Patent Description:
Appliances, such as refrigerator appliances, often include one or more assemblies for sealing air therein. In the case of refrigerator appliances, one of the reasons for such a seal is to mitigate food spoilage, which presents significant health hazards and causes billions of dollars of waste around the world each year. Specifically, in order to prevent spoilage, refrigerators and freezers maintain foods at low temperatures. Properly sealing in the cold air while still allowing the consumer to easily access the freezer and fresh food compartments is one of the most important considerations in refrigerator design.

Many refrigerators provide one or more hinged doors for accessing the refrigerator cabinet. The doors generally include gaskets, which seal the door against the refrigerator cabinet when the door is closed. French-style doors are desirable because they reduce the weight load on the door hinge. French doors divide the cabinet opening in two, such that each door weighs less than a single door would weigh. That allows the size of the support structure of each door to be reduced. French doors also increase accessibility to the refrigerator cabinet and provide additional storage arrangements that are not possible with a single-door design.

However, one problem with French doors is that they require additional seals; in particular, the middle of the refrigerator opening (i.e., where the two doors meet) must maintain a seal when the doors are closed. One solution to that problem is to position a stationary vertical mullion bar in the middle of the opening, upon which each door can create a seal. A stationary mullion limits the size of items that can be put into the refrigerator. Some French door refrigerators include a movable mullion attached to one of the doors such that access to the corresponding compartment via the respective opening is not obstructed by the mullion when the door to which the mullion is attached is opened. However, in some instances, the movable mullion may become misaligned and, as a result, may impair the sealing engagement of the doors or may inhibit the doors from opening or closing.

<CIT> discloses a flip beam applied to a refrigerator. The flip beam comprises a base body, a cover connected with the base body and a foam accommodated in a cavity encircled by the base body and the cover. The flip beam further comprises rotating shafts used for connecting the base body with a refrigerator middle door. Each rotating shaft comprises a connecting shaft connected with the base body and a connecting plate connected with the door. The base body is provided with grooves assembled with the rotating shaft, and a shock pad used for shock absorption is arranged between each groove and the connecting shaft.

<CIT> discloses a refrigerator that comprises a door, a body, a limiting stopper and a hinge in the joint of the door and the body. The hinge comprises a limiting angle and a limiting surface, wherein the limiting angle is an obtuse angle and the limiting surface is an arc surface.

Accordingly, it would be useful to provide an appliance addressing one or more of the above issues. In particular, it may be advantageous to provide an appliance having an appliance having one or more features for maintaining a mullion in a correct position or alignment.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an appliance is provided according to the appended claims.

As used herein, the terms "first," "second," and "third" may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The term "or" is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., "A or B" is intended to mean "A or B or both"). Terms such as "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," or "bottom" are used with reference to the perspective of a user accessing the refrigerator appliance. For example, a user stands in front of the refrigerator to open the doors and reaches into the food storage chamber(s) to access items therein.

<FIG> provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance <NUM> according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> provides a front view of refrigerator appliance <NUM> with refrigerator doors <NUM>, <NUM> and freezer doors <NUM>, <NUM> shown in an open position. Generally, refrigerator appliance <NUM> defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. The vertical direction V, the lateral direction L, and the transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular. Refrigerator appliance <NUM> includes a housing or cabinet <NUM> that extends between a top <NUM> and a bottom <NUM> along the vertical direction V, between a left side <NUM> and a right side <NUM> along the lateral direction L, and between a front side <NUM> and a rear side <NUM> along the transverse direction T.

Cabinet <NUM> defines at least one food storage chamber. Optionally, refrigerator appliance <NUM> may include a first food storage chamber (e.g., fresh food storage chamber <NUM>) and a second food storage chamber (e.g., frozen food storage chamber <NUM>). As depicted, the first and second food storage chambers (e.g., storage chambers <NUM> and <NUM>) are chilled chambers defined in the cabinet <NUM> for receipt of food items for storage. In some embodiments, cabinet <NUM> defines fresh food storage chamber <NUM> positioned at or adjacent bottom <NUM> of cabinet <NUM> and frozen food storage chamber <NUM> arranged at or adjacent top <NUM> of cabinet <NUM>. The illustrated exemplary refrigerator appliance <NUM> is generally referred to as a top mount refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present disclosure may apply to other types and styles of refrigerators such as, for example, a bottom mount refrigerator, a side-by-side style refrigerator, or a freezer appliance.

In certain embodiments, refrigerator doors <NUM> and <NUM> are rotatably mounted to cabinet <NUM> (e.g., such that the doors permit selective access to fresh food storage chamber <NUM> of cabinet <NUM>). Refrigerator doors <NUM> and <NUM> may be rotatable between a closed position (e.g., <FIG>) and an open position (e.g., <FIG>) to selectively seal or sealingly enclose the chamber <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiments, refrigerator doors include a left refrigerator door <NUM> rotatably mounted to cabinet <NUM> at left side <NUM> of cabinet <NUM> and a right refrigerator door <NUM> rotatably mounted to cabinet <NUM> at right side <NUM> of cabinet <NUM>. In embodiments including a pair of doors, such as left refrigerator door <NUM> and right refrigerator door <NUM> (sometimes referred to as French doors), a mullion <NUM> may be connected to one of the doors (e.g., left refrigerator door <NUM>). In the illustrated example, when left refrigerator door <NUM> and right refrigerator door <NUM> are in the closed position, the mullion <NUM> may be provided in the corresponding second position to sealingly engage the right refrigerator door <NUM> and facilitate sealing of the gap G (<FIG>) between the left refrigerator door <NUM> and the right refrigerator door <NUM>.

Refrigerator doors <NUM> and <NUM> may be rotatably hinged to an edge of cabinet <NUM> for selectively accessing fresh food storage chamber <NUM>. Similarly, freezer doors <NUM> and <NUM> may be rotatably hinged to an edge of cabinet <NUM> for selectively accessing frozen food storage chamber <NUM>. To prevent leakage of cool air, freezer doors <NUM> and <NUM> or cabinet <NUM> may define one or more sealing mechanisms (e.g., rubber gaskets) at the interface where the doors <NUM> and <NUM> meet cabinet <NUM>. Such sealing mechanisms may include a mullion <NUM>. Mullion <NUM> may be similar to mullion <NUM> described above with respect to the refrigerator doors <NUM> and <NUM>, such as in embodiments where a pair of freezer doors (e.g., a left freezer door <NUM> and a right freezer door <NUM>) are provided. Refrigerator doors <NUM>, <NUM> and freezer doors <NUM>, <NUM> are shown in the closed position in <FIG> and in the open position in <FIG>. It should be appreciated that doors having a different style, location, or configuration are possible.

As will be described in more detail below, the refrigerator appliance <NUM> includes one or more articulating mullions (e.g., mullion <NUM> or mullion <NUM>), which may be rotatable relative to a corresponding door, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. For example, exemplary embodiments of the refrigerator appliance <NUM> may include a left refrigerator door <NUM> and a right refrigerator door <NUM>, as well as a left freezer door <NUM> and a right freezer door <NUM> (e.g., two pairs of French doors, which may sometimes be referred to as a quad door configuration). One or both pairs of doors <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided with an articulating mullion <NUM> or <NUM>. For example, each articulating mullion <NUM>, <NUM> may be mounted to a corresponding door (e.g., door <NUM>, <NUM>) at a longitudinal plane <NUM> defined by a perimeter edge <NUM> of the door <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., extending parallel to the vertical direction V).

Generally, each articulating mullion (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>) extends along an axial direction X (e.g., parallel to the longitudinal plane <NUM> or vertical direction V) and includes a corresponding inner face <NUM> and outer face <NUM>. As will also be described in more detail below, each articulating mullion (e.g., mullion <NUM>, <NUM>) may include one or more damping assemblies <NUM> formed between a corresponding door (e.g., door <NUM>, <NUM>) and mullion (e.g., mullion <NUM>, <NUM>) to, for example, advantageously maintain an articulating mullion <NUM>, <NUM> in a desired position when the corresponding door <NUM>, <NUM> is open.

