U.S. patent application number 14/639617 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-08 for appliance door with vacuum insulated outer door.
This patent application is currently assigned to WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Whirlpool Corporation. Invention is credited to Lakshya Deka, Abhay Naik.
Application Number | 20160258670 14/639617 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56849097 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160258670 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Deka; Lakshya ; et
al. |
September 8, 2016 |
APPLIANCE DOOR WITH VACUUM INSULATED OUTER DOOR
Abstract
A refrigerator includes an insulated cabinet structure and a
cooling system. A door assembly includes a perimeter structure that
is movably mounted to the insulated cabinet structure and an outer
door that is movably mounted to the perimeter structure whereby the
outer door can be moved between open and closed positions relative
to the perimeter structure when the perimeter structure is in its
closed position The outer door may comprise a vacuum insulated
structure including porous core material disposed in a cavity of
the outer door.
Inventors: |
Deka; Lakshya; (Mishawaka,
IN) ; Naik; Abhay; (Stevensville, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Whirlpool Corporation |
Benton Harbor |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Benton Harbor
MI
|
Family ID: |
56849097 |
Appl. No.: |
14/639617 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2201/14 20130101;
F25D 23/025 20130101; F25D 23/04 20130101; F25D 25/02 20130101;
Y02B 40/00 20130101; F25D 2323/023 20130101; F25D 23/02 20130101;
Y02B 40/34 20130101; F25D 2201/126 20130101; F25D 2323/021
20130101; F25D 23/065 20130101; F25D 23/028 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/02 20060101
F25D023/02; F25D 23/06 20060101 F25D023/06; F25D 25/02 20060101
F25D025/02; F25D 23/04 20060101 F25D023/04 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator, comprising: an insulated cabinet structure
defining a refrigerated interior space having an access opening
that permits user access to the refrigerated interior space; a
cooling system that is configured to cool the refrigerated interior
space; a door assembly that selectively closes off at least a
portion of the access opening; wherein the door assembly includes a
perimeter structure that is movably mounted to the insulated
cabinet structure for movement between open and closed positions,
the perimeter structure defining an outer perimeter and a door
opening through a central portion of the perimeter structure to
provide access to the refrigerated interior space when the
perimeter structure is in a closed position, wherein the perimeter
structure includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner that is
secured to the outer wrapper to define a ring-shaped cavity,
extending around the perimeter structure between the outer
perimeter of the structure and the door opening, and wherein the
ring-shaped cavity is filled with closed-cell foam insulation to
form a rigid structure, wherein the perimeter structure includes
oppositely facing inner and outer surfaces defining a first
thickness; wherein the door assembly further includes at least one
shelf supported by the perimeter structure, and wherein the shelf
has an upwardly opening U-shape in cross section to support jugs of
milk thereon, and wherein the shelf is disposed in the door
opening; wherein the door assembly further includes a vacuum
insulated outer door that is movably mounted to the perimeter
structure whereby the outer door can be moved between open and
closed positions relative to the perimeter structure when the
perimeter structure is in its closed position to selectively close
off at least a portion of the door opening without moving the least
one shelf, wherein the vacuum insulated outer door includes inner
and outer layers that are spaced apart to define a cavity, and
wherein the cavity defines a vacuum, and wherein the inner and
outer layers have outer surfaces defining a second thickness, and
wherein the first thickness is significantly greater than the
second thickness.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein: the perimeter structure is
generally ring-shaped.
3. (canceled)
4. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein: the door opening is
quadrilateral, and wherein the outer door has a quadrilateral
perimeter that is smaller than the quadrilateral door opening and
the vacuum insulated door is disposed inside the door opening.
5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein: the at least one shelf
extends horizontally across the door opening.
6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein: the at least one shelf
defines opposite ends that are fixed to the perimeter
structure.
7. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein: the perimeter structure
defines a ring-shaped inner side face that sealingly engages the
insulated cabinet structure around the access opening, and a
ring-shaped outer side face; and wherein the outer door sealingly
engages the outer side face around the door opening.
