Decorative partition profile for vacuum insulation structure

Abstract

The refrigeration apparatus includes a cabinet defining a compartment. The door assembly is operably coupled to the cabinet and is operable between an open position and a closed position. The door assembly includes an inner liner and an outer envelope spaced from the inner liner to define a cavity. The trim partition extends around a perimeter of the door assembly. An inner liner and an outer envelope are coupled to the trim breaker to enclose the cavity. A protrusion is defined by the trim partition and extends toward the compartment when the door assembly is in the closed position. A cover is operably coupled to the trim partition and a liner of the door. A cover is positioned over the protrusion of the trim breaker.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a decorative duster profile, and more particularly, to a decorative duster profile for a vacuum insulated structure. SUMMARY

[0002] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vacuum insulated appliance includes a cabinet defining a compartment. A vacuum insulated door is operably coupled to the cabinet, wherein the vacuum insulated door is operable between an open position and a closed position. The vacuum insulated door includes an inner liner proximate the compartment when the vacuum insulated door is in the closed position. An outer shell is opposite the inner liner. A decorative duster is operably coupled to the inner liner and the outer shell to define a door cavity, wherein the decorative duster defines a protrusion that extends toward the compartment when the vacuum insulated door is in the closed position. A gasket is coupled to the decorative duster and extends along a perimeter of the decorative duster, wherein the gasket abuts the cabinet when the vacuum insulated door is in the closed position. A cover is operably coupled to the vacuum insulated door and extends along a perimeter of the vacuum insulated door, wherein the cover is positioned over the protrusion.

[0003] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigeration appliance includes a cabinet defining a compartment. A door assembly is operably coupled to the cabinet and is operable between an open position and a closed position. The door assembly includes an inner liner and an outer shell spaced apart from the inner liner to define a cavity. A decorative duster extends around a perimeter of the door assembly. The inner liner and the outer shell are coupled to the decorative duster to enclose the cavity. A protrusion is defined by the decorative duster and extends toward the compartment when the door assembly is in the closed position. A cover is operably coupled to the decorative duster and the inner liner of the door, wherein the cover is positioned over the protrusion of the decorative duster.

[0004] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an appliance includes a cabinet defining a compartment. A door assembly is operably coupled to the cabinet. The door assembly includes an inner liner and an outer shell opposite the inner liner. The inner liner and the outer shell define a vacuum insulated door cavity. A decorative duster is operably coupled to the inner liner and the outer shell, wherein the decorative duster defines a protrusion having a first wall and a second wall and extending outwardly from the inner liner and around a perimeter of the decorative duster. A cover is operably coupled to the decorative duster and the inner liner. The cover extends around the perimeter of the decorative duster, wherein the cover is positioned over the protrusion.

[0005] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood and appreciated with reference to the following description and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] In the drawings:

[0007] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a vacuum insulated appliance having an insulated door and a cabinet in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0008] Figure 2 is a side elevation cross-sectional view of a vacuum insulated appliance according to the present disclosure with an insulated door in a closed position;

[0009] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional side elevation view of a vacuum insulated door according to the present disclosure having a decorative spacer and a cover defining an elongated opening;

[0010] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a gap defined between a cover on the door and an interior surface of a cabinet of a vacuum insulated appliance according to the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a vacuum insulated door according to the present disclosure having a gasket coupled to a decorative spacer;

[0012] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a vacuum insulated door according to the present disclosure engaged with a cabinet of a vacuum insulated appliance;

[0013] Figure 7 is a partial side elevation view of a vacuum insulated door according to the present disclosure having a decorative spacer and a cover; and

[0014] Figure 8 is a partial side elevation view of a vacuum insulated door according to the present disclosure having a door shelf coupled to a ladder behind the cover.

[0015] The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the embodiments described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The presently illustrated embodiments are primarily directed to combinations of method steps and device components related to decorative spacer profiles for vacuum insulated structures. Accordingly, device components and method steps are represented by conventional symbols in the drawings, where appropriate, and the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Moreover, like reference numerals are intended to represent like elements throughout the specification.

[0017] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal", and derivatives thereof shall relate to the application as it is oriented in the drawing figures. Therein, Figure 1The disclosure is directed to the orientation. Unless otherwise stated, the term "front" shall refer to the surface of an element closer to an intended viewer and the term "back" shall refer to the surface of an element farther from the intended viewer. However, it will be understood that the disclosure can take various alternative orientations, unless explicitly stated otherwise. It will also be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0018] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0019] Referring to Figures 1 to 8 , reference numeral 10 generally indicates an apparatus that can be at least partially vacuum insulated. The vacuum insulated apparatus 10 includes a cabinet 12 defining a compartment 14 and a door 16 operably coupled with the cabinet 12. One or both of the cabinet 12 and the door 16 can be vacuum insulated. The door 16 is operable between an open position Figure 1 and a closed position Figure 2 . The door 16 includes an inner liner 18 and an outer envelope 20 opposite the inner liner 18, the inner liner 18 being proximate the compartment 14 when the door 16 is in the closed position. A trim divider 22 is operably coupled to the inner liner 18 and the outer envelope 20 to at least partially define a door cavity 24. The trim divider 22 defines a protrusion 26 that extends toward the compartment 14 when the door 16 is in the closed position. A gasket 28 is coupled to the trim divider 22 and extends along a perimeter of the trim divider. The gasket 28 abuts the cabinet 12 when the door 16 is in the closed position. A cover 32 is operably coupled to the door 16 and extends along a perimeter of the door 16, and the cover 32 is positioned over the protrusion 26.

