Apparatus for dispensing liquids and solids

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.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to refrigerators or other appliances, and more particularly, to liquid and solid dispensers for appliances.

2. Description of Related Art

Appliances, such as refrigerators, can include a liquid and/or solid dispenser e.g. water and/or ice dispenser) that extends through a wall or door of the appliance in order to deliver liquids and/or solids from a space, such as a refrigerated space, inside the appliance to a user's container outside the appliance. In the case of a solid dispenser in the form of an ice dispenser, an ice bin is typically provided inside the appliance that receives and stores ice cubes, such as are formed and frozen by an icemaker. The ice is transferred through a chute to a discharge opening, where the ice can be delivered to the user's container. In the case of a liquid dispenser (e.g. a water dispenser), a liquid is provided by a connection to a liquid supply. The liquid is delivered from the liquid supply through a liquid line to a liquid discharge opening.

To activate the dispenser and dispense a liquid, and/or a solid, a plunger can be depressed, e.g., by pushing a drinking container against the plunger. To deactivate the dispenser and stop dispensing the liquid and/or the solid, force is removed from the plunger and the plunger is allowed to move into its resting, non-dispensing position.

Dispensers also include a tray to catch residual liquids or solids dripping, leaking, or spilling from the liquid discharge opening or the solid discharge opening. The tray, as well as the plunger, can become regularly wet with use. When the liquid dries, mineral deposits and/or other stains remain on the tray or the plunger, looking unsightly and messy. Additionally, the dispensers themselves can be considered unsightly as compared to the otherwise sleek external surface of the front door.

It would be advantageous to provide a liquid and/or solid dispenser for a refrigerator or other appliance, without the unsightly appearance of liquid stains and the other disadvantages of dispensers, as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A liquid and/or solid dispenser, which is discussed in more detail below, reduces or eliminates the unsightly appearance of an appliance and the dispenser by concealing liquid stains and mineral deposits on various components of the appliance or the dispenser. The present dispenser also improves upon the aesthetic quality of an appliance with a dispenser by reducing the noticeability or obviousness of the dispenser, providing the appearance that the from of the dispenser blends into the front surface of the appliance.

In one embodiment, the dispenser of liquids or solids for an appliance comprises a tray, a plunger located above the tray, and a discharge opening. The plunger has a front surface, 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.

In another embodiment, an appliance for dispensing liquids or solids is provided. The appliance comprises an opening in an exterior surface of the appliance and a dispenser positioned in and through the opening in the exterior surface of the appliance. The dispenser comprises a tray in the opening and a plunger located above the tray in the opening. The tray has a basin, at least one support element for supporting a container, and a front surface positioned flush with the exterior surface of the appliance. The plunger has a front surface, a non-dispensing position, and a dispensing position, wherein in the non-dispensing position the front surface of the plunger is flush with the exterior surface of the appliance.

In yet another embodiment, a dispenser for an appliance is provided. The dispenser comprises a plunger having a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position, and a tray located below the plunger. The tray has a top surface and a basin below the top surface. The basin is deeper than the longest dimension of an entire solid dispensed from the dispenser so the entire solid is held below the top surface of the tray.

Where applicable like reference characters designate identical or corresponding components and units throughout the several views, which are not to scale unless otherwise indicated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an appliance10, which is shown as an upright, side-by-side refrigerator with side-by-side refrigeration and freezer compartments. It is contemplated, however, that at least some of the benefits of various embodiments recited herein can be realized in other types of appliances, such as top-mount and bottom-mount refrigerators, or other appliances capable of utilizing liquid and/or solid dispensers. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention are therefore not intended to be limited to only the configuration and features of the exemplary upright, side by side refrigerator. In the embodiments herein described the liquid dispensed is water and the solid dispensed is ice which may be dispensed as formed pieces or as crushed ice. The formed ice pieces are referred to herein generically as ice cubes, however, it is to be understood that the shape of the ice pieces may, but need not, be cubic, but may be for example, cylindrical or semi-cylindrical or any other suitable geometric shape. The particular shape and dimensions will be determined by the configuration of the icemaker.

