Claims:We Claim:
1. A household appliance (10) comprising :
- at least one bin (12) fitted on a door(13);
characterized in that:
- at least one detachable storage box (14) fitted in a space (15) formed between said at least one bin (12) and said door (13) of said appliance (10), such that, said detachable storage box (14) acts an item dispenser.

2. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one detachable storage box (14) comprises a storage space (16), a holding element (18) extended from said storage space (16), a cover (20) and a sliding element (22) with a stopper (24).

3. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one detachable storage box (14) comprises two openings (25(a), 25(b)), one opening (25(a)) made on a side surface (14(a)) for accommodating said sliding element (22) and other opening (25(b)) made on a bottom surface (14(b)) for collecting items that are stored in said storage space (16).

4. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sliding element (22) comprises a holder (26) adapted to move said sliding element (22) from one surface of storage space (16) to another surface of storage space (16).

5. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said stopper (24) is fitted on either side of said sliding element (22) to restrict a movement of said sliding element (22) out of said storage space (16).

6. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said appliance (10) comprises multiple vertical grooves (28) and a horizontal groove (30) made on at least one portion of said door (13).

7. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said appliance (10) comprises at least one detachable storage box (32) having a protrusion (34) corresponding to at least one said vertical groove (28) of said door (13), such that, said at least one detachable storage box (32) is fitted onto said door (13).

8. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said appliance (10) comprises a collector box (36) having a protrusion (38) corresponding to said horizontal groove (30) , such that, said collector box (36) is moved along length of said horizontal groove (30).

9. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one detachable storage box (32) fitted in said at least one vertical groove (28) of said door (13), comprises an opening (40) for accommodating a sliding element (42), such that, said sliding element (42) is operated for collecting items stored in said at least one detachable storage box (32).

10. The appliance (10) as claimed in claims 1 and 6, wherein said at least one detachable storage box (14 & 32) is made of a material chosen from a group of materials comprising flexible plastic, rubber and the like
, Description:The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

Field of the invention
[0001]This disclosure relates to a household appliance with a detachable item dispenser. More particularly, it relates to a detachable storage box that acts as the item dispenser.

Background of the invention
[0002]A refrigerator is a household appliance for keeping foods and beverage at low temperature. Normally, it is preferable that water or beverage should be kept at about 4° C. temperature.Refrigerators with water and/or ice dispensing units are well known. In hot areas where tempuratue goes to above 40 degrees in summers there is high chances of items like pulses and dry fruits getting spoiled due to high tempuratue as these are meant to be store in the ambient temperature conditions. In order to protect these items from getting spoiled , the users are storing those in polybags in teh refrigerators. The present invention provides a solution to the above disclosed problem for safely storing the items (like pulses and dryfruits) inside the refrigerator.

[0003] A US patent US5570587 discloses a multifunction refrigerator comprising a cold storage room, a cereals storage room and a generating means for generating cool air from a wall face of the refrigerator and a conducting means for inducting the cool air generated from the generating means into the cold storage room and the cereals storage room. The cereals storage room comprises a rice storage room for storing rice, a discharging means for discharging the rice.

Brief description of the invention:
[0004]It is an object of the invention to provide a household appliance with a detachable item dispenser

[0005]The objects are solved by the household appliance with a detachable item dispenser having the features according to claim 1.

[0006]The invention relates to a household appliance with a detachable item dispenser. The appliance comprises at least one bin fitted on a door. The appliance further comprises at least one detachable storage box fitted in a space formed between the at least one bin and the door of the appliance, such that, the at least one detachable storage box acts an item dispenser.

[0007]A feature of this invention is that, the at least one detachable storage box comprises a storage space, a holding element extended from the storage space, a cover and a sliding element with a stopper.

[0008] Another feature of this invention is that, the at least one detachable storage box comprises two openings, one opening made on a side surface for accommodating the sliding element and other opening made on a bottom surface for collecting items that are stored in the storage space.

[0009]Another feature of this invention is that, the sliding element comprises a holder adapted to move the sliding element from one surface of storage space to another surface of storage space.

