exterior plate assembly for refrigerator

Abstract

The present invention relates to an exterior member for a refrigerator that defines the appearance of the refrigerator. According to the present invention, the exterior member comprises a rear plate 84 formed of polyvinyl chloride, and a front plate 82 that is formed of polyethylene terephthalate and positioned in front of the rear plate 84 and has a desired color or pattern printed thereon. It is preferred that the front plate 82 be a transparent and have a thickness of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, and the rear plate 84 have a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm. The exterior member is mainly used for defining a front face of a refrigerator door, but it may also be used as a finishing member for a lateral side of a refrigerator. According to the present invention as above, since a front face of a refrigerator is formed of polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl chloride, which are thermoplastic resins, instead of glass and they are lightweight and less vulnerable to damage, there is an advantage in that the process of assembling a refrigerator is facilitated. Furthermore, since manufacturing costs are reduced as compared with glass, there is an advantage in that the manufacturing costs of a refrigerator are reduced.

1 . An exterior plate assembly for a refrigerator, comprising:
 a front plate formed of transparent polyethylene terephthalate to define a front face of the refrigerator and having a rear face with a printed portion that has a predetermined color and/or pattern printed thereon; and   a rear plate formed of polyvinyl chloride and installed on the rear face of the front plate,   wherein the exterior plate assembly is installed on the exterior of the refrigerator.   
   
   
       2 . The exterior plate assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the front plate has a thickness of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. 
   
   
       3 . The exterior plate assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rear plate has a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm. 
   
   
       4 . A refrigerator door, comprising:
 a door assembly including an outer door defining a front face of the refrigerator door, and a door liner coupled to a rear face of the outer door; and   a plate assembly including a front plate formed of transparent polyethylene terephthalate to define a front face of the refrigerator and having a rear face with a printed portion that has a predetermined color and/or pattern printed thereon, and a rear plate formed of polyvinyl chloride and installed on the rear face of the front plate, the plate assembly being installed on a front face of the door assembly.   
   
   
       5 . The refrigerator door as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the door assembly further comprises upper and lower caps and a pair of side caps that are coupled to upper and lower ends and both lateral sides of the door assembly, respectively, and each of the upper and lower caps and the side caps is provided with an inner groove into which an edge of the door assembly is inserted and an outer groove into which an edge of the plate assembly is inserted to be supported therein. 
   
   
       6 . The refrigerator door as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the outer door of the door assembly is formed with a display-receiving portion that is recessed to receive a display therein, and the printed portion is not formed in a portion on the rear face of the front plate corresponding to the display-receiving portion. 
   
   
       7 . The exterior plate assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the rear plate has a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm.