U.S. patent application number 10/800629 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-22 for multi-part shelf.
Invention is credited to House, Arthur G..
Application Number | 20050206287 10/800629 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34985542 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050206287 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
House, Arthur G. |
September 22, 2005 |
Multi-part shelf
Abstract
A multi-part shelf includes an upper portion having one or more
openings that allow spilled material to pass through the upper
portion; a solid lower portion, configured to contain the spilled
material; and at least one support that supports the solid lower
portion beneath the upper portion and allows movement of the lower
portion without movement of the upper portion or material stored on
the upper portion.
Inventors: |
House, Arthur G.; (Bethesda,
MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Family ID: |
34985542 |
Appl. No.: |
10/800629 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/021 20130101;
F25D 25/02 20130101; A47B 96/025 20130101; F25D 2325/023
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/408 |
International
Class: |
A47B 083/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A multi-part shelf comprising: an upper portion having one or
more openings that allow spilled material to pass through the upper
portion; a solid lower portion, configured to contain spilled
material before it contacts a next lower shelf; and at least one
support that supports the solid lower portion beneath the upper
portion and allows movement of the lower portion without movement
of the upper portion or material stored on the upper portion.
2. The multi-part shelf of claim 1, wherein the at least one
support allows easy removal of the lower portion without movement
of the upper portion or material stored on the upper portion.
3. The multi-part shelf of claim 1, wherein the solid lower portion
comprises a raised lip around an area of an upper surface of the
lower portion.
4. The multi-part shelf of claim 3, wherein said area of the upper
surface of the lower portion is substantially all of the upper
surface of the lower portion.
5. The multi-part shelf of claim 1, wherein the upper portion
comprises a wire mesh.
6. The multi-part shelf of claim 1, wherein the upper portion is a
solid support with one or more openings.
7. The multi-part shelf of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
the multi-part shelf is glass.
8. The multi-part shelf of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
the lower portion is plastic.
9. The multi-part shelf of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
the multi-part shelf is metal.
10. The multi-part shelf of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
the multi-part shelf is nylon.
11. The multi-part shelf of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
the multi-part shelf is vinyl.
12. The multi-part shelf of claim 1, wherein the at least one
support comprises at least one substantially L-shaped support on
each of two sides of the multi-part shelf.
13. The multi-part shelf of claim 1, wherein the at least one
support comprises at least one rail and groove support on each of
two sides of the multi-part shelf.
14. The multi-part shelf of claim 1, wherein the at least one
support comprises at least one wheel in a track on each of two
sides of the multi-part shelf.
15. The multi-part shelf of claim 1, wherein the at least one
support comprises at least one guide located below the lower
portion.
16. A refrigerator including the multi-part shelf of claim 1.
17. A cabinet including the multi-part shelf of claim 1.
18. A freezer including the multi-part shelf of claim 1.
19. A freestanding set of shelves including the multi-part shelf of
claim 1.
20. A refrigerator including a multi-part shelf, the multi-part
shelf comprising: an upper portion having one or more openings that
allow spilled material to pass through the upper portion; a solid
lower portion, having a raised lip around an area of an upper
surface of the lower portion configured to contain spilled
material; and at least one support that supports the solid lower
portion beneath the upper portion and allows the removal of the
lower portion without removal of the upper portion or material
stored on the upper portion, wherein the upper portion comprises a
wire mesh.
21. A multi-part shelf comprising: an upper portion comprising
means for allowing spilled material to pass through the upper
portion; a solid lower portion, comprising means for containing
spilled material; means for supporting the solid lower portion
beneath the upper portion; and means for allowing movement of the
lower portion without movement of the upper portion or material
stored on the upper portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] This invention relates to multi-part shelving and devices
incorporating such shelving.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Typically, conventional shelving has consisted of a fixed
solid support member, or an open wire mesh. Particularly, where
effective air circulation is required, such as, for example, in a
refrigerator, wire mesh or offset solid shelving is preferred. A
number of conventional designs have attempted to improve on the
conventional fixed single-support shelf.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,069 to Kronenberger et al. discloses a
three-part shelf for use in a refrigerator cabinet that has a solid
support that covers a wire shelf and a lower condensate drip tray
that collects condensation. In Kronenberger et al. the solid
support covers a conventional wire refrigerator shelf to support
the items to be refrigerated, while the condensate drip tray
directs cold air and condensed water to the rear of the
refrigerator. The solid support disclosed in Kronenberger et al.
