Thermal frame

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021227998-A1
Application number	US-202117157259-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 25, 2021
Priority date	Nov 28, 2016
Publication date	Jul 29, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

The invention features a refrigerator cabinet door frame. The frame includes a thermally conductive outer frame, a thermally insulating inner frame member, and a sealing plate. The outer frame member includes a forward end having an outer surface that is disposed outside of a refrigerated cabinet with the frame mounted, and a rearward end defining a joint. The inner frame member includes a first end retained in the joint, and a second end. The sealing plate includes a first edge coupled to the outer frame member at the rearward end, forward of the joint, a second edge supported by the second end of the inner frame member, and a thermally conductive sealing surface. The first edge of the sealing plate is coupled to the outer frame member such that the sealing surface and the outer surface of the outer frame member together form a continuous heat transfer path.

First claim

1 .- 20 . (canceled)

21 . A refrigerator cabinet door frame, comprising, in cross-section:
an outer frame member comprising:
a forward end having an outer surface arranged to be disposed outside of a refrigerated cabinet with the frame mounted, and
a rearward end arranged to be positioned inward of a door mounted to the frame;
an inner frame member, the inner frame member comprising:
a first end coupled to the rearward end of the outer frame member by a joint, and
a second end spaced from the first end, the second end arranged to be disposed inside of the refrigerated cabinet with the frame mounted; and
a heating wire housed in the inner frame member.

22 . The frame of claim 21 , further comprising a sealing plate, wherein a first edge of the sealing plate is coupled to the outer frame member at the rearward end of the outer frame member, and a second edge of the sealing plate supported by the second end of the inner frame member.

23 . The frame of claim 22 , wherein the sealing plate is in contact with the heating wire.

24 . The frame of claim 22 , wherein the first edge of the sealing plate is coupled to the outer frame member such that a sealing surface of the sealing plate and the outer surface of the forward end of the outer frame member together form a continuous heat transfer path.

25 . The frame of claim 21 , wherein the joint is a crimp groove, and
wherein the first end of the inner frame member is retained in the crimp groove of the outer frame member by a crimp of the outer frame member adjacent the groove.

26 . The frame of claim 22 , wherein the sealing plate comprises a first, thermally conductive part and a second, thermally insulating part.

27 . The frame of claim 21 , wherein outer frame member comprises a first material and the inner frame member comprises a second material that is different from the first material.

Assignees

• Anthony Inc

Inventors

• Artwohl Paul J
• Nicholson Jeffery W
• Rolek Matthew
• Baugh David Briggs

Classifications

• A47F3/043 Primary

  Doors, covers (A47F3/0434 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E06B1/325

  comprising insulation between two metal section members · CPC title

• F25D23/082

  Strips · CPC title

• F25D23/087

  Sealing strips · CPC title

• F25D27/00

  Lighting arrangements (in general F21) · CPC title