IP Library Granted Patent US 7,810,345
Granted Patent B2
US 7,810,345 · App. 11/908,761 · Granted Oct 12, 2010

Refrigerating apparatus with a liquid supply system

Assignee: ELTEK S.p.A.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,810,345
App. No.
11/908,761
Granted
Oct 12, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A refrigerating apparatus, particularly a household refrigerator, has a liquid-supply system for a user device forming part of the apparatus, particularly a dispenser of a consumable product. The apparatus further comprises a protection system arranged for preventing flooding deriving from possible leakage of liquid, in particular from at least one of said supply system and said user device.

Claims (60)

1. A refrigerating apparatus, having a liquid-supply system for a user device belonging to the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a protection system arranged for preventing flooding deriving from a leakage of liquid from at least one of said supply system and said user device, wherein the protection system comprises at least one from among:

a container for collecting liquid leaking from the user device;

a tray arranged for collecting liquid leaking from a container for accumulating the liquid or tank,

a tray arranged for collecting liquid leaking from a pipe forming part of at least one of said supply system and said user device;

a basin, to which said tray is hydraulically connected;

a peripheral pipe that surrounds at least partially a pipe of at least one of said supply system and said user device;

a peripheral pipe that surrounds at least partially a discharge pipe;

a basin, in which said peripheral pipe is designed to convey leakage liquid;

liquid-detection means, operatively associated to at least one of said tray and said basin;

a discharge pipe arranged for evacuating liquid leaking from the apparatus;

means of forced discharge, arranged for evacuating liquid leaking from the apparatus;

shutoff means operating along a pipe for supply of the liquid;

shutoff means operating along a pipe in which leakage liquid passes;

a connection pipe set between a first container and a second container for collecting leakage liquid;

interconnection means for connecting together two distinct portions of a pipe for passage of liquid;

interconnection means operative for connecting together two distinct portions of said peripheral pipe;

interconnection means arranged for mutual mechanical and/or hydraulic and/or electrical coupling; and

means for checking a state of coupling of interconnection means.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the supply system comprises at least one from among:

a container for accumulating the liquid, or tank;

a pipe for supply of the liquid, designed to be connected to a water-supply system external to the apparatus;

a container for accumulating the liquid, or tank, supplied via a supply pipe which can be connected to a water system external to the apparatus,

shutoff means operating along a pipe for supply of the liquid; and

interconnection means, for connecting together in a sealed way two distinct portions of a pipe for passage of liquid.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the supply system comprises a container for accumulating the liquid, or tank, and the protection system comprises a collection container, or tray, set underneath the tank and in the proximity thereof, the tray being arranged for collecting liquid leaking from the tank.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein connected to the tray is a pipe for evacuation of the leakage liquid collected by the tray.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the evacuation pipe is configured as a tube for discharge by gravity and is arranged for direct or indirect connection to a system for water discharge external to the apparatus.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein provided along the evacuation pipe is a shutoff means and/or operatively associated to the tray are detection means for detecting leakage liquid.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the supply system comprises a pipe for supply of the liquid, or first pipe, which can be connected to a water-supply system external to the apparatus, and the protection system comprises a second pipe that encloses at least in part the first pipe, between the first pipe and the second pipe there being defined a gap, designed to receive leakage liquid that comes out of the first pipe.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the second pipe is arranged for conveying the leakage liquid received in said gap into a collection container, or basin, operatively positioned within the apparatus.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the supply system comprises a container for accumulating the liquid, or tank, to which said supply pipe is connected, and the protection system comprises a second collection container, or tray, set underneath the tank and in the proximity thereof, the tray being arranged for collecting liquid leaking from the tank and being in turn connected, via an evacuation pipe, to the basin.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the protection system comprises a basin that is in hydraulic communication with a discharge tube arranged for connection to a discharge system external to the apparatus.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the protection system comprises a basin, operatively associated to which are detection means for detecting leakage liquid, used for the purposes of control of at least one of a means of forced discharge and a shutoff means.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the protection system comprises a first hydraulic connector and a second hydraulic connector arranged for mutual coupling, each connector defining two distinct hydraulic passages, the passages of one connector being connected in a sealed way to the passages of the other connector following upon the coupling between the two connectors.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a substantial part of the protection system is associated to a door of the apparatus.

14. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein at least said tank and said tray are in a door of the apparatus.

15. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the evacuation pipe is connected to a further collection container, or basin and connected to said basin is at least one of:

a tray set underneath a liquid dispenser; and

a tray arranged for collecting condensate liquid caused following upon a step of defrosting of the apparatus.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a pipe of at least one from among said supply system, user device and protection system is equipped with means of connection or joining comprising a first part and a second part, which can undergo mutual mechanical and/or hydraulic and/or electrical coupling, with associated sensor or detection means for verifying a state of said coupling.

17. An apparatus that uses a liquid, having a fixed structure, associated in a movable way to which is at least one door, the apparatus having a liquid-supply system for a user device, where at least one substantial part of at least one of said supply system and said user device is carried by said door, wherein the apparatus further comprises a protection system arranged for preventing flooding deriving from a leakage of liquid from at least one of said supply system and said user device, wherein the protection system comprises at least one from among:

a container for collecting liquid leaking from the user device;

a tray arranged for collecting liquid leaking from a container for accumulating the liquid or tank,

a tray arranged for collecting liquid leaking from a pipe forming part of at least one of said supply system and said user device;

a basin, to which said tray is hydraulically connected;

a peripheral pipe that surrounds at least partially a pipe of at least one of said supply system and said user device;

a peripheral pipe that surrounds at least partially a discharge pipe;

a basin, in which said peripheral pipe is designed to convey leakage liquid;

liquid-detection means, operatively associated to at least one of said tray and said basin;

a discharge pipe arranged for evacuating liquid leaking from the apparatus;

means of forced discharge, arranged for evacuating liquid leaking from the apparatus;

shutoff means operating along a pipe for supply of the liquid;

shutoff means operating along a pipe in which leakage liquid passes;

a connection pipe set between a first container and a second container for collecting leakage liquid;

interconnection means for connecting together two distinct portions of a pipe for passage of liquid;

interconnection means operative for connecting together two distinct portions of said peripheral pipe;

interconnection means arranged for mutual mechanical and/or hydraulic and/or electrical coupling; and

means for checking a state of coupling of interconnection means;

and wherein the protection system comprises first protection means carried by said door.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein said protection system comprises at least one of additional protection means housed within said fixed structure and additional protection means extending at least partially outside of said fixed structure.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2007
From: NEBBIA, FABIO; GADINI, COSTANZO; PERUCCA, GIOVANNI; PIVETTA, FIORENZO
To: ELTEK S.P.A.
Reel/Frame 019830/0070 →
Priority Claims (1)
IT TO2005A0164 · Mar 15, 2005 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080168791A1 · Jul 17, 2008