Abstract: A magnetic seal is disclosed for releasably sealing two doors arranged side by side on a thermally insulated cabinet such as a refrigerator or freezer. A retainer gasket is affixed to the inner edge of each door. One of the retainer gasket encloses a magnet and retains the magnet fixed in place relative to the door. Another retainer gasket is affixed to the other door and is formed of a base, a sleeve enclosing a second magnet, and two flexible webs connecting the sleeve to the base. The retainer gaskets and magnets are arranged so that the magnets impart an attractive force on each other and releasably seal the doors. When one of the doors is opened slightly, the magnets are arranged to repel each other and assist in easily opening at least one of the doors. Finally, a magnet having more than two magnetic poles may be used to assist in sealing and opening at least one of the doors.

Abstract: A retainer and seal gasket is disclosed for a thermally insulated cabinet having a door. The configuration reduces the gap between the door and cabinet, and eliminates exposure of metal components to the cabinet interior. The retainer clamps the shell and liner of the container together without requiring separate mechanical fasteners. The retainer clips onto the shell and liner of the cabinet. The retainer further has a fastening means for securing the retainer and the seal gasket in an interlocking relationship. The retainer may include at least one anchoring rib for affixing the retainer within insulation inserted between the shell and liner of the container. The seal gasket provides a flexible bumper and a magnetic seal for releasably closing the door of the cabinet.

Abstract: A retainer for use in assembling door elements, such as shell, pan and gasket portions of a door associated with refrigerators, freezers and other thermally insulated cabinets, without requiring separate mechanical fasteners such as screws or rivets. The retainer comprises an extruded base and first leg which clip onto the edge of an outer shell of the door. The extruded base is formed with a hinge and a second leg which rotates open to allow placement of the pan of the door. The second leg rotates on the hinge about its longitudinal axis and locks in place to retain the door pan. The second leg is formed with a retaining chamber which accepts a flexible dart to secure the gasket of the door.