[0020] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the appliance 10 is shown as a refrigeration appliance, however, it is contemplated that the thermally insulated door 16 disclosed herein can be used with various appliances, structures, or thermal insulation purposes other than the appliance 10. Further, the illustrated refrigeration appliance 10 is a whole, single door refrigerator having a vacuum insulated door 16. The vacuum insulated door 16 can be a rotatably operable and / or laterally operable panel for the door 16 and drawers. In non-limiting examples, the refrigeration appliance 10 can be a bottom mount refrigerator, a bottom mount French door refrigerator, a top mount refrigerator, a side by side refrigerator, a four door French door refrigerator, and / or a five door French door refrigerator, each of which can have one or more thermally insulated doors 16 (e.g., panels). In other non-limiting examples, the vacuum insulated appliance 10 can also be a freezer, such as a top mount freezer, a bottom mount freezer, a side by side freezer, a French door freezer, a three door freezer, an integrated / inbuilt freezer, and a chest freezer.

[0021] Still referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the refrigeration appliance 10 includes a cabinet 12 and a door 16. The cabinet 12 includes a compartment 14 and defines an opening 40 into the compartment 14. The compartment 14 is configured to hold and store food items. The door 16 is operably coupled to the cabinet 12 via a hinge, a weld, or other form of fastener. The door 16 is movable to and from, and between, a closed position and an open position. In the open position, as shown in Figure 1 , the door 16 allows access to an interior environment of the compartment 14 through the opening 40. In the closed position, as shown in Figure 2 , the door 16 generally denies access to the compartment 14 through the opening 40, thereby sealing the compartment 14.

[0022] The cabinet 12 includes interior surfaces 46 that define the compartment 14. For example, as shown in Figure 1 , the interior surfaces 46 can be those provided by a rear wall 52, side walls 54, a top panel 56, and a bottom panel 58 that collectively define the compartment 14. The top panel 56 and the bottom panel 58 are opposite one another, and the side walls 54 are opposite one another. The rear wall 52 and the door 16 are opposite one another when the door 16 is in the closed position. Further, the compartment 14 can include one or more shelves 64, and other forms of storage devices that provide support surfaces 66 on which food items can be placed. The compartment 14 can also include one or more bins or drawers.

[0023] The cabinet 12 also includes a conduit 72 Figure 4), the conduit 72 can be referred to as a hot loop, a Yoder loop, or a condenser loop, but is not meant to be limited to any one shape or configuration by the term "loop." A medium, such as a refrigerant, can circulate through the conduit 72. In various aspects, mechanical equipment, typically positioned within the machine compartment of the appliance 10, can be operably coupled with the conduit 72 to form a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant can be directed through the equipment, where the refrigerant is converted from a liquid to a gas, thereby absorbing heat as a result of the reaction. As the heated refrigerant travels through the conduit 72, the refrigerant can release heat, which can reduce the accumulation of moisture and frost. Thus, the refrigerant contained and transported through the conduit 72 can provide a conduction path that creates an "anti-sweat" feature to help reduce or prevent condensation that can occur when cold surfaces of the compartment 14 are exposed to ambient air in which the appliance 10 is disposed. Such warm and humid ambient air can cause condensation to occur along various components of the appliance 10.

[0024] Still referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the cabinet 12 includes a vacuum insulated structure, or is a vacuum insulated structure. The cabinet 12 can include a cabinet inner liner 78 and a cabinet outer envelope 80. The cabinet outer envelope 80 at least partially encloses the cabinet inner liner 78. The cabinet inner liner 78 generally forms the compartment 14, with a top section 82 forming the top panel 56 of the compartment 14, a back section 84 forming the back wall 52 of the compartment 14, and opposite side sections 86 forming the opposite side walls 54 of the compartment 14, respectively. Additionally, the cabinet outer envelope 80 and the cabinet inner liner 78 generally define an insulated cabinet cavity 88 therebetween. The cabinet 12 can also include a cabinet trim partitioner that couples the cabinet inner liner 78 and the cabinet outer envelope 80 together and seals the insulated cabinet cavity 88. The cabinet 12 can include a front surface 90, and the door 16 can engage the front surface 90 to form a seal around the compartment 14 when the door 16 is in the closed position.

[0025] The door cavity 24 of the door 16 and the insulated cabinet cavity 88 of the cabinet 12 generally include one or more insulating materials 100 disposed therein. It is generally contemplated that the insulating materials 100 can be glass-based materials, carbon-based powders, silica-based materials, silica dioxide-based materials, insulating gases, and other standard insulating materials 100 known in the art. The insulating materials 100 substantially fill the insulated door cavity 24, forming a substantially continuous layer between the outer skin 20 and the inner liner 18 of the door 16. Similarly, the insulating materials 100 substantially fill the insulated cabinet cavity 88, forming a substantially continuous layer between the cabinet outer skin 80 and the cabinet inner liner 78. The insulating materials 100 are disposed in each of the insulated cavities 24, 88. The outer skins 20, 80 and the inner liners 18, 78 can be made of materials that at least partially resist bending, deformation, or otherwise shaping in response to inward compression forces. These materials for the inner liner 18 and the outer skin 20 of the door 16 and the cabinet inner liner 78 and the cabinet outer skin 80 of the cabinet 12 include, but are not limited to, metals, polymers, metal alloys, combinations thereof, and / or other similar substantially rigid materials that can be used in the vacuum insulated apparatus 10.

