GB1594439A

GB1594439A - Cabinets for refrigerators or freezers

Info

Publication number: GB1594439A
Application number: GB585478A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Hotpoint Ltd
Current assignee: Hotpoint Ltd
Priority date: 1978-02-14
Filing date: 1978-02-14
Publication date: 1981-07-30

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CABINETS FOR REFRIGERATORS OR FREEZERS.

(71) We, HOTPOINT LIMITED, of Peterborough, England, a British Company, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statements: This invention relates to cabinets for refrigerators or freezers of the kind having a door opening at the front and comprising an inner liner and an outer shell separated from the liner by a space containing foamed plastics thermal insulating material. The invention relates also to the manufacture of such cabinets.

In one form of refrigerator cabinet of this kind the outer shell comprises a pair of side panels which, possibly together with a top panel, are secured to the inner liner by the adhesive properties of the intervening foamed plastics material.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved cabinet of this form.

According to the invention in a cabinet for a refrigerator or freezer of the kind referred to comprising an inner liner, and an outer shell incorporating a pair of side panels spaced from, but adhesively secured to, the side walls of the liner by intervening foamed plastics insulating material, the side edges of the liner carry outwardly directed flanges and the adjacent edges of the side panels carry co-operating inwardly directed flanges, and each flange of the liner and the co-operating flange of the respective side panel project into mutually opposed grooves in an extruded strip of plastics material, the sides of which grooves bear resiliently against, so as to grip, opposite sides of the respective flanges.

The strip serves the dual function of providing a neat trim- at each side of the door opening, and more importantly of forming a seal between the side edges of the liner and the corresponding edges of the side panels against the passage of the foamed insulating material during the foaming process.

Each said strip is preferably of a generally S-shaped cross-section comprising a relatively stiff central region and at opposite sides of the central region two relatively thin and flexible flaps which extend across the central region in opposite directions to provide, with adjacent surfaces of the central region, the two opposed grooves.

The width of the groove is such the flaps are urged away from the central region of the strip when the respective flanges are inserted and the material of the strip is such that, following the insertion of the flanges, the flaps bear against the respective sides of the flanges and press them against the stiffer central region of the strip.

Preferably each said strip is arranged so that the groove into which the respective side panel flange projects is outermost, that is to say on the side of the central region of the strip which faces away from the foamed insulation.

In such an arrangement the edge portion of the inner flap of each said strip preferably curves away from the respective liner flange, so that during the foaming operation the flap is pressed against the flange by the pressure of the foam and provides a more effective seal. Preferably also the flap extends towards so that its edge bears against the surface of the adjacent side wall of the liner. This, in effect provides a double seal against the passage of the foamed insulation during the foaming process.

The central region of each strip preferably also carries a further flap which extends towards and bears against the inner surface of the respective side panel flange between the part accommodated within the respective groove and the main wall of the panel.

This again provides a double seal against the passage of the foamed insulation during the foaming process.

The liner flanges may be formed integrally with the adjacent liner walls, or alternatively may form part of a separate member or members attached thereto.

The outer shell may include a top panel which is also adhesively secured to top wall of the liner by an intervening layer of foamed plastics insulating material.

Preferably the cabinet incorporates a transverse member which projects forwardly above the door opening of the liner, the member having a downturned flange formed with a groove, and the front edge of the top wall of the liner carrying an upturned flange which fits into the groove of the transverse member. The transverse member is preferably also moulded from plastics material and the sides of the groove arranged to grip the top flange of the liner resiliently to form an effective seal.

The transverse member preferably has upturned flanges at its front and side edges, and the top panel of the outer shall carries at least on its side and front edges a trim having a groove which accommodates the top edges of the side panels, and the side and front flanges of the transverse member.

