FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13)
“REFRIGERATOR WITH A DISPENSING UNIT”
WHIRLPOOL OF INDIA LTD. of Plot No A4 MIDC Nagar Road, Ranjangaon , Pune -419204, India
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator wherein a dispensing unit is provided at exterior of a refrigerator.
BACKGROUND
Generally, refrigerators available in the market have dispensers that allow water to be dispensed from the interiors of the refrigerators to the outside without opening doors of the refrigerators. Since the dispensers can allow water to be dispensed without opening the doors of the refrigerators, they can prevent cold air within the refrigerators from leaking out and also provide users with ease of use of the refrigerators. The dispensers are typically installed at the doors of the refrigerators. Generally, a portion of an outer surface of a door of each refrigerator is recessed inward, and a dispenser is then installed within the recessed portion.
However, the configuration of the above described prior art has the following problems:
The water in the water tank is maintained at the substantially same temperature as the interior of the refrigerating chamber, and the water so maintained is supplied to the dispenser through a supply pipe. For reference, the temperature of the water discharged from the dispenser depends on the temperature of the water in the water tank that is based on the temperature of the refrigerating chamber. Thus, there is a problem in that the water with relatively high temperature is supplied to users through the dispenser.
To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a refrigerator with a cold water dispenser located at the RC door of the refrigerator, thereby allowing user to retrieve cold filtered water directly from refrigerator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment, a refrigerator comprising a dispensing unit has been disclosed, wherein the refrigerator comprising: a storage tank, placed in the interior of the refrigerator; a dispensing unit placed in the exterior of the refrigerator, wherein the dispensing unit configured to include a plurality of outlet; and a connecting assembly, wherein connecting assembly is configured to connect the storage tank, and the dispensing unit.
In another embodiment, the refrigerator has a first water inlet which is connected to a tube and the tube is passed through hollow bottom hinge of the refrigerator, and a second water inlet which is connected to the storage tank.
In yet an another embodiment, the storage tank has at least one inlet and at least one outlet to facilitate water flow.
In another embodiment, the dispensing unit further comprising a faucet at the dispensing outlet to provide regulated outflow, wherein the faucet is moveably attached to the dispensing outlet.
Further, in an embodiment the faucet is moveable towards the surface of refrigerator door and away from the surface of refrigerator door.
In another embodiment, the dispensing unit protrudes inward towards surface of refrigerator door by a predetermined distance.
In yet an another embodiment, the dispensing unit and the faucet are connected by a silicone tube.
Further, in another embodiment, the silicone tube connects to the faucet from rear side of refrigerator door.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference numerals have been used to refer to identical or similar functionally similar elements. The figures together with a detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and

serve to further illustrate the embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with the present invention wherein:
Figure 1 is a front view illustrating external schematic appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator along with a water supply unit and a water purifying unit, and a water tank.
Figures 3(a)-(c) illustrate routing of conduit from bottom of the refrigerator to conduit connected to interior side of the refrigerator door.
Figures 4(a)-(c) illustrate routing of conduit on the interior side of the refrigerator door.
Figures 5(a)-(c) illustrate routing of conduit from the interior side of the refrigerator door to water dispensing unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 6(a)-(d) illustrate another explored view of routing of conduit from the interior side of the refrigerator door to water dispensing unit in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
Figures 7(a) and 7(b) illustrate a sectional side view and explored view of the conduit routing from interior side of the refrigerator door to dispensing unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention refrigerator with an isolated water supply and water filtering unit. It should be understood that the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms; specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It will be appreciated as the description proceeds that the invention may be used in other types of electronic appliances and may be realized in different embodiments.

Before describing in detail embodiments it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with the present invention reside in the construction of the refrigerator, accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus. The following paragraphs explain various aspect of the present invention with reference to figures.
In an embodiment, a refrigerator comprising a dispensing unit has been disclosed, wherein the refrigerator comprising: a storage tank, placed in the interior of the refrigerator; a dispensing unit placed in the exterior of the refrigerator, wherein the dispensing unit configured to include a plurality of outlet; and a connecting assembly, wherein connecting assembly is configured to connect the storage tank, and the dispensing unit.
In another embodiment, the refrigerator has a first water inlet which is connected to a tube and the tube is passed through hollow bottom hinge of the refrigerator, and a second water inlet which is connected to the storage tank.
In yet an another embodiment, the storage tank has at least one inlet and at least one outlet to facilitate water flow.
In another embodiment, the dispensing unit further comprising a faucet at the dispensing outlet to provide regulated outflow, wherein the faucet is moveably attached to the dispensing outlet.

