1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the art of refrigerators and, more particularly, to a removable, spill-proof refrigerator shelf which is economical to manufacture.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Modern refrigerator shelves often include a shelf panel supported by multiple frame members. The frame members cooperate to sandwich the periphery of the panel there between. Gaps often exist between the panel and the frame members that allow liquid spilled on the panel to run off the refrigerator shelf through the gaps and spill onto other shelves and/or food items below. One proposed solution to this problem has been to add a sealant between the frame and shelf panel in order to contain liquids within the confines of the shelf. However, this arrangement requires the sealant to be placed precisely in order to assure a proper seal. Additionally, liquid spilled on the shelf may still seep into gaps between the frame and the glass, making the shelf much more difficult, if not impossible, to clean, which could possibly lead to unsanitary conditions.
Another common type of refrigerator shelf includes a rim or frame member that is molded about the periphery of a shelf panel, thereby creating an inherent seal between the rim and the shelf panel. However, manufacturing processes for this type of shelf require multiple steps and specialized molding equipment that significantly add to the cost of production. Even with this arrangement, additional sealants may be required to assure a proper seal between the rim and shelf panel.
Based on the above, there exists a need for a spill-proof refrigerator shelf which can be easily cleaned and which can be simply manufactured to reduce costs.
The present invention is directed to a low cost spill-proof shelf assembly for a refrigerator. In accordance with the invention, the assembly includes a glass shelf panel which is supported by a single frame member and sealingly attached thereto by an adhesive. In the preferred embodiment, the shelf panel is placed on and supported by a frame member that has a substantially J-shaped cross section and includes side wall, bottom wall and bearing wall portions.
In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the bearing wall portion of the frame member supports the shelf panel such that a peripheral edge portion of the shelf panel is cantilevered over the bearing wall section. The peripheral edge portion of the shelf panel and the side wall, bottom wall and bearing wall portions define a generally L-shaped channel in the frame member. An adhesive fills the channel and secures the shelf panel to the frame member in a fluid tight manner. The amount of adhesive supplied to the channel is such that the top of the adhesive layer is made flush with the top of the shelf panel, thereby providing a continuous and easily cleaned shelf surface. The frame member includes a top end portion which extends above the shelf panel and defines a rim. The rim acts as a barrier to prevent any liquid spilled on the shelf assembly from dripping off the shelf assembly and onto shelves and/or food below.
Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views.
With initial reference to
To this point, the above-described structure is known in the art and presented only for the sake of completeness. This structure is actually more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,276 which is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention is actually directed to a removable, spill-proof shelf assembly generally indicated at 30. Although
Reference will now be made to
Peripheral edge portion 108, side wall section 112, lower surface 106 of shelf panel 102, base wall section 118 and bearing wall section 120 collectively define a channel 124 which is filled with an adhesive 127. Adhesive 127 secures peripheral edge portion 108 of shelf panel 102 to frame member 110 in a fluid tight manner. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, bearing wall section 120 is arranged at an obtuse angle with respect to base wall section 118, thus advantageously establishing a larger surface area upon which lower surface 106 rests. The cantilevered arrangement of peripheral edge portion 108 actually defines an undercut zone (not separately labeled) into which adhesive 127 extends. Therefore, channel 124 is generally L-shaped in cross-section. In any event, adhesive 127 fixes shelf panel 102 to frame member 110. Most preferably, the top of adhesive 127 is established flush with upper surface 104 of shelf panel 102, thereby providing a continuous and easily cleaned shelf surface. With this arrangement, any small amount of liquid spilled on upper surface 106 of shelf assembly 30 will be contained thereon by rim 122.
In addition to having an easily cleaned, spill-proof surface as described above, shelf assembly 30 has the advantage of being simply constructed and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. As indicated above, frame member 110 is preferably molded of plastic. As is known in the art, pigments or dyes may be added during the molding process to produce a frame member 110 of a desired color. Shelf panel 102 is then placed onto frame member 110 such that peripheral edge portion 108 is spaced from side wall section 112 and cantilevered over bearing wall section 120. Adhesive 127 is then injected into channel 124 until flush with upper surface 104 of shelf panel 102. Adhesive 127 is preferably constituted by DOW RTV-739, but may be any other type of adhesive that provides a water or other fluid tight seal between shelf panel 102 and frame member 110. Planar support surface 121 of bearing wall section 120 directly contacts lower surface 106 of shelf panel 102 and aids in preventing uncured adhesive 127 from spilling out between bearing wall section 120 and lower surface 106 of shelf panel 102. Upon curing of adhesive 127, a hard, substantially continuous and easily cleaned shelf surface is produced.
Although described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be readily understood that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For instance, at the time of manufacturing, recesses, projections, rails, or the like, associated with supporting removable shelf assembly 30 in the refrigerator cabinet 2, may be integrally molded into frame member 110. In general, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20040056575 A1 | Mar 2004 | US |