IP Library Granted Patent US 11,274,874
Granted Patent B2
US 11,274,874 · App. 16/766,169 · Granted Mar 15, 2022

Wall panel for an appliance

Inventors: Julia B. Burke (Chicago, IL); Daniel Chow (St. Joseph, MI); Daniel V. Clements (St. Joseph, MI); Rebecca M. Goesling (Chicago, IL); Mark W. Schulz (Benton Harbor, MI)
Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
F25D23/066F25D23/028F25D27/005F25D2323/021F25D2323/06F25D2400/18
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,274,874
App. No.
16/766,169
Granted
Mar 15, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wall panel for an appliance is disclosed. The wall panel includes a substantially planar surface disposed within the interior of an appliance and extending the full height and width of an appliance wall. The wall panel may be disposed between the appliance cabinet structure and the internal storage structures, such as shelves, drawers and the like, to create a fully integrated appearance. In addition, the wall panel may serve to hide refrigeration components such as air vents, internal refrigeration coils, or water lines. In some cases, the surface of the wall panel is a three-dimensional molded pattern to provide structure and create a perception of greater depth within a compartment of the appliance. In other cases, the wall panel is a lighted panel that activates when a user interacts with the appliance.

Claims (13)

1. An appliance comprising:

a cabinet having a plurality of walls defining an interior compartment;

a door for accessing the interior compartment; and

an interior lighted false wall panel positioned within the interior compartment proximate one of the plurality of walls and including an interior surface having a molded three-dimensional pattern that includes alternating peaks and valleys.

2. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of walls include a top wall, a bottom wall, a back wall and a pair of side walls, and wherein the interior lighted false wall panel is co-extensive with the back wall of the cabinet.

3. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the interior lighted false wall panel is co-extensive with an interior surface of the door.

4. The appliance of claim 1 , further comprising:

a storage structure positioned within the interior compartment, wherein the interior lighted false wall panel is disposed between the cabinet and the storage structure.

5. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional pattern includes irregular alternating peaks and valleys.

6. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional pattern extends from a first side end of the interior lighted false wall panel to a second side end of the interior lighted false wall panel.

7. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the interior lighted false wall panel further comprises a lighting structure.

8. The appliance of claim 7 , further comprising:

control circuitry configured to activate the lighting structure based on user interaction with said appliance.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 21, 2020
From: BURKE, JULIA B.; CHOW, DANIEL; CLEMENTS, DANIEL V.; GOESLING, REBECCA M.; SCHULZ, MARK W.
To: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 052727/0901 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200284499A1 · Sep 10, 2020
Cited By (3)
US 12,405,051 US 12,607,395 US 12,729,901