The appliance10comprises a dispenser assembly12that is configured to dispense water and ice. The dispenser assembly12is positioned in a front door14of the appliance10, wherein the front face of the dispenser assembly12is flush with the front surface of the front door14. In this position the dispenser assembly12extends from the front face of the front door14toward the rear of the appliance10. As used herein, the term “flush” describes one or more configurations of the dispenser assembly12in which the front face16is even, level, and/or on the same plane, whether the plane is flat or curved. This definition is used throughout the discussion below to describe embodiments of the dispenser assembly12as well as its various parts, elements, and components.

Focusing on the dispenser assembly12, and with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3,FIG. 2is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the dispenser assembly12in a non-dispensing state. The dispenser assembly12has a control panel16, a plunger18with a non-slip coating19, a first dispenser door20, a second dispenser door22, and a tray24. The control panel16is flush with the front surface of the front door14and is located above the plunger18, the first dispenser door20, and the second dispenser door22. In other embodiments, the control panel16can be positioned alternatively with respect to the plunger18and the dispenser doors20,22.

The control panel16has a display26and selection buttons27, which can be used to activate and to select between settings for the dispenser assembly12and/or the appliance10generally. Examples of these settings include, but are not limited to, water or ice settings (e.g. water, cubed ice, crushed ice, etc.) and temperature settings such as to adjust the temperature of the refrigeration compartments. An indication such as for the selected setting is provided to the end user via the display26.

In the non-dispensing state, the plunger18is positioned in its non-dispensing position, flush with the surface of the front door14. The first dispenser door20, the second dispenser door22, and the tray24are also positioned flush with the surface of the front door14. In one embodiment, the front surfaces of the control panel16, the plunger18, the dispenser doors20,22, the tray24, and the surface of front door14fit together congruently at each part's respective edges, thereby on the one hand minimizing the gap between the respective edges of these parts but also providing sufficient space on as to effectuate operation of the parts as described below. Moreover, the flush positioning and the close fit of the control panel16, the plunger18, the dispenser doors20,22, the tray24, and the front surface of the front door14will better assimilate the dispenser assembly12into the construction of, e.g., the front door14. This configuration improves the appearance of the appliance10such as by substantially reducing interruptions in the continuity of the front surface of the front door14. When implemented, these features will make the dispenser assembly12less conspicuous and, ultimately, more aesthetically pleasing to an end user of the appliance10and the dispenser assembly12.

As depicted inFIG. 2, at the front surface of the plunger18, the dispenser doors20,22meet and bound the bottom and side edges of the plunger18. The dispenser doors20,22also share a border, which is located directly above and extends substantially horizontal with the tray24. In an alternative embodiment, the plunger18extends to the tray24and also shares a border directly above the tray24. Still other alternatives are contemplated in which the control panel16, the plunger18, the dispenser doors20,22, and the tray24are flush with the front surface of the appliance10and configured to minimize the gap and/or space between the borders of the components.

FIG. 3is a from view of the dispenser assembly12in a dispensing state in which is now visible a housing36. As clearly seen in the cutaway section located at the top of the dispenser assembly12, the ice discharge opening28and a water discharge opening30, both are recessed above and behind the plunger18, and behind the control panel16. This location prevents the discharge openings28and30from obstructing the motion of the plunger18such as between the non-dispensing state and the dispensing state. Being above and behind the plunger18, the discharge openings28and30are concealed from view. To be concealed from view means to have sight obstructed. In some embodiments, in which the close, congruent fit of the control panel16and the plunger18allows no line of sight to the discharge openings28,30, the discharge openings28,30are completely concealed (e.g. completely hidden) from view. However, in some embodiments, the close, congruent fit of the control panel16and the plunger18allows a minimal view, or allows a minimal view at angles awkward and unusual from the perspective of a user of the refrigerator standing in front of the refrigerator. In these embodiments that allow a minimal view, the discharge openings28,30are mostly concealed.

