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.

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.