Optionally, multiple damping assemblies <NUM> may be provided for each mullion-holding door (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>). In some embodiments, a damping assembly <NUM> is provided at a center point E between a vertical top end <NUM> and bottom end <NUM> of the corresponding door (e.g., door <NUM>, <NUM>). This is illustrated, for example, at refrigerator door <NUM>. In additional or alternative embodiments, one damping assembly <NUM> (e.g., a first damping assembly <NUM>) is mounted proximal to the vertical top end <NUM> (e.g., relatively closer to the top end <NUM> than the bottom end <NUM> along the vertical direction V), and another damping assembly <NUM> (e.g., a second damping assembly <NUM>) is mounted proximal to the bottom end <NUM> (e.g., relatively closer to the bottom end <NUM> than the top end <NUM> along the vertical direction V). This is illustrated, for example, at refrigerator door <NUM> and freezer door <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, refrigerator appliance <NUM> includes at least one stationary mullion. Mullions generally divide the various chambers of refrigerator appliance <NUM> or prevent leakage therefrom. In exemplary embodiments, refrigerator appliance <NUM> includes a stationary mullion <NUM> disposed between and separating fresh food storage chamber <NUM> and frozen food storage chamber <NUM>. Stationary mullion <NUM> generally extends along the lateral direction L between left side <NUM> of cabinet <NUM> and right side <NUM> of cabinet <NUM> and separates the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> of refrigerator appliance <NUM> (e.g., along the vertical direction V).

In some embodiments, various storage components are mounted within fresh food storage chamber <NUM> and frozen food storage chamber <NUM> to facilitate storage of food items therein as will be understood. In particular, the storage components may include drawers <NUM>, bins <NUM>, and shelves <NUM> that are mounted within fresh food storage chamber <NUM> or frozen food storage chamber <NUM>. Drawers <NUM>, bins <NUM>, and shelves <NUM> are configured for receipt of food items (e.g., beverages or solid food items) and may assist with organizing such food items. As an example, drawers <NUM> of fresh food storage chamber <NUM> can receive fresh food items (e.g., vegetables, fruits, or cheeses) and increase the useful life of such fresh food items.

As illustrated in <FIG>, refrigerator appliance <NUM> may also include a dispensing assembly <NUM> for dispensing liquid water or ice. Dispensing assembly <NUM> may be positioned on or mounted to an exterior portion of refrigerator appliance <NUM> (e.g., on one of refrigerator doors <NUM> or <NUM>). Dispensing assembly <NUM> includes a discharging outlet <NUM> for accessing ice or liquid water. An actuating mechanism <NUM>, shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet <NUM> for operating dispensing assembly <NUM>. In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate dispensing assembly <NUM>. For example, dispensing assembly <NUM> can include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. A control panel <NUM> is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, control panel <NUM> generally includes a plurality of user inputs (not labeled), such as a water dispensing button and an ice-dispensing button, for selecting a desired mode of operation, such as crushed or non-crushed ice.

In some embodiments, refrigerator appliance <NUM> further includes a controller <NUM>. Operation of the refrigerator appliance <NUM> may be regulated by controller <NUM>, which is operatively coupled to control panel <NUM> (e.g., via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses). In certain exemplary embodiments, control panel <NUM> represents a general purpose I/O ("GPIO") device or functional block. In exemplary embodiments, control panel <NUM> includes input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, touch pads, and touch screens. Control panel <NUM> provides selections for user manipulation of the operation of refrigerator appliance <NUM>. In response to user manipulation of the control panel <NUM>, controller <NUM> operates various components of refrigerator appliance <NUM>. For example, controller <NUM> is operatively coupled or in communication with various components of a sealed refrigeration system (e.g., to set or adjust temperatures within the cabinet <NUM>, such as within the fresh food storage chamber <NUM>). Controller <NUM> may also be communicatively coupled with a variety of sensors, such as, chamber temperature sensors or ambient temperature sensors. Controller <NUM> may receive signals from these temperature sensors that correspond to the temperature of an atmosphere or air within their respective locations.

Controller <NUM> includes memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of refrigerator appliance <NUM>. The memory can represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. The processor executes programming instructions stored in the memory. The memory can be a separate component from the processor or can be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller <NUM> may be constructed without using a microprocessor (e.g., using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuitry-such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like-to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software).

