IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,845,047
Granted Patent B2
US 8,845,047 · App. 11/622,025 · Granted Sep 30, 2014

Refrigerator

Inventors: Armando Luisi (Varese, IT); Jhon J. Vonderhaar (St. Joseph, MI); Martin D. Lewis (Paw Paw, MI); Luiz A. Lopes (St. Joseph, MI)
Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
F25D23/069
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,845,047
App. No.
11/622,025
Granted
Sep 30, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising a cabinet having at least one partition wall to separate at least two sub-compartments and an elongated support device having a C-shaped cross section mounted to the cabinet wall and into which a partition wall can be inserted.

Claims (14)

1. A refrigerator comprising a cabinet having a cabinet wall, a partition wall to separate the cabinet into two sub-compartments and an elongated support device having a C-shaped cross section mounted to the cabinet wall and into which the partition wall is inserted wherein the cross section of the support device presents a central substantially flat portion and two hollow end portions each end portion having a continuous outer peripheral surface formed completely around a hollow center and wherein the central portion presents at least one hollow portion having a continuous outer peripheral surface formed completely around a hollow center to form a seal between the support device and the partition wall.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the elongated support device comprises extruded polymeric material.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the elongated support device is U-shaped to match the cross section of the cabinet.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the end portions present at least one protrusion to form a seal between the support device and the partition wall.

5. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the elongated support device is mounted to the cabinet wall using rivets inserted through holes in said cabinet wall.

6. A reconfigurable refrigerator comprising:

a cabinet;

an insulated partition wall; and

an elongated support device having a cross section that presents a central substantially flat portion and two hollow end portions each end portion having a continuous outer peripheral surface formed completely around a hollow center, wherein the partition wall is inserted into the elongated support device to provide a customized number of compartments within the cabinet and wherein the central portion presents at least one hollow portion having a continuous outer peripheral surface formed completely around a hollow center to form a seal between the support device and the partition wall.

7. The refrigerator of claim 6 , wherein the insulated partition wall is horizontally mounted within the cabinet.

8. The refrigerator of claim 6 , wherein the insulated partition wall is vertically mounted within the cabinet.

9. The refrigerator of claim 6 , wherein the elongated support device has a C-shaped cross section to mount within the cabinet.

10. The refrigerator of claim 6 , wherein the end portions present at least one protrusion to form a seal between the support device and the partition wall.

11. The refrigerator of claim 6 , wherein the compartments have an access opening terminated by at least one of the following: a door and drawer.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2007
From: LUISI, ARMANDO; VONDERHAAR, JOHN J.; LEWIS, MARTIN D.; LOPES, LUIZ A.
To: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 018908/0352 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 06100327 · Jan 13, 2006 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070228907A1 · Oct 4, 2007