prevents the effective cleanup of spilled material unless all
stored material is first removed from the solid surface prior to
cleanup and directs spilled material to the rear, complicating
cleanup.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,767 to Bright discloses a pullout tray
for use as a refrigerator shelf. The pull out tray disclosed in
Bright is installed on top of a conventional wire refrigerator
shelf and, when pulled out, extends from the wire shelf for access
to stored materials. Because the pull out tray disclosed in Bright
is installed on top of the conventional wire shelf, stored material
must be removed from the pull out tray to clean up a spill.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 2,078,681 to Otte discloses a low cost
stainless steel single sliding shelf for use in a refrigerator with
a wire mesh bottom that allows spilled material to flow through the
wire mesh onto stored material on lower shelves, or onto the floor
of the refrigerator, thereby complicating effective cleanup.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 2,140,611 to Smith et al. discloses a shelf
structure that has a receptacle installed below the primary shelf
for use as a hydrator. However, the portion of the shelf above the
hydrator is solid, in order to maintain a higher humidity within
the hydrator, and thus prevents use of the hydrator as a
spill-catcher.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,581 to Palladino et al. discloses a
solid support member for transforming a conventional open-wire
shelf into a solid shelf within a refrigerated display case.
Because the solid support is installed above the wire shelf, it
does not allow for the cleanup of spilled material without the
removal of material stored on the solid support member.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,908,562 to Wittschen discloses a material
handling cart with a solid support as a shelf. The solid support
has a wire mesh extension panel below the solid support that allows
for shelf extension when more or larger materials require support.
Because the mesh extension is provided below the solid support when
not in use, stored material must be removed from the solid support
in order to clean up spilled material.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 2,692,813 to Toronto discloses a solid
auxiliary shelf that swings out from under a conventional wire
shelf when a refrigerator door is opened. The shelf is designed for
the temporary placement of materials when the door is open. The
shelf of Toronto, however, does not have a lip for containment of
spilled material, thereby allowing a spill to cascade onto lower
shelves and material stored on those shelves. Furthermore, the
shelf disclosed in Toronto is not easily removable for cleanup.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0012] Various exemplary embodiments of this invention provide a
novel multi-part shelf system to manage spills. The multi-part
shelf system includes an upper portion comprising one or more
openings and a lower portion comprising an easily movable solid
shelf configured to catch and contain spilled material. The lower
portion may be partially or fully removed and cleaned. Therefore,
spilled material may be disposed of without having to move material
stored on the upper portion, or having to clean material stored
below the multi-part shelf.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be
described in detail, with reference to the following figures,
wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a multi-part shelf system;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which the lower
portion is partially removed for cleaning;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which the lower
portion is fully removed for cleaning;
[0017] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a multi-part shelf
system;
[0018] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a multi-part shelf
system;
[0019] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a multi-part shelf
system;
[0020] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a lower portion of a
multi-part shelf system; and
[0021] FIG. 8 shows a storage device incorporating a multi-part
shelf system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0022] FIGS. 1-3 show one embodiment of a multi-part shelf system
according to this invention. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the multi-part
shelf 100 has an upper portion 110. According to this embodiment,
the upper portion is a wire mesh shelf having integrated cross
members 102, 104 that define openings 106. However, it should be
appreciated that in various other embodiments, any solid support
structure with one or more openings, for example, a plastic, nylon,
vinyl, glass and/or metal shelf with one or more openings may be
used as the upper portion 110. Additionally, in other exemplary
embodiments, a mesh shelf of another material, such as plastic,
vinyl, or nylon, may be used as the upper portion 110. On each side
of the upper portion 110 of FIGS. 1-3 there is provided an L-shaped
support 130 for holding the lower portion 120 of the multi-part
shelf 100. In this manner, the lower portion 120 may be easily
inserted, pulled out, and optionally removed from beneath the upper
portion 110.
