Trim joint for sealing gaps between panes of flat glass

Abstract

A refrigerator case assembly is provided which includes at least two refrigerator case elements positioned next to each other and defining a gap therebetween; and a trim joint having a body portion for covering the gap and a mounting member for releasably securing the trim joint relative to the at least two case elements with the body portion covering the gap.

1 . A refrigerator case assembly comprising: 
 at least two refrigerator case elements positioned next to each other and defining a gap therebetween; and    a trim joint comprising a body portion for covering the gap and a mounting member for releasably securing the trim joint relative to the at least two case elements with the body portion covering the gap.    
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion is a substantially flat elongate member having two ends, and wherein the mounting member is positioned at one of the two ends.  
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting member comprises a clip adapted to press fit over at least one of the case elements.  
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the clip comprises an end portion of the body portion, a transverse portion extending from the end portion, and an opposed portion extending from the transverse portion substantially parallel to the body portion and defining a gap therebetween for receiving an edge of at least one of the case elements.  
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the opposed portion has at least one bump extending toward the body portion from a plane of the opposed portion so as to provide a press fit with at least one of the case elements.  
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least the body portion of the trim joint is made of substantially transparent material.  
     
     
         7 . A trim joint for a refrigerator case, comprising: 
 a body portion comprising an elongate member having two ends; and    a mounting member positioned at one of the two ends for releasably mounting the body portion to a refrigerator case.    
     
     
         8 . The trim joint of  claim 7 , wherein the mounting member comprises a clip.  
     
     
         9 . The trim joint of  claim 8 , wherein the clip comprises an end portion of the body portion, a transverse portion extending from the end portion, and an opposed portion extending from the transverse portion substantially parallel to the body portion and defining a gap therebetween for receiving an edge of at least one of the case elements.  
     
     
         10 . The trim joint of  claim 9 , wherein the opposed portion has at least one bump extending toward the body portion from a plane of the opposed portion so as to provide a press fit with at least one of the case elements.  
     
     
         11 . The trim joint of  claim 7 , wherein at least the body portion of the trim joint is made of substantially transparent material.  
     
     
         12 . A method for enhancing efficiency of a refrigerator case, comprising the steps of: 
 providing at least two refrigerator case elements positioned next to each other and defining a gap therebetween;    providing a trim joint comprising a body portion for covering the gap and a mounting member for releasably securing the trim joint relative to the at least two case elements with the body portion covering the gap; and    selectively positioning the trim joint so that the body portion covers the gap and the mounting member engages at least one of the refrigerator case elements.