Decorative appliance door

Abstract

A transparent glass appliance door is provided with a reflective coating in the shape of a frame, resembling the conventional metal frame which usually surrounds and supports the glass. The reflective frame leaves a clear area through which the interior of the appliance can be viewed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An appliance, comprising:
 a body portion defining an interior; and   a door coupled to the body portion by a hinge, which allows the door to be opened and closed relative to the body portion, wherein the door comprises:
 a transparent exterior panel; 
 a transparent interior panel; and 
 a frame layer configured to mimic the appearance of a metal frame, the frame layer located between the exterior panel and the interior panel and affixed to at least one of an interior surface of the exterior panel and an exterior surface of the interior panel, the frame layer configured to create a reflective surface visible at the exterior surface of the door, wherein the frame layer is located at a periphery of the exterior panel and the interior panel, wherein the frame layer defines a completely enclosed loop around the periphery of the exterior panel and the interior panel such that an interior portion of the exterior panel and the interior panel within the enclosed loop of the frame layer remains transparent. 
   
     
     
         2 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a U-shaped band that extends around an outer edge of the door and couples the exterior panel and the interior panel to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior panel and the interior panel are separated only by a thickness of the frame layer. 
     
     
         4 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the door further comprises at least one handle. 
     
     
         5 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the door further comprises at least one control panel. 
     
     
         6 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior panel is mounted to the interior panel by connecting means. 
     
     
         7 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein there is vacuum between the exterior panel and the interior panel. 
     
     
         8 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the frame layer comprises a reflective material. 
     
     
         9 . The appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the reflective material is a reflective foil. 
     
     
         10 . The appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the reflective material is a deposited vapor. 
     
     
         11 . The appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the reflective material is the result of a sputtering technique. 
     
     
         12 . The appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the reflective material is a reflective film. 
     
     
         13 . The appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the reflective material is applied by adhesive.