Patent ID: 11946689
Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Field: Other consumer goods (Other fields)
Classification: CPC F  B | IPC B  F

Claim 17:
18. A vacuum insulated refrigerator structure, comprising:
an outer wrapper formed from at least one sheet of material and having a first opening and a first edge extending around the first opening;
a liner formed from the at least one sheet of material and having a second opening and a second edge extending around the second opening, wherein the liner is disposed inside the wrapper with the first and second edges being spaced apart to form a first gap therebetween and to form a vacuum cavity between the wrapper and the liner;
a thermal bridge extending across the first gap, wherein the thermal bridge includes an elongated first channel, the elongated first channel including a base surface and opposite side surfaces extending transversely from the base surface, and wherein the elongated first channel includes a plurality of locating structures protruding inwardly from the opposite side surfaces, and wherein at least a selected one of the first and second edges is disposed in the first channel, and wherein at least one of the locating structures positions the selected one of the first and second edges to form edge gaps on opposite sides of the selected one of the first and second edges and the opposite side surfaces of the first channel;
cured sealant disposed in the first channel, including the edge gaps on opposite sides of the selected one of the first and second edges, wherein the cured sealant foams an airtight seal;
wherein the vacuum cavity is sealed to maintain a vacuum in the vacuum cavity; and
porous material at least partially filling the vacuum cavity between the wrapper and the liner.