CA1110151A - Foam in place breaker strip seal - Google Patents

Foam in place breaker strip seal

Info

Publication number
CA1110151A
CA1110151A CA290,224A CA290224A CA1110151A CA 1110151 A CA1110151 A CA 1110151A CA 290224 A CA290224 A CA 290224A CA 1110151 A CA1110151 A CA 1110151A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
joint
foam
breaker
insulation
cavity
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA290,224A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ivan Lapczak
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canadian Appliance Manufacturing Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Canadian Appliance Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Canadian Appliance Manufacturing Co Ltd filed Critical Canadian Appliance Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority to CA290,224A priority Critical patent/CA1110151A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1110151A publication Critical patent/CA1110151A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00General constructional features
    • F25D23/06Walls
    • F25D23/062Walls defining a cabinet
    • F25D23/064Walls defining a cabinet formed by moulding, e.g. moulding in situ
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00General constructional features
    • F25D23/08Parts formed wholly or mainly of plastics materials
    • F25D23/082Strips
    • F25D23/085Breaking strips

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the foam in place insulation of a refrigerator cabinet using extrusion molded breaker strips, an improved method of sealing the abutting corners of the breaker strips. In the method a piece of polyethylene sponge is wedged between the abutting corners to contain the insulation during the foaming process. Subsequently any sponge projecting from the outside of the joint is trimmed off, and the joint caulked with silicone rubber.

Description

~ CASE 2527 This invention relates to refrigera-ting appliances generally of a domestic type. It particularly relates -to such appliances wherein an insulating foam is expanded ~ithin cavity walls of the appliance. Still more particularly it relates to improvements in the sealing of thermal breaker strips that join the cavity walls whereby the breaker strips may be employed effectively to retain the foam during the insulating process.
In appliances of the above type two related methods are commonly employed for the in situ type of foam insulation o~ the cavity walls. In both methods a reactant system is compounded; in the one method the system is allowed to react partially external to the cavity, and prior to set up the relati-vely viscous mixture is injected into the cavity. In the second method the liquid reactants are merely poured through one or more openings in the back of the cabinet; the mobile liquids runs down the inner surfaces of -the cavity walls and tends to expand from the bottom of the cavity upwards. This second method is particularly testing of any imperfections in the wall structure, for the pressure generated as the foam expands tends to force the mobile liquid through only minute fissures. Unfortunately it is precisely in the area of the breaker strip joints where the liquid reactants tends to drain and accumulate, the cabine-t during this foaming method being oriented with its open front downward. Temporary rubber gaskets have been employed to seal in this area. However, these require frequent replacement due to the adherence of foam to the gasket. Moreover the fitting and stripping of a -temporary gasket is found to be time consuming. Latterly a-ttempts have been made to use the breaker strips themselves either as a primary sealant means so as to con-tain the foam, or as a secondary sealant means in conjunction with, for example, fibre glass batts located within the cavity immediately to the rear of the breaker strip. However, the reject rate in these methods due to foam escape marring the external surfaces of the appliance is relatively high, and it is usually necessary to provide a temporary tape seal between the edges of the breaker strip and the appliance walls.
In Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 264,930 Eiled October 28, 1976, titled "Foam In Place Breaker Strips" to Kuskowski, commonly assigned herewith, improvements to breaker strips are described which permit the effective con-tainment of liquid foam generating materials along the length of the breaker strips. The aforesaid strips are pre-ferably extrusion moulded for reasons of economy. In use, strip material is cut to length to provide Gne strip for each of the four sides of the cabinet opening; the in-dividual lengths are sprung into position with the ends abutting, thus forming four mitered corner joints. Dif-fic~lty has been experienced in providing a seal for these abutting joints. The above-mentioned methods, i.e., the use of internal fibre batts or temporary tape seals may be restored to. In addition, it was proposed in Canadian Pat., 845,677, issued June, 1970 to Pulaski, to inject a small quantity of a fast rise time foam into the cavity in the vicinity of the joints 50 as to provide an internal seal. None of these methods have proved to be entirely satisfactory.
I have found that a suitable corner joint seal can be rapidly and easily made by introducing a pad of a com-pressible, resilient material between the abutting end portions of the breaker strips, so as to be tightly nipped in the joint along the length thereof. I have found that a particularly suitable sponge material for this purpose is .'' a foamed polyethylene having a density of about 2.0 lbs/cuEt~, for example as sold under the trade mark ETHAE~OAMo Other resilient foamed polymers, particularly foamed polyolefins or polyurethane that are unaffected by the foam providing materials used in -the insulation process will in general be suitable.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided an improved method for applying foam-in-place insulation to a cavity formed between an encasement of a refrigerating apparatus and a nesting liner therefor, the encasement and liner being bridged at their front edge portions by a thermal breaker strip which includes at least two ends abutting to form a joint. The improvement comprises sealing the joint by compressing a pad oE an inert, re-silient material between the abutting ends along the length of the joint prior to introducing the foam in place in- ;
sulation.
My invention will be further described in relation to a preferred embodiment thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein.
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a refrigerator outer cabinet, inner cabinet and breaker strips;
Figure 2 is a view along ]ine 2-2 of Figure 1 with the components in assembled relationship;
Figure 3a is a partial section through the upper right~hand corner of the cabinet of Flgure 1, with the components in assembled relationship;
Figure 3b is similar to Figure 3a, but wherein an insulating foam material has been introduced into the cavity of the refrigerator;
Figure 3c is similar to Figure 3b, but shows a finished corner assembly.

