Patent Publication Number: US-2022228795-A1

Title: Appliance trim breaker

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a trim breaker for an appliance, and more specifically, a trim breaker for an appliance including reinforcement members. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet having an inner liner spaced apart from an outer wrapper and a trim breaker extending between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The trim breaker includes first and second opposing vertical portions, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a central portion. The top portion is integrally formed with each vertical portion at a respective upper corner, and the bottom portion is integrally formed with each vertical portion at a respective lower corner. A first plurality of ribs extends from an outer rim of the trim breaker and at least partially along the central portion, and a second plurality of ribs extends from the outer rim of at least one of the first and second vertical portions and across at least one of the upper and lower corners. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a trim breaker for an appliance includes first and second opposing vertical portions and a central portion integrally formed with the first and second opposing vertical portions. A plurality of ribs extends from an outer rim of at least one of the first and second vertical portions and at least partially along the central portion. The plurality of ribs includes at least one central rib and at least one angled rib. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a trim breaker for an appliance includes first and second opposing vertical portions, a top portion, and a bottom portion. The top portion is integrally formed with each vertical portion at a respective upper corner, and the bottom portion is integrally formed with each vertical portion at a respective lower corner. An outer rim extends about a periphery of the first and second opposing vertical portions, the top portion, and the bottom portion. An inner edge of the trim breaker defines an opening and is interior of the outer rim. A plurality of ribs extends from the outer rim of at least one of the first and second vertical portions and across at least one of the upper and lower corners. The plurality of ribs includes at least one central corner rib extending from the outer rim toward the inner edge. 
     These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a refrigerator appliance including a trim breaker; 
         FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional perspective view of a refrigerator cabinet of the refrigerator appliance of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional elevational view of a refrigerator cabinet of the refrigerator appliance of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged partial side elevational view of a central portion of the trim breaker of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged partial side elevational view of a corner of the trim breaker of  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged partial side elevational view of an alternative corner of a trim breaker. 
     
    
    
     The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a trim breaker for an appliance including a plurality of ribs. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing 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. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements. 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Unless stated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to 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. 
     The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation 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 may 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, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , reference numeral  10  generally designates a refrigerator appliance including a cabinet  12 . The cabinet  12  includes an inner liner  14  spaced apart from an outer wrapper  16 . A trim breaker  18  extends between the inner liner  14  and the outer wrapper  16  to define an insulating cavity  20  therebetween. The trim breaker  18  includes first and second opposing vertical portions  22 ,  24 , a top portion  26 , a bottom portion  28 , and a central portion  30 . The top portion  26  is integrally formed with each vertical portion  22 ,  24  at a respective upper corner  32 , and the bottom portion  28  is integrally formed with each vertical portion  22 ,  24  at a respective lower corner  34 . A first plurality of ribs  36  extends from an outer rim  38  of at least one of the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  and at least partially along the central portion  30 . A second plurality of ribs  40  extends from the outer rim  38  of at least one of the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  and across at least one of the upper corners  32  or the lower corners  34 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the refrigerator appliance  10  is depicted as a French-door bottom-mount refrigerator, but it will be understood that the refrigerator appliance  10  may be a side-by-side refrigerator, a bottom mount refrigerator, or a top mount refrigerator. The refrigerator appliance  10  includes the cabinet  12  defining a refrigeration compartment  50  and a freezer compartment  54 . The refrigeration compartment  50  may be a fresh food compartment configured to store food stuffs or perishables at temperatures above freezing (e.g., maintained at about 3° C. or about 4° C.) for a long time period. The freezer compartment  54  may be maintained at a subzero temperature (e.g., temperatures at or below about 0° C.) for long term storage of perishables in a frozen state. One or more refrigeration doors  58  are provided for the refrigeration compartment  50 , and a freezer door  60  is provided for the freezer compartment  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the trim breaker  18  is coupled with the inner liner  14  and the outer wrapper  16  of the cabinet  12  to seal the insulation cavity  20 . In other words, the trim breaker  18  may be positioned forward of the inner liner  14  and the outer wrapper  16  to form a front edge or surface of the cabinet  12  and is positioned such that the trim breaker  18  at least partially defines the insulation cavity  20 . The trim breaker  18  may be coupled with the inner liner  14  and the outer wrapper  16  by a liner coupling portion and a wrapper coupling portion, respectively. Each portion  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  of the trim breaker  18  may define coupling spaces or other coupling features configured to facilitate coupling the trim breaker  18  with inner liner  14  and the outer wrapper  16  to further seal the insulation cavity  20 . It will be understood that the trim breaker  18  may be coupled with one or both of the inner liner  14  and the outer wrapper  16  based on the configuration of the appliance  10  and corresponding cabinet  12 . 
