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US4934541A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Refrigerator shelf and method of manufacturing

Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
•
Filing: 1988-11-07
•
Granted: 1990-06-19
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Expires: 2008-11-07
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Abstract

Abstract A refrigerator shelf includes a glass plate for supporting articles thereon and a plastic picture frame extending about the periphery of the plate such that the frame abuts the upper surface of the plate and projects thereabove to substantially prevent spills from running off of the shelf. The frame includes an upper frame and a lower frame which cooperate together to sandwich the periphery of the plate therebetween. A silicone seal may be further provided between the upper frame and the glass plate to positively prevent spills from seeping between the upper frame and the glass plate.

Inventors

  • 👤 Marc R. Bussan
  • 👤 Charles G. Fellwock

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 09:29
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D25/00; F25D25/02; F25D2325/00; F25D2325/022

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 75 words
A refrigerator shelf comprising: a plate having an upper surface for supporting an article thereon; framing means for framing the entire periphery of the upper surface of said plate, said framing means abutting the upper surface of said plate and projecting thereabove to substantially prevent a spill from running off of said refrigerator shelf; and a flange extending generally upwardly from the rear of said framing means with a reflector being mounted on said flange.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 75 words
A refrigerator shelf comprising: a plate having an upper surface for supporting an article thereon; framing means for framing the entire periphery of the upper surface of said plate, said framing means abutting the upper surface of said plate and projecting thereabove to substantially prevent a spill from running off of said refrigerator shelf; and a flange extending generally upwardly from the rear of said framing means with a reflector being mounted on said flange.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
A refrigerator shelf as recited in claim 1 including sealing means for sealing said framing means and said plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
A refrigerator shelf as recited in claim 2 wherein said sealing means includes a member formed of liquid silicone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
A refrigerator shelf is recited in claim 2 wherein said sealing means includes a silicone gasket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 25 words
A refrigerator shelf as recited in claim 1 wherein said framing means is formed of molded plastic and said plate is formed of tempered glass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 33 words
A refrigerator shelf as recited in claim 1 wherein said framing means includes a flange extending slightly downwardly from the front of said framing means to form a grip for said refrigerator shelf.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 157 words
A refrigerator shelf comprising: a plate having an upper surface; an upper frame having an upper frame member extending generally horizontally and projecting above the periphery of said plate; a first flange extending downwardly from an inner surface of said upper frame member to abut the upper surface of said plate about the periphery of said plate; a lower frame cooperating with said upper frame to sandwich the entire periphery of said plate between said upper and lower frames, said lower frame having a lower frame member extending generally horizontally beneath the periphery of said plate and having a flange extending upwardly from and outer surface of said lower frame member to abut an under surface of said upper frame member; and a second flange extending downwardly from an outer surface of said upper frame member such that the bottom surface of said second flange is substantially flush with the bottom surface of said lower frame member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 157 words
A refrigerator shelf comprising: a plate having an upper surface; an upper frame having an upper frame member extending generally horizontally and projecting above the periphery of said plate; a first flange extending downwardly from an inner surface of said upper frame member to abut the upper surface of said plate about the periphery of said plate; a lower frame cooperating with said upper frame to sandwich the entire periphery of said plate between said upper and lower frames, said lower frame having a lower frame member extending generally horizontally beneath the periphery of said plate and having a flange extending upwardly from and outer surface of said lower frame member to abut an under surface of said upper frame member; and a second flange extending downwardly from an outer surface of said upper frame member such that the bottom surface of said second flange is substantially flush with the bottom surface of said lower frame member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 20 words
A refrigerator shelf as recited in claim 7 wherein said upper frame forms a picture frame extending about said plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 56 words
A refrigerator shelf as recited in claim 7 wherein said upper frame further includes a third flange extending downwardly from said upper frame member between said first and second flanges and wherein a portion of said upwardly extending flange of said lower frame member is received between said second and third flanges of said upper frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 70 words
A refrigerator shelf comprising: a plate having an upper surface; an upper frame; a lower frame cooperating with said upper frame to sandwich the entire periphery of said plate between said upper and lower frames wherein said upper frame abuts the upper surface of said plate and projects thereabove; and a flange extending generally upwardly from the rear of said upper frame with a reflector being mounted on said flange.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 70 words
A refrigerator shelf comprising: a plate having an upper surface; an upper frame; a lower frame cooperating with said upper frame to sandwich the entire periphery of said plate between said upper and lower frames wherein said upper frame abuts the upper surface of said plate and projects thereabove; and a flange extending generally upwardly from the rear of said upper frame with a reflector being mounted on said flange.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 33 words
A refrigerator shelf as recited in claim 10 wherein said upper frame includes a flange extending slightly downwardly from the front of said upper frame to form a grip for said refrigerator shelf.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 18 words
A refrigerator shelf as recited in claim 10 wherein said upper and lower frames are molded of plastic.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 16 words
A refrigerator shelf as recited in claim 10 wherein said plate is formed of tempered glass.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1878072A Cited
US1805584A Cited
US2568153A Cited
US3028638A Cited
US3220364A Cited
US3912085A Cited
US4242848A Cited
US4627201A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-06-18 1993-12-18 1994-06-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-06-18 1997-12-18 1998-06-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-06-18 2001-12-18 2002-06-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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