In one embodiment, the ice discharge opening28comprises a chute (not shown), through which travel crushed ice and cubed ice from an ice maker (not shown) located inside of the appliance10. The water discharge opening30comprises a tube (not shown) that in one example is smaller than the chute and located in front of the chute (e.g., closer to the front surface of the dispenser assembly12). This tube is configured to dispense water.

To place the dispenser assembly12in the dispensing state, the plunger18is pressed into the dispenser assembly12and/or toward the back of the housing36by the user, for example by pressing a glass or other container against the plunger and progressively into the housing36. A spring or another similar mechanism can be provided to apply a force that resists movement of the plunger18from its non-dispensing position to its dispensing position. The amount of this force is selected, so as to be easily overcome by the end user pushing against the plunger18with the glass or container. The dispenser doors20,22swing open inwardly, which enlarges the opening below the solid discharge opening28and the liquid, discharge opening30. This opening is sufficient to position a container in the dispenser assembly12to receive water or ice. In the embodiments illustrated schematically inFIGS. 2 and 3, the dispenser doors20,22are pivotally coupled to the housing36and/or portion of the dispenser assembly12, so they can rotate inwardly when the dispenser assembly12is actuated from the non-dispensing state to the dispensing state, and biased by a suitably arranged spring or other biasing means for return to the non-dispensing state when released from the dispensing state such as by removal of the glass or container from engagement with plunger18.

The ice discharge opening28and the water discharge opening30are disposed closer to the front of the dispenser assembly12than the rear of the dispenser assembly12so as to minimize the distance the plunger18needs travel to clear the area below the discharge openings28,30for the glass or container to be positioned to catch the ice or water. In one embodiment, the front of the ice discharge opening28and the front of the water discharge opening30are closely adjacent the front surface of the appliance10. In other embodiments with the discharge openings28,30positioned deeper toward the back of the dispenser assembly12, the plunger18can be adjusted to push deeper into the dispenser assembly12and/or toward the back of the housing36. The forward position of the discharge openings28,30helps create distance between the discharge openings28,30and the plunger18in the dispensing state, which helps prevent or reduce liquid from dripping or splashing onto the plunger18, and helps reduce associated liquid deposits on the plunger18.

Because the contour of the front surface of the plunger18is shaped to conform to the front surface of the appliance (e.g. with a substantially vertical planar surface), and because the plunger18moves from the non-dispensing state to the dispensing state along a substantially linear axis and/or in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face of the plunger or the front of the appliance, with proper selection of the dispensing position, that is the position of the plunger that actuates the dispensing of ice or water, the plunger18is clear of the travel path of discharged ice or water as it exits from the respective discharge opening28,30and falls downward. This feature also reduces the chance that unsightly liquid stains and mineral deposits will build on the plunger18. Even if liquid stains or mineral deposits occur on the plunger18or the dispenser doors20,22, the single visible smooth front surface of each of the plunger18and the dispenser doors20,22, e.g., in the non-dispensing state, are more easily cleaned than the multiple, more-intricate, visible surfaces of each of the plungers, trays, and other components of existing dispenser assemblies.

Referring back toFIG. 3, the tray24has a basin23to catch water and/or ice and support elements25that extend across the basin23in a plane substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the appliance10or dispenser assembly12. The basin23acts as a sump that receives and retains water or ice not caught by the glass or container. Typically, such water and ice is a relatively small amount that accumulate in the basin23will evaporate over time. Alternatively, the tray24is removable so the end user can remove the tray24, empty the tray24, and replace the tray24back in position in the dispenser assembly12.

