Patent ID: 9518772
Filing Date: 2016-12-13
CPC Classification: B67D,F25C

Claim Text:
1. A domestic refrigerator comprising: an ice dispenser comprising: a mounting bracket; a lever pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket; a flapper door that includes a bracket having a lower end with a first plurality of teeth formed thereon and wherein the flapper door is pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket, the flapper door being configured to pivot between (i) a closed position and (ii) an open position; a rotary damper that includes a shaft having a second plurality of teeth formed thereon, the second plurality of teeth being meshed with the first plurality of teeth and wherein the rotary damper is coupled to the flapper door; and a linkage coupled to the lever and the flapper door such that movement of the lever from a first lever position to a second lever position advances the flapper door from the closed position to the open position, wherein (i) the linkage is configured to permit the lever to move from the second lever position to the first lever position independently of the flapper door, and (ii) the rotary damper is configured to resist the movement of the flapper door from the open position to the closed position.