[0026] An at least partial vacuum is defined within the insulated door cavity 24. The at least partial vacuum defines a pressure differential 102 between the exterior of the insulated door 16 and the insulated door cavity 24. The pressure differential 102 functions to define an inward compression force exerted on both the outer skin 20 and the inner liner 18, and tends to bias the outer skin 20 and the inner liner 18 toward the insulated door cavity 24. Over time, gas can permeate from the area outside of the apparatus 10 into the insulated door cavity 24, which can reduce the at least partial vacuum. Gas permeation is sometimes referred to as gas transmission, which can cause the at least partial vacuum to decrease over time.

[0027] The outer skin 20 of the door 16 defines an evacuation port, which is an opening into the insulated door cavity 24. The at least partial vacuum is generally defined by evacuating the door cavity 24 through the evacuation port. A vacuum device and evacuation port assembly can be positioned about the evacuation port to draw the at least partial vacuum through the evacuation port. Once the desired pressure differential 102 is defined between the exterior environment and the insulated door cavity 24, the evacuation port is sealed to form the insulated door 16. Similar vacuum insulation techniques and processes can be utilized to vacuum insulate the cabinet 12 structure. However, it is contemplated that one or both of the door 16 and the cabinet 12 of the apparatus 10 can not be vacuum insulated.

[0028] Reference is now made to Figures 3 to 5The thermally insulated door 16 also includes a decorative baffle 22 configured to help maintain the insulating properties (e.g., vacuum) of the thermally insulated door 16, as well as influence air flow between the door 16 and the cabinet body 12. The decorative baffle 22 is generally coupled to the inner liner 18 and the outer skin 20 of the door 16. For example, the decorative baffle 22 of the door 16 includes a first recess 106 and a second recess 108, where the second recess 108 can be defined by the protrusion 26. The first recess 106 is disposed closer to the outer perimeter of the decorative baffle 22 than the second recess 108. Generally, the first recess 106 and the second recess 108 are offset from one another. Additionally, the first recess 106 and the second recess 108 are both oriented in the same direction, where the opening into each recess 106, 108 is oriented away from the cabinet body 12 when the door 16 is closed.

[0029] An edge 116 of the outer skin 20 of the door 16 is disposed within the first recess 106 of the decorative baffle 22 to couple the decorative baffle 22 and the outer skin 20 together. An adhesive 120 can be disposed within the first recess 106 around the edge 116 of the outer skin 20 to provide an air-tight seal. An edge 124 of the inner liner 18 of the door 16 is disposed within the second recess 108 of the decorative baffle 22 to couple the decorative baffle 22 and the inner liner 18 together. Similarly, an adhesive 120 can be disposed within the second recess 108 around the edge 124 of the inner liner 18 to provide an air-tight seal. Thus, the decorative baffle 22 can be a single continuous piece that extends around the perimeter of the door 16. This configuration can allow the decorative baffle 22 to provide a substantially seamless or continuous seal and barrier for coupling the inner liner 18 and the outer skin 20 and sealing the door cavity 24 along the outer perimeter of the door 16. The decorative baffle 22 can be made of a material that is at least partially resistant to bending, deformation, temperature changes, and weathering. These materials for the decorative baffle 22 include, but are not limited to, thermoplastic and thermoset polymers, aluminum or other metal alloys, fiber-reinforced composites, and other similar materials.

[0030] The decorative baffle 22 of the door 16 can also include a gasket channel 130 configured to receive the gasket 28, as further described herein. The gasket channel 130 opens in an opposite direction from the first recess 106 and the second recess 108. In this way, the inner liner 18 and the outer skin 20 are coupled to a first side (generally, the outer side) of the decorative baffle 22, and the gasket 28 is coupled to a second side (generally, the inner side) of the decorative baffle 22. The gasket channel 130 is generally disposed between the first recess 106 and the second recess 108, where the first recess 106 is closest to the outer perimeter of the decorative baffle 22.

[0031] Reference is made to Figures 4 to 6The door 16 also includes a gasket 28 operably coupled to the trim divider 22 and configured to form a seal against the cabinet 12 when the door 16 is in the closed position. For example, the cabinet 12 includes a front surface 90, and the gasket 28 is configured to abut the front surface 90 to form a seal against the front surface 90. The gasket 28 can include an engagement portion 148, a center portion 150, and a gasket anchor 152. The engagement portion 148 is configured to press against the cabinet 12 to form a seal. In certain aspects, the engagement portion 148 can include a magnet for maintaining engagement with the cabinet 12.

