US-12618613-B2 - Standoff feature for appliance

Abstract

A standoff feature for an appliance includes a connecting member having a first end and a second end. A first side member extends in a first direction from the first end of the connecting member. A second side member is spaced from the first side member. The second side member extends in the first direction from the second end of the connecting member. A first flange extends from a first side edge of the connecting member. The first side edge extends between the first end and the second end. The first flange extends in a second direction from the connecting member. A second flange extends from a second side edge of the connecting member. The second side edge extends between the first end and the second end and opposes the first side edge. The second flange extends in the second direction from the connecting member.

Inventors

• Jacob Charles Ickes
• Dustin Michael Miller
• Abhay Naik
• Aaron Michael Stewart

Assignees

• WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20240829

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A method of manufacturing a vacuum insulated appliance, comprising: providing a trim breaker that includes a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first and second channels extend along a perimeter of the trim breaker; providing multiple standoff features each including a base with a connecting member extending between first and second side members and flanges extending in opposing directions from the connecting member; positioning the multiple standoff features within the first and second channels for the flanges to abut a connecting surface and the first and second side members to be disposed adjacent to first and second side surfaces, respectively, the connecting surface extending between the first and second side surfaces in each of the first and second channels; dispensing adhesive into the first and second channels and between the first and second side members of the multiple standoff features, respectively, to reduce bubbles in the adhesive; positioning an outer edge of an outer wrapper in the first channel; and positioning an outer edge of an inner liner in the second channel.
2. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the multiple standoff features include first tapered projections extending in opposing directions from the first side member and second tapered projections extending in opposing directions from the second side members, and wherein the step of positioning the multiple standoff features within the first and second channels includes: positioning the first tapered projections to abut the first side surfaces; and positioning the second tapered projections to abut the second side surfaces.
3. 3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: forming an insulating cavity between the outer wrapper and the inner liner; and at least partially filling the insulating cavity with an insulation material.
4. 4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising: forming an at least partial vacuum in the insulating cavity.
5. 5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of positioning the outer edge of the outer wrapper includes: positioning the outer edge of the outer wrapper against the connecting members of the multiple standoff features in the first channel and spaced apart from the connecting surface of the first channel.
6. 6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of positioning the outer edge of the inner liner includes: positioning the outer edge of the inner liner against the connecting members of the multiple standoff features in the second channel and spaced apart from the connecting surface of the second channel.
7. 7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of positioning the multiple standoff features within the first and second channels includes: positioning the multiple standoff features are regular intervals along the perimeter of the trim breaker in the first and second channels.
8. 8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of dispensing the adhesive includes: dispensing the adhesive in a single direction with a caulk gun.
9. 9 . A method of manufacturing an appliance, comprising: providing a trim breaker that includes at least one channel that extends along a perimeter of the trim breaker; providing multiple standoff features each including a base with a connecting member extending between first and second side members and flanges extending in opposing directions from the connecting member; positioning the multiple standoff features within the at least one channel for the flanges to be disposed adjacent to a connecting surface and the first and second side members to be disposed adjacent to first and second side surfaces, respectively, the connecting surface extending between the first and second side surfaces to form the at least one channel; dispensing adhesive into the at least one channel; and positioning an edge of at least one panel in the at least one channel.
10. 10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one channel includes a first channel extending adjacent to a second channel, and wherein the step of positioning the multiple standoff features within the at least one channel includes: positioning a first set of the multiple standoff features in the first channel; and positioning a second set of the multiple standoff features in the second channel.
11. 11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of dispensing the adhesive into the at least one channel includes: dispensing the adhesive into the first channel between the first and second side members of the first set of the multiple standoff features; and dispensing the adhesive into the second channel between the first and second side members of the second set of the multiple standoff features.
12. 12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one panel includes a wrapper panel and a liner panel, and wherein the step of positioning the edge of the at least one panel in the at least one channel includes: positioning the edge of the wrapper panel in the first channel; and positioning the edge of the liner panel in the second channel.
13. 13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of positioning the multiple standoff features within the at least one channel includes: positioning first tapered projections extending from the first side member to abut the first side surface; and positioning second tapered projections extending from the second side member to abut the second side surface.
14. 14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of dispensing the adhesive into the at least one channel includes: dispensing the adhesive between the first and second side members; and dispensing the adhesive over the connecting member and the flanges.
