Free Stipulation - District Court of Delaware - Delaware

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE LG ELECTRONICS U.S.A., INC. and LG ELECTRONICS, INC., Plaintiffs, v. WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Defendant. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

C.A. No. 08-234 (GMS)

STIPULATION TO FILE FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED AND AGREED, by and between counsel for the parties and subject to the approval of the Court, as follows: 1. Plaintiffs LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. and LG Electronics, Inc. (collectively

"LG") may file a First Amended Complaint for Patent Infringement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. A redlined version comparing the First Amended Complaint with the original Complaint is attached hereto as Exhibit B. 2. Defendant Whirlpool Corporation ("Whirlpool") hereby consents to LG's filing

of the First Amended Complaint and agrees to accept service thereof. 3. The First Amended Complaint shall be deemed filed and served as of the date of

the Order granting this Stipulation.

Dated: September 3, 2008

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/s/ Richard K. Herrmann Richard K. Herrmann (I.D. #405) Mary B. Matterer (I.D. #2696) Amy A. Quinlan (I.D. #3021) MORRIS JAMES LLP 500 Delaware Avenue, Suite 1500 Wilmington, DE 19801-1494 (302) 888-6800 [email protected] Attorneys for Plaintiffs

/s/ Anne Shea Gaza Frederick L. Cottrell, III (I.D. #2555) Anne Shea Gaza (I.D. #4093) RICHARDS LAYTON & FINGER, P.A. One Rodney Square Wilmington, DE 19801 (302) 651-7700 [email protected] [email protected] Attorneys for Defendant

SO ORDERED this ______ day of September, 2008.

Gregory M. Sleet, Chief Judge

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EXHIBIT A

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE LG ELECTRONICS U.S.A., INC. and LG ELECTRONICS, INC., Plaintiffs, v. WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Defendant. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

C.A. No.: 08-234 (GMS) DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT Plaintiffs LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. and LG Electronics, Inc. (collectively "LG"), through counsel, allege as follows: NATURE OF THE ACTION 1. This is an action seeking redress for patent infringement under the patent laws of

the United States, Title 35, United States Code. THE PARTIES 2. Plaintiff LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. ("LG USA") is a Delaware corporation

having a principal place of business at 1000 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632. 3. Plaintiff LG Electronics, Inc. ("LG Electronics") is a Korean corporation having a

principal place of business at LG Twin Towers, 20 Yoido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Korea 150-721. 4. 5. LG U.S.A. is a wholly owned subsidiary of LG Electronics. On information and belief, Defendant Whirlpool Corporation ("Whirlpool") is a

Delaware corporation having a principal place of business at 2000 North M-63, Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022.

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JURISDICTION AND VENUE 6. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. §§

1331 and 1338(a). 7. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Whirlpool, as Whirlpool is incorporated

in the State of Delaware. 8. 1400(b). COUNT ONE: INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 7,316,121 9. 10. LG realleges and incorporates by reference each of paragraphs 1-8 above. On January 8, 2008, the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO") duly Venue is proper in this judicial district under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391(b), 1391(c), and

and legally issued U.S. Patent No. 7,316,121 ("the `121 patent"), entitled "Dispenser of Icemaker in Refrigerator." A true and correct copy of the `121 patent is attached hereto as Exhibit A. 11. LG Electronics is the owner by assignment of the '121 patent and LG USA has

the right to offer for sale and sell in the United States products covered by the `121 patent. 12. On information and belief, Whirlpool has been making, using, selling, and/or

offering for sale refrigerators that practice the invention of the `121 patent and thus infringe one or more claims of the `121 patent. Said refrigerators include, but are not limited to, Whirlpool model nos. GC5NHAXS, GF6NFEXT, GD5VVAXT, GS6NBEXR, GS6NVEXS, and GD5NVAXS. 13. On information and belief, Whirlpool has induced infringement of and

contributorily infringed the `121 patent, causing third parties to use certain refrigerators in a manner that infringes the `121 patent, including, but not limited to, Whirlpool model nos. GC5NHAXS, GF6NFEXT, GD5VVAXT, GS6NBEXR, GS6NVEXS, and GD5NVAXS. 14. On information and belief, Whirlpool has been infringing the `121 patent and will

continue to do so unless and until enjoined by this Court.

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15.

Whirlpool's acts of infringement of the `121 patent have caused LG irreparable

injury and damages in an as-yet-undetermined amount and, unless and until enjoined by this Court, will continue to do so. 16. On information and belief, Whirlpool's acts of infringement of the `121 patent

have been and continue to be willful and deliberate, rendering this case eligible for enhanced damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284 and attorney fees under 35 U.S.C. § 285. COUNT TWO: INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 6,834,922 17. 18. LG realleges and incorporates by reference each of paragraphs 1-16 above. On December 28, 2004, the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO")

duly and legally issued U.S. Patent No. 6,834,922 ("the `922 patent"), entitled "Vegetable Compartment in Refrigerator." A true and correct copy of the `922 patent is attached hereto as Exhibit B. 19. LG Electronics is the owner by assignment of the '922 patent and LG USA has

the right to offer for sale and sell in the United States products covered by the `922 patent. 20. On information and belief, Whirlpool markets, manufactures, sells, and/or offers

for sale Maytag brand refrigerators, including, but not limited to, Maytag model no. MFI2568AE. 21. On information and belief, Whirlpool markets, manufactures, sells, and/or offers

for sale Amana brand refrigerators, including, but not limited to, Amana model no. AFI2538AE. 22. On information and belief, Whirlpool markets, manufactures, sells, and/or offers

for sale KitchenAid brand refrigerators, including, but not limited to, KitchenAid model no. KBFS20ETSS. 23. On information and belief, Whirlpool markets, manufactures, sells, and/or offers

for sale Jenn-Air brand refrigerators, including, but not limited to, Jenn-Air model no. JFI2089AEP.

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24.

