Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet assembly includes a shell formed from a pre-painted material having first and second laterally spaced upstanding side walls which are interconnected by a top wall, with each of the first and second side and top walls including a front edge portion leading to a flange assembly defining a liner receiving cavity. The flange assembly includes a front flange leading to a return flange that extends to a rear flange and terminates in a bent flange. The cabinet assembly further includes a plurality of corner and stanchion reinforcing members secured behind respective return flange sections. The reinforcing members function to increase the structural integrity of the shell while including tab structure for mounting and/or shell deformation preventing purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a domestic refrigerator or freezer that has a food storage compartment delimited by insulated walls and by one or more access doors to the compartment. One or more walls or doors are provided with a metallic film, preferably a metallised polymeric film, capable of enhancing the performance of the refrigerator with regard to energy saving.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of constructing a food display case. The construction techniques make use of a crimping tool which stitches together overlapping metal flange portions of the component display panel. The resulting stitched seams permit the rapid assembly of the non-glass structural components. In situ foaming of the spaces between the interior and exterior display walls, floor panels, and top panels, provides a rigid spaced connection between the adjacent panels and provides for the overall rigidity and increased strength of the resulting display case.

Abstract: A shelf mounting support includes an annular flange portion having a side surface from which projects a cavity defining body portion. The mounting support is adapted to extend through an aperture formed in a liner of an appliance with the body portion of the mounting support being inserted in a respective aperture from an outer insulation zone side of the liner. Each mounting support is held in the aperture through the use of one or more retainer elements in the form of an adhesive element or flexible grip members. Thereafter, the liner is positioned within an outer shell of the appliance and foamed insulation is then injected into the insulation zone and into the internal cavity of the mounting support to anchor the mounting support in position.

Abstract: A domestic refrigeration appliance, such as a refrigerator, freezer or the like, comprising a door and with vacuum heat insulation interposed between a substantially vacuum-tight inner shell and a substantially vacuum-tight outer shell; the two shells are joined together vacuum-tight on that side towards the door by means of a flange-like extension provided on one of said shells and welded vacuum-tight to the other shell.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a heat-insulating housing and at least one heat-insulating door fastened thereto. The door and the housing each have an outer cladding, an inner cladding, and a heat insulation layer produced therebetween by foaming and into which is introduced vacuum insulation panels on the door and/or on the housing. Vacuum insulation panels are disposed on the inner claddings of the doors and housings.

Abstract: A heat insulation box body includes inner and outer boxes forming a shell of the heat insulation box body and triangular structural materials inserted in the shell held by close-contact by means of a vacuum. Further, at the time of disassembling the heat insulation box body after scrapping, a shell surface is cut and air is introduced into the inside of the shell to return the state of the shell to an atmospheric pressure state and then respective members are separated from each other.

Abstract: A shelf mounting support includes an annular flange portion having a side surface from which projects a cavity defining body portion. The mounting support is adapted to extend through an aperture formed in a liner of an appliance with the body portion of the mounting support being inserted in a respective aperture from an outer insulation zone side of the liner. Each mounting support is initially retained in the aperture through the use of an adhesive element that attaches the flange portion of the mounting support to the liner. Thereafter, the liner is positioned within an outer shell of the appliance and foamed insulation is then injected into the insulation zone and into the internal cavity of the mounting support to anchor the mounting support in position. To support a shelf, a plurality of mounting supports are arranged in a common plane upon which the shelf is adapted to rest.

Abstract: A heat insulated wall having two surface layers disposed at a distance from one another and are at least substantially vacuum-tight in construction. The two surface layers together with an at least substantially vacuum-tight connection element enclose an evacuable space that is filled with an evacuable thermal insulation material. The surface layers have angled sections with free ends directed away from the space and on which the connection element is disposed and is fastened in a vacuum-tight fashion to the angled sections.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a thermally insulating housing and a thermally insulating door. At least one of the housing and the door define an evacuated interspace and have an evacuated thermal insulation filling the interspace, a shaped, thermoplastic, substantially gas and water vapor impermeable outer cladding, and a shaped, thermoplastic, substantially gas and water vapor impermeable inner cladding. The inner cladding and the outer cladding substantially surround the interspace in a vacuum-tight manner. The cladding can be formed from polyolefins, polyvinylidene chloride, perfluoroalkoxy polymers. For reducing gas permeability, the cladding can be formed from ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyacrylonitrile, and polyamide. The claddings can have co-extruded and/or laminated layers. The cladding can include a sputtered metal layer and/or a plastic/metal composite foil. The cladding can be formed from a thermoformed or blow-molded plastic.

Abstract: A heat insulation box body includes inner and outer boxes forming a shell of the heat insulation box body and triangular structural materials inserted in the shell held by close-contact by means of a vacuum. Further, at the time of disassembling the heat insulation box body after scrapping, a shell surface is cut and air is introduced into the inside of the shell to return the state of the shell to an atmospheric pressure state and then respective members are separated from each other.

Abstract: A heat insulation box body includes inner and outer boxes forming a shell of the heat insulation box body and triangular structural materials inserted in the shell held by close-contact by means of a vacuum. Further, at the time of disassembling the heat insulation box body after scrapping, a shell surface is cut and air is introduced into the inside of the shell to return the state of the shell to an atmospheric pressure state and then respective members are separated from each other.

Abstract: A heat insulation box body includes inner and outer boxes forming a shell of the heat insulation box body and triangular structural materials inserted in the shell held by close-contact by means of a vacuum. Further, at the time of disassembling the heat insulation box body after scrapping, a shell surface is cut and air is introduced into the inside of the shell to return the state of the shell to an atmospheric pressure state and then respective members are separated from each other.

Abstract: A heat insulation box body includes inner and outer boxes forming a shell of the heat insulation box body and triangular structural materials inserted in the shell held by close-contact by means of a vacuum. Further, at the time of disassembling the heat insulation box body after scrapping, a shell surface is cut and air is introduced into the inside of the shell to return the state of the shell to an atmospheric pressure state and then respective members are separated from each other.

Abstract: A heat insulation box body includes inner and outer boxes forming a shell of the heat insulation box body and triangular structural materials inserted in the shell held by close-contact by means of a vacuum. Further, at the time of disassembling the heat insulation box body after scrapping, a shell surface is cut and air is introduced into the inside of the shell to return the state of the shell to an atmospheric pressure state and then respective members are separated from each other.

Abstract: A vertical partition cover assembly of a side-by-side type refrigerator includes a cover (70) coupled to the front of a vertical partition (20) and a fixing member (80) for fixing a hot tube (60) to the inside of the cover (70). The cover (70) includes a sealing surface (75) to closely contact gaskets and a mechanism (41) which holds the sealing surface to the front of the vertical partition. In one embodiment, the mechanism includes connecting portions (76,77) extending inward from both ends of the sealing surface (75), and a pair of pocket portions (71,72) formed at each end of the connecting portions (76,77) to hold the front ends (23,24) of liners (21,22) forming the vertical partition (20).

Abstract: A vacuum heat-insulating panel includes a porous core material formed from a mixture containing plastic foam powder and a filler in the form of flakes or a porous core material formed from a mixture containing plastic foam powder and thermoplastic resin powder; and a packaging material for packaging the core material, the inside of the package material being kept in a vacuum, the core material holding its shape. Rigid polyurethane foam may be used as the plastic foam. Mica flakes, plastic films each coated with thin metal film, metal foil or the like may be used as the filler. Styrene resin may be used as the thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A mullion assembly (13) for a refrigerated cabinet (10) has an extruded metal post (14) as its main structural member. A flexible cover strip (15) is clipped on to the front face of the post (14), and forms the surface against which the doors of the cabinet seal when closed. One or more magnetic strips (16) are located between the post (14) and the cover strip (15) for magnetic interaction with associated magnetic strips in respective doors. An apertured plate (18) may be fitted to the rear of the post (14). A light (20) is suitably mounted to the rear plate (18). End caps (23) may also be fitted to the top and bottom of the post (14).

Abstract: The present invention comprises a low height ice maker designed primarily for use in under counter applications. An ice retaining bin includes a top end opening covered in part by a top panel and the remaining part by an ice access door. The bin is secured to a base, the base retaining certain components of a refrigeration system including; a condenser, a compressor, an expansion valve and a hot gas defrost valve. The base also retains a water dump valve, the electronic control for the ice maker and the condenser fan. When the bin is secured to the base, front and rear access areas are defined which areas can be opened by removing releasably securable panels. The control electronics, the condenser fan and high and low side service valves are positioned adjacent the front access. The expansion valve, hot gas defrost valve and the dump valve are positioned adjacent the rear access. An ice cube forming evaporator assembly is secured to an interior surface of the bin.

Abstract: A heat-insulating housing, such as for an oven chamber of a household oven or a refrigeration chamber of a household refrigerating appliance, includes at least one working space which is surrounded by housing walls and can be closed by a door. The housing walls are formed from two substantially dimensionally rigid housing shells which are at a spacing from each other and together substantially enclose an intermediate space that can be evacuated and is filled with heat-insulating material which can be introduced loosely.

Abstract: A heat-insulated wall is formed of two covering layers configured to be substantially vacuum-tight and are disposed at a distance from one another. The two covering layers are connected to one another by a connecting profile that runs along their contour and has a U-shaped cross-section. The two covering layers together with the connecting profile, enclose an intermediate space which can be evacuated and filled with heat-insulating material which can also be evacuated. The U-shaped connecting profile is equipped with limbs whose material thickness is at least approximately in the same order of magnitude as the material thickness of the covering layers, and has a base which connects the two limbs and is configured like a sheet.

Abstract: A heat-insulated wall is formed of two covering layers configured to be substantially vacuum-tight and are disposed at a distance from one another. The two covering layers are connected to one another by a connecting profile that runs along their contour and has a U-shaped cross-section. The two covering layers together with the connecting profile, enclose an intermediate space which can be evacuated and filled with heat-insulating material which can also be evacuated. The U-shaped connecting profile is equipped with limbs whose material thickness is at least approximately in the same order of magnitude as the material thickness of the covering layers, and has a base which connects the two limbs and is configured like a sheet.

Abstract: A multilayer protective film useful in insulated wall structures of appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, or boiler units, for example. The multilayer protective film has a substantially polyolefin protective layer. The multilayer protective film also has a substantially polyolefin surface capable of bonding to polyurethane foam without the use of an adhesive. The multilayer protective film bonds to and protects thermoplastic liners from attack by blowing agents used in the production of polyurethane foam. The multilayer protective film is also adaptable to be regrind-compatible into thermoplastic liners made of styrenic polymers.

Abstract: A cabinet structure is thermally insulated by placing a first insulation material directly upon a surface of the cabinet structure and then covering the insulation material with a barrier sheet that is affixed along an annular edge portion thereof to the cabinet structure. In this manner, the insulation material is retained within a chamber defined between the barrier sheet and the cabinet structure. This chamber is then evacuated to a low pressure, generally in the order of 0.1-10 mm Hg, and sealed.

Abstract: An appliance cabinet comprises an inner support frame having a plurality of panels releasably attached thereto for providing complete access to inner working components of the appliance needing maintenance or repair. Removable pre-painted colored panels having smooth inwardly molded edges cover the entire exterior of the appliance cabinet. Side panels include hem slots for receiving hemmed edges of a front panel, thereby interlocking side and front panels together. Similarly, side panels include tab slots for receiving tabs of a rear panel, thereby interlocking side and rear panels together. Side panels additionally include brackets which correspondingly overlap with threaded apertures in the rear panel for screwably securing side and rear panels to the support frame. The front panel also includes a plurality of fasteners which are releasably joined to the support frame. Individual panels can therefore be selectively removed without unnecessary removal of other panels.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet construction is disclosed where a breaker strip interconnects an exterior cabinet shell with an interior liner. The exterior cabinet shell has an open side and a shell edge flange. The interior liner is to fit within the exterior cabinet shell and has a liner flange extending outwardly of said liner. The breaker strip includes an exterior wall with first and second ended flanges. The breaker strip includes a first interior wall and a second interior wall projecting inwardly from said exterior wall to define a first channel. The first interior wall has a first flange co-extending with the first end flange of the exterior wall to define a shell receiving channel, wherein the shell edge flange is inserted into the shell receiving channel. A third interior wall is connected to second exterior wall and coextends with the second end flange of the exterior wall to define a liner receiving channel into which the liner flange extends.

Abstract: A composite metal safe including separate inner and outer metal safe containers joined together in spaced-apart concentricity to form an endless pocket therebetween and wherein the inner container forms a hollow interior accessible through a front opening in both containers covered by a lockable safe door, a plurality of pocket stiffeners rigidly mounted between the outer and inner safe containers on all sides thereof and having apertures formed therethrough to allow passage of hardenable stiffening compound throughout the endless pocket that is charged between the containers to form an impenetrable barrier therebetween; mechanical interlocks for mechanically attaching and locking a top plate to the outer container to form a top cover to the safe and become fixedly mounted thereon by interaction with the hardened compound and, a spring-loaded connector for mechanically attaching and locking a bottom plate to the outer container to form a bottom cover to the safe and become fixedly mounted thereon by interacti

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet assembly includes a cabinet shell having opposed side walls that are interconnected by a top wall and a shell bottom. Each of the side and top walls of the shell lead to front face portions which are integrally formed with return flanges for use in mounting one or more liners within the cabinet shell in a manner known in the art. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the shell bottom is spaced rearwardly of the return flanges such that a receiving slot is defined therebetween. The cabinet assembly further includes an integrated, structural reinforcing frame mounted within the cabinet shell by sliding the frame within the receiving slot and securing the frame to the return flanges. After mounting a yoder tube, a mullion bar and the liners within the cabinet shell, a plastic toe plate is attached to the reinforcing frame. The toe plate is provided with side flanges which extend about the side walls of the cabinet shell.

Abstract: A refrigerator door assembly has an outer door member with a rectangular front panel surrounded by a rearward projecting peripheral rim around its perimeter to form a cavity. A body of insulation foamed-in-place in the cavity includes a rib of predetermined external cross-section that projects rearward along the rim. An inner door member includes a rectangular base panel with a hollow peripheral wall structure projecting rearward around its perimeter. The wall structure has an internal cross-section complimentary to the external cross-section of the rib. When the inner door member is mounted on the outer door member the rib is received within the wall structure.

Abstract: A refrigerator made by a blow-molding process.

Abstract: A refrigerator door has an outer member formed from a folded sheet of steel, with a front panel and a perpendicularly projecting flange forming a cavity. A reinforcing member of thin sheet steel has a front panel, smaller than the outer member front panel, with a perpendicularly projecting flange. The reinforcing member is positioned in the cavity. A body of insulation foamed-in-place in the cavity secures the reinforcing member within the cavity in spaced apart relationship with the outer member.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet assembly includes a shell formed by opposed, upright side walls and a top wall, all of which have in-turned front and rear face portions with each of the front face portions terminating in a return flange defining a liner receiving cavity opening forwardly of the shell. Each liner receiving cavity is spaced inwardly of a respective side and top wall such that a channel, which is readily accessible from within the shell, is defined. A rear wall is interconnected to the side and top walls by being arranged between and forced to intimately contact a pair of spaced layers defining the rear face portions of each of these walls. A plurality of reinforcement members, including a pair of upper corner plates and a pair of side reinforcement bars adapted to be arranged in the channel, as well as upper and lower crossbars in one preferred embodiment that interconnect the side reinforcement members, are attached to the shell, along with a mullion plate and a faceplate.

Abstract: Shelf supports in the form of slots are integrally molded within each side wall of a refrigerator liner. The slot in one sidewall is in the same horizontal plane as the slot in the other sidewall. The bottom surface of each of the slots supports a shelf. The slots include an upper surface and lower surface having at least one stop located therebetween and integrally molded with the sidewall in the slot for preventing movement in at least one direction. The liner, therefore, supports fixed shelves, pull-out shelves, cantilever half-shelves, as well as being capable for using with shelves which are supported at both sides by cantilevers such that if a different type of shelf replaces the shelf held on both sides by cantilevers, the liner may be used.

