End cap assembly for doors of refrigeration appliances

Abstract

A refrigeration appliance includes a compartment for storing food in a refrigerated environment, the compartment having a door for selectively closing the compartment. The door includes a front panel, a rear panel, and an end cap assembly disposed therebetween at its vertical end. The end cap assembly defines a handle that allows the door to be selectively opened and closed by gripping it. The end cap assembly includes a plurality of discrete, spaced-apart snap-fit ​​elements along its generally front portion for clamping the distal end of the front panel over a generally vertical extent. The end cap assembly and the front panel are configured to remain adjacent to each other rather than extending through it, and the end cap assembly is further configured to provide a resilient clamping force to the distal end of the front panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to an end cap assembly for the vertical upper or lower end of a door for a refrigerated appliance, and more specifically to an intermediate member used in conjunction with an integrated handle and end cap structure on the door of a cooling food compartment for a refrigerated appliance. Background Technology

[0002] Conventional refrigeration appliances (such as household refrigerators) typically have both fresh food compartments and freezer compartments or zones. The fresh food compartment is for storing foods such as fruits, vegetables, and beverages, while the freezer compartment is for storing foods that need to be kept frozen. The refrigerator has a refrigeration system that maintains the fresh food compartment at a temperature above 0°C, for example, between 0.25°C and 4.5°C, and the freezer compartment at a temperature below 0°C, for example, between 0°C and -20°C.

[0003] In this type of refrigerator, the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment are arranged differently relative to each other. For example, in some cases, the freezer compartment is located above the fresh food compartment, while in others, it is located below. Additionally, many modern refrigerators have freezer and fresh food compartments arranged side-by-side. Regardless of the arrangement, each compartment typically has a separate access door, allowing entry into one compartment without exposing the other to ambient air.

[0004] Many modern refrigerators use a pair of French doors, where two opposing doors allow access to the fresh food compartment. Some refrigerators are designed with symmetrical doors (i.e., the two opposing doors have the same width), while others are designed with asymmetrical doors (i.e., the two opposing doors have different widths).

[0005] In any configuration, each door includes a handle that allows the door to be opened. The handle may be attached to the front panel, side panel, etc., or it may be recessed or integrated into one side of the door, for example, recessed or integrated into an end cap at the vertical end of the door.

[0006] Additionally, each door typically includes at least a front panel, a rear panel, an upper end cap assembly including corresponding end caps, and a lower end cap assembly. In some cases, the interior of the door between these panels and end cap assemblies can be insulated, for example, by filling it with an insulating material. Typically, after the panels and end cap assemblies are assembled together, the insulating material is bulkly injected (e.g., foamed) into the insulated space. The insulating material typically extends along the entire length of the door, thereby providing a complete barrier against heat transfer, improving the efficiency of the refrigeration appliance, and preventing the formation of undesirable localized condensation zones. The insulating material also helps to keep these components in their co-assembled state. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The following is a simplified overview of this disclosure to provide a basic understanding of some of the example aspects described in the detailed description. This overview is not a comprehensive summary. Furthermore, this overview is not intended to identify key elements of this disclosure, nor is it intended to define the scope of this disclosure. The sole purpose of this overview is to present some concepts in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description that follows.

[0008] According to one aspect, a door for sealing an internal compartment of a refrigeration appliance includes: a front panel defining an outer front surface of the door; an end cap defining a handle for gripping the door and for closing a vertical end of the door; and an intermediate member disposed between the end cap and the front panel and securing the end cap to the front panel. The intermediate member extends along a vertically upper portion of the front panel. The intermediate member has a plurality of discrete snap-fit ​​elements spaced apart along the extent of the intermediate member for clamping a distal edge of the front panel. The end cap is configured to provide an elastically applied clamping force to hold the intermediate member thereon and to hold the front panel in place of the intermediate member.

[0009] According to another aspect, a door for sealing an internal compartment of a refrigeration appliance includes a front panel and a rear panel, the front panel defining a front surface and side portions of the door. The door further includes an end cap assembly extending between the front panel and the rear panel and sealing a vertical upper or lower end of the door. The end cap assembly includes an end cap defining a recess extending generally horizontally along a portion of the front surface of the front panel; and a generally U-shaped intermediate member having a central portion and a pair of oppositely disposed edge portions extending rearwardly from opposite sides of the central portion and corresponding to a distal portion of the front panel. The intermediate member is disposed between the end cap and the front panel and joins them together. The end cap has a concave extension extending laterally along the front panel and wrapping around the intermediate member to a front lip disposed at the central portion and adjacent to the top surface of a curved portion at the distal end of the front panel, the curved portion curving out of plane from the front surface of the front panel.

[0010] According to another aspect, an end cap assembly for sealing and defining the vertical end of a compartment seal of a refrigeration appliance includes: an end cap having a recess defining a user handle; and an intermediate member fixable between a front and a rear portion of the end cap for securing a front panel of the compartment seal to the end cap. The intermediate member includes: a generally horizontal crossbar; a plurality of discrete tabs extending forward therefrom the generally horizontal crossbar; and a plurality of spaced-apart ribs located at the generally horizontal crossbar, with at least a portion of the ribs vertically disposed between the generally horizontal crossbar and the plurality of discrete tabs. The front portion of the end cap includes a concave region receiving the plurality of discrete tabs and providing an elastic clamping force between the plurality of discrete tabs and the plurality of spaced-apart ribs for clamping a distal edge of the front panel.

[0011] The foregoing and other features of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The accompanying figures are not necessarily to scale, and all aspects of this disclosure are shown.

[0013] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of a typical household French door bottom-mounted refrigeration appliance, showing the door of the fresh food compartment and the drawers of the freezer compartment in the closed position;

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of a conventional refrigeration appliance, showing the door of the fresh food compartment and the drawers of the freezer compartment in the open position;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a front perspective view of an exemplary refrigerator according to the present disclosure, showing a four-door refrigeration appliance, wherein each of a pair of bottom doors includes at least an upper cover assembly according to the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A top-view perspective view of the bottom right door of a refrigeration appliance, wherein the front panel has a generally arched front surface;

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A schematic top view of the pair of bottom doors, excluding the rest of the refrigeration unit;

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 An exploded view of the end cap assembly depicted in the image;

[0019] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 end cap assembly along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken by line AA;

[0020] Figure 8 yes Figure 4 end cap assembly along Figure 4 Detailed view of another section intercepted by line AA;

[0021] Figure 9 yes Figure 4 end cap assembly along Figure 4 Another cross-sectional view taken by line AA;

[0022] Figure 10 yes Figure 4 Another top-down perspective view of the right bottom door is shown, in which the end cap and front panel are shown as semi-transparent to allow the middle component to be seen when the end cap assembly is in an assembled configuration.

[0023] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 A partial magnified view of the front panel, where the front panel is now shown as solid and only the end caps are shown as translucent;

[0024] Figure 12 yes Figure 3 A perspective view of the middle component of the left bottom door of a refrigeration appliance;

[0025] Figure 13 yes Figure 3 Another perspective view of the middle component of the left bottom door of the refrigeration appliance;

[0026] Figure 14 This is a front perspective view of a conventional household refrigeration appliance according to another embodiment, the appliance including a pair of vertically stacked drawers of a freezer compartment in a closed position;

[0027] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 A perspective view of a pull-out drawer of a refrigeration appliance, wherein the front panel has a generally flat front surface and the corresponding end cap assembly has an optional recess for receiving a user interface.

[0028] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 Exploded view of the end cap assembly;

[0029] Figure 17 yes Figure 15 end cap assembly along Figure 15 A cross-sectional view captured by line CC;

[0030] Figure 18 yes Figure 15 The top-view perspective of the bottom right drawer is shown, with the end cap and front panel displayed as semi-transparent to allow the middle components to be seen when the end cap assembly is in its assembled configuration. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention discloses a refrigeration appliance comprising a compartment for storing food in a refrigerated environment, the compartment being selectively closed by a door comprising a front panel, a rear panel, and an end cap assembly disposed at its vertical end. The end cap assembly defines a handle that allows the door to be selectively opened and closed by gripping it. More specifically, the end cap assembly includes a plurality of separate, spaced-apart snap-fit ​​elements along its generally front portion for clamping the distal end of the front panel over a generally vertical extent. The front panel and the end cap assembly are configured to remain adjacent to each other, rather than one extending through the other, wherein the end cap assembly is further configured to provide a resilient clamping force to the distal end of the front panel.

[0032] Embodiments of a refrigerator or its components will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. However, this device can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein;

[0033] Now refer to the attached diagram, Figure 1 A conventional refrigeration appliance, generally designated 10, in the form of a household refrigerator, is shown. Although the following detailed description refers to a household refrigerator 10, the invention can be implemented with refrigeration appliances other than the household refrigerator 10. Furthermore, embodiments are described in detail below and are shown in the drawings as a bottom-mounted configuration of the refrigerator 10, which includes a fresh food compartment 14 vertically positioned above the freezer compartment 12. However, the refrigerator 10 can have any desired configuration (including at least one fresh food compartment 14 and / or freezer compartment 12), such as a top-mounted refrigerator (with the freezer compartment positioned above the fresh food compartment), a side-by-side refrigerator (with the fresh food compartment laterally adjacent to the freezer compartment), a freestanding refrigerator, or a freezer, etc.

[0034] Figure 1 One or more doors 16 shown are pivotally connected to the cabinet 19 of the refrigerator 10 to restrict and permit access to the fresh food compartment 14. Doors 16 may be a single door spanning the entire lateral distance of the entrance to the fresh food compartment 14, or may include doors such as... Figure 1 The pair (i.e., two) French doors 16 shown together span the entire lateral distance of the entrance to the fresh food compartment 14 to enclose the fresh food compartment 14. For the latter configuration, the centrally flipped vertical frame 21 ( Figure 2 It can be pivotally coupled to at least one door 16 to establish a surface, and a seal provided to another door 16 can abut against this surface on the opposite side surface 17 of the door 16. Figure 2The entrance to the fresh food compartment 14 is sealed at a position between the two points. The vertical frame 21 is pivotally connected to the door 16, pivoting between a first orientation substantially parallel to the plane surface of the door 16 when closed and a different orientation when the door 16 is open. The exposed surface of the central vertical frame 21 is substantially parallel to the door 16 when the central vertical frame 21 is in the first orientation, and forms an angle other than parallel with the door 16 when the central vertical frame 21 is in the second orientation. The seal and the exposed surface of the vertical frame 21 cooperate approximately in the middle between the lateral sides of the fresh food compartment 14.

[0035] Dispenser 18 for dispensing at least ice and optionally water. Figure 1 The dispenser 18 may be positioned on the outside of one of the doors 16 that restrict access to the fresh food compartment 14. The dispenser 18 includes an actuator (e.g., a lever, switch, proximity sensor, etc.) to dispensing frozen ice from the ice container 23 of the ice maker 29 located within the fresh food compartment 14. Figure 2 Ice is distributed in the ice box 23. Ice cubes from the ice box 23 can exit through the hole 31 and pass through the ice trough 22. Figure 2 The ice is delivered to dispenser 18, which passes at least partially through door 16 between dispenser 18 and ice box 54.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 The freezer compartment 12 is vertically arranged below the fresh food compartment 14. A drawer assembly (not shown) including one or more freezer racks (not shown) can be pulled out from the freezer compartment 12 to allow a user to access the food stored in the freezer compartment 12. The drawer assembly can be coupled to a freezer door 11 including a handle 15. When the user grasps the handle 15 and pulls open the freezer door 11, at least one or more freezer racks are at least partially pulled out from the freezer compartment 12.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment, the ice maker is located within the freezer compartment. In this configuration, although still located within the freezer compartment, at least the ice maker (and possibly the ice tray) is mounted to the inner surface of the freezer door. It is envisioned that the ice mold and ice tray could be separate components, one retained within the freezer compartment and the other on the freezer door.

[0038] The freezer compartment 12 is used to freeze and / or maintain food stored in the freezer compartment 12 in a frozen state. For this purpose, the freezer compartment 12 is in thermal communication with a freezer evaporator (not shown), which removes heat from the freezer compartment 12 to maintain the temperature in the freezer compartment at or below 0°C during operation of the refrigerator 10, preferably between 0°C and -50°C, more preferably between 0°C and -30°C, and even more preferably between 0°C and -20°C.