On information and belief, Whirlpool has been making, using, selling, and/or

offering for sale refrigerators that practice the invention of the `922 patent and thus infringe one or more claims of the `922 patent. Said refrigerators include, but are not limited to, Whirlpool model nos. GX5FHDXT and GC5NHAXS, Maytag model no. MFI2568AE, Amana model no. AFI2538AE, KitchenAid model no. KBFS20ETSS, and Jenn-Air model no. JFI2089AEP. 25. On information and belief, Whirlpool has induced infringement of and

contributorily infringed the `922 patent. 26. On information and belief, Whirlpool has been infringing the `922 patent and will

continue to do so unless and until enjoined by this Court. 27. Whirlpool's acts of infringement of the `922 patent have caused LG irreparable

injury and damages in an as-yet-undetermined amount and, unless and until enjoined by this Court, will continue to do so. 28. On information and belief, Whirlpool's acts of infringement of the `922 patent

have been and continue to be willful and deliberate, rendering this case eligible for enhanced damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284 and attorney fees under 35 U.S.C. § 285. COUNT THREE: INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 7,147,292 29. 30. LG realleges and incorporates by reference each of paragraphs 1-28 above. On December 12, 2006, the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO")

duly and legally issued U.S. Patent No. 7,147,292 ("the `292 patent"), entitled "Obturator for Refrigerator." A true and correct copy of the `292 patent is attached hereto as Exhibit C. 31. LG Electronics is the owner by assignment of the '292 patent and LG USA has

the right to offer for sale and sell in the United States products covered by the `292 patent. 32. On information and belief, Whirlpool markets, manufactures, sells, and/or offers

for sale Maytag brand refrigerators, including, but not limited to, Maytag model no. MFI2568AE.

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33.

On information and belief, Whirlpool has been making, using, selling, and/or

offering for sale refrigerators that practice the invention of the `292 patent and thus infringe one or more claims of the `292 patent. Said refrigerators include, but are not limited to, Maytag model no. MFI2568AE. 34. On information and belief, Whirlpool has induced infringement of and

contributorily infringed the `292 patent. 35. On information and belief, Whirlpool has been infringing the `292 patent and will

continue to do so unless and until enjoined by this Court. 36. Whirlpool's acts of infringement of the `292 patent have caused LG irreparable

injury and damages in an as-yet-undetermined amount and, unless and until enjoined by this Court, will continue to do so. 37. On information and belief, Whirlpool's acts of infringement of the `292 patent

have been and continue to be willful and deliberate, rendering this case eligible for enhanced damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284 and attorney fees under 35 U.S.C. § 285. COUNT FOUR: INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 7,383,689 38. 39. LG realleges and incorporates by reference each of paragraphs 1-37 above. On June 10, 2008, the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO") duly

and legally issued U.S. Patent No. 7,383,689 ("the `689 patent"), entitled "Dispenser of Icemaker in Refrigerator." A true and correct copy of the `689 patent is attached hereto as Exhibit D. 40. LG is the owner by assignment of the `689 patent and LG U.S.A. has the right to

offer for sale and sell in the United States products covered by the `689 patent. 41. On information and belief, Whirlpool markets, manufactures, sells, and/or offers

for sale refrigerators, including, but not limited to, Whirlpool model nos. GC5NHAXS, GF6NFEXT, GD5VVAXT, GS6NBEXR, GS6NVEXS, and GD5NVAXS. 42. On information and belief, Whirlpool has been making, using, selling, and/or

offering for sale refrigerators that practice the invention of the `689 patent and thus infringe one

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or more claims of the `689 patent. Said refrigerators include, but are not limited to, Whirlpool model nos. GC5NHAXS, GF6NFEXT, GD5VVAXT, GS6NBEXR, GS6NVEXS, and GD5NVAXS. 43. On information and belief, Whirlpool has induced infringement of and

contributorily infringed the `689 patent. 44. On information and belief, Whirlpool has been infringing the `689 patent and will

continue to do so unless and until enjoined by this Court. 45. Whirlpool's acts of infringement of the `689 patent have caused LG irreparable

injury and damages in an as-yet-undetermined amount and, unless and until enjoined by this Court, will continue to do so. 46. On information and belief, Whirlpool's acts of infringement of the `689 patent

have been and continue to be willful and deliberate, rendering the case eligible for enhanced damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284 and attorney fees under 35 U.S.C. § 285. PRAYER FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, LG respectfully requests the following relief: A. the entry of judgment that Whirlpool has infringed one or more claims of

the '121, '922, `292, and `689 patents; B. the entry of judgment that Whirlpool's infringement of the '121, '922,

`292, and `689 patents has been deliberate and willful; C. a permanent injunction enjoining Whirlpool, its officers, agents, servants,

employees, and attorneys, and those persons in active concert or participation with them, from further infringement of the '121, '922, `292, and `689 patents; D. the entry of judgment awarding LG damages for Whirlpool's

infringement of the '121, '922, `292, and `689 patents; E. the entry of judgment awarding LG enhanced damages up to three times

their amount pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 284;

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F.

the entry of judgment awarding LG pre- and post-judgment interest on its

damages, together with all costs and expenses; G. the entry of judgment awarding LG reasonable attorney fees pursuant to

35 U.S.C. § 285; and H. such other relief as this Court may deem just and proper. By: /s/ Richard K. Herrmann Richard K. Herrmann (I.D. #405) Mary B. Matterer (I.D. #2696) Amy A. Quinlan (I.D. #3021) MORRIS JAMES LLP 500 Delaware Avenue Suite 1500 Wilmington, Delaware 19801 (302) 888-6800 [email protected] Attorneys for Plaintiffs LG ELECTRONICS U.S.A., INC. AND LG ELECTRONICS, INC. Of Counsel: Patrick J. Coyne Richard L. Stroup Andrew C. Sonu Walter D. Davis, Jr. Jeffrey W. Abraham Hayley S. Weimer [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER, L.L.P. 901 New York Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001-4413 Telephone: (202) 408-4000 Facsimile: (202) 408-4400

Dated: September 3, 2008

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EXHIBIT D

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US007383689B2

(12)

United States Patent
Lee et a].
D)ISPENSEROIFICEMAKMA IN RIfRIGERATOR inventors: Weok Yong Lee, Gwanginycong-si (KR); Eat Yeop Chung, Seoul (KR); Seung Hima Oh, Seoul (Kit); Myung Ryui Lee, Seongnaau-si (KR); Citing HtoSeo, Scout (Kit); Seong.boe Kini, Ansan-si (KR); Sung Hloon Chung, Seoul (KR) Assignee: LG Electronics Inc., Seoul (KR)

(10)
(45)

Patent No.: Date of Patent:

US 7,383,689 B2

*Jun. 10, 2008

(54) (75)

Sec application file for complete search history. References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 2,078,097 A 4/1937 RadAinsky

(Continued) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 0449061 311991

(73)

*)Notice:

Subject to any disclaimer, thie term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 (lays. ThIiis patent is subject to a tenni nal dis claimer.

