Adhesively bonded, leak-proof shelf

Abstract

A shelving assembly ( 100 ) is disclosed, which may incorporate a metal frame ( 102 ). The metal frame ( 102 ) may be used to support a glass shelf panel ( 104 ). The metal frame ( 102 ) may be used in part to support a plastic rim ( 106 ). The glass shelf panel ( 104 ) is secured to the plastic rim ( 106 ) through the use of an adhesive ( 134 ). The adhesive ( 134 ) may be used throughout the entirety of the periphery of the glass shelf panel ( 104 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A shelving assembly adapted for use in a refrigerator and other articles employing shelving, characterized in that said shelving assembly comprises; 
 a shelf panel composed of glass;    a plastic rim sized and configured in a manner so as to provide for said plastic rim to be secured around at least a portion of the perimeter of said shelf panel; and    means comprising an adhesive located intermediate said plastic rim and said shelf panel, and providing for a leak-proof seal between said plastic rim and said shelf panel, and for rigidly securing said plastic rim to said shelf panel.    
     
     
         2 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that such shelving assembly may be stationary or facilitate sliding movement, as is desired, on a ribbed liner of a refrigerator.  
     
     
         3 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that: 
 said plastic rim extends around the entirety of the periphery of said shelf panel;    said plastic rims of a unitary and integral design; and    said plastic rim comprises an upwardly projecting backstop extending across the entirety of a rear portion of said plastic rim.    
     
     
         4 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that: 
 said plastic rim extends around the entirety of the periphery of said shelf panel;    said plastic rim is of a unitary and integral design; and    said plastic rim comprises a downwardly projecting forward lip having an arcuate cross-section, and acting in part as a bumper to prevent damage of said shelving assembly from articles that may be knocked against a forward portion of said shelving assembly, and further acting in part as a handle to facilitate stationary positioning or sliding movement on a plastic ribbed liner of a refrigerator.    
     
     
         5 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that said plastic rim comprises: 
 a horizontally disposed section;    a downwardly projecting section integral with said horizontally disposed section;    an additional downwardly projecting section integral with said horizontally disposed section;    the combination of said horizontally disposed section, downwardly projecting section and additional downwardly projecting section form a groove.    
     
     
         6 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 5 , characterized in that: 
 said horizontally disposed section of said plastic rim projects inwardly and terminates in a flat plane;    said flat plane provides for a spacial area formed between a lower surface of said horizontally disposed section and an upper surface of said glass shelf panel; and    said adhesive is provided within said spacial area, and utilized to facilitate securing of said glass shelf panel to said plastic rim.    
     
     
         7 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that: 
 said shelving assembly further comprises at least one slot formed between said plastic rim and said glass shelf panel;    said plastic rim comprises a flat plane;    within said at least one slot, said adhesive is provided so as to secure and couple together said glass shelf panel and said plastic rim while providing a leak-proof barrier to liquids; and    said at least one slot aids in flow of said adhesive during the manufacturing process.    
     
     
         8 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that said adhesive comprises a reactive polyurethane hot melt or light cured acrylic adhesive.  
     
     
         9 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that: 
 said shelving assembly comprises a series of snaps positioned at various locations around the periphery of said plastic rim;    each of said snaps is formed through a horizontally disposed ledge formed integral with a downwardly depending member of said plastic rim, at certain positions along the periphery of said plastic rim;    said plastic rim further comprises an inwardly projecting member;    said inwardly projecting member, said downwardly projecting member and said lower ledge are sized so as to form a slot; and    said slot is appropriately sized so as to provide a snap-fit coupling of an edge of said glass shelf panel with said snap through said slot, wherein each of said snaps is thereby utilized to provide additional retention and support for said glass shelf panel.    
     
     
         10 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that siad shelving assembly further comprises: 
 a horizontally disposed lower ledge depending from a downwardly projecting member of said plastic rim; and    a plastic stop depending downwardly or upwardly, as desired, from said horizontally disposed lower ledge.    
     
     
         11 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that said shelf panel includes decorative means for concealing the view of said adhesive.  
     
     
         12 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that said shelf panel is decorated with frosting or etching so as to conceal viewing of said adhesive.  
     
     
         13 . A shelving assembly adapted for use in a refrigerator and other articles employing shelving, characterized in that said shelving assembly comprises; 
 a shelf panel composed of glass;    a plastic rim sized and configured in a manner so as to provide for said plastic rim to be secured around at least a portion of the perimeter of said shelf panel;    a metal frame for supporting said glass shelf panel and plastic rim; and    means comprising an adhesive located intermediate said plastic rim and said shelf panel, and providing for a leak-proof seal between said plastic rim and said shelf panel, and for rigidly securing said plastic rim to said shelf panel.    
     
     
         14 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that such shelving assembly further comprises means for providing slidable movement of said shelf panel relative to said metal frame.  
     
     
         15 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that said metal frame comprises; 
 a forward and substantially horizontally disposed frame member;    a further substantially horizontally disposed frame member positioned to the rear of said metal frame;    a pair of opposing and parallel sideplates; and    means for coupling said frame members to said sideplates.    
     
     
         16 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 15 , characterized in that each of said sideplates comprises means for removably locking said shelving assembly to walls of said refrigerator and other articles.  
     
     
         17 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that: 
 said plastic rim extends around the entirety of the periphery of said shelf panel;    said plastic rim is of a unitary and integral design; and    said plastic rim comprises an upwardly projecting backstop extending across the entirety of a rear portion of said plastic rim.    
     
