AU2009200623A1 - An Appliance Door Panel, and Means for Attaching a Panel to an Appliance - Google Patents

Description

35 1 An Appliance Door Panel, and Means for Attaching a Panel To An Appliance Field of the invention [001] This invention relates to an appliance door or drawer panels, and means for attaching a panels and door panels and drawer panels to appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and other appliance cabinets. Background of the invention [002] Refrigerator and freezer doors are usually made of pressed metal outer shell provided with an inner liner. The pressed metal shell can be spray painted. However, this limits the ability of the manufacturer to provide differently coloured doors in an "on demand" basis. There is a need to provide refrigerator doors the appearance of which can be readily adapted for different environments. There is also a need to provide a means for readily constructing refrigerator doors which can be readily adapted to meet customer specified requirements. [003] Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application. Summary of the invention [004] The present invention provides a panel attaching means including an attachment member including two or more first support means adapted to engage a second support means. [005] The attachment member can be an elongate body. [006] The first support means can be formed integrally with the elongate body. [007] The first support means can be a projecting hook. [008] The first support means can be a projecting tang. [009] The present invention also provides a panel attachment arrangement including a door or drawer panel attachment means as described above, and including a second support means. [010] The second support means can include one or more recesses formed in a support frame. [011] The above described panel attachment means or arrangement can be such that the attachment means is used to secure a panel to a door, drawer or side of an appliance, which can 35 2 be one of the following: a refrigerator; a freezer; a combination of a refrigerator and a freezer; a drying cabinet; a clothes washing machine; a clothes drier; a wine cabinet; a dishwasher; or an oven. [012] The present invention further provides a fascia panel including a substantially planar panel adapted to be readily attached as the exterior panel of a door, drawer or a side of an appliance. [013] The fascia panel can include attachment means as described above. [014] The fascia panel can include an integral handle. [015] An appliance having at least one door or drawer or side having a fascia panel as described above. [016] The present invention also provides a method of assembling a door or drawer or side of an appliance including the steps of: providing a panel having the support apertures; fitting attachment strips to the support apertures; preparing an adhesive surface on the opposite side of the attachment strips to the tangs; and fitting the fascia panel to the attachment members. [017] The present invention further provides a handle for a door or drawer panel being adapted for securing to a door or drawer structure or other door or drawer components to finish a door or drawer, said handle being formed from the material of said door or drawer panel, characterised in that said handle is formed from a leaf connected to said door or drawer panel. [018] The leaf is cantilevered from said door or drawer panel. [019] The leaf can extend away from said panel at an angle to the general plane of said panel. [020] The leaf can be located at or near to an edge of a door or drawer to which said panel is applied. [021] The leaf can be located at or near to the centre of a drawer or door to which said panel is applied. [022] The handle can extend vertically or horizontally with respect to said door or said drawer. [023] The handle can extend along a substantial width or height of a door or drawer to which said panel is applied. [024] The handle and the door or drawer panel are integrally formed.