[0023] It should be appreciated that in various other embodiments,
other structure may be used that maintains a relatively close
proximity between the lower portion 120 and the upper portion 110
and allows the lower portion 120 to be easily pulled out and/or
removed from beneath the upper portion 110. Such structures or
devices may include, but are not limited to, a rail and groove
combination (e.g., FIG. 4), a wheel and track combination such as
those commonly used on conventional drawers (e.g., FIG. 5), and/or
a guide (e.g., FIG. 6).
[0024] The lower portion 120 is a solid tray-like structure
configured to contain material spilled onto it from the upper
portion 100. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, it may include a
lip 122 around an area of the lower portion 120 to contain spilled
material. In the depicted embodiment, the area is the whole of the
lower portion, and therefore the lip 122 is around the perimeter of
the lower portion 120. However, an area that is less than the whole
of the lower portion may be used as well. The lower portion may be
made from any suitable materials such as one or more of, for
example, metal, glass, plastic, nylon, vinyl, rubber, and/or
wood.
[0025] Furthermore, in various exemplary embodiments of a
multi-part shelf system according to this invention, the lower
portion 120 may be subdivided into separate compartments in order
to, for example, prevent various spilled materials from interacting
with one another (e.g., FIG. 7).
[0026] FIG. 4 shows one exemplary embodiment of a multi-part shelf
400 with a rail 410 and groove 420 combination that is usable to
maintain a relatively close proximity between the upper portion 110
and the lower portion 120 of the multi-part shelf 400 and allows
the lower portion 120 to be easily pulled out and/or removed from
beneath the upper portion 110. As shown in FIG. 4, the rail 410,
connected to the upper portion 110, is shaped to fit at least
partially within the groove 420, connected to the lower portion
120. The rail 410 and groove 420 connect the upper portion 110 and
lower portion 120 in a sliding fashion, such that the lower portion
may be pulled out and/or removed for cleaning and/or removal of
spilled material.
[0027] It should be appreciated that in various other exemplary
embodiments that utilize a rail and groove combination, the rail
may be connected to the lower portion and the groove connected to
the upper portion. Furthermore, two or more rail and groove pairs
may be used on either side or both of the upper portion and lower
portion that cooperate with one another.
[0028] FIG. 5 shows one exemplary embodiment of a multi-part shelf
500 with a wheel 510 and track 520 combination that is usable to
maintain a relatively close proximity between the upper portion 110
and the lower portion 120 of the multi-part shelf 500 and allows
the lower portion 120 to be easily pulled out and/or removed from
beneath the upper portion 110. As shown in FIG. 5, the wheels 510,
connected to the upper portion 110, are shaped to fit at least
partially within the track 520, connected to the lower portion 120.
The wheels 510 and track 520 connect the upper portion 110 and
lower portion 120 in a rolling fashion such that the lower portion
may be pulled out and/or removed for cleaning and/or removal of
spilled material. It should be appreciated that the number and
placement of the wheels 510 shown in this exemplary embodiment is
not limiting and both the number and placement of the wheels 510
may be selected depending on cost and/or design considerations.
[0029] Furthermore, it should be appreciated that in various other
exemplary embodiments that utilize a wheel and track combination,
the wheel(s) may be connected to the lower portion and the track
connected to the upper portion. Furthermore, two or more wheel and
groove pairs may be used on one or both sides of the upper portion
and lower portion that cooperate with one another.
