Patent Description:
The invention is defined by the features of claim <NUM>.

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.

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.

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 <FIG>, reference numeral <NUM> generally designates a refrigerator appliance including a cabinet <NUM>. The cabinet <NUM> includes an inner liner <NUM> spaced apart from an outer wrapper <NUM>. A trim breaker <NUM> extends between the inner liner <NUM> and the outer wrapper <NUM> to define an insulating cavity <NUM> therebetween. The trim breaker <NUM> includes first and second opposing vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM>, a top portion <NUM>, a bottom portion <NUM>, and a central portion <NUM>. The top portion <NUM> is integrally formed with each vertical portion <NUM>, <NUM> at a respective upper corner <NUM>, and the bottom portion <NUM> is integrally formed with each vertical portion <NUM>, <NUM> at a respective lower corner <NUM>. A first plurality of ribs <NUM> extends from an outer rim <NUM> of at least one of the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> and at least partially along the central portion <NUM>. A second plurality of ribs <NUM> extends from the outer rim <NUM> of at least one of the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> and across at least one of the upper corners <NUM> or the lower corners <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the refrigerator appliance <NUM> is depicted as a French-door bottom-mount refrigerator, but it will be understood that the refrigerator appliance <NUM> may be a side-by-side refrigerator, a bottom mount refrigerator, or a top mount refrigerator. The refrigerator appliance <NUM> includes the cabinet <NUM> defining a refrigeration compartment <NUM> and a freezer compartment <NUM>. The refrigeration compartment <NUM> may be a fresh food compartment configured to store food stuffs or perishables at temperatures above freezing (e.g., maintained at about <NUM>° C or about <NUM>° C) for a long time period. The freezer compartment <NUM> may be maintained at a subzero temperature (e.g., temperatures at or below about <NUM>° C) for long term storage of perishables in a frozen state. One or more refrigeration doors <NUM> are provided for the refrigeration compartment <NUM>, and a freezer door <NUM> is provided for the freezer compartment <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the trim breaker <NUM> is coupled with the inner liner <NUM> and the outer wrapper <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> to seal the insulation cavity <NUM>. In other words, the trim breaker <NUM> may be positioned forward of the inner liner <NUM> and the outer wrapper <NUM> to form a front edge or surface of the cabinet <NUM> and is positioned such that the trim breaker <NUM> at least partially defines the insulation cavity <NUM>. The trim breaker <NUM> may be coupled with the inner liner <NUM> and the outer wrapper <NUM> by a liner coupling portion and a wrapper coupling portion, respectively. Each portion <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the trim breaker <NUM> may define coupling spaces or other coupling features configured to facilitate coupling the trim breaker <NUM> with inner liner <NUM> and the outer wrapper <NUM> to further seal the insulation cavity <NUM>. It will be understood that the trim breaker <NUM> may be coupled with one or both of the inner liner <NUM> and the outer wrapper <NUM> based on the configuration of the appliance <NUM> and corresponding cabinet <NUM>.

As previously introduced, the trim breaker <NUM> includes an outer rim <NUM> extending about a periphery of the trim breaker <NUM>. The outer rim <NUM> is integrally formed with the vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM>, the top portion <NUM>, and the bottom portion <NUM> and extends outward from the cabinet <NUM> when the trim breaker <NUM> is coupled with the cabinet <NUM>. It is contemplated that the outer rim <NUM> may extend about only a portion of the periphery of the trim breaker <NUM> or may be formed of multiple sections positioned about the periphery of the trim breaker <NUM> without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As previously introduced, the trim breaker <NUM> includes the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM>, the top portion <NUM>, and the bottom portion <NUM>. The top portion <NUM> and the bottom portion <NUM> extend between the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> and may be integrally formed with the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> as a single piece. Each of the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> is joined with the top portion <NUM> at a respective upper corner <NUM>, and each of the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> is joined with the bottom portion <NUM> at a respective lower corner <NUM>. The upper and lower corners <NUM>, <NUM> may be beveled or may be substantially angular.

