Abstract: An operable panel for an appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having a perimetrical wrapper edge that partially defines a perimetrical breaker channel, an inner liner and a plurality of corner brackets disposed proximate the perimetrical wrapper edge. Each corner bracket cooperates with the perimetrical wrapper edge to fully define the perimetrical breaker channel. A trim breaker is adhered to the metallic outer wrapper and the corner brackets at the perimetrical breaker channel and having a liner channel that receives a portion of the inner liner. The trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An insulation material is disposed within an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper.

Abstract: A support assembly for a vacuum insulated structure includes a base plate that has a perimeter support surface and centrally defines an aperture. The base plate includes fasteners that extend outwardly from the base plate. Base rails each include a support body that has a first attachment flange, a second attachment flange, and a mounting wall that is operably coupled to the support body. The first attachment flange and the second attachment flange operably couple each of the base rails to the base plate. A front plate is operably coupled to the mounting wall of each of the base rails. A machine plate is operably coupled to each of the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange of each of the base rails proximate to the base plate.

Abstract: A support assembly for a vacuum insulated structure includes a base plate that has a perimeter support surface and centrally defines an aperture. The base plate includes fasteners that extend outwardly from the base plate. Base rails each include a support body that has a first attachment flange, a second attachment flange, and a mounting wall that is operably coupled to the support body. The first attachment flange and the second attachment flange operably couple each of the base rails to the base plate. A front plate is operably coupled to the mounting wall of each of the base rails. A machine plate is operably coupled to each of the first attachment flange and the second attachment flange of each of the base rails proximate to the base plate.

Abstract: An appliance includes an outer wrapper, an inner liner, a trim breaker having a wrapper channel that receives a wrapper edge of the outer wrapper and a liner channel that receives a liner edge of the inner liner, and an insulation material disposed within an insulating cavity defined therebetween. A multi-component thermal encapsulation material defines pre-mix, application and sealing states. The pre-mix state is defined by the distinct components of the thermal encapsulation material being separated from one another, the application state defined by the distinct components combined together into an uncured state of the thermal encapsulation material, and the sealing state defined by the thermal encapsulation material disposed within the wrapper and liner channels and surrounding the wrapper and liner edges, respectively, in the sealing state that defines a hermetic seal between the trim breaker and the outer wrapper and the inner liner.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure includes a first cover member of a stamped unitary sheet defining a perimeter portion positioned at a first planar level and a reinforcing member formed in the interior sheet extending to a second planar level spaced axially outward and disposed radially inward of the perimeter portion. The vacuum insulated structure also includes a second cover member and a thermal bridge interconnecting the first cover member and the second cover member at the perimeter portions thereof to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The insulating cavity is a sealed cavity having a vacuum drawn therefrom, and the first reinforcing member is configured to reduce deformation of the first cover member in at least an area adjacent the reinforcing member and to define a portion of a path for air flow out of the sealed cavity during a vacuum draw process.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet with a liner spaced apart from a wrapper. A trim breaker is operably coupled with the liner and the wrapper. A trim adapter assembly is coupled with the trim breaker and includes an adapter member and a corner member. The trim breaker defines a forward receiving space and a protrusion of the trim adapter assembly is received by the forward receiving space. A heat loop assembly is operably coupled with the adapter member. The heat loop assembly includes a cover and a heat loop disposed between the cover and the trim breaker.

Abstract: A door panel for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner. An outer wrapper is attached to the inner liner and defines an insulating structure with an insulating cavity disposed therein. An insulating material is defined within the insulating cavity. A dispenser structure is defined within a central portion of the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The dispenser structure defines an insulated dispenser portion therein. A dispenser conduit extends from an interior area disposed above the dispenser structure to an external dispensing cavity and passing through the insulated dispenser portion.

Abstract: An insulated structural cabinet for an appliance includes outer walls that are attached together to define a structural envelope that is operable from an expanded state that includes an expanded interior volume of the interior cavity, to a final state that includes a contracted interior volume of the interior cavity, wherein the contracted interior volume is less than the expanded interior volume. An insulating material disposed throughout the interior cavity in the expanded state. Operation of the structural envelope to the final state densifies the insulating material. Operation of the structural envelope to the final state is performed by a vacuum pump that expresses air from the interior cavity. The structural envelope is also operable from a performed state to the expanded state via an expanding device, and subsequently operable from the expanded state to the final state.

Abstract: An auger feeder includes a hopper having an inner hopper wall and an outer hopper wall where the inner hopper wall includes an air permeable surface. A space is positioned between the inner and outer hopper walls. A heater is coupled to an outside edge of the inner hopper wall or an outside edge of the outer hopper wall while a feed screw is positioned along an inside edge of the inner hopper wall. The auger feeder additionally includes an evacuator coupled to a vacuum port that is positioned in the outer hopper wall. The auger feeder also includes an aperture exit positioned at a bottom of the inner and outer hopper walls.

Abstract: An insulated structure comprises a first panel and a second panel coupled to the first panel. The first and second panels define an insulating cavity therebetween. A port is defined by the second panel. The port is an opening into the insulating cavity. A connector is coupled to the second panel. A tube is coupled to the connector and extends parallel along the second panel.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner. A ladder rack is coupled to the inner liner. The ladder rack includes first and second sidewalls coupled together by a connecting wall that defines a plurality of apertures. An adapter member includes a hook configured to extend through an aperture of the plurality of apertures when coupled to the ladder rack. The adapter member is coupled with a locking member that engages inner surface of first and second sidewalls of the ladder rack. A cantilever support is coupled to the adapter member and extends outward from the ladder rack. A rail assembly is coupled to an upper surface of the cantilever support. A spacer is coupled to an end of the cantilever support and abuts an inner liner surface. A storage feature is coupled to the rail assembly and is operable between stowed and deployed positions.

Abstract: An appliance includes an outer wrapper, an inner liner, a trim breaker having a wrapper channel that receives a wrapper edge of the outer wrapper and a liner channel that receives a liner edge of the inner liner, and an insulation material disposed within an insulating cavity defined therebetween. A multi-component thermal encapsulation material defines pre-mix, application and sealing states. The pre-mix state is defined by the distinct components of the thermal encapsulation material being separated from one another, the application state defined by the distinct components combined together into an uncured state of the thermal encapsulation material, and the sealing state defined by the thermal encapsulation material disposed within the wrapper and liner channels and surrounding the wrapper and liner edges, respectively, in the sealing state that defines a hermetic seal between the trim breaker and the outer wrapper and the inner liner.

Abstract: A method of making an insulated cabinet for a refrigerator comprises: welding sheet metal to form an external wrapper, the external wrapper including an interior and welded areas with an outboard-facing side; welding sheet metal to form a first liner configured to be disposed within the interior of the external wrapper, the first liner including welded areas with an inboard-facing side; applying an adhesive to the outboard-facing side of the welded areas of the external wrapper; applying an adhesive to the inboard-facing side of the welded areas of the first liner; and disposing the first liner within the interior of the external wrapper, leaving a space between the first liner and the external wrapper.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet having an inner liner spaced apart from an outer wrapper and a trim breaker extending between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The trim breaker includes first and second opposing vertical portions, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a central portion. The top portion is integrally formed with each vertical portion at a respective upper corner, and the bottom portion is integrally formed with each vertical portion at a respective lower corner. A first plurality of ribs extends from an outer rim of the trim breaker and at least partially along the central portion, and a second plurality of ribs extends from the outer rim of at least one of the first and second vertical portions and across at least one of the upper and lower corners.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet is provided that includes an inner liner and an external wrapper. The inner liner is positioned within the external wrapper such that a gap is defined between the external wrapper and inner liner. The external wrapper includes a machine compartment including: a top wall, an interior wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. A foot is defined by the external wrapper and is positioned below the machine compartment. The foot is at least partially defined by the bottom wall and at least partially supports the refrigerator cabinet.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure includes a first cover member of a stamped unitary sheet defining a perimeter portion positioned at a first planar level and a reinforcing member formed in the interior sheet extending to a second planar level spaced axially outward and disposed radially inward of the perimeter portion. The vacuum insulated structure also includes a second cover member and a thermal bridge interconnecting the first cover member and the second cover member at the perimeter portions thereof to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The insulating cavity is a sealed cavity having a vacuum drawn therefrom, and the first reinforcing member is configured to reduce deformation of the first cover member in at least an area adjacent the reinforcing member and to define a portion of a path for air flow out of the sealed cavity during a vacuum draw process.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure includes a first cover member of a unitary sheet member defining a perimeter portion, an outer frame portion defined radially inward of the perimeter portion, and an inner area surrounded and supported by the outer frame portion. The inner area defines a first planar level with a portion of the outer frame portion extending to a second planar level parallel to and spaced apart from the first planar level in an axial direction. The vacuum insulated structure further includes a second cover member of a unitary sheet and a thermal bridge interconnecting the first cover member and the second cover member at the perimeter portions thereof to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The outer frame portion deforms such that the inner area moves axially inward away from the second planar level under a force of the vacuum within the insulating cavity.

Abstract: An appliance includes a panel having a raised landing outwardly extending from a first surface of the panel. A vacuum port is disposed on the raised landing. A system of channels is disposed over the first surface of the panel and outwardly extends therefrom. The system of channels substantially covers the first surface of the panel. The first surface of the panel is covered with a filter member that covers the system of channels. The raised landing, and vacuum port thereof, is fluidically coupled to the system of channels at multiple connecting locations.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner. A ladder rack is coupled to the inner liner. The ladder rack includes first and second sidewalls coupled together by a connecting wall that defines a plurality of apertures. An adapter member includes a hook configured to extend through an aperture of the plurality of apertures when coupled to the ladder rack. The adapter member is coupled with a locking member that engages inner surface of first and second sidewalls of the ladder rack. A cantilever support is coupled to the adapter member and extends outward from the ladder rack. A rail assembly is coupled to an upper surface of the cantilever support. A spacer is coupled to an end of the cantilever support and abuts an inner liner surface. A storage feature is coupled to the rail assembly and is operable between stowed and deployed positions.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet having a liner spaced apart from a wrapper. A trim breaker extends between the liner and the wrapper. A trim adapter assembly is coupled with the trim breaker and includes an adapter member and a corner member. The adapter member includes a plurality of engagement arms. A cover is configured to be engaged with the plurality of engagement arms to couple the cover with the trim adapter assembly.