15. 15 . A method of manufacturing a vacuum insulated structure, comprising: providing a trim breaker defining a first channel and a second channel; providing multiple standoff features each including a base with a connecting member extending between first and second side members, first tapered projections extending from the first side members and second tapered projections extending from the second side members; positioning a first set of the multiple standoff features in the first channel; positioning a second set of the multiple standoff features in the second channel; dispensing an adhesive in the first and second channels; positioning an edge of a first panel in the first channel; and positioning an edge of a second panel in the second channel.
16. 16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of positioning the edge of the first panel in the first channel includes: positioning the edge of the first panel between the first and second side members of the first set of the multiple standoff features and within the adhesive.
17. 17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of positioning the edge of the second panel in the second channel includes: positioning the edge of the second panel between the first and second side members of the second set of the multiple standoff features and within the adhesive.
18. 18 . The method of claim 15 , forming an insulating cavity between the first panel and the second panel; at least partially filling the insulating cavity with an insulation material; and forming an at least partial vacuum in the insulating cavity.
19. 19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the multiple standoff features include flanges extending from the connecting member, and wherein the step of positioning the first set of the multiple standoff features in the first channel includes: positioning the flanges to abut a connecting surface in the first channel; and positioning the first and second tapered projections to abut first and second side surfaces, respectively, in the first channel, the connecting surface extending between the first and second side surfaces to form the first channel.
20. 20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the step of positioning the second set of the multiple standoff features in the second channel includes: positioning the flanges to abut a connecting surface in the second channel; and positioning the first and second tapered projections to abut first and second side surfaces, respectively, in the second channel, the connecting surface extending between the first and second side surfaces to form the second channel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/214,012, filed Jun. 26, 2023, now U.S. Pat. No. 12,104,845, entitled “STANDOFF FEATURE FOR APPLIANCE”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/946,293, filed on Sep. 16, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,725,858, entitled “STANDOFF FEATURE FOR APPLIANCE”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/386,852, filed on Jul. 28, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,486,626, entitled “STANDOFF FEATURE FOR APPLIANCE,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/567,080, filed on Sep. 11, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,085,691, entitled “STANDOFF FEATURE FOR APPLIANCE,” each disclosure to which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure generally relates to a standoff feature, and more specifically, to a standoff feature for an appliance. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Appliances are often a combination of several panels assembled in a selected configuration. The panels are often adhered, fastened, or otherwise coupled together to form the appliance. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a standoff assembly for an appliance includes a trim breaker defining a channel. A standoff feature is disposed within the channel. The standoff feature includes a connecting member disposed proximate a bottom surface within the channel. The connecting member has a first end and a second end that opposes the first end. A first side member is disposed proximate a first side surface within the channel. The first side member extends from the first end of the connecting member. A second side member is disposed proximate a second side surface within the channel. The second side member extends from the second end of the connecting member. At least one flange extends from at least one side edge of the connecting member. The at least one side edge extends between the first end and the second end. The at least one side flange extends toward the bottom surface. At least one tapered projection extends from each of the first side member and the second side member and toward one of the first side surface and the second side surface. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a standoff feature for an appliance includes a connecting member having a first end and a second end. A first side member extends in a first direction from the first end of the connecting member. A second side member is spaced from the first side member. The second side member extends in the first direction from the second end of the connecting member. A first flange extends from a first side edge of the connecting member. The first side edge extends between the first end and the second end. The first flange extends in a second direction from the connecting member. A second flange extends from a second side edge of the connecting member. The second side edge extends between the first end and the second end and opposes the first side edge. The second flange extends in the second direction from the connecting member. According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a standoff feature includes a base. The base includes a first side member coupled to a second side member via a connecting member. The first side member and the second side member extend from opposing ends of the connecting member. A plurality of tapered projections extends from the base. The plurality of tapered projections includes a first tapered projection extending from a first edge of the first side member. The first tapered projection extends along a length of the first side member. A second tapered projection extends from a second edge of the first side member. The first edge opposes the second edge. The second tapered projection extends along the length of the first side member. A third tapered projection extends from a first edge of the second side member. The first tapered projection extends along a length of the second side member. A fourth tapered projection extends from a second edge of the second side member. The first edge of the second side member opposes the second edge of the second side member. The fourth tapered projection extends along the length of the second side member. These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure 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 In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an appliance, according to one example; FIG. 2 is an exploded top perspective view of an insulating appliance, according to one example; FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of a trim breaker of an appliance, according to one example; FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a standoff feature, according to one example; FIG. 5 is a top perspective view o