Refrigerator Having a Compartment for Accomodating Articles that are to be Cooled

Abstract

A refrigerator having an inner space enclosed by a heat-insulating housing and having at least one compartment for accommodating articles that are to be cooled. The compartment has a curved edge and is disposed in the inner space. A strip placed on the curved edge in the form of a decorative, protective or reinforcing element, maintains its curved shape due to its plastic core.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . A refrigerator comprising:
 an inner space enclosed by a heat-insulating housing;   at least one compartment for accommodating articles to be cooled and being disposed within the inner space and having a curved edge; and   a strip placed on the curved edge and including a plastic core and a metal jacket holding the plastic core in a curved configuration.   
   
   
       11 . The refrigerator according to  claim 10 , wherein the strip has a groove into which the edge of the compartment for accommodating articles to be cooled is inserted. 
   
   
       12 . The refrigerator according to  claim 11 , wherein the depth direction of the groove is aligned transversely to the radius of curvature of the decorative strip. 
   
   
       13 . The refrigerator according to  claim 11 , wherein the width of the groove increases, at least at certain points, from an inlet region of the groove to its bottom. 
   
   
       14 . The refrigerator according to  claim 11 , wherein the jacket has a material thickness between about 0.1 to 0.3 mm. 
   
   
       15 . The refrigerator according to  claim 14 , wherein the jacket has a material thickness of about 0.2 mm. 
   
   
       16 . The refrigerator according to  claim 11 , wherein the plastic core and the metal jacket are co-extruded. 
   
   
       17 . The refrigerator according to  claim 11 , wherein the compartment for accommodating articles to be cooled includes a door compartment. 
   
   
       18 . A method for manufacturing a curved decorative strip for a refrigerator having an inner space enclosed by a heat-insulating housing and at least one compartment for accommodating articles to be cooled and being disposed within the inner space and having a curved edge, and the strip being placed on the curved edge and including a plastic core and a metal jacket holding the plastic core in a curved configuration, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing a straight decorative strip with a plastic core and a metal jacket surrounding the plastic core;   bending the straight decorative strip to a desired radius of curvature to form the curved decorative strip;   cutting the decorative strip to a desired length.   
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the act of providing the straight decorative strip includes manufacturing the strip by co-extrusion of the plastic core and the jacket.