SINGLE PADDLE ICE AND WATER DISPENSER

摘要

A dispensing unit is operatively associated with a refrigeration appliance for selectively dispensing water and ice at a dispensing station. The dispensing unit includes an actuator that is movable to selected positions in order to support the dispensing of the water and ice. The dispensing unit can include a passageway through which ice is dispensed, and an ice door can be provided for selectively opening and closing the passageway to the dispensing of ice. In one aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed mechanically and in another aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed electromechanically. The dispensing unit also can provide for the position of a water-dispensing nozzle to be adjusted for the purpose of dispensing water to receptacles outside a recessed area at which the nozzle is located and to provide for the activation of illuminating devices to indicate operating conditions at the refrigeration appliance.

主权项

1. A dispensing unit operatively associated with a refrigeration appliance for selectively dispensing water and ice at a dispensing station at the refrigeration appliance, the dispensing unit including:
an actuator movable from a first position, at which first position the actuator supports neither the dispensing of water nor the dispensing of ice at the dispensing station, to a second position, at which second position the actuator supports the dispensing of water, and not ice, at the dispensing station, and movable from the first position through the second position to a third position, at which third position the actuator supports the dispensing of ice, and not water, at the dispensing station, the actuator including a passageway through which ice can be selectively dispensed at the dispensing station; and an ice door operatively associated with the actuator and closing off the passageway to the dispensing of ice when the actuator is in the first position and in the second position and opening the passageway to the dispensing of ice when the actuator is in the third position; wherein the actuator is configured to avoid any contact with the ice door that would cause the ice door to open the passageway to the dispensing of ice as the actuator is moved from the first position to the second position, and wherein the actuator is configured to contact the ice door as the actuator is moved from the second position to the third position, thereby causing the ice door to open the passageway to the dispensing of ice.