(Continued) OrTI IER PUBLICATIONS European Search Report dated Nov. 29, 2004; Apptication No. IT 04 t00 946t1(3 Pages). (Continued)

(21) (22)

Appi. No.: 11/835,561 Filed: Aug.8, 2007
Prior Publtcation Data

Primary Exaniner-Williamn E'rapolcii (74) Attorne)y Agent, or Firmi-Fish & Richardson P.C. Nov. 29, 2007 (57) ABSTRACT

US 2007/0271949A I

Related U.S. Application Data (63)
(30) Sep. 17, 2003 (51) flit. Ci.

Continuation of application No. 10/ 833,009, filed on Apr. 28, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,316,121.
Foreign Application Priority Data (KR)................. 10-2(W3-0064503

(52) (58)

t,25C 5/18 (2006.01) 18671) 5/62 (2006.01 j U.S. CI....................... 62/98; 62/389; 222/559; 141/174 Field of Classification Search........ 62/389-390; 141/174; 222/146.6, 504, 530, 526, 538, 222/559, 561

I)isclosed is a dispenser of tin icemiker in a refrigerator for maximizing al jiner space when a total size is the same, and foriminmzing the total size when the inner space is the smite. The dispenser of the icemaker in the refrigerator includes an ice chute being a passage through which the ice produced from the iceniaiker is discharged; and a container supporter provided at an outer case and disposed to be perpendicular to an outer surfaice of the outer case when the ice is discharged outside through the ice chute, the contain supporter allowing a container seated Ihererin to receive the ice discharged fromi the ice chtec. The ice chute is closed and not exposed outside when the ice-dlischarging process is finished, and the conlWinner supporter is not exposed to the outer surface of the outer case. 92 Claims, 15 l)rawing Sheets

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US 7,383,689 B2
Page 2 U.S. P)VIT-INT'DOCUMENTS 2,126,491 2.462,743 2,512,395 3,429,140 3,476,295 3,747,363 3,851,939 4,209,999 4,227,383 4,252,002 4,284,212 4,739,629 5, 112,477 5,269,154 5,297.400 5,490,547 5,542,265 5,683,015 5,797,524 5,927,557 5,956,967 6,050,097 6,082,130 6,101,835 A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A MCcrllia Handul Surndherg While Teller Gr"in,, B3enasuti Falk Iforvay Mullins, Ift Caswell 6,135,173 6,148,624 6 286,324 6,314,745 6,351,958 6,595,021 6,648,187 6,651,449 6,679,082 7,316,121 2001/0030201 A A III BIi 131 132 111 132 131 B2 Al Lee Bishop Pastryk Janke Pastryk Skinner Shypkcowski Hleinis Tunzi Lee et al ................. Genhardt

621344

IFORrIIGN iMFN I)DOCUMENTS 50-69644 51-4116 51-021164 58-74086 2002-115960 2001-0005331 6/1975 2/1976 2/1976 10/1989 4/2002 1/2001I

Lentz Btisick et al. Kint Nelson Pastiyk 11.1.ch,

222/185.1

aIrER PUB3LIcivrIOINS ....... Japan Office Action with English Translation dated Dec. 19, 2006. Application No. 2004-1 59282 (4 pages).

*ciutd by examiner

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U.S. Patent

U.S. Patent 2008 Jun.10,

Shieet 1 of 15US73,69B US 7,383,689 B2

FIG. 1

Prior Art

30

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Sheet 2 of 15

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Prior Art

2011

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US 7,383,689 B2

FIG. 3 Prior Art

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U.Jun. 10, 2008 S. Patent

'Sheet 4 of 15Us73,69B US 7,383 689 B2

FIG. 4

Prior Art

10

174

ICE

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sheet 5 of] 5Us73,69B US 7,383,689 B2

FIG. 5
Prior Art
10

21

22

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Sheet 6 of 15

US 7,383,689 B2

FIG. 6
10

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Sheet 7 of 15US73,69B US 7,383fi89 B2

FIG. 7

311 310 326

321 3220 322 0321a

!

325

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Sheet 8 or 15US73,69B US 7,383,689 B2

FIG. 8

311 310-

0 322 321a

1177-27

400

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FIG. 9

351 350

360

450

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U.S. Patent

U.S. Patent 2008 Jun. 10,

US Sheet 10 of 15US73,69B 7,383,689 B2

FIG. 10

31

3360

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U.Jun. 10, 2008 S. Patent

Sheet 11 ofrl5Us73,69BUS 7,383,689 B2

FIG. 11

31 $

c 2q~q362

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Sheet 12 of 15

US.79383,689 112

FIG. 12

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Sheet 13 of 15Us73,69BUS 7,383,689 B2

FIG. 13

360
k

,362

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Sheet 14 of 15

U.S.Patet B2 Jn. Seet14 7,383,689 1, 208 o15US

FIG. 14A

360 363 ,362

)500

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Sheet 15 of 15 -

U.S.Patet B2 Jn.208 o 7,383,689 1, Seet15 15US

FIG. 14B

360 .363

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US 7,383,689 B2 1
DISPE,NSERI OF ICEIMAKER IN lREFIRIGERNFAl()i