     As previously introduced, the trim breaker  18  includes an outer rim  38  extending about a periphery of the trim breaker  18 . The outer rim  38  is integrally formed with the vertical portions  22 ,  24 , the top portion  26 , and the bottom portion  28  and extends outward from the cabinet  12  when the trim breaker  18  is coupled with the cabinet  12 . It is contemplated that the outer rim  38  may extend about only a portion of the periphery of the trim breaker  18  or may be formed of multiple sections positioned about the periphery of the trim breaker  18  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As previously introduced, the trim breaker  18  includes the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24 , the top portion  26 , and the bottom portion  28 . The top portion  26  and the bottom portion  28  extend between the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  and may be integrally formed with the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  as a single piece. Each of the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  is joined with the top portion  26  at a respective upper corner  32 , and each of the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  is joined with the bottom portion  28  at a respective lower corner  34 . The upper and lower corners  32 ,  34  may be beveled or may be substantially angular. 
     The trim breaker  18  may further include the central portion  30 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The central portion  30  extends between the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  and may be integrally formed with the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  such that the trim breaker  18  is formed as a single piece. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the central portion  30  is positioned between the top and bottom portions  26 ,  28  to divide the cabinet  12  between the refrigeration compartment  50  and the freezer compartment  54 . The central portion  30  further separates each of the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  into an upper section  66  and a lower section  68 . The upper sections  66  of each of the first and second vertical portions  22  are positioned on opposing sides of the refrigeration compartment  50 , and the lower sections  68  of each of the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  are positioned on opposing sides of the freezer compartment  54 . 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , an upper inner edge  70  extends along the upper sections  66  of each of the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24 , the top portion  26 , and the central portion  30 . The upper inner edge  70  is positioned within and spaced apart from the outer rim  38  by the top portion  26  and the upper sections  66  of the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  and extends along an upper edge of the central portion  30 . In various examples, the upper inner edge  70  may extend forward of the trim breaker  18  in the same direction as the outer rim  38  and may be configured to form an inner rim. In other examples, the upper inner edge  70  may be substantially aligned with the portions  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  of the trim breaker  18 . 
     A lower inner edge  72  extends along the bottom portion  28 , the central portion  30 , and the lower sections  68  of each of the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24 . The lower inner edge  72  is positioned within and spaced apart from the outer rim  38  along the bottom portion  28  and the lower sections  68  of the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  and extends along a lower edge of the central portion  30 . In various examples, the lower inner edge  72  may extend forward of the trim breaker  18  in the same direction as the outer rim  38  and may be configured to form an inner rim. In other examples, the lower inner edge  72  may be substantially aligned with the portions  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  of the trim breaker  18 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper inner edge  70  defines an upper opening  74 , and the lower inner edge  72  defines a lower opening  76 . When the trim breaker  18  is coupled with the cabinet  12 , the upper opening  74  is configured to be in communication with the refrigeration compartment  50 , and the lower opening  76  is configured to be in communication with the freezer compartment  54  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the central portion  30  includes an outer surface  86  extending between the upper inner edge  70  and the lower inner edge  72 . The outer surface  86  extends horizontally between the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  of the trim breaker  18  and is integrally formed therewith. In various examples, each of the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  may include a space  90  proximate the central portion  30 . The space  90  may be defined by the outer rim  38  and may be sized to correspond to the distance between the upper and lower inner edges  70 ,  72  spaced apart by the central portion  30 . The outer rim  38  extends inward toward the central portion  30  to define the space  90  such that the space  90  is aligned with a corresponding end of the central portion  30 . 
