US3634971A - All plastic refrigerator door with integral bump stop handle - Google Patents

All plastic refrigerator door with integral bump stop handle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3634971A
US3634971A US881074A US3634971DA US3634971A US 3634971 A US3634971 A US 3634971A US 881074 A US881074 A US 881074A US 3634971D A US3634971D A US 3634971DA US 3634971 A US3634971 A US 3634971A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
flange
door
legs
panel
bent end
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 - Lifetime
Application number
US881074A
Inventor
Keith K Kesling
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.)
Motors Liquidation Co
Original Assignee
Motors Liquidation Co
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 Motors Liquidation Co filed Critical Motors Liquidation Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3634971A publication Critical patent/US3634971A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/02—Doors; Covers

Definitions

  • the panels are, for example, made from a strong plastic material such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), expanded polypropylene polyvinyl chloride and the like are fonned into intricate shapes by vacuum molding or the like.
  • the inside panel may have shelves and the like formed therein by the molding process.
  • plastic panels In representative all plastic door constructions the plastic panels have a relatively thin section and in the case of certain constructions have relatively sharp corners formed therein that experience stress concentration.
  • the thin sheet plastic that forms the front or outside panel is reinforced by the rigid foamed-in-place insulation against flexure.
  • a further aspect of all plastic doors is that an internally located reinforcing structure may be provided in association therewith for the connection of door handles and the like.
  • An object of the present invention is to include a multipurpose integrally formed member on the outer door panel on an all plastic refrigerator that serves the combined function of an energy absorbing bumper and door operating handle.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide an all plastic refrigerator door of the type adapted to have one side pivotally connected to the refrigerator cabinet for movement between open and closed positions and wherein the door includes inner and outer panels of thin plastic material that are spaced apart to form a space for foamed-in-place thermal in sulation that reinforces the thin section plastic panels and wherein the outer panel includes a resiliently deflectable outwardly directed flange thereon which is located with respect to the front comer edge of the pivoted door to protect it against impact loadings and wherein the flange is configured to form a door operating handle throughout the full height of the insulated door section.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved side section on an all plastic refrigerator door having foamed-in-place thermal insulation for reinforcing spacedapart plastic panels; the side section including a bent comer integrally formed with the front of a door which reinforces an integrally formed handle flange that extends forwardly of the front panel at one side thereof through the full height of the door and wherein the handle flange itself is relatively yieldable and located forwardly of the door comer to serve as an energy absorbing bumper at the side of the door.
  • FIG. I is a view in perspective of a two-compartment refrigerator with all plastic doors constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal section taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of a two compartment refrigerator with doors showing a second embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal section taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 1 a refrigerator is illustrated including a cabinet 12 having a front opening to a top food storage compartment closed by a door 14 which has one of its sides pivotally connected by hinge pins l6, 18 to suitable brackets l7, l9 fastened to the cabinet I2.
  • the door 14 is pivotable about the axis defined by the pins I6, 18 from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to an open position wherein the side 20 thereof sweeps through an arcuate path forwardly and toward one side of the cabinet 12.
  • the refrigerator cabinet includes a bottom compartment having an access opening closed by a lower door 22 which is hinged at its side by hinge pins 18, 24 and brackets 19, 25 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis on the cabinet 12 outwardly and forwardly so that a side 28 thereon moves through a like arcuate path.
  • each of the doors l4, 16 as is shown in FIG. 2 includes an outside panel 30 and an inside panel 32 each formed of a highstrength plastic material such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene) or expanded polypropylene plastic.
  • ABS acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene
  • Each of the panels 30, 32 have a relatively thin section.
  • vacuum molding is used to form convolutions 34 to form compartments or shelves 36 on which articles are stored to be located within the food compartment 38 of the refrigerator when the door is closed.
  • the inner panel 32 further includes a forward, side step 40 therein which terminates in a side edge 42.
  • a magnetic door seal 43 is secured to edge 42 by screws 45 and clamps 47 around the perimeter ofpanel 32.
  • the front panel 30 is injection molded to include an integral, channel-shaped side 44 that has an inside leg 46, a side surface 48 and a front leg 50 which is integrally joined to one side of the front face 52 of the panel 30 along the full height thereof.
  • the seal screws 45 fasten edge 42 to leg 46 to join panels 30, 32.
  • a like channel-shaped side 54 is formed on the hinged side of the door.