[0032] The center portion 150 is disposed between the engagement portion 148 and the gasket anchor 152 and provides flexibility to the gasket 28, allowing the gasket 28 to conform to variations on the front surface 90 of the cabinet 12 and maintain a more reliable and / or airtight seal. The gasket 28 is configured to be positioned within the gasket channel 130 of the trim divider 22 and held in the gasket channel 130 by the engagement between the trim divider 22 and the gasket anchor 152. The anchoring in the trim divider 22 can help ensure a tighter and more consistent seal between the door 16 and the cabinet 12 when the door 16 is in the closed position. In particular, the gasket channel 130 of the trim divider 22 includes tabs 158 (shown in FIG. 2) along the length of the gasket channel 130 that help provide a barrier for the gasket anchor 152 to hold the gasket anchor 152 in the gasket channel 130. The gasket anchor 152 can be inserted into the gasket channel 130 and can interlock or engage with the tabs 158, thereby securing the gasket 28 in place within the gasket channel 130 of the trim divider 22. It is contemplated that the gasket 28 can be coupled to the trim divider 22 by other configurations, such as adhesives, snap fits, fasteners, notches, or other similar mechanisms. Figure 3 and Figure 7 The center portion 150 is disposed between the engagement portion 148 and the gasket anchor 152 and provides flexibility to the gasket 28, allowing the gasket 28 to conform to variations on the front surface 90 of the cabinet 12 and maintain a more reliable and / or airtight seal. The gasket 28 is configured to be positioned within the gasket channel 130 of the trim divider 22 and held in the gasket channel 130 by the engagement between the trim divider 22 and the gasket anchor 152. The anchoring in the trim divider 22 can help ensure a tighter and more consistent seal between the door 16 and the cabinet 12 when the door 16 is in the closed position. In particular, the gasket channel 130 of the trim divider 22 includes tabs 158 (shown in FIG. 2) along the length of the gasket channel 130 that help provide a barrier for the gasket anchor 152 to hold the gasket anchor 152 in the gasket channel 130. The gasket anchor 152 can be inserted into the gasket channel 130 and can interlock or engage with the tabs 158, thereby securing the gasket 28 in place within the gasket channel 130 of the trim divider 22. It is contemplated that the gasket 28 can be coupled to the trim divider 22 by other configurations, such as adhesives, snap fits, fasteners, notches, or other similar mechanisms.

[0033] Once the gasket 28 is positioned within the gasket channel 130 of the trim divider 22, the engagement portion 148 can provide an engagement surface 164 that is positioned to face and form a seal against the front surface 90 of the cabinet 12 (e.g., the cabinet outer shell 80 or the cabinet trim divider) when the door 16 is in the closed position. In configurations with magnets, the magnets can pull the gasket 28 and, by proximity, pull the door 16 toward the front surface 90 of the cabinet 12 to seal the door 16 to the cabinet 12. The gasket 28 can be made of materials including, but not limited to, rubber compounds, thermoplastic elastomers, as well as foams and / or hybrid materials.

[0034] Still referring to Figures 4 to 6The second recess 108 of the decorative partition 22 of door 16 is defined by a protrusion 26. The protrusion 26 of the decorative partition 22 includes a first wall 170 and a second wall 172, wherein the first wall 170 is opposite to the second wall 172, and the second recess 108 is defined between them. The edge 176 of the second wall 172 of the protrusion 26 may abut the lining 18 of door 16 to help couple the decorative partition 22 to the lining 18 and further help close the door cavity 24.

[0035] When the door 16 is in the closed position, the protrusion 26 extends toward and / or into the compartment 14. In some implementations, the protrusion 26 may oppose one or more inner surfaces 46 of the cabinet 12 defining the compartment 14. Typically, the protrusion 26 is spaced apart from the inner surfaces 46; however, without departing from the teachings of this document, the protrusion 26 may be in direct contact with the cabinet 12 when the door 16 is in the closed position. In the implementation where the protrusion 26 is spaced apart from the inner surfaces 46, a gap 182 is defined between the protrusion 26 and the inner surfaces 46 of the cabinet 12.

[0036] The protrusion 26 typically extends along the entire perimeter of the door 16, forming a rectangular or square configuration that mirrors the opening 40 into the compartment 14. In such an example, the protrusion 26 may be spaced apart from the respective inner surfaces 46 forming the compartment 14. Alternatively, the protrusion 26 may be elongated, extending at least to the junction between the pad 28 and the cabinet 12, or further than the junction between the pad 28 and the cabinet 12, to reduce the width of most or all of the gap 182 surrounding the perimeter of the opening 40, as further described herein.

[0037] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 6 The configuration depicted, when the door 16 is in the closed position, provides a gap 182 separating the protrusion 26 of the decorative partition 22 of the door 16 from the compartment 14, with a minimum distance 188 between the first wall 170 of the protrusion 26 and the corresponding inner surface 46 of the cabinet 12 defining the compartment 14. This minimum distance 188 can be defined between the protrusion 26 and each of the top plate 56, bottom plate 58, and side wall 54 of the cabinet 12. In some implementations, the minimum distance 188 can be less than about 6.2 mm; however, it can range from about 2 mm to about 13 mm. In other implementations, for example, the minimum distance 188 can be approximately zero when the protrusion 26 contacts the inner surface 46 of the cabinet 12 defining the compartment 14.

[0038] Additionally, when the door 16 is in the closed position, a shortest distance 188 between the first wall 170 of the protrusion 26 and the corresponding interior surface 46 of the cabinet 12 can be related to a height 190 defined between the conduit 72 and the protrusion 26. The height 190 can be about 13 mm, however, the height 190 can range from about 10 mm to about 31 mm. The height 190 can facilitate reducing heat conduction from the conduit 72 to the trim damper 22 to reduce or minimize the impact on heat gain and energy consumption of the appliance 10. Thus, the configuration of the protrusion 26 can allow the protrusion 26 to be spaced further away from the conduit 72 to reduce heat conduction and allow the protrusion 26 to extend further into the compartment 14 to reduce or minimize cold air flow to less insulated areas of the liner 28 and thus reduce or minimize condensation on the liner 28 and improve energy consumption.