[0030] FIG. 6 shows one exemplary embodiment of a multi-part shelf
600 with a guide 610, 620 that is usable to maintain a relatively
close proximity between the upper portion 110 and the lower portion
120 of the multi-part shelf 600 and allows the lower portion 120 to
be easily pulled out and/or removed from beneath the upper portion
110. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide includes a rail 610 that
supports the shelf and a raised portion 620 that interacts with a
groove 630 in the lower portion 120 to ensure that the lower
portion is maintained substantially below the upper portion. The
rail 610, raised portion 620, and groove 630 support the lower
portion 120 in a sliding fashion such that the lower portion may be
pulled out and/or removed for cleaning and/or removal of spilled
material. It should be appreciated that in various exemplary
embodiments the guide 610, 620 may be centrally placed.
Alternatively, or one or more guides may be placed off center. The
configuration, number, and placement of the guide 610, 620 and
groove 630 may be selected depending on cost and/or design
considerations.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows one exemplary embodiment of a lower portion 720
comprising dividing members 730 that divide the lower portion 720
into separate compartments 740. In this manner, the lower portion
720 is usable to substantially separate spilled material that is
stored on the upper portion (not shown). For instance, if two
materials are stored on the upper portion (not shown), each
material respectively stored over a different separate compartment
740, and each of the two materials were spilled, each of the two
spilled materials would be contained within its respective separate
compartment 740, thereby avoiding interaction between the two
materials. It should be appreciated that the number and placement
of the compartments 740 shown in this exemplary embodiment are not
limiting and both the number and placement of the compartments 740
may be selected depending on cost and/or design considerations.
[0032] An advantage of the above-described embodiments of a
multi-part shelf according to this invention is that when a spill
occurs, spilled material falls through the opening(s) 106 in the
upper portion 110 of the multi-part shelf 100. The spilled material
is caught by the lower portion 120 of the multi-part shelf and
contained therein. Because the spilled material is contained by the
lower portion 120 of the multi-part shelf, it is substantially
prevented from remaining in contact with material stored on the
upper portion 110, or coming into contact with items stored on
shelves below the multi-part shelf 100.
[0033] Once the lower portion 110 has contained a spill, the lower
portion 110 may be partially or fully pulled out, as shown in FIGS.
2 and 3, and the spilled material may be quickly removed. In this
manner, various embodiments of the multi-part shelf according to
this invention provide for quick and efficient cleanup without
moving material stored on or below the multi-part shelf 100.
[0034] Furthermore, once the lower portion 110 has contained a
spill, in various exemplary embodiments, the entire lower portion
100 may be removed, as shown in FIG. 3, to be thoroughly cleaned
in, for example, a sink or dishwasher. In this manner, various
embodiments of multi-part shelves according to this invention also
provide for a thorough cleanup of particularly messy or hazardous
spills without moving material stored on or below the multi-part
shelf 100.
[0035] Various exemplary embodiments of multi-part shelves
according to this invention are particularly suited for use in
devices that employ shelving. As shown in FIG. 8, one or more
multi-part shelves 100 according to various exemplary embodiments
of this invention may be installed in a device 810. The device 810
may be, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer, an oven, a
microwave oven, a cabinet, and/or a freestanding shelf, or any
other shelving environment in which the material to be stored in
the shelving environment, whether liquid and/or solid, is
susceptible to spilling. In this manner, material stored within the
device 810 on one of the multi-part shelves 100 that has spilled is
substantially prevented from remaining in contact with material
stored on the multi-part shelf 100. Further, the spilled material
is substantially prevented from coming into contact with items
stored in the device 810 below the multi-part shelf 100 on which
the spilled material was stored. The upper portion and/or support
may be removably or permanently affixed to or incorporated into one
or more optional walls of the device 810, or otherwise supported
within that device 810.
[0036] The above-described embodiments of a multi-part shelf
according to this invention should be viewed as illustrative, not
limiting. Various modifications, substitutes, or the like,
particularly with respect to the configuration of the openings
within the upper portion, the number and arrangement of the
compartments of the lower portion, and method or devices used to
fasten the lower portion to the upper portion such that it may be
easily removed, are possible within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *