Refrigerator coaster and method of using same

Abstract

A coaster for positioning on a surface within a refrigerator to provide a barrier between the refrigerator surface and consumables stored in the refrigerator can include an elongate panel having a first substantially straight side edge, and a second substantially straight side edge extending substantially parallel to the first straight side edge. First and second opposed contoured side edges connect the first and second straight side edges, and there is at least one perforated line, by which a portion of the panel is removable by tearing along the perforated line. As such, the size and shape of the panel can be varied to conform to a various shelves and bins within a refrigerator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coaster apparatus for positioning on a surface of a refrigerator and providing a moisture barrier thereon, comprising:
 (a) a first substantially straight side edge;   (b) a second substantially straight side edge extending substantially parallel to the first straight side edge and having a length shorter than the first side edge; and   (c) first and second opposed contoured side edges connecting the first and second straight side edges.   
     
     
         2 . A coaster apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is comprised of a liquid absorbent material. 
     
     
         3 . A coaster apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is comprised of a water repelling material. 
     
     
         4 . A coaster apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is comprised of one or more selected from the group consisting of cellulose paper board and starch paper board. 
     
     
         5 . A coaster apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and further comprising a decorative design on the top surface. 
     
     
         6 . A coaster apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adapted for positioning on a surface of refrigerator shelves and bins. 
     
     
         7 . A coaster apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adapted for positioning on a surface of interior door shelves of refrigerators. 
     
     
         8 . A coaster apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one perforated line, whereby a portion of the apparatus is removable. 
     
     
         9 . A coaster apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is perforated along a substantially straight line substantially parallel to the first and second straight side edges, and extending from the first contoured side edge to the second contoured side edge, whereby a portion of the apparatus is removable. 
     
     
         10 . A coaster apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is perforated along a first line extending from the first straight side edge to the second straight side edge, said first line proximate the first contoured side edge and contoured similarly to the first contoured side edge, whereby a portion of the apparatus is removable. 
     
     
         11 . A coaster apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus is perforated along a second line extending from the first straight side edge to the second straight side edge, said second line proximate the second contoured side edge and contoured similarly to the first contoured side edge, whereby a portion of the apparatus is removable. 
     
     
         12 . A coaster apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first straight side edge has a length of approximately 13⅝ inches, the second straight side edge has a length of approximately 7½ inches, and the first straight side edge is spaced approximately 6 5/16 inches from the second straight side edge, whereby the apparatus is shaped and sized for positioning in interior door shelves of refrigerators. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for positioning on a surface within a refrigerator to provide a barrier between the refrigerator surface and consumables stored in the refrigerator comprising an elongate panel comprising:
 (a) a first substantially straight side edge;   (b) a second substantially straight side edge extending substantially parallel to the first straight side edge;   (c) first and second opposed contoured side edges connecting the first and second straight side edges; and   (d) at least one perforated line, wherein a portion of the panel is removable by tearing along the at least one perforated line, whereby the size and shape of the panel can be varied to conform to a desired refrigerator surface.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein first substantially straight side edge is longer than the second substantially straight side edge, and the first and second contoured side edges have a convex contour. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the panel comprises a liquid absorbent material. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the panel includes a bottom surface for positioning on a refrigerator surface, and a top surface for receiving refrigeratable items thereon, whereby the apparatus provides a barrier preventing liquid leaking from the refrigeratable items from contacting the refrigerator surface. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the panel includes:
 (a) a first perforated line extending from the first straight side edge to the second straight side edge, the first line proximate the first contoured side edge and contoured similarly to the first contoured side edge;   (b) a second perforated line extending from the first straight side edge to the second straight side edge, the second line proximate the second contoured side edge and contoured similarly to the first contoured side edge;   (c) a third perforated line extending from the first contoured side edge to the second contoured side edge, the third line extending substantially parallel to the first and second straight side edges; and   (d) wherein at least three sections of the panel can be removed by tearing along the first, second and third perforated lines.   
     
     
         18 . A method of preventing liquids and solids emanating from items stored in a refrigerator from contacting interior surfaces of the refrigerator comprising:
 (a) providing a coaster apparatus comprising an elongate panel conforming to a shape and size of a shelf within a refrigerator, the panel having an upper surface and a bottom surface and at least one perforated line defining at least one removable section of the panel;   (b) positioning the bottom surface of the coaster apparatus on a surface of the refrigerator shelf; and   (c) positioning at least one item to be stored in the refrigerator on the upper surface of the coaster apparatus.   
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , further comprising the step of tearing along the at least one perforated line to remove the at least one removable section of the panel to alter the coaster apparatus to conform to a shape and size of a different refrigerator shelf. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the step of providing a coaster apparatus further comprises laser cutting the panel to include:
 (a) a first substantially straight side edge;   (b) a second substantially straight side edge extending substantially parallel to the first straight side edge and having a length shorter than the first side edge; and   (c) first and second opposed contoured side edges connecting the first and second straight side edges.