     As previously introduced, the trim breaker  18  may include a first plurality of ribs  36 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the first plurality of ribs  36  is positioned on one of the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  of the trim breaker  18 . While only the first vertical portion  22  is described in detail as having a first plurality of ribs  36 , it will be understood that the second vertical portion  24  may also include a corresponding first plurality of ribs  36 . The positioning of the ribs on each of the vertical portions  22 ,  24  may be configured to be symmetric or may vary without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Each of the first plurality of ribs  36  extends from the outer rim  38  proximate the space  90  and along the outer surface  86  of the central portion  30 . The first plurality of ribs  36  includes one central rib  94  extending horizontally along the central portion  30 . The at least one central rib  94  may be one of multiple central ribs  94  spaced apart along the outer edge  38  of the trim breaker  18 . Each of the central ribs  94  may extend substantially perpendicularly from the outer edge  38  of the trim breaker  18 , as best shown in  FIG. 4 . The central ribs  94  may be spaced equidistantly along the outer rim  38  or the central ribs  94  may be unevenly spaced along the outer rim  38 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , the first plurality of ribs  36  may include angled ribs  96 ,  98  positioned on opposing sides of the central rib(s)  94 . The first plurality of ribs  36  may have one or more interior angled ribs  96  extending from the outer rim  38  of the trim breaker  18  along the central portion  30  and toward one of the upper and lower inner edges  70 ,  72 . As shown, the interior angled ribs  96  may be positioned in pairs such that the central ribs  94  are framed by the interior angled ribs  96 . The first plurality of ribs  36  may further have one or more exterior angled ribs  98  positioned to extend from the outer rim  38  of the trim breaker  18  toward one of the upper and lower inner edges  70 ,  72 . The first plurality of ribs  36  is arranged such that the interior angled ribs  96  are positioned between the exterior angled ribs  98  and the central ribs  94 . It will be understood that the first plurality of ribs  36  may include any number of central ribs  94  and any number of angled ribs  98  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the trim breaker  18  may include a second plurality of ribs  40  at one of the lower corners  34 . It will be understood that the trim breaker  18  may include the same or similar arrangement of a plurality of ribs  40  on each of the lower corners  34  and may include the same or a similar arrangement of a plurality of ribs  40  on one or more of the upper corners  32  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the bottom portion  28  of the trim breaker  18  and the lower sections  68  of the first vertical portion  22  is illustrated. Each of the first and second vertical portions  22 ,  24  may include a first surface  110  and a second surface  112 . The first surface  110  is positioned proximate the lower inner edge  72 , and the second surface  112  is positioned proximate the outer rim  38  of the trim breaker  18 . The first surface  110  may extend outward from the second surface  112  to form a plateau or step extending parallel to the outer rim  38  and/or the lower inner edge  72 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the second plurality of ribs  40  includes a central corner rib  120  positioned diagonally across the respective lower corner  34 . The central corner rib  120  extends from the outer rim  38  to the lower inner edge  72  and may be integrally formed with one or both of the outer rim  38  and the lower inner edge  72 . The second plurality of ribs  40  may further includes a first pair of outer ribs  122  positioned on opposing sides of the central corner rib  120 . Each of the first pair of outer ribs  122  extends substantially perpendicularly from the outer rim  38  and across one of the bottom portion  28  and the vertical portion  22 . For example, one of the first pair of perpendicular ribs  122  extends vertically across the bottom portion  28  between the outer rim  38  and the lower inner edge  72 , and the other of the first pair of outer ribs  122  extends horizontally across the lower section  68  of the vertical portion  22  between the outer rim  38  and the lower inner edge  72 . In various examples, each of the first pair of outer ribs  122  may be further integrally formed with the central corner rib  120  proximate the lower inner edge  72  to form rounded joints  136 . 
     The second plurality of ribs  40  may further include a second pair of outer ribs  126  extending from the outer rim  38 . Each of the second pair of outer ribs  126  may be positioned substantially parallel to and spaced apart from a corresponding rib of the first pair of outer ribs  122 . For example, one of the second pair of outer ribs  126  extends vertically across at least part of the bottom portion  28 . The other of the second pair of outer ribs  126  extends horizontally across at least part of the lower section  68  of the vertical portion  22 . The second pair of outer ribs  126  may be sized to extend from the outer rim  38  toward the lower inner edge  72  and may be spaced apart from the lower inner edge  72 . It will be understood that the second pair of outer ribs  126  may extend to and be integrally formed with the lower inner edge  72  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It will further be understood that any number of spaced apart outer ribs  122 ,  126  may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 5 , each of the second plurality of ribs  40  includes a lip  130  configured to align with the step  114  between the first and second surfaces  110 ,  112  of the trim breaker  18 . The lip  130  may be defined such that each of the second plurality of ribs  40  is formed with and/or contacts the respective portion  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  of the trim breaker  18  continuously along the length of the rib  120 ,  122 ,  126 . Each of the second plurality of ribs  40  may include an inclined surface  132  aligned with the lip  130  configured to accommodate the offset between the first and second surfaces  110 ,  112  of the trim breaker  18 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an alternate configuration of the second plurality of ribs  40   a  is illustrated. The second plurality of ribs  40   a  includes a central corner rib  120   a,  a first pair of outer ribs  122   a,  and a second pair of outer ribs  126   a.  Each of the second plurality of ribs  40  extends from the outer rim  38  toward the lower inner edge  72  and is spaced apart from the lower inner edge  72 . It is contemplated that each of the second plurality of ribs  40   a  may extend the same distance from the outer rim  38  or extend varying distances without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It is further contemplated that one or more of the second plurality of ribs  40   a  may be joined and integrally formed at any end or may be independent from the other ribs of the second plurality of ribs  40   a.    