2

lower part of the ice-niaking chamber II. The ice needs to be separate([ from a SUrfance ofthe ice-raking chanber foerbeing mocved.Thlic hater 17 hteats a lower surface of the ice-miaking CROSS_-U.lF,'RrNCHTO1 RELAITI) chamber It and increases a temperature thereof foarrmelting a 5 surface of thie ice so as to move the ice. APPLICAKIONS At a door I of the cooling chamber of the refrigerator, thle Thiis application claims the benielit of Korean Application ice bank 20 and a dispenser 30 are provided except the iceNo. P2003-64503, filed onl Sep. 17, 2003, which is hereby maker 10i.'The ice bank 20 is sin apparatus for storing the ice incorporated by reference as if fully setfortnh herein. produced from tile icenmaker 10 and discharging the ice when 10 a user wants the ice to use. BACKGROUND OF TI 113 INVENTION Refe~rrinig to FIG. 5,the ice hank 20 includes art ice remover 21, a motor 20 for rotating the ice rermover, anl ice crusher 23, 1.Field of the Invent ion and anl ice discharger 24. Theli present invention relates to adispenser ofan iceniaker The ice remover 21 foimed in a spiral] formi remnoves the ice in a refrigerator, and more part icularly, to the dispenser of the 1S supplied fromi iceinaker 10 to thie ice crusher 23 when the the ice-making apparatus with a structure for maximizing anl motor 22 rotates. inner space of the refrigerator. The ice passed through the crusher 23 is discharged to thie 2. Discussion ofrthe Related Art dispenser 30 through the ice discharger 24. The dispenser 30 In general, a refrigerator is divided into a coolingechamber includes a discharging passage .l :and a container supporter and a freezer. The cooling chamber keeps a temperifture at 20 35 provided at a lower part of'the discharging passage. abottt 30 C.-4' C. for keepiog food and vegetables fresh for a T'he discharging passage 31 includes an ilet provided on long time, Thie fincezer keeps a temperature atl a sub-zero anl inner wall] of the door 1. an outl provided oiona outer wall temiperature for keeping and storing meat and fish froizen for of thle door 1,arid a pipe foer conimunicatirng the inlet with the atlong time and for making and storing ice. outlet. Ini this case, (lie inlet of tlie discharging passage is 'The recent refrigerator is developed for performing various 25 provided at a higher place than the otitlet. additional functions besides a typical function thereof. The T'heconitainersupporter35 is provided at alowerpart oftlie iceniaker is one of the additional Fuinctions. discharging passage. Ini more detail, avertical plaiie provided FIG. I illustrates a schemiatic diagrani showing a convenon.the outerwall of the doorat a lowerpart of the outlet ofthe tional refrigerator. FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram discharging passage 31 irncluides a groove formed in a quadshowing all interior oftheic refrigerattor including a conven- 30riltral forml, tional ice-making apparatus. FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic A process of discharging the ice froma the ice-miaking appadiagram showing anl icernaker ofa conventional ice-making ratus stimcted as aforementioned will be described as folapparalus. FIG. 4 illtusmaoes a diagram showing a process of lows. discharging the ice from an icemoker. VIG. 5 illustrates anl ice 35 Fi n, tIe icerirker being stupplied with water through a banik of an ice-tuakig apparatus in the conventional refrigwatersipply pipe produces; the ice,mand removes the ice to the erator. ice hank provided at a lowerpari ofrthe icennaker by usingtile Referring to IFIG. I to FIG. 5, an iceniaker 10 is fixed at all ejector. uipper part of the freezer in the refrigerator. The icernaker 10 'lice ice bank storing the ice discharges the ice outside is atdevice for freezinrg water ,arid automatically discharging ice. 40 through the ice-discharging passage when the user wants to use the ice.TIhe ice discharged outside is entered into a conA sItructuore of at conventional i ceinaker I1t includes ain tainer aiid provided to thle user, the container securely prorce-making chamber 11, awatersurpplier 12 providedat aside vided on the container supporter including lIre groove formed of tire ice-raking chamber 11 for supplying water to tire on the outer wall of the door. ice-making chamber 11, a controllIer 13 provided onl outside However, the dispenser of thie iceniaker has following of the icc-mnaking chamber 11 and having a motor (riot 45 problems. First, the container supporter of tile dispenser ejector for discharging the ice produced from shown), ajid ain includes the groove with a predetermined depth on the outer thie ice-mnaking chamber 11. wall of the door of thie refrigerator. Accordingly, the door Ala rear side of the ice-miaking chamber It), acoupler I5 needs to be thicker than apredetennined thickness. The thick is provided for coupling the icennaker 10 with thefreezer of the refrigerator. 5o door takes tip mutch of'an inner space of thle refigerator. Thlerefore, a total sizeoft(le refrigerator is increased when the 'Fhe ice-miaking chamber I11 fonied in asemii-cylindricail is inner space of the refirigerator is made to bie larger than a forni arid having a pnojection I Ia therein for dividing the pre(determined size. iner space such that thie ice is produced in a predetermined Second, ail outlet side of thle dischiargi ng passage of the size. Thle ejector 14 includes anl axis formed to cross a center of 55 dispenser is exposed outside and dirt is collected thereon reSUlting in a problerm of7poultirng tie ice discharged outside the ice-muaking chamber I I and a plurality of ejector fins 14a by the dirt. formied at a side ofthle axis of the ejector 14. Ilie plurality of ejector fins 14a is a mieans of discharging the produced ice to SUMMARY OF I'l IE INVENTION the ice bank 20. A sliding bar 16 is pirtivided at a side of the plurality of 60 Accordingly, tlie present invention is directed to a disejector fis 14a for sliding the produced ice down. Ini more penscrol'an icenmaker in arefrigerator that substantiallyobvidetail, the ice moved by the pltrrality of ejector tins 14a are placed onl thie sliding bar 16, then slid down along tile sliding ates one or more problems due to limitations arid disadvanbar 16, and moved into anl inside ofan ice banik 20 formed at tages of the related art. a lower part of thle icemnaker. 65 Ani object of the present invention is to prolvide anl apparaFIG. 4 illustrates a process of discharging ice from thie tuls having a function of discharging ice with adispenserof ari iceniqker 10 to the ice bank 20. A heater 17 is provided at a icernaker for maximizing anl inner space of the apparatus.

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Another object of the present invention is to provide an Tie contailner supporter inceludes a rack provided at a botapparatus having a function of discharging ice with a distonli sutrface thereof, and a pinlion provided under the rack and penser of an iceinaker for minimizing a total size of the mnated witli tile rack. dispenser. Contrary to tile structure mnltioned above, tIle container A further object of the present invention is to provide an 5 sulpporter may be provided under the ice chlute aind have ain apparatus having a function of discharging ice with a disend being rotatably coupled with thie front surface oftheouter penser of an iceniaker for conmpletely iskilatingan insidetfan case. outer case front an outside thercor. The cointaitner supporter is rotated downward to be perpenAdditional advantages, objects, and features of the invendicular to the front surface of tile outer case wihein thi6 ice is tion will be set forth in part in the description which follows to dischlarged. The conltainer supportercloses tile ice chte when and in part wilt becomec apparet to those having ordinary tile ice is not discharged. skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be hle container supporter incluldes a rotating axis hlorizonlearnedt Fromk practice of thie invention. 'Ilie objectives and tally provided at an eid of tile outer wall of the outer case, a other advantages of thie invention may be realized and driven gear provided at the retailg axis, and a driving gear attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written 1nited withl tile driven gear. description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawOwing to fire dhispenlser oftIle iceilnaker with afoaremenings. tionled stricture, an'inner space of tile ice-dischlarging appaTb achieve these objects andi oiler advianges andi in accorrtus suchl as a refrigerator is maximized nr a total size ofrthe dance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and 20apparatus is nminimized. broadly described herein, a dispenser of ain icernaker of thie 20 It is to be understood that bothl[tie foregoing general present invention includesman ice chute provided asa passage description aild the following detailed description of the through which the ice produced from thie icemaker provided presenlt invention are exemplary and explanatory and are inside of ank outer case is discharged, and a container supintended to provide furtlher explanation of the invention as porter provided at the outer case and disposed to be perpenkdicular to an outer surface of tIle outer case when the ice is 25 cla imned. discharged outside through the ice chute, the container supBRIFF DESCRIPTION OP THEF DRAWINGS porter aillowitng a container seated thereon to receive the ice discharged from the ice chute. The accompanying drawings, whichl are included to proThe ice chutec is closed and not exposed outside when thie ice is not discharged, Thle ice chute includes a first chute 30vide a further unlderstanlditig of the invention and are incorporated in atid Constitulte a part of tl1 is application, illustrate having an inlet provided on an inner watl ofra front surface of' enihodinient(s) oft[le inlvention aild togethler with the descriptle outer case and a passage extended downward fina wall tion serve to explain tIle principle of tile invention, In the direction of tire outer case, and a sl iding tmeniher having a drawings; second chute diagonally extended, thie sliding tmember mov35FIG. I il lustrates a schematic diagram showing a Coinvenling Forward to be perpendicular to the front surface of the tionial refrigerator. outer case for conkinunicatinlg the second chute with tile first FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagramn showing an interior chllue when the ice is discharged, and being inlserted into the oftflierefrigeratorinllcuding a conlventional ice-nikakinlgappaouter case when the ice is not discharged. rattis. Tlie sliding member further includes atrack provided at a bottom surface thereof, nnd a pinion provided at atbottonm of 40 FIG. 3 illustrates a9 schematic diagram showing an icethle rack and mnated with the rack. miaker of atconvenltionial ice-mnaking apparatus. The dispenser of thie icenmaker further inceludes a cover FIG. 4 illustratles a diagram showing a process of dischlarghaving a first end coupled withia lower end of a Front surface ig ice From an iceiaker. 7 ofthe sliding member, and a seconld end extended upward atid 1 1G. 5 illustrates an ice batik of an ice-making apparatus in Fixed on the Front surface of the outer case. 45 tIle conventionial refrigerator. Meanwhile, the ice chlute includes oil ice-discharging pipe FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram showing a refrigerator with a having an ilet provided on an ininer sturtace of ithe outer case dispenser of an ice-ninaking apparatus in accordance with a and ain outlet provided oin an outer surface of the outer case, firsi embodinment of the present ilnvenltion. and atcover provided at thie oulter case foaropening aind closing FIG. 7 illustrates a nmagnified view of a dispenser of an tIle oillet of the ice-discharging pi.pe. 10 ice-making apparatus in accordance with a first enmbodimIenlt In this case, thie cover is rolatably provided gronid a top of fie presenlt invelitionl. end being coupled withi the froult suirliceof'thie outer case.'IThe I'IG. 8 illustrates a diagram showing a dispenser ofran cover also includes a stubsidiary pipe provided oin a portion ice-mintg apparatus in a state or dischlarging ice accordance being ill contact with the outlet portion ofthle ice-discharging pipe to be insertet into ain inside of a passagcoil the outlet side 55withl a first emlbodimleIlt of tile preseilt inventioln. FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram showing a dispenser of an offthe ice discharging pipe. ice-niakinlg apparatus in accordance with a second cimbodiThre subsidiary pipe comprises an ice-passing hole at at nment of the present invention. tower part thereof for dischlarging the ice when the cover is FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram shlowing a dispenser of an~ rotated upward. Thle conltailner supporter is rotated downward to be perpen- 60 ice-nlaking apparatus ili a state ofdliscllarging ice accordance with a second enmbodinment of tIle present invention. dicular to the front surface of thie outer case whlen [the ice is FIG. II illustrates a diagrami showing a dispenser of an discharged. The container supporter rotates upwardlanld coyice-miaking apparatus in a state of discharging ice accordance en tile cover. witi a third embodimnent ofrthe preseint inveiltion. The dispenserof thie icenmaker further inlcludes a link iimher for coupling tIle conitaitner supporter withI the cover. 65 FIG. 12 illustrates a diagraml showing a dispenser of an ITle coinainer supporter is inserted into a wall of the outer ice-iakinig apparatus in accordance with a fourth emnbodicase when the ice is not discharged through the ice chlute, mlent of the presenlt inventiojn.

