior of this drip well. The above-named advantages are once again enhanced thereby.
Preferably it is envisaged that a T-roof of the T-shape is arranged to face a rear boundary wall laterally bounding the drip well and facing away from a niche opening of the niche. Thus the grip element is positioned in such a way that a user does not need to reach far into the niche in order to reach the grip element. Moreover, by this arrangement also the pivoting movement of the drip tray towards the front, as already named in the above, is achieved in particular for removal of the insert in a particularly advantageous way.
Preferably it is envisaged that the grip element is arranged to protrude from a front boundary wall laterally bounding the drip well and facing a niche opening of the niche into the drip well. By this design it is also linked in a mechanically stable way to the drip well and moreover also arranged correspondingly stable on the bottom of the drip well and thus also of the drip tray. The grip element therefore is also designed to be highly resistant to deformation and can without any problems absorb corresponding forces that occur for instance when gripping or removing by way of a pivoting movement.
Preferably the grip element is integrally formed with the lateral boundary wall. Thereby a number of components is reduced and the mounting effort required is reduced to a minimum. Moreover, the position of the grip element is kept precisely for good.
Preferably it is envisaged that the grip element is integrally formed with a bottom wall bounding the drip well. Here, too, the already named advantages apply in analogy.
Preferably it is envisaged that the grip element viewed across its entire height is arranged within the drip well. Thereby, on the one hand it has a corresponding size to be securely grasped by a user, on the other hand, it does not protrude in an undesired way upward so that it is prevented from being hit by a hand or a collection receptacle.
In particular it is envisaged that the drip well and the grip element are covered by a cover grid that can be removed from the drip tray and that is separated from it. Thereby, the grip element is covered in the unrequired state and is arranged in the volume portion that is formed by the drip well and the cover by the cover grid from the above. Thus, setting up a collection receptacle on the cover grid then is not hindered.
Preferably it is envisaged that the drip tray on the bottom side of a bottom wall of the drip well contains at least one coupling element, which is configured for positioning the drip tray within the insert for coupling with a counter coupling element on the insert. By such a design the secure position of the drip tray within the insert is raised once again. In this connection it is in particular envisaged that the insert contains a kind of recess, into which the drip tray can be inserted. Thus the drip tray is not only arranged with its bottom wall on an even set-up wall of the insert. A simple sliding of the drip tray towards the front or towards the side relative to the insert is thereby prevented.
Even if a collection receptacle is set up on the drip tray and in the set-up state is jerkily drawn to the front, an undesired release of the drip tray from the insert is avoided. A sliding of the drip tray towards the front, which is then caused in an undesired way, is prevented by the advantageous embodiment of the invention.
Preferably it is envisaged that the drip tray at the top side of a bottom wall of the drip well contains at least one liquid distribution element, which elevated from the top side protrudes upward and is configured to be narrowing from the top side upwards. This is a very advantageous embodiment insofar as thus drops of liquid from a dispenser socket of the dispenser unit do not splash onto a horizontal plane and there splash up again in an undesired way, but that these drops in a targeted way due to this specific geometry and the local position of the liquid distribution element quasi are increased with regard to their surface and run further down in a targeted way and are correspondingly slowed down so that when reaching the remaining top side of the bottom wall they then no longer hit it with such an impetus that they would splash up again in an undesired way.
A further independent aspect of the invention relates to a household cooling appliance containing a dispenser unit for dispensing a liquid and/or free flow refrigerated good. The dispenser unit contains an, in particular box-shaped or tray-like insert, into which a receptacle for receiving the liquid to be dispensed and/or the free flow refrigerated good can be inserted. This means that, when dispense is desired, this receptacle can be inserted into the niche and then by activation of the dispenser unit the liquid and/or the free flow refrigerated good is dispensed via a dispenser arranged in the upper portion by opening the dispenser unit and from there reaches the receptacle. The dispenser unit has a drip tray that is separate from the insert and is configured for collecting liquid that drips or runs into the niche. By the drip tray liquid dripping down from the dispenser opening of the dispenser unit or running from a wall of the niche is contained or collected.