35 3 [025] The present invention further provides a door or drawer panel including a handle as described above. [026] The door or drawer panel can include two handles extending away from said panel. [027] The handles can be arranged symmetrically on said panel. [028] The handles can extend away from said door panel and towards each other. [029] The panel can be a part of the structure forming said door or drawer. [030] The panel can be applied as a fascia to or overlaid over the structure of said door or drawer. [031] The present invention also provides an appliance having or including a handle or door or drawer panel or a door panel attaching means or a door fascia panel or assembled by the method of assembling a door or drawer as described above. [032] The appliance can be one of the following: refrigerator, freezer, drying cabinet, clothes washing machine, clothes drier, wine cabinet, dishwasher, oven. [033] The present invention also provides a door or drawer panel or panel attaching means, or door or drawer fascia panel or appliance or method of assembling a door or drawer being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings [034] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [035] Figure 1 shows an illustrative view of an attachment strip according to an embodiment of the invention; [036] Figure 2 shows a side view of the attachment strip of Figure 1; [037] Figure 3 is a schematic view of the attachment strip of Figure 1; [038] Figure 4A illustrates an attachment member according to an embodiment of the invention; [039] Figure 4B illustrates a support member according to an embodiment of the invention; 35 4 [040] Figure 4C illustrates an attachment member engaging a support member according to an embodiment of the invention; [041] Figure 4D illustrates a cross-section of a support member according to an embodiment of the invention; [042] Figure 5 illustrates an underlying door panel with support members; [043] Figure 6 is a view of a fascia panel having a handle attached thereto; [044] Figure 7 is a plan view of a door panel according to an embodiment of the invention; [045] Figure 8 illustrates an end view of the panel of Figure 7; [046] Figure 9 illustrates a section view along line A-A of Figure 7; [047] Figure 10 illustrates a view of the panel of Figure 7; [048] Figure 11 illustrates a side view of the panel of Figure 7; [049] Figure 12 shows a refrigerator having door panels according to an embodiment of the invention; [050] Figure 13 shows a foaming cap; [051] Figure 14 shows a foaming cap applied to a support aperture; [052] Figure 15 is a section view of an assembled door showing a foaming cap applied to a support aperture; [053] Figure 16 shows a door panel according to an embodiment of the invention; [054] Figure 17 shows a door liner adapted for use with a door panel of Figure 16; and [055] Figure 18 illustrates a perspective view of a three compartment appliance, where French doors are located on the upper compartment opening, the middle compartment has a drawer or door and the lower compartment has a door or drawer. [056] Figure 19 shows a mounting strip adapted for mounting horizontally. [057] The numbering convention used in the drawings is that the digits before the full stop correspond to the figure number, and the digits after the full stop identify the feature. Where possible, the same feature is used to identify corresponding features in different figures.

35 5 Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments [058] While the following description refers to doors and drawers of appliances, it will be readily understood that the attachment mechanism and method can be utilised with respect to a side or those sides of appliances which may not include drawers or doors, so as to decorate or cover them by a fascia panel or decorative panel or other type of panel. The sides may be vertically oriented or horizontally oriented sides. [059] Figure 1 shows a front view of an attachment strip 1.000 in the form of an elongate body 1.002 having a plurality of tangs 1.004 projecting from the plane of the body 1.002. The body 1.002 can be a planar strip. The tangs 1.004 are pressed from the plane of the body, leaving apertures 1.006. The tangs are better illustrated at 2.004 in Figure 2, and at 3.004 in Figure 3. [060] Figure 4A illustrates attachment member 4.000, Figure 4B illustrates an array of support apertures 4.003 which can be formed in a support member 4.001 or in a support panel. The support member has engagement recesses or aperture 4.003 adapted to receive the tangs 4.004. As shown in Figure 4C, the attachment member 4.000 can be attached to the support member 4.001 by inserting the tangs 4.004 through the apertures 4.003. To prevent upward displacement of the attachment member 4.002 relative to the support member 4.001, a screw or other fastening means can be used to fasten the attachment member to the support member. Figure 4D illustrates an end view of a support member 4.001 in the form of a channel 4.005. The support member 4.001 can have other shaped and dimensions or can be a substantially planar panel. The support member apertures 4.001 can be integrally formed in an underlying panel. [061] Figure 5 illustrates a rear view of an underlying panel 5.011 for a door. Two sets of support elements such as apertures 5.003 are formed in the panel 5.011. The apertures 5.003 are adapted to receive the tangs 4.004 of the attachment members 4.000 to which a fascia panel such as 6.010 in Figure 6 or a panel with integral handle such as 7.022 in Figure 7 can be attached. [062] In the case of a refrigerator door, an inner liner panel is attached to the panel 5.011 and the cavity between the liner and the panel 5.011 filled with insulation foam. The filling can be carried out after the attachment strip 4.000 has been connected to the apertures 5.003. [063] The fascia panel can be affixed to the attachment strips by glueing, double sided adhesive strip, or other suitable means. The tangs 4.004 are arranged with their openings facing 35 6 downwardly in use. The panel 5.011 also includes screw holes such as 5.012 for the attachment of a handle. [064] Figure 6 illustrates a view of a fascia panel 6.010 having a handle 6.014 attached thereto via mounting blocks 6.016, 6.018, 6.020. The mounting blocks are screwed to the underlying panel via the screw holes 5.012, the screws passing through holes in the fascia panel 6.010. The handle can be screwed to the mounting blocks before attachment to the panel. Alternatively, the handle can be attached directly to the fascia panel. A buffer gasket can be fitted between the mounting blocks and the fascia panel. [065] The mounting blocks 6.016, 6.018, 6.020 can be those described in co-pending Australia patent application number 2007905846. The mounting blocks can be affixed to the underlying panel 5.011 and can pass through holes in the fascia panel 6.0 10 to reduce the load applied to the fascia panel by the handle 6.014. [066] Figures 7 to 11 illustrate aspects of an alternative outer panel construction according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. [067] Figure 7 illustrates a panel 7.022. The panel includes an integrally formed handle 7.024. The handle is formed to stand out from the plane of the panel so that there is sufficient room between the edge of the handle and the underlying door frame to permit a user to grip the handle. [068] Attachment strips 1.000, 4.000 can be attached to the rear of panel 7.022. The panel 7.022 can be attached to an underlying frame or panel having the requisite support apertures. The underlying panel or a portion thereof underlying the handle can have a contrasting colour to that of the outer panel 7.022. [069] This arrangement permits the rapid attachment of the outer panel or fascia -panel 7.022 to an under panel 5.011 or frame fitted with support apertures such as those illustrated at 4.003 in Figure 4B. [070] Figure 8 shows an end view of the panel of Figure 7. The handle 8.024 can be seen projecting from the plane of the panel 8.022. [071] Figure 9 shows sectional detail of the handle of Figure 7 along line A-A. The edge of handle 9.024 can be set back from the edge of the panel by a distance "S" which can be of the order of 15 mm. The handle can be inclined at its edge at an angle 0 which can be of the order of 30*. The space below the edge of the handle can be of the order of 40 mm.