Further, in an embodiment the faucet is moveable towards the surface of refrigerator door and away from the surface of refrigerator door.
In another embodiment, the dispensing unit protrudes inward towards surface of refrigerator door by a predetermined distance.
In yet an another embodiment, the dispensing unit and the faucet are connected by a silicone tube.
Further, in another embodiment, the silicone tube connects to the faucet from rear side of refrigerator door.
Referring to figs. 1 and 2 which illustrate a refrigerator (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator (1) comprising a freezing compartment (FC) (2) and refrigerating compartment (RC) (3) is shown in fig. 2. A door (4) hingedly attached to the RC (3) is provided with a dispensing unit (5) located on a front surface of the RC door (4). The dispensing unit (5) allows a user to retrieve water without opening the refrigerator (1). A faucet (6) is located in the dispenser (5) which can be used by the user to retrieve the cold filtered water without opening the door (4).
Further, a storage tank (7) is located on the rear surface of the door (4) and is used to store filtered water. The filtered water can be filled in the storage tank (7) in two ways. In one way, the user can manually pour water in the storage tank (7), which is shown by opening the lid (8) provided on the storage tank (7). Alternatively, user can place an external RO water supply unit in proximity to the refrigerator (1). The installation of external RO water supply unit enables to provide an additional storage space in the refrigerator (1). The connection between the water tank and the external water supply unit shall be described herein below with respect to figs. 3-7.
Figs. 3(a)-(c) illustrate routing of tube (9) from the external water supply unit to the interior of refrigerator (1). In order to have automatic water refilling in the storage tank (7), the tube (9) is routed through a hollow bottom hinge (10) located at bottom of the door (4). To accomplish this objective, a water inlet (11) is provided at bottom end of the refrigerator (1) i.e. compressor area.

The tube (9) is routed through an anti-rodent conduit which provides us a service ease. The tube (9) coming out from the door is connected using a standard quick fit connector.
As mentioned above, the door (4) is hinged to the refrigerating compartment (RC) (3). The tube (9) thereafter enters the door (4) through a bottom hinge pin (13) in a foamed conduit (14) provided thereon as illustrated in figs 4(a)-(c). The foamed conduit (14) is robust, strong and light in weight. The tube (9) runs upwards through the hollow bottom hinge (10) in the foamed conduit (14) formed thereon. Since axis of rotation of the hollow bottom hinge (10) and the tube (9) running through the hollow bottom hinge (10) is same, the possibility of tube cracking reduces which otherwise would have occurred due to too many twists. Hence, the tube (9) is allowed to pass through the hollow bottom hinge (10) such that the axis of rotation of the hollow bottom hinge (10) and the tube (9) is same.
From the hollow bottom hinge (10), the tube (9) is routed towards dispensing unit (15) as shown in figs. 5(a)-(c). During the foaming of door, there is no appropriate interface available in the door assembly to have connection with door liner. However, the dispenser (5) has an interface which is connected with liner using appropriate seal to avoid any leak. Due to this reason, the tube (9) is routed in the dispensing unit (15).
Figs. 6(a)-(d) illustrate routing of tube (9) towards the storage tank (7). The storage tank (7) located on the rear surface of the refrigerator (1) has an inlet tube (16) and an outlet tube (17). The inlet tube (16) from the dispensing unit (15) is brought inside the storage tank (7) through the liner interface. The inlet tube (16) is then inserted in the water inlet connector (18) provided at the top of the storage tank (7). The storage tank (7) comprises a float valve (19) which ascertains the level of water stored therein and stops the flow of water connection once the water level reaches a threshold value. The outlet tube (17) is connected with the faucet (6) provided in the dispenser (5). A silicone tube (20) with minimum coefficient of friction and high gloss is assembled between the outlet tube (17) and faucet (6). The consumer can dispense cold filtered water with the help of faucet (6) located thereon.
Figs. 7(a)-(b) illustrate sectional views of routing of tube (9) from the storage tank (7) to the faucet (6). The silicone tube (20) enters into the faucet (6) from the rear side of the door (4) and

has got an air seal on faucet pipe to avoid an air loss. When user presses paddle of the faucet (6), water from the storage tank (7) through the pipe enters the faucet (6) and hence cold filtered water is served to the user.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention has following advantages:
1. The present invention is durable, unique and differentiated.
2. The present invention is easy to use.
3. The present invention prevents a need to store extra water bottles in the refrigerator.
Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

We Claim:
1. A refrigerator comprising a dispensing unit, the refrigerator comprising:
a storage tank, placed in the interior of the refrigerator;
a dispensing unit placed in the exterior of the refrigerator, wherein the dispensing unit configured to include a plurality of outlet; and
a connecting assembly, wherein connecting assembly is configured to connect the storage tank, and the dispensing unit
2. The refrigerator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the refrigerator has a first water inlet which is connected to a tube and the tube is passed through hollow bottom hinge of the refrigerator, and a second water inlet which is connected to the storage tank.
3. The refrigerator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage tank has at least one inlet and at least one outlet to facilitate water flow.
4. The refrigerator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispensing unit further comprising a faucet at the dispensing outlet to provide regulated outflow, wherein the faucet is moveably attached to the dispensing outlet.
5. The refrigerator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the faucet is moveable towards the surface of refrigerator door and away from the surface of refrigerator door.
6. The refrigerator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispensing unit protrudes inward towards surface of refrigerator door by a predetermined distance.
7. The refrigerator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispensing unit and the faucet is connected by a silicone tube.
8. The refrigerator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silicone tube connects to the faucet from rear side of refrigerator door.