An essential idea of the invention is to be seen in that the drip tray on a top side of a bottom wall of the drip well contains at least one liquid distribution element, which elevated from the top side protrudes upward and is configured to be narrowing from the top side upwards. When liquid enters or drips into the drip tray from the top by this design an undesired strong hitting of this liquid upon the top side of the bottom wall and thus also an undesired strong splashing back again of this liquid is avoided by this design. By this specific liquid distribution element the liquid that drips in is received in a targeted way, is preferably enlarged in surface, and drained in a targeted way towards the top side of the bottom wall, wherein then correspondingly it is also slowed down to a certain extent so that, when hitting the top side of the bottom wall, it no longer has so strong an impetus that an undesired splashing up would occur.
Preferably it is envisaged that the liquid distribution element is configured as a cone. A corresponding rotationally symmetrical design of the liquid distribution element fulfils the above-named advantages to a particular extent.
In a further advantageous embodiment it can also be envisaged that the liquid distribution element is configured as a pyramid. Equally as well, however, a design in the form of a triangular prism can be envisaged or in the case of a design as a pyramid same can be configured to be four-sided, five-sided, six-sided, or even comprise more sides. The liquid distribution element can also be a tetrahedron.
In general the geometry of the liquid distribution element can also be designed in many other ways, however it is in particular envisaged that the liquid distribution element on the side facing away from the top side of the bottom wall has a tip. By this tip the entering liquid in the form of the drops is correspondingly distributed and directed downwards.
In particular it is envisaged that the liquid distribution element is designed to be adjacent to a grip element reaching into the drip well on the bottom wall. By this immediately adjacent arrangement also the stability of the elements can be raised.
A further independent aspect of the invention relates to a household cooling appliance containing a dispenser unit for dispensing a liquid and/or free flow refrigerated good. The dispenser unit or output unit contains an insert, which by side walls and a bottom wall bounds a niche. The niche is accessible at the front side and is configured for receiving or inserting a receptacle for receiving the liquid to be dispensed and/or the free flow refrigerated good. In this niche ends in particular also a dispenser opening of the dispenser unit in particular in a niche roof. The dispenser unit besides the insert contains a drip tray for containing liquid, which is separate therefrom and can be inserted into the niche. The drip tray contains a drip well.
An essential idea of the invention is to be seen in the fact that the drip tray on a bottom side of a bottom wall of the drip well contains at least one coupling element, which is configured for positioning the drip tray in the insert for coupling with a counter coupling element arranged on the insert. By such a design the more reliable and more securely positioned attachment of the drip tray within the insert, in particular in the region of a bottom of the insert, is improved. An undesired sliding from the drip tray is thereby prevented. A simple horizontal drawing out in the depth direction of the household cooling appliance of the drip tray from the insert is therefore no longer possible. Even if thus on the drip tray a receptacle is put up, which in the put up state is meant to be taken out towards the front and thus meant to be removed from the niche, an undesired sliding of the drip tray towards the front, which is involved with it, is prevented.
Preferably the insert in the bottom portion contains a tray-like design, into which a drip tray can be inserted.
Preferably the coupling element, which is integrally formed on the bottom wall of the drip well, is a recess.
By such a design a targeted and reliably achievable coupling with the counter coupling element can be achieved when inserting the drip tray into the insert. The counter coupling element then automatically plunges into this recess so that the recess quasi like a hood surrounds the counter coupling element from the top.
Preferably it is envisaged that the counter coupling element is a coupling pin protruding from a bottom wall of the insert towards the top.
Preferably it is envisaged that the coupling connection between the coupling element and the counter coupling element is a plug-in connection, which, on the one hand, is easy to establish and releasable, on the other hand, though, allows for a reliable and securely positioned coupling.
Preferably it is envisaged that the counter coupling element is arranged in the portion of a slot formed in the bottom wall of the insert. In particular thus in the bottom wall a slot is formed for draining the liquid from the insert and the counter coupling element is configured on a front end of the slot facing a niche opening of the niche. By this design a simple manufacturing of the insert formed as a single piece is facilitated and a precisely shaped and accurately localized positioning of the counter coupling element within the bottom wall is achieved. On the other hand thereby the slot is not impaired by the counter coupling element, on the contrary, the boundary wall of the slot is stabilized in this very front portion, in particular narrowed portion, of the slot.
Preferably it is envisaged that several coupling elements and several counter coupling elements are configured, which respectively couple with each other in such a way that the positioning of the drip tray in this tray-like receptacle of the insert in the bottom portion of the insert is improved once again.
In particular the household cooling appliance is a rack-mounted model. In particular it can be arranged in a furniture niche of a furniture wall.
With the indications “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “depth direction”, “width direction”, “height direction” etc. the positions and orientations given for intended use and intended arrangement of the appliance and for a user then standing in front of the appliance and viewing in the direction of the device are indicated.
Further features of the invention derive from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The aforementioned features and feature combinations named in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations named in the following in the description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone can be used not only in the respective indicated combination, but also in other combinations, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus also embodiments of the invention are to be considered as comprised and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but by separated feature combinations derived from the explained embodiments and can be generated therefrom. Thus also explanations and feature combinations are to be regarded as disclosed, which thus do not comprise all features of an originally formulated independent claim. Moreover embodiments and feature combinations, in particular by the embodiments set out in the above, are to be considered as disclosed, which go beyond the feature combinations set out in the back-references of the claims or deviate therefrom.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a household cooling appliance containing a dispenser unit for a liquid and/or a free flow refrigerated good, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
In the figures same elements or elements having the same functions are equipped with the same reference signs.
Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to
For this purpose in the shown embodiment for instance the door 3 has a recess 5, into which the dispenser unit 4 is inserted so that in the closed state of the door 3 the dispenser unit 4 is accessible from the front, in order to be able to dispense the liquid and/or the free flow refrigerated good.
The dispenser unit 4 has an insert 6, which is in particular integrally formed from plastic. The insert 6 has several walls 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 (
The insert 6 moreover has as an example a receptacle 13, which is configured as slot. An electronics module is capable of being inserted into the receptacle 13.
In
In
In
The cover 22 is adjusted to the trapezoidal design of the walls 7, 10, and 11.
As can be seen in
The liquid distribution element 33 can for instance be a cone or a pyramid or the like.
The liquid distribution element 33 is integrally formed with the bottom wall 23 and thus also integrally formed with the drip tray 16.
The drip tray 16 moreover has a grip element 25, which is preferably formed as a single piece and in particular also formed as a single piece with the drip tray 16. The grip element 15 is formed in the drip well 17 and ends both in the front side boundary wall 20 of the drip well 17 as well as in the top side 23a of the bottom wall 23. The grip element 25 is configured T-shaped and ends with a T-stem 26 in the front boundary wall 20 facing a niche opening 12. A T-roof 27 faces the rear boundary wall 19 and in the depth direction (z direction) ends in front of the liquid distribution element 33 and is arranged adjacent thereto.
In
In
In
In
As is shown in
It is to be seen that the slots 32 viewed in the depth direction (z direction) are narrowing towards the front.
Preferably the counter coupling elements 31 are arranged as front side boundaries of these slots 32 and thus are arranged on the front ends 32a of the slots 32 facing the niche opening 12a of the niche 12.
In particular it is envisaged that these slots 32 are configured to be uninterrupted slots and thus continue without interruption also up into the rear wall 11 of the insert 6. In
The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| a 2016 09939 | Jul 2016 | TR | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4783971 | Alba | Nov 1988 | A |
| 8122734 | Buchstab et al. | Feb 2012 | B2 |
| 8966927 | Eckartsberg et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 20070283817 | Fugger | Dec 2007 | A1 |
| 20130160481 | Hasturk | Jun 2013 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2007118787 | Oct 2007 | WO |
| 2009080635 | Jul 2009 | WO |
| 2009110674 | Sep 2009 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180023886 A1 | Jan 2018 | US |