The trim breaker <NUM> may further include the central portion <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. The central portion <NUM> extends between the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> and may be integrally formed with the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> such that the trim breaker <NUM> is formed as a single piece. As shown in <FIG>, the central portion <NUM> is positioned between the top and bottom portions <NUM>, <NUM> to divide the cabinet <NUM> between the refrigeration compartment <NUM> and the freezer compartment <NUM>. The central portion <NUM> further separates each of the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> into an upper section <NUM> and a lower section <NUM>. The upper sections <NUM> of each of the first and second vertical portions <NUM> are positioned on opposing sides of the refrigeration compartment <NUM>, and the lower sections <NUM> of each of the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned on opposing sides of the freezer compartment <NUM>.

Referring still to <FIG> and <FIG>, an upper inner edge <NUM> extends along the upper sections <NUM> of each of the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM>, the top portion <NUM>, and the central portion <NUM>. The upper inner edge <NUM> is positioned within and spaced apart from the outer rim <NUM> by the top portion <NUM> and the upper sections <NUM> of the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> and extends along an upper edge of the central portion <NUM>. In various examples, the upper inner edge <NUM> may extend forward of the trim breaker <NUM> in the same direction as the outer rim <NUM> and may be configured to form an inner rim. In other examples, the upper inner edge <NUM> may be substantially aligned with the portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the trim breaker <NUM>.

A lower inner edge <NUM> extends along the bottom portion <NUM>, the central portion <NUM>, and the lower sections <NUM> of each of the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The lower inner edge <NUM> is positioned within and spaced apart from the outer rim <NUM> along the bottom portion <NUM> and the lower sections <NUM> of the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> and extends along a lower edge of the central portion <NUM>. In various examples, the lower inner edge <NUM> may extend forward of the trim breaker <NUM> in the same direction as the outer rim <NUM> and may be configured to form an inner rim. In other examples, the lower inner edge <NUM> may be substantially aligned with the portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the trim breaker <NUM>.

As best shown in <FIG>, the upper inner edge <NUM> defines an upper opening <NUM>, and the lower inner edge <NUM> defines a lower opening <NUM>. When the trim breaker <NUM> is coupled with the cabinet <NUM>, the upper opening <NUM> is configured to be in communication with the refrigeration compartment <NUM>, and the lower opening <NUM> is configured to be in communication with the freezer compartment <NUM> (see <FIG>).

As best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the central portion <NUM> includes an outer surface <NUM> extending between the upper inner edge <NUM> and the lower inner edge <NUM>. The outer surface <NUM> extends horizontally between the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the trim breaker <NUM> and is integrally formed therewith. In various examples, each of the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> may include a space <NUM> proximate the central portion <NUM>. The space <NUM> may be defined by the outer rim <NUM> and may be sized to correspond to the distance between the upper and lower inner edges <NUM>, <NUM> spaced apart by the central portion <NUM>. The outer rim <NUM> extends inward toward the central portion <NUM> to define the space <NUM> such that the space <NUM> is aligned with a corresponding end of the central portion <NUM>.

