Shelf including a cold storage material therein, and refrigerator having the same

Abstract

A shelf includes a cold storage material, a main shelf body having a space, configured to store the cold storage material therein, and one or more bracket(s) at a lower end portion of the main shelf body, configured to support the main shelf body. A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage chamber, a door rotatably coupled to the main body, and the shelf including the same.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shelf comprising:
 a main shelf body having a space configured to store a cold storage material therein; and   one or more brackets at a lower end portion of the main shelf body, configured to support the main shelf body.   
     
     
         2 . The shelf of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more brackets comprise two brackets. 
     
     
         3 . The shelf of  claim 2 , wherein the brackets are near opposite sidewalls of the main shelf body, on or in an underside of the main shelf body. 
     
     
         4 . The shelf of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of recesses on an upper surface of the main shelf body. 
     
     
         5 . The shelf of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of recesses comprise an array of recesses. 
     
     
         6 . The shelf of  claim 5 , wherein at least one array of recesses is over the bracket(s). 
     
     
         7 . The shelf of  claim 1 , further comprising a spill prevention device that protrudes or extends upwardly from a rear portion of the main shelf body. 
     
     
         8 . The shelf of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling member configured to couple or attach the main shelf body to the bracket. 
     
     
         9 . The shelf of  claim 8 , wherein the coupling member comprises a screw, an adhesive, a nut and bolt, or a flange. 
     
     
         10 . The shelf of  claim 1 , wherein the cold storage material comprises one or more glycols and water. 
     
     
         11 . The shelf of  claim 1 , wherein the main shelf body has a substantially planar shape. 
     
     
         12 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a main body having a storage chamber;   a door rotatably coupled to the main body; and   the shelf as claimed in  claim 1 .   
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein the shelf is configured to slide on a supporting part. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein the storage chamber comprises at least one open surface. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein the cold storage material comprises one or more glycols and water. 
     
     
         16 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein the shelf is configured to divide the storage chamber into a plurality of spaces. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , further comprising a hinge on the door. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein the storage chamber comprises a freezer and a refrigerator chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigerator of  claim 18 , wherein the refrigerator chamber comprises a partition wall therebetween. 
     
     
         20 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , further comprising a first storage container and a second storage container, configured to form separate storage spaces in a lower side of the storage chamber.