Whirlpool Corporation

Devidas Balu Raskar

Lorraine Joan Westlake

Jose Guizoni, Jr

Tracy Lynn Rock

Fábio Ferreira Ribas

Vincent D Csapos

Ashish Nigam

Paulo Henrique Amorim

Fabio F Ribas

Maurizio Longhi

Alberto Regio Gomes

Angshuman Bharadwaz

An insulation composition for an appliance is disclosed. The insulation composition includes a plurality of porous walled hollow glass microspheres. The porous walled hollow glass microspheres include a wall defining an interior cavity and an outer surface. The wall may further define a plurality of interconnected pores. The pores may be sized in a range of about 10-300 nm (100-3,000 Å) and fluidly couple an exterior space with the interior cavity.

Core material for vacuum insulation structures including porous walled hollow glass microspheres

A method and system for forming an insulation package for use in a vacuum insulated structure is provided. A slurry containing a liquid and an insulation material is formed. The slurry can be supplied to an envelope under vacuum, wherein the envelope is gas-permeable and permeable to the liquid. At least a portion of the liquid is drawn through the envelope and at least a portion of the insulation material is retained within the envelope to form an insulation package. One or more insulation packages can be disposed within an insulating cavity and the insulating cavity can be evacuated to decrease a pressure therein to form a vacuum insulated structure.

Insulation materials for a heat and sound insulated structure and methods of forming with a mold that is gas and liquid permeable

An insulating structure for an appliance includes a trim breaker, a wrapper, and a liner. The wrapper and liner coupled to the trim breaker and at least partially defining a structural cabinet. A barrier is positioned between the liner and the wrapper. The barrier is also coupled to the trim breaker. An inner compressible gasket is proximate the liner, and an outer gasket is proximate the wrapper. The inner gasket and the outer compressible gasket are coupled to the barrier.

Barrier layer for insulated structures

An insulating structure for an appliance includes a trim breaker, a first panel, a second panel, and an adhesive. The trim breaker defines a first groove and a second groove. The first panel is disposed within the first groove and is coupled to the trim breaker. The second panel is disposed within the second groove and is coupled to the trim breaker. The adhesive is disposed within the first and second grooves and is coupled to the first and second panels.

Vacuum insulated structure

A vacuum insulated structure for use in an appliance includes an inner liner and an outer wrapper coupled to the inner liner. A vacuum insulated cavity is defined therebetween. An insulation material is disposed in the vacuum insulated cavity. The insulation material includes porous glass flakes.

Insulation materials for a vacuum insulated structure and methods of forming

A vacuum insulated structure and method of forming are provided. The vacuum insulated structure includes an inner liner and an outer wrapper coupled to the inner liner and defining an insulating cavity. A plurality of insulation packages are disposed within the insulating cavity. Each insulation package includes a first filler material contained within an envelope. A second filler material is disposed within the insulating cavity.

A method for preparing a vacuum insulated panel includes forming an internal cavity between a liner and a wrapper and preparing a filler material to be disposed in the internal cavity. The filler material includes a first part and a second part and is prepared by treating a surface of the first part. A coating is applied to the surface of the first part with a chemical having a first charge. The coating forms a first surface charge on the surface of the first part. The method further includes mixing the first part with the second part forming the filler material. The second part includes a material having a second surface charge opposite the first surface charge.

Method for improved insulation and filler materials

A refrigerator includes an inner liner, an outer wrapper and a trim breaker that extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define an insulated structural cabinet. The trim breaker includes a plurality of gas-blocking flakes, wherein each gas-blocking flake includes a longitudinal axis that extends substantially parallel with an elongated surface of the respective gas-blocking flake. The longitudinal axis and the elongated surface of each corresponding gas-blocking flake is oriented to be substantially parallel with a portion of an outer surface of the trim breaker located near the respective gas-blocking flake.

Polymer trim breaker having gas-blocking flakes and an epoxy coating

The disclosure provides for a method for preparing a vacuum insulated panel. The method comprises forming an internal cavity between a liner and a wrapper and preparing filler material to be disposed in the internal cavity. The filler material comprises a first part and a second part. Preparing the filler material comprises treating a surface of the first part, wherein the treating prepares the surface to receive a coating comprising a first charge. The preparing further comprises coating the surface of the first part with a chemical comprising a first charge. The coating forms a first surface charge on the surface of the first part. The method further comprises mixing the first part with the second part forming the filler material. The second part comprises a material having a second surface charge opposite the first surface charge.

Method and structure for improved insulation and filler materials

A refrigerator includes at least one compartment having an open face. A closure is movable relative to the open face to selectively close the open face. At least one glass shelf is provided within the compartment. The at least one glass shelf has an upper surface. A contour can at least partially bound an area within the upper surface.

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St. Joseph, MI, United States of America

Devidas Balu Raskar