Patent ID: 9534831
Date: 2017-01-03
CPC Classifications: B67D,F25D

Claim:
1. A household appliance including a liquid dispenser of the type that utilizes a collapsible container and a pump and valve mechanism attached to the collapsible container, the appliance comprising: a household appliance body having a door; a chamber formed within the door of the body for receiving a collapsible container, the chamber including a stationary wall; a movable member resting on top of the collapsible container within the chamber; a biasing element that urges the movable member against the collapsible container with the collapsible container between the movable member and the stationary wall; a liquid gauge for displaying an estimated amount of liquid remaining in the collapsible container based on a position of the movable member and a signal received from a processor; a volume indicator, said volume indicator being an extension of the movable member, and further providing that a portion of the volume indicator is visible outside the door; and a position sensor that senses the position of the movable member and sends a signal to the processor for estimating the amount of liquid remaining in the collapsible container; and wherein the pump and valve mechanism is positioned at least partially in the collapsible container and selectively actionable to allow a liquid of the collapsible container to be dispensed via the liquid dispenser.