[0039] In more conventional arrangements, the spacing between the door structure and the cabinet structure is greater than the shortest distance 188 disclosed herein, which can allow cold air flow past the liner 28 of the door 16, thereby creating or contributing to condensation buildup along the liner 28. Moreover, the more conventional arrangements that allow cold air flow to the liner 28 can compromise the insulating ability of the appliance. Similarly, the more conventional arrangements can allow increased heat transfer from the heat circuit to the door structure, which can increase the heat load on the appliance at the door structure, further impacting the insulating ability of the appliance.

[0040] The configuration of the trim damper 22 of the door 16 of the present disclosure facilitates reducing heat and air flow transfer across the interface and through the gap 182. In particular, the increased height 190 can maximize the spacing between the trim damper 22 and the conduit 72 to reduce heat transfer. Moreover, the gap 182 can reduce air flow transfer across the interface defined between the door 16 and the cabinet 12 as the protrusion 26 of the trim damper 22 of the door 16 extends into the compartment 14, which can improve energy efficiency. In this regard, the elongation of the protrusion 26 extending toward / into the compartment 14 facilitates minimizing the width of the gap 182 and thus minimizing condensation and the impact on heat gain and energy consumption.

[0041] Reference is now made to Figures 3 to 7 The cover 32 can be operatively coupled to the door 16 to help further reduce the width of the gap 182. The cover 32 can include a plurality of cover segments 194. For example, the cover 32 can include four separate cover segments forming the cover 32 extending along respective edges of the door 16, or alternatively, the cover 32 can be a single unitary piece extending along the perimeter of the door 16. The cover 32 can be coupled to the door 16 via adhesive, fasteners, snap fit, or other similar coupling mechanisms. Moreover, the cover segments 194 can be coupled to one another in a similar manner.

[0042] As Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the first portion 198 of the cover 32 extends from the flange 200 of the trim divider 22 between the gasket channel 130 and the first wall 170 of the protrusion 26 of the door 16. Thus, the first portion 198 of the cover 32 is proximate the gasket 28 and extends along or adjacent the first wall 170 of the trim divider 22, defining a gap 206 therebetween. The first portion 198 of the cover 32 includes an outer surface 212 and an inner surface 214. The outer surface 212 of the cover 32 is positioned proximate the gasket 28 and at least partially defines the gap 182 between the outer surface 212 of the first portion 198 of the cover 32 and the inner surface 46 of the cabinet 12 when the door 16 is in the closed position. The inner surface 214 of the cover 32 defines the gap 206 between the first wall 170 of the protrusion 26 and the first portion 198 of the cover 32. Thus, the cover 32, along with the protrusion 26 of the trim divider 22, helps minimize the width of the gap 182 by further reducing the shortest distance 188 of the gap 182.

[0043] The second portion 220 of the cover 32 extends from the first portion 198 over or along the protrusion 26 of the door 16 toward the center of the door 16 to cover the protrusion 26. The second portion 220 can extend generally parallel to the inner liner 18 and proximate the protrusion 26. The third portion 226 of the cover 32 extends generally perpendicularly from the second portion 220 and engages or is disposed proximate the inner liner 18 of the door 16, extending generally parallel to the second wall 172 of the protrusion 26 and aligned with the edge 176 of the second surface 172 of the protrusion 26. Thus, the protrusion 26 of the trim divider 22 and the cover 32 extend toward and / or into the compartment 14 of the cabinet 12 when the door 16 is in the closed position.

[0044] In various aspects, the second portion 220 of the cover 32 includes an internal protrusion 228 that engages the end 229 of the protrusion 26 between the first wall 170 and the second wall 172. This engagement helps to securely lock or pull the cover 32 into place to prevent or reduce movement or displacement of the decorative partition 22 from the door 16. Additionally, the cover 32 may include one or more inner walls 230a-230c. In various aspects, the inner wall 230a extends parallel to the second portion 220 along the lining 18 of the door 16. The internal protrusion 228 and the inner wall 230 of the second portion 220 help the cover 32 maintain its overall rigidity (e.g., increase the rigidity of the cover 32) and help to properly position the cover 32 and ensure engagement of the cover 32 with both the decorative partition 22 and the door 16. Inner wall 230b may extend between inner wall 230a and second portion 220, and inner wall 230c may extend between inner wall 230b and third portion 226 to provide additional structural rigidity to cover 32. Additionally, it is conceivable that one or more of inner walls 230a-230c may be omitted for certain sections 194 of cover 32 as described herein.

[0045] refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The configuration depicted in the diagram shows that the cover 32 defines an elongated opening 232 along opposing vertical side sections 236a, 236b of the cover 32. The opposing vertical side sections 236a, 236b can be coupled to the door 16 without one or more of the inner walls 230a-230c of the cover 32, thereby providing more space behind the cover 32 (i.e., between the cover 32 and the liner 18). In various examples, a ladder 238 can be coupled to the liner 18. The ladder 238 can extend vertically and serve as a support structure. The ladder 238 can be positioned behind the opposing vertical side sections 236a, 236b of the cover 32 and coupled to the door 16 via welding or other similar fastening mechanisms (including those that maintain at least a partial vacuum within the door cavity 24). The ladder 238 can be positioned and extended parallel to the protrusion 26 along the side of the door 16. Typically, the ladder 238 can be positioned on the inside of the protrusion 26, close to the second wall 172.

