US 12,078,411 B2
Cabinet reinforcing assembly
Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Stevensville, MI (US); Lynne F. Hunter, Dorr, MI (US); Abhay Naik, Stevensville, MI (US); Sanket Vivek Phalak, Pune (IN); and Aaron Michael Stewart, Buchanan, MI (US)
Assigned to Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed on Jun. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/337,695.
Application 17/483,131 is a division of application No. 16/744,872, filed on Jan. 16, 2020, granted, now 11,150,008.
Application 18/337,695 is a continuation of application No. 17/483,131, filed on Sep. 23, 2021, granted, now 11,725,869.
Prior Publication US 2023/0332829 A1, Oct. 19, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F25D 23/06 (2006.01); F25D 21/04 (2006.01)
CPC F25D 23/067 (2013.01) [F25D 21/04 (2013.01); F25D 23/062 (2013.01); F25D 23/065 (2013.01); F25D 23/069 (2013.01); F25D 2201/14 (2013.01); F25D 2323/024 (2013.01); F25D 2323/06 (2013.01); F25D 2400/04 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cabinet assembly for a refrigerating appliance, the cabinet assembly comprising:
a cabinet including an outer wrapper and an inner liner, wherein a sealed insulating cavity is defined between the outer wrapper and inner liner, wherein the insulating cavity is under vacuum;
a mullion extending across an access opening;
a front reinforcing plate positioned on the mullion and extending substantially across a width of the access opening; and
a mullion brace coupled to the front reinforcing plate, the mullion brace comprising:
raised portions proximate access opening edges of the outer wrapper; and
first and second transverse ends disposed on the outer wrapper, exterior to the sealed insulating cavity; and
a pair of hinges coupled to one of the raised portions of the mullion brace, wherein the pair of hinges are positioned exterior of the outer wrapper.