BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a trim breaker for an insulated appliance, such as a refrigerator or freezer, and more specifically, to a polymeric trim breaker for an insulated appliance.

Increasing the insulative qualities of appliances, including refrigerating appliances such as refrigerators and freezers, is generally desirable to consumers. A conventional refrigerator typically includes an outer wrapper sealed with an inner liner by a trim breaker. The space between the outer wrapper and the inner liner can be filled with an insulation material to insulate an interior of the appliance. One approach for insulating the space between the outer wrapper and the inner liner includes providing an insulation material within the space, sealing the space, and then drawing a vacuum to provide a vacuum-insulated structure.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a trim breaker for sealing an outer wrapper of an appliance with an inner liner to form an insulation space therebetween is provided. The trim breaker includes a body including a rear wall, a first leg extending from the rear wall, and a second leg extending from the rear wall. The trim breaker also includes a front wall coupled with the body opposite the rear wall, wherein the front wall includes a channel extending inward toward the rear wall, and a chamber defined at least in part between the front wall and the rear wall.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an appliance includes an outer wrapper having a plurality of joined walls and an outer wrapper edge and an inner liner spaced from the outer wrapper and including a plurality of joined walls and an inner liner edge. The appliance also includes a trim breaker having a body including a rear wall, a first leg extending from the rear wall and coupled with the outer wrapper edge, and a second leg extending from the rear wall and coupled with the inner liner edge. The trim breaker also includes a front wall coupled with the body opposite the rear wall and a chamber defined at least in part between the front wall and the rear wall. The rear wall includes a first portion connected with a second portion that is offset toward the front wall relative to the first portion. The trim breaker seals the outer wrapper with the inner liner to form an insulation space between the outer wrapper and the inner liner.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an appliance includes an outer wrapper including a plurality of joined walls and an outer wrapper edge, an inner liner spaced from the outer wrapper and including a plurality of joined walls and an inner liner edge, and trim breaker. The trim breaker includes a body including a rear wall, a first leg extending from the rear wall and coupled with the outer wrapper edge, and a second leg extending from the rear wall and coupled with the inner liner edge. The trim breaker also includes a front wall coupled with the body opposite the rear wall, wherein the front wall includes a channel extending inward toward the rear wall and a chamber defined at least in part between the front wall and the rear wall. The trim breaker seals the outer wrapper with the inner liner to form an insulation space between the outer wrapper and the inner liner.

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.

