Methods and devices for retaining a heating element within a refrigeration cabinet

Abstract

Methods and devices for retaining a heating element, such as warm refrigerant tubing, within a refrigerator cabinet. Semispherical raised dimples are formed upon a retaining panel in a rolled triple flange. The dimples are intermittently positioned along the retaining panel and maintain the warm refrigerant tubing in intimate surface contact with the exterior surface panel of the refrigerator. The raised dimples preclude significant intimate surface contact between the retaining panel and the tubing and permit insulating foam to be disposed between the two so that heat transfer is minimized. A dimpled flange arrangement is also used to retain tubing within a mullion. A sheet metal insert is also described that is formed having two retaining panels with raised dimples thereupon that maintain the tubing in intimate surface contact with the exterior surface panel that forms the facing for the mullion. Both the triple flange and the sheet metal insert are preferably formed by rollforming of sheet metal, and the dimples are formed during this process by pins on a roller that contact and deform a portion of the sheet metal. The use of dimples is also advantageous in that it provides an easily recognizable feature that can be used to secure the tubing within the refrigeration cabinet, thereby reducing the chances of mistakes made during installation of the tubing.