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Contrary to the above statement, the sliding member 320 FIG. 13 il lustrates atdiagram showing a dispenser of an can he automatically inserted and ejected. Forthis, the sliding iwe-makingiapparatus in astale of discharging ice accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. member includes a 'rack 322 provided at a lower surface FIGS. 14A and 1413 illustrate a diagramti showing a couthereof, and a piniotn 323 provided at a lower part of the rack plingnmaterial in accordance with a focurth emrbodiment of the 5 322. A inotor (not illustrated) driven by acotntroller rotates the present invention. pinion 323. In other words, whetn the user wants to use thie ice and DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF I I1'INVENTION presses ain ejection button provided at the controller (not illustrated), tie miotor rotates the pinion 323 aid the rack 322 Reference will now be made in detail to the prefierred 10 to, and projects the sliding niernber320 byanmoving the slidling embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are tuember 320 toward the front. The first chute 310 and the illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possecond chute 321 ate communicated to discharge the ice. sible, the samte reference numbers will be used throughout the When the process fordischargingthe ice is finished, the motor drawings to refer to the samne or like parts. is inversely rotated to insert (lie slidiing tnember 320 into the fingeneral, an iceinaker is an apparatus for freezing sup- i5 groove so as to close the ice chute 3100. plied waler in a predetermined size and discharging outtside The dispenser of icemtaker with a structure mentioned for supplying ice to a userwhen thie user wants to use the ice. above,' further includes acover325 having a first end coupled The icernaker provides crushed ice or uncrushied ice to the with afront lowerenid of the sliding niemberand a second end user in accordance with a choice of the user. fixed (in the front surface ofrthe door I. The cover 325 covers In general, a refrigerator is provided with the iceniakier, 20 an external appearanceof the icechute300 as well os prevents however, may be provided with a drinking apparatus such as dirt from being collected oin a top surface of the sliding a purifier. member. Ilereinaller, a preferred embodiment of the dispenser disIs it desirable that a pipe for supplying drinking water is charging and supplying the ice to the user outside will be provided between the cover 325 and the door]I so as tosupply described refer-ing to FIG. 6 and FIG. 15 in accordance with 25 water in the container provided at the container supporter 400 the icermaker with such runction~ mentioned above. when thie user wants water or water with the ice. Referring to FIG. 6 to FIG. 7, a first embodiment of the At the container supporter 400, a container for receiving dispenser of the iceniaker in accordance with the present the discharged ice is provided at alower part of the ice chute. invention includes an ice chute 300 provided at a door and The container supporter 400 is provided at the lbrininga front surfaccof an oultercase of therefrigerator, and 30 the front surface of thie outer case, projected door t forming vertically above it container supporter 400 provided at a lower part of thie ice the front surface of the door I whetn the ice is discharged to chute 300. outside through thie ice chute 300. The ice chute 300 is a passage through which thie ice Contrary to this, when thie ice is not discharged, the conproduced from the iceinaker is discharged. It is desirable that the passage is closed for preventing the ice from being 35tamer supporter is inserted into the groove 41 formed on the door. In this case, it is desirable that the containersupporter is exposed outside when the ice is not discharged. not proijected to outside of the dloor and having a guide railI I other words, the ice chute 300 includes an inlet through provided at the groove for smoothly nioving, which the ice is inserted fromt a side of the iceingler, and an ]In this case, the container suipporter 40011 includes a handle outlet through which thie ice is discharged. When the ice is not discharged, it is desirable thiat the outlet 40 (tiot illustrated) on the front surface thereof so as to be inserted and ejected manually. is closed for prevetiting dirt loan being collected thereon. The dispenser also includes a spring or anl oil pressure Ice chute 300 includes afirst chute 310 having anl til 311 means (tnot illustrated) provided between arearsurface of the provided orn inner wall of the door aid a passage extended sliditng member 320 and the groove for pressing the rear botionaward in adirection of an outer wall of the door, and a si dintg member 3201 with a second chute 321I coimmu ni cat in 41 surface of the container supporter, ond a binding for biding the sliding member. When thie binding is released, thie sliding with the first chute 311) when the ice is discharged and having member is ejected onl the firont of the door. If a firont surface of an outlet 32 fi exposed outside. the sliding tmenmber is pressed, the sliding member is inserted Iti more detail, the sliding member 3201 moves toward thie into the groove and locked by the biding. front of the door land projects to be perpendicular to thie front surface of the door. In this instance, the second chute 321 is 50 Contrary to this, the container supporter canl be automnatically inserted or ejected. For this, the container supporter, as communicated with the first chute 310. the sliding member, includes the rack provided at the lower When the ice is tnot discharged from thie ice chute, the surfilce thereon nid the pinion providedia the lower part of' sliding member 320) is inserted into a groove formed on the thie nick, the pinion rotaaly provided outer surface of the door 1.- In this case, it is desirable that (lie sliding member 320 is not projected towaid outside of the s5 For this, the sliding member incltudes a rack 322 provided door surlace and thie sliding miember includes a guide rail for on a lower surface thereol and a pinion provided at a lower a smooth movemntr.'The sliding member 320 also includes at part ofthe rack and matted withitherack so as to rotate together by a motor (not illustrated) driven by a controller. handle onl a front surilee thereof for being manually inserted or ejecte(d. fInother words, when (lie user wants thie ice and presses the The dispenser also itncludes a spring or an oil pressure 60 eject ion biltton, tlie nmotor rotates the pinion atid the rack, and means (not illustratedl) provided between arear surface of (lie the container supporter is moved to thie firont and projected onl sliding memiber 320 and the groove for pressing a rear surface the front( of (lie door. When the ice discharging process is offtie container supporter.T'he dispenser includes a binding finished, the motor is itnversely rotated to insert the sliding for biding the sliding member. When the binding is released, metiber 320 into the groove. In the disperiserof the icemnaker thie sliding member is ejected to a front of the door. If front 65 with thie structure mentioned above, it is desirable that the fa surface ofthe sliding member is pressed, the sliding member cotntainer supporter 410 is ejected earlier than the sliding is inserted into the groove atid locked by the biding. member 320.

