The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 20, 2004
Filed:
Jan. 27, 2003
Todd J. Tunzi, Amana, IA (US);
Maytag Corporation, Newton, IA (US);
Abstract
A refrigerator includes a dispensing assembly having a service zone recessed in an outer portion of the freezer door, an ice passage formed in a freezer door, and a chute member arranged at the service zone. The ice passage is aligned with an outlet of an ice maker unit and leads to the service zone for delivering ice pieces from the ice maker unit to the service zone. Further, the chute member is movable between a first position, wherein ice pieces delivered from the ice maker are directed into the service zone, and a second position, wherein ice piece delivered from the ice maker are diverted away from the freezer door and outside of the service zone to enhance the filling of oversized containers. The dispensing assembly also includes a drip tray for collecting excess water droplets, with the drip tray being substantially hidden within the freezer door.