Patent ID: 7841493

Claim:
A dispenser for a refrigerator, comprising: a cover configured to selectively open and close an opening of a duct through which contents are discharged from the dispenser; an actuator configured to transmit an external force to the cover to selectively open and close the opening; and a damping system configured to interact with the actuator so as to regulate movement of the cover, wherein the damping system includes: a first elastic member configured to provide an elastic force to the cover; and a damping member configured to control an opening velocity and a closing velocity of the cover, wherein the first elastic member and the damping member are configured to exert forces in opposite directions and then exert forces in the same direction so as to open the cover, and wherein the elastic member and the damping member are configured to exert forces in the same direction and then exert forces in opposite directions so as to close the cover.