8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein: the outer layer of the
outer door comprises sheet metal, and the inner layer of the outer
door comprises a polymer liner having a perimeter that is secured
to a perimeter of the sheet metal of the outer layer.
9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein: the outer door includes a
core panel disposed between the sheet metal outer layer and the
polymer liner, wherein the core panel comprises porous core
material disposed inside an airtight sheet of material forming an
envelope.
10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein: the core panel is
adhesively bonded to at least one of the sheet metal and the
polymer liner.
11. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein: the sheet metal is
sealingly connected to the polymer liner to define an airtight
vacuum cavity therebetween, and including porous core material
disposed between the sheet metal and the polymer liner.
12. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein: the insulated cabinet
structure further defines an insulated freezer compartment having a
freezer opening, wherein the cooling system is configured to
maintain the freezer compartment at or below freezing; and
including: a freezer door movably mounted to the insulated cabinet
structure for movement between open and closed positions to
selectively close off the freezer opening, wherein the freezer door
includes a vacuum insulated panel structure.
13. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein: the freezer door
includes a ring-shaped perimeter structure defining a freezer door
opening therethrough and having non-porous foam insulation disposed
within the perimeter structure; and wherein the freezer door
includes an outer freezer door comprising a vacuum insulated panel,
wherein the outer freezer door is movably mounted to the perimeter
structure of the freezer door to selectively close off the freezer
door opening.
14. The refrigerator door of claim 1, wherein: the vacuum insulated
outer door is pivotably mounted to the perimeter structure and
rotates about a vertical axis.
15. The refrigerator door of claim 1, wherein: the door opening
includes horizontally juxtaposed first and second portions; the
vacuum insulated outer door comprises a first vacuum insulated
outer door that closes off the first portion of the door opening
when in its closed position; and including: a second vacuum
insulated outer door movably mounted to the perimeter structure for
movement between an open position and a closed position in which
the second vacuum insulated outer door closes off the second
portion of the door opening.
16. The refrigerator door of claim 1, wherein: the vacuum insulated
outer door is pivotably mounted to the perimeter structure and
rotates about a horizontal axis between its open and closed
positions.
17. A refrigerator, comprising: an insulated cabinet structure
defining a refrigerated interior space having an access opening
that permits user access to the refrigerated interior space; a door
assembly that selectively closes off at least a portion of the
access opening; wherein the door assembly includes a perimeter
structure that is movably mounted to the insulated cabinet
structure for movement between open and closed positions, the
perimeter structure defining a first outer perimeter and a door
opening through a central portion of the perimeter structure,
wherein the door opening is significantly smaller than the access
opening, wherein the perimeter structure includes an outer wrapper
and an inner liner that is secured to the outer wrapper to define a
ring-shaped cavity extending around the perimeter structure between
the outer perimeter of the structure and the door opening, and
wherein the ring-shaped cavity is filled with closed-cell foam
insulation; wherein the door assembly further includes at least one
shelf supported by the perimeter structure, and wherein the shelf
is disposed in the door opening; wherein the door assembly further
includes a vacuum insulated outer door that is movably mounted to
the perimeter structure whereby the outer door can be moved between
open and closed positions relative to the perimeter structure when
the perimeter structure is in its closed position to selectively
close off at least a portion of the door opening, wherein the
vacuum insulated outer door defines a second perimeter that is
significantly smaller than the first perimeter.
18. The refrigerator of claim 17 wherein: the perimeter structure
includes at least one shelf extending across the door opening.
19. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein: the perimeter structure
defines a vertical outer side face, and includes a handle on the
outer side face.
20. The refrigerator of claim 19, wherein: the vacuum insulated
outer door defines a second vertical outer side face, and includes
a handle on the second vertical outer side face.
21. The refrigerator door of claim 1, wherein: the inner and outer
layers of the vacuum insulated door are planar, and wherein the
vacuum insulated door is constructed without shelves.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Refrigerators typically include an insulated cabinet
structure, an electrically powered cooling system, and one or more
doors that are movably mounted to the cabinet structure to provide
user access to the refrigerated space within the refrigerator.