  • the front face 52 has a planar extent which is greater than that of the access opening to the refrigerator compartment 38, and it along with side channels 44, 54 cover the sidewalls S5 of the refrigerator when the doors 14, 22 are closed and serve to locate seal 43 in sealing engagement with the cabinet walls 55.
  • the thin sectioned outer and inner panels 30, 32 are spaced from one another through a predetermined distance to form a volume which is filled by foamed-in-place thermal insulating material 57 such as a polyurethane foam insulating material.
  • foamed-in-place thermal insulating material 57 such as a polyurethane foam insulating material. This material is characterized by being rigid and serves to prevent any substantial flexure of the wide, thin panels 30, 32.
  • Rounded comers 56, 58 on the channel 44 serve as transition radii for joining the legs 46, 50 to the side surface 48. Since the outer panel 30 is rigidly reinforced by foamed material 57 these points of stress concentration can be damaged when impacted sharply against an object during pivotal movement of the door.
  • the channel-shaped side 44 defines a structural cross section which serves to reinforce the root portion 60 of a combination energy absorbing bumper and handle member 62 which is connected to the door 14 along the side 20 throughout the height thereof as is best seen in FIG. 1.
  • the handle member 62 includes a flange 64 integrally formed at its root 60 to the front face 52 of panel 30 and the leg 50 of the side portion 44 of outer panel 30.
  • the flange 64 is perpendicularly connected to an elongated flaplike bent end 66 which is located in spaced parallelism with the leg 50 of the front panel 30 throughout the height of the all plastic door.
  • the handle member 62 is resiliently yieldable upon impact with a stationary object to assume a shape shown exaggerated in dotted lines on FIG. 2 and thereby serves as a resilient energy absorbing bumper located forwardly of the comer 58 and which functions to absorb kinetic energy when it impacts against a stationary object.
  • a refrigerator 70 is illustrated that includes a cabinet 72 having a top compartment closed by an upper door 74 and a bottom compartment closed by a lower door 76.
  • the upper door is connected by pivot pins 78, 80 to brackets 79, 81 on one side of cabinet 72 to be pivotally movable about a vertical axis between open and closed positions.
  • the lower door 76 is connected by the pin 80 and a lower pivot pin 82 to midbrackets 81 and lower bracket 83 same side of the door for a like movement between open and closed positions.
  • each of the doors includes an integral handle and bumper configuration at each side thereof. More particularly, the upper door 74 can be seen to include an inner plastic panel 84 and an outer plastic panel 85. A like panel is present at the inside and outside of door 76,
  • the inner panel 84 in this case includes a side flange 86 which is directed generally perpendicularly to a stepped portion 88 on the panel 84 in the vicinity of the access opening 90 to a food compartment 92 of the refrigerator.
  • the outer panel 85 includes a front 94 having a planar extent in excess of that of the access opening 90 to the compartment 92. At each edge the front 94 is integrally formed with an outwardly sloping face 96 which in turn is integrally joined with a side bumper 98 which is reinforced by a rearwardly directed flange 100 that overlies flange 86 and extends throughout the full height of the front 94 immediately to one side of the sloping face 96.
  • a side portion 102 of a seal element 103 that has a base 104 in seated relationship with the step transition 88 on the inner panel 84 where it is held in place by suitable fastening means such as an adhesive material to define a reinforced laminated side.
  • the base 104 is joined to a yieldable bellows portion 106 of the seal that in turn is integrally formed with an annular crosssectioned gasket 108 in which is located a resilient strip of magnetic material 110.
  • the magnet 110 When the door is in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 4 the magnet 110 is attracted by a surface 112 formed on a metal liner 114 of ferromagnetic material for the compartment 92.
  • the liner 114 is reversely bent on itself to form a front flange 116 around the access opening 90joined with the outer cabinet wall 118.
  • the bumper 98 serves as a continuous handle along the height of the cabinet door 70 and an energy absorbing bumper since it is relatively resiliently yieldable with respect to the front 94 into a position as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4 upon impact with a stationary object during door swinging movement.
  • This resiliency serves to insulate the comer region 125 between the sloping face 96 and flange against shock.
  • the comer region is reinforced by the side flange 86 and a seal side 102 therein.
  • a refrigerator door adapted to be pivotally mounted on a refrigerator cabinet for closing an access opening therein comprising: an inner panel having side edges thereon, an integrall molded one-piece outer panel including channelshape sides, each of said channel-shaped sides including an inside leg and a front leg joined by a side surface, means for connecting each of said inside legs to the side edges of said inner panel, said outer panel including a front face integrally connected to each of said front legs at a point located forwardly of each of said inside legs, said inner and outer panels having a space formed therebetween, rigid foamed-in-place insulation material filling said space and the inside of each of said channel-shaped sides, an inside comer formed by one of said inside legs and said side surfaces reinforced by said insulation material, a front corner formed by one of said front legs and said side surfaces reinforced by said insulation material, a combination energy absorber and handle member formed integrally with said outer panel, said member including a flange having a root portion joined at the juncture between said one of said front legs and said front face of said outer panel

