US 11,713,916 B2
Attachment arrangement for vacuum insulated door
Abhay Naik, Stevensville, MI (US); Lakshya Deka, Mishawaka, MI (US); Paul B. Allard, Coloma, MI (US); and Jerry M. Visin, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Assigned to Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/565,600.
Application 17/565,600 is a continuation of application No. 16/192,102, filed on Nov. 15, 2018, granted, now 11,243,021.
Application 16/192,102 is a continuation of application No. 15/290,723, filed on Oct. 11, 2016, granted, now 10,161,669, issued on Dec. 25, 2018.
Application 15/290,723 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/639,617, filed on Mar. 5, 2015, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2022/0120490 A1, Apr. 21, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F25D 23/02 (2006.01)
CPC F25D 23/028 (2013.01) [F25D 23/02 (2013.01); F25D 2201/14 (2013.01); F25D 2323/021 (2013.01); F25D 2323/023 (2013.01); F25D 2323/024 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of attaching a handle to a vacuum insulated refrigerator door, the method comprising:
providing a vacuum insulated door structure including an inner liner and a metal outer wrapper, wherein the inner liner and the outer wrapper are spaced apart and sealingly interconnected to form an airtight cavity having porous filler material disposed therein, wherein the airtight cavity defines a vacuum tending to collapse the inner liner and the outer wrapper, and wherein the porous filler material supports the inner liner and the outer wrapper to prevent collapse thereof;
welding a first end of a metal nut to the outer wrapper without penetrating the airtight cavity formed by the inner liner and the outer wrapper such that gas cannot enter the airtight cavity, wherein the metal nut defines an axis and the first end of the metal nut includes an end surface that is transverse to the axis, the first end further including at least one raised portion projecting from the end surface prior to welding, and wherein the at least one raised portion is positioned against an outer surface of the outer wrapper with the end surface facing the outer surface of the outer wrapper, and wherein the raised portion at least partially melts during the welding process; and
securing a handle to the metal nut.