~ CASE 2527 Refering to E~igures 1 and 2 in detail, a refrigerating appliance which is represented generally the numeral 10, comprises an open front box-shaped encasement structure 12 and an open front liner structure 14 nesting therein and spaced therefrom by a cavity 16. The two wall structures are preferably folded from steel sheet. In order to thermally insulate the liner, cavity 16 is normally filled with an insulating material. The forward edge 20 of liner 14 -connects to encasement 12 by a thermal breaker strip 40, this generally being formed from a thermoplastic material such as polystyrene, ABS etc.
In one commonly employed process for insulating cavity 16, the structure of Figure 1 is placed Eace downwarcls upon a male mould so as to support liner 14, and a reactive liquid composition is metered into one or more openings in the back of encasement 12. The liquid runs down the inside surfaces of the encasement and liner 14, expanding rapidly and generating appreciable pressure. At least a portion of the reactants, whilst still in a mobile, llquid state, flows over the interior surface of breaker strip ~10.
The form of breaker strip 40 illustrated is that taught in the previously referred to Kuskowski patent application. This is deemed to be preferred in providing an effective seal along the length of the breaker strip, both where it seals to outer encase~ent 12 and to inner liner 14. Other forms of breaker strip may be employed, however. This preferred form of breaker strip 40 includes a double clawlike seal 42 which connects to the forward edge 20 of liner 14. The opposed side of breaker strip 30 40 includes a J seal 44 which wedges into a channel 24 formed along each frontal wall portion of encasement 12 within cavity 16 so as to retain the breaker strip securely ~ ~ ~q'~ ~ CASE 2527 in positionl and a flange seal ~6.
The assembly of the component parts o refrigerating apparatus 10 prior to the foam insulation step is generally known to those in the art. Briefly, liner 14 is supported in spaced, nesting relation wlthin encasement 12. The open ends of channels 24 proximate the fou]- corner dis-continuities are filled with a mastic composition. Ap-propriately sized lengths of ~reaker strip 40 are then positioned to bridge between liner 14 and encasement 12, with the ends of the breaker strip abutting in a miter joint in each of the four corners, and the miter joints sealed. The assemblage is supported on a mouldiny jig (not illustrated) and placed with the open front face downward, following which foam or foam-producing liquid is introduced into cavity 16. For further details of this general procedure reference may be had to Canadian Patent 808,613, issued March 18, 1969 to Gobeille.
In the practice of my invention breaker strips are cut to length so that when assembled in position they form a frame wherein the ends are closely abutting in the corner joints. Some latitude is possible however, and a gap of some 1-2 mm is quite tolerable. The sealing of the corner joints is best seen with reference to Figures 3a-3c.
In Figure 3a a pad 50 of foamed polyethylene having a density of about 2,0 lbs/cuft. is shown as being nipped tightly between abutting ends of two adjacent portions of breaker strip. The breaker strip may be assembled about pad 50 or alternatively pad 50 may forced into position subse~uent to the assembly of the breaker strips. No special tool is required for this purpose, a piece of sheet metal having a width approximately coextensive with the lenyth o-f the joint to be made sufficiny. It may be .

