Methods Of Making Refrigerator Storage Assemblies

Abstract

A method of making a removable refrigerator storage assembly is provided. The method includes feeding a polymeric or metal material into an extruder and directing the material through a die having an aperture with a first and second leg formed therein, thereby forming an intermediate shelf extrusion. The intermediate shelf extrusion is cut into a predetermined length to form the shelf extrusion having a bottom wall integrally formed with a side wall. The shelf extrusion is painted or plated to a specific finish. The method also encompasses attaching to both ends of the shelf extrusion end walls having brackets formed thereon for removably engaging supports formed on the door of a refrigerator.

1 . A method for forming a refrigerator storage assembly comprising: 
 feeding a material to an extruder;    extruding the material through a die of the extruder to form a first intermediate extrusion;    cutting the first intermediate extrusion to a first predetermined length to form a first shelf extrusion;    injection molding a first pair of end walls, wherein each of the first pair of end walls includes a bracket formed on a distal face thereof for engaging a support in a refrigerator;    attaching the first pair of end walls to the ends of the first shelf extrusion;    forming a second intermediate extrusion by extruding the material through the die;    cutting the second intermediate extrusion to a second predetermined length to form a second shelf extrusion, wherein the first predetermined length is unequal to the second predetermined length; and,    attaching a second pair of end walls to the ends of the second shelf extrusion, wherein each of the second pair of end walls includes a bracket for engaging a support in a refrigerator.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the material is a polymeric composition selected from polyvinyl chlorides, polycarbonates, polyesters, chlorinated polyethylenes, acrylics, polystyrenes, acrylonitrite-butadiene-styrene copolymers, nylons and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the material is a metal selected from aluminum, copper and steel  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising aligning a wall section in a channel formed in the first shelf extrusion and engaging the ends of the wall section with the first pair of end walls.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising disposing a cap over the wall section and engaging the ends of the cap with the first pair of end walls.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein attaching the first pair of end walls to the ends of the first shelf extrusion includes engaging the first shelf extrusion and one of the first pair end walls with a fastener.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the fastener is a screw threadably engaged with the first shelf extrusion and one of the first pair of end walls.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first pair of end walls is substantially identical to one of the second pair of end walls.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coating the first intermediate extrusion.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of coating comprises a step selected from painting and plating.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising coating the second intermediate extrusion.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of coating comprises a step selected from painting and plating.  
     
     
         13 . A method of making removable refrigerator storage assemblies comprising: 
 feeding a material to an extruder, wherein the material is selected from a metal or a polymeric composition;    extruding the material through a die of the extruder to form a first intermediate extrusion, wherein the die includes an aperture defining a first leg and a second leg;    cutting the first intermediate extrusion to a predetermined length to form a first shelf extrusion having a first bottom wall integrally formed with a first side wall;    injection molding a first and a second pair of end walls, wherein each of the first and second pairs of end walls includes a distal face having a bracket formed therein for engaging a support disposed in a refrigerator;    attaching the first pair of end walls to the ends of the first shelf extrusion, wherein each of the first pair of end walls engages the first bottom wall and the first side wall of the first shelf extrusion;    forming a second intermediate extrusion by extruding the material through the die;    cutting the second intermediate extrusion to a second predetermined length to form a second shelf extrusion, wherein the first predetermined length is unequal to the second predetermined length, and wherein the second shelf extrusion has a second bottom wall integrally formed with a second side wall; and    attaching the second pair of end walls to the ends of the second shelf extrusion, wherein each of the second pair of end walls engages the second bottom wall and the second side wall of the second shelf extrusion.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the polymeric composition is selected from polyvinyl chlorides, polycarbonates, polyesters, chlorinated polyethylenes, acrylics, polystyrenes, acrylonitrite-butadiene-styrene copolymers, nylons and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the metal is selected from aluminum, copper and steel.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising aligning a wall section in a channel formed in the first shelf extrusion and engaging the ends of the wall section with the first pair of end walls.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising disposing a cap over the wall section and engaging the ends of the cap with the first pair of end walls.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein attaching the first pair of end walls to the ends of the first shelf extrusion includes engaging the first shelf extrusion and one of the first pair end walls with a fastener.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the fastener is a screw threadably engaged with the first shelf extrusion and one of the first pair of end walls.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein one of the first pair of end walls is substantially identical to one of the second pair of end walls.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising coating the first shelf extrusion.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein coating comprises a step selected from painting and plating.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising coating the second shelf extrusion.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein coating comprises a step selected from painting and plating.