PANEL ASSEMBLIES FOR APPLIANCES
Appliances having improved panel assemblies are provided. An appliance includes an appliance body and a panel assembly disposed on or within the appliance body. The panel assembly includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The panel assembly further includes a first layer including the outer surface, wherein the first layer is a glass, and a second layer at least partially in contact with and bonded to the first layer, wherein the second layer is a polymer.
1 . An appliance, the appliance comprising:
an appliance body; and
a panel assembly disposed on or within the appliance body, the panel assembly comprising:
an outer surface;
an inner surface;
a first layer comprising the outer surface, wherein the first layer is a glass; and
a second layer at least partially in contact with and bonded to the first layer, wherein the second layer is a polymer.
2 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the first layer is a tempered glass.
3 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the second layer is a thermoplastic.
4 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the second layer is a thermoset.
5 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the second layer comprises polyvinyl butyral.
6 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the second layer comprises ethylene-vinyl acetate.
7 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the second layer comprises polyurethane.
8 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the second layer comprises the inner surface.
9 . The appliance of claim 1 , further comprising a third layer comprising the inner surface, wherein the third layer is a glass, and wherein the second layer is at least partially in contact with and bonded to the third layer.
10 . The appliance of claim 1 , further comprising a decorative layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the decorative layer comprising an ink.
11 . The appliance of claim 1 , further comprising a decorative layer comprising the inner surface, the decorative layer comprising an ink.
12 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the appliance body is a refrigerator body and the panel assembly is a shelf panel assembly.
13 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the appliance body is an oven body and the panel assembly is a door panel assembly.
14 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the panel assembly is a touchscreen for a user interface.
15 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the panel assembly between the outer surface and the inner surface is less than or equal to approximately 4 millimeters.
16 . An oven appliance, comprising:
a cabinet defining a cooking chamber, the cooking chamber configured for receipt of items to be cooked;
a door rotatably mounted to the cabinet, the door comprising a panel assembly;
a controller; and
a user interface in communication with the controller, the user interface comprising a panel assembly,
wherein at least one of the panel assembly of the door or the panel assembly of the user interface comprises:
an outer surface;
an inner surface;
a first layer comprising the outer surface, wherein the first layer is a glass; and
a second layer at least partially in contact with and bonded to the first layer, wherein the second layer is a polymer.
17 . The oven appliance of claim 16 , further comprising a decorative layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the decorative layer comprising a polymer ink.
18 . A refrigerator appliance, comprising:
a cabinet defining a fresh food chamber;
a fresh food door rotatably hinged to the cabinet for accessing the fresh food chamber;
a shelf disposed within the fresh food chamber, the shelf comprising a panel assembly;
a controller; and
a user interface in communication with the controller, the user interface comprising a panel assembly,
wherein at least one of the panel assembly of the shelf or the panel assembly of the user interface comprises:
an outer surface;
an inner surface;
a first layer comprising the outer surface, wherein the first layer is a glass; and
a second layer at least partially in contact with and bonded to the first layer, wherein the second layer is a polymer.
19 . The refrigerator appliance of claim 18 , further comprising a third layer comprising the outer surface, wherein the third layer is a glass, and wherein the second layer is at least partially in contact with and bonded to the third layer.
20 . The refrigerator appliance of claim 18 , further comprising a decorative layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the decorative layer comprising a polymer ink.