- CASE ~527 desirable to adhere pad 50 to one end of a breaker strip prior to bringing the end of a second strip into abutment -therewith.
When foam is introduced into cavity 16 the pressure generated appears to flatten the edge portion of pad 50 which projects within the cavity, as seen in Figure 3b, thus probably assisting in sealing the joint and reducing the possibility of the escape of foam or foam producing liquid. Extensive trials have shown an extremely low failure incidence, and in those cases wherein there has been a foam escape this has generally been found to be due to grossly oversized openings between abutting ends of the breaker strip at the corner joints. Following the set up of the ~oam within cavity 16 and the removal of the refrigerating apparatus from the moulding jig, the edge portion of pad 50 which projects from the exterior of the joint, i.e. towards the interior of the refrigerator, is trimmed off with a sharp knife closely adjacent the breaker strips 40 or pushed in cavity 16, if preferred.
As an alternative procedure the projecting edge portion may be pushed into cavity 16. Subsequently a thin layer of a sealant material such as a room temperature vulcani~ing silicone polymer is applied, shown as 55 in Figure 3c.
Whilst my invention has been specifically described in terms of sealing a corner joint wherein the ends of adjacent breaker strips are mitered, it will be apparent that my method can be employed to seal other types of abutting joints as are commonly employed to join the ends of injection moulded type breaker strips. The scope of my invention is not limited to the specific and preferred embodiment, but according to the embodiments thereof described in the appended claims.

. . . - ,

Claims (10)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. In a method for applying a foam in-place insulation to a cavity formed between an encasement and a nesting liner of a refrigerating appliance, said appliance including a thermal breaker bridging front edge portions of said encasement and said liner, said breaker including at least two ends abutting to form a joint, the improvement which comprises sealing said joint along the length thereof prior to introducing said foam-in-place insulation by compressing between said abutting ends along the length of said joint a pad of inert resilient material.
2. The method of Claim 1 wherein said material is a sponge-like foamed polymer.
3. The method of Claim 2 wherein said material is a foamed polyolefin or a foamed polyurethane.
4. The method of Claim 3 wherein said material is foamed polyethylene having a density of about 2.0 lbs/cuft.
5. The method of Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said pad of material projects from said joint to within said cavity.
6. The method of Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said pad of material projects from said joint on each side thereof.
7. The method of Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein any material projecting from the exterior of said joint is trimmed close to said joint subsequent to said insulation having been applied.
8. The method of Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein any material projecting from the exterior of said joint is trimmed close to said joint subsequent to said insulation having been applied, and wherein a silicone sealant material is applied over said joint subsequent to said trimming.
9. The method of Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said joint
Claim 9 Cont'd is a mitered corner joint.
10. The method of Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said material is adhered to one said abutting surface.
CA290,224A 1977-11-04 1977-11-04 Foam in place breaker strip seal Expired CA1110151A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA290,224A CA1110151A (en) 1977-11-04 1977-11-04 Foam in place breaker strip seal

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA290,224A CA1110151A (en) 1977-11-04 1977-11-04 Foam in place breaker strip seal

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1110151A true CA1110151A (en) 1981-10-06

Family

ID=4109950

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA290,224A Expired CA1110151A (en) 1977-11-04 1977-11-04 Foam in place breaker strip seal

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1110151A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7055920B2 (en) * 2001-10-25 2006-06-06 Thetford Corporation Refrigerator cabinet breaker assembly
US10830527B2 (en) 2016-08-30 2020-11-10 Whirlpool Corporation Hermetically sealed overmolded plastic thermal bridge breaker with refrigerator cabinet liner and wrapper for vacuum insulation

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7055920B2 (en) * 2001-10-25 2006-06-06 Thetford Corporation Refrigerator cabinet breaker assembly
US10830527B2 (en) 2016-08-30 2020-11-10 Whirlpool Corporation Hermetically sealed overmolded plastic thermal bridge breaker with refrigerator cabinet liner and wrapper for vacuum insulation
US11466927B2 (en) 2016-08-30 2022-10-11 Whirlpool Corporation Hermetically sealed overmolded plastic thermal bridge breaker with refrigerator cabinet liner and wrapper for vacuum insulation

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