Refrigerator shelf

Abstract

A shelf ( 20 ) for a refrigerated cabinet has a first curved surface or formation ( 25 ) on the underside of the shelf ( 20 ) adjacent the front ( 22 ) of the shelf ( 20 ) and a second curved surface or formation ( 24 ) on the underside of the shelf ( 20 ) adjacent the rear ( 23 ) of the shelf ( 20 ). The first curved surface or formation ( 25 ) is configured so that air flowing along the underside of the shelf ( 20 ) towards the front ( 22 ) of the shelf ( 20 ) is deflected in a generally downward direction. The second curved surface or formation ( 24 ) is configured so that air flowing generally upwardly towards the shelf ( 20 ) is deflected to flow along the underside of the shelf ( 20 ).

The claims defining the invention are as follows:  
     
         1 . A shelf for a refrigerated cabinet, the shelf being configured to deflect air flowing along the shelf.  
     
     
         2 . The shelf of  claim 1  having a first curved surface or formation on the underside of the shelf adjacent the front of the shelf, wherein the first curved surface or formation is configured to provide a generally smooth directional change for air flowing along the underside of the shelf.  
     
     
         3 . The shelf of  claim 2 , wherein the first curved surface or formation is configured so that air flowing along the underside of the shelf towards the front of the shelf is deflected in a generally downward direction.  
     
     
         4 . The shelf of  claim 3  further having a second curved surface or formation on the underside of the shelf adjacent the rear of the shelf, wherein the second curved surface or formation is configured to provide a generally smooth directional change for air flowing generally upwardly towards the underside of the shelf.  
     
     
         5 . The shelf of  claim 4 , wherein the second curved surface or formation is configured so that air flowing generally upwardly towards the shelf is deflected to flow along the underside of the shelf.  
     
     
         6 . The shelf of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf is mountable within the refrigerated cabinet in a horizontal manner.  
     
     
         7 . The shelf of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf is mountable within the refrigerated cabinet in an inclined manner.  
     
     
         8 . A refrigerated cabinet having: 
 a chamber having an internal rear wall;    a shelf extending from the internal rear wall into the chamber, the shelf having a first curved surface or formation on the underside thereof adjacent the front of the shelf, wherein the first curved surface or formation is configured to provide a generally smooth directional change for air flowing along the underside of the shelf.    
     
     
         9 . The refrigerated cabinet of  claim 8 , wherein the first curved surface or formation is configured so that air flowing along the underside of the shelf towards the front of the shelf is deflected in a generally downward direction.  
     
     
         10 . The refrigerated cabinet of  claim 9  further having a second curved surface or formation on the underside of the shelf adjacent the rear of the shelf and the internal rear wall, wherein the second curved surface or formation is configured to provide a generally smooth directional change for air flowing generally upwardly towards the underside of the shelf.  
     
     
         11 . The refrigerated cabinet of  claim 10 , wherein the second curved surface or formation is configured so that air flowing generally upwardly towards the underside of the shelf is deflected to flow along the underside of the shelf towards the front thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The refrigerated cabinet of  claim 8 , wherein the shelf is mounted within the chamber in a horizontal manner.  
     
     
         13 . The refrigerated cabinet of  claim 8 , wherein the shelf is mounted within the chamber in an inclined manner.  
     
     
         14 . A refrigerated cabinet having: 
 a chamber having a foraminous internal rear wall;    an air duct configured to direct a flow of air into the chamber through the internal rear wall;    a shelf extending from the internal rear wall into the chamber, the shelf having a first curved surface or formation on the underside of the shelf adjacent the front of the shelf, wherein the first curved surface or formation is configured to provide a generally smooth directional change for air flowing along the underside of the shelf.    
     
     
         15 . The refrigerated cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein the first curved surface or formation is configured so that air flowing along the underside of the shelf towards the front of the shelf is deflected in a generally downward direction.  
     
     
         16 . The refrigerated cabinet of  claim 15  further having a second curved surface or formation on the underside of the shelf adjacent the rear of the shelf and the internal rear wall, wherein the second curved surface or formation is configured to provide a generally smooth directional change for air flowing through the internal rear wall generally upwardly towards the shelf.  
     
     
         17 . The refrigerated cabinet of  claim 16 , wherein the second curved surface or formation is configured so that air flowing from the internal rear wall towards the underside of the shelf is deflected to flow along the underside of the shelf.  
     
     
         18 . The refrigerated cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein the air duct is substantially vertical.  
     
     
         19 . The refrigerated cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein the shelf is mounted within the chamber in a horizontal manner.  
     
     
         20 . The refrigerated cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein the shelf is mounted within the chamber in an inclined inclined manner.