Back to results
US 9,463,917 B2Granted
Method to create vacuum insulated cabinets for refrigerators
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsGuolian Wu, Nihat Cur, Jurgen Pannock
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of forming a vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet, the method comprising providing first and second sheets of material. The first sheet of material is thermoformed over a first forming tool forming a first intermediate structure. The first intermediate structure is then thermoformed over a second forming mold to create a second intermediate structure. The second sheet of material is then sealing connected with the second intermediate structure forming an annular space. A vacuum is created in the annular space creating a vacuum insulated cabinet.
Claims20
A method of forming a vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet, the method comprising:
- providing first and second sheets of material comprising at least a first layer of thermoplastic material that is at least partially permeable to oxygen, nitrogen and water vapor, and a second layer of material that is substantially impermeable to oxygen, nitrogen and water vapor;
- heating at least a portion of the first sheet of material to a temperature at which the first sheet of material can be plastically deformed;
- utilizing a first forming tool to deform the first sheet of material and form a first intermediate structure having a base sidewall defining a perimeter and first sidewalls extending from the perimeter to define a cavity having an opening that opens in a first direction and defines a peripheral edge extending around the opening;
- providing a second forming tool having sidewall portions defining outwardly facing surfaces, inwardly facing surfaces, and an end surface extending between the inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces;
- disengaging the first intermediate structure from the first forming tool, followed by positioning the second forming tool in the cavity of the first intermediate structure;
- plastically deforming the base sidewall to form a second intermediate structure having a base sidewall and inner sidewalls extending transversely from the base sidewall and defining a second cavity that opens in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction, wherein the inner sidewalls are spaced apart inwardly from the first sidewalls to define a space that opens in the first direction;
- filling the space with porous material;
- sealingly connecting the second sheet of material to the second intermediate structure around the peripheral edge to substantially close off the opening;
- and
- forming a vacuum in the space containing the porous material.
7 more elements
A method of forming a vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet, the method comprising:
- providing first and second sheets of material comprising at least a first layer of thermoplastic material that is at least partially permeable to oxygen, nitrogen and water vapor, and a second layer of material that is substantially impermeable to oxygen, nitrogen and water vapor;
- heating at least a portion of the first sheet of material to a temperature at which the first sheet of material can be plastically deformed;
- utilizing a first forming tool to deform the first sheet of material and form a first intermediate structure having a base sidewall a first sidewall extending transversely from the base sidewall to define a cavity having an opening that opens in a first direction and defines a peripheral edge extending around the opening;
- providing a second forming tool having sidewall portions defining a plurality of outwardly facing surfaces and a plurality of inwardly facing surfaces, and at least one end surface extending between the inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces;
- disengaging the first intermediate structure from the first forming tool, followed by positioning the second forming tool in the cavity of the first intermediate structure;
- plastically deforming the base sidewall to form a second intermediate structure having a base sidewall and an inner sidewall extending transversely from the base sidewall, wherein the inner sidewall is spaced apart inwardly from the first sidewall to define a space;
- at least partially filling the space with a porous material;
- sealingly connecting the second sheet of material to the second intermediate structure around the peripheral edge to substantially close off the opening;
- and
- forming a vacuum in the space containing the porous material.
7 more elements
A method of forming a vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet, the method comprising:
- providing first and second sheets of material;
- utilizing a first forming tool to deform the first sheet of material and form a first intermediate structure having a base sidewall and a first sidewall extending transversely from the base sidewall to define a cavity having an opening, the first sidewall defining a peripheral edge extending around the opening;
- providing a second forming tool having sidewall portions defining a plurality of outwardly facing surfaces and a plurality of inwardly facing surfaces, and at least one end surface extending transversely between the inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces;
- disengaging the first intermediate structure from the first forming tool, followed by positioning the second forming tool in the cavity of the first intermediate structure;
- plastically deforming the base sidewall to form a second intermediate structure having a base sidewall and an inner sidewall extending transversely from the base sidewall, wherein the inner sidewall is spaced apart inwardly from the first sidewall to define a space;
- sealingly connecting the second sheet of material to the second intermediate structure around the peripheral edge to substantially close off the opening;
- filling the space with a porous material;
- and
- forming a vacuum in the space.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.