<FIG> provides a perspective view of door <NUM>, stationary mullion <NUM>, and articulating mullion <NUM> connected to door <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, articulating mullion <NUM> can be rotatably coupled or rotatably hinged, via hinges <NUM>, to door <NUM>. Articulating mullion <NUM> can be rotated or articulated about the axial direction X (e.g., parallel to the vertical direction V) through hinges <NUM> as shown. Articulating mullion <NUM> may be rotatable about hinges <NUM> between a first position (e.g., corresponding to the open position of the door <NUM>) and a second position (e.g., corresponding to a closed position of the door <NUM>). Articulating mullion <NUM> can include additional hinges <NUM> or hinge components thereof in some exemplary embodiments. Moreover, articulating mullion <NUM> may, in various embodiments, include hinges similar to those shown and described with respect to mullion <NUM>.

Further, it should be understood that examples illustrated and described herein with respect to either one of mullion <NUM> or mullion <NUM> are equally applicable to the other of mullion <NUM> or mullion <NUM>. Thus, in various embodiments, refrigerator appliance <NUM> may include one or both sets of French doors <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, <NUM>, with one or both of mullion <NUM> or mullion <NUM> associated with a respective one of the doors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, and either mullion <NUM> or mullion <NUM> may include various combinations of any or all of the features shown and described herein with respect to either mullion <NUM> or mullion <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiments, such as those shown in <FIG>, articulating mullion <NUM> includes a tab <NUM> extending from the mullion <NUM>. In some such embodiments, tab <NUM> extends from a top portion of the mullion <NUM>. In additional or alternative embodiments, a tab <NUM> extends from a bottom portion of the mullion <NUM>. In some such embodiments, mullion <NUM> includes tabs <NUM> extending from both a top portion and a bottom portion.

Generally, tab <NUM> is sized and shaped to fit within and interact with a groove <NUM> defined in cabinet <NUM> of refrigerator appliance <NUM> (<FIG>). For example, groove <NUM> may include cam surfaces that may interact with tab <NUM> to cause rotation of articulating mullion <NUM> when door <NUM> is rotated from a closed to open position or vice versa. As generally shown in <FIG>, mullion <NUM> may also include a tab <NUM> which interacts with a groove <NUM>, and may include similar details a described above and shown in <FIG> with respect to the structure and function of the tab <NUM> and groove <NUM> of mullion <NUM>. Additionally, in other embodiments, the tab (e.g., tab <NUM> or <NUM>) is provided on the cabinet <NUM> while the groove (e.g., groove <NUM> or <NUM>) is provided on a corresponding mullion (e.g., mullion <NUM> or <NUM>). Moreover, although <FIG> and <FIG> generally illustrate the tabs <NUM>, <NUM> as vertical posts, any suitable shape may be provided. For instance, either or both tabs <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided as an arcuate or curved member (e.g., as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>) to slide within the corresponding groove (e.g., groove <NUM> or <NUM>).

<FIG> provides a close-up, sectional view of doors <NUM>, <NUM> of refrigerator appliance <NUM> in a closed position and contacting articulating mullion <NUM>. In some such embodiments, articulating mullion <NUM> is rotatably coupled or hinged to door <NUM> via hinge <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the storage bins <NUM> (<FIG>) are secured to and supported on each respective door <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> via a structural wall <NUM> defining a perimeter edge <NUM> of each respective door <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Further, as shown in <FIG>, articulating mullion <NUM> is connected to structural wall <NUM> defined on an inner surface of door <NUM>. As noted above, various combinations of the foregoing features are possible. For instance, the articulating mullion <NUM> may be connected to a structural wall of door <NUM> or articulating mullion <NUM> may be connected to a structural wall on door <NUM> or door <NUM>. Moreover, in some embodiments the hinge <NUM> may be coupled to the inner surface of the corresponding door (e.g., proximate to one of the gaskets <NUM>).

