Thermoformed plastic refrigerator door
US5533311A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2031/7622
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A unitary plastic refrigerator door is produced by simultaneously thermoforming an outer refrigerator door panel with an inner refrigerator door liner. During production, an annular flange portion of the inner refrigerator door liner is joined with an annular sidewall portion of the outer refrigerator door panel at an attachment location positioned inwardly of the annular side wall portion. The inner refrigerator door liner is also formed with either an annular recess or a plurality of spaced recesses in its annular flange portion adjacent the attachment location of the inner refrigerator door liner and the outer refrigerator door panel that is adapted to press-fittingly receive a door gasket. Preferably, the outer refrigerator door panel includes a thickened portion that is formed with a handle defining recess. A method of thermoforming the refrigerator door is also provided and advantageously enables the inner refrigerator door liner to be produced on a male mold member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.