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Refrigerator Housings (AREA)

Abstract

In preferred form, an all plastic refrigerator door including an outer panel and an inside panel having the sides thereof interconnected with one another to form side corners on the door. Rigid foamed-in-place insulation material fills a space between the outside and inner panels and reinforces a front planar extent of the door and the corners thereof against deflection. An integrally formed flange on the front panel extends outwardly and forwardly thereof to define a resiliently yieldable flaplike bumper for absorbing shock.

Description

United States Patent Kesling Jan. 18, 1972 [54] ALL PLASTIC REFRIGERATOR DOOR 2,970,347 2/1961 Massopust 49/401 x WITH INTEGRAL BUMP STOP HANDLE 3,077,644 2/1963 Kesling 49/478 X 3,078,134 2/1963 Haynes, Jr. .49/478 X [72] Inventor: Keith K. Kesling, Vandalia, Ohio 3,314,196 1 9 Betz at g 501 73 Assigneez General Motors Corporation, Detroit 3,403,477 10/1968 Light X Mich.
Primary Examiner-David J. Williamowsky 1 Flledl 1, 1969 Assistant Examiner-Philip C. Kannan [21] APPL No: 881 074 Atlorney-W. S. Pettigrew and J. C. Evans [57] ABSTRACT [521 [1.8. CI ..49/460, 49/478,34l92//53021d In preferred form an a plastic refrigerator door including an [51] Int Cl Eosb 1/00 E06) 3/00 outer panel and an inside panel having the sides thereof inter- [58] Fieid 501 5 401 400 connected with one another to form side comers on the door. I478, 5 6, 5 Rigid foamed-in-place insulation material fills a space between the outside and inner panels and reinforces a front 56 planar extent of the door and the corners thereof agalnst 1 References Cited deflection. An integrally formed flange on the front panel ex- UNlTED STATES PATENTS tends outwardly and forwardly thereof to define a resiliently yieldable flaplike bumper for absorbing shock. 3,201,833 8/1965 Bryson et a1 ..49/478 2,871,056 1/1959 Levitt ..49/401 X 1 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJANIBBYZ- 3534.971
SHEET 1 OF 2 J 1 Keith 11'. Healing \zy 522W ATTORNEY PATENTEflmzaM 3.634871 sum 2 or 2 "82 INVENTOR 85 Keith K. Keslz'ng ATTORNEY This invention relates to insulated doors for refrigerators and more particularly to all plastic refrigerator constructions having spaced panels filled with rigid foamed-in-place thermal insulation.
In refrigerator construction it is becoming commonplace to have an all plastic door including an outside panel and an inside panel spaced with respect to one another to form a volume filled with foamed-implace thermal insulation.
The panels are, for example, made from a strong plastic material such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), expanded polypropylene polyvinyl chloride and the like are fonned into intricate shapes by vacuum molding or the like. Typically, for example, the inside panel may have shelves and the like formed therein by the molding process.
In representative all plastic door constructions the plastic panels have a relatively thin section and in the case of certain constructions have relatively sharp corners formed therein that experience stress concentration.
. Furthermore, the thin sheet plastic that forms the front or outside panel is reinforced by the rigid foamed-in-place insulation against flexure.
As a result, when the sharp corners of the door are impacted against an object during movement of the door between its open and closed position, cracks may result in the outer panel.
A further aspect of all plastic doors is that an internally located reinforcing structure may be provided in association therewith for the connection of door handles and the like.
An object of the present invention is to include a multipurpose integrally formed member on the outer door panel on an all plastic refrigerator that serves the combined function of an energy absorbing bumper and door operating handle.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an all plastic refrigerator door of the type adapted to have one side pivotally connected to the refrigerator cabinet for movement between open and closed positions and wherein the door includes inner and outer panels of thin plastic material that are spaced apart to form a space for foamed-in-place thermal in sulation that reinforces the thin section plastic panels and wherein the outer panel includes a resiliently deflectable outwardly directed flange thereon which is located with respect to the front comer edge of the pivoted door to protect it against impact loadings and wherein the flange is configured to form a door operating handle throughout the full height of the insulated door section.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved side section on an all plastic refrigerator door having foamed-in-place thermal insulation for reinforcing spacedapart plastic panels; the side section including a bent comer integrally formed with the front of a door which reinforces an integrally formed handle flange that extends forwardly of the front panel at one side thereof through the full height of the door and wherein the handle flange itself is relatively yieldable and located forwardly of the door comer to serve as an energy absorbing bumper at the side of the door.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.
In the drawings:
FIG. I is a view in perspective of a two-compartment refrigerator with all plastic doors constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal section taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of a two compartment refrigerator with doors showing a second embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal section taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.
Referring now to the drawings, in FIG. 1 a refrigerator is illustrated including a cabinet 12 having a front opening to a top food storage compartment closed by a door 14 which has one of its sides pivotally connected by hinge pins l6, 18 to suitable brackets l7, l9 fastened to the cabinet I2.
By virtue of this support, the door 14 is pivotable about the axis defined by the pins I6, 18 from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to an open position wherein the side 20 thereof sweeps through an arcuate path forwardly and toward one side of the cabinet 12.
Additionally, the refrigerator cabinet includes a bottom compartment having an access opening closed by a lower door 22 which is hinged at its side by hinge pins 18, 24 and brackets 19, 25 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis on the cabinet 12 outwardly and forwardly so that a side 28 thereon moves through a like arcuate path.
In accordance with certain principles of the present invention each of the doors l4, 16 as is shown in FIG. 2 includes an outside panel 30 and an inside panel 32 each formed of a highstrength plastic material such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene) or expanded polypropylene plastic.
Each of the panels 30, 32 have a relatively thin section. In the case of the inner panel 32 vacuum molding is used to form convolutions 34 to form compartments or shelves 36 on which articles are stored to be located within the food compartment 38 of the refrigerator when the door is closed.
As shown in FIG. 2 the inner panel 32 further includes a forward, side step 40 therein which terminates in a side edge 42.
A magnetic door seal 43 is secured to edge 42 by screws 45 and clamps 47 around the perimeter ofpanel 32.
The front panel 30 is injection molded to include an integral, channel-shaped side 44 that has an inside leg 46, a side surface 48 and a front leg 50 which is integrally joined to one side of the front face 52 of the panel 30 along the full height thereof. The seal screws 45 fasten edge 42 to leg 46 to join panels 30, 32. A like channel-shaped side 54 is formed on the hinged side of the door.
