Whirlpool Corporation

Louis W Fellwock

Rexford W Cordill

John T Woods

Charles G Fellwock

Kenneth L Hortin

A refrigerator cabinet includes an outer shell having a transverse flange terminating in a channel generally parallel with the flange and opening transversely inwardly. A liner is disposed within the shell and defines a storage space which is divided into two compartments by a compartment separator. A center rail defines a forward wall for the separator. A pair of brackets each has a first portion shaped to conform to the channel and a second portion shaped to conform to ends of the center rail. An adhesive material is disposed in opposite sides of the channel adjacent the compartment separator and adheres the brackets to the cabinet. Fasteners are provided for securing brackets to the opposite ends of the center rail. Accordingly, a refrigerator cabinet is provided which utilizes an adhesive as the sole means for retaining the center rail brackets to the cabinet structure.

Method of making a refrigerator cabinet

Adhesive-bonded mullion bracket for household refrigerator

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.

Growing community of inventors

Sebastian County, AR, United States of America

Louis W Fellwock