As shown in <FIG>, when doors <NUM>, <NUM> are in a closed position, articulating mullion <NUM> is generally provided in a second position, extending between doors <NUM>, <NUM> along the lateral direction L and behind doors <NUM>, <NUM> along the transverse direction T. Accordingly, articulating mullion <NUM> may prevent leakage between doors <NUM>, <NUM>. More specifically, when doors <NUM>, <NUM> are in a closed position, a gap G is defined between doors <NUM>, <NUM>. Ambient air A, which is generally warm relative to the cooled or chilled air of chambers <NUM> and <NUM> of refrigerator appliance <NUM>, flows through gap G and contacts articulating mullion <NUM>. As articulating mullion <NUM> is positioned to block the airflow through gap G, articulating mullion <NUM> prevents relatively warm ambient air A from leaking into refrigerator appliance <NUM>. Articulating mullion <NUM> also prevents cooled or chilled air from flowing out of refrigerator appliance <NUM>. To prevent such leakage, inner surfaces of each door <NUM>, <NUM>, or gaskets <NUM> along such inner surfaces, contact the articulating mullion <NUM> and are in sealing engagement with articulating mullion <NUM>.

Articulating mullion <NUM> or <NUM> defines a cross-sectional shape. In the exemplary embodiments, such as those illustrated in <FIG>, mullion <NUM> defines a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. However, it is understood that mullions <NUM> or <NUM> can have any suitable cross-sectional shape, such as a circular, oval, or polygonal cross-sectional shape.

Turning now to <FIG>, <FIG> provide various view of an articulating or movable mullion <NUM> mounted to an appliance door <NUM>. Specifically, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a mullion <NUM> rotatably mounted to an appliance door <NUM> (e.g., door <NUM>). <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a mullion <NUM> rotatably mounted to an appliance door <NUM> (e.g., door <NUM>). <FIG> provide various views of a movable mullion <NUM> and damping assembly <NUM> in isolation (i.e., with appliance door <NUM> removed for better illustrating the structure of movable mullion <NUM>). As would be understood, the mullion <NUM> of <FIG>, may be provided as or include one or more of the features of articulating mullions <NUM>, <NUM>, described above with respect to <FIG>. Similarly, appliance door <NUM> may be provided as a refrigerator door <NUM> or freezer door <NUM>, described above with respect to <FIG>.

As noted above, an articulating mullion <NUM> may be rotatable about the axial direction X between a first position and a second position. The first position generally provides the articulating mullion <NUM> in an inward-folded arrangement such that the inner face <NUM> is adjacent to the longitudinal plane <NUM> of the appliance door <NUM> (e.g., as illustrated in <FIG>). By contrast, the second position provides the articulating mullion <NUM> in an outward-facing arrangement such that the outer face <NUM> may engage the gaskets <NUM> of one or more appliance door <NUM> (e.g., as illustrated in <FIG>).

According to the invention, one or more damping assemblies <NUM> may be provided or formed between the appliance door <NUM> and the articulating mullion <NUM>. According to the invention, a damping assembly <NUM> may include a stopper wedge <NUM> and a mated wedge <NUM> positioned at the same axial (e.g., vertical) height to selectively engage each other (e.g., when the articulating mullion <NUM> is in the first position). As illustrated, the stopper wedge <NUM> and mated wedge <NUM> may be located between the longitudinal plane <NUM> of the appliance door <NUM> and the inner face <NUM> of the articulating mullion <NUM>. Thus, the stopper wedge <NUM> and the mated wedge <NUM> may be generally positioned rearward from the hinge <NUM> or gasket <NUM> (e.g., <FIG>) (e.g., such that damping assembly <NUM> is closer to the corresponding chamber <NUM> or <NUM> along the transverse direction T when the appliance door <NUM> is in the closed position).