     
         18 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that: 
 said plastic rim extends around the entirety of the periphery of said shelf panel;    said plastic rim is of a unitary and integral design; and    said plastic rim comprises a downwardly projecting forward lip having an arcuate cross-section, acting in part as a bumper to prevent damage of said shelving assembly from articles that may be knocked against a forward portion of said shelving assembly, and further acting in part as a handle to facilitate sliding movement relative to said metal frame.    
     
     
         19 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that said plastic rim comprises; 
 a horizontally disposed section;    a downwardly projecting section integral with said horizontally disposed section;    an additional downwardly projecting section integral with said horizontally disposed section;    an inwardly projecting section integral with said additional downwardly projecting section; and    the combination of said horizontally disposed section, downwardly projecting section, additional downwardly projecting, and inwardly projecting section form a groove.    
     
     
         20 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 19 , characterized in that; 
 said metal frame includes a pair of opposing and parallel sideplates; and    each of said sideplates comprises an outwardly or inwardly projecting section, or is flat as is desired, with each of said flat, outwardly, or inwardly projecting sections being receivable onto said grooves of said plastic rim.    
     
     
         21 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 19 , characterized in that: 
 said substantially horizontally disposed section of said plastic rim projects inwardly and terminates in a flat plane;    said flat plane provides for a spacial area formed between a lower surface of said horizontally disposed section and an upper surface of said glass shelf panel; and    said adhesive is provided within said spatial area, and utilized to facilitate securing of said glass shelf panel to said plastic rim.    
     
     
         22 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that: 
 said shelving assembly further comprises at least one slot formed between said plastic rim and said glass shelf panel;    said plastic rim comprises a flat plane;    within said at least one slot, said adhesive is provided so as to secure and couple together said glass shelf panel and said plastic rim while providing a leak-proof barrier to liquids; and    said at least one slot aids in flow of said adhesive during the manufacturing process.    
     
     
         23 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 14 , characterized in that: 
 said metal frame includes a pair of opposing and parallel sideplates;    said plastic rim comprises a pair of grooves;    said sideplates comprise outwardly or inwardly projecting members or flat sideplates, as desired; and    said slidable movement of said glass shelf panel relative to said metal frame is provided through relative interaction of said outwardly or inwardly projecting members of said sideplates or flat sideplates, as desired, to said plastic rim through said grooves.    
     
     
         24 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 23 , characterized in that said slidable movement is achieved without requiring any additional modifications to said shelving assembly.  
     
     
         25 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that said plastic rim comprises; 
 a horizontally disposed section;    a downwardly projecting section integral with said horizontally disposed section;    an additional downwardly projecting section integral with said horizontally disposed section; and    the combination of said horizontally disposed section, downwardly projecting section, and additional downwardly projecting section form a groove.    
     
     
         26 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 25 , characterized in that; 
 said metal frame includes a pair of opposing and parallel sideplates; and    each of said sideplates is of a completely flat configuration, with each of said sideplates being receivable onto said grooves of said plastic rim.    
     
     
         27 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that said adhesive comprises a reactive polyurethane hot melt or light cured acrylic adhesive.  
     
     
         28 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that: 
 said shelving assembly comprises a series of snaps positioned at various locations around the periphery of said plastic rim;    each of said snaps is formed through a horizontally disposed ledge formed integral with a downwardly depending member of said plastic rim, at certain positions along the periphery of said plastic rim;    said plastic rim further comprises an inwardly projecting member;    said inwardly projecting member, said downwardly projecting member and said lower ledge are sized so as to form a slot; and    said slot is appropriately sized so as to provide a snap-fit coupling of an edge of said glass shelf panel with said snap through said slot, wherein each of said snaps is thereby utilized to provide additional retention and support for said glass shelf panel.    
     
     
         29 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that said shelf panel includes decorative means for concealing view of said adhesive.  
     
     
         30 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that said shelf panel is decorated with frosting or etching to conceal viewing of said adhesive.  
     
     
         31 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 14 , characterized in that said shelving assembly further comprises: 
 a horizontally disposed lower ledge depending from a downwardly projecting member of said plastic rim; and    a plastic stop depending downwardly or upwardly, as desired, from said horizontally disposed lower ledge.    
     
     
         32 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 31 , characterized in that: 
 said shelving assembly further comprises a horizontally and inwardly or outwardly, as is desired, depending metal protrusion;    said metal frame comprises metal sideplates, with said inwardly or outwardly depending metal protrusions extending therefrom; and    the combination of said metal protrusions and said plastic stop provides for a stop mechanism for sliding movement of said shelving assembly.    
     
     
         33 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 32 , characterized in that said metal protrusion is punched-out, formed, or fastened so as to be horizontally depending or vertically depending, as is desired.  
     
     
         34 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that said shelving assembly is stationary and further comprises; 
 opposing sideplates of said metal frame depending vertically downward or depending inwardly from said shelving assembly;    said sideplates comprise a cantilever or metal frame, and are attached to said plastic rim by screws, molded into said plastic rim, or snapped onto said plastic rim;    a series of snaps formed on front, rear, and/or sides, as desired, of said shelving assembly;    a plastic engagement mechanism extending across a front and/or rear portion, as desired, of said shelving assembly, said plastic engagement mechanism including a fitted slot for capturing a front or rear frame member, as desired, in a snap fit configuration; and    said front or rear frame member is coupled to remaining portions of said metal frame.    
     
     
         35 . A shelving assembly in accordance with  claim 34 , characterized in that: 
 said shelving assembly further comprises a rear plastic rail having a downwardly projecting section;    positioned at a terminating end of said downwardly projecting section is a horizontally disposed section substantially perpendicular to said downwardly projecting section;    said downwardly projecting member and said horizontally disposed member form a slot; and    said shelving assembly further comprises a rear frame member, interconnected to said sideplates, and located within said slot formed in said rear plastic rail.