Known cabinet structures may include a sheet metal outer wrapper
and a polymer inner liner. Closed-cell foam or other suitable
insulating material is disposed between the metal wrapper and the
polymer liner. Refrigerator doors often have a similar construction
and include a sheet metal outer wrapper, polymer inner liner, and
foam disposed between the sheet metal wrapper and polymer
liner.
[0002] Refrigerator doors may include one or more shelves that are
configured to hold food and/or other items such as jugs of milk
and/or other types of cans, jars, and the like. These items may be
quite heavy, and refrigerator doors and hinges are typically
therefore rigid and structurally sound to support the loads.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One aspect of the present invention is a refrigerator
including an insulated cabinet structure defining a refrigerated
interior space having an access opening that permits user access to
the refrigerated interior space. A cooling system cools the
refrigerated interior space. A door assembly selectively closes off
at least a portion of the access opening. The door assembly
includes a first door structure or perimeter structure that is
movably mounted to the insulated cabinet structure for movement
between open and closed positions. The perimeter structure defines
an outer perimeter and a door opening through a central portion of
the perimeter structure. At least one shelf is supported by the
perimeter structure in the door opening. The door assembly further
includes a vacuum insulated second or outer door that is movably
mounted to the perimeter structure whereby the outer door can be
moved between open and closed positions relative to the perimeter
structure when the perimeter structure is in its closed position.
The outer door thereby selectively closes off the door opening
without moving the perimeter structure or the shelf. The vacuum
insulated outer door includes inner and outer layers that are
spaced apart to define a vacuum cavity. Porous core material may be
disposed in the vacuum cavity.
[0004] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the
present invention will be further understood and appreciated by
those skilled in the art by reference to the following
specification, claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a refrigerator according to
one aspect of the present invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a partially fragmentary isometric view of the
refrigerator of FIG. 1 showing an outer door in an open
position;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded cross sectional view of the
refrigerator of FIG. 2 taken along the line 2-2 FIG. 2;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the refrigerator of FIG.
2 taken along the line 4-4; FIG. 2;
[0009] FIG. 5 is fragmentary cross sectional view of the outer door
of FIG. 4;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a partially fragmentary isometric view of a
refrigerator according to another aspect of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded cross sectional view of a
refrigerator according to another aspect of the present invention
taken along the line 7-7; FIG. 6;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the refrigerator of FIG.
7 taken along the line 8-8; FIG. 6;
[0013] FIG. 9 is a partially fragmentary isometric view of a
refrigerator according to another aspect of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 10 is a partially exploded cross sectional view of a
refrigerator according to another aspect of the present invention
taken along the line 10-10; FIG. 9; and
[0015] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the refrigerator of
FIG. 10 taken along the line 11-11; FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper,"
"lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical,"
"horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention
as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the
invention may assume various alternative orientations and step
sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is
also to be understood that the specific devices and processes
illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the
following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the
inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific
dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the
embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,
unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
[0017] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1A according
to one aspect of the present invention includes an insulated
cabinet structure 5 including upright side walls 6A and 6B, rear
side wall 8 (see also FIGS. 3 and 4), and a generally horizontal
lower side wall 10. The cabinet structure defines a refrigerated
space or compartment 12 having an access opening 14 to provide user
access to the refrigerated compartment 12. Insulated cabinet
structure 5 may include a metal outer wrapper or skin 7, a polymer
inner liner 9, and a foam core 11. The polymer inner liner may
comprise a multilayer thermoformed structure or it may comprise an
injection molded structure with high barrier properties. This type
of cabinet construction is known in the art, and the details of
this construction are therefore not described in detail herein. The
insulated cabinet structure 5 may include a divider panel 16 (FIG.
3) that forms a freezer compartment 18 having an opening 20. In the
illustrated example, the refrigerated compartment 12 is disposed
above the freezer compartment 18. However, it will be understood
that insulated cabinet structure 5 may be configured such that the
freezer compartment is above the refrigerated compartment 12 or
alongside the refrigerated compartment 12. The access opening 14 is
selectively closed off by one or more door assemblies 24A, and the
opening 20 to freezer compartment 18 is selectively closed off by a
freezer door 26. Freezer door 26 may have a conventional
construction including a sheet metal outer wrapper 27, a polymer
liner 29, and a closed cell foam core 31 as shown in FIGS. 3 and
4.