Abstract: To obtain an appreciable level of insulation while at the same time achieving easy dismantling in view of material recycling, the container compartment (1, 1A) of the invention comprises a seat (9, 9A) freely housing laminar elements (10, 10A) opaque to infrared rays, preferably envelopes under vacuum.

Abstract: A shelving support system for use in an appliance, having an outer shell within which is positioned a compartment defining liner having first and second opposing side walls spaced from the outer shell by an insulation zone, includes a plurality of first shelf supporting sockets that are integrally formed, at spaced locations, with the first side wall of the liner and a plurality of second shelf supporting sockets that are received within apertures formed in the second side wall of the liner. Each of the first and second sockets define cavities within which terminal ends of shelving members can be received. Each of the second shelf supporting sockets includes an angled body portion with the forwardmost second shelf supporting sockets within the liner defining compartment being preferably angled downwardly and the aft second shelf supporting sockets having body portions which are angled rearwardly relative to the compartment.

Abstract: A structure insulated for example by expanded polyurethane or the like, such as a refrigerator cabinet or freezer cabinet, comprises a plurality of compartments separated from each other by an interspace, the insulating material injected into said structure enclosing said compartments on all sides except the access side and positioning itself in the interspace. At opposing ends of said interspace there are positioned separator means openable in the manner of an envelope and arranged to separate, during its injection into the structure, the insulating material directed around the compartments from that directed into the interspace, said separator means comprising a flat portion parallel to the sides of the insulated structure.

Abstract: It is already known that heat insulating elements, e.g. in refrigerators, may be more efficient if they are sealingly encapsulated and subjected to a high vacuum. Based on theoretical considerations in connection with foam having small cells it has been relevant to use a vacuum of the magnitude of 0.001 mbar and hermetical sealing of the elements. According to the invention it has been found that practically well usable results are achievable at much higher pressures, viz. in a range about 1 mbar, which is much easier to produce. Consequently, a further simplification can be obtained by renouncing the hermetical sealing and relying on an only "almost tight" sealing, combined with the use of an operationally active vacuum pump provided in each apparatus unit.

Abstract: To obtain an appreciable level of insulation while at the same time achieving easy dismantling in view of material recycling, a container compartment includes a seat freely housing laminar elements opaque to infrared rays, preferably envelopes under vacuum.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a front face surrounding the front openings of the storage compartments. Operation of the refrigerator tends to cause some portions of the face to be colder than the dew point temperature of the surrounding air. Moisture in the surrounding air tends to condense on such colder than dew point portions. Sheets of aluminum foil are in intimate contact with the inside of the case, extend along those portions of the face subject to condensation and project onto adjacent areas of the case which are warmer than the dew point temperature. This keeps the temperature of those portions subject to condensation above the dew point temperature. Portions of the doors, such as the adjacent peripheral walls of doors on multi-compartment units, also may tend to be below the dew point temperature. Sheets of aluminum foil are positioned in intimate contact with the inside of those portions of the doors and project onto adjacent areas of the doors which are warmer than the dew point temperature.

Abstract: An insulated door for a refrigerator or other appliance having an external panel of an open box configuration without integrally molded inwardly directed flange portions, a plurality of separately installed trim pieces arranged around an edge perimeter of the external panel, the trim pieces having a socket region for snap engagement with the edge of the external panel, and a flange portion extending therefrom inwardly. An inside liner is applied over the trim pieces and a gasket is applied around the edge of the inside liner captured between the inside liner and the trim pieces. The invention allows for the economical molding of the external panel and the assembly of the inside liner and gasket to the external panel before a foamed-in place operation to apply the inside insulation which will unitize the structure.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled cabinets, particularly, refrigerators, freezers, fridge-freezers and drinks coolers (chillers) which, in order to overcome the problem of inferior insulative properties of alternative polyurethane foams used to reduce the emission of CFC's during injection and setting of foamed polyurethane, provides a cabinet within which a controllable stable temperature may be maintained. This cabinet includes an inner container (25a), an outer shell (10a), and a thermally insulating material (45a) sandwiched therebetween, wherein at least a portion of a front side (50a) of the outer shell (10a) has a panel (85a) which is displaced outwardly from the rest of the front side (50a) of the outer shell (10a). In a preferred embodiment, the cabinet forms a chest freezer (5a).