[0046] The ladder rack 238 includes a plurality of eyelets 242. The elongated openings 232 can conceal portions of the ladder rack 238 while leaving some or all of the eyelets 242 open, uncovered, or exposed. The elongated openings 232 can be aligned with at least some of the plurality of eyelets 242 of the ladder rack 238. Thus, the cover 32 can generally conceal the ladder rack 238 while allowing engagement with the eyelets 242 to support the storage structure 258. In this respect, the plurality of eyelets 242 are configured to receive opposite ends 254 of the door storage structure 258.

[0047] For example, such as Figure 8 As shown, each of the opposing ends 254 includes at least one hook or protrusion that can engage or extend through one or more of the plurality of eyelets 242 to help couple the door storage structure 258 to the door 16 to provide additional storage for the device 10. The door storage structure 258 can extend through the elongated opening 232 to engage the ladder shelf 238. This configuration may be advantageous for concealing the engagement between the storage structure 258 and the ladder shelf 238. Furthermore, when the plurality of eyelets 242 are exposed through the elongated opening 232, the storage structure 258 can be moved to different heights by engaging different eyelets 242. Conventionally, in more conventional arrangements, the door shelf of the device exposes components associated with the attachment of the shelf to the door structure, including holes exposing the support structure; however, the cover 32 shown helps to conceal the perimeter of the door 16 and the ladder shelf 238, thereby exposing the elongated opening 232 and the plurality of eyelets 242.

[0048] refer to Figures 1 to 8 The construction of the protrusion 26 of the decorative partition 22 and its interface with the lining 18 of the door 16 and the cabinet 12 facilitates minimizing the gap 182 between the door 16 and the cabinet 12. The elongated protrusion 26 of the decorative partition 22 extends toward and / or into the compartment 14, wherein the shortest distance 188 between the first wall 170 of the protrusion 26 and the cabinet 12 is approximately 6.2 mm. Reducing the gap 182 to the shortest distance 188 helps reduce or prevent cold airflow from the compartment 14 from directly impacting the gasket 28 of the door 16. Specifically, reducing the gap 182 by extending the protrusion 26 helps minimize the flow of cold air from the internal environment of the device 10 to reduce condensation buildup along the gasket 28, which may affect the seal of the door 16 over time. Additionally, including a cover 32 above the protrusion 26 further helps reduce the shortest distance 188 of the gap 182. Therefore, the cover 32 can extend further than the joint between the pad 28 and the cabinet 12 to further reduce the width of the gap 182.

[0049] The combination of the extension of the cover 32 and the protrusion 26 for minimizing the gap 182 further helps to improve the energy efficiency of the appliance 10. By minimizing the amount of cold air flow that can escape the interior environment of the compartment 14, the dual design of the protrusion 26 and the cover 32 of the thermal break door 16 can help to maintain the desired or selected interior temperature of the appliance 10 and can reduce the cooling load on the appliance 10 system. Further, the heat generated by the conduit 72 helps to minimize condensation created by the cold air flow, while the dual design of the protrusion 26 and the cover 32 of the trim break 22 can help to break the thermal conduction path created by the conduit 72, thereby reducing or limiting the overall heat gain to the cooled compartment 14 of the appliance 10 and the heat transfer to the trim break 22, and further enhancing the thermal efficiency of the appliance 10. The reduction of the shortest distance 188 of the gap 182 between the protrusion 26, the cover 32, and the cabinet 12 of the trim break 22 helps to maximize the thermal insulation performance of the vacuum insulated appliance 10, thereby protecting the gasket 28 from condensation accumulation, while reducing or limiting air exchange that can increase energy consumption.

[0050] The use of the present assembly can provide various advantages. For example, the extension of the protrusion 26 of the trim break 22 helps to minimize the gap 182 defined between the cabinet 12 and the first wall 170 of the protrusion 26 of the trim break 22. The minimization of the gap 182 helps to reduce the cold air flow from the interior environment of the compartment 14 of the cabinet 12 that can cause condensation accumulation along the gasket 28 and compromise the seal created by the gasket 28 over time. Additionally, the addition of the cover 32 positioned above the protrusion 26 further minimizes the gap 182, thereby helping to improve the energy efficiency of the vacuum insulated appliance 10 by maintaining the interior temperature and reducing the cooling load on the appliance 10 system. The dual design of the protrusion 26 and the cover 32 also helps to break the thermal conduction path created by the conduit 72, thereby limiting the overall heat gain to the compartment 14 and / or the door 16 and providing enhanced thermal efficiency of the appliance 10. Additionally, the configuration of the cover 32 helps to conceal the components used to couple the door storage structure 258 to the door 16 by concealing the ladder 238 disposed along the opposing vertical side of the door 16. The cover 32 can also include interchangeable side segments 236 having various openings to access different apertures 242. This can increase the flexibility of use and arrangement of the storage structure 258. The configuration of the protrusion 26 and the cover 32 of the trim break 22 helps to improve the thermal insulation performance of the vacuum insulated appliance 10 and at the same time improves the visual appeal. Additional benefits or advantages can be realized and / or obtained.