As previously introduced, the trim breaker <NUM> includes a first plurality of ribs <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the first plurality of ribs <NUM> is positioned on one of the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the trim breaker <NUM>. While only the first vertical portion <NUM> is described in detail as having a first plurality of ribs <NUM>, it will be understood that the second vertical portion <NUM> may also include a corresponding first plurality of ribs <NUM>. The positioning of the ribs on each of the vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> 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 <NUM> extends from the outer rim <NUM> proximate the space <NUM> and along the outer surface <NUM> of the central portion <NUM>. The first plurality of ribs <NUM> includes one central rib <NUM> extending horizontally along the central portion <NUM>. The at least one central rib <NUM> may be one of multiple central ribs <NUM> spaced apart along the outer edge <NUM> of the trim breaker <NUM>. Each of the central ribs <NUM> may extend substantially perpendicularly from the outer edge <NUM> of the trim breaker <NUM>, as best shown in <FIG>. The central ribs <NUM> may be spaced equidistantly along the outer rim <NUM> or the central ribs <NUM> may be unevenly spaced along the outer rim <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the first plurality of ribs <NUM> may include angled ribs <NUM>, <NUM> positioned on opposing sides of the central rib(s) <NUM>. The first plurality of ribs <NUM> may have one or more interior angled ribs <NUM> extending from the outer rim <NUM> of the trim breaker <NUM> along the central portion <NUM> and toward one of the upper and lower inner edges <NUM>, <NUM>. As shown, the interior angled ribs <NUM> may be positioned in pairs such that the central ribs <NUM> are framed by the interior angled ribs <NUM>. The first plurality of ribs <NUM> may further have one or more exterior angled ribs <NUM> positioned to extend from the outer rim <NUM> of the trim breaker <NUM> toward one of the upper and lower inner edges <NUM>, <NUM>. The first plurality of ribs <NUM> is arranged such that the interior angled ribs <NUM> are positioned between the exterior angled ribs <NUM> and the central ribs <NUM>. It will be understood that the first plurality of ribs <NUM> may include any number of central ribs <NUM> and any number of angled ribs <NUM> without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the trim breaker <NUM> includes a second plurality of ribs <NUM> at one of the upper and the lower corners <NUM> and <NUM>. It will be understood that the trim breaker <NUM> may include the same or similar arrangement of a plurality of ribs <NUM> on each of the lower corners <NUM> and may include the same or a similar arrangement of a plurality of ribs <NUM> on one or more of the upper corners <NUM> without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As best shown in <FIG>, the bottom portion <NUM> of the trim breaker <NUM> and the lower sections <NUM> of the first vertical portion <NUM> is illustrated. Each of the first and second vertical portions <NUM>, <NUM> may include a first surface <NUM> and a second surface <NUM>. The first surface <NUM> is positioned proximate the lower inner edge <NUM>, and the second surface <NUM> is positioned proximate the outer rim <NUM> of the trim breaker <NUM>. The first surface <NUM> may extend outward from the second surface <NUM> to form a plateau or step extending parallel to the outer rim <NUM> and/or the lower inner edge <NUM>.

As best shown in <FIG>, in accordance to this invention, the second plurality of ribs <NUM> includes a central corner rib <NUM> positioned diagonally across the respective lower corner <NUM>. The central corner rib <NUM> extends from the outer rim <NUM> to the lower inner edge <NUM> and may be integrally formed with one or both of the outer rim <NUM> and the lower inner edge <NUM>. The second plurality of ribs <NUM> may further includes a first pair of outer ribs <NUM> positioned on opposing sides of the central corner rib <NUM>. Each of the first pair of outer ribs <NUM> extends substantially perpendicularly from the outer rim <NUM> and across one of the bottom portion <NUM> and the vertical portion <NUM>. For example, one of the first pair of perpendicular ribs <NUM> extends vertically across the bottom portion <NUM> between the outer rim <NUM> and the lower inner edge <NUM>, and the other of the first pair of outer ribs <NUM> extends horizontally across the lower section <NUM> of the vertical portion <NUM> between the outer rim <NUM> and the lower inner edge <NUM>. In various examples, each of the first pair of outer ribs <NUM> may be further integrally formed with the central corner rib <NUM> proximate the lower inner edge <NUM> to form rounded joints <NUM>.

