US 12,474,012 B2
Collapsible pattern
Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Stevensville, MI (US); and Sai B. Krishna, Pune (IN)
Assigned to Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed on Aug. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/889,452.
Application 17/889,452 is a division of application No. 16/417,804, filed on May 21, 2019, granted, now 11,460,143.
Prior Publication US 2022/0390057 A1, Dec. 8, 2022
Int. Cl. F16L 59/02 (2006.01); A47L 15/42 (2006.01); B29L 31/00 (2006.01); F16L 59/065 (2006.01); F16L 59/12 (2006.01); F25D 23/06 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 59/028 (2013.01) [A47L 15/4209 (2016.11); F16L 59/065 (2013.01); F16L 59/12 (2013.01); F25D 23/064 (2013.01); B29L 2031/762 (2013.01); F25D 2201/12 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An insulating structure for an appliance comprising:
a first panel;
a second panel coupled to the first panel, wherein the first and second panels define a cavity;
an insulation material disposed within the cavity;
at least one central flattening portion of the first and second panels, the at least one central flattening portion defining an enlarged area of the cavity in a rest state and having deflection control features; and
structural reinforcements defined by the deflection control features of the at least one central flattening portion, the structural reinforcements being scallop-shaped curved portions that are configured to prevent deflection of the at least one central flattening portion of the first and second panels beyond a co-planar position of the deflection control features, wherein upon expression of gas from the cavity, the at least one central flattening portion of the first and second panels are configured to deflect under an inward compressive force of an at least partial vacuum such that the at least one central flattening portion of the first and the second panels are flush with areas of the first and second panels outside of the central flattening portion of the first and second panels to define the co-planar position.