Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly
AssigneeSSW Advanced Technologies, LLC
InventorsJohn Patrick Driver, Matthew McMillin, Bradley M. Nall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The specification discloses a method for containing spills on shelving and the like, and the resulting support members made in accordance with the method, by providing the generally flat top surface of a support with a hydrophobic surface which is arranged in a spill containment pattern and which is generally in the plane of the top surface of the support. The majority of the top surface of the support consists of one or more spill containment areas which are of a non-hydrophobic nature and which are bounded by the hydrophobic surfaces, such that spills on the shelving collect in the non-hydrophobic spill containment area or areas and are prevented from spreading by the hydrophobic surfaces.
Claims20
A shelf assembly comprising:
- a shelf panel having a generally flat top surface which is capable of supporting articles thereon;
- and
- a hydrophobic border arranged in a spill containment pattern around a perimeter of the top surface of the shelf panel, the hydrophobic border having a top surface coplanar with or extending slightly above the top surface of the shelf panel;
- wherein the hydrophobic border is configured to retain a spill therein having a height of about 5.5 mm or less.
A method of manufacturing a shelf capable of containing liquid spills thereon, the method comprising:
- roughening a portion of a shelf panel to create a roughened surface in a spill containment pattern;
- and
- applying a hydrophobic compound to the roughened surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.