The front face 52 has a planar extent which is greater than that of the access opening to the refrigerator compartment 38, and it along with side channels 44, 54 cover the sidewalls S5 of the refrigerator when the doors 14, 22 are closed and serve to locate seal 43 in sealing engagement with the cabinet walls 55.
The thin sectioned outer and inner panels 30, 32 are spaced from one another through a predetermined distance to form a volume which is filled by foamed-in-place thermal insulating material 57 such as a polyurethane foam insulating material. This material is characterized by being rigid and serves to prevent any substantial flexure of the wide, thin panels 30, 32.
Rounded comers 56, 58 on the channel 44 serve as transition radii for joining the legs 46, 50 to the side surface 48. Since the outer panel 30 is rigidly reinforced by foamed material 57 these points of stress concentration can be damaged when impacted sharply against an object during pivotal movement of the door.
In accordance with certain principles of the present invention, the channel-shaped side 44 defines a structural cross section which serves to reinforce the root portion 60 of a combination energy absorbing bumper and handle member 62 which is connected to the door 14 along the side 20 throughout the height thereof as is best seen in FIG. 1.
The handle member 62 includes a flange 64 integrally formed at its root 60 to the front face 52 of panel 30 and the leg 50 of the side portion 44 of outer panel 30. The flange 64 is perpendicularly connected to an elongated flaplike bent end 66 which is located in spaced parallelism with the leg 50 of the front panel 30 throughout the height of the all plastic door.
Together, they form an open space 68 or pocket for defining a handgrip to serve as an operating handle any place along the height of side 20.
In accordance with certain principles of the invention the handle member 62 is resiliently yieldable upon impact with a stationary object to assume a shape shown exaggerated in dotted lines on FIG. 2 and thereby serves as a resilient energy absorbing bumper located forwardly of the comer 58 and which functions to absorb kinetic energy when it impacts against a stationary object.
Thus, when the door 14 swings about the side hinge pins 16, 18 forwardly and outwardly of the refrigerator door, it is protected by the handle 62.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 a refrigerator 70 is illustrated that includes a cabinet 72 having a top compartment closed by an upper door 74 and a bottom compartment closed by a lower door 76.
In this embodiment the upper door is connected by pivot pins 78, 80 to brackets 79, 81 on one side of cabinet 72 to be pivotally movable about a vertical axis between open and closed positions.
Likewise the lower door 76 is connected by the pin 80 and a lower pivot pin 82 to midbrackets 81 and lower bracket 83 same side of the door for a like movement between open and closed positions.
In this embodiment of the invention, each of the doors includes an integral handle and bumper configuration at each side thereof. More particularly, the upper door 74 can be seen to include an inner plastic panel 84 and an outer plastic panel 85. A like panel is present at the inside and outside of door 76,
The inner panel 84 in this case includes a side flange 86 which is directed generally perpendicularly to a stepped portion 88 on the panel 84 in the vicinity of the access opening 90 to a food compartment 92 of the refrigerator.
The outer panel 85 includes a front 94 having a planar extent in excess of that of the access opening 90 to the compartment 92. At each edge the front 94 is integrally formed with an outwardly sloping face 96 which in turn is integrally joined with a side bumper 98 which is reinforced by a rearwardly directed flange 100 that overlies flange 86 and extends throughout the full height of the front 94 immediately to one side of the sloping face 96.
Between the leg 100 and the flange 86 is connected a side portion 102 of a seal element 103 that has a base 104 in seated relationship with the step transition 88 on the inner panel 84 where it is held in place by suitable fastening means such as an adhesive material to define a reinforced laminated side.
The base 104 is joined to a yieldable bellows portion 106 of the seal that in turn is integrally formed with an annular crosssectioned gasket 108 in which is located a resilient strip of magnetic material 110.
When the door is in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 4 the magnet 110 is attracted by a surface 112 formed on a metal liner 114 of ferromagnetic material for the compartment 92.
The liner 114 is reversely bent on itself to form a front flange 116 around the access opening 90joined with the outer cabinet wall 118.
Between the inner panel 114 and the outer cabinet wall 118 50 Portion toward the from comer to is a space filled with rigid foamed-in-place thermal insulation A like open space formed between the inner panel 84 and the outer panel is filled with rigid foamed-in-place thermal insulation 122 such as blown polyurethane foam which serves to adhere the bent over end 124 of the seal element in place on the inside of side flange 86.
As was the case in the first embodiment, the bumper 98 serves as a continuous handle along the height of the cabinet door 70 and an energy absorbing bumper since it is relatively resiliently yieldable with respect to the front 94 into a position as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4 upon impact with a stationary object during door swinging movement.
This resiliency serves to insulate the comer region 125 between the sloping face 96 and flange against shock.
Furthermore, the comer region is reinforced by the side flange 86 and a seal side 102 therein.
While the embodiments of the present invention, as herein disclosed, constitute a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.
1 claim:
1. A refrigerator door adapted to be pivotally mounted on a refrigerator cabinet for closing an access opening therein comprising: an inner panel having side edges thereon, an integrall molded one-piece outer panel including channelshape sides, each of said channel-shaped sides including an inside leg and a front leg joined by a side surface, means for connecting each of said inside legs to the side edges of said inner panel, said outer panel including a front face integrally connected to each of said front legs at a point located forwardly of each of said inside legs, said inner and outer panels having a space formed therebetween, rigid foamed-in-place insulation material filling said space and the inside of each of said channel-shaped sides, an inside comer formed by one of said inside legs and said side surfaces reinforced by said insulation material, a front corner formed by one of said front legs and said side surfaces reinforced by said insulation material, a combination energy absorber and handle member formed integrally with said outer panel, said member including a flange having a root portion joined at the juncture between said one of said front legs and said front face of said outer panel, said flange extending outwardly and perpendicularly with respect to said front face, a bent end on said member connected to an end of said flange at a point located in front of the front face, said bent end extending from said flange in parallel spaced relationship to said one of said front legs to locate the free end of said bent end at a point terminating in front of the front comer of said channel-shaped side, said flange and said bent end being resiliently yieldable when said member hits an object to cause said flange and bent end to deflect from the root protect it against impact.

Claims (1)

1. A refrigerator door adapted to be pivotally mounted on a refrigerator cabinet for closing an access opening therein comprising: an inner panel having side edges thereon, an integrally molded one-piece outer panel including channel-shaped sides, each of said channel-shaped sides including an inside leg and a front leg joined by a side surface, means for connecting each of said inside legs to the side edges of said inner panel, said outer panel including a front face integrally connected to each of said front legs at a point located forwardly of each of said inside legs, said inner and outer panels having a space formed therebetween, rigid foamed-in-place insulation material filling said space and the inside of each of said channel-shaped sides, an inside corner formed by one of said inside legs and said side surfaces reinforced by said insulation material, a front corner formed by one of said front legs and said side surfaces reinforced by said insulation material, a combination energy absorber and handle member formed integrally with said outer panel, said member including a flange having a root portion joined at the juncture between said one of said front legs and said front face of said outer panel, said flange extending outwardly and perpendicularly with respect to said front face, a bent end on said member connected to an end of said flange at a point located in front of the front face, said bent end extending from said flange in parallel spaced relationship to said one of said front legs to locate the free end of said bent end at a point terminating in front of the front corner of said channelshaped side, said flange and said bent end being resiliently yieldable when said member hits an object to cause said flange and bent end to deflect from the root portion toward the front corner to protect it against impact.
US881074A 1969-12-01 1969-12-01 All plastic refrigerator door with integral bump stop handle Expired - Lifetime US3634971A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US88107469A 1969-12-01 1969-12-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3634971A true US3634971A (en) 1972-01-18

Family

ID=25377730

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US881074A Expired - Lifetime US3634971A (en) 1969-12-01 1969-12-01 All plastic refrigerator door with integral bump stop handle

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3634971A (en)

