Integral spacer for door rail
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A refrigerator door comprising:
- a plurality of panels including a forward panel and at least one rearwardly disposed panel;
a door rail element for supporting the plurality of panels such that substantially no part of the rail of at least one door rail element overlaps the forward panel wherein the door rail element includes at least one spacer element extending from the door rail element into a space between adjacent panels of the plurality of panels and wherein the spacer element is part of the door rail element; and
at least one hinge at least partly internal to the door rail element for allowing pivotal movement of the door about an axis.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerating door construction is disclosed which includes door rail elements form one or more spacer elements between adjacent panels so that separate, discrete spacer bars may be eliminated.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A refrigerator door comprising:
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a plurality of panels including a forward panel and at least one rearwardly disposed panel; a door rail element for supporting the plurality of panels such that substantially no part of the rail of at least one door rail element overlaps the forward panel wherein the door rail element includes at least one spacer element extending from the door rail element into a space between adjacent panels of the plurality of panels and wherein the spacer element is part of the door rail element; and at least one hinge at least partly internal to the door rail element for allowing pivotal movement of the door about an axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A refrigerator door comprising:
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a first, second and third panels; a door rail element for supporting the panels such that substantially no part of the door rail of at least one door rail element overlaps the forward panel wherein the door rail element includes at least one spacer element extending from the door rail element into a space between adjacent panels of the plurality of panels and wherein the spacer element is part of the door rail element, wherein the spacer element includes a spacer projection and a spacer recess and the rail includes a rail projection extending toward the spacer recess and a rail recess wherein the spacer projection extends toward the rail recess on the spacer element for defining a recess for accepting sealant; sealant on the rail element and in the recess defined by the spacer element and the rail and wherein the sealant contacts and is bonded to the first, second and third panels, and wherein the first panel has first and second oppositely facing surfaces and is contacted only on one surface by the sealant; and at least one hinge at least partly internal to the door rail element for allowing pivotal movement of the door about an axis. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A refrigerator door comprising:
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a plurality of panels including a forward panel and at least one rearwardly disposed panel; a hardened polymeric door rail element for supporting the plurality of panels such that substantially no part of the door rail of at least one door rail element overlaps the forward panel, wherein the door rail element includes a front portion and a rear portion wherein the door rail element is relatively inflexible between the front portion and the rear portion, wherein the door rail element includes at least one spacer element extending from the door rail element into a space between adjacent panels of the plurality of panels and wherein the spacer element is part of the door rail element; and at least one hinge at least partly internal to the door rail element for allowing pivotal movement of the door about an axis. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A refrigerator door comprising:
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a plurality of panels including a forward panel and at least one rearwardly disposed panel; a door rail element for supporting the plurality of panels such that substantially no part of the door rail of at least one door rail element overlaps the forward panel, wherein the door rail element includes a front portion and a rear portion wherein the door rail element is relatively inflexible between the front portion and the rear portion, wherein the door rail element includes at least one spacer element extending from the door rail element into a space between adjacent panels of the plurality of panels and wherein the spacer element is part of the door rail element; and at least one hinge at least partly internal to the door rail element for allowing pivotal movement of the door about an axis.
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Specification