A connector assembly includes a base plate that defines a fill opening and an aperture. A fill tube is coupled to a first side of the base plate. The fill tube is aligned with the fill opening. A radial flange is coupled to a second side of the base plate. The radial flange extends around the fill opening. A toggle magnet is coupled to the first side of the base plate proximate to the aperture. The toggle magnet is operable between an activated state and a deactivated state.

A vacuum adiabatic body, a method for fabricating a vacuum adiabatic body, a porous substance package, and a refrigerator including a vacuum adiabatic body and a porous substance package are provided. The vacuum adiabatic body may include a first plate, a second plate, a seal, a support, a heat resistance device, and an exhaust port. The support may include a porous substance and a film made of a resin material, the film configured to accommodate the porous substance therein. Accordingly, it may be possible to provide a vacuum adiabatic body through an inexpensive process.

A refrigerator includes a vacuum-insulated cabinet structure enclosing an insulating cavity and including an outer wrapper having a first side wall defining a perimeter, an outer frame portion defined radially inward of the perimeter, and an inner area surrounded and supported by the outer frame portion. The inner area initially defines a first planar level with at least a portion of the outer frame portion extending to a second planar level parallel to and spaced apart from the first planar level in an axially outward direction. The insulating cavity is sealed and has a vacuum drawn therefrom with the outer frame portion deformed such that the inner area is moved axially inward away from the second planar level under a force of the vacuum within the insulating cavity with at least the portion of the outer frame portion remaining at the second planar level.

An appliance cabinet includes a structural envelope having an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines an insulating cavity, wherein the insulating cavity defines an at least partial vacuum. A plurality of silica-based agglomerates are disposed within the insulating cavity, wherein each agglomerate of the plurality of silica-based agglomerates includes silica-based powder insulation material that is water-densified and is at least substantially free of a material binder. A secondary insulation material is disposed within interstitial spaces defined between the plurality of silica-based agglomerates, wherein the plurality of silica-based agglomerates defines an interior structure that resists inward compressive forces exerted as a result of the at least partial vacuum defined within the insulating cavity.

An auger feeder includes a hopper having an inner hopper wall and an outer hopper wall where the inner hopper wall includes an air permeable surface. A space is positioned between the inner and outer hopper walls. A heater is coupled to an outside edge of the inner hopper wall or an outside edge of the outer hopper wall while a feed screw is positioned along an inside edge of the inner hopper wall. The auger feeder additionally includes an evacuator coupled to a vacuum port that is positioned in the outer hopper wall. The auger feeder also includes an aperture exit positioned at a bottom of the inner and outer hopper walls.

An appliance cabinet includes a structural envelope having an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines an insulating cavity, wherein the insulating cavity defines an at least partial vacuum. A plurality of silica-based agglomerates are disposed within the insulating cavity, wherein each agglomerate of the plurality of silica-based agglomerates includes silica-based powder insulation material that is water-densified and is at least substantially free of a material binder. A secondary insulation material is disposed within interstitial spaces defined between the plurality of silica-based agglomerates, wherein the plurality of silica-based agglomerates defines an interior structure that resists inward compressive forces exerted as a result of the at least partial vacuum defined within the insulating cavity.

A walled structure for an appliance comprising: (i) an inner wall portion defining a reception compartment, the reception compartment having a width; (ii) an outer wall portion facing the inner wall portion and at least partially surrounding the inner wall portion, the outer wall portion separated from the inner wall portion by a space, the outer wall portion being disposed further away from the reception compartment than the inner wall portion, the outer wall portion having a width parallel to the width of the reception compartment; (iii) an interior volume including the space between the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion; and (iv) an aperture through the outer wall portion providing access to the interior volume, the aperture having a width parallel to the widths of the reception compartment and the outer wall portion that is at least 25 percent of the width of the outer wall portion.

A walled structure for an appliance comprising: (i) an inner wall portion defining a reception compartment, the reception compartment having a width; (ii) an outer wall portion facing the inner wall portion and at least partially surrounding the inner wall portion, the outer wall portion separated from the inner wall portion by a space, the outer wall portion being disposed further away from the reception compartment than the inner wall portion, the outer wall portion having a width parallel to the width of the reception compartment; (iii) an interior volume including the space between the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion; and (iv) an aperture through the outer wall portion providing access to the interior volume, the aperture having a width parallel to the widths of the reception compartment and the outer wall portion that is at least 25 percent of the width of the outer wall portion.

An auger feeder includes a hopper having an inner hopper wall and an outer hopper wall where the inner hopper wall includes an air permeable surface. A space is positioned between the inner and outer hopper walls. A heater is coupled to an outside edge of the inner hopper wall or a n outside edge of the outer hopper wall while a feed screw is positioned along an inside edge of the inner hopper wall. The auger feeder additionally includes an evacuator coupled to a vacuum port that is positioned in the outer hopper wall. The auger feeder also includes an aperture exit positioned at a bottom of the inner and outer hopper walls.

A vacuum insulated refrigerator structure includes an outer wrapper having a first opening and a first edge extending around the first opening. A liner has a second opening and second edge extending around the second opening. The liner is disposed inside the wrapper with the first and second edges being spaced apart to form a gap therebetween. An insulating thermal bridge extends across the gap, and an airtight vacuum cavity is formed between the wrapper and the liner. The thermal bridge includes elongated first and second channels having sealant disposed therein, and the first and second edges are disposed in the first and second channels, respectively. Porous core material may be disposed in the vacuum cavity.