WO2011034835A2 - Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly - Google Patents

Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2011034835A2
WO2011034835A2 PCT/US2010/048711 US2010048711W WO2011034835A2 WO 2011034835 A2 WO2011034835 A2 WO 2011034835A2 US 2010048711 W US2010048711 W US 2010048711W WO 2011034835 A2 WO2011034835 A2 WO 2011034835A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
shelf
hydrophobic
top surface
panel
shelf assembly
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2010/048711
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2011034835A3 (en
Inventor
John Patrick Driver
Matthew Mcmillin
Bradley M. Nall
Original Assignee
Ssw Holding Company, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=43598033&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=WO2011034835(A2) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Priority to EP20208002.4A priority Critical patent/EP3798558A1/en
Priority to CN201080036561.7A priority patent/CN102483297B/en
Priority to EP19189977.2A priority patent/EP3598043B1/en
Priority to MX2012001781A priority patent/MX2012001781A/en
Priority to ES10757348T priority patent/ES2745860T3/en
Application filed by Ssw Holding Company, Inc. filed Critical Ssw Holding Company, Inc.
Priority to EP10757348.7A priority patent/EP2478310B1/en
Priority to KR1020127004614A priority patent/KR101877474B1/en
Priority to BR112012006003-1A priority patent/BR112012006003B1/en
Priority to CA2769436A priority patent/CA2769436C/en
Publication of WO2011034835A2 publication Critical patent/WO2011034835A2/en
Publication of WO2011034835A3 publication Critical patent/WO2011034835A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47BTABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B96/00Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture
    • A47B96/02Shelves
    • A47B96/021Structural features of shelf bases
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47BTABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B95/00Fittings for furniture
    • A47B95/04Keyplates; Ornaments or the like
    • A47B95/043Protecting rims, buffers or the like
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47BTABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B96/00Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture
    • A47B96/02Shelves
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47BTABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B96/00Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture
    • A47B96/02Shelves
    • A47B96/027Cantilever shelves
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47BTABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B96/00Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture
    • A47B96/02Shelves
    • A47B96/027Cantilever shelves
    • A47B96/028Cantilever shelves characterised by support bracket location means, e.g. fixing means between support bracket and shelf
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47BTABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B96/00Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture
    • A47B96/06Brackets or similar supporting means for cabinets, racks or shelves
    • A47B96/062Brackets or similar supporting means for cabinets, racks or shelves for glass shelves
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03CCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C15/00Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by etching
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03CCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C17/00Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by coating
    • C03C17/28Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by coating with organic material
    • C03C17/30Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by coating with organic material with silicon-containing compounds
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24CDOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F24C15/00Details
    • F24C15/10Tops, e.g. hot plates; Rings
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00General constructional features
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D25/00Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • F25D25/02Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D25/00Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • F25D25/02Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
    • F25D25/024Slidable shelves
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03CCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C2217/00Coatings on glass
    • C03C2217/70Properties of coatings
    • C03C2217/76Hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03CCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C2218/00Methods for coating glass
    • C03C2218/30Aspects of methods for coating glass not covered above
    • C03C2218/31Pre-treatment
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03CCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C2218/00Methods for coating glass
    • C03C2218/30Aspects of methods for coating glass not covered above
    • C03C2218/34Masking
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2325/00Charging, supporting or discharging the articles to be cooled, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2325/022Shelves made of glass or ceramic
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2400/00General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
    • F25D2400/22Cleaning means for refrigerating devices
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00Metal working
    • Y10T29/49Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49826Assembling or joining
    • Y10T29/49888Subsequently coating

Definitions

  • a shelf panel for a refrigerator compartment which includes a shelf panel that is slidably supported for extension and retraction on a support, and which includes slide members that are preferably molded so as to form a rim on the top support surface of the shelf panel to contain liquids.
  • Additional techniques for containing spills in refrigerator shelving include the use of injection molded plastic, so as to encapsulate a support plate forming the shelf, using plastic molded parts to essentially "sandwich" a support plate between the parts, or using a silicone sealant or various other types of adhesives to form physical spill containment barriers around the perimeter of the refrigerator shelving.
  • injection molded plastic so as to encapsulate a support plate forming the shelf
  • plastic molded parts to essentially "sandwich” a support plate between the parts
  • silicone sealant or various other types of adhesives to form physical spill containment barriers around the perimeter of the refrigerator shelving.
  • the present invention is a method for containing spills on shelving and the like having a support top surface, and the resulting items made in accordance with the method, by providing the support top surface with a hydrophobic surface which is arranged in a spill containment pattern and which is generally in the plane of the top surface of the support.
  • the majority of the top surface of the support consists of one or more spill containment areas which are of a non-hydrophobic nature and which are bounded by the hydrophobic surfaces, such that spills on the surface collect in the non-hydrophobic spill containment area or areas and are prevented from spreading by the hydrophobic surfaces.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art shelf assembly mounted on a pair of support brackets, and utilizing the concept of encapsulation of a shelf for providing spill containment features;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shelf assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention including a shelf mounted on a pair of support brackets, the shelf including a hydrophobic spill containment pattern disposed on the top surface thereof to contain spilled liquids;
  • FIG. 4 is a front, elevation view of the shelf assembly shown in FIG. 3, with the absence of the support brackets;
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a shelf assembly constructed in accordance with the present disclosure and having a grid-like hydrophobic spill containment pattern;
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment shelf assembly constructed in accordance with the present disclosure and having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern that includes first and second borders;
  • FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a shelf assembly including support brackets constructed in accordance with a first embodiment the present disclosure
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 7 taken through line VIII- VIII of FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a shelf assembly including support brackets constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a shelf assembly including support brackets constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 11 taken through line XI-XI of FIG. 11;
  • FIG. 13 is a side view of a shelf assembly including support brackets constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 13 taken through line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13;
  • FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a shelf assembly including support brackets constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a support bracket of the shelf assembly of FIG. 15;
  • FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 15 taken through line XVII-XVII of FIG. 15;
  • FIG. 19 is a top view of a shelf assembly including front and rear trim components in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 20 is a side view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 19;
  • FIG. 21 is a detail view of the front trim component of the shelf assembly of FIGS. 19 and 20 taken from circle XXI of FIG. 20;
  • FIG. 22 is a detail view of the rear trim component of the shelf assembly of FIGS. 19 and 20 taken from circle XXII of FIG. 20;
  • FIG. 24 is a graph showing the water height retention test results after abrasion with a glass jar for three shelves formed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 25 is a graph showing the water height retention test results after performing a cleaning process on three shelves formed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the term "shelving and/or the like,” “shelving,” “shelf,” or “shelf and/or the like” encompasses shelves and articles whose top surfaces such as pantry shelves, countertops, stovetops, cook-tops, and table tops. Certain embodiments are especially advantageous for use in refrigerator and freezer shelving.
  • refrigerator shelving is provided with a spill containment pattern which may consist of a hydrophobic surface in the pattern of a frame-like border, which defines the boundaries of a single non- hydrophobic spill containment area therein.
  • the pattern may be a frame-like border which extends along the perimeter of the shelf s top surface (FIG. 3), or it may be spaced from the perimeter and encompass a smaller portion of the top surface, and may include an outer border with a final spill catch area between the inner and outer border (FIG. 6). It may consist of a hydrophobic surface in a grid-like pattern, which pattern defines the boundaries of several spill containment areas therein (FIG. 5).
  • Other variations are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
  • a preferred embodiment shelf may be incorporated into a shelving assembly with a shelf-supporting mechanism, such as a bracket, and a shelf, which is capable of supporting articles on its top surface.
  • a shelf-supporting mechanism such as a bracket
  • the disclosure provided herein relates to the shelf portion of the assembly, and various brackets that can be used with the shelf.
  • the non-hydrophobic region of the top surface is bounded by the hydrophobic spill containment pattern such that spilled liquids are repelled by the hydrophobic spill containment pattern and pool and remain contained on these non-hydrophobic spill containing areas by the hydrophobic surfaces.
  • the shelves described herein can be adapted for use as refrigerator or freezer shelves, for example.
  • a hydrophobic or super hydrophobic surface treatment may be applied to the shelf substrate's top surface to create the hydrophobic spill containment pattern described herein in a variety of methods, and any surface coatings may be used which are known to be hydrophobic or super-hydrophobic or are known to make a surface hydrophobic or super-hydrophobic.
