In general, the present invention is directed to a continuous method of making a polymer foam by using a polymer having a first monomeric component and a second monomeric component. The method employs a tandem type extruder having a first extruder and a second extruder. The method disclosed herein can provide a foam having a desired cell size, cell density, porosity, foam density, and/or thermal conductivity, etc. In turn, the polymer foams produced according to the present method can have numerous applications, such as thermal insulation applications for appliances including ovens, freezers, refrigerators, etc.

An insulating structure for an appliance includes an outer layer and an inner layer, wherein an insulating cavity is defined therebetween. A plurality of hollow nano-spheres are disposed within the insulating cavity, wherein each of the hollow nano-spheres includes a diameter in the range of from approximately 50 nanometers to approximately 1000 nanometers and has a wall that defines the internal space, and wherein the wall of each hollow nano-sphere has a thickness that is in a range of from approximately 0.5 nanometers to approximately 100 nanometers. A fill material is disposed in the insulating cavity and wherein the fill material is disposed in the space defined between the plurality of hollow nano-spheres, and wherein the fill material includes at least one of powdered silica, granulated silica, other silica material, aerogel and insulating gas.

A method of fabricating a vacuum insulated refrigerator structure includes positioning a first barrier film in a female mold cavity. Porous filler material is positioned on the barrier film, and a second barrier film is positioned over the porous filler material. A male mold is brought into contact with the second barrier film to deform and compress the porous filler material into a 3D shape. A vacuum is formed between the first and second barrier films, and the first and second peripheral edge portions are sealed together to form a vacuum insulated core. The vacuum insulated core may be positioned between a liner and a wrapper to form an insulated refrigerator cabinet, door, or other vacuum insulated component.

The invention relates to a method for producing foamed molded bodies comprising the steps of A) providing a mold, and B) introducing a foam-forming reaction mixture into the mold under variable pressure of injection,
wherein the method is characterized in that
the foam-forming reaction mixture has a fiber time of ≧20 s to ≦60 s.

The present invention discloses a refrigerator. The refrigerator comprises a foaming layer disposed between a refrigeration inner liner and a housing and a conduit extending inward from an edge of the housing and buried in the foaming layer, the conduit comprises a rigid tube and a flexible tube that are connected to each other, an end of the rigid tube far away from the flexible tube is disposed close to the edge of the housing, and a strength of the flexible tube is lower than the strength of the rigid tube. A foaming material may be discharged from the flexible tube and press the flexible tube so that the flexible tube is spaced apart a certain distance from the housing or the refrigeration inner liner. The flexible tube is completely buried in the foaming layer, so that the amount of cold is very limited, thereby preventing condensation from appearing.

A method of making an insulated cabinet for a refrigerator comprises: welding sheet metal to form an external wrapper, the external wrapper including an interior and welded areas with an outboard-facing side; welding sheet metal to form a first liner configured to be disposed within the interior of the external wrapper, the first liner including welded areas with an inboard-facing side; applying an adhesive to the outboard-facing side of the welded areas of the external wrapper; applying an adhesive to the inboard-facing side of the welded areas of the first liner; and disposing the first liner within the interior of the external wrapper, leaving a space between the first liner and the external wrapper.

The present invention discloses a door for a refrigerator, a refrigerator and a method of manufacturing the door. The door comprises a door frame enclosed at a periphery, and a first side plate and a second side plate located on two opposed sides of the door frame, the door frame, the first side plate and the second side plate forming a receiving space for receiving a foaming material, wherein the door frame is provided with at least one material overflow preventing assembly which comprises an air discharge hole disposed on the door frame, a receiving cavity communicated with the air discharge hole, and a material discharging passage communicated with the receiving cavity, the air discharge hole is communicated with the external, and the material discharging passage is communicated with the receiving space. The present invention makes the manufacturing cost lower and the quality of products of the door higher.

A method of making a liner for an appliance is provided that includes: mixing a polymeric capping layer precursor and a pigment additive; forming the capping layer precursor and the pigment additive into a capping layer at a capping layer formation temperature; and rolling the capping layer, a barrier layer and a polymeric base layer together to form a liner, each of the capping layer, the barrier layer and the base layer at about the capping layer formation temperature. Further, the liner comprises a capping region, a barrier region and a base region, the capping region comprising the pigment additive.

An appliance liner includes a cap layer including a high-impact polystyrene and a colorant, the cap layer forming an exterior surface of the appliance liner. The appliance liner also includes a polymeric base layer including a high-impact polystyrene and positioned inwardly with respect to the cap layer to provide structural support to the cap layer; and a barrier film positioned inwardly with respect to the cap layer. The barrier film includes silk fibers within a polymer matrix to protect the cap layer from contaminant diffusion and deformation and reduce visible wrinkling in the cap layer during hot insulation filling. Methods for forming the appliance liner are also provided.

A foaming method and apparatus for products comprising a frame (T) on which a first containment jig mould (1) is supported, at least one foaming unit, and a loading trolley (20) provided with a controlled conveyor (21) for transferring said components from an inlet line (Li) inside said containment jig (1), wherein it includes at least a second containment jig (10) arranged above said first containment jig (1) constrained to the same fixed frame (T), a removal trolley (30) arranged on the side opposite said loading trolley (20) with respect to said containment jigs (1, 10), between said containment jigs (1, 10) and an outlet line (Lu), wherein said loading trolley (20) and removal trolley (30) are vertically movable, by means of respective controlled lifts (22, 32), between a lower position and one or more service positions in which they are arranged adjacent to said jigs (1, 10).