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:
Aug. 21, 2012
Filed:
Jan. 21, 2008
Kevin M. Chase, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Ronald L. Voglewede, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Jonathan C. Valentine, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Peter J. Richmond, Berrien Springs, MI (US);
Randell L. Jeffery, Stevensville, MI (US);
Martin P. Winik, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Tony L. Koenigsknecht, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Kevin M. Chase, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Ronald L. Voglewede, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Jonathan C. Valentine, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Peter J. Richmond, Berrien Springs, MI (US);
Randell L. Jeffery, Stevensville, MI (US);
Martin P. Winik, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Tony L. Koenigsknecht, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A refrigerator includes a dispenser having a dispenser well, a control for regulating a product dispensing operation, and a select fill sensor system for automatically initiating and terminating the dispensing operation. The sensor system includes a touch sensor mounted in the dispenser well and configured to sense the selection of a desired product level. A feedback array indicates the product level selected and tracks the product level within a container during the dispensing operation. The control automatically initiates a product dispensing operation based on the selection of a product level and the presence of the container in the dispenser well, and automatically terminates the dispensing operation when the product level in the container reaches the selected product level. In this manner, a hands-free dispenser is provided that can be utilized regardless of the shape or size of container utilized.