# US 11,109,677 B2 · Shelf assemblies that display illuminated indicia

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,109,677 B2
- Document ID: US11109677B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/289,699
- Filed: 2019-03-01
- Published: 2020-09-03
- Granted: 2021-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2019-03-01
- Assignees: Schott Gemtron Corp.
- Applicants: SCHOTT Gemtron Corporation
- Inventors: Brian Adams
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11109677B2

## CPC

- A47B 96/02: Shelves (movable shelves coupled to doors A47B96/16)
- G09F 13/06: using individual cut-out symbols or cut-out silhouettes, e.g. perforated signs
- A47B 97/00: Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- A47F 5/0068: {Shelf extensions, e.g. fixed on price rail}
- A47F 11/10: Arrangements of light sources
- G09F 13/0413: {Frames or casing structures therefor}
- G09F 13/10: using transparencies
- A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B)
- G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS

## Abstract

The present disclosure describes shelf assemblies having illuminated frames for products including appliances such as refrigerators.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A shelf assembly comprising:
a shelf panel having a top surface, a bottom surface and a front surface that is generally perpendicular to the top surface and the bottom surface;
a frame comprising a frame segment that covers a portion of the front surface of the shelf panel; and
a lighting system that emits a first portion of light in a first direction toward the frame and a second portion of light in a second direction away from the shelf panel and/or away from the frame;
wherein the first portion of light travels through the frame segment that covers the portion of the front surface of the shelf panel to illuminate an indicia and the second portion of light illuminates an area beneath the shelf panel, and
wherein a) the frame is partly covered by a substantially non-transparent or substantially non-translucent material applied to the frame to produce a covered frame segment and an uncovered frame segment and wherein the uncovered frame segment is the illuminated indicia, or b) the illuminated indicia is an open segment within a perimeter of the frame.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein about 60-90 percent of the emitted light is distributed in the second direction.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the second direction is about 45-180 degrees away from the first direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame is substantially transparent or substantially translucent and the first portion of light is obstructed by the covered frame segment and not obstructed by the uncovered frame segment.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The shelf assembly of claim 4, wherein the substantially non-transparent or substantially non-translucent material is a film or a coating.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the uncovered frame segment is the illuminated indicia.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame is substantially non-transparent or substantially non-translucent, wherein the open segment is substantially transparent or substantially translucent and the first portion of light is substantially obstructed by the frame and not obstructed by the open segment.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the open segment is the illuminated indicia.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the open segment is substantially transparent or substantially translucent.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein an element of the lighting system protrudes into the open segment.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The shelf assembly of claim 10, wherein the element is a lens.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The shelf assembly of claim 10, wherein the element of the lighting system is the indicia that is illuminated.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the lighting system is located below the top surface of the shelf panel.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the lighting system is located below the top surface of the shelf panel and adjacent to the front surface of the shelf panel.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the lighting system is connected to the bottom surface of the shelf panel.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame covers the lighting system.