Apparatus for dispensing liquids and solids
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorAlan Joseph Mitchell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dispenser assembly configured to dispense liquids or solids from an appliance. In one embodiment, the dispenser assembly includes a tray, a plunger located above the tray, and a discharge opening. The plunger has a front surface and is moveable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position. The discharge opening is concealed behind the plunger and free of the path of the plunger from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position.
Claims17
A dispenser assembly for an appliance, the dispenser assembly comprising:
- a tray;
- a plunger located above the tray and moveable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position, wherein the plunger is configured so that a front surface of the plunger is substantially flush with a front surface of a front door of the appliance when the plunger is in the non-dispensing position;
- and
- a dispenser door located above the tray, wherein the dispenser door has a front surface and is configured to move between a closed position and an open position, and wherein in the closed position the front surface of the dispenser door is substantially flush with the front surface of the front door of the appliance, and in the open position the front surface of the dispenser door is recessed relative to the front surface of the front door of the appliance.
An appliance, comprising:
- an appliance door comprising an outer surface in which an opening is formed;
- a dispenser assembly positioned in the opening, the dispenser assembly comprising a tray, and a plunger located above the tray, wherein the plunger comprises a front surface and is configured to move between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position, and wherein in the non-dispensing position the front surface of the plunger is substantially flush with a front surface of a front door of the appliance;
- and
- a dispenser door located above the tray in the opening, wherein the dispenser door is configured to move between a closed position and an open position, and wherein in the closed position a surface of the dispenser door is substantially flush with the front surface of the front door of the appliance, and in the open position the surface of the dispenser door is recessed relative to the front surface of the front door of the appliance.
A dispenser assembly for an appliance, the dispenser assembly comprising:
- a tray;
- a plunger located above the tray and moveable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position;
- a discharge opening concealed behind the plunger relative to a front surface of a front door of the appliance when the plunger is in the non-dispensing position and positioned so as to not interfere with movement of the plunger as the plunger moves between the non-dispensing position and the dispensing position;
- and
- a dispenser door located above the tray, wherein the dispenser door has a front surface and is configured to move between a closed position and an open position, and wherein in the closed position the front surface of the dispenser door is substantially flush with the front surface of the front door of the appliance, and in the open position the front surface of the dispenser door is recessed relative to the front surface of the front door of the appliance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.