Dispenser and refrigerator having the same

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided in which, when a structure that secures space to place a container is provided in a dispenser, an object can be dispensed from the dispenser regardless of the position of the structure. The dispenser includes a dispensing port in which an object is dispensed, a switch installed in the dispensing port to dispense the object, a support pivotally installed in the dispensing port and unfoldable from a folded state to place various vessels thereon, and an access portion of the support providing access to the switch to activate the switch in the folded state of the support. The access portion may be a cut-off portion such that the switch is inserted into the support to be exposed or an auxiliary switch to transmit force to the switch when the object is dispensed to indirectly activate the switch. Moreover, the support may directly access the switch.

1 . A refrigerator including a door, comprising: 
 a dispenser allowing an object to be dispensed, comprising: 
 a dispensing port providing an outlet through which the object is dispensed;  
 an actuating switch installed in the dispensing port allowing a user to actuate the switch to dispense the object;  
 a support pivotally installed in the dispensing port and movable from a folded state of being folded into the dispensing port to an unfolded state of being pivotally folded away from within the dispensing port; and  
 an access portion of the support providing access to the actuating switch to activate the actuating switch by the user in the folded state of the support.  
   
   
   
       2 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the access portion of the support is a cut-off portion such that the actuating switch is inserted into the cut-off portion of the support to be exposed when the support is in the folded state.  
   
   
       3 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the access portion of the support is an auxiliary switch to transmit a force applied by the user to the actuating switch when the object is dispensed to indirectly activate the actuating switch.  
   
   
       4 . The refrigerator according to  claim 3 , wherein the auxiliary switch comprises: 
 an actuating member moved toward the actuating switch due to an external force applied when the object is dispensed to activate the actuating switch; and    an elastic member elastically returning the actuating member to an original position.    
   
   
       5 . The refrigerator according to  claim 4 , wherein an end of the actuating member protrudes further forward than a front side of the support.  
   
   
       6 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the support is able to be pivoted toward and actuate the actuating switch in the folded state of being folded into the dispensing port.  
   
   
       7 . The refrigerator according to  claim 6 , wherein the dispenser further comprises a return device provided at a rear side of the support to return the support to an original position.  
   
   
       8 . The refrigerator according to  claim 7 , wherein the return device includes a supporting member contacting the rear side of the support and an elastic member elastically biasing the supporting member to the support.  
   
   
       9 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein a front side of the support is curved to naturally contact an outer surface of a circular vessel when the object is being dispensed.  
   
   
       10 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser further comprises a water tray installed lower than the support to collect remnant generated when the object is being dispensed, the water tray protruding further forward than a front side of the support when the support is in the folded state of being folded into the dispensing port.  
   
   
       11 . The refrigerator according to  claim 10 , wherein a rear side of the support comprises a collecting recess to collect remaining water dropped down on the rear side of the support in the unfolded state of being pivotally folded away from within the dispensing port when the object is dispensed.  
   
   
       12 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , further comprising an insulator provided in the support to prevent chilled air from being lost through the dispensing port.  
   
   
       13 . A dispenser installed to a refrigerator to allow an object to be dispensed, the dispenser comprising: 
 a dispensing port providing access for a vessel to accommodate an object when the object is dispensed;    an actuating switch installed in the dispensing port allowing a user to actuate the switch to dispense the object;    a support pivotable in an upward direction and a downward direction, the support pivotally attached to a lower end of the dispensing port; and    an access portion of the support providing access to the actuating switch by the user when the support is in a state in which the support is pivoted in an upward direction.    
   
   
       14 . A dispenser installed to a refrigerator, comprising: 
 a dispensing port;    an actuating switch situated within the dispensing port and capable of being actuated to dispense an object; and    a pivotable support capable of supporting a vessel for receipt of the object pivotally attached to a lower end of the dispenser, the pivotable support being pivotable from a substantially vertical position within the dispensing port to a substantially horizontal position, the pivotable support having a curved front surface curved to contact an outer surface of a circular vessel.    
   
   
       15 . The dispenser according to  claim 14 , further comprising a collecting recess disposed within a rear surface of the support to collect the object when the object is dispensed.