Insulated cabinet and method of installation

Abstract

A pre-insulated cabinet comprises a cabinet body and a fire retardant backing covering the outer surfaces of the cabinet. Fireproof seal may be further attached on the outer edge of peripheral surfaces of the cabinet to further strengthen the fire retardancy of the cabinet.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The invention relates generally to recessed wall cabinets including medicine cabinets, and a method of installation. More particularly, the invention concerns an insulated cabinet to be installed in a wall recess and a method of installation.[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art[0004] Recessed wall cabinets are found to be desirable, both esthetically and because they occupy little or no otherwise usable space. Among commonly used recessed cabinets are medicine cabinets in the bathroom or other area of the house for the storage of medicines or other personal items. Medicine cabinets are usually mounted on vertical wall surfaces several feet above a sink or vanity. The typical medicine cabinet assembly includes a cabinet body having a top, bottom, side and rear surfaces with an open front. The front opening of the cabinet is usually closed by a mirrored door mounted to the cabinet body about hinges. The door is pivotally movable about these h...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the medicine cabinet further comprises a fireproof seal covering the outer edge of the peripheral side wall beyond the flame retardant backing, to seal the gap between the peripheral side wall of the cabinet and the wall recess.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive method of installing a cabinet in a wall recess, and the method can comply with the fire resistance requirement under building laws and regulations. The method comprises steps of:

[0021] sealing a gap between the peripheral side wall of the flame retardant cabinet and the wall opening with a fireproof seal, thereby to further strengthen the fire retardancy of the flame retardant cabinet. This optional step can by conducted by attaching the fire seal to the outer edge of the peripheral walls of the flame retardant cabinet beyond the flame retardant backing. This step can also be performed after the flame retardant cabinet is installed in the wall opening by directly filing the gap with the fireproof seal.

Problems solved by technology

Nevertheless, there is no teaching or suggestion in any of these disclosures to make an insulated medicine cabinet that is flame retardant and install the insulated unit into a wall recess to maintain the fire resistant integrity of the entire wall.

Contractors often omit insulating the recess as being unduly costly and time consuming, especially because the omission is difficult to be discovered by the owner and by a municipal building inspector.

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