Cited By (43)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3869873A (en) * 1974-05-20 1975-03-11 Elliott Williams Company Inc Door structure for large freezer
DE3839201A1 (en) * 1988-11-19 1990-05-23 Licentia Gmbh Door or lid for a refrigerator
US5048233A (en) * 1987-05-01 1991-09-17 Northland Corporation Refrigerator door and method of manufacturing same
WO1992020981A1 (en) * 1991-05-13 1992-11-26 Bs Electrodomesticos, S.A. Refrigerating apparatus
US5533311A (en) * 1994-09-30 1996-07-09 Maytag Corporation Thermoformed plastic refrigerator door
US5588731A (en) * 1995-07-17 1996-12-31 Whirlpool Corporation Refrigerator door construction
US5759591A (en) * 1996-06-28 1998-06-02 Maytag Corporation Apparatus for thermoforming a plastic appliance door
US6079766A (en) * 1998-05-06 2000-06-27 National Rv, Inc. Durable doors for a recreational vehicle
EP1005976A3 (en) * 1998-12-01 2000-07-12 Whirlpool Corporation Method for constructing a bent-edged plastic door for a household electrical appliance, in particular a refrigerator, and the door obtained in this manner
EP1205719A1 (en) * 2000-10-12 2002-05-15 Electrolux Zanussi S.p.A. Refrigerator appliance door
US7051490B2 (en) * 2000-12-01 2006-05-30 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Door for refrigerator and method of producing the door for refrigerator
JP2008080124A (en) * 2006-09-25 2008-04-10 Gemtron Corp Refrigerated display case door and method of manufacture
US10012428B2 (en) * 2014-09-01 2018-07-03 Polyplastic Groep B.V. Access door
US10018406B2 (en) 2015-12-28 2018-07-10 Whirlpool Corporation Multi-layer gas barrier materials for vacuum insulated structure
US10030905B2 (en) 2015-12-29 2018-07-24 Whirlpool Corporation Method of fabricating a vacuum insulated appliance structure
US10041724B2 (en) 2015-12-08 2018-08-07 Whirlpool Corporation Methods for dispensing and compacting insulation materials into a vacuum sealed structure
US10052819B2 (en) 2014-02-24 2018-08-21 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum packaged 3D vacuum insulated door structure and method therefor using a tooling fixture
US10105931B2 (en) 2014-02-24 2018-10-23 Whirlpool Corporation Multi-section core vacuum insulation panels with hybrid barrier film envelope
US10161669B2 (en) 2015-03-05 2018-12-25 Whirlpool Corporation Attachment arrangement for vacuum insulated door
US10222116B2 (en) 2015-12-08 2019-03-05 Whirlpool Corporation Method and apparatus for forming a vacuum insulated structure for an appliance having a pressing mechanism incorporated within an insulation delivery system
US10345031B2 (en) 2015-07-01 2019-07-09 Whirlpool Corporation Split hybrid insulation structure for an appliance
US10350817B2 (en) 2012-04-11 2019-07-16 Whirlpool Corporation Method to create vacuum insulated cabinets for refrigerators
US10365030B2 (en) 2015-03-02 2019-07-30 Whirlpool Corporation 3D vacuum panel and a folding approach to create the 3D vacuum panel from a 2D vacuum panel of non-uniform thickness
US10422573B2 (en) 2015-12-08 2019-09-24 Whirlpool Corporation Insulation structure for an appliance having a uniformly mixed multi-component insulation material, and a method for even distribution of material combinations therein
US10422569B2 (en) 2015-12-21 2019-09-24 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulated door construction
US10429125B2 (en) 2015-12-08 2019-10-01 Whirlpool Corporation Insulation structure for an appliance having a uniformly mixed multi-component insulation material, and a method for even distribution of material combinations therein
US10598424B2 (en) 2016-12-02 2020-03-24 Whirlpool Corporation Hinge support assembly
US10610985B2 (en) 2015-12-28 2020-04-07 Whirlpool Corporation Multilayer barrier materials with PVD or plasma coating for vacuum insulated structure
US10663217B2 (en) 2012-04-02 2020-05-26 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulated structure tubular cabinet construction
US10712080B2 (en) 2016-04-15 2020-07-14 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet
US10731915B2 (en) 2015-03-11 2020-08-04 Whirlpool Corporation Self-contained pantry box system for insertion into an appliance
US10807298B2 (en) 2015-12-29 2020-10-20 Whirlpool Corporation Molded gas barrier parts for vacuum insulated structure
US10808987B2 (en) 2015-12-09 2020-10-20 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulation structures with multiple insulators
US10907888B2 (en) 2018-06-25 2021-02-02 Whirlpool Corporation Hybrid pigmented hot stitched color liner system
US10907891B2 (en) 2019-02-18 2021-02-02 Whirlpool Corporation Trim breaker for a structural cabinet that incorporates a structural glass contact surface
US11009284B2 (en) 2016-04-15 2021-05-18 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulated refrigerator structure with three dimensional characteristics
US11052579B2 (en) 2015-12-08 2021-07-06 Whirlpool Corporation Method for preparing a densified insulation material for use in appliance insulated structure
US11175090B2 (en) 2016-12-05 2021-11-16 Whirlpool Corporation Pigmented monolayer liner for appliances and methods of making the same
US11247369B2 (en) 2015-12-30 2022-02-15 Whirlpool Corporation Method of fabricating 3D vacuum insulated refrigerator structure having core material
US11320193B2 (en) 2016-07-26 2022-05-03 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulated structure trim breaker
US11391506B2 (en) 2016-08-18 2022-07-19 Whirlpool Corporation Machine compartment for a vacuum insulated structure
US11635249B1 (en) * 2021-11-23 2023-04-25 Whirlpool Corporation Magnetic closure assembly and method of assembling the same
US11994336B2 (en) 2015-12-09 2024-05-28 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulated structure with thermal bridge breaker with heat loop

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2871056A (en) * 1953-11-30 1959-01-27 Fruehauf Trailer Co Plastic doors and door frames for trailers
US2970347A (en) * 1957-05-16 1961-02-07 Gen Am Transport Hatch plugs
US3077644A (en) * 1960-08-19 1963-02-19 Gen Motors Corp Refrigerating apparatus
US3078134A (en) * 1961-06-12 1963-02-19 Gen Motors Corp Refrigerator door sealing
US3201833A (en) * 1963-08-22 1965-08-24 Carrier Corp Sealing arrangement
US3314196A (en) * 1965-04-23 1967-04-18 Gen Motors Corp Insulated door
US3403477A (en) * 1966-09-14 1968-10-01 Gen Motors Corp Door construction

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2871056A (en) * 1953-11-30 1959-01-27 Fruehauf Trailer Co Plastic doors and door frames for trailers
US2970347A (en) * 1957-05-16 1961-02-07 Gen Am Transport Hatch plugs
US3077644A (en) * 1960-08-19 1963-02-19 Gen Motors Corp Refrigerating apparatus
US3078134A (en) * 1961-06-12 1963-02-19 Gen Motors Corp Refrigerator door sealing
US3201833A (en) * 1963-08-22 1965-08-24 Carrier Corp Sealing arrangement
US3314196A (en) * 1965-04-23 1967-04-18 Gen Motors Corp Insulated door
US3403477A (en) * 1966-09-14 1968-10-01 Gen Motors Corp Door construction

