Bottom mount mullion roller

Abstract

Provided is a refrigeration appliance including a refrigerated compartment, and a plurality of doors that, when closed, cooperate with each other to collectively enclose an entrance into the refrigerated compartment. A mullion is pivotally coupled to a distal side of a first door included in the plurality of doors, and is pivotal between an open orientation when the first door is open and a closed orientation in which a seal is established between the mullion and a second door when the doors are closed. A roller is provided adjacent to an end of the mullion, and includes a rubberized material that extends about at least a portion of an exterior periphery of the roller. A receiver with an arcuate surface over which the exterior periphery of the roller with the rubberized material travels to adjust the mullion between the open orientation and the closed orientation is also provided.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This application relates generally to an adjustable sealing member for a refrigeration appliance and, more specifically, to a mullion provided with a pivotal roller for adjusting an orientation of the mullion and establishing a seal between opposing doors of a refrigerated compartment.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]Refrigeration appliances with a refrigerated compartment enclosed by opposing doors have grown in popularity in recent years. Each of the opposing doors is hinged at one lateral side of the refrigerator cabinet and pivoted towards the other door to cooperate with a centrally-located surface and seal the refrigerated compartment. Permanently installing the centrally-located sealing surface at a fixed location between the lateral sides of the cabinet would interfere with the insertion of food items into the refrigerated compartment.[0005]To afford users with unobstructed access to the interior of the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a refrigeration appliance with a mullion that can be adjusted to seal the doors when they are closed. The mullion pivots to move along a track when the doors are opened or closed, and a roller with rubberized material is used to make the adjustment. This allows for a better seal and ensures that the mullion moves smoothly during the adjustment process. The technical effect of this invention is to improve the sealing and insulation of refrigeration appliances, ensuring that the food stays cold and fresh as it is being stored.

Problems solved by technology

Permanently installing the centrally-located sealing surface at a fixed location between the lateral sides of the cabinet would interfere with the insertion of food items into the refrigerated compartment.

However, the sliding friction between the molded boss and the camming surface as the molded boss slides over the camming surface subjects the camming surface and the molded boss to extensive wear and tear.

Further, the interaction between the molded boss and the camming surface can cause an undesirable amount of noise.

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