Importance

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Abstract

The invention relates to assemblies for use with refrigerators and refrigerators utilizing such assemblies to enable dispensing of cold water or ice made from purified water. Refrigerators of this type are provided with a unit which dispenses the cold water or ice and which units usually include a water input, and may on some occasions, include a valve in the input line. This latter valve is designed to open and close when the unit requires makeup water. An assembly is used in conjunction with the refrigerator and which assembly generally comprises a support means in the form of a cabinet for retaining a flask of purified water in an inverted position and where the water from the flask is introduced into a holding chamber in the cabinet. The water is pumped from the holding chamber by means of a pump in the cabinet, to the unit in the refrigerator through the water input. Further, a switch is electrically connected to the pump and is operable in response to the opening and closing of the valve for causing energization and de-energization of the pump. In an alternate embodiment, a water purifier, as for example, a zeolite exchange resin unit may be provided in place of the flask of purified water as means to provide a source of purified water.

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First Claim