Whirlpool Corporation

Kenneth L Hortin

Harry Lucian Tillman

Charles G Fellwock

Arthur E Benford

Louis W Fellwock

Clyde Joseph Nonomaque

Sylvester A Winterheimer

Leonard E Weiss

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 typical plastic liner refrigerator includes an outer shell of sheet metal, an inner liner of plastic and polyurethane insulation foamed in place between the inner liner and the outer shell. In order to counter stresses which can cause large unsightly cracks to form in the liner, the liner is provided with stress control slots, slits or cuts at locations where they can be covered up, such as the mullion panel.

Method of making a refrigerator cabinet

A refrigeration apparatus having a plastic cabinet liner defining a refrigerated space and including a generally planar wall is located within a cabinet and spaced therefrom to receive foamed-in-place insulation. The planar wall of the liner has a first stress relief rib formed therein along with an interruption in the first stress relief rib. A second stress relief rib is formed in the planar wall and spaced from the first stress relief rib and has an extent generally parallel to the first rib at least equal to the length of the interruption. Thus, the first and second rib define a functionally continuous stress relief rib across the planar wall.

Thermal stress relief in refrigerators

A refrigeration appliance liner and method of fabricating the same. The liner includes a plastic wall provided with a release layer on one surface formed of a material having a limited adhesion with an insulating foam which is subsequently foamed-in-place thereagainst thereby permitting separation of the liner from the foam as a result of differential thermal contraction of the liner and foam thereby avoiding stress cracking of the liner. The liner wall is defined by a sheet of the plastic material which is provided with the release layer and subsequently formed into the desired refrigerator liner configuration.

Method of making a liner construction

A freezer liner construction having improved selected foam adhesion characteristics. The outer surface of the liner is provided with a laminated release film which prevents adhesion of the foamed-in-place insulation thereto for optimum stress relief relative to thermal expansion and contraction of the liner relative to the foam and cabinet. One or more adhesion strips are provided on the release laminate to provide localized bonding of the foam to the liner for improved structural integrity in the cabinet structure.

Growing community of inventors

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

Kenneth L Hortin