The depth of the tray24and the basin23is enlarged when the dispenser assembly12is equipped to dispense ice. In one example, the basin23is deep enough so a whole ice cube, is received and held below the top level of the tray24regardless of the orientation of the ice cube. The basin23is also wide enough from side to side and from front to back so that multiple ice cubes can be held in the basin23side by side. For example, in one embodiment, the tray24and the basin23are about 8 inches (20.32 cm) wide from side to side, about 4 inches (10.16 cm) wide, from front to back, and about 2 inches (5.08 cm) deep from top to bottom. In an alternative embodiment, the basin23can be even deeper so that the basin23is deep enough to collect multiple layers of cubes such as stacked one on top of the other and still hold the cubes below the top level of the tray24. Allowing stray solids to fall into the basin23that holds the solids below the top level of the tray24prevents or reduces the chance that the ice cubes will obstruct movement of the dispenser doors20,22between, e.g., the dispensing state and the non-dispensing state. The enlarged volume of the basin23due to increased width and/or depth also allows a greater amount of water and/or ice to be held, which reduces the need to empty the tray24.

The support elements25provide support for a drinking glass or other container to allow a user to rest a container in the dispenser assembly12without the container falling into the basin23. In one embodiment, the support elements25are spaced widely enough for an entire ice cube, to fit past the support elements25and fall into the basin23, so the cube cannot sit on the top of the support elements25to obstruct the motion of the dispenser doors20,22or the plunger18. In one example, the support elements25are spaced at least 2 inches (5.08 cm) on either side from an adjacent one of the support element25or the side, back, or front of the tray24. In another embodiment, the support elements25are recessed downward toward the bottom of the basin23. In this configuration, spacing of the support elements25is less critical because the depth of the recessed support elements is such that even if cubes are held by the support elements25they are sufficiently below the top surface of the tray24so as not to obstruct movement of the plunger18and the dispenser doors20,22between the dispensing state and the non-dispensing state.

FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate a front view of another exemplary embodiment of a dispenser assembly12in a non-dispensing state (FIG. 4) and a dispensing state (FIG. 5). In this embodiment, there are no doors (e.g., the dispenser doors20,22ofFIGS. 1 and 2) separate from the plunger18, but rather the plunger18covers the entire front opening of the dispenser assembly12. A non-slip coating19is applied to the center of the plunger18where a user will press a container against the plunger18in order to create a non-slip surface19. The plunger18in the non-dispensing state rests flush with the surface of the front door14, directly below the control panel16and directly above the tray24. The plunger extends from side to side to cover the entire front opening of the dispenser.

The front surfaces of the control panel16, the plunger18, the tray24, and the front door14can fit together congruently at each part's respective edges to minimize the space or gap between the parts but providing sufficient clearance for the plunger18to operate as described below. A housing36(seeFIG. 5) can also be included as part of the dispenser assembly12, in which case, the front surfaces of the control panel16, the plunger18, the tray24, and the housing36(seeFIG. 5) can fit together congruently at each part's respective edges. The flush positioning and the close fit of the control panel16, the plunger18, the tray24, and the front surface of the front door14lessen the appearance of an interruption in the front surface of the front door14. In this configuration the dispenser assembly12is less conspicuous and/or less noticeable.

FIG. 5is a front view of the liquid, and/or solid dispenser ofFIG. 4in a dispensing state. As with the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, in the dispensing state, the plunger18is pressed into the dispenser assembly12and/or toward the back of the housing36to a dispensing position. A spring or another similar mechanism applies a force to resist moving the plunger18into the dispensing position. The resistive force is easily overcome by a user pushing against the plunger18, for instance, with a drinking glass or another container.

Seen in the cutaway section ofFIG. 5, as with the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3, the ice discharge opening28and the water discharge opening30are recessed above the plunger18, behind the control panel16. Crushed or cubed ice, can be dispensed through the ice discharge opening28, while water can be dispensed through the water discharge opening30. Being recessed above the control panel prevents the discharge openings28and30from obstructing the motion of the plunger18as it moves between the non-dispensing state and the dispensing state.

