GB2258297A - Preformed assembly for defining the compressor space in refrigerators - Google Patents

Abstract

A preformed assembly for defining the compressor space in a refrigerator is characterized in that the assembly comprises a foamed plastic material preformed body (1) which can be introduced inside a refrigerator casing. The body (1) has substantially a contoured or dome configuration (2), with front and bottom edges (10, 5) which can be respectively connected to the rear (13) and to the bottom corner regions of the refrigerator casing. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a prefori- ed ass eiiib 1 y for defining the compression or compres- sor space in refrigerators and the like.

As is known, in conventional refrigerators the space for housing the refrigerator compressor is at present made by deforming the corrugated cardboard material which forms the inner liner of the movable wall of the refrigerator.

However, this corrugated cardboard material has the drawback that it is not sufficiently strong to resist against the mechanical stress exerted during the injection of the insulating foamed plastic material, thereby, during this injection operation, there is necessary to apply to the cardboard material template elements adapted to allow this cardboard material to be held in its preset proper position.

Another drawback is that the cover of corrugated cardboard material or other plate-like material follows the overall contour of the outlet of the compressor space, which involves great difficul- ties in sealing this profile, because of the mentioned low strength of the corrugated cardboard, wit a consequent possibility of wastage.

Thus, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by pro viding a preformed assembly or construction, for defining the compressor or compression space in re frigerators and the like, which allows to optimally define the compressor housing as well as to obtain a perfect sealing by the constructional foamed mate rial The present invention may also provide such an assembly which can be easily asso ciated with the refrigerator cabinet or casing.

The present invention may further provide such a preformed assembly allow ing to use different constructions, having differ ent densities, with respect to the standard density of the foamed material being cast, so as to provide a better thermal insulation in regions of the re frigerator cabinet or casing which are inherently critical with respect to the heat and noise insula tion.

Such a preformed assembly is very reliable and safe in operation.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and object , as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a preformed assembly for defining the compressor space in refrigerators and the like, characterized in that said assembly comprises a foamed plastic material preformed body which can be introduced inside a casing or cabinet of a refrigerator.

The aforesaid body has a substantially contoured or dome configuratiorl, including a front edge portion and a bottom edge portion which can be respectively connected to the rear and to the bottom corner region of the refrigerator casing.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment thereof, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 is a schematic vertical crosssectioned view illustrating Lhc- preformed assembly according to the invention applied in the inside of a refrigerator casing or cabinet; and Figure 2 is a partially cross-sectioned partial rear view of the preformed assembly according to the invention.

With reference to the figures of the accom- panying drawings, the preformed assembly for defining the compressor space in refrigerators and the like, according to the present invention, comprises a preformed body 1 which is made of a foamed plastic material, for example of the polyurethane type.

The body 1 practically defines the housing space or region for the refrigerator compressor and is provided with a dome shaped top 2 which is connected with a vertical wall 3, arranged at an intermediate portion with respect to the refrigerator casing or cabinet depth, and is further connected with a bottom wall 4 meeting with a bottom bearing edge portion 5.

The top 2 is provided with a front edge portion 10 defining a broad connecting region for connection with the rear wall of the refrigerator cabinet and being moreover provided with a recess 12 wherein the corrugated cardboard material 13 is introduced for operating as a liner of the refrigerator casing.

Laterally, at the bottom corner regions, there are provided bottom edge portions, indicated at 20, which are connected through broad regions at the refrigerator casing corner regions, so as to define broad contact portions, absolutely preventing possible leakages of plastics during the injection of the structural foamed material, indicated at 30, provided for making the refrigerator inner insulation, the operative space 31 of which is formed by a shell 32 which is convenionally made of a vacuum molded ABS plastic material.

A main feature of the invention is that impressions or recesses can be preformed at regions of the body provided for coupling with fittings, such as the adjustable height foot members of the refrigerator, or condensate draining pipes and the like.

Another important feature of the invention is that the body 1, in its as-preformed condition, can be introduced into a pre-fabricated casing or cabinet, in a very easy way, since it is already provided with rounded corners whereby it can be diagonally introduced from the two directions, in a perfectly symmetric condition, and then it can be easily properly arranged in its definitive position.

From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

In particular, it is to be pointed out that a high mechanical strength assembly has been made, which can be introduced in a preformed refrigerator casing.

Moreover, it is possible to make this preformed assembly with material densities different from the standard density of the cast material, thereby providing a further acoustical and thermal insulation element for the region of the compressor space.

Another important aspect of the present invention is that the connecting edge portion of the assembly by means of which it is connected to the refrigerator cabinet has a comparatively broad extension, thereby preventing injection material from leaking therethrough.

In practicing the invention, any suitable material can be usedthough the best results have been obtained by the above mentioned materials, and the con tangent size and shape can vary according to re quirements.

Claims (8)

1. A preformed assembly for defining the compressor space in refrigerators and the like, characterized in that said assembly comprises a foamed plastic material preformed body which can be introduced inside a casing or cabinet of a refrigerator.

2. A preformed assembly, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said preformed body can be introduced into a pre-assembled refrigerator casing or cabinet.

3. A preformed assembly, according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said assembly comprises, at edge portions thereof provided for coupling with said refrigerator casing, enlarged surfaces adapted to prevent injected material from leaking therethrough.

4. A preformed assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said preformed body comprises a foamed plastic material having a density which is different from that of the casting plastic material.

5. A preformed assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said body is provided with a plurality of re cesses thereon for receiving fitting elements such as adjustable height foot melllbers and condensate draining pipes.

6. A preformed assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said body has a dome configuration, so as to provide a good resistance against the pushing force of the foamed cast material.

7. A preformed assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said body has a contoured configuration.

8. A preformed assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.