The trim preferably also has a inwardly directed groove which accommodates the edges of the top panel, and is preferably formed from a single extruded plastics strip mitred and folded to form the corners. The trim preferably has two relatively rigid outer walls lying at right angles to each other and carries between said walls two relatively flexible flaps each co-operating with a respective one of the two outer walls to provide a said groove, one of which grooves accommodates an edge of the top panel, and the other of which groove accommodates the top edges of a respective side panel and side flange of the transverse member, or the front flange of the transverse member as the case may be.

Preferably also the cabinet incorporates a lower transverse member of plastics material extending between the side panels beneath the front of the liner, the front edge of lower transverse member having an upwardly directed flange provided with a groove, and the lower wall of the liner carrying a downturned flange which projects into the groove of the lower transverse member.

The upper transverse member conveniently carries one hinge pin for the cabinet door, a further hinge pin being carried by a plate fixed to the lower transverse member.

In manufacture the various parts forming the liner and outer shell are arranged to be supported in their appropriate positions in a suitable jig or mould, and the foamed plastics insulating material is formed between the liner and shell to bond them together.

The invention is not only applicable to refrigerators and freezers, but also combined refrigerator and freezer units comprising two superposed inner liners surrounded by a common outer shell, the side panels extending the height of the unit and having inturned flanges accommodated within grooves in a plastics strip also extending the height of the unit and having an opposed groove which accommodates flanges at the sides of the upper and lower inner linings.

Three embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examples with reference to Figures 1 to 12 of the accompanying schematic drawing in which : Figure 1 represents a perspective view, from the front of a refrigerator cabinet in accordance with the invention Figures 2 and 3 represent a part sectional side view and a part sectional plan view of the cabinet, Figure 4 represents an exploded view of the cabinet to show the individual parts, and Figures 5 to 7 show different parts of the cabinet structure on an enlarged scale Figures 8 and 9 represent a perspective view and an exploded view of a cabinet for a freezer, Figures 10 and 11 represent similar views of a cabinet structure for a combined refrigerator freezer, and Figure 12 shows in detail parts of a door hinge support used in the cabinets illustrated in Figures 1 to 12 Referring first to Figures 1 to 7, the refrigerator cabinet comprises a moulded plastics liner 1 of generally box like shape having an opening at what is to be the front of the refrigerator and around which is an outwardly directed flange 2. The cabinet also incorporates an outer shell comprising a pair of side panels 3 and a top panel 4. In the manufacture of the cabinet the side panels 3 and the top panel 4 are assembled around the liner 1 as will subsequently be described, at a predetermined spacing from the corresponding walls of the liner, and the space between the panels and liner walls is filled with foamed plastics insulating material 5, such as foamed polyurethane the foaming being carried out in situ, and the foamed plastics material adhering to the panels and to the liner and securing them to each other.

In accordance with the invention the front edges of the two side panels, which are conveniently formed of prepainted steel sheet, are bent inwards through a right angle to form flanges 6 which project into grooves 7 (see Figures 3 and 5) in respective sealing strips 8 extending the height of the cabinet at each side of the door opening.

Each of these strips 8 also has an oppositely directed groove 9 (Figure 5) into which is fitted the edge of the adjacent part of the liner flange 2.

Thus each strip 8 is formed from extruded plastics material and, in cross-section, is generally of flattened S-shape, having a relatively stiff central portion 11, and two resilient flaps 12, 13 projecting in opposite directions from the central region and providing, with the adjacent surfaces of the central region, the grooves which accommodate the flanges 6 and 2 respectively. The flaps 12, 13 are so arranged that they are urged away from the central region 11 on the insertion of the flanges and press them firmly into contact with the central region.

The strips 8 are arranged so that the flaps 12 are outermost and provide trims extending the height of the cabinet on each side of the door opening.

A transverse member 14 of moulded plastics material, and of a generally rectangular shape projects horizontally forwards above the liner 1.

The member has a down-turned flange 15 at its rear which accommodates a groove 16 which fits on to the part of the flange 2 at the top of the liner, as shown more-clearly in Figure 6.