[0039] Refrigerator 10 includes a lining 24 for a designated fresh food compartment 14. Figure 2In this example, the fresh food compartment 14 is located in the upper part of the refrigerator 10 and is used to minimize the spoilage of the food stored therein. The fresh food compartment 14 achieves this by maintaining a temperature typically above 0°C to prevent the food in the fresh food compartment 14 from freezing. Ideally, the low temperature is preferably between 0°C and 10°C, more preferably between 0°C and 5°C, and even more preferably between 0.25°C and 4.5°C.

[0040] According to some embodiments, cold air, whose heat has been removed by the freezer evaporator, can also be blown into the fresh food compartment 14 to maintain a temperature above 0°C, preferably between 0°C and 10°C, more preferably between 0°C and 5°C, and even more preferably between 0.25°C and 4.5°C. In alternative embodiments, a separate fresh food evaporator can optionally be dedicated to maintaining the temperature within the fresh food compartment 14 independently of the freezer compartment 12.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the temperature in the fresh food compartment 14 can be maintained at a cooling temperature between 0°C and 4.5°C (including any sub-range and any individual temperature falling within this range), with tight tolerances. For example, other embodiments may optionally maintain the cooling temperature in the fresh food compartment 14 at a temperature between 0.25°C and 4°C, with reasonably tight tolerances.

[0042] Now go to Figure 3 Another refrigerator 100 (also referred to herein as refrigeration appliance 100) is shown as having four compartments sealed, namely doors 116. Refrigerator 100 is substantially similar to refrigerator 10 discussed above and also has a bottom-mounted configuration, except that its bottom freezer compartment is selectively closed by a pair of doors instead of a single drawer, as discussed further below. Optionally, one of the bottom doors may close a convertible compartment or variable climate zone (VCZ), allowing the user to selectively adjust the temperature between the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. The aspects of refrigerator 100, which are similar to those of refrigerator 10, are identified by the same reference numerals, but enlarged by 100. It should be understood that the aspects of refrigerator 10 can be incorporated into refrigerator 100, and vice versa.

[0043] Refrigerator 100 includes a body 111 providing an upper fresh food compartment 114 and one or more lower freezer compartments 112, each compartment 112, 114 being selectively closed by a corresponding pair of upper doors 115 or lower doors 116. Preferably, the upper door 115 includes a dispenser 113, such as a dispenser for ice, water, or both. Preferably, the pair of freezer compartments 112 are separated from each other by vertical frames, such that each door 116 allows selective access to each individual freezer compartment. Optionally, at least one of the freezer compartments may be a convertible compartment or a variable climate zone (VCZ), providing a user-adjustable storage area whose temperature can be maintained at a temperature associated with the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment (or any temperature in between). That is, the temperature maintained in the VCZ compartment 106 is adjustable to accommodate a variety of foods to be stored therein. In this configuration, the lower freezer compartment can be separated from the VCZ compartment by a vertical frame, and a separate door 116 provides a separate and independent passage to either the freezer compartment or the VCZ compartment. Figure 3 In the demonstration, the VCZ compartment is shown as the lower left compartment, while the freezer compartment is shown as the lower right compartment, but this can be reversed.

[0044] Adjacent doors 116 of the (multiple) freezer compartments 112 (or freezer compartments and VCZ compartments) are each pivotally connected to the body 111 of the refrigerator 100 via hinges 117. Each of these doors 116 includes a recessed handle 118 that does not extend beyond the front panel 120 of the door 116. The handle 118 is integrated with a corresponding vertical upper end cap assembly of the door 116. The handles 118 are shown collectively providing a single handle cavity extending between the two doors 116, wherein at the intermediate connection when the doors 116 are closed, the inside of each handle 118 opens to the handle 118 of the other door 116. In other embodiments, the cavity provided by each handle 118 may be separated from the cavities of adjacent side-by-side doors, for example, by lateral inner walls. As used herein, the lateral direction extends between opposite sides 119 of the body 111. As used in this article, the terms "upper," "vertical," "horizontal," and "lower" are used with reference to the alignment of a typical refrigerator in an upright, ready-to-use position. Figure 3 As shown.