Abstract: A refrigerating unit comprising an adiabatic box provided with a door to its opening, a machine compartment in contact with said adiabatic box, and a refrigerating cycle wherein the machine compartment is covered with a damping plate and is attached to the adiabatic box with a jointing means so as to be sealed, and further said refrigerating unit comprises an oil cooler for cooling lubricating oil in a compressor in the refrigerating cycle is provided. By this, noise and vibration generated by a refrigerator itself such as noise generated by a flowing or boiling refrigerant in the compressor and an evaporator can be effectively removed, noise and vibration generated by resonance between vibration by a refrigerator and a wall or a cabinet can be attenuated and the effect of heat release can be enhanced.

Abstract: An insulated appliance cabinet is provided comprising a mounting structure and a plurality of vacuum insulation panels retained by the mounting structure and positioned relative to one another so as to define a substantially completely enclosed insulation shell.

Abstract: A refrigerated icebox employs a cabinet that is internally corrugated to provide a multiplicity of lengthwise channels for air flow within the enclosure defined. The cabinet has a top wall that is provided with an opening to accommodate a drop-in refrigeration unit, and it is, in the main, integrally formed as a single piece.

Abstract: A door construction is provided for a refrigeration appliance where the door has an exterior shell with a certain degree of rigidity, an interior liner spaced from the exterior shell and being less rigid than the shell, a foamed insulation material disposed between the exterior shell and the interior liner and a reinforcement sheet having a rigidly greater than the liner located between the exterior shell and the liner. The reinforcement sheet may either be retained and placed by the foamed insulation material or by an adhesive layer between the sheet and the liner. Preferably the liner has a planar surface and the sheet has a planar surface in engagement with the planar surface of the liner. The sheet may be non-perforated or perforated and be made of a metallic material.

Abstract: A refrigerator is divided into a freezing compartment and a cooling compartment. An intermediate partition wall separates the compartments. The partition wall is vertically adjustable for increasing a volume of one of the compartments while simultaneously reducing a volume of the other compartment. The door carries a vertically adjustable sealing member for engaging a front surface of the partition wall. The freezing compartment includes an evaporator separated from the remainder of the freezing compartment by a vertical isolating wall, a portion of which isolating wall is spring-biased toward the partition wall.

Abstract: A venting device for use in venting a hollow structure such as a refrigerator door to be filled with an expanding foamed-in-place insulation material has tapered apertures to allow gas to escape while retaining the insulation material. The venting device can include a chamber for receiving a hinge pin or a shelf end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending the shelf life of fresh food products that provides magnetic strips, matting formed from the strips, and pads having magnetic north sides and magnetic south sides, wherein the negative magnetic north sides of the magnetic strips or pads are arranged to impinge on the fresh food products stored in a low-temperature environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat insulating door wall structure for use in a refrigerator or the like. By constituting the surface of the door with a colored glass plate or the like having a transparent layer at its front surface and a colored layer at its reverse surface, a deep luster is provided by the transparent glass plate located before the colored layer. Owing to high rigidity of the glass plate, undulations that may be formed on the front surface of the door by contraction of a heat insulating material filled through expansion or foaming, or by warping of the door due to temperature differences between the exterior and interior of the door are advantageously prevented. Moreover, by increasing the strength of the door, reinforcing members of the door can be dispensed with, for a simple construction and a reduction in cost.

Abstract: A cryogenic freezing tunnel having a conveyer belt, insulated panels, each panel comprised of an inner metal surface layer, a wooden layer, a foam insulation layer, an outer metal surface layer, and tie pins connecting the outer and inner metal surface layers together, thereby, preventing void spaces between the inner metal layers and the wooden layers of the panels, which leads to ice build-up and bulging of the inner metal surface which forces collection pans and conveyer belt supports mounted on top the inner metal surfaces upward into the conveyer belt and consequently causes damage to the collection pans, conveyer belt supports, and conveyer belt.