35 7 [072] Optionally, the edges of the handle can be cut away as illustrated at 7.028, 7.026. [073] In an alternative arrangement, arrangement of the support apertures and attachment strips can be switched so that the support apertures are formed in the attachment member and the tangs are formed in the support member, with the orientation of the tangs being inverted. In this arrangement, the attachment member is provided with additional depth to permit engagement with the tangs, such as the channel 4.005 of Figure 4D. In such a case, the arms of the channel can be provided with flanges to enable the panel to be glued to the channel. Alternatively, the attachment member can have a box section. [074] Figure 12 shows a refrigerator with a pair of door panels 12.022, 12.022 and handles 12.04, 12.024 according to an embodiment of the invention. The door panels can be arranged in mirror image fashion on side by side appliances, or on a two door single appliance. As can be seen the set back of the handles provides an access space for a user's hand between the edges of the handles 12.004, 12.005. The exterior panels can be affixed by the attachment members and support members as shown, for example, in Figure 4. The support panels below the exterior panels 12.002, 12.003 can be of contrasting colour to that of the exterior panels. [075] The exterior panels 7.022, 12.022 can be of glass, metal, plastics, plywood, or other suitable material. [076] The attachment members 4.001 and support members 4.000 can be of metal or plastics or other suitable material. [077] The refrigerator door can be assembled by first providing a panel such as 5.001 having the support apertures 5.003. The attachment strips can be fitted to the support apertures, tan adhesive surface on the opposite side to the tangs can be prepared, and the fascia panel can then be fitted to the attachment members. [078] Figures 13 to 15 illustrate a foaming cap 13.030 used to prevent insulating foam entering the support apertures 14.003. [079] Figure 13 illustrates a foaming cap 13.030 adapted to prevent insulating foam from obstructing the support apertures in an underlying panel. Figure 14 shows a foaming cap fitted behind a support aperture to prevent the insulation foam from entering the support aperture. The foaming caps 14.030 ensure that the insulating foam does not escape through the apertures 15.003 while the insulating foam is being injected after the underlying panel has been attached to the moulded interior wall of the door.