[0045] Now for reference Figures 4 to 6The lower right door 116 of the refrigeration unit 100 is shown as separate from the rest of the body 111. It will be understood that the lower left door 116 may be similar, but constructed in reverse. Door 116 includes a front panel 120, a rear panel 122, a vertical lower end cap assembly 124, and a vertical upper end cap assembly 126. End cap assemblies 124 and 126 are disposed between panels 120 and 122 and close the upper and lower ends of the respective doors 116. The upper end cap assembly 126 is configured to provide an elastically applied clamping force to hold the front panel 120 thereon, and specifically to maintain the end cap assembly 126 and the front panel 120 in a continuous arrangement, such that neither extends through the other.

[0046] The depicted front panel 120 provides the outer front surface of the door 116, and as in Figure 5 As specifically shown in the schematic diagram, the front surface has a generally arched profile. In other embodiments, the front panel 120 may have a flat front surface. The front panel 120 includes a front panel portion 140 having a front surface 141 and opposing side panel portions 142 extending from the front panel portion toward the rear panel 122. The front panel 120 has a curved upper portion 144 at its vertical upper extent, defining a distal end 146. The curved portion 144 curves out of plane from the front surface 141 of the front panel portion 140. The front panel 120 shown is made of metal, such as steel or aluminum, but other materials may be suitable in other embodiments.

[0047] like Figure 6 As shown, the upper end cap assembly 126 includes a cover 130, an end cap 132 (also referred to herein as an end cap member), and an intermediate member 136, which, once assembled, is positioned between the end cap 132 and the front panel 120 of the door. In some embodiments, the door 116 is internally foamed (i.e., has expanded insulating foam) to help hold the end cap 132 and the front panel 120 in place relative to each other.

[0048] Now go to Figure 7 And also see Figure 6The end cap assembly 126 is shown without the front panel 120. The cover 130 is a decorative top cover joined to the outward-facing surface of the end cap 132. In the depicted assembly, the cover 130 at least partially defines an integral recessed handle 118, also referred to herein as handle recess 118. The end cap 132 and the cover 130 engage with each other, for example, one of these components having a protrusion received in an orifice of the other component. For example, the cover 130 includes a protrusion 150 received in an orifice 152 of the end cap 132. The cover 130 may be made of metal, such as steel or aluminum, or may be decorative plastic, or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, the cover 130 may be omitted (whereby the end cap 132 itself provides an outward-facing decorative surface) or may be otherwise shaped.

[0049] End cap 132 is configured to be disposed between cover 130 and intermediate member 136. Typically, end cap 132 is used to close the vertical end of door 116 and, along the lateral extent of door 116 in the lateral direction, in side panel portion 142 (…). Figure 4 The end cap 132 extends between the end caps 132 and 118. The end cap 132 includes a hinge bearing 154 mounted to and extending through the end cap. The end cap 132 further includes a laterally extending recess defining a handle 118. The end cap 132 shown can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal.

[0050] Turn now Figure 8 and Figure 9 End cap 132 is configured to provide a resiliently applied clamping force to hold intermediate member 136 thereon and to hold the front panel 120 of the door at intermediate member 136. For example, end cap 132 includes a resilient concave portion 160 that provides a downward-facing front lip 162 at the distal end of the front portion of the door 116. A plurality of laterally spaced protrusions 166 are located at the rear portion of a concave portion 164 defined by the concave portion 160. Each of the concave portion 160 and the protrusions 166 is configured to engage intermediate member 136.

[0051] Intermediate member 136 is configured to attach to front panel 120 and connect the two by being disposed between end cap 132 and front panel 120. Intermediate member 136 has a body extending laterally along a vertical range of front panel 120. Briefly return to Figure 6 The intermediate member 136 has a generally U-shaped body with a central portion 170 and a pair of oppositely arranged edge portions 171 and 172 that extend rearward generally orthogonally from opposite sides of the central portion 170. These side portions 171 and 172 correspond to the vertically distal extent of the front panel 120 and the underside of the end cap 132.

[0052] The central portion 170 and the outer portion 171 have a generally horizontal crossbar 174, while the inner portion 172 has a generally horizontal inner crossbar 176. The crossbar 176 is vertically lower than the crossbar 174, but generally parallel to it. This vertical distance forms a handle 118, which is defined by a recess extending through two adjacent doors 116 to their respective laterally outward ends. Alternatively, the outer portion 171 and the inner portion 172 can be arranged to be vertically aligned.