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In ofherwords, itI is desirablefthat thie ice is discharged after subsidiary pipe 362 includes thle portion la onl the outer wall of the door, the portion la integrated with the cover 360. thfe container supporter is ejected, the container is provided onl top of thle container supporter, and the sliding member is The dispenser of thle icemiaker with the structure nientioned above is a third embodiment illustrated in lFIG. 11. In accorejected. A second embodiment of the dispenser of the icemuoker in 5dance with the third enibodiment of thle present invention, the accordance with (lie present invention will be described in other coniponents except thie structtre of the third embodireference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 10. loent is the samne as (lie second embodiment and it will be Referring to FIG. 9, the dispenser of thle iceinaker includes omitted. anlice-discharging pipe, [he pipe having an inlet 351 formed Meanwhile, the contaiiier supporter 460 covers thle cover onl an inner surface of the door I of the refrigerator aiid ain io 360 as illustrated in FIG. 12 to lFIG. 14. Ilie structure menoutlet 352 formied on an outer surface orthe door, acover360 tioned above is a fourth enibodiment. In accordance with the provided onl the outer surface of the door for opening and present invent ion, all other compositions except the compoclosing the outlet 352, and a container supporter 450 having ntents explained below are lie same as the second and lie third the container securely provided thereon for receiving the ice etmibodimniits. discharged outside through (lie ice-discharging pipe. 15 In accordance with lie present invention, as illustrated in Thle inlet 351 is provided at ain upper part of the outlet 352 FIG. (4, the dispeiieroft[le icernaker includes a link member lbr discharginig the ice inserted from (lie iceinaker by gravity. 500 coupling (lie container supporter 460 and the cover 360. Thie cover 360 having a top end coupled with thie door I of lie The liink meniher 500 has a first end coupled with the lower refrigerator is rotatably provided around the top end 361. side of thfe cover 360 aiid a second end coupled with a side of The cover360falso includes asubsidiary pipe362 provided 20 (lie container supporter 460. For this, (lie link member onl tile inner surface of the cover in contact with (lie outlet of includes a top coupler 501 retatably coupled with the lower the ice-d isch arginog pipe so as to insert the ice hito (lie insi de side (ifthe cover, and a hotltoin coupler 502 having a first end ofrpassage onl a side of (lie outlet 352 offthe ice-dischuarging m(tatably coupled with a second end of the top coupler and a pipe. second end rotutably coupled with (ile lower side of thie conThe subsidiary pipe 362 includes an ice-passing hole 363 25 tainer supporter.provided at a lower part thereof in ogler to discharge the ice Contrary to the above statemient, the l ink tieniber 500 may when the top cover is rotated upward, include a soft string 503. Ibe link member 500 beconies In other words, when the cover 3601 is rotated, the iceparallel to thle cover for supporting weight of the container passing hole 363 of the subsidiary pipe 362 is exposed to the supporter having the container when the container supporter outside of the ice-discharging pipe 350 and the ice is dis- 30 is rotated downward to be perpendicular to the outer wall of charged. In this instance, aii end 364 of the subsidiary pipe is the outer case for discharging the ice. not exposed to thle outside of tife ice-discharging pilie. The contaitier supporter 460 is automatically rotated. For Although the tiger can manual ly opens and closes the cover this, (lie container supporter 460 includes a rotating axis 461 360, the outlet of the ice-discharging pipe is automatically provided horizomitallyaranend coupled with the outerwall of opened and closed in accordance with the second embodi- 35 the outercase, a driveti gear 462 provided at the rotating axis, nient. anid a driving gear 463 nmed with the driven gear for driving Meanwhile, thle container supporter 450 is provided at (lie the driven gear. lower part of the cover and has anl end rouatably coupled with Thiedispenlseroftlie iceiiia&er withitthestructurenieitioned the front surface of (lie refrigerator. above is operated as follows. First, when thle user wants the When the ice is discharged, the container supporter 450 is 40 ice aiid presses the ejection button of the controller, (lie conrotated downward around the lower end 451 to be projected tmer supporters (400, 450, 460)mar provided to be perpenvertically onl the firont surface of the door 1. diCLlarto the front surface of the doorof the refrigerator. Whien thle ice is not discharged, (ile container supporter is For this, thle container supporter 400 in the first eniodirotated upward around the lowerend 451 to be in contact with ileiil of the present invention is withdrhawn to tile front surfarce thle front surface orfile door. 45 of tile door by the rotation of the piniion and the container Although not illustrated, in the present embodinient, the supporters 450 and 460 in the second and fourth eniodicontainer supporter and the cover are formed in asemiicircular mninsare rotated dowiiward by the driving gear tocbe perpenforni for anl external appearance. dicular to the front surface of the door. It is desirable that grooves formed in samne folmis as thle Next, when tile ice chiute300and 350 are opened, thle ice is cover and (lie container supporter ore provided oihthe outer 5o discharged outside and received into the container provided wall of thle door such that the container supporter ;and the oil top of the container supporter. Then, the user takes the ice cover are not projected onl the front stuffice of the door when to put iii a beverage or in food. The opening process of the ice thle ice is notudischarged. In thermean tinie, when tile ice is not chute is described above and a detailed description wilt be discharged, it is not thie cover but thle container supporter omitted. (directlyopening and closing the ice cliuIc. 55 When the ice is discharged as much as the user neceds, (lie ie container supporter 450 autonatic;dly rotates and containier supporter is inserted into the inside of the groove includes a rotating axis provided horizontally at anl end provided at thfe door or is rotated upward by (ile driving gear, coupled with the outer wall of the outer case, a driven gear and adhered to thle front surface of the door to be horizointal provided at the rotating axis, and a driving ger coupled with thereto iniaccordance, with (lie presetit enibodimnit. T'len, the (ile driven gear. The structure will be described again in 60 container supporter or thle cover closes thle outlet of thle ice describinig a fourth embodiment ofrthe present invention. chute, The moctor operated by the controller (not illustrated) Effects of the present iiivention with above mentioned rotates the driving gear. The rotating method is applicable to structure is summarized as follows. First, a space taketi by the a rotation of the cover 360. container supporter or the ice chute isminimized and an inner Contrary to thle above statement, aportion la located at anl 65 space of thieref'rigerator or an apparatuis with anl ice-disclharginside of thie cover on the outer wall of the door and (lie cover ing Functiomi is maximized in accordance with die present 360 are fornied as a single body, and thle top portion of (lie invention,

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Second, the space taken by thle container supporter of thie '7.7ilenmethiod of dispensing water into acontainer of claim 5 wherein moving the chute of the water dispensing mechiaice chute is mIniiaized and the Iola] size of the refrigerator or the apparatus with an ice-discharging function is minimized nismi to the position at which water dispensed through the chute will be received by the container includes activating an in accordance with thie present invention. Third, thle outlet of the ice chute provided onl the ice dis- 5 input device to cause amechanical drive mechanism to tmove charging passage is completely closed when the ice is not thle chutte. discharged inorderto prevent the dirt from beingcollcctcd on S. Theinethodof dispensing water itnto acontinerof claim 7wherein byactivating thle input device to causethe mechanithe passage fi accordance with thle present invention. Fourth, the external appearance is improved because the cal drive riechianistti to move the chute, a force is generated in ice chuteand thie container supporterare not prwjectedoutuside to excess of a force applied by a user or caved-in in accordance with the present invention. 9. The methodof dispensing water into acontaincrofclaim It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various 5 wherein moving thle chute of the water dispensing mediaimodifications and variations canl be made in the prcsent nisin to the position at which water dispensed through the invention without departing fimm thie spirit or scope of the chute will be received by the container includes moving the invent ions. Thus, it is intended that thie present invention t15 chute to a position outtside of the outer surface of the applicovers the modi ficat ions Land variations of this inoven tion proance. vided they come within the scope of the appended claims and 10. The method of dispensing water into a cotntainer of their equivalents. claim I wherein dispensing water into tile conainer includes dispensing water fina liquid state into the container. What is claimed is: 11. The niethod of dispensing water into a container of into a container using a 2 1. A method of dispensing water claim t wherein dispensing water into thie container includes dispenser of ani appliance, the method comprising: dispense water in a frozen state, as ice, into the container. moving acontainer support orthogonal to anl outer surface 12. [he method of dispensing water into a container of of an appliance, front a retracted position at which a claim I whereiit dispensing water into tlie container inclutdes portion of tile container support is positioned behind the 25 di spensing water in a liquid state and water in a frozen state, outer surface of the appliance to a projected position at as ice, into the container simultaneously. which thie portion of the container support is positioned II. Fie method of dispensing water into a container of in front of the outer surflce of thle appliance; claim I further comprising retracting thle container support receiving a container onl thle container support when the from tlie projected poisition to the retracted position. container support is in the projected position; and 3 14. Ihe method of dispensing water into a contaitier of dispensing water through a chute and into thie container. claim I wherein moving the container support orthogonal to 2.Thelieletod of dispensing water into a container of fclaim the outer surface of the appliance, fromua retracted position the I wherein moving thle container support ortitogonal to the at which tlte portion of the container support is positioned outer surface of the appliaaice, from tle retracted posit ion at behitnd thle outer surface of the appliance to the projected which the portion of the container support is positioned 35 positiont at which the portion ofrthe container support is posibhin d the "L surface of the applIiatice ito the projected iter tioned in front of the outer surface of tlie appliance includes posit ion aitwhich the portion of the container support is posi moving the container support from the retracted position at tioned in front of tlie outer surface of the appliance incltudes which the entire container support is positioned behind the manually moving the container support fromi thle relmhcted outer sttrface of the appliance. position to tlie projected position. 40 15. Thie method of dispensing water into a container of .3.'Theiellhod ofdispetisinigwater into aconitainerofclaimi claim I wherein moving the container support orthogonal to I wherein moving the container support orthogonal to the thle oitter surface of the appliance, fromt thle retracted position outer surface of thle appliance, from the retracted position at at which the portion of the container support is positioned which the portion of the container support is positioned behind the outer surface of tlie appliance to thie projected behitnd the outer surface of the appliance to thie projected 45 position at which the portion of the container support is posiposition ait which thle portion of the container support is positioned in front of thle outer surface of thie appliance includes tiotied in front ofithe outer surface offthe appliance includes moving thie container support along a plane perpendicular to activating an itnput device to cause a tmechanical drive niecliathe outer sutrface of the application. DiFanl to move the container support from the retracted posi16. A method of dispetising water into a container rising a tioti to thie projected position. 50 dispenser ofan appliance, the method comprising: 4.Theniethod ofdispensingwater into a cointainerofclaini receivitng [user input at an input control; 3 where in, by activating thie in put device to ca use the0 responsive to the received user input, generating a force mechanical drive mechanism to move the container support, other than the user input received at the input control aiid a force is generated in excess Ofra force applied by aIuser. sufficietnt to move a chute ofa water dispensing nechia5. Theimethod ofIdispensing water into a container ofeclaim 55 jusin from a finat position behind anl outer surface ofan 1 whereina dispensing water though a chiute autd into the coliappliance to a second position in frnt of the outer surtainer iticlutdes: face of thle appliance; moving a chute of a water dispensing mechanism to a applying thle force to the chute of the water dispensing position at which water dispensed through thiechiutecwill mechtanismi; be received by the container; and] 60 movtng the chute of water dispensing mechanism from fthe enabling thle water dispensing mchnism to dispense thie first position behitnd the outer surface of the appliwater through thie chute into the container, ance to thle second position in front of the outer surface 6.Thle method ordispensing water into acontainerof'claim of the appliance; and 5 wherein moving the chute of the water dispensing inecliaenabling the water dispensing miechanismn to dispense nisin to thle position at which wvater dispentsed though the 65 water though the chute into acontainer. chute will be received by thle container includes matnually 17. The method of dispensing water into a container of moving the chute, claim 16 wherein generating thle force other than thle user