The member 14 also has upwardly projecting flanges 18, 19 at its front and side edges respectively, the purpose of which will be explained later.

A further transverse member 21 comprising a flat rectangular plate 22 having an upturned flange 23 at its forward edge, and also accommodating a groove 20, is fitted onto the lower part of the flange 2 of the liner 1, as shown in Figure 7.

The top panel 4 is in the form of a sheet of plastics laminate, and carries on its front and side edges a plastics edge trim 25. This is conveniently formed from a single plastics strip mitred and folded at the front corners.

The trim has two relatively stiff outer walls 26, 27, at right angles to each other and carries within it two relatively flexible flaps 28, 29 which co-operate with respective outer walls 26, 27 to provide two grooves at right angles to each other, as shown more clearly in Figure 6.

The front and side edges of the top panel 4 fit into one of the grooves of a respective section of the trim 25, and the top edges of the side panels 3 and the side flanges 19 of the upper transverse member 14 on the one hand, and the front flange 18 of the upper transverse member 14 on the other hand fit into the other grooves of the side and front sections of the trim 25. At the rear of the top panel is fitted a ventilating bracket, 4a, which being apertured serves to allow free circulation of air around the rear of the cabinet and also to provide an enclosure for the rear top edge of the cabinet.

In the completed refrigerator cabinet upper and lower metal cross-straps 31, 32 extend between, and are connected to the top and bottom of inturned flanges 33 at the rear edges of the side panels 3, as by riveting. The lower cross-strap 32 carries a hole 32a through which the foamed plastics material is introduced.

In manufacture, following the assembly of the various parts, they are held in an appropriately shaped mould or jig, together with rear and lower panel(s) 40 formed of metal foil bonded to card, and a foaming plastics insulating material is introduced into the cavity between the liner 1 and the outer panels 3, 4, 40 to provide foamed plastics thermal insulation between them, and also bonding the outer panels to the liner. The strips 8 and the trim 25 as well as the transverse members 14 and 21 effectively provide seals against the passage of the foamed insulation, during the foaming process, between the flange 2 of the liner 1 and the surrounding panels.

To improve the effectiveness of the sealing strips 8 the central portion carries an additional flexible flap 17 which projects towards and contacts the inturned flange 6 of the respective side panel so that it is pressed into contact with the flange by the foamed plastics material during the foaming process. In addition the inner flap 13 of each strip 8 extends into contact with the side wall of the liner 1 at the same time curving away from the respective part of the liner flange 2. Thus during the foaming.process this flap 13 is also pressed firmly against both the side wall of the liner and the flange to increase the effectiveness of the seal.

Plugs of a material which allows gas to escape whilst providing a barrier to the foam are conveniently provided in the corners.

Sealing tape may also augment the sealing strips to provide more effective seals if necessary.

Following the completion of the cabinet, the evaporator, compressor, motor and associated parts are installed and a door is fitted; these have been omitted from the drawings for simplicity.

A pin 34 carried by the upper transverse member 14 provides the upper hinge for the door, and a further pin 35 is carried by a metal bracket 36 secured to the lower transverse member 21. The door itself carries, in the usual way a flexible magnetic gasket which seals against the parts of the cabinet surrounding the door opening. The gasket is attracted to the inturned flanges 6 of the sheet steel side panels 3 and also to steel strip inserts 37 within the grooves of the transverse members 14 and 21 at the top and bottom of the door opening, to hold the door in the closed position. Alternatively the inserts 37 may comprise counter magnetic strips to which the magnetic gasket is attracted.

The second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 is a cabinet for a Freezer, and is constructed in a generally similar way to the refrigerator cabinet of Figures 1 to 7.

