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

Claim 8:
9. A refrigerator comprising:
a main body defining a first refrigerated compartment;
a first door (i) defining a second refrigerated compartment, (ii) configured to move with respect to the main body, and (iii) having a first exterior mating surface;
a second door (i) configured to move with respect to the first door between an open position, in which the second refrigerated compartment is accessible, and a closed position in which the second refrigerated compartment is inaccessible and (ii) having a second exterior mating surface configured to be positioned opposite to the first mating surface when the second 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 male sealing member is at least partially disposed in and engages the female sealing member when the second door is in a closed position to form a seal between the first refrigerated compartment and the second refrigerated compartment and (ii) the male sealing member disengages the female sealing member when the second door is in the open position to break the seal between the first refrigerated compartment and the second refrigerated compartment.