Patent ID: 11885558
Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Field: Thermal processes and apparatus (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F | IPC F

Claim 0:
1. A refrigerator comprising:
a body (i) defining a refrigerated compartment and (ii) having a first exterior mating surface;
a door (i) configured to move about the body between an open position, in which the refrigerated compartment is open, and a closed position in which the refrigerated compartment is closed and (ii) having a second exterior mating surface configured to be positioned opposite to the first mating surface when the door is in the closed position, wherein one of the first exterior mating surface or the second exterior mating surface defines an inwardly extending slot;
a female sealing member disposed on and extending along one of the first exterior mating surface or the second exterior mating surface and within the slot; and
a male sealing member disposed on and extending along the other of the first exterior mating surface or the second exterior mating surface, wherein (i) the female sealing member is configured to receive and engage with the male sealing member when the door is in a closed position to form a seal between the refrigerated compartment and surroundings external to the refrigerated compartment and (ii) the male sealing member is configured to disengage the female sealing member when the door is in the open position to break the seal between the refrigerated compartment and the surroundings external to the refrigerated compartment.