Dispenser and refrigerator having the same

Abstract

A dispenser and a refrigerator with the same are provided, the dispenser comprising a dispenser housing with an accommodating space therein, and a water supply unit disposed in the accommodating space, and implemented to adjust at least one of height and direction thereof, whereby the position of water outlet can be varied so as to facilitate a water reception.

1 . A dispenser comprising:
 a dispenser housing having an accommodating space therein; and   a water supply unit disposed in the accommodating space and capable of adjusting at least one of height and direction thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the water supply unit comprises a flexible tube connected to a water supply tube, and a nozzle coupled to the flexible tube. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible tube is disposed inside the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible tube has a length long enough to be extended. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein a nozzle coupling portion to which the nozzle is separably coupled is formed at the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein a protrusion is protruded from one of contact surfaces between the nozzle coupling portion and the nozzle, and a protrusion receiving portion for receiving the protrusion is formed at the other contact surface. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 4 , further comprising a winding unit on which the flexible tube is wound. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein the winding unit comprises a sheave having a circumference on which the flexible tube is wound, and supporting bars for supporting the sheave. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 8 , wherein the winding unit further comprises an elastic member for applying an elastic force to the sheave so as to be restored to an original position thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A refrigerator having a dispenser comprising:
 a refrigerator main body having a cooling chamber therein;   a door configured to open/close the cooling chamber; and   a dispenser according to  claim 1 , disposed at the door.   
     
     
         11 . A refrigerator having a dispenser comprising:
 a refrigerator main body having a cooling chamber therein;   a door configured to open/close the cooling chamber; and   a dispenser disposed at the door,   wherein the dispenser comprises:   a housing having an accommodating space therein;   a flexible tube received inside the housing; and   a nozzle connected to an end portion of the flexible tube.   
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein the nozzle is rotatable with respect to the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible tube has a length long enough to be extended from the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein a nozzle coupling portion to which the nozzle is separably coupled is formed at the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator of  claim 14 , wherein a protrusion is protruded from one of contact surfaces between the nozzle coupling portion and the nozzle, and a protrusion receiving portion for receiving the protrusion is formed at the other contact surface. 
     
     
         16 . The refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein the dispenser further comprises a winding unit on which the flexible tube is wound. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigerator of  claim 16 , wherein the winding unit comprises a sheave having a circumference on which the flexible tube is wound, and a supporting bar for supporting sheave. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigerator of  claim 17 , wherein the winding unit further comprises an elastic member for applying an elastic force to the sheave so as to be restored to an original position thereof.