US 11,786,036 B2
Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly
John Patrick Driver, Henryville, IN (US); Matthew McMillin, Palmyra, IN (US); and Bradley M. Nall, Elizabethtown, KY (US)
Assigned to SSW Advanced Technologies, LLC, Louisville, KY (US)
Filed by SSW Advanced Technologies, LLC, Fort Smith, AR (US)
Filed on Oct. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/514,231.
Application 17/514,231 is a continuation of application No. 17/061,188, filed on Oct. 1, 2020, granted, now 11,191,358.
Application 17/061,188 is a continuation of application No. 16/165,511, filed on Oct. 19, 2018, granted, now 10,827,837.
Application 16/165,511 is a continuation of application No. 15/462,743, filed on Mar. 17, 2017, granted, now 10,130,176.
Application 15/462,743 is a continuation of application No. 14/921,322, filed on Oct. 23, 2015, abandoned.
Application 14/921,322 is a continuation of application No. 14/463,469, filed on Aug. 19, 2014, granted, now 9,207,012.
Application 14/463,469 is a continuation of application No. 13/891,954, filed on May 10, 2013, granted, now 9,179,773.
Application 13/891,954 is a continuation of application No. 13/651,842, filed on Oct. 15, 2012, granted, now 8,596,205.
Application 13/651,842 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/000,487, abandoned, previously published as PCT/US2009/048775, filed on Jun. 26, 2009.
Application 13/651,842 is a continuation of application No. 12/562,920, filed on Sep. 18, 2009, granted, now 8,286,561.
Application 12/562,920 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2009/048775, filed on Jun. 26, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/216,540, filed on May 18, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/133,273, filed on Jun. 27, 2008.
Prior Publication US 2022/0047079 A1, Feb. 17, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A47B 96/02 (2006.01); A47B 96/06 (2006.01); C03C 15/00 (2006.01); C03C 17/30 (2006.01); F24C 15/10 (2006.01); A47B 95/04 (2006.01); F25D 25/02 (2006.01)
CPC A47B 96/021 (2013.01) [A47B 95/043 (2013.01); A47B 96/02 (2013.01); A47B 96/027 (2013.01); A47B 96/028 (2013.01); A47B 96/062 (2013.01); C03C 15/00 (2013.01); C03C 17/30 (2013.01); F24C 15/10 (2013.01); F25D 25/02 (2013.01); F25D 25/024 (2013.01); C03C 2217/76 (2013.01); C03C 2218/31 (2013.01); C03C 2218/34 (2013.01); F25D 2325/022 (2013.01); F25D 2400/22 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49888 (2015.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A shelf assembly comprising:
a shelf panel having a generally flat top surface which is capable of supporting articles thereon; and
a hydrophobic border arranged in a spill containment pattern around a perimeter of the top surface of the shelf panel, the hydrophobic border having a top surface coplanar with or extending slightly above the top surface of the shelf panel;
wherein the hydrophobic border is configured to retain a spill therein having a height of about 5.5 mm or less.