Case 1:08-cv-00234-GMS

Document 19-2

Filed 09/03/2008

Page 89 of 92

US 7,383,689 B2
includes enabling the water dispensing niechanisni to dispense water in a liquid state through thle chute into thle contion behind the outer surface of thle appliance to the second tainer. position in frontl Of thle Outer surlhce of the appliance comn25. Thle method of dispensing water into a container of prises, responsive to the received user input, activating a 5 claitm 16 wherein enabling the water dispensing mechanism spring to cause a force sufficient to move the chute of thle to dispense water through the chute into the container water dispensing niechanisn. includes enabling the water dispenising mechanism to dismSThe method of dispensing water into a container of perise water in afroizen state, as ice, through the chutte into the claini 16 wherein generating the force other than the user container. input received at the input control and sufficient to move (lie to 26. A method of dispensing water into a container using a chte of the water dispensing mechanism from thle first posidispenser of an appliance, thie niethod comprising: tion behind (lie outer surface of the appliance to the second extending a container support along a plane perpendicular position in front of the outer surface of the appliance comnto anl outer surface of'an appliance frm a withdrmwn position to an extended position; prises, responsive to thie received user input, activating a miotor to cause a fon:e sufficientuto move the chutco fthe wvater 15 receiving a container onl the contaitier support wlicn thie dispensing mechanism. container support is fit the extended position; 19. 'The miethiod of dispensing water into a container of moving Jil outlet of a water dispetising miechanismi to a posit ion at which thle outlet of the water dispenising cla itm 16 further comprising: moving a container support orthogonal to anl outer surface mechanism is outside ofrthe outer surface of the appliof an appliance, from a retracted position at which a 20 ance: aiid portion of thle container support is positioned behind the enabling the water dispensing miechanism to dispetse out er su1rface of tile appliance to a pro,jected posit ion at water inito the container. which tile portion of the container support is positioned 27. 'thle method of dispensing water into a container of in ront or.the ouiter Sturratce of thie appli ance; and claimi 26 wherein extending the container support along thie receiving a container on thle container support when the 25 plane perpendicularlto the outersurfaceofthe appliance firom container support is in the projected position. thle withidrawn position to the extended Position includes 20). 'The method of dispensing water into a cotitainer of' nianually moving the container support along the plane perplaidicular to the outer surface of the appliaJnce froma the claim 19 wherein moving thiecontainier support orthogonal to the outer surface of thle appliance, fronm thie retracted position withdrawn position to the extended position. at which thle portion of thie container support is positioned 30 28. 'fle tiethod of dispensiJig water into a container of behind the outer surface of the appliance to tile projected claim 26 whiereini extendiJig the conitainier support along the position at which the portion of thle container support is posiplanie perpendicularto theouWersurface ofthieappliance fromn tioned in front of the outer surface of the appliance includes the withdrant position to the extended position includes manually moving the container support from thre retmicted activating a mechanical drive mechanistm to miove the conlposition to the projecd position. is tamner support along the plante perpendicular to the outer 21. The method of dispenising water into a container of surface of the applianice from thle withdrawn position to thle claim 19 wherein moving the container support orthogonal to extended positioti.' the outer surface of die appliance, from the retracted position 29. The method of dispensing water into a container of at which the portion of'the container support is positioned claim 28 wherein, by activating the mechanical drive mechlabehind the outer surfbce of the appliance to the pinjected 40 iiisin to move the container support, a force is generated in position at which the portion of thle container support is posiexcess of a force applied by a user. tioned in front of the outer sutrface of thie appliance includes 30. The method of dispensing water into a container of activating an input device to cause amechanical drive tmichaclaim 26 wherein moving the outlet of thle water dispensing nismn to move the container support fromn the retracted posiniechanism to the position at which thle outlet of the water tion to the projected position. 45 dispensing mechanism is outside of the outer surface ofrthe 22. TIhe niethod of'dispensing water into a container of appliance includes manually moving the outlet of thle water claim 19 wherein moving the container support orthogonal to dispe