35 8 [080] The cap 13.030 is in the form of an open box having a width 13.032 slightly greater than the aperture 14.003, 15.003 and a height 13.034 sufficiently greater than the height of the aperture to permit the tang 15.004 to be inserted in the aperture 15.003 and to engage the lower edge of the aperture 15.003. Similarly the depth 13.036 of the cap is sufficient to avoid interference with the tang. One end of the cap 13.030 is closed by wall 13.038. The cap can be fitted with its top aligned with the top of the aperture. The cap can be affixed by adhesive, snap fitting with the aperture, or by other suitable means. [081] As illustrated in figure 15 the panel 15.022 can be secured against vertical movement by means of a screw 15.013 which passes through the rear liner and the foam and the panel 15.011 to sit within a blind aperture 15.015 at the rear of the panel 15.022. This ensures that the panel 15.022 when affixed to the attachment strip 15.000, will not move vertically unless the screw 15.013 is removed from aperture 15.015. Alternatively the panel 15.022 can be secured against vertical movement by an upper and lower door end cap or any other appropriate securing mechanism can be used. [082] Figures 16 and 17 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a refrigerator door, in which the door fascia panel 16.022 is directly attached to the inner door liner 17.040 to form the insulation cavity which can be filled with insulation foam. A door panel 16.022 with integrally formed handle 16.024 is adapted to be directly connected to an inner liner 17.040. As illustrated, the inner liner 17.040 has a substantially channel shaped section with base 17.042, side walls 17.044, 17.046 and end flanges, 17.048, 17.050. However, in practice, the inner liner will have a moulded profile to form shelves and other features, such as dairy cabinets, etc. The flange pieces 17.048, 17.050 can be used to attach the panel 16.022 by adhesive or by the use of the tang and aperture arrangement discussed above. The flange piece 17.048 underlying the handle 16.024 is sufficiently wide to cover the cut-out from the fascia panel 16.024 to prevent the insulating foam from escaping. Flange piece 17.048 can be provided with a colour match or colour contrast in relation to the fascia panel 16.024. End caps (not shown) can be applied to the ends of the assembled panel and liner prior to injection of the insulating foam. [083] Illustrated in Figure 18 is an appliance 18.060 having 3 compartments, namely an upper compartment 18.062 being a refrigeration compartment, a bottom mount freezer compartment 18.066 and a central compartment 18.064 which can serve as either a freezer or a refrigeration compartment, according to the user's requirements, or it can be set at the site of manufacture.

35 9 [084] The upper compartment 18.062 is a twin door compartment having a door leaf arrangement in which the handles 18.068 extends about three-quarters of the height of the door commencing from the bottom of the doors. [085] The middle compartment 18.064 is also has the appearance of a twin door arrangement in which the handle arrangement 18.070 extends the whole height of the doors. However, the middle compartment 18.064 may be a single door or single drawer. [086] The lower compartment 18.066 has a handle arrangement 18.072 extends for about one third of the height of the door from the top of the door. Thus the handle arrangements 18.068, 18.070, and 18.072 are aligned to provide a continuous handle line. [087] It will be noted in Figure 18 that the French doors 18.068 which close the upper refrigeration compartment are made from the method described with respect to Figures 16 and 17, or it can be made by the method of the earlier figures where decorative fascias are provided. [088] The door 18.064 of the middle compartment or drawer includes a fascia or is formed from a panel which has two opposed handles extending along the whole height of the door or drawer. This can be formed from two opposed fascia or panels. [089] The lower door or drawer closing the bottom mounted freezer cabinet 18.066 includes a single panel or fascia with both of said handles being formed therefrom, and terminating at an intermediate location with respect to the height of the bottom door or drawer. [090] The mounting strip of Figures 1 to 3 can be used in a horizontal configuration, with the tabs 1.006 engaging the apertures in a horizontally aligned support member by being slid sideways. However, Figure 19 illustrates an attachment strip 19.002 according to a further embodiment of the invention in which the tabs 19.006 are formed transverse to the major axis of the attachment strip. This arrangement can be used as a horizontal mounting strip to engage the apertures in a support member by engagement in a vertical direction. [091] While the above description refers to a refrigerator and or freezer or combination of these, it will be readily understood that the present invention is equally applicable to: a drying cabinet, a clothes washing machine, a clothes drier, a wine cabinet, a dishwasher or an oven. [092] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of". A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear.