[0053] return Figure 8 and Figure 9 And still partially seen Figure 6 Multiple discrete, spaced-apart tabs 180 extend forward therefrom generally horizontal crossbars 174 and 176. Multiple spaced-apart ribs 184 are disposed on the upper surfaces of the generally horizontal crossbars 174 and 176. At least a portion of these ribs 184 are vertically disposed between the generally horizontal crossbars 174 and 176 and the multiple discrete tabs 180. The discrete, spaced-apart tabs 180 and ribs 184 define multiple discrete snap-fit ​​elements, such as snap-fit ​​clamps 186, spaced apart from each other along the U-shaped body. Each snap-fit ​​clamp 186 has a thickness along the U-shaped body sufficient to be suitable as a snap-fit ​​clamp for clamping the curved distal end 146 of the front panel 120 between the tabs 180 and the ribs 184.

[0054] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, when the components of door 116 are assembled, the vertical portion of door panel 120 is engaged between, and particularly sandwiched therebetween, the end cap 132 and the intermediate member 136. The end cap 132 and the intermediate member 136 cooperate to resiliently hold the curved upper portion 144 of door panel 120 therebetween. Specifically, the intermediate member 136 can be secured between the front and rear portions of the end cap 132. The front portion includes a concave portion 160 that receives and encloses a plurality of the discrete tabs 180. The rear portion includes the plurality of protrusions 166. Thus, the intermediate member 136 and its snap-fit ​​clamp 186 engage between the concave portion 160 and the protrusions 166, such that the end cap 132 provides a resilient clamping force for holding the distal end of the front panel 120. In this manner, at least a portion of the snap-fit ​​clamp 186 is configured to engage the upper and lower surfaces of the curved portion 144.

[0055] When the end cap assembly 126 is assembled with the front panel 120, the front lip 162 is configured to apply a vertical holding force to the curved portion 144. Specifically, the front lip 162 abuts against the curved portion 144 to at least partially define the front surface of the door, wherein the front lip 162 is positioned in front of the plurality of snap-fit ​​clamps 186.

[0056] This configuration is in Figure 10 and Figure 11Further details are provided below. For clarity, Figure 10 The end cap 132, cover 130 and front panel 120 are made transparent so that the normally hidden portion of the intermediate member 136 can be seen. Figure 11 The front panel 120 is made opaque to conceal various aspects of the intermediate member 136. As shown, the intermediate member 136 is configured to be completely hidden within the door 116 and behind the end cap 132 and the front panel 120.

[0057] See details Figure 10 The intermediate member 136 is configured to provide horizontal support to the front panel 120 at a forward position at the distal end 146 of the front panel 120. For example, the intermediate member 136 further includes a forward-facing support wall 190 having a plurality of forward-facing ridges 191 for supporting the rear surface of the main portion of the front panel 120. In this way, the intermediate member 136 is configured to at least partially limit the rearward arrangement of the front panel 120 relative to the end cap 132.

[0058] See next. Figure 12 and Figure 13 The intermediate member 136 includes a U-shaped body having inner wall protrusions 192 at opposite side portions 171, 172 and in a lateral range at the center portion 170. Each inner wall portion 192 extends along the U-shaped body between a pair of separate tabs 180. Additionally, multiple sets of ribs 194 are present at each opposite end of the respective U-shaped body, each set of ribs adjacent to and extending outward from the corresponding inner wall protrusion 192. The multiple sets of ribs 194 provide gripping under the curved distal end 146 of the door front panel 120. During the manufacturing process of the internal foam providing the door separator, the inner wall protrusions 192 help limit or completely prevent leakage of the internally expanded foam to the outside of the corresponding door 116.

[0059] Turn now Figure 14 and Figure 15 This demonstrates another embodiment 200 of a refrigerator including a pull-out drawer 216. That is, covering... Figure 3The swing door design of the lower compartment can be replaced by one or two pull-out drawer assemblies, which can be pulled out to selectively access one or two compartments. Each such compartment can be a freezer compartment or a VCZ compartment, and each drawer 216 is provided for sealing the corresponding refrigerator compartment. The construction of drawer 216 is substantially similar to that of door 116 discussed above, and also has a vertical upper cover assembly 226, and others as discussed below. The aspects of drawer 216 that are similar to aspects of door 116 are identified by the same reference numerals, but enlarged by 100. It should be understood that the aspects of door 116 can be incorporated into drawer 216 and vice versa. It should be understood that, as described herein, a drawer is considered a type of door, and these terms are used interchangeably.

