Maytag Corporation

Steven G Tirrell

Theodore A Becker

Sheldon Wayne Mandel

Xiaoyong Fu

Michael C Mayne

Samuel Clifford Crosby

Ronald K Anderson

Kenneth M Hattori

Randy R Rhoades

A sheet of plastic to be thermoformed into an appliance liner is brought to a substantially uniform temperature, preferably to a temperature differential of less than 5&#xb0; F. throughout, by directing a fluid medium upon opposing side surfaces of the sheet. In the most preferred form of the invention, the fluid medium is constituted by air which is heated, impinged upon the opposing surfaces and recirculated, with the temperature and flow rate of the air being controlled based on sensed operating parameters.

Method for creating a substantially uniform temperature across a plastic sheet for delivery to an appliance liner thermoforming device

A sheet of plastic to be thermoformed into an appliance liner is brought to a substantially uniform temperature, preferably to a temperature differential of less than 5&deg; F. throughout, by directing a fluid medium upon opposing side surfaces of the sheet. In the most preferred form of the invention, the fluid medium is constituted by air which is heated, impinged upon the opposing surfaces and recirculated, with the temperature and flow rate of the air being controlled based on sensed operating parameters.

Apparatus for creating a substantially uniform temperature across a plastic sheet for delivery to an appliance liner thermoforming device

A unitary plastic appliance door is produced by thermoforming an outer door panel and an inner door liner and joining them together in a unitary apparatus. The inner door liner is formed of sheet plastic on a male mold member and is then positioned over a female mold member mounted alongside the male mold member. The outer door panel is formed from a second sheet of plastic in the female mold member and then the inner door liner is registered with the formed outer door panel in the female mold member and is joined thereto to form the appliance door.

Method of thermoforming a plastic appliance door

Apparatus is provided for thermoforming a unitary plastic appliance door by thermoforming an outer door panel and an inner door liner and joining them together in a unitary apparatus. The apparatus includes a press with first and second platens, a male and a female mold member attached to the first platen and shaped to the contour of the outer door panel and the inner door liner respectively. A movable shuttle box is mounted on the second platen and a first plug assist member is located in the shuttle box. The shuttle box and first plug assist member are movable on the second platen into vertical alignment with either the male or female mold member. A transportation device is positioned between the first and second platens and is operable for transporting first and second plastic sheets into thermoforming posture with the male and female molds respectively. A second plug assist member is located for movement into and out of proximity with the female mold member. The shuttle box and first plug assist member are vertically alignable over the male mold member and cooperate to form the first door panel from the sheet as the platens move toward each other. The second plug assist member is cooperable with the female mold member for forming the second door panel from the second plastic sheet upon movement of the first platen toward the second plastic sheet.

Apparatus for thermoforming a plastic appliance door

A unitary plastic refrigerator door is produced by simultaneously thermoforming an outer refrigerator door panel with an inner refrigerator door liner. During production, an annular flange portion of the inner refrigerator door liner is joined with an annular sidewall portion of the outer refrigerator door panel at an attachment location positioned inwardly of the annular side wall portion. The inner refrigerator door liner is also formed with either an annular recess or a plurality of spaced recesses in its annular flange portion adjacent the attachment location of the inner refrigerator door liner and the outer refrigerator floor panel that is adapted to press-fittingly receive a door gasket. Preferably, the outer refrigerator door panel includes a thickened portion that is formed with a handle defining recess. A method of thermoforming the refrigerator door is also provided and advantageously enables the inner refrigerator door liner to be produced on a male mold member.

Method of thermoforming a plastic refrigerator door

A unitary plastic refrigerator door is produced by simultaneously thermoforming an outer refrigerator door panel with an inner refrigerator door liner. During production, an annular flange portion of the inner refrigerator door liner is joined with an annular sidewall portion of the outer refrigerator door panel at an attachment location positioned inwardly of the annular side wall portion. The inner refrigerator door liner is also formed with either an annular recess or a plurality of spaced recesses in its annular flange portion adjacent the attachment location of the inner refrigerator door liner and the outer refrigerator door panel that is adapted to press-fittingly receive a door gasket. Preferably, the outer refrigerator door panel includes a thickened portion that is formed with a handle defining recess. A method of thermoforming the refrigerator door is also provided and advantageously enables the inner refrigerator door liner to be produced on a male mold member.

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Jackson, TN, United States of America

Steven G Tirrell