[0010] Another feature of this invention is that, the stopper is fitted on either side of the sliding element to restrict a movement of the sliding element out of the storage space.

[0011]Another feature of this invention is that, the appliance comprises multiple vertical grooves and a horizontal groove made on at least one portion of the door.

[0012]Another feature of this invention is that, the appliance comprises at least one detachable storage box having a protrusion corresponding to at least one of the vertical groove of the door, such that, the storage box is fitted onto the door.

[0013]Another feature of this invention is that, the appliance comprises a collector box having a protrusion corresponding to the horizontal groove, such that, the collector box is moved along length of the horizontal groove.

[0014]Another feature of this invention is that, the at least one detachable storage box fitted in the at least one vertical groove of the door , comprises an opening for accommodating a sliding element , such that, the sliding element is operated for collecting items stored in the at least one detachable storage box.

[0015]Another feature of this invention is that, the at least one detachable storage box is made of a material chosen from a group of materials comprising flexible plastic, rubber and the like.

[0016]With the above-disclosed at least one storage box in the household appliance, the user can store the items without getting spoiled to the outside atmosphere. The at least one detachable storage box acting as the item dispenser helps in consuming the space inside the refrigerator effectively. As the dispensers are made of flexible materials, the damage to them will be minimal while using them, making it a cost effective and simple solution. With the sliding element, the user can access the items stored in the at least one detachable storage box with much ease. Easy dispensing mechanism of the items in the at least one detachable storage box helps the user to access the stored items without much difficulty. With the above disclosed detachable storage box, the refilling of the items can be achieved effectively. Item dispenser disclosed in the present invention provides an additional storage space in the appliance.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings
An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings;
[0017] Figure 1 illustrates a household appliance with a detachable item dispenser, in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;
[0018] Figure 2 illustrates the at least one detachable storage box of the household appliance, in accordance with the present invention;
[0019] Figure 3 illustrates a household appliance with a detachable item dispenser, in accordance with an embodiment of this invention; and
[0020] Figure 4 illustrates the at least one detachable storage box of the household appliance in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments
[0021] Figure 1 illustrates a household appliance with a detachable item dispenser, in accordance to one embodiment of the invention. The appliance 10 comprises at least one at least one bin 12 fitted on a door 13. The appliance 10 further comprises at least one detachable storage box 14 fitted in a space 15 formed between the at least one bin 12 and the door 13 of the appliance 10, such that, the at least one detachable storage box 14 acts an item dispenser.

[0022] Further, the construction of the household appliance 10 and the components of the household appliance 10 are explained as follows. According to one embodiment of the invention, the household appliance is a refrigerator. The type of refrigerator is chosen from a group of refrigerators comprising a single-door refrigerator, a multi-door refrigerator and the like. The appliance 10 comprises a single-door or a multi-door based on the type of the refrigerator. The at least one bin 12 fitted on the door 13 of the appliance 10 is used to store items as known in the conventional method. The construction of the at least one bin 12 fitted on the door 13 of the appliance 10 will be in such a way that, a space/gap is formed between the at least one bin 12 and a portion of the door 13 of the appliance 10. As in the conventional appliances, the at least one bin 12 is made along the width of the door 13 of the appliance 10.

[0023]Figure 2 illustrates the at least one detachable storage box of the household appliance, in accordance with the present invention. The at least one detachable storage box 14 disclosed in the present invention acts as an additional storage box for storing the items. The detachable storage box 14 is fitted in the space/gap 15 formed between the at least one bin 12 and the door 13 of the appliance 10 as shown in the figure 1. The number of detachable storage boxes 14 are not limited to one, but can of any other number based on the requirement and the space available inside the appliance 10. The detachable storage box 14 comprises a storage space 16, a holding element 18 extended from the storage space 16, a cover 20 and a sliding element 22 with a stopper 24. The holding element 18 is made as an extension to the storage space 16 for fitting the detachable storage box 14 in the space 15 between the door 13 and the at least one bin 12. According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding element 18 is made as an integral part of the storage space 16. The holding element 18 comprises a curved surface 18(a) that is used to hang the detachable storage box 14 to the door 13 of the appliance 10.