  • the hydrophobic surface described herein is not limited to any specific hydrophobic or super hydrophobic surface treatment, and any method of making a portion of the surface of the shelf substrate hydrophobic may be employed.
  • hydrophobic compounds there are several hydrophobic compounds which may be used.
  • Some of the hydrophobic compounds include: fluorocarbons; fluoroalkyl silanes; fluoroalkoxy silanes; and fluoroalkyl alkyl silanes. Any such hydrophobic compounds or a mixture thereof can be used to create the hydrophobic surfaces described herein, and other applicable hydrophobic compounds could also be used. It is believed that tridecafluoro-l,l,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl trichlorosilane provides a good example of a suitable hydrophobic compound.
  • Other suitable hydrophobic compounds include, for example,
  • methods of creating the hydrophobic surface may include, without limitation: application of a hydrophobic compound to the top surface using an application technique such as spraying; brushing; wiping; dipping; solvent casting; flow coating; curtain coating; roller coating; spin coating; printing; screen printing; ink jet printing; vacuum coating; magnetic field-assisted cathodic sputtering; plasma deposition; plasma magnetron deposition; plasma or atmospheric CVD; powder or liquid pyrolysis; atomization or chemical vapor deposition; electrophoretic deposition; cross-linking processes; etc.
  • an application technique such as spraying; brushing; wiping; dipping; solvent casting; flow coating; curtain coating; roller coating; spin coating; printing; screen printing; ink jet printing; vacuum coating; magnetic field-assisted cathodic sputtering; plasma deposition; plasma magnetron deposition; plasma or atmospheric CVD; powder or liquid pyrolysis; atomization or chemical vapor deposition; electrophoretic deposition; cross-linking processes; etc.
  • Another method of creating the hydrophobic surface can include "roughening" the portion of the surface of the substrate to be made hydrophobic using various methods (sanding, abrading, etching, e.g., acid etching, or otherwise removing material from the surface) and then applying a hydrophobic compound to the "roughened” surface.
  • Etching can be performed using, for example, hydrofluoric acid, sodium silicate, bifluorides, including for example, a ammonium bifluoride sodium bifluoride, and mixtures thereof, any other known etching solutions, and any mixtures thereof.
  • etching solutions are available, for example from Armour ® Products (Hawthorne, New Jersey).
  • the Armour Etch Bath ® Glass Dipping Solution product name
  • Armour Etch ® Glass Etching Cream product name
  • the etching solution can be applied to the substrate surface with an applicator in the desired pattern.
  • a mask, which is resistant to the etching solution, can be placed on the region of the substrate to be non-hydrophobic to protect this region from being etched.
  • the etching solution can be allowed to remain on the substrate surface for a time in a range of about 15 seconds to about 20 minutes, about 20 seconds to about 15 minutes, about 30 seconds to about 10 minutes, about 45 seconds to about 8 minutes, about 1 minute to about 10 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 8 minutes, about 4 minutes to about 6 minutes, about 15 seconds to about 1 minute, about 20 seconds to about 50 seconds, about 25 seconds to about 45 seconds, about 30 seconds to about 40 seconds, about 1 minute to about 20 minutes, about 5 to about 15 minutes, or about 7 minutes to about 10 minutes.
  • Other suitable times include, for example, about 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 25 seconds, 30 seconds, 35 seconds, 40 seconds, 45 seconds, 50 seconds, 55 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, 6 minutes, 7 minutes, 8 minutes, 9 minutes, 10 minutes, 11 minutes, 12 minutes, 13 minutes, 14 minutes, 15 minutes, 16 minutes, 17 minutes, 18 minutes, 19 minutes, and 20 minutes.
  • the substrate can be first prepared by applying and curing a ceramic frit material to the substrate.
  • the ceramic frit material can then be etched using an etching solution as described above, and a hydrophobic compound can be applied to the etched ceramic frit.
  • the entire substrate including the ceramic frit material can be etched using an etching solution, and a hydrophobic compound can then be applied to the etched ceramic frit.
  • etching the ceramic frit prior to application of the hydrophobic compound can improve the hydrophobic properties of the spill containment pattern by creating additional bonding sites on the ceramic frit to which the hydrophobic compound can bond.
  • the etched ceramic frit may include more surface area to which the hydrophobic compound can attached by virtue of the combined macro-scale surface roughening provided by the ceramic frit and micro- scale surface roughening provided by etching the ceramic frit.
