Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
Compartment partitioning means for a refrigerator cabinet of the type containing an outer shell and a plastic inner liner comprising a metal plate defining a surface of a fresh food compartment and having a raised edge extending along the sides and back thereof, an elongated strip of compressible, resilient material folded longitudinally across and along said edge to form a thermally insulating seal between said plate and the adjacent walls of said liner, a mass of insulating material forming a thermal compartment divider disposed against said plate, said strip also forming a thermally insulating seal between said plate and divider, a plastic tray defining a surface of a freezer compartment and having raised flat rims extending along the sides thereof, said tray being disposed against said divider, said plate, divider and tray forming a partition, and a pair of channels formed on the sides of said liner and being partially defined by a pair of ledges which overlap said flat rims such that said liner and tray may be spaced relative to one another without producing an unsightly gap therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
Compartment partitioning means for a refrigerator cabinet of the type containing an outer shell and a plastic inner liner comprising a metal plate defining a surface of a fresh food compartment and having a raised edge extending along the sides and back thereof, an elongated strip of compressible, resilient material folded longitudinally across and along said edge to form a thermally insulating seal between said plate and the adjacent walls of said liner, a mass of insulating material forming a thermal compartment divider disposed against said plate, said strip also forming a thermally insulating seal between said plate and divider, a plastic tray defining a surface of a freezer compartment and having raised flat rims extending along the sides thereof, said tray being disposed against said divider, said plate, divider and tray forming a partition, and a pair of channels formed on the sides of said liner and being partially defined by a pair of ledges which overlap said flat rims such that said liner and tray may be spaced relative to one another without producing an unsightly gap therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The partitioning means of claim 1 wherein said plate defines a ceiling for said fresh food compartment, and said tray defines a floor for said freezer compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The partitioning means of claim 1 wherein said elongated strip is constructed of polyurethane foam material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The partitioning means of claim 1 wherein said divider is constructed of expanded styrene bead.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The partitioning means of claim 1 further comprising a pair of tabs laterally projecting from the front sides of said tray behind frontal edges of said outer shell to permit said tray to become spaced relative to said shell without producing unsightly gaps therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
109 words
Compartment partitioning means for a refrigerator cabinet of the type containing an outer shell and a plastic inner liner defining sides, a back and an access opening comprising a plastic tray defining a surface for a refrigerator compartment and having raised flat rims extending along each side thereof, and a pair of elongated channels formed on the sides of said liner and extending between said access opening and back, said channels each being partially defined by an upper ledge which overlaps a different one of said rims such that said liner and tray may expand and contract toward and away from one another without producing unsightly horizontal gaps therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
Compartment partitioning means for a refrigerator cabinet of the type containing an outer shell and a plastic inner liner defining sides, a back and an access opening comprising a plastic tray defining a surface for a refrigerator compartment and having raised flat rims extending along each side thereof, and a pair of elongated channels formed on the sides of said liner and extending between said access opening and back, said channels each being partially defined by an upper ledge which overlaps a different one of said rims such that said liner and tray may expand and contract toward and away from one another without producing unsightly horizontal gaps therebetween.