The second plurality of ribs <NUM> may further include a second pair of outer ribs <NUM> extending from the outer rim <NUM>. Each of the second pair of outer ribs <NUM> may be positioned substantially parallel to and spaced apart from a corresponding rib of the first pair of outer ribs <NUM>. For example, one of the second pair of outer ribs <NUM> extends vertically across at least part of the bottom portion <NUM>. The other of the second pair of outer ribs <NUM> extends horizontally across at least part of the lower section <NUM> of the vertical portion <NUM>. The second pair of outer ribs <NUM> may be sized to extend from the outer rim <NUM> toward the lower inner edge <NUM> and may be spaced apart from the lower inner edge <NUM>. It will be understood that the second pair of outer ribs <NUM> may extend to and be integrally formed with the lower inner edge <NUM> without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It will further be understood that any number of spaced apart outer ribs <NUM>, <NUM> may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

With continued reference to <FIG>, each of the second plurality of ribs <NUM> includes a lip <NUM> configured to align with the step <NUM> between the first and second surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the trim breaker <NUM>. The lip <NUM> may be defined such that each of the second plurality of ribs <NUM> is formed with and/or contacts the respective portion <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the trim breaker <NUM> continuously along the length of the rib <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Each of the second plurality of ribs <NUM> may include an inclined surface <NUM> aligned with the lip <NUM> configured to accommodate the offset between the first and second surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the trim breaker <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an alternate configuration of the second plurality of ribs 40a is illustrated, said configuration forming part of this invention. The second plurality of ribs 40a includes a central corner rib 120a, a first pair of outer ribs 122a, and a second pair of outer ribs 126a. Each of the second plurality of ribs <NUM> extends from the outer rim <NUM> toward the lower inner edge <NUM> and is spaced apart from the lower inner edge <NUM>. It is contemplated that each of the second plurality of ribs 40a may extend the same distance from the outer rim <NUM> 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 40a may be joined and integrally formed at any end or may be independent from the other ribs of the second plurality of ribs 40a.

Referring again to <FIG>, when the trim breaker <NUM> is coupled with the cabinet <NUM>, the first and second pluralities of ribs <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to reduce the strain placed on the trim breaker <NUM> during vacuum sealing of the insulation cavity <NUM>. The first and second pluralities of ribs <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to allow the trim breaker <NUM> to be made from a material having a low thermal conductivity and provide additional stiffness in the trim breaker <NUM>. The first and second pluralities of ribs <NUM>,<NUM> may also help control buckling during assembly and may help to maintain the wall thickness of the inner liner <NUM> and/or the outer wrapper <NUM> for thermal requirements by reducing the stress level in the trim breaker <NUM>. This may also increase effectiveness of the coupling of the trim breaker <NUM> with the cabinet <NUM> (e.g., may reduce stress and strain on adhesive used therein).

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.

Claim 1:
A refrigerator appliance (<NUM>) comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) including an inner liner (<NUM>) spaced apart from an outer wrapper (<NUM>);
a trim breaker (<NUM>) extending between the inner liner (<NUM>) and the outer wrapper (<NUM>) to define an insulating cavity (<NUM>) therebetween, the trim breaker (<NUM>) comprising:
first and second opposing vertical portions (<NUM>, <NUM>), a top portion (<NUM>), a bottom portion (<NUM>), and a central portion (<NUM>), the top portion (<NUM>) integrally formed with each vertical portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) at a respective upper corner (<NUM>), and the bottom portion (<NUM>) integrally formed with each vertical portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) at a respective lower corner (<NUM>);
a first plurality of ribs (<NUM>) extending from an outer rim (<NUM>) of the trim breaker (<NUM>) and at least partially along the central portion (<NUM>); and
a second plurality of ribs (<NUM>; 40a) extending from the outer rim (<NUM>) of at least one of the first and second vertical portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) and across at least one of the upper and lower corners (<NUM>, <NUM>),
characterised in that the second plurality of ribs (<NUM>; 40a) includes a central corner rib (<NUM>; 120a) extending diagonally from the outer rim (<NUM>) toward the lower inner edge (<NUM>) and a first pair of outer ribs (<NUM>; 122a) extending substantially perpendicularly from the outer rim (<NUM>) toward the inner edge (<NUM>).