Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure including a first cover member of a stamped unitary sheet defining a perimeter portion positioned at a first planar level and first rib formed in the unitary sheet extending to a second planar level spaced axially outward and disposed radially inward of the perimeter portion, a second cover member, and 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 rib defines a first portion of a path for air flow out of the sealed cavity during a vacuum draw process.

Abstract: A cabinet assembly for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner having a forward liner edge. The forward liner edge defines an access opening. An outer wrapper is disposed around the inner liner and has a forward wrapper edge. The outer wrapper is spaced-apart from the inner liner to define an insulating cavity therebetween. A mullion assembly extends across the access opening. A trim breaker extends about the access opening and is coupled to the forward wrapper edge and the forward liner edge to seal the insulating cavity. The trim breaker includes a spacing flange positioned to contact the mullion assembly to define a receiving space between the trim breaker and the mullion assembly.

Abstract: An insulating structure for an appliance including a first panel, a second panel coupled to the first panel, wherein the first and second panels define a cavity, an insulation material disposed within the cavity, at least one central flattening portion of the first and second panels, the at least one central flattening portion defining an enlarged area of the cavity in a rest state and having deflection control features, and structural reinforcements defined by the deflection control features of the at least one central flattening portion.

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 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 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: A door panel includes an outer panel having a generally planar body portion with inner and outer surfaces and a sidewall with a front edge. An inner panel includes a generally planar body portion with inner and outer surfaces and a sidewall with a front edge. A trim breaker interconnects the outer panel and the inner panel to form a vacuum cavity therebetween. The trim breaker includes first and second upright members interconnected by upper and lower cross members. The trim breaker further includes an inner channel and an outer channel spaced-apart from one another around the trim breaker. The outer channel is outwardly disposed around the inner channel. The front edge of the inner panel is received in the inner channel of the trim breaker, and the front edge of the outer panel is received in the outer channel of the trim breaker.

Abstract: An appliance includes a metallic liner and an outer metallic wrapper. An insulating cavity is defined between the metallic liner and outer metallic wrapper. The appliance further includes a pressure sensing device disposed within the cavity. The pressure sensing device is located to detect a pressure status and transmit the pressure status through at least one of the metallic liner and outer metallic wrapper.

Abstract: An insulation compaction device includes an insulating structure of an appliance and has an insulating media disposed within an insulating cavity. An operable piston selectively engages the insulating structure and operates to define a selected cavity volume of the insulating cavity and a selected insulation density of the insulating media. A valve is attached to the insulating structure and in a passive state releases gas from the insulating cavity to the exterior during operation of the operable piston. Selective operation of a pump mechanism places the valve in an active state to extract gas from the insulating cavity and define a cavity pressure of the insulating cavity that is less than an equalized pressure. The operable piston and the pump mechanism are at least one of sequentially and simultaneously operable to define a selected piston chamber environment defined by the selected cavity volume and the cavity pressure.

Abstract: An appliance includes a metallic liner and an outer metallic wrapper. An insulating cavity is defined between the metallic liner and outer metallic wrapper. The appliance further includes a pressure sensing device disposed within the cavity. The pressure sensing device is located to detect a pressure status and transmit the pressure status through at least one of the metallic liner and outer metallic wrapper.

Abstract: A cabinet assembly for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner having a forward liner edge. The forward liner edge defines an access opening. An outer wrapper is disposed around the inner liner and has a forward wrapper edge. The outer wrapper is spaced-apart from the inner liner to define an insulating cavity therebetween. A mullion assembly extends across the access opening. A trim breaker extends about the access opening and is coupled to the forward wrapper edge and the forward liner edge to seal the insulating cavity. The trim breaker includes a spacing flange positioned to contact the mullion assembly to define a receiving space between the trim breaker and the mullion assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure includes a first panel and a second panel, wherein the second panel is operably coupled to the first panel to define an insulating space therebetween. An airway system is disposed within the insulating space and includes portions of porous tubing configured to draw air along lengths of the porous tubing from the insulating space during an evacuation procedure. A plurality of connectors interconnect the portions of porous tubing of the airway system to inner walls of the insulating space. The connectors may include support members that extend between the panels within the insulating space to support the vacuum insulated structure under vacuum pressure. Further, first and second panels can include rigidifying structural configurations to combat vacuum bowing during the evacuation procedure.

Abstract: A rear bracket for a wall-mounted, appliance shelf assembly includes a central portion that defines a plurality of receiving wells. A first mounting portion extends parallel to the central portion and is configured to align with a first wall of an appliance cabinet. A second mounting portion extends perpendicular to the central portion and is configured to align with a second wall of the appliance cabinet. The second wall is positioned perpendicular to the first wall. A first fastener is configured to couple the first mounting portion with the first wall. A second fastener is configured to couple the second mounting portion with the second wall.

Abstract: An appliance includes a metallic liner and an outer metallic wrapper. An insulating cavity is defined between the metallic liner and outer metallic wrapper. The appliance further includes a pressure sensing device disposed within the cavity. The pressure sensing device is located to detect a pressure status and transmit the pressure status through at least one of the metallic liner and outer metallic wrapper.

Abstract: An insulating structure for an appliance including a first panel, a second panel coupled to the first panel, wherein the first and second panels define a cavity, an insulation material disposed within the cavity, at least one central flattening portion of the first and second panels, the at least one central flattening portion defining an enlarged area of the cavity in a rest state and having deflection control features, and structural reinforcements defined by the deflection control features of the at least one central flattening portion.

Abstract: A door panel includes an outer panel having a generally planar body portion with inner and outer surfaces and a sidewall with a front edge. An inner panel includes a generally planar body portion with inner and outer surfaces and a sidewall with a front edge. A trim breaker interconnects the outer panel and the inner panel to form a vacuum cavity therebetween. The trim breaker includes first and second upright members interconnected by upper and lower cross members. The trim breaker further includes an inner channel and an outer channel spaced-apart from one another around the trim breaker. The outer channel is outwardly disposed around the inner channel. The front edge of the inner panel is received in the inner channel of the trim breaker, and the front edge of the outer panel is received in the outer channel of the trim breaker.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure includes a first panel and a second panel, wherein the second panel is operably coupled to the first panel to define an insulating space therebetween. An airway system is disposed within the insulating space and includes portions of porous tubing configured to draw air along lengths of the porous tubing from the insulating space during an evacuation procedure. A plurality of connectors interconnect the portions of porous tubing of the airway system to inner walls of the insulating space. The connectors may include support members that extend between the panels within the insulating space to support the vacuum insulated structure under vacuum pressure. Further, first and second panels can include rigidifying structural configurations to combat vacuum bowing during the evacuation procedure.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure includes a first panel and a second panel, wherein the second panel is operably coupled to the first panel to define an insulating space therebetween. An airway system is disposed within the insulating space and includes portions of porous tubing configured to draw air along lengths of the porous tubing from the insulating space during an evacuation procedure. A plurality of connectors interconnect the portions of porous tubing of the airway system to inner walls of the insulating space. The connectors may include support members that extend between the panels within the insulating space to support the vacuum insulated structure under vacuum pressure. Further, first and second panels can include rigidifying structural configurations to combat vacuum bowing during the evacuation procedure.

Abstract: A cabinet for an appliance, such as a refrigerated appliance, includes a cabinet wrapper, a trim breaker operably coupled to the cabinet wrapper and defining an interface, and load transfer bracket operably coupled to the interface. Structural loading stresses are transferred to the load transfer bracket at the interface.