Appliance encapsulation member
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsLYNNE F. HUNTER, DANIEL LOTTINVILLE
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cabinet structure is provided herein that includes an exterior wrapper defining an opening and at least one liner disposed inside the opening of the wrapper with a front edge of the wrapper disposed laterally outward relative to a front edge of the liner. An insulation cavity is disposed between the wrapper and the liner. A trim breaker is coupled to the exterior wrapper and the liner. A hinge bracket is disposed outwardly of the trim breaker. A hinge support has a first portion disposed along the trim breaker and a second portion extending rearwardly from the first portion. An encapsulation member is disposed rearwardly of the trim breaker and defines an encapsulation cavity that is separated from the insulation cavity.
Claims20
A cabinet structure, comprising:
- an exterior wrapper defining an opening;
- at least one liner disposed inside the opening of the exterior wrapper with a front edge of the exterior wrapper disposed laterally outward relative to a front edge of the liner, wherein an insulation cavity is disposed between the exterior wrapper and the liner;
- a trim breaker coupled to the exterior wrapper and the liner;
- a hinge bracket disposed outwardly of the trim breaker;
- a hinge support having a first portion disposed along the trim breaker and a second portion extending rearwardly from the first portion;
- and
- an encapsulation member disposed rearwardly of the trim breaker and defining an encapsulation cavity that is separated from the insulation cavity.
A cabinet structure, comprising:
- a wrapper spaced apart from a liner;
- a trim breaker coupled to the wrapper and the liner, wherein an insulation cavity is disposed between the wrapper, the liner, and the trim breaker;
- and
- an encapsulation member disposed rearwardly of the trim breaker and defining an encapsulation cavity that is separated from the insulation cavity.
A method of making a cabinet structure, the method comprising:
- forming a wrapper having an opening;
- positioning a liner within the wrapper in a spaced apart orientation to define an insulation cavity therebetween;
- coupling an encapsulation member to the wrapper;
- and
- coupling a trim breaker to the wrapper, the liner, and the encapsulation member thereby forming an insulation cavity and an encapsulation cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.