Odor-adsorbing tray for under refrigerator shelves

Abstract

This invention comprises a deodorizing tray located for under a refrigerator ceiling panel or shelf or other horizontal support in a space. The tray has a bottom surface for supporting a fluid deodorizing material. In one embodiment, laterally extending flanges on the tray provide support for a securing device for attaching the tray to the underside surface of a shelf. In a second embodiment, a second tray having a bottom and an upstanding wall is configured for removable reception in the first tray under a shelf. Lateral flanges on the first and second trays have mutually registering socket and detent members arranged for cooperative engagement when the second tray is installed within the first tray. The wall of the first tray is open at its rear end to removably receive the second tray. In a third embodiment, the tray is formed as a depression in a retractable refrigerator shelf, and a surrounding wall spacing the bottom of the tray below the plane of the shelf confines the deodorizing material on the tray.

1 . For use in a refrigerator, freezer, or other space for containing articles to be deodorized, a tray for supporting a fluid deodorizing substance for removing odors from the interior of the refrigerator, the tray comprising a downwardly extending area on the underside surface of the shelf forming a tray bottom surface and an upwardly extending wall, the tray being configured for supporting a fluid deodorizing substance on said tray bottom within said wall.  
   
   
       2 . The tray of  claim 1  wherein the tray comprises a downwardly offset portion of the shelf defining said bottom surface and upwardly extending wall.  
   
   
       3 . The tray of  claim 1  wherein the fluid substance to be contained is one of the substances granular and liquid materials.  
   
   
       4 . The tray of  claim 3  wherein the fluid substance is granular.  
   
   
       5 . The tray of  claim 4  wherein the fluid substance is baking soda.  
   
   
       6 . For use in a refrigerator, freezer, or other space for containing articles to be deodorized, a tray for supporting a fluid deodorizing substance for removing odors from the interior of the space, the tray comprising: 
 a) a body member having a bottom surface capable of supporting a fluid deodorizing substance,    b) a wall extending upwardly from said bottom surface,    c) flange means extending outwardly from said wall and configured for attachment to the underside surface of a refrigerator shelf or other horizontal surface, and    d) securing means removably interconnecting said flange means and horizontal surface.    
   
   
       7 . The tray of  claim 6  wherein the securing means comprises a plurality of suction cups spaced apart around said flange, said suction cups being configured for removable attachment to the underside of a refrigerator shelf or other horizontal surface.  
   
   
       8 . The tray of  claim 6  wherein the securing means comprises a first strip of flexible material having a surface of a multiplicity of hook elements and a second strip of flexible material having a surface of a multiplicity of loop elements configured to releasably engage hook elements on said first strip, one of said first and second strips being configured for attachment to the underside of a refrigerator shelf or other horizontal surface and the other of said strips being configured for attachment to the flange means of said body member for removable engagement with said first strip, for removably attaching said tray to the underside of said shelf or other horizontal surface.  
   
   
       9 . The tray of  claim 6  including: 
 a) a second body member having a bottom surface and a peripheral wall, the bottom surface being capable of supporting a fluid deodorizing substance within said peripheral wall,    b) the flange means of said first named tray being configured to be open at the front end of the tray,    c) said second body member being configured for removable support on the bottom surface of the first named body member under a refrigerator shelf or other horizontal surface.    
   
   
       10 . The tray of  claim 9  including: 
 a) flange means extending outwardly from said peripheral wall,    b) said second body member being configured for removable reception through the open front end of the first named tray, for support on the bottom surface of the first named body member under a refrigerator shelf or other horizontal surface.    
   
   
       11 . The tray of  claim 10  including registering mutual coupling means on the flange means of said first and second trays for releasably securing said trays together, the mutual coupling means comprising socket and detent members one on each of the flange means of the first and second body members.