[0018] The refrigerator 1A includes a cooling system 22 that
selectively cools the refrigerated compartment 12 and freezer
compartment 18. The cooling system 22 may comprise a conventional
electrically powered refrigeration system including a controller,
sensors, compressor, condenser, and evaporator. Alternatively, the
cooling system 22 may comprise thermoelectric cooling elements or
other suitable devices.
[0019] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, refrigerator 1A includes one or
more door assemblies 24A that are configured to close off the
access opening 14 of refrigerated compartment 12. Each door
assembly 24A includes a first door component or structure such as
perimeter structure 30A and a second or outer door 32A that is
movably mounted to the perimeter structure 30A to selectively close
off door openings 44 of perimeter structures 30A. Each perimeter
structure 30A includes a horizontal upper section 34 (FIG. 3), a
horizontal lower section 36, and upright side sections 38 and 40
that extend between and interconnect horizontal upper and lower
sections 34 and 36, respectively. The horizontal upper and lower
sections 34 and 36 and upright side sections 38 and 40 form a
quadrilateral outer perimeter 42. Door openings 44 through
perimeter structures 30A may also be generally quadrilateral in
shape. However, door openings 44 may have virtually any shape as
required for a particular application. Perimeter structures 30A
have a generally ring-like or hoop-like shape. The shape of
perimeter structures 30A may also be somewhat similar to a picture
frame when viewed from the front. However, it will be understood
that the size, shape, and configuration of perimeter structures 30A
may vary as required for a particular application.
[0020] The perimeter structures 30A are mounted to the insulated
cabinet structure 5 by hinges 28 or other suitable structures for
rotation about vertical axes between open and closed positions. The
perimeter structures 30A may include a metal outer wrapper or skin
46 and a polymer liner 48 that form a ring-shaped cavity that is at
least partially filled with closed-cell polyurethane foam
insulation 50 or other suitable insulating material that is
disposed between the metal outer wrapper 46 and the polymer inner
liner 48. The perimeters of the outer wrapper 46 and the polymer
inner liner 48 may be joined/connected utilizing known techniques.
One or more supports such as shelves 52A-52C extend horizontally
between the upright side portions or sections 38 and 40 in or
across door opening 44. Opposite ends 53 of shelves 52A-52C (FIG.
2) may removably/adjustably engage the perimeter structure 30A to
permit removal of shelves 52A-52C and/or adjustment of the vertical
position of shelves 52A-52C. Alternatively, the opposite ends 53 of
shelves 52A-52C may be fixed to perimeter structure 30A. The
shelves 52A-52C may be configured to support jugs of milk or other
items. The perimeter structure 30A preferably comprises a rigid
structure having sufficient strength to support significant amounts
of weight on shelves 52.
[0021] Outer doors 32A are movably mounted to the perimeter
structure 30A for rotation about vertical axes by hinges 54 (FIG.
1). The outer doors 32A have an inner side face 56 that may include
a resilient seal 58 that sealingly engage outer side faces 60 (FIG.
1) of perimeter structures 30A. Perimeter structures 30A include
ring-shaped inner side faces 62 (FIG. 2) that sealingly engage a
resilient seal 64 secured to outer face 65 of cabinet structure 5
when perimeter structures 30A are in their closed positions. It
will be understood that seals 64 may alternatively be secured to
inner faces 65 of perimeter structures 30A.
[0022] With further reference to FIG. 5, outer doors 32A comprise
an outer skin or wrapper 66 that may comprise sheet metal (e.g.
steel) or other suitable material. An inner liner 68 is made of a
polymer material that may be thermoformed, molded, or otherwise
fabricated to provide the required shape/configuration. A perimeter
70 of outer skin 66 may be in the form of a flange that is
connected to a perimeter 72 of inner liner 68 that may also
comprise a flange. Perimeter 70 may have a quadrilateral shape
corresponding to door openings 44. A cavity 74 is defined between
the outer skin 66 and inner liner 68. A vacuum core panel 76 is
disposed in the cavity 74. The vacuum core panel 76 comprises a
porous filler material whereby the cavity 74 can be subject to a
vacuum without collapsing the outer skin 66 and inner liner 68.