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-6 , when the trim breaker  18  is coupled with the cabinet  12 , the first and second pluralities of ribs  36 ,  40  are configured to reduce the strain placed on the trim breaker  18  during vacuum sealing of the insulation cavity  20 . The first and second pluralities of ribs  36 ,  40  may be configured to allow the trim breaker  18  to be made from a material having a low thermal conductivity and provide additional stiffness in the trim breaker  18 . The first and second pluralities of ribs  36 ,  40  may also help control buckling during assembly and may help to maintain the wall thickness of the inner liner  14  and/or the outer wrapper  16  for thermal requirements by reducing the stress level in the trim breaker  18 . This may also increase effectiveness of the coupling of the trim breaker  18  with the cabinet  12  (e.g., may reduce stress and strain on adhesive used therein). 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet having an inner liner spaced apart from an outer wrapper and a trim breaker extending between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The trim breaker includes first and second opposing vertical portions, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a central portion. The top portion is integrally formed with each vertical portion at a respective upper corner, and the bottom portion is integrally formed with each vertical portion at a respective lower corner. A first plurality of ribs extends from an outer rim of the trim breaker and at least partially along the central portion, and a second plurality of ribs extends from the outer rim of at least one of the first and second vertical portions and across at least one of the upper and lower corners. 
     According to another aspect, a first plurality of ribs extends from each of first and second vertical portions and along a central portion of a trim breaker. 
     According to another aspect, each of a first plurality of ribs is integrally formed with an outer rim of a trim breaker. 
     According to another aspect, a first plurality of ribs includes at least one central rib and at least one angled rib. The central rib extends substantially parallel along a central portion of a trim breaker, and the at least one angled rib extends from an outer rim of the trim breaker toward one of an upper or lower edge of the central portion. 
     According to another aspect, each of a second plurality of ribs is integrally formed with an outer rim of the trim breaker. 
     According to another aspect, a second plurality of ribs includes a central corner rib extending diagonally from an outer rim of a trim breaker to an inner edge of the trim breaker and a first pair of outer ribs extending substantially perpendicularly from the outer rim toward the inner edge. 
     According to another aspect, outer corner ribs are integrally formed with at least one of an inner edge of a trim breaker and a central corner rib. 
     According to another aspect, a second plurality of ribs includes a second pair of outer corner ribs extending substantially perpendicularly from an outer rim of a trim breaker toward an inner edge of the trim breaker and spaced apart from the inner edge of the trim breaker. 
     According to another aspect, each rib of a second pair of outer ribs is spaced apart from a corresponding rib of a first pair of outer ribs. 
     According to another aspect, a trim breaker for an appliance includes first and second opposing vertical portions and a central portion integrally formed with the first and second opposing vertical portions. A plurality of ribs extends from an outer rim of at least one of the first and second vertical portions and at least partially along the central portion. The plurality of ribs includes at least one central rib and at least one angled rib. 
     According to another aspect, at least one central rib of a plurality of ribs is substantially horizontal and extends between upper and lower inner edges of a trim breaker. 
     According to another aspect, at least one angled rib of a plurality of ribs includes an interior angled rib and an exterior angled rib. Each of the interior and exterior angled ribs extends toward one of upper and lower inner edges of a trim breaker. 
     According to another aspect, an interior angled rib is positioned between a central rib and an exterior angled rib. 
     According to another aspect, an outer rim of a trim breaker defines a space proximate a central portion, and a plurality of ribs is integrally formed with the outer rim proximate the space. 
     According to yet another aspect, a trim breaker for an appliance includes first and second opposing vertical portions, a top portion, and a bottom portion. The top portion is integrally formed with each vertical portion at a respective upper corner, and the bottom portion is integrally formed with each vertical portion at a respective lower corner. An outer rim extends about a periphery of the first and second opposing vertical portions, the top portion, and the bottom portion. An inner edge of the trim breaker defines an opening and is interior of the outer rim. A plurality of ribs extends from the outer rim of at least one of the first and second vertical portions and across at least one of the upper and lower corners. The plurality of ribs includes at least one central corner rib extending from the outer rim toward the inner edge. 
     According to another aspect, a central corner rib is integrally formed with an outer rib. The outer rib extends substantially perpendicular to an outer rim of a portion of a trim breaker. 
     According to another aspect, an outer rib is integrally formed with one of a central corner rib and an inner edge of a trim breaker. 
     According to another aspect, a central corner rib is integrally formed with an outer rim of a trim breaker and an inner edge of the trim breaker. 
     According to another aspect, each of a second plurality of ribs is spaced apart from an inner edge of a trim breaker. 
     According to another aspect, a trim breaker includes a first surface offset from a second surface by a step. Each of a second plurality of ribs includes a lip configured to be aligned with the step. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments 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 are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.