[0060] Similar to refrigerator 100, refrigerator 200 includes a body 211 that defines a lower freezer compartment 212 and an upper fresh food compartment 214. The fresh food compartment is closed by a pair of hinged doors 215. The freezer compartment 112 includes a pair of drawers 216. Preferably, one of the hinged doors 215 includes a dispenser 213, such as a dispenser for water, ice, or both. Preferably, each drawer 216 includes a recessed handle 218 integrated with the corresponding drawer 216.

[0061] Drawer 216 has a front panel 220 with a flat front surface, but it may also have an arched surface as depicted in other embodiments herein. Turning Figure 16 The end cap assembly 226 includes a cover 230, an end cap 232, and an intermediate member 236. The cover 230 and end cap 232 are configured to receive a user interface on the upper side of the drawer 216, such as at a cutout 233. Although not specifically shown, in some embodiments, the end cap assembly 226 may include a hinge bearing, and in other embodiments, the end cap assembly 226 may be included within the drawer assembly. The cover 230 may be optionally removed, thereby making the end cap 232 a decorative outer surface.

[0062] like Figure 17 The depicted and similar end cap assembly 126 has an intermediate member 236 secured by a concave portion 260 of the end cap 232, thereby resembling the previously mentioned... Figures 8 to 11A similar manner is described to resiliently hold the distal end 246 of the door panel 220 at the separate snap-fit ​​clamps 286. For example, briefly and non-limitingly, when the components of drawer 216 are assembled, the vertical portion of the door panel 220 engages between, and particularly between, the end cap 232 and the intermediate member 236. The end cap 232 and the intermediate member 236 cooperate to resiliently hold the upper curved distal end 246 of the door panel 220 therebetween. Thus, the intermediate member 236 and its snap-fit ​​clamps 286 engage between the concave portion 260 and the protrusion 266, such that the end cap 232 provides a resilient clamping force for holding the distal end of the front panel 220. Figure 18 In the middle, for clarity, cover 230, end cover 232 and front panel 220 are in Figure 18 The middle part is shown as transparent. Similar to end cap assembly 126, end cap assembly 226 includes an intermediate member 236 hidden by end cap 232 and front panel 220. Unlike end cap assembly 126, the opposite sides 271 and 272 of the U-shaped body of intermediate member 236 ( Figure 16 They are horizontally parallel to each other and have no inner wall portion and multiple sets of ribs, but opposite sides 271 and 272 may also be vertically misaligned.

[0063] In summary, the refrigeration appliance 100 includes compartments 112, 114, 212, 214 for storing food in a refrigerated environment, and has doors 116 or drawers 216 for selectively closing the compartments 112, 114, 212, 214. The doors 116 or drawers 216 include front panels 120, 220, rear panels 122, 222, and end cap assemblies 126, 226 disposed therebetween at their vertical ends. The end cap assemblies 126, 226 define recessed handles 118, 218 that allow gripping of the doors 116 or drawers 216, thereby selectively opening and closing the doors 116 or drawers 216. End cap assemblies 126, 226 include, along their generally front portions, a plurality of discrete, spaced-apart snap-fit ​​clamps 186, 286 for clamping the distal ends 146, 246 of the front panels 120, 220 within a generally vertical range of the front panels 120, 220. End cap assemblies 126, 226 and front panels 120, 220 are configured to remain adjacent to each other rather than extending through them, wherein end cap assemblies 126, 226 are further configured to provide a resilient clamping force to the distal ends 146, 246 of the front panels 120, 220.

[0064] The invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments described above. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding this specification. The exemplary embodiments into which one or more aspects of the invention are incorporated are intended to include all such modifications and alterations, provided they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A door for sealing an interior compartment of a refrigeration appliance, the door comprising: a front panel defining a front surface of an outer side of the door; an end cap defining a handle for allowing grasping of the door and for closing a vertical end of the door; and an intermediate member disposed between the end cap and the front panel and securing the end cap to the front panel, the intermediate member extending along an upper vertical extent of the front panel, wherein the intermediate member has a plurality of discrete snap elements spaced along an extent of the intermediate member for clamping a distal edge of the front panel, and wherein the end cap is configured for providing a resiliently applied clamping force to retain the intermediate member thereon and the front panel at the intermediate member.