When assembled, the stopper wedge <NUM> is fixed to a corresponding appliance door <NUM>. In turn, stopper wedge <NUM> may generally rotate or move in tandem with the appliance door <NUM> (e.g., as the door <NUM> opens/closes), while remaining stationary relative to the appliance door <NUM> itself. As shown, the stopper wedge <NUM> may be mounted (e.g., by one or more adhesives or mechanical fasteners, such as a screw, bolt, clips, etc.) on a perimeter edge <NUM> or inner surface of the corresponding appliance door <NUM>. In some such embodiments, a wedge bracket <NUM> supports the stopper wedge <NUM> on the appliance door <NUM>. External forces acting on the stopper wedge <NUM> may be transmitted to the appliance door <NUM> through the wedge bracket <NUM>. Optionally, the wedge bracket <NUM> may be formed as an integral or unitary member with the stopper wedge <NUM> (or portion thereof). In additional or alternative embodiments, the stopper wedge <NUM> or wedge bracket <NUM> is formed as an integral or unitary member with at least a portion of the appliance door <NUM> (e.g., at perimeter edge <NUM>).

In contrast to the stopper wedge <NUM>, the mated wedge <NUM> may be fixed to the articulating mullion <NUM>. In turn, the mated wage may generally rotate or move with the articulating mullion <NUM> relative to the appliance door <NUM>. Thus, as the articulating mullion <NUM> pivots about the axial direction X between the first position and the second position, the mated wedge <NUM> may do the same. Moreover, together, mated wedge <NUM> and articulating mullion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the stopper wedge <NUM> in the second position. As shown, mated wedge <NUM> may be formed on or with the inner face <NUM> of the articulating mullion <NUM>. Alternatively, mated wedge <NUM> may be formed as a discrete element that is mounted to the articulating mullion <NUM> (e.g., by one or more adhesives or mechanical fasteners, such as a screw, bolt, clips, etc.).

Turning especially to <FIG>, the stopper wedge <NUM> generally extends toward the first position location of the mated wedge <NUM> and inner face <NUM> of the articulating mullion <NUM>. Specifically, the stopper wedge <NUM> includes a primary face <NUM> that extends along and defines a nonparallel angle θ1 (e.g., first nonparallel angle) relative to the longitudinal plane <NUM>. Generally, the nonparallel angle θ1 of the primary face <NUM> may be defined from a base engagement point <NUM> to a peak engagement point <NUM>. Optionally, the nonparallel angle θ1 of the primary face <NUM> may be an obtuse angle (e.g., between <NUM>° and <NUM>°).

As is understood, the primary face <NUM> may be formed as a substantially flat surface that directly follows the nonparallel angle θ1 from the base engagement point <NUM> to the peak engagement point <NUM>. Alternatively, and as illustrated in <FIG>, primary face <NUM> may be formed as a curved (e.g., concave) surface between the base engagement point <NUM> to the peak engagement point <NUM>. In such embodiments, the nonparallel angle θ1 may be defined as an average of the curved surface angles between the base engagement point <NUM> and the peak engagement point <NUM>.

Along with the primary face <NUM> stopper wedge <NUM> may include a secondary face <NUM> that is defined opposite the primary face <NUM> (e.g., relative to the peak engagement point <NUM>). For example, secondary face <NUM> may extend along and define a nonparallel angle θ2 (e.g., second nonparallel angle) relative to the longitudinal plane <NUM>. In some embodiments, the primary face <NUM> is positioned proximal to the axial direction X, while the secondary face <NUM> is positioned distal to the axial direction X (e.g., along the radial direction R). Generally, the nonparallel angle θ2 of the secondary face <NUM> is different from (e.g., non-equal to) the nonparallel angle θ1 of the primary face <NUM> and may be defined from a secondary base point <NUM> to a secondary peak point <NUM>. In some such embodiments, an intermediate surface of the stopper wedge <NUM> extends between the peak engagement point <NUM> and the secondary peak point <NUM> (e.g., parallel to the longitudinal plane <NUM>). Optionally, the nonparallel angle θ2 of the secondary face <NUM> may be a perpendicular or acute angle (e.g., between <NUM>° and <NUM>°).

As illustrated, the secondary face <NUM> may be formed as a substantially flat surface that directly follows the nonparallel angle θ2 from the secondary base point <NUM> to the secondary peak point <NUM>. Alternatively, the secondary face <NUM> may be formed as a curved (e.g., convex) surface where, for example, the nonparallel angle θ2 is defined as an average of the curved surface angles between the secondary base point <NUM> and the secondary peak point <NUM>.