[0051] The devices disclosed herein are further summarized in the following paragraphs, and their features are further described in the claims and the accompanying drawings.

[0052] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a vacuum insulated apparatus includes a cabinet defining a compartment. A vacuum insulated door is operably coupled with the cabinet, where the vacuum insulated door is operable between an open position and a closed position. The vacuum insulated door includes an inner liner proximate the compartment when the vacuum insulated door is in the closed position. An outer shell opposes the inner liner. A trim divider is operably coupled to the inner liner and the outer shell to define a door cavity, where the trim divider defines a protrusion that extends toward the compartment when the vacuum insulated door is in the closed position. A gasket is coupled to the trim divider and extends along a perimeter of the trim divider, where the gasket abuts the cabinet when the vacuum insulated door is in the closed position. A cover is operably coupled to the vacuum insulated door and extends along a perimeter of the vacuum insulated door, where the cover is positioned over the protrusion.

[0053] According to another aspect, the cabinet includes a conduit through which a refrigerant is configured to flow to heat a perimeter of the cabinet and reduce condensation formation.

[0054] According to another aspect, the trim divider includes a first recess and a second recess, the second recess defined by and positioned within the protrusion.

[0055] According to another aspect, an edge of the inner liner is disposed in the first recess and an edge of the outer shell is disposed in the second recess.

[0056] According to another aspect, the protrusion of the trim divider includes a first wall and a second wall, the first wall opposing the second wall, and where a gap is defined between the first wall of the protrusion and the cabinet when the door is in the closed position to reduce airflow toward the gasket.

[0057] According to another aspect, the protrusion extends along the perimeter of the trim divider proximate the gasket.

[0058] According to another aspect, the cover includes opposing side segments defining an elongated opening.

[0059] According to another aspect, a plurality of ladders are coupled with the inner liner and define apertures, where the plurality of ladders are respectively positioned behind the opposing side segments of the cover, and where the elongated opening is aligned with at least some of the apertures of the ladders.

[0060] According to another aspect, a storage structure has opposing ends defining at least one hook, where the hook is configured to extend through the elongated opening of the opposing side segments of the cover to engage the apertures of the ladders.

[0061] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a refrigeration appliance includes a cabinet defining a compartment. A door assembly is operably coupled to the cabinet and is operable between an open position and a closed position. The door assembly includes an inner liner and an outer shell spaced from the inner liner to define a cavity. A trim break extends around a perimeter of the door assembly. The inner liner and the outer shell are coupled to the trim break to enclose the cavity. A protrusion is defined by the trim break and extends toward the compartment when the door assembly is in the closed position. A cover is operably coupled to the trim break and the inner liner of the door, wherein the cover is positioned over the protrusion of the trim break.

[0062] According to another aspect, the protrusion includes a first wall and a second wall, and wherein the protrusion minimizes a gap defined between the first wall of the protrusion and the cabinet when the door assembly is in the closed position.

[0063] According to another aspect, the protrusion extends at least in alignment with a joint between the door and the gasket to minimize a size of the gap.

[0064] According to another aspect, a gap is defined between the first wall of the protrusion and an inner surface of the cover, and wherein the cover further minimizes a size of the gap defined between the door assembly and the cabinet when the door assembly is in the closed position.

[0065] According to another aspect, the door assembly includes a gasket operably coupled to the trim break and abutting the cabinet when the door assembly is in the closed position, and wherein the gasket and the protrusion extend along a perimeter of the door assembly.

[0066] According to another aspect, the protrusion is elongated to extend further than a joint between the gasket and the cabinet to reduce a width of the gap when the door assembly is in the closed position.

[0067] According to another aspect, the cover extends further than a joint between the gasket and the cabinet to reduce a width of the gap when the door assembly is in the closed position.

[0068] According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, an appliance includes a cabinet defining a compartment. A door assembly is operably coupled to the cabinet. The door assembly includes an inner liner and an outer shell opposite the inner liner. The inner liner and the outer shell define a vacuum insulated door cavity. A trim break is operably coupled to the inner liner and the outer shell, wherein the trim break defines a protrusion having a first wall and a second wall and extending outward from the inner liner and around a perimeter of the trim break. A cover is operably coupled to the trim break and the inner liner. The cover extends around the perimeter of the trim break, wherein the cover is positioned over the protrusion.

[0069] According to another aspect, a gap is defined between the protrusion and the cabinet when the door is in the closed position, and wherein the cover minimizes the gap to reduce airflow from an interior environment of the compartment to the gasket.

[0070] According to another aspect, the cover includes a first portion extending from the flange of the decorative partition to between the gasket and the first wall of the protrusion of the door assembly.

[0071] According to another aspect, the cover includes a second portion including an interior protrusion engaging the end of the protrusion and a third portion having an interior wall extending along the interior gasket.