However in this embodiment the liner 1 comprises an evaporator 38 which is bent to provide the rear, bottom and top walls of the liner, and two side walls in the form of pre-painted metal panels 39 secured to the evaporator by means of inturned flanges as at 41. In addition the out-turned flange 2 of the liner is carried by a frame 42 of plastics material which surrounds, and is secured to, the body of the liner 1 around the door opening. This provides a heat break between the relatively cold liner and the much warmer exterior of the freezer. The sealing strips 8 on the side panels, grooved flanges 15 and 23 on the upper and lower transverse members 14, 21 fit on to the flange 2 of the frame 42. The frame itself has a groove 44 extending around it on the side remote from the flange 2 into which is fitted the edges of the main part of the liner to form a seal.

Following the assembly of the various parts foaming plastics material is introduced into the space between the inner liner 1 and the outer shell to provide thermal insulation as in the case of the refrigerator cabinet previously described.

The third embodiment illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 is a cabinet structure for a combined refrigerator and freezer. This comprises two liner units 45, 46 for separate refrigerator and freezer cabinets each with its own door (not shown). The refrigerator and freezer liners are each constructed in the manner of the liners of the first two embodiments, the refrigerator liner 45 being disposed on top of the freezer liner 46 as shown. The two liners are surrounded by a common outer shell consisting of side panels 47 and a top panel 48. In addition a transom 49 of plastics material having upper and lower grooves for receiving the bottom part of the flange of the refrigerator liner, and the top part of the flange of the freezer liner is disposed between the two liners as shown.

In effect, therefore, the transom replaces both the transverse member 14 of the freezer cabinet and the lower transverse member 21 of the refrigerator cabinet. In order to impart sufficient strength to the transom which has to support the upper and lower doors of the combined refrigerator and freezer (in both closed and open positions) via hinge pins which are fitted to one end of the transom, it is arranged for a metal strengthening bracket to be fitted to the rear of the transom, the bracket having legs at each end which extend upwardly so as to be foamed in place in the region of the vertical sides of the lower part of the upper door opening.

The trim for the top panel of the refrigerator is, in this embodiment, carried around the front, side and rear edges, the section at the rear forming an enclosure for the rear top edge of the cabinet.

Four rear cross straps are provided, these comprising three upper, strengthened flat metal strips, 31a, and a lower angled cross strap, 32, similar to that used in the separate refrigerator and freezer constructions. In other respects the cabinet structure is similar to those previously described, and following the assembly of the individual parts forming the liners and the outer shell foaming plastics insulating material is introduced between them to form a foamed plastics thermal insulation.

In modification the freezer liner may be disposed above the refrigerator liner. The liners may be of the same or different capacities.

As shown in Figure 6 the upper hinge pin 34 of each door opening is fixed by means of screws 50 to a metal plate 51 within the upper transverse member 14. In some cases a degree of adjustment may be required when subsequently fitting the hinge pin to ensure the correct fitting of the door.

This is achieved as follows. The underneath of the transverse member 14 is formed with an elongated rectangular recess 52 in the position to be occupied by the hinge pin 34, the recess extending parallel to the length of the transverse member as shown more clearly in Figure 12. The hinge pin 34 is fixed to one end of a rectangular metal bracket 53 capable of fitting into the recess 52. At the other end of the bracket there is formed a ridge 54 lying along the major axis of the bracket, and the bracket is perforated by a pair of holes 55, 56 for two fixing screws 50. The position of the holes 55, 56 correspond with two clearance holes 57, 58 in the base of the recess.In the assembly of the various parts of the refrigerator, freezer or combined refrigerator freezer, as the case may be, the metal plate 51 is fitted in position on the upper surface of the transverse member 14, and is located by a centrally positioned hole (not shown) about an integral projection on the transverse member, and is initially secured in position by tape prior to the foaming operation.

The hinge pin bracket 53 is fixed to the transverse member after location within the recess, by self-tapping screws 50 screwing into holes in the plate 51 through the holes 55, 56 and 57, 58 in the bracket 53 and transverse member 14 respectively.

