Whirlpool Corporation

Arthur E Benford

Kenneth L Hortin

An insulated cabinet wall structure for a refrigeration apparatus includes an outer wall defining an inner surface and a plastic liner defining an outer surface. A laminated film is adhered to the liner sheet outer surface, the film comprising in laminated sequence an inner adhesive film layer for adhering to the liner sheet outer surface, a film of high elongation material, an additional adhesive film layer, and an outer barrier film layer. A foamed-in-place insulation is firmly bonded to the outer wall inner surface and the laminated film barrier film layer, the barrier film layer both preventing stress cracking of the liner and diffusion of insulation foam blowing agents from the insulation to the liner sheet.

Method to prevent chemical (HCFC) attack of plastic foodliner from foam

A refrigeration apparatus cabinet construction wherein foamed insulation is formed in situ between an outer metal cabinet shell and an inner synthetic resin liner. The liner is provided, before thermoforming thereof, with an outer bilayer film having an inner portion bonded to the liner, with a reduced strength of approximately 3 to 7 ounces per inch of width. The film includes an outer portion having a firm bond with the urethane foam.

Refrigerator cabinet construction

A refrigeration apparatus enclosure and method of forming the same wherein an inner laminate wall is provided in an outer cabinet for providing the sheet liner and insulation portions of the refrigeration apparatus enclosure. The laminate wall is folded along lines cut through the insulation to conform to the configuration of the outer cabinet and insulation is provided for filling the resultant voids to complete the enclosure construction. The voids are filled by foamed-in-place plastic which may further serve to bond the laminate wall to the outer cabinet. The rear wall of the cabinet may comprise a flat laminate wall and a divider wall may be provided within the cabinet for dividing the space therein into separate compartments. The divider wall may comprise another laminate wall.

Growing community of inventors

German Township, Vanderburgh County, IN, United States of America

Arthur E Benford