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Seamless refrigerator liner and process for manufacturing same

Seamless refrigerator liner and process for manufacturing same description/claims

The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a seamless refrigerator liner. The invention is also directed to the seamless refrigerator liner itself.

Food service catering trucks are kitchens on wheels. Apart from cooking equipment and accessories, a food service catering truck kitchen is typically equipped with one or more refrigeration units. Federal standards for food service catering trucks require that commercial refrigeration units maintain a certain level of cleanliness. Current methods of constructing refrigeration units and liners therefor create grooves and other surfaces on the refrigeration unit or liner that are difficult to clean to the level required by federal standards.

Accordingly, there is a need for a refrigeration unit and liner therefor that is easier to clean because of the lack of grooves and/or other surfaces that trap dirt and other contaminants. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

The present invention is directed to a process for manufacturing a seamless refrigerator liner. The process comprises the steps of providing a plastic refrigerator box liner having an opening which provides access to the interior thereof, the liner opening having a flange. The next step involves insulating the liner around said liner opening. A casing is then positioned over the liner. The casing has an opening corresponding to the liner opening such that the flange of the liner opening extends through the casing opening. The flange that extends through the casing opening is then heated such that it melts and conforms to the shape of the casing opening to form a seamless breaker joint.

The liner opening is created by cutting an offset frame of the liner to form the opening. The offset frame has a flange that remains when the frame is cut. The casing comprises an outer shell, a front casing and a top cover. The casing opening is created by cutting the front face of the casing to form the same. The flange is preferably heated using a jet air furnace that melts the flange conforming to the shape of the casing opening.

The refrigerator box liner is then inserted into an insulation mold and polyurethane foam insulation is injected into a gap between the liner and the mold. The liner may include a second offset frame with a flange on a top counter of the liner. A second liner opening may then be cut in the offset frame on the top counter and the top cover of the casing may be cut to form a second casing opening corresponding to the opening cut in the top counter of the liner. The second casing opening is aligned with the second liner opening such that the flange of the second liner opening extends through the second casing opening. As with the other flange, the flange extending through the second casing opening is heated such that it melts and conforms to the shape of the second casing opening to form another seamless breaker joint. A refrigerator door is installed over the openings to complete construction of the refrigerator.

A seamless refrigerator liner comprises a plastic refrigerator box liner having an opening providing access to the interior thereof and a flange around the liner opening. A casing surrounds the liner, the casing having an opening corresponding to the liner opening such that the flange extends through the casing opening. A seamless breaker joint is formed around the casing opening by melting the flange extending therethrough.

The liner is preferably made from linear low density polyethylene. The liner also preferably has three front openings and one top opening. Insulation is preferably placed between the liner and the casing, the insulation comprising polyurethane foam. The casing is preferably made from stainless steel. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the refrigerator box liner of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerator box liner of the present invention showing the offset frames and flanges;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a refrigerator box liner of the present invention with the offset frames cut out;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a refrigerator box liner of the present invention showing the installation of the outer shell and top cover of the casing as well as insulation around the liner opening;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the refrigerator box liner of the present invention after the outer shell and top cover of the casing have been installed as well as the insulation around the openings;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the refrigerator box liner of the present invention showing the installation of the front face of the casing;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the refrigerator box liner of the present invention after the front face of the casing has been installed;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the refrigerator box liner of the present invention showing the installation of the top cover of the casing;

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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