Adjustment of the hinge pin bracket 53 is achieved by making the hole 56, - with a dimension which is greater in the transverse direction than in the longitudinal direction, and by providing a series of grooves 60 in the base of the recess 52 arranged fan-wise, so that the ridge 54 can be located in any one of the grooves thus providing a degree of rotational adjustment of the bracket 53 before finally tightening the fixing screws 50. It will be appreciated that this method of adjusting the position of the hinge pin of a refrigerator could also be used with other refrigerator constructions.

Moreover the ridge and grooves can be replaced by other shapes of projection and recesses allowing adjustment of the position of the hinge bracket. In addition the projection may alternatively be provided on the base of the recess and the recesses in the hinge bracket.

The bottom hinge bracket 36 is fitted to the lower transverse member 21 by means of screws 62 screwing into tapped holes in a fixing plate 63 secured in position above the transverse member, and is in such a position as to abut the lower part of the turned in flange 6 of the adjacent side panel 3 so giving the overall fixing sufficient rigidity, not only to provide an adequate support for the lower hinge pin 35 but also to provide ample support for an adjustable foot 59 for the refrigerator (see Figure 7).

The hinge bracket 36 extends across the transverse member 21 and is formed with elongated fixing holes to provide a degree of adjustment for the lower hinge pin 35. The hinge bracket 36 also has a clearance hole for the threaded stud 64 of the foot 59. A further foot (not shown) at the opposite side of the refrigerator screws into a further fixing plate similarly secured to the upper surface of the transverse member 21.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A cabinet for a refrigerator or freezer of the kind comprising an inner liner, and an outer shell incorporating a pair of side panels spaced from but adhesively secured to the side walls of the liner by intervening foamed plastics insulating material, wherein the side edges of the liner carry outwardly directed flanges, and the adjacent edges of the side panels carry co-operating inwardly directed flanges, and each flange of the liner and the co-operating flange of the respective side panel project into mutually opposed grooves in an extruded strip of plastics material, the sides of which grooves bear resiliently against so as to grip, opposite sides of the respective flanges.

2. A cabinet according to Claim 1 wherein each said strip has a generally S-shaped cross-section, comprising a relatively stiff central region and, at opposite sides of the central region, two relatively thin flaps which extend across the central region in opposite directions to provide, with adjacent surfaces of the central region, the two opposed grooves.

3. A cabinet according to Claim 2 wherein each said strip is arranged so that the groove into which the respective side panel flange projects is outermost.

4. The cabinet according to Claim 3 wherein the edge portion of the inner flap of each said strip curves away from the respective liner flange.

5. A cabinet according to Claim 4 wherein the edge of the inner flap bears against the surface of the adjacent side wall of the liner.

6. A cabinet according to Claims 3, 4 or 5 wherein the central region of the strip carries a further flap which extends towards and bears against the inner surface of the respective side panel flange.

7. A cabinet according to any preceding claim in which the outwardly turned flanges of the liner are formed integrally with the adjacent side walls of the liner.

8. A cabinet according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the outwardly turned flanges of the liner form part of a separate member or members attached to the liner.

9. A cabinet according to any preceding claim incorporating a transvers member which projects forwardly above the door opening of the liner, the member having a down turned flange formed with a groove and the top wall of the liner carrying an upturned flange which fits into the groove of the transverse member.

10. A cabinet according to Claim 9 wherein the transverse member is formed of plastics material and the sides of the groove resiliently grip the top flange of the liner.

11. A cabinet according to any preceding claim in which the top panel is adhesively secured to the liner by intervening foamed plastics insulating material.

12. A cabinet according to Claim 11 wherein the top panel carries on its front and side edges a trim having a groove which engages the side panels and upwardly projecting grooves on the transverse member.

