Filling ports for insulated structures incorporated within an appliance
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsGustavo Frattini, Abhay Naik
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner that form a structural cabinet having an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An elliptical insulation port is defined within the outer wrapper, wherein the elliptical insulation port is configured to allow passage of a cylindrical insulation conduit when the insulation conduit is positioned at an oblique angle relative to the structural cabinet. An insulation material is disposed within the insulating cavity. A sealing cap covers the elliptical insulation port, wherein the sealing cap includes a protrusion that extends at least partially into the insulating cavity.
Claims17
An insulated structure for an appliance comprising:
- an outer wrapper and an inner liner that cooperatively form an insulating cavity therebetween;
- an insulation port defined within the outer wrapper, wherein the insulation port is configured to allow passage of an insulation-delivering conduit, wherein the insulation port is defined by a perimetrical flange that extends perpendicularly from an aperture defined within the outer wrapper, wherein the perimetrical flange extends away from the insulating cavity;
- an insulation material that is disposed within the insulating cavity;
- a sealing cap that covers the insulation port, wherein the sealing cap includes a protrusion that extends at least partially into the insulating cavity, wherein the insulation port and the sealing cap cooperate to define a hinge receptacle, wherein an inner surface of the perimetrical flange receives the sealing cap;
- and
- a hinge bracket that is attached to the hinge receptacle, wherein the hinge bracket conceals the sealing cap and the insulation port from view.
An insulated structure comprising:
- an outer wrapper and an inner liner that define an insulating cavity therebetween, wherein an insulation port is defined within the outer wrapper;
- an insulation material that is disposed within the insulating cavity, wherein the insulation material is disposed within the insulating cavity via the insulation port, wherein the insulation port includes an aperture defined within the outer wrapper, wherein the aperture is configured to allow passage of an insulation conduit, wherein the insulation port is elliptical in shape and is configured to allow passage of the insulation conduit when the insulation conduit is positioned at an oblique angle relative to the outer wrapper, wherein the insulation conduit is cylindrical in shape;
- a sealing cap that covers the insulation port, wherein the sealing cap includes a protrusion that extends at least partially through the insulation port, wherein the sealing cap includes a vacuum port that extends through the sealing cap, wherein the vacuum port is sealed to define an at least partial vacuum within the insulating cavity;
- and
- a hinge bracket that is disposed on the outer wrapper and conceals the sealing cap and the vacuum port, wherein the hinge bracket is configured to receive a portion of a hinge.
An insulated structure for an appliance comprising:
- an outer wrapper and an inner liner that cooperatively form an insulating cavity therebetween;
- an insulation port defined within the outer wrapper, wherein the insulation port is configured to allow passage of an insulation-delivering conduit;
- a sealing cap that covers the insulation port, wherein the sealing cap includes a protrusion that extends at least partially into the insulating cavity, wherein the insulation port and the sealing cap cooperate to define a hinge receptacle, wherein the sealing cap includes a vacuum port that extends through the sealing cap, wherein the vacuum port is sealed to define an at least partial vacuum within the insulating cavity, and wherein the vacuum port of the sealing cap is crimped to define a substantially air-tight seal;
- and
- a hinge bracket that is attached to the hinge receptacle, wherein the hinge bracket conceals the sealing cap and the insulation port from view.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.