2. The door of claim 1, wherein, the end cap has a resiliently concave portion that wraps the plurality of discrete snap elements of the intermediate member to retain the intermediate member thereon.

3. The door of claim 1, wherein, an edge at an upper vertical extent of the front panel is clamped between the end cap and the intermediate member.

4. The door of claim 1, wherein, the intermediate member includes a plurality of forward facing ridges for supporting a rear surface of a major portion of the front panel.

5. The door of claim 1, further comprising a cover member coupled about an outwardly facing surface of the end cap.

6. The door of claim 1, wherein, the door is internally foamed to assist in retaining the end cap and the front panel in place relative to one another.

7. The door of claim 1, wherein, the intermediate member is entirely concealed behind the end cap and the front panel.

8. The door of claim 1, wherein, the door is pivotably connected to a body of the refrigeration appliance by a hinge.

9. The door of claim 1, further comprising a hinge bearing mounted to the end cap and extending therethrough.

10. A door for sealing an interior compartment of a refrigeration appliance, the door comprising: a front panel and a rear panel, the front panel for defining a front surface and side portions of the door; an end cap assembly extending between the front panel and the rear panel and sealing an upper or lower vertical end of the door, the end cap assembly comprising: an end cap defining a recess extending generally horizontally along a portion of the front surface of the front panel, and a generally U-shaped intermediate member having a central portion and a pair of oppositely disposed edge portions extending generally orthogonally rearward from opposite sides of the central portion and corresponding to a distal extent of the front panel, the intermediate member being disposed between and coupling the end cap and the front panel together, wherein the end cap has a concave extension extending laterally along the front panel and wrapping the intermediate member to a front lip disposed at the central portion and adjacent a top surface of a curved portion at a distal end of the front panel, the curved portion being curved out of plane from the front surface of the front panel. the intermediate member includes a plurality of snap clamps spaced along the central portion and each edge portion, the snap clamps engaging the upper and lower surfaces of the curved portion.

11. The door of claim 10, wherein, the front lip is disposed forward of the plurality of snap clamps.

12. The door of claim 11, wherein, the end cap is configured such that the front lip exerts a vertical retaining force on the curved portion.

13. The door of claim 10, wherein, the front lip abuts the curved portion to define a front surface of the door.

14. The door of claim 10, wherein, the intermediate member is configured for providing horizontal support to the front panel at a location forward of a distal end of the front panel.

15. The door of claim 10, wherein, ​ 16. The door of claim 10, wherein, The end cap includes a plurality of laterally spaced-apart protrusions that engage a bottom side of the intermediate member disposed opposite the surface engaged by the curved portion, and wherein the intermediate member is clamped between the protrusions and the front lip by the end cap.

17. An end cap assembly for sealing and defining a vertical end of a compartment seal of a refrigeration appliance, the end cap assembly comprising: an end cap having a recess defining a user handle; and an intermediate member securable between a front portion and a rear portion of the end cap for securing a front panel of the compartment seal to the end cap; the intermediate member including: a generally horizontal ledge; a plurality of discrete tabs extending forwardly therefrom; and a plurality of spaced-apart raised ribs at the generally horizontal ledge, and at least a portion of the raised ribs are disposed vertically between the generally horizontal ledge and the plurality of discrete tabs, wherein the front portion of the end cap includes a concave extent that receives the plurality of discrete tabs therein and provides a resilient clamping force between the plurality of discrete tabs and the plurality of spaced-apart raised ribs for clamping a distal edge of the front panel.

18. The end cap assembly of claim 17, wherein, The intermediate member further includes a forwardly facing support wall for limiting rearward disposition of the front panel relative to the end cap.

19. The end cap assembly of claim 17, wherein, The intermediate member is shaped to extend along front and opposite sides of the front panel.

20. The end cap assembly of claim 19, wherein, The intermediate member includes a laterally extending central portion and opposing side portions extending vertically from the central portion, and wherein the opposing side portions each include an inner wall ledge portion extending between a pair of discrete tabs and configured to limit leakage of internal foamed foam to an exterior of a respective compartment seal.

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