10 [093] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. [094] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims (34)

1. A panel attaching means including an attachment member including two or more first support means adapted to engage a second support means.

2. A door panel attachment means as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment member is an elongate body.

3. A panel attachment means as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first support means is formed integrally with the elongate body.

4. A panel attachment means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first support means is a projecting hook.

5. A panel attachment means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first support means is a projecting tang.

6. A panel attachment arrangement including a panel attachment means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and including a second support means.

7. A panel attachment arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second support means includes one or more recesses formed in a support frame.

8. A panel attachment means or arrangement as claimed in anyone of claims I to 7, wherein said attachment means is used to secure a panel to a door, drawer or side of an appliance.

9. A panel attachment means or arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein said appliance is one of the following: a refrigerator; a freezer; a combination of a refrigerator and a freezer; a drying cabinet; a clothes washing machine; a clothes drier; a wine cabinet; a dishwasher; or an oven.

10. A fascia panel including a substantially planar panel adapted to be readily attached as the exterior panel of a door or drawer or a side of an appliance.

11. A fascia panel as claimed in claim 10, including attachment means as claimed in any one of claims I to 9.

12. A fascia panel as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, including an integral handle.

13. An appliance having at least one door or drawer or side having a fascia panel as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12. 35 12

14. A method of assembling a door or drawer or side of an appliance including the steps of: providing a panel having the support apertures; fitting attachment strips to the support apertures; preparing an adhesive surface on the opposite side of the attachment strips to the tangs; and fitting the fascia panel to the attachment members.

15. A handle for a door or drawer panel being adapted for securing to a door or drawer structure or other door or drawer components to finish a door or drawer, with said handle being formed from the material of said door or drawer panel, characterised in that said handle is formed from a leaf connected to said door or drawer panel.

16. A handle as claimed in claim 15, wherein said leaf is cantilevered from said door or drawer panel.

17. A handle as claimed in claim 16, wherein said leaf extends away from said panel at an angle to the general plane of said panel.

18. A handle as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein said leaf is located at or near to an edge of a door or drawer to which said panel is applied.

19. A handle as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein said leaf is located at or near to the centre of a drawer or door to which said panel is applied.

20. A handle as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein said handle extends vertically or horizontally with respect to said door or said drawer.

21. A handle as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein said handle extends along a substantial length or height of a door or drawer to which said panel is applied.

22. A handle as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein said handle and said door panel are integrally formed.

23. A door or drawer panel including a handle as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 22.

24. A door or drawer panel as claimed in claim 23, wherein said door or drawer panel includes two handles extending away from said panel.

25. A door or drawer panel as claimed in claim 24, wherein said handles are arranged symmetrically on said panel. 35 13

26. A door or drawer panel as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein said handles extend away from said door panel and towards each other.

27. A door or drawer panel as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 26 wherein said panel is a part of the structure forming said door or drawer.

28. A door or drawer as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 26 wherein said panel is applied as a fascia to or overlaid over the structure of said door or drawer.

29. An appliance having or including a handle or door or drawer panel or a door panel attaching means or a door fascia panel or assembled by the method of assembling a door or drawer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

30. An appliance as claimed in claim 29 wherein said appliance is one of the following: refrigerator, freezer, drying cabinet, clothes washing machine, clothes drier, wine cabinet, dishwasher, oven.

31. A door or drawer panel or panel attaching means being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

32. A door or drawer fascia panel being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

33. An appliance being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

34. A method of assembling a door or panel being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.