IP Library Granted Patent US 7,939,179
Granted Patent B2
US 7,939,179 · App. 11/957,525 · Granted May 10, 2011

Laminated steel application for major appliances doors and cases

Assignee: General Electric Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,939,179
App. No.
11/957,525
Granted
May 10, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A dent resistant laminated steel application is provided for a laminated appliance wall, including: an exterior cover having a first outer skin layer and at least a second substrate layer laminated thereto, wherein the first outer skin layer is stainless steel and overlays the second substrate layer. The second substrate layer can be bonded to the first outer skin layer, wherein the bonding material is disposed in the interspace between the first outer skin layer and the second substrate layer. The laminated wall can further include a first outer skin layer having a material thickness from about 0.014 to about 0.022 inches. The second substrate layer can be selected from the group consisting of fiberboard, galvanized steel, and polyester.

Claims (38)

1. A laminated appliance wall providing dent resistance, comprising:

an exterior cover layer, an interior cover layer, and an insulating material layer between said exterior layer and said interior layer;

said exterior layer including a first outer skin layer and at least a second substrate layer laminated thereto;

said first outer skin layer is stainless steel having a first material thickness and overlays said second substrate layer having a second material thickness whereby said first material thickness is greater than said second material thickness thereby increasing the dent resistance of the appliance wall;

said first outer skin layer exposed to the exterior of said appliance wall;

said second substrate layer is connected to said first outer skin layer; and,

a connection disposed in the interspace between said first outer skin layer and said second substrate layer wherein said connection is selected from the group consisting of resin, epoxy, and tack welding.

2. The laminated appliance wall according to claim 1 , wherein said first outer skin layer having a material thickness from about 0.014 to about 0.022 inches.

3. The laminated appliance wall according to claim 2 , wherein said second substrate layer is selected from the group consisting of fiberboard, galvanized steel, and polyester.

4. The laminated appliance wall according to claim 3 , wherein said second substrate layer having a material thickness from about 0.011 to about 0.030 inches.

5. The laminated appliance wall according to claim 2 , wherein said second substrate layer is galvanized steel.

6. The laminated appliance wall according to claim 5 , wherein said second substrate layer having a material thickness from about 0.009 to about 0.013 inches.

7. The laminated appliance wall according to claim 6 , wherein said first outer skin layer and said second substrate layer having a combined material thickness from about 0.026 to about 0.034 inches.

8. The laminated appliance wall according to claim 7 , further including a third substrate layer underlying said second layer, wherein said third layer is foam material.

9. A laminated appliance wall for dent resistance, comprising:

an exterior laminated steel cover layer, an interior cover layer, and an insulating material layer between said exterior layer and said interior layer;

said exterior layer including a first outer skin layer and at least a second substrate layer;

said first outer skin layer is stainless steel having a first material thickness and overlays said second substrate layer having a second material thickness;

said first material thickness being greater than said second material thickness;

said second substrate layer is galvanized steel connected to said first outer skin layer;

a connection is disposed in the interspace between said first outer skin layer and said second substrate layer wherein said connection is selected from the group consisting of resin, epoxy, and tack welding; and,

said cover layer further including a third substrate layer underlying and contiguous with said second substrate layer, wherein said third substrate layer is foam material thereby increasing the dent resistance of the appliance wall.

10. The laminated appliance wall according to claim 9 , wherein said first outer skin layer having a material thickness from about 0.014 to about 0.022 inches.

11. The laminated appliance wall according to claim 10 , wherein said second substrate layer having a material thickness from about 0.007 to about 0.015 inches.

12. The laminated appliance wall according to claim 11 , wherein said first outer skin layer and said second substrate layer having a combined material thickness from about 0.021 to about 0.037 inches.

13. In combination with a refrigeration appliance, the laminated appliance wall according to claim 9 .

14. In combination with a household oven, the laminated appliance wall according to claim 9 .

15. A laminated appliance wall for dent resistance, comprising:

an exterior laminated steel cover layer, an interior cover layer, and an insulating material layer between said exterior layer and said interior layer;

said exterior cover layer including a first outer skin layer and at least a second substrate layer;

said first outer skin layer is stainless steel and overlays said second substrate layer;

said first outer skin layer having a material thickness;

said second substrate layer is galvanized steel bonded to said first layer;

said second substrate layer having a material thickness;

a bonding material disposed in the interspace between said first outer skin layer and said second substrate layer wherein said bonding material is selected from the group consisting of resin, epoxy, and tack welds; and,

said thickness of said first outer skin layer is greater than said thickness of said second substrate layer thereby increasing the dent resistance of the appliance wall.

16. The laminated appliance wall according to claim 15 , wherein said thickness of said first outer skin layer is from about 0.014 to about 0.022 inches and said second substrate layer is galvanized steel including a thickness from about 0.007 to about 0.015 inches.

17. The laminated appliance wall according to claim 15 , further including a third substrate layer underlying said second substrate layer, wherein said third substrate layer is foam material.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2016
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 038966/0650 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE LAST NAME OF ASSIGNOR 5 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 020252 FRAME: 0803. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Mar 20, 2016
From: DEVOS, RICHARD; NELSON, ROGER; WHEAT, DANIEL; BEREZOVSKY, OLEG; RANARD, GEOFFREY
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 038178/0049 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 17, 2007
From: DEVOS, RICHARD; NELSON, ROGER; WHEAT, DANIEL; BEREZOVSKY, OLEG; RENARD, GEOFFREY
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 020252/0803 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090155557A1 · Jun 18, 2009