Cited By (67)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3869873A (en) * 1974-05-20 1975-03-11 Elliott Williams Company Inc Door structure for large freezer
US5048233A (en) * 1987-05-01 1991-09-17 Northland Corporation Refrigerator door and method of manufacturing same
DE3839201A1 (en) * 1988-11-19 1990-05-23 Licentia Gmbh Door or lid for a refrigerator
WO1992020981A1 (en) * 1991-05-13 1992-11-26 Bs Electrodomesticos, S.A. Refrigerating apparatus
US5533311A (en) * 1994-09-30 1996-07-09 Maytag Corporation Thermoformed plastic refrigerator door
US5716581A (en) * 1994-09-30 1998-02-10 Maytag Corporation Method of thermoforming a plastic refrigerator door
US5588731A (en) * 1995-07-17 1996-12-31 Whirlpool Corporation Refrigerator door construction
US6187252B1 (en) 1996-06-28 2001-02-13 Maytag Corporation Method of thermoforming a plastic appliance door
US5759591A (en) * 1996-06-28 1998-06-02 Maytag Corporation Apparatus for thermoforming a plastic appliance door
US6079766A (en) * 1998-05-06 2000-06-27 National Rv, Inc. Durable doors for a recreational vehicle
EP1005976A3 (en) * 1998-12-01 2000-07-12 Whirlpool Corporation Method for constructing a bent-edged plastic door for a household electrical appliance, in particular a refrigerator, and the door obtained in this manner
US6630097B1 (en) 1998-12-01 2003-10-07 Whirlpool Corporation Method for constructing a bent-edge plastic door for a household electrical appliance
EP1205719A1 (en) * 2000-10-12 2002-05-15 Electrolux Zanussi S.p.A. Refrigerator appliance door
US7051490B2 (en) * 2000-12-01 2006-05-30 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Door for refrigerator and method of producing the door for refrigerator
JP2008080124A (en) * 2006-09-25 2008-04-10 Gemtron Corp Refrigerated display case door and method of manufacture
US20080122324A1 (en) * 2006-09-25 2008-05-29 Gemtron Corporation Refrigerated display case door and method of manufacture
EP1908376A3 (en) * 2006-09-25 2011-04-20 Gemtron Corporation A refrigerated display case door and method of manufacture
US8776443B2 (en) * 2006-09-25 2014-07-15 Gemtron Corporation Refrigerated display case door
US10746458B2 (en) 2012-04-02 2020-08-18 Whirlpool Corporation Method of making a folded vacuum insulated structure
US10697697B2 (en) 2012-04-02 2020-06-30 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulated door structure and method for the creation thereof
US10663217B2 (en) 2012-04-02 2020-05-26 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulated structure tubular cabinet construction
US10350817B2 (en) 2012-04-11 2019-07-16 Whirlpool Corporation Method to create vacuum insulated cabinets for refrigerators
US10052819B2 (en) 2014-02-24 2018-08-21 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum packaged 3D vacuum insulated door structure and method therefor using a tooling fixture
US10828844B2 (en) 2014-02-24 2020-11-10 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum packaged 3D vacuum insulated door structure and method therefor using a tooling fixture
US10105931B2 (en) 2014-02-24 2018-10-23 Whirlpool Corporation Multi-section core vacuum insulation panels with hybrid barrier film envelope
US10012428B2 (en) * 2014-09-01 2018-07-03 Polyplastic Groep B.V. Access door
US10365030B2 (en) 2015-03-02 2019-07-30 Whirlpool Corporation 3D vacuum panel and a folding approach to create the 3D vacuum panel from a 2D vacuum panel of non-uniform thickness
US11243021B2 (en) 2015-03-05 2022-02-08 Whirlpool Corporation Attachment arrangement for vacuum insulated door
US10161669B2 (en) 2015-03-05 2018-12-25 Whirlpool Corporation Attachment arrangement for vacuum insulated door
US11713916B2 (en) 2015-03-05 2023-08-01 Whirlpool Corporation Attachment arrangement for vacuum insulated door
US10731915B2 (en) 2015-03-11 2020-08-04 Whirlpool Corporation Self-contained pantry box system for insertion into an appliance
US10345031B2 (en) 2015-07-01 2019-07-09 Whirlpool Corporation Split hybrid insulation structure for an appliance
US11052579B2 (en) 2015-12-08 2021-07-06 Whirlpool Corporation Method for preparing a densified insulation material for use in appliance insulated structure
US10605519B2 (en) 2015-12-08 2020-03-31 Whirlpool Corporation Methods for dispensing and compacting insulation materials into a vacuum sealed structure
US11691318B2 (en) 2015-12-08 2023-07-04 Whirlpool Corporation Method for preparing a densified insulation material for use in appliance insulated structure
US10041724B2 (en) 2015-12-08 2018-08-07 Whirlpool Corporation Methods for dispensing and compacting insulation materials into a vacuum sealed structure
US10429125B2 (en) 2015-12-08 2019-10-01 Whirlpool Corporation Insulation structure for an appliance having a uniformly mixed multi-component insulation material, and a method for even distribution of material combinations therein
US10422573B2 (en) 2015-12-08 2019-09-24 Whirlpool Corporation Insulation structure for an appliance having a uniformly mixed multi-component insulation material, and a method for even distribution of material combinations therein
