US 5,362,145 A · Molded refrigerator shelf

Abstract

A molded refrigerator shelf useful for containment of spills on the shelf includes a planar shelf member with a rim molded around the perimeter edge of the shelf member to form a liquid tight seal between the rim and the shelf member. The molded rim projects above the top surface of the shelf member to form a liquid dam for containing spills to the shelf member. In one form, the shelf is slideably mounted to allow horizontal extension of the shelf and convenient access to the rear portion of the shelf using slide guides molded into the rim along each side of the shelf. The shelf is cantilevered upon support brackets from the rear wall of a refrigerator to allow air flow around the shelf sides. The support brackets are adapted to support the shelf at a plurality of vertical positions.

Claims37

Dependent claims

A shelf for use in a refrigerated compartment, comprising:

a shelf member, said member including a generally planar shelf panel, said panel having a top surface for receiving and supporting an article set thereupon and having a perimeter edge thereabout and including a rim molded from a resinous moldable material around said perimeter edge, said molded rim providing a liquid tight seal between the shelf member and rim formed during molding to prevent collection and spoilage of liquids therebetween, said shelf member comprising tempered glass and said liquid tight seal being enhanced by the application of a primer layer to said shelf member, between said shelf member and said rim;
and
s support engaging and supporting said shelf member.

A slidable shelf for use in a refrigerated compartment comprising:

a shelf member having a generally planar shelf panel with a perimeter edge and a top surface for receiving and supporting an article set thereupon, having opposing first and second sides, having a rear edge, and having a rim molded from a resinous, moldable material around said perimeter edge, forming a liquid tight seal between said rim and said shelf panel, said rim projecting above said top surface to define a spill dam so that a liquid disposed upon said top surface is contained by said rim and does not flow around the edge of said shelf panel;
support means including a first bracket and a second bracket for supporting said shelf member and at least one cross brace connected between said first and second brackets;
slide means for sliding connecting between said rim and said support means whereby said shelf member may be slid between an extended position and a retracted position, said slide means including a slide guide defined along each of said first and second sides of said shelf member and including a cooperating slide rail defined along each of said first bracket and said second bracket, said first bracket being connected with said first side by said slide means, said second bracket being connected with said second side by said slide means, and each of said first bracket and said second bracket being adapted for cantilevering said shelf member from a wall of a refrigerated compartment and for removably connecting to the wall, the wall being adapted to removably receive each of said first bracket and said second bracket at a plurality of vertically spaced positions so that said shelf may be supported at said plurality of vertical locations;
and
stop means for limiting the sliding extension of said shelf member, said stop means including a lever pivotally connected to said shelf member at said rear edge, said lever being pivotable between a latch position wherein said lever engages said cross brace to limit the extension of said shelf member and a release position wherein said lever does not engage said cross brace and the extension of said shelf member is not limited.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Molded refrigerator shelf

Life of this patent

Molded refrigerator shelf

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37