  • the hydrophobic surface treatments described herein can be cured according to a number of different methods, if curing is required by the surface preparation or the hydrophobic compound, including without limitation: conduction heating; convection heating; UV radiation; VUV radiation; electron beam irradiation; ionizing radiation; laser; IR; and thermal radiation.
  • the hydrophobic surface treatments can also be cured by remaining at ambient conditions for a sufficient length of time, for example, from about 16 hours to about 48 hours, from about 20 hours to about 40 hours, and from about 25 hours to about 35 hours. Curing can be performed in a controlled humidity environment.
  • the shelf assembly comprises a glass or tempered glass shelf substrate which is printed, e.g., screen printed, with a ceramic frit material, over which a hydrophobic coating is applied.
  • the ceramic frit can be patterned on the substrate using any known placing, printing, or other patterning methods.
  • the ceramic frit material is placed or printed in a pattern, for example, a frame-like border pattern on the glass substrate, which defines at least a portion of the spill containment pattern.
  • the ceramic frit material can be screen printed onto the substrate in the desired pattern using, for example, a silk screen having a mesh count in a range of about 80 to about 360, about 100 to about 300, about 120 to about 280, about 140 to about 240, about 160 to about 220, about 180 to about 200, about 86 to about 360.
  • Other suitable mesh counts include about 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 340, 350, and 360.
  • the hydrophobic spill containment pattern and consequently, the frit pattern, can have a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be placed in a variety of locations on the glass substrate. Additionally, portions of the hydrophobic spill containment pattern can be formed, for example, using different hydrophobic compounds and/or different surface treatments. For example, a portion of the spill containment pattern can be formed, for example, by applying and curing a ceramic frit to the substrate and applying a
  • hydrophobic compound to the cured ceramic frit (as described in more detail below) and another portion of the hydrophobic spill containment pattern can be formed, for example, by acid etching a portion of the substrate and applying the hydrophobic compound to the etched portion.
  • the ceramic frit material can include finely ground particles.
  • the ceramic frit material can include lead oxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, and mixtures thereof.
  • the frit material includes silicon dioxide. More preferably, the frit material includes from 5 weight percent (wt.%) to about 100 wt.% silicon dioxide, from about 10 wt.% to about 80 wt.%, from about 20 wt.% to about 60 wt.% from about 30 wt.% to about 40 wt.% from about 15 wt.% to about 75 wt.%, from about 20 wt.% to about 50 wt.%.
  • suitable amounts of silicon dioxide in the frit material can include, for example, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 wt.%.
  • the frit material can include about 29 wt.% silicon dioxide.
  • the frit material can also include, for example, additives, such as tantalum oxide, titanium dioxide, calcium oxide, zirconium oxide, sodium oxide, potassium oxides, iron oxide magnesium oxide, barium oxide, bismuth oxide, and mixtures thereof.
  • Suitable commercially available frit materials can be used.
  • a commercially available frit material is available from Ferro Corp. (hereinafter "the Ferro frit") under Product No.
  • the ceramic frit material may be provided as a dry powder or as a paste or other such mixture. Once the ceramic frit material is placed on the substrate, the ceramic frit is then coupled to the substrate. For example, the ceramic frit can be coupled to the substrate by fusing the ceramic frit to the substrate. The ceramic frit can be coupled or fused to substrate by heating the substrate to a temperature in a range of about 1000°F to about 1400°F, about 1100°F to about 1300°F, about 1100°F to about 1200°F, and about 1200°F to about 1400°F.
  • suitable temperatures include about 1000°F, 1050°F, 1100°F, 1150°F, 1200°F, 1250°F, 1300°F, 1350°F, and 1400°F.
  • This heat treatment will cause the particles of the ceramic frit to cure by fusing to each other and to the glass surface to form a continuous structure and thereby couple the ceramic frit to the substrate.
  • the pattern of the fused frit will be substantially identical to the pattern in which the frit material was placed on the substrate. It is believed that this fused frit coating can be characterized as being nearly as hard and tough as the glass itself. Also, the coated glass with the ceramic frit material is durable, and resists chipping, peeling, fading, and scratching.
  • the ceramic frit can include some micro- scale additive particles which will remain unmelted at the temperature at which the frit is sintered, as described for example in U.S. Patents 4,591,530 to Lui, 6,872,441 and 6,800,354 to Baumann, and 5,324,566 and 5,437,894 to Ogawa.
  • the frit is printed or placed in the pattern of a frame-like border at or near the outer perimeter of the shelf substrate's top surface or other desired location for the spill containment pattern.
  • the shelf with the printed frit is then heated to a temperature above the melting point of the primary components of the frit material, but below the melting point of the glass shelf, for a time sufficient to cure the frit so that it is fused or bonded to the top surface of the shelf substrate.
  • the specific time and temperature required to sinter the frit will vary based on the materials chosen for the frit.
  • the application of the hydrophobic compound will be described with reference to a glass substrate having a fused frit surface modification.
  • Other surface modifications and/or preparations including for example, acid etching and other surface roughening methods, can be used as described above, and the hydrophobic compound can be similarly applied to such surface modified substrates.
  • the hydrophobic compound such as, for example, a fluorocarbon, a fluoroalkyl silane, a fluoroalkoxy silane, or a fluoroalkyl alkyl silane is then applied to the fused frit material.
  • Suitable hydrophobic compounds can include, for example, tridecafluoro-l,l,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl trichlorosilane, nonafluorohexyldimethyl(dimethylamino)silane,
  • the hydrophobic compound can be applied to the frit material as a hydrophobic solution, which includes a solvent and the hydrophobic compound dissolved or dispersed in the solvent.
  • the solvent can be, for example, dry or wet hexane. Suitable solvents include, for example, hexane, heptanes, methyl chloride, naptha, toluene, acetone, perfluorocarbons, and mixtures thereof.
  • the hydrophobic solution can include from about 0.1% to about 5% of hydrophobic compound. Other suitable ranges include, for example, about 0.5 % to 4%, about 1% to about 3%, about 1% to about 5%, and about 2% to about 4%.
  • Suitable amounts of the hydrophobic compound in the hydrophobic solution can include, for example, about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, and 5%.
  • a 1% solution of tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2- tetrahydrooctyl trichlorosilane, a perfluoroalkyl alkyl silane, in hexane can be applied to the fused frit, for example by wiping the solution onto the frit or applying the solution using an applicator tip, or by using any other known method.
  • the hydrophobic compound can be applied to the solution using, for example, a one pass method in which a coated applicator is swept across the frit border a single time or a multiple pass method in which the applicator is passed over the frit border two or more times.
  • the hydrophobic solution is then cured by heating it and/or exposing it to controlled humidity for a period of time.
  • conductive heating, convention heating, thermal radiation, UV radiation, VUV radiation, electron beam irradiation, ionizing radiation, laser, IR can be used to cure the hydrophobic solution.
  • the hydrophobic solution can be cured, for example, at a temperature in a range of about 100°F to about 600°F, about 150°F to about 550°F, about 200°F to about 500°F, about 250°F to about 450°F, about 300°F to about 350°F, or about 100°F to about 300°F.
  • Other suitable temperatures include, for example, about 100°F, 150°F, 200°F, 250°F, 300°F, 350°F, 400°F, 450°F, 500°F, 550°F, and 600°F.
  • the hydrophobic solution can be cured, for example, by heating for a time in a range of about 5 minutes to about 1 hour, about 10 minutes to about 45 minutes, about 20 minutes to about 30 minutes, about 10 minutes to about 20 minutes, and about 15 minutes to about 30 minutes. Other suitable times include, for example, about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 minutes.
  • the hydrophobic solution can be cured without heating. Heating, however, can accelerate the curing process.
  • the hydrophobic solution can be allowed to cure by leaving the glass substrate having the cured ceramic frit coated with the hydrophobic solution in ambient conditions for a time in a range of about 16 to about 48 hours, about 20 to about 40 hours, about 25 to about 35 hours, about 16 to about 24 hours, or about 20 hours to about 30 hours.
  • the hydrophobic solution can be cured, whether at elevated temperatures or at ambient temperature, in relatively dry environment.
  • the hydrophobic solution can be cured in an environment having less than 70% humidity, less than 60% humidity, less than 50% humidity, less than 40% humidity, less than 30% humidity, less than 20% humidity, less than 10% humidity, or at 0% humidity.
  • the hydrophobic compound Upon curing, the hydrophobic compound preferably forms a continuous hydrophobic layer on the fused frit or other surface treatment.
  • Si-OH groups of adjacent silane molecules are also caused to react and form Si-O-Si cross linkages, thereby forming a continuous hydrophobic layer across the frit material.
  • the method described herein will produce a hydrophobic surface that is a continuous border around the perimeter of the shelf s top surface which will operate as a spill containment feature.
  • frit material is commercially available in multiple colors and can be printed in a manner which allows for the inclusion of designs, company names or logos in the surface area where the frit material is applied to the shelf substrate.
  • the spill containment pattern can retain a spill having a height of about 0.5 mm, about 1 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm, about 3.5 mm, about 4 mm, about 4.5 mm, about 5mm, or about 5.5 mm.
  • the height of the spill liquid provides a measure of the amount of spilled liquid retained by a shelf regardless of the area of the non-hydrophobic spill containing region of the shelf.
  • the height of the retained spill liquid is determined by dividing the volume of spill liquid retained by the shelf before failure (i.e. leakage) by the area of the non-hydrophobic spill containing region.
  • the hydrophobic surface is generally in the plane of the top surface of the shelf is intended to include surfaces and surface treatments, all or a portion of which may extend a small distance above the level of the top surface of the shelf which is not readily noticeable to the naked eye.
  • the hydrophobic surface may be a hydrophobic coating, or a combination of a layer of ceramic frit and a hydrophobic coating on the ceramic frit.
  • Such layers typically have a thickness of from about 0.001 microns to about 250 microns. Other suitable thickness ranges include from about 0.001 microns to about 2 microns, about 0.01 microns to about 1.5 microns, about 0.1 microns to about 1 microns, about
  • microns to about 10 microns about 0.01 microns to about 8 microns, about 0.05 microns to about 7 microns, about 0.1 microns to about 5 microns, about 1 micron to about 4 microns, about 1 micron to about 10 microns, about 2 microns to about 8 microns, about 4 microns to about 6 microns, about 10 microns to about 100 microns, about 20 microns to about 80 microns, about 40 microns to about 60 microns, about 100 microns to about 250 microns, about 150 to about 200 microns, about 1 micron to about 250 microns, about 10 microns to about 200 microns, about 20 microns to about 150 microns, about 30 microns to about 100 microns, about 40 microns to about 80 microns, and about 50 microns to about 70 microns.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a prior art shelving assembly 1000.
  • the assembly 1000 is shown in fairly simplistic format.
  • the assembly 1000 may include a number of other components, including elements such as shelf support brackets, for example.
  • the assembly 1000 includes a frame 1002 which is rectangular in configuration and surrounds and is secured to an inner plastic rim 1004.
  • the plastic rim 1004 is also a rectangular configuration.
  • the plastic rim 1004 is utilized to encapsulate a shelf panel 1006.
  • the shelf panel 1006 could be constructed of glass or similar materials.
  • the frame 1002, plastic rim 1004 and shelf panel 1006 are supported on a pair of opposing side plates 1008. [0057]
  • a soda can 1010 is illustrated as being left on its side on the upper surface of the shelf panel 1006.
  • the soda can 1010 has spilled liquid which is shown as liquid 1012 on a portion of the shelf panel 1006.
  • the visible edge of the shelf panel 1006 located on its upper surface at the intersection of the perimeter of the plastic rim 1004 may include a sealed edge 1014.
  • the sealed edge 1014 may merely include some type of a sealing adhesive or, alternatively, a silicone material or the like. In this manner, an attempt is made to essentially provide a raised physical barrier that is sealed to the shelf panel 1006 to seal the spilled liquid 1012 from spillage off of the shelf panel 1006.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 A preferred embodiment shelf assembly 1020 of the present disclosure is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.
  • the shelf assembly 1020 is characterized as having a shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface 1030 (shown shaded) arranged and configured in a spill containment pattern 1021 on a top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024 to provide the spill
  • the spill containment pattern 1021 of the hydrophobic surface 1030 consists of a frame-like border disposed at or around the outer perimeter of the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024, thereby completely bounding, encircling, and/or enclosing a non-hydrophobic central portion 1025 of the shelf panel 1024. More specifically