[0024] The at least one detachable storage box 14 comprises two openings (25(a), 25(b)). One opening 25(a) is made on a side surface for accommodating the sliding element 22 and other opening 25(b) is made on a bottom surface for collecting items that are stored in the storage space 16. The two openings (25(a), 25(b)) of the detachable storage box 14 is referred as a first opening 25(a) and a second opening 25(b) for ease of understanding. The first opening 25(a) is made on the side surface of the detachable storage box 14 and the second opening 25(b) is made on the bottom surface of the detachable storage box 14. The first opening 25(a) is made with dimensions lesser than the second opening 25(b). The sliding element 22 is fitted in the first opening 25(a) of the detachable storage box 14.

[0025] The sliding element 22 comprises a holder 26 adapted to move the sliding element 22 from one surface of storage space 16 to another surface of storage space 16. According to one embodiment of the invention, the sliding element 22 is moved from one side to an opposite side of the storage space 16. The holder 26 of the sliding element 22 need not to be of the design as shown in the figure 2, but can be of any other design like a knob, protrusion, bump and the like as known to a person skilled in the art. The sliding element 22 is inserted into the first opening 25(a) during the assembly of the detachable storage box 14.

[0026]The stopper 24 is fitted on either side of the sliding element 22 to restrict a movement of the sliding element 22 out of the storage space 16. At least one stopper 24 is fitted on each side of the sliding element 22. According to one embodiment of the invention, the stopper 24 is made of a same material as of the sliding element 22. According to another embodiment of the invention, the stopper 24 is made of different material than that of the sliding element 22. The stopper 24 is fitted to the sliding element 22 using any one of the fitting technique as known to the person skilled in the art. In one instance, the stopper 24 is glued on either side of the sliding element 22. The stopper 24 restricts the movement of the sliding element 22 falling out of the storage space 16, during the access of the items that are stored inside the detachable storage box 14.

[0026] The sliding element 22 will be in the closed position during the filling of the items inside the detachable storage box 14 and acts as a bottom surface to the detachable storage box 14. The cover 20 present on the top surface of the detachable storage box 14 is made in such a way that, there won’t be any flow of air into the detachable storage box 14. The detachable storage box 14 is made as air tight, with the cover 20 having the dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the detachable storage box 14.

[0027]In one embodiment of the invention, the cover 20 comprises a gasket for tightly securing the cover on the detachable storage box 14, once the items are filled inside the storage space 16. The cover 20 comprises at least one cut-section (not shown) for receiving the gasket.

[0028]The assembly and working of the detachable storage box 14 is explained in detail. The detachable storage box 14 with the extended holding element 18 is assembled with the sliding element 22 having the stopper 24 and the cover 20. The stopper 24 is compressed while assembling the sliding element 22 inside the first opening 25(a) of the storage space 16. The cover 20 is tightly secured onto the storage space 16 once the items are filled inside the detachable storage box 14. This assembly of the detachable storage box 14 is inserted in the space 15 between the at least one bin 12 and the door 13 of the appliance 10.

[0029]The curved surface 18(a) of the holding element 18 is made such that, it fills the space 15 between the at least one bin 12 and the door 13 of the appliance 10. As the holding element 18 is made of the flexible material, removal and placing of the detachable storage box 14 is made easy. When the user wants to access/collects the items present in the storage box 14, one has to pull the sliding element 22 in such a way that, the movement of the sliding element 22 from one surface to another surface of the detachable storage box 14, opens the second opening 25(b). The items are collected into a collector (not shown) via the second opening 25(b).

[0030] Figure 3 illustrates a household appliance with a detachable item dispenser, in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. The appliance 10 comprises multiple vertical grooves 28 and a horizontal groove 30 made on at least one portion of the door 13. In one embodiment of the invention, the multiple vertical grooves 28 are made identical to each other. In another embodiment of the invention, the multiple vertical grooves 28 are made different to each other. The appliance 10 comprises at least one storage box 32 having a protrusion 34 corresponding to at least one of the vertical groove 28 of the door 13, such that, the detachable storage box 32 is fitted onto the door 13. The at least one detachable storage box 32 can be any one of the following comprising a same size storage box and a different size storage box.