As shown, the mated wedge <NUM> includes defines a receiving face <NUM> that is complementary the primary face <NUM>. In other words, the receiving face <NUM> of the mated wedge <NUM> may be shaped to engage or receive primary face <NUM> (e.g., in the first position). Accordingly, receiving face <NUM> may be defined as a substantially flat or, alternatively, curved (e.g., convex) surface that is matched to the primary face <NUM>. In some embodiments, the receiving face <NUM> contacts (e.g., directly or indirectly) the primary face <NUM> when the articulating mullion <NUM> is in the first position. However, as the articulating mullion <NUM> is moved to the second position, contact between the receiving face <NUM> and primary face <NUM> may be broken. Notably, engagement between primary face <NUM> and receiving face <NUM> (e.g., as the articulating mullion <NUM> is rotated during opening of the corresponding door <NUM>-<FIG>) may disperse the reactionary forces between stopper wedge <NUM> and mated wedge <NUM>. Advantageously, a deflection or return bounce by the articulating mullion <NUM> may be prevented and articulating mullion <NUM> may be maintained in the first position (e.g., until the corresponding door <NUM> is closed).

In embodiments wherein a secondary face <NUM> is provided at the stopper wedge <NUM>, mated wedge <NUM> may include or define a holding face <NUM> that is complementary to the secondary face <NUM>. As illustrated, the holding face <NUM> of the mated wedge <NUM> may be shaped to engage or receive the secondary face <NUM> (e.g., in the first position). Accordingly, holding face <NUM> may be defined as a substantially flat or, alternatively, curved (e.g., concave) surface that is matched to the secondary face <NUM>. In some embodiments, the holding face <NUM> contacts (e.g., directly or indirectly) the secondary face <NUM> when the articulating mullion <NUM> is in the first position. However, as the articulating mullion <NUM> is moved the second position, contact between the holding face <NUM> and the secondary face <NUM> may be broken.

One or both of stopper wedge <NUM> or mated wedge <NUM> may be formed from a substantially solid, non-elastic material (e.g., rigid metal or polymer) According to the invention, an elastic damping material <NUM> (e.g., foam, rubber, non-rigid polymer, or any suitable resilient damping material) is provided between the stopper wedge <NUM> in the mated wedge <NUM> to cushion or absorb at least a portion of the force is transmitted between the stopper wedge <NUM> and the mated wedge <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, a layer of elastic damping material <NUM> may be fixed on the stopper wedge <NUM> (e.g., by a suitable adhesive or mechanical fastener). The elastic damping material <NUM> may thus generally follow or define primary face <NUM> or the secondary face <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, a layer of elastic damping material <NUM> may be fixed on or within the mated wedge <NUM>. The elastic damping material <NUM> may thus generally follow or define the receiving face <NUM> or the holding face <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An appliance (<NUM>) defining a vertical direction (V), the appliance comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) defining a chamber (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a door (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to the cabinet (<NUM>) and rotatable between an open position and a closed position to selectively seal the chamber (<NUM>, <NUM>), the door (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a perimeter edge (<NUM>) defining a longitudinal plane (<NUM>);
a mullion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having an inner face and an outer face, the mullion (<NUM>, <NUM>) being rotatably coupled to the door (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) via a hinge (<NUM>) defining an axial direction (X) parallel to the longitudinal plane (<NUM>), the mullion (<NUM>, <NUM>) being rotatable about the axial direction between a first position and a second position; and
a damping assembly (<NUM>) formed between the door and the mullion (<NUM>, <NUM>), characterized in that the damping assembly (<NUM>) comprises
a stopper wedge (<NUM>) fixed to the door (<NUM>), the stopper wedge (<NUM>) having a primary face (<NUM>) extending along a nonparallel angle (θ1) relative to the longitudinal plane (<NUM>), and
a mated wedge (<NUM>) fixed to the mullion (<NUM>, <NUM>), the mated wedge (<NUM>) having a receiving face (<NUM>) complementary to the primary face (<NUM>) of the stopper wedge (<NUM>) to engage therewith in the first position, and
an elastic damping material (<NUM>) positioned between the stopper wedge (<NUM>) and the mated wedge (<NUM>).