US11009288B2 (en) 2015-12-08 2021-05-18 Whirlpool Corporation Insulation structure for an appliance having a uniformly mixed multi-component insulation material, and a method for even distribution of material combinations therein
US10907886B2 (en) 2015-12-08 2021-02-02 Whirlpool Corporation Methods for dispensing and compacting insulation materials into a vacuum sealed structure
US10222116B2 (en) 2015-12-08 2019-03-05 Whirlpool Corporation Method and apparatus for forming a vacuum insulated structure for an appliance having a pressing mechanism incorporated within an insulation delivery system
US11555643B2 (en) 2015-12-09 2023-01-17 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulation structures with multiple insulators
US11994336B2 (en) 2015-12-09 2024-05-28 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulated structure with thermal bridge breaker with heat loop
US11994337B2 (en) 2015-12-09 2024-05-28 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulation structures with multiple insulators
US10808987B2 (en) 2015-12-09 2020-10-20 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulation structures with multiple insulators
US10914505B2 (en) 2015-12-21 2021-02-09 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulated door construction
US10422569B2 (en) 2015-12-21 2019-09-24 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulated door construction
US10018406B2 (en) 2015-12-28 2018-07-10 Whirlpool Corporation Multi-layer gas barrier materials for vacuum insulated structure
US10514198B2 (en) 2015-12-28 2019-12-24 Whirlpool Corporation Multi-layer gas barrier materials for vacuum insulated structure
US10610985B2 (en) 2015-12-28 2020-04-07 Whirlpool Corporation Multilayer barrier materials with PVD or plasma coating for vacuum insulated structure
US10807298B2 (en) 2015-12-29 2020-10-20 Whirlpool Corporation Molded gas barrier parts for vacuum insulated structure
US10030905B2 (en) 2015-12-29 2018-07-24 Whirlpool Corporation Method of fabricating a vacuum insulated appliance structure
US11577446B2 (en) 2015-12-29 2023-02-14 Whirlpool Corporation Molded gas barrier parts for vacuum insulated structure
US11752669B2 (en) 2015-12-30 2023-09-12 Whirlpool Corporation Method of fabricating 3D vacuum insulated refrigerator structure having core material
US11247369B2 (en) 2015-12-30 2022-02-15 Whirlpool Corporation Method of fabricating 3D vacuum insulated refrigerator structure having core material
US11009284B2 (en) 2016-04-15 2021-05-18 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulated refrigerator structure with three dimensional characteristics
US11609037B2 (en) 2016-04-15 2023-03-21 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulated refrigerator structure with three dimensional characteristics
US10712080B2 (en) 2016-04-15 2020-07-14 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet
US11320193B2 (en) 2016-07-26 2022-05-03 Whirlpool Corporation Vacuum insulated structure trim breaker
US11391506B2 (en) 2016-08-18 2022-07-19 Whirlpool Corporation Machine compartment for a vacuum insulated structure
US10598424B2 (en) 2016-12-02 2020-03-24 Whirlpool Corporation Hinge support assembly
US11175090B2 (en) 2016-12-05 2021-11-16 Whirlpool Corporation Pigmented monolayer liner for appliances and methods of making the same
US11867452B2 (en) 2016-12-05 2024-01-09 Whirlpool Corporation Pigmented monolayer liner for appliances and methods of making the same
US10907888B2 (en) 2018-06-25 2021-02-02 Whirlpool Corporation Hybrid pigmented hot stitched color liner system
US11543172B2 (en) 2019-02-18 2023-01-03 Whirlpool Corporation Trim breaker for a structural cabinet that incorporates a structural glass contact surface
US10907891B2 (en) 2019-02-18 2021-02-02 Whirlpool Corporation Trim breaker for a structural cabinet that incorporates a structural glass contact surface
US11635249B1 (en) * 2021-11-23 2023-04-25 Whirlpool Corporation Magnetic closure assembly and method of assembling the same

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3634971A (en) All plastic refrigerator door with integral bump stop handle
US4914341A (en) Refrigerator cabinet construction
US6056383A (en) Refrigerator cabinet breaker assembly
US3078003A (en) Refrigerator cabinet construction
US4732432A (en) Breaker strip for a refrigerator cabinet
CA2252299C (en) Refrigerator door construction
US9702614B2 (en) Refrigerator
US5289657A (en) Refrigerator gasket and retainer
EP2639534A2 (en) Refrigerator
US10240854B2 (en) Refrigerator
US3159885A (en) Sealing gasket with magnet insert
KR20170082089A (en) refrigerator
KR20170082090A (en) refrigerator
US3913996A (en) Refrigeration apparatus enclosure structure
US3999820A (en) Refrigeration apparatus enclosure structure
US2746828A (en) Cabinet construction
US3732646A (en) Refrigerator door construction
KR100499249B1 (en) Door structure of refrigerator
US4974914A (en) Household refrigerator assembly
US3403477A (en) Door construction
US5876104A (en) Breaker assembly for refrigerated cabinet
JPH0651772U (en) Handle mounting device
US2329753A (en) Refrigerating apparatus
JP2000046462A (en) Heat insulating box body
CN209893784U (en) Refrigerator with a door