[0031]The protrusion 34 on the storage box 32 is made on the back surface of the storage box 32. The protrusion 34 will be fitted into one of the vertical groove 28 on the door 13 of the appliance 10, when the storage box 32 is mounted on the door 13 of the appliance 10. The shape and size of the storage box 32 is not restricted to the one that is shown in the figure…., but can be of any other shape and size as known to a person skilled in the art.

[0032] Figure 4 illustrates the at least one detachable storage box of the household appliance in accordance with the present invention. The appliance 10 comprises a collector box 36 having a protrusion 34 corresponding to the horizontal groove 30, such that, the collector box 36 is moved along length of the horizontal groove 30. The protrusion 34 of the collector box 36 is fitted into the horizontal groove 30 using any one of the fitting technique, wherein one such technique is a snap fit technique. The horizontal groove 30 is made below the vertical grooves 28 on the door 13 of the appliance 10, such that, the collector box 36 is moved from along the length of the door 13 in the horizontal groove 30. The collector box 36 is made smaller in dimensions to that of the storage box 32. The storage box 32 comprises an opening 40 for accommodating an element 42 such that, the element 42 is operated for collecting items stored in the at least one storage box 32. The element 42 is made of a flexible material.

[0033]The assembly and working of the detachable storage box 32 and the collector 36 is explained in detail. During assembly, the protrusion of the storage box 32 is fitted in the corresponding vertical groove 28 of the door 13 of the appliance 10. The protrusion 34 and the groove 28 are made such that, the storage box 32 is fixed in an intact position. The collector box 36 is then mounted in the horizontal groove 30 by inserting the protrusion 38 into a portion of the horizontal groove 30. The protrusion 38 of the collector box 36 and the horizontal groove 30 is made such that, the collector box 36 can be moved from one end of the horizontal groove 30 to an another end , along the length of the horizontal groove 30. A force is exerted on the collector box 36 while removing after collecting the desired items from the storage boxes 32.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one storage box 32 is fitted on the door of the appliance through at least one screw 35 as shown in the figure 3. The at least one storage boxes 32 and the collector box 36 are made of flexible materials chosen from a group of materials comprising flexible plastic, rubber and the like. However, the material is not restricted to above disclosed, but can be of any other material that is known to a person skilled in the art. The items are chosen from a group of items comprising pulses, dry fruits and the like.

[0035] With the above-disclosed at least detachable one storage box (14/32) in the household appliance 10, the user can store the items without getting spoiled to the outside atmosphere. The at least one storage box (14/32) acting as the item dispenser helps in consuming the space inside the refrigerator 10 effectively. As the dispensers are made of flexible materials, the damage to them will be minimal while using them, making it a cost effective and simple solution. With the sliding element (22/42), the user can access the items stored in the storage box (14/32) with much ease.

[0036]Easy dispensing mechanism of the items in the storage box (14/32) helps the user to access the stored items without much difficulty. With the above disclosed storage box (14/32), the refilling of the items can be achieved effectively. Item dispenser disclosed in the present invention provides an additional storage space in the appliance 10.

[0037] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.

List of Reference Signs
10 household appliance
12 at least one bin
13 door of the appliance
14 at least one detachable storage box
15 space between at least one bin and door
16 storage space in storage box
18 holding element of storage box
18(a) curved surface of the holding element
20 cover of storage box
22 sliding element of storage box
24 stopper of storage box
25(a) first opening of storage box
25(b) second opening of storage box
26 holder of the sliding element of the storage box
28 vertical grooves on door of the appliance
30 horizontal groove on door of the appliance
32 at least one detachable storage box
34 protrusion made on storage box
35 screws
36 collector box
38 protrusion made on collector box
40 opening of storage box
42 sliding element of storage box