13. A cabinet according to Claim 12 wherein the trim comprises at least one strip of extruded plastic material having two relatively rigid outer walls lying at right angles to each other, and carries between said walls two relatively flexible flaps each co-operating with a respective one of the outer walls to provide a said groove, one of which accommodates an edge of the top panel, and the other of which accommodates the top edges of a respective side panel and side flange of the transverse member or the front flange of the transverse member as the case may be.

14. A cabinet according to any preceding claim incorporating a lower transverse member of plastics material extending between the side panels beneath the front of the liner, the front edge of which member has an upwardly directed flange provided with a groove, and the lower wall of the liner carrying a downturned flange which

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. one of the grooves thus providing a degree of rotational adjustment of the bracket 53 before finally tightening the fixing screws 50. It will be appreciated that this method of adjusting the position of the hinge pin of a refrigerator could also be used with other refrigerator constructions. Moreover the ridge and grooves can be replaced by other shapes of projection and recesses allowing adjustment of the position of the hinge bracket. In addition the projection may alternatively be provided on the base of the recess and the recesses in the hinge bracket. The bottom hinge bracket 36 is fitted to the lower transverse member 21 by means of screws 62 screwing into tapped holes in a fixing plate 63 secured in position above the transverse member, and is in such a position as to abut the lower part of the turned in flange 6 of the adjacent side panel 3 so giving the overall fixing sufficient rigidity, not only to provide an adequate support for the lower hinge pin 35 but also to provide ample support for an adjustable foot 59 for the refrigerator (see Figure 7). The hinge bracket 36 extends across the transverse member 21 and is formed with elongated fixing holes to provide a degree of adjustment for the lower hinge pin 35. The hinge bracket 36 also has a clearance hole for the threaded stud 64 of the foot 59. A further foot (not shown) at the opposite side of the refrigerator screws into a further fixing plate similarly secured to the upper surface of the transverse member 21. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A cabinet for a refrigerator or freezer of the kind comprising an inner liner, and an outer shell incorporating a pair of side panels spaced from but adhesively secured to the side walls of the liner by intervening foamed plastics insulating material, wherein the side edges of the liner carry outwardly directed flanges, and the adjacent edges of the side panels carry co-operating inwardly directed flanges, and each flange of the liner and the co-operating flange of the respective side panel project into mutually opposed grooves in an extruded strip of plastics material, the sides of which grooves bear resiliently against so as to grip, opposite sides of the respective flanges.

projects into the groove of the lower transverse member.

15. A refrigerator or freezer having a cabinet according to any preceding claim.

16. A combined refrigerator freezer incorporating two superposed inner liners surrounded by a common outer shell incorporating a pair of side panels spaced from but adhesively secured to the side walls of both liners by intervening foamed plastics insulating material, and in which the side walls of the liners carry outwardly directed flanges and the adjacent edges of the side panels carry co-operating inwardly directed flanges, and the flanges at each side of the liners and the co-operating flange of the respective side panel project into opposed grooves in an extruded strip of plastics material, the sides of which bear resiliently against and grip the sides of the respective flanges.

17. A cabinet according to any preceding claim wherein a hinge pin for the door is carried by a bracket fixed to a part of the cabinet wall, the bracket or the wall having a projection and the wall or the bracket having a series of co-operating recesses disposed so that when the bracket is secured in position the projection can locate in any one of the recesses, so providing a degree of adjustment in the position of the bracket relatively to the cabinet wall.

18. A cabinet according to Claim 17 wherein the projection is in the form of a ridge and the recesses are in the form of grooves.

19. A cabinet according to Claim 18 wherein the grooves are arranged in a fan-wise disposition, to provide the bracket with a degree of rotational adjustment.

20. A cabinet for a refrigerator substantially as shown in and as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A cabinet for a freezer substantially as shown in and as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawing.

22. A cabinet for a combined refrigerator and freezer substantially as shown in and as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawing.

23. A cabinet according to Claim 20, 21 or 22 having an adjustable door hinge support substantially as shown in and as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 12 of the accompanying drawings.