WATER DISPENSER NOZZLE FOR AN APPLIANCE
A nozzle for dispensing water from an appliance is provided. The nozzle decreases the velocity of water flow so as to reduce or eliminate water splashing out of a consumer's container during dispensing while still providing a rate of flow sufficient to timely fill the container. The nozzle also retains sufficient capillary action so as to reduce or eliminate water draining from the dispenser after the consumer has removed the container. Additional aesthetic features may also be provided in certain exemplary embodiments.
1 . A refrigerator appliance, comprising:
a cabinet defining a chilled chamber for receipt of food articles;
a door mounted to said cabinet, said door configured for permitting selective access to the chilled chamber of said cabinet;
a dispenser mounted to said door, said dispenser defining a dispensing recess and including a nozzle for dispensing water that comprises:
a fluid inlet having an inlet cross-sectional area, CA INLET ;
a plurality of fluid outlets having a total outlet cross-sectional area, CA OUTLET , wherein CA OUTLET is greater than CA INLET .
2 . A refrigerator appliance as in claim 1 , further comprising a tube defining said fluid inlet, said tube configured for connection with a water supply.
3 . A refrigerator appliance as in claim 2 , further comprising a nozzle base connected with said tube and defining said plurality of fluid outlets.
4 . A refrigerator appliance as in claim 3 , further comprising a nozzle cap into which a distal and of said tube is received, and wherein said nozzle base defines a recess into which said nozzle cap is received.
5 . A refrigerator appliance as in claim 4 , wherein said nozzle base is ultrasonically welded to said nozzle cap.
6 . A refrigerator appliance as in claim 3 , wherein said nozzle base comprises a translucent or transparent material and has a circumferentially-extending surface configured with a plurality of facets extending longitudinally along the direction of water flow through the nozzle.
7 . A refrigerator appliance as in claim 6 , further comprising a light source configured for directing light into said nozzle base for transmission through said plurality of facets.
8 . A refrigerator appliance as in claim 1 , wherein said fluid outlets each have an internal diameter in the range of about 0.1 inch to about 0.15 inch so as to provide capillary action in each of said fluid outlets.
9 . A refrigerator appliance as in claim 1 , wherein said fluid outlets are positioned in a circular manner relative to each other.
10 . A water dispenser nozzle for an appliance, comprising:
a tube defining a fluid inlet to the nozzle, said fluid inlet having an inlet cross-sectional area, CA INLET ; and,
a nozzle base defining a plurality of fluid outlets configured for receiving water from said fluid inlet, said plurality of fluids outlets having a total outlet cross-sectional area, CA OUTLET , wherein CA OUTLET is greater than CA INLET .
11 . A water dispenser nozzle for an appliance as in claim 10 , wherein said fluid outlets each have an internal diameter in the range of 0.1 inch to 0.15 inch.
12 . A water dispenser nozzle for an appliance as in claim 10 , wherein said fluid outlets are positioned in a non-circular manner relative to each other.
13 . A water dispenser nozzle for an appliance as in claim 10 , further comprising a cap connected with said tube, and wherein said nozzle base defines a recess into which a said cap is received.
14 . A water dispenser nozzle for an appliance as in claim 13 , wherein said nozzle base is ultrasonically welded to said cap.
15 . A water dispenser nozzle for an appliance as in claim 10 , wherein said nozzle base comprises a light transmissive material and has a circumferentially-extending surface configured with a plurality of facets extending longitudinally along the direction of water flow through the nozzle.
16 . A water dispenser nozzle for an appliance as in claim 15 , further comprising a light source configured for directing light into said nozzle base for transmission through said plurality of facets.
17 . A water dispenser nozzle for an appliance as in claim 16 , wherein said light source comprises a light emitting diode.