# US 5,704,107 A · Refrigerator door construction

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- Number: US 5,704,107 A
- Document ID: US5704107A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/719,504
- Filed: 1996-09-25
- Granted: 1998-01-06
- Earliest claimed: 1995-07-17
- Assignees: Whirlpool Corporation
- Inventors: Christopher G. Schmidt; Michael H. Fisher; Amilton Francisco de Almeida; Edson Takayuki Tani
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704107A

## CPC

- B29C 44/1233: {the preformed parts being supported during expanding}
- F25D 23/02: Doors; Covers (F25D23/08 takes precedence {locks or fastenings E05B65/0042})
- B29C 44/14: the preformed part being a lining {(B29C44/1209 takes precedence)}
- F25D 2400/06: Refrigerators with a vertical mullion
- Y10T 29/49888: Subsequently coating
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- 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)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

An insulated door for a refrigerator or other appliance having an external panel of an open box configuration without integrally molded inwardly directed flange portions, a plurality of separately installed trim pieces arranged around an edge perimeter of the external panel, the trim pieces having a socket region for snap engagement with the edge of the external panel, and a flange portion extending therefrom inwardly. An inside liner is applied over the trim pieces and a gasket is applied around the edge of the inside liner captured between the inside liner and the trim pieces. The invention allows for the economical molding of the external panel and the assembly of the inside liner and gasket to the external panel before a foamed-in place operation to apply the inside insulation which will unitize the structure.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of assembling a refrigerator door comprising the sequential steps of:
molding an external panel having an open box shape;
molding an inside liner having an open box shape;
placing a border trim onto an open face of the external panel;
placing a gasket around an open face of the inside liner;
foaming insulation placed between said external panel and said inside liner;
clamping together said external panel and said inside liner, with said inside liner held closely to said border trim; and
curing said insulation to hold said external panel, inside liner, border trim and gasket together as a single unit without additional fasteners.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of molding said inside liner further comprises a step of providing a gasket supporting flange, and said gasket comprises a body portion arranged on said supporting flange facing outwardly and a curled portion extending around said supporting flange to be captured between said border trim and said supporting flange during said step of clamping together said external panel and said inside liner.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising placing an elongate structural member between said external panel and said border trim prior to clamping said external panel to said inside liner.