[0072] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any particular material. Other exemplary embodiments of the application disclosed herein can be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

[0073] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (and its variants, such as "is coupled" and "coupl es") generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining can be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such

[0074] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure shown in the exemplary implementations is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications can be made to the embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed can be constructed of multiple parts, or elements shown as multiple parts can be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces can be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and / or members or connector or other elements can be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements can be varied. It should be noted that the elements and / or assemblies of the system can be made and / or tested using any suitable materials in any suitable colors, textures, and combinations. It should also be noted that the design of the system and / or components or connectors or other elements can be varied, as desired, while still falling within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions can be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary implementations without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

[0075] It should be understood that any of the processes described can be combined with other processes disclosed to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. A vacuum insulated apparatus comprising: a cabinet defining a compartment; and a vacuum insulated door operably coupled to the cabinet, wherein the vacuum insulated door is operable between an open position and a closed position, the vacuum insulated door comprising: an inner liner proximate the compartment when the vacuum insulated door is in the closed position; an outer shell opposite the inner liner; a trim spacer operably coupled to the inner liner and the outer shell to define a door cavity, wherein the trim spacer defines a protrusion that extends toward the compartment when the vacuum insulated door is in the closed position; a gasket coupled to the trim spacer and extending along a perimeter of the trim spacer, wherein the gasket abuts the cabinet when the vacuum insulated door is in the closed position; and a cover operably coupled to the vacuum insulated door and extending along a perimeter of the vacuum insulated door, wherein the cover is positioned over the protrusion.

2. The vacuum insulated apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cabinet comprises a conduit, a refrigerant configured to flow through the conduit to heat a perimeter of the cabinet and reduce condensation formation.

3. The vacuum insulated apparatus of claim 1, wherein the trim spacer comprises a first recess and a second recess, the second recess defined by and positioned within the protrusion.

4. The vacuum insulated apparatus of claim 3, wherein an edge of the inner liner is disposed in the first recess and an edge of the outer shell is disposed in the second recess.

5. The vacuum insulated apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protrusion extends along the perimeter of the trim spacer proximate the gasket.

6. The vacuum insulated apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises opposing side segments defining an elongated opening.

7. The vacuum insulated apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a plurality of ladders coupled to the inner liner and defining apertures, wherein the plurality of ladders are respectively positioned behind the opposing side segments of the cover, and wherein the elongated opening is aligned with at least some of the apertures of the ladders.

8. The vacuum insulated apparatus of claim 7, wherein the door comprises: a storage structure having opposing ends defining at least one hook, and wherein the hook is configured to extend through the elongated opening of the opposing side segments of the cover to engage the apertures of the ladders.

9. The vacuum insulated apparatus of any of claims 1-8, wherein the protrusion of the trim spacer comprises a first wall and a second wall, the first wall opposite the second wall, and wherein a gap is defined between the first wall of the protrusion and the cabinet when the door is in the closed position to reduce airflow toward the gasket.

10. A refrigeration apparatus comprising: a cabinet defining a compartment; and a door assembly operably coupled to the cabinet and operable between an open position and a closed position, the door assembly comprising: an inner liner; an outer shell spaced apart from the inner liner to define a cavity; a trim break extending around a perimeter of the door assembly, the inner liner and the outer shell coupled to the trim break to enclose the cavity; a protrusion defined by the trim break, the protrusion extending toward the compartment when the door assembly is in the closed position; and a cover operably coupled to the trim break and the inner liner of the door, wherein the cover is positioned over the protrusion of the trim break.

11. The refrigeration appliance of claim 10, wherein the protrusion includes a first wall and a second wall, and wherein the protrusion minimizes a gap defined between the first wall of the protrusion and the cabinet when the door assembly is in the closed position.

12. The refrigeration appliance of claim 11, wherein the protrusion extends at least in alignment with a joint between the door assembly and a gasket to minimize a size of the gap.

13. The refrigeration appliance of claim 12, wherein a spacing is defined between the first wall of the protrusion and an inner surface of the cover, and wherein the cover further minimizes the size of the gap defined between the door assembly and the cabinet when the door assembly is in the closed position.

14. The refrigeration appliance of claim 12, wherein the door assembly includes the gasket operably coupled to the trim break, the gasket abutting the cabinet when the door assembly is in the closed position, and wherein the gasket and the protrusion extend along a perimeter of the door assembly.

15. The refrigeration appliance of any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the protrusion is elongated to extend further than a joint between the gasket and the cabinet to reduce a width of the gap when the door assembly is in the closed position.

16. The refrigeration appliance of any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the cover extends further than a joint between the gasket and the cabinet to reduce a width of the gap when the door assembly is in the closed position.

17. An appliance comprising: a cabinet defining a compartment; and a door assembly operably coupled with the cabinet, the door assembly including: an inner liner; an outer shell opposite the inner liner, wherein the inner liner and the outer shell define a vacuum insulated door cavity; a trim break operably coupled to the inner liner and the outer shell, wherein the trim break defines a protrusion having a first wall and a second wall, the protrusion extending outward from the inner liner and around a perimeter of the trim break; and a cover operably coupled to the trim break and the inner liner, the cover extending around a perimeter of the trim break, wherein the cover is positioned over the protrusion.

18. The appliance of claim 17, wherein the cover includes a first portion extending from a flange of the trim break between the gasket and the first wall of the protrusion of the door assembly.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the cover includes a second portion and a third portion, the second portion including an internal protrusion that engages with an end of the protrusion, the third portion having an internal wall that extends along the liner.

20. The apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein a gap is defined between the protrusion and the cabinet when the door assembly is in a closed position, and wherein the cover minimizes the gap to reduce airflow from an interior environment of the compartment to a gasket.

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