As in the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 and 3, ice discharge opening28and the water discharge opening30are also closer to the front of the dispenser assembly12than the rear of the dispenser assembly12so that the plunger18need not be pushed far to clear the area below the discharge openings28,30facilitating placement of the glass or container below the discharge openings28,30to catch water and/or ice. Otherwise, the plunger18can be adjusted to push deeper into the dispenser assembly12and/or toward the back of the housing36. The forward position of the discharge openings28,30helps create distance between the discharge openings28,30and the plunger18in the dispensing state, which helps prevent or reduce dripping or splashing onto the plunger18, and helps reduce associated stains and mineral deposits on the plunger18.

Because the front surface of the plunger18is shaped like the front surface of the appliance (e.g. with a substantially vertical surface), and because the plunger18moves from the non-dispensing position to the dispensing position along a substantially linear axis and/or in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face of the plunger or the front of the appliance, in its dispensing position, the plunger is clear from the normal line of motion of a liquid or a solid as it is dispensed from the respective discharge opening28,30and caused to fall downward by gravity. This feature also reduces the chance that unsightly liquid stains and mineral deposits will build on the plunger18. Even if liquid stains or mineral deposits occur on the plunger18, the smooth front surface of the plunger18is more easily cleaned than the multiple, more-intricate surfaces of plungers, trays, and other components of existing dispenser assemblies.

Also seen inFIG. 5is the tray24, which is as described above with respect toFIGS. 2 and 3. The plunger18and/or the dispenser doors20,22, being flush with the front surface of the front door14, conceal the top surface of the tray24, the support elements25of the tray24, the basin23, and the discharge openings28,30. Any unsightly appearance of liquid stains or mineral deposits forming on the tray24, the support elements25of the tray24, the basin23, or the discharge openings28,30are hidden from view in the non-dispensing state.

A variety of control configurations and schemes can be used to effectuate dispensing of the liquid and/or solid and actuation of the dispenser doors20,22.FIG. 6is a schematic diagram exemplifying one of the variety of control systems for use with appliances, such as the appliance ofFIG. 1, the dispenser assemblies ofFIGS. 2-5, as well as related embodiments. Referring toFIG. 6, the control system500comprises a controller502, which can further comprise a processor504, a memory506, and control circuitry508configured for controlling operation of the dispenser assembly as well as the general operation of appliance10. These components are coupled and communicate with one another when applicable via one or more busses516. Control system500further comprises a dispenser assembly control540, which further includes a first activator542, a solenoid544, and a second activator546for controlling the movement of the dispenser doors and dispensing of ice and water. In one embodiment, a delay circuit510can be employed as part of the control circuitry508to delay the plunger18and/or the dispenser doors20,22from returning to rest in the non-dispensing position.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 6, the control system500comprises a flow control device518responsive to controller502, which includes one or more valves520that control the flow of water in the ice and water dispenser of appliance10. The controller502is operatively coupled to a control panel522. The control panel522comprises one or more dispense selection controls524and an indicator control526. The controller502effectuates operation of various elements of the appliance10consistent with inputs from the control panel522and in response to activation of the water or ice dispensing function.

Configurations of the controller502include one or more groups of electrical circuits that are each configured to operate, separately or in conjunction with other electrical circuits, the fluid dispensing function of appliance10. The controller502and its constructive components are configured to communicate amongst themselves and/or with other circuits (and/or devices), which execute high-level logic functions, algorithms, as well as firmware and software instructions. Exemplary circuits of this type include, but are not limited to, discrete elements such as resistors, transistors, diodes, switches, and capacitors, as well as microprocessors and other logic devices such as field programmable gate arrays (“FPGA's”) and application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”). While all of the discrete elements, circuits, and devices function individually in a manner that is generally understood by those artisans that have ordinary skill in the electrical arts, it is their combination and integration into functional electrical groups and circuits that generally provide for concepts that are disclosed and described herein.

