# US 11,439,253 B2 · Thermal frame > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,439,253 B2 - Document ID: US11439253B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/157,259 - Filed: 2021-01-25 - Published: 2021-07-29 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-28 - Assignees: Anthony, Inc. - Applicants: Anthony, Inc. - Inventors: Paul J. Artwohl; Jeffery W. Nicholson; Matthew Rolek; David Briggs Baugh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439253B2 ## CPC - A47F 3/0434: {Glass or transparent panels} - A47F 3/043: {Doors, covers (A47F3/0434 takes precedence)} - A47F 11/10: Arrangements of light sources - E06B 1/325: {comprising insulation between two metal section members} - E06B 1/524: {Mullions; Transoms} - F25D 21/04: Preventing the formation of frost or condensate - F25D 23/02: Doors; Covers (F25D23/08 takes precedence {locks or fastenings E05B65/0042}) - F25D 23/082: {Strips} - F25D 23/087: {Sealing strips} - F25D 27/00: Lighting arrangements (in general F21) - A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) - F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B) ## Abstract The invention features a refrigerator cabinet door frame. The frame includes a thermally conductive outer frame, a thermally insulating inner frame member, and a sealing plate. The outer frame member includes a forward end having an outer surface that is disposed outside of a refrigerated cabinet with the frame mounted, and a rearward end defining a joint. The inner frame member includes a first end retained in the joint, and a second end. The sealing plate includes a first edge coupled to the outer frame member at the rearward end, forward of the joint, a second edge supported by the second end of the inner frame member, and a thermally conductive sealing surface. The first edge of the sealing plate is coupled to the outer frame member such that the sealing surface and the outer surface of the outer frame member together form a continuous heat transfer path. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A refrigerated display case door frame, comprising, in cross-section: an outer frame member comprising: a forward end having an outer surface arranged to be disposed outside of a refrigerated display case with the frame mounted, and a rearward end arranged to be positioned inward of a door mounted to the frame; an inner frame member arranged to be positioned inward of the door, the inner frame member comprising: a first end coupled to the rearward end of the outer frame member by a joint, and a second end spaced from the first end, the second end arranged to be disposed inside of the refrigerated display case with the frame mounted; and a heating wire housed in the inner frame member and spaced apart from the outer frame member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, further comprising a sealing plate, wherein a first edge of the sealing plate is coupled to the outer frame member at the rearward end of the outer frame member, and a second edge of the sealing plate supported by the second end of the inner frame member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The frame of claim 2, wherein the sealing plate is in contact with the heating wire. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The frame of claim 2, wherein the first edge of the sealing plate is coupled to the outer frame member such that a sealing surface of the sealing plate and the outer surface of the forward end of the outer frame member together form a continuous heat transfer path. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein the joint is a crimp groove, and wherein the first end of the inner frame member is retained in the crimp groove of the outer frame member by a crimp of the outer frame member adjacent the groove. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The frame of claim 2, wherein the sealing plate comprises a first, thermally conductive part and a second, thermally insulating part. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein the outer frame member comprises a first material and the inner frame member comprises a second material that is different from the first material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein the outer frame member comprises an L-shape, and wherein the inner frame member comprises a channel extending through a central region of the inner frame member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein the heating wire is partially surrounded by a thermally insulating material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein a thermal conductivity of the outer frame member is between 100 BTU in/hr ft2° F. and 1500 BTU in/hr ft2° F., and wherein a thermal conductivity of the inner frame member is between 0.8 BTU in/hr ft2° F. and 10 BTU in/hr ft2° F. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, further comprising a sealing plate having a first edge and a second edge, with the frame mounted, the first edge of the sealing plate is coupled to the outer frame member at the rearward end of the outer frame member such that a sealing surface of the sealing plate and the outer surface of the forward end of the outer frame member together form a continuous heat transfer path, and the second edge of the sealing plate is supported by the inner frame member, wherein the inner frame member comprises a non-metal material, wherein the outer frame member comprises a metallic material, and wherein the joint comprises a groove in the outer frame member into which a portion of the inner frame member engages. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The frame of claim 11, wherein the outer frame member comprises an L-shape, and wherein the inner frame member comprises a channel extending through a central region of the inner frame member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The frame of claim 12, wherein a thermal conductivity of the outer frame member is between 100 BTU in/hr ft2° F. and 1500 BTU in/hr ft2° F., and wherein a thermal conductivity of the inner frame member is between 0.8 BTU in/hr ft2° F. and 10 BTU in/hr ft2° F. ### Claim 14 A refrigerated display case comprising a door frame mounted to an opening of the refrigerated display case, the door frame comprising, in cross-section: an outer frame member comprising: a forward end having an outer surface arranged to be disposed outside of the refrigerated display case with the frame mounted, and a rearward end arranged to be positioned inward of a door mounted to the frame; an inner frame member arranged to be positioned inward of the door, the inner frame member comprising: a first end coupled to the rearward end of the outer frame member by a joint, and a second end spaced from the first end, the second end arranged to be disposed inside of the refrigerated display case with the frame mounted; and a heating wire supported in the inner frame member and spaced apart from the outer frame member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The refrigerated display case of claim 14, wherein the door frame comprises: a sealing plate having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge of the sealing plate coupled to the outer frame member at the rearward end of the outer frame member such that a sealing surface of the sealing plate and the outer surface of the forward end of the outer frame member together form a continuous heat transfer path, and the second edge of the sealing plate supported by the inner frame member; and a mounting bracket disposed between the outer frame member and the refrigerated display case, the mounting bracket configured to couple the outer frame member and inner frame member to the refrigerated display case, wherein the inner frame member comprises a non-metal material, wherein the outer frame member comprises a metallic material, and wherein the joint comprises a groove in the outer frame member into which a portion of the inner frame member engages. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The refrigerated display case of claim 15, wherein the outer frame member comprises an L-shape, and wherein the inner frame member comprises a channel extending through a central region of the inner frame member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The refrigerated display case of claim 16, wherein a thermal conductivity of the outer frame member is between 100 BTU in/hr ft2° F. and 1500 BTU in/hr ft2° F., and wherein a thermal conductivity of the inner frame member is between 0.8 BTU in/hr ft2° F. and 10 BTU in/hr ft2° F. ### Claim 18 A refrigerated display case, comprising, in cross-section: an outer frame member of a metallic material and comprising: a forward end having an outer surface arranged to be disposed outside of the refrigerated display case with the frame mounted, and a rearward end arranged to be positioned inward of a door mounted to the frame; an inner frame member of a non-metal material arranged to be positioned inward of the door and comprising: a first end, and a second end spaced from the first end, the second end arranged to be disposed inside of the refrigerated display case with the frame mounted; means for connecting the rearward end of the outer frame member to the inner frame member; sealing means, wherein the sealing means is in contact with the outer frame member, with the frame mounted, such that a sealing surface of the sealing means and the outer surface of the forward end of the outer frame member together form a continuous heat transfer path; and means for conveying heat to at least a portion of the sealing means, the means for conveying heat being supported in the inner frame member and in contact with the sealing means. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The refrigerated display case of claim 18, further comprising mounting means for mounting the frame to the refrigerated display case display case, wherein the outer frame member comprises an L-shape, and wherein the inner frame member comprises a channel extending through a central region of the inner frame member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The refrigerated display case of claim 19, wherein a thermal conductivity of the outer frame member is between 100 BTU in/hr ft2° F. and 1500 BTU in/hr ft2° F., and wherein a thermal conductivity of the inner frame member is between 0.8 BTU in/hr ft2° F. and 10 BTU in/hr ft2° F.