[0023] The vacuum insulated outer doors 32A may be constructed in
various ways. For example, the core panel 76 may comprise porous
filler material 80 that is disposed inside of a gas impermeable
wrapper or envelope 78. Envelope 78 may comprise polymer and/or
metal layers that are impermeable to gas. Various suitable
envelopes are known in the art, such that the details of envelope
78 are not described in detail. The porous filler 80 may be
positioned inside of the envelope 78 prior to assembly of door 32,
and the filler 80 may be subject to a vacuum prior to sealing the
envelope 78. The core panel 76 can then be positioned between the
outer skin 66 and inner liner 68 during assembly, and the outer
skin 66 and inner liner 68 can be secured along the perimeters 70
and 72, respectively utilizing adhesives, mechanical connectors, or
other suitable means. In this configuration, the envelope 78
provides an airtight, gas-impermeable layer such that the outer
skin 66 and inner liner 68 do not necessarily need to be
impermeable, and a seal along the perimeters 70 and 72 of outer
skin 66 and inner liner 68, respectively, is not necessarily
required.
[0024] Door 32A may also be constructed by placing solid filler
material 80 between the outer skin 66 and inner liner 68. According
to this aspect of the present invention, the porous filler material
80 comprises a solid block of material that is preformed (e.g.
pressed) into a shape corresponding to cavity 74, and a wrapper or
envelope 78 is not required. After the solid block of porous filler
80 is positioned between the outer skin 66 and inner liner 68, the
perimeters 70 and 72 are sealed together utilizing adhesive,
heat-sealing processes, or the like. The cavity 74 is then subject
to a vacuum to remove the air through a vacuum port such as opening
82 in liner 68. The opening 82 is then sealed using a plug or the
like (not shown) such that the cavity 74 forms a vacuum.
[0025] An outer door 32A according to another aspect of the present
invention may be fabricated by first assembling the outer skin or
wrapper 66 with the inner liner 68, and forming an airtight seal at
the perimeters 70 and 72, respectively utilizing
adhesives/sealants, a heat sealing process, or other suitable
process/means. Porous filler 80 in the form of loose powder such as
fumed silica or other suitable material is then deposited into the
cavity 74 through opening 82 or through a feeder port on the
wrapper (not shown). The opening 82 is then subject to a vacuum to
remove the air from cavity 74, and the opening 82 is then
sealed.
[0026] Referring again to FIG. 4, the perimeter structures 30A of
door assemblies 24A have a thickness "T1" that is significantly
greater than the thickness "T2" of the vacuum insulated outer doors
32. The vacuum insulated outer doors 32A may be constructed without
shelves or the like such that the vacuum insulated outer doors 32A
are not subjected to significant loading. Because beverages and
other items are stored on the shelves 52A-52C of perimeter
structure 30A, the weight of these items is carried by the
perimeter structure 30A and hinges 28, not the vacuum insulated
outer doors 32A. Because the perimeter structure 30A includes metal
outer wrapper 46, polymer inner liner 48, and polyurethane foam or
the like 50, the perimeter structure 30 may be very rigid and
structurally sound. Also, this construction does not create issues
with respect to potential leakage of vacuum panels in perimeter
structure 30A. Because the vacuum insulated outer doors 32A are not
subject to significant loading, the integrity of the outer doors 32
is maintained and potential leakage with respect to the vacuum
cavities is avoided.
[0027] In use, a user can grasp the handles 33A of outer doors 32A
to thereby open the outer doors 32A without moving the perimeter
structure 30A relative to the insulated cabinet structure 5. A user
can then remove items positioned on shelves 52A-52C without moving
perimeter structure 30A relative to the insulated cabinet structure
5. As shown in FIG. 2, the door opening 44 may be significantly
smaller than the access opening 14 whereby opening outer door 32A
reduces the amount of cold air lost from refrigerated compartment
12 (FIG. 3) relative to opening a conventional refrigerator door to
thereby open the entire access opening 14. If a user needs to gain
access to the refrigerated compartment 12, the user can open the
entire door assembly 24 by grasping handle 35A on perimeter
structure 30A and rotating perimeter structure 30A about hinges 28.
The outer doors 32A may remain in a closed position relative to the
perimeter structure 30A while perimeter structure 30A is opened.
Shelves 52A-52C can be accessed from the inner side 25A of door
assemblies 24A when perimeter structure 30A is rotated to an open
position. Thus, outer doors 32A can be left in a closed position,
and door assemblies 24A can be opened and used in substantially the
same manner as conventional refrigerator doors if a user so
chooses. Seals 64 (FIG. 3) between perimeter structures 30A and
cabinet 5 may include magnets that retain perimeter structures 30A
in a closed position. Similarly, seals 58 of outer doors 32A may
also include elongated magnets tending to retain outer doors 32A in
a closed position relative to perimeter structures 30A. The
magnetic forces of the seals 58 and 64 can be selected such that
perimeter structures 30A remain closed when outer doors 32A are
opened.
[0028] With further reference to FIGS. 6-8, a refrigerator 1B
according to another aspect of the present invention includes a
refrigerated cabinet structure 5 that is substantially the same as
the cabinet structure 5 described in more detail above in
connection with FIGS. 3 and 4. Refrigerator 1B includes at least
one door assembly 24B that includes a perimeter structure 30B
having substantially the same construction as the perimeter
structure 30A described in more detail above. Door openings 44B
formed in perimeter structures 30B are selectively closed off by
vacuum insulated outer doors 32B. Outer doors 32B are movably
mounted to the perimeter structures 30B for rotation about a
horizontal axis by hinges 84 positioned along or at lower edges of
outer doors 32B. A plurality of racks or shelves 86 extend across
the openings 44B of perimeter structures 30B. The racks 86 may
include upwardly-facing cylindrical surfaces 87 that are configured
to support cans or other beverages on their sides. Alternatively,
racks 86 may be in the form of shelves that are configured to
support jugs of milk or the like as described above in connection
with FIG. 2. Beverages on racks 86 can be accessed by pulling on
handle 33B to open the outer door 32B, without opening perimeter
structure 30B. The outer door 32B comprises a vacuum insulated
structure that may be constructed as discussed in more detail above
in connection with FIG. 3A. Handles 35B may be mounted to
ring-shaped vertical outer side faces 37 of perimeter structures
30B whereby a user can pull on handles 35B to open perimeter
structures 30B. As perimeter structures 30B are opened, outer doors
32B move with perimeter structure 30B, such that door assemblies
24B can operate in a manner that is similar to conventional
refrigerator doors. When perimeter structure 30B is opened, racks
86 can be accessed.
[0029] With further reference to FIGS. 9-11, a refrigerator 1C
according to another aspect of the present invention includes a
pair of door assemblies 24C. The door assemblies 24C include
perimeter structures 30C that are substantially similar to the
perimeter structure 30A described in more detail above in
connection with FIGS. 1A, 2 and 3. Handles 35C are disposed on
outer side faces 37C of perimeter structures 30C. Each door
assembly 24C includes a pair of outer doors 32C that are movably
mounted to the perimeter structure 30C by hinges 88 for rotation
about vertical axes. A plurality of racks or shelves 90A-90E extend
across the openings 44C to thereby support beverages or other items
on perimeter structure 30C. The outer doors 32C may comprise vacuum
insulated structures that are constructed in substantially the same
manner as outer doors 32A as described above in connection with
FIGS. 3-5.
[0030] In use, one or more of the outer doors 32C may be opened
using handles 33C without moving perimeter structure 30C relative
to the insulated cabinet structure 5 if a user needs to access
items on shelves 90A-90E. Alternatively, a user can move the
perimeter structure 30C relative to the insulated cabinet structure
5 by grasping handles 35C and rotating the perimeter structure 30C
about hinges 28.
[0031] It will be understood that the features described in
connection with the various embodiments of the present invention
are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, a refrigerator
having an insulated cabinet 5 could include combinations of
perimeter structures 10A-10C and outer doors 32A-32C as required
for a particular application.
* * * * *