Domestic appliance panels and method of forming same
US5374118A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 18, 1992 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 18, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49888
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An insulated panel for a domestic or household appliance is formed by a process in which two sheets of plastic material are extruded from a co-extrusion die and moved directly into a die thermoforming fixture. When the open die members are closed, the edges of the two sheets are sealed together to form a hollow panel and the walls of the panel are forced outwardly to conform to the shape of the die members. After the hollow panel is trimmed it is moved to a foam machine preferably while still contained in the thermoforming fixture so that foam insulation is inserted into the hollow panel while the walls of the panel are supported by the die members so that these walls are not deformed while the foam insulation is added. The process provides integrally formed components on the walls of the panel in a single manufacturing operation and also provides in the same manufacturing operation integrally formed interlocking means in the edges of the panel which permits the assembly of panels together by unskilled personnel and without requiring separate fastening means.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.