The electrical circuits of the controller502are sometimes implemented in a manner that can physically manifest logical operations, which are useful to facilitate various operations such as opening and closing the dispenser doors20,22and actuating the dispensing of ice and water. The electrical circuits can replicate in physical form an algorithm, a comparative analysis, and/or a decisional logic tree, each of which operates to assign the output and/or a value to the output that correctly reflects one or more of the nature, content, and origin of the changes that occur and that are reflected by the relative inputs, e.g., from sensors that monitor the position of the plunger, to the solenoid544actuating the dispenser doors20,22.

In one embodiment, the processor504is a central processing unit (CPU) such as an ASIC and/or an FPGA that is configured to control operation of the solenoid544actuating the dispenser doors20,22. The processor504can also include state machine circuitry or other suitable components capable of controlling operations. The memory506includes volatile and non-volatile memory and can be used for storage of software (or firmware) instructions and configuration settings. The control circuitry508can be embodied as multiple stand-alone components such as solid-state devices. These devices can be mounted to substrates such as printed circuit boards, which can accommodate various components including the processor504, the memory506, and other related circuitry to facilitate operation of the controller502in connection with its implementation in the appliances.

However, althoughFIG. 5shows the processor504, the memory506, and the control circuitry508as discrete circuitry and combinations of discrete components, this need not be the case. For example, one or more of these components can be contained in a single integrated circuit (IC) or other component. As another example, the processor504can include internal program memory such as RAM and/or ROM. Similarly, any one or more functions of these components can be distributed across additional components (e.g., multiple processors or other components).

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3and to the control system500ofFIG. 6, exemplary operation an implementation of the dispenser assemblies of the present disclosure is now described. To dispense a liquid or a solid, a user presses the plunger18inwardly with a glass or other container toward the back of the dispenser assembly12, thereby moving the plunger from its non-dispensing position to its dispensing position. The non-slip surface or non-slip coating19provides better friction between the plunger18and the container to make pressing on the plunger18easier. The plunger18is mechanically connected to a first activator542, which is a switch that is triggered by the linear motion (i.e., movement and/or movement to a predetermined position) of the plunger18. The first activator542is configured to trigger upon the first movement of the plunger18from the non-dispensing state toward the dispensing state. Activator542, when triggered, enables the solenoid544to be energized. The solenoid544is mechanically connected to the dispenser doors20,22, so that when the solenoid544is energized, it actuates the rotation of the dispenser doors20,22so the dispenser doors20,22swing open. The plunger18can also be connected to the solenoid544, so that the solenoid544imparts motion to the plunger18automatically once the end user moves the plunger18an initial distance to trigger the second activator542.

The plunger18is also mechanically linked with a second activator546, which is also triggered by the linear motion of the plunger18. The second activator546is configured to trigger when the plunger18reaches its dispensing position, which is at a point during the motion of the plunger18after the first activator542triggers. This point is selected to initiate the dispensing of water or ice when the glass or container is positioned to receive the water or ice. In the embodiments herein described, the dispensing position is selected to correspond with a drinking glass or another container pressed against the plunger18being approximately centered under the discharge openings28and30. In this embodiment, the plunger is manually depressed such as by engagement with the glass or container to trigger the second activator546.

In another embodiment, the second activator546is a proximity sensor in the form of an optical sensor with an emitter and a detector aligned to send signals through the space where a container will collect dispensed fluids and/or solids. The optical sensor is triggered when a container is positioned to disrupt the signals sent from the emitter from being received by the detector. In this embodiment, the plunger18can be automatically moved by the solenoid544, which is energized after triggering of the second activator542. The second activator542can be energized by initially pressing on the plunger18.

When the user removes the container, the plunger18moves from the dispensing position to the non-dispensing position with a delay. For instance, when the second activator546is a switch and the plunger18is not connected to the solenoid544, then when the plunger18moves from the dispensing position, that is, the point where the first activator546was triggered, the first activator546is released, which deactivates the dispensing of water or ice. A mechanical damper can halt or slow the movement of the plunger18to create a delay in the movement toward the non-dispensing position. When the plunger18moves past the point where the first activator542was triggered, the first activator542is released, which deactivates the solenoid544, allowing the dispenser doors20,22to close. The dispenser doors20,22are also spring-loaded, or otherwise configured to have a tension forcing the dispenser doors20,22into the closed position associated with the non-dispensing state. Movement of the dispenser doors20,22and the plunger18to the closed, non-dispensing positions, hides the tray24, the basin23, the support elements25of the tray24, the discharge openings28and30.

Alternatively, when activator546is an optical sensor, then when the container is removed and the transmission of the signals from the emitter to the detector is restored, the dispenser assembly12stops dispensing liquids or solids. The restoration of the optical signal triggers the delay circuit510. The delay circuit510initiates a delay in the movement of the plunger18toward the non-dispensing position, by delaying the deactivation of the solenoid544. When the solenoid544is deactivated, springs force the dispenser doors20,22and the plunger18into the closed and non-dispensing positions respectively. The movement of the plunger18can be suspended in a number of alternative methods. The delay allows any residual dripping of liquid from the solid discharge opening28or the liquid discharge opening30to cease before passing under the discharge openings28,30where liquid might drip onto the front surface of the plunger18.

The operation of the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 4 and 5is similar to the operation described above for the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3, but for operations or features related to the dispenser doors20,22. Referring to the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 4-5and the control system described with respect toFIG. 6, the operation of the dispenser is now described. To dispense a liquid or a solid, a user presses the plunger18inwardly with a glass or other container toward the back of the dispenser assembly12. The non-slip surface or non-slip coating19provides better friction between the plunger18and the container to make pressing on the plunger18easier.

The plunger18is depressed manually. The plunger18is mechanically connected to activator546, which is triggered by the movement of the plunger18to its dispensing position. As described with reference to the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the activator546is a switch configured to trigger at a point during the motion of the plunger18when a drinking glass or another container pressed against the plunger18is approximately centered under the solid discharge opening28and the liquid discharge opening30. The activator546, when triggered, enables the activation of the dispenser assembly12to dispense liquids or solids, depending on the selection selected by a user using the control panel522.

When the user removes the container, the plunger18moves from the dispensing position toward the non-dispensing position, with a delay. When the plunger18moves from the point where the activator546was triggered, the activator546is released, which deactivates the dispensing of water or ice. A mechanical damper institutes a delay before the plunger18continues to the non-dispensing position.

In another embodiment, after initial movement by the user using a glass or container or otherwise, the plunger18is moved to its dispensing position by the solenoid544, is energized by actuation of first activator542. Dispensing of the water or ice is then actuated by second activator546in the form of an optical proximity sensor. In this embodiment, the initial movement of the plunger18triggers the first activator542, which is a switch, to energize the solenoid544, which in turn, powers the further movement of the plunger18into the dispensing position. A container being positioned under the discharge openings28,30interrupts transmission of signals from the emitter to the detector of the optical sensor. This interruption of the signals initiates dispensing of ice or water, depending on the settings of the control panel16.

When the container is removed and the transmission of the signals from the emitter to the detector is restored, the dispenser assembly12stops dispensing water or ice. The restoration of the optical signal triggers the delay circuit510. The delay circuit510initiates a delay in the movement of the plunger18toward the non-dispensing state, by delaying the deactivation of the solenoid544. The delay allows any residual dripping of liquid from the solid discharge opening28or the liquid discharge opening30to cease before passing under the discharge openings28,30where liquid might drip onto the front surface of the plunger18. When the solenoid544is deactivated, springs force the plunger18into the non-dispensing position. Movement of the plunger18to the closed, non-dispensing position, hides the tray24, the basin23, the support elements25of the tray24, the solid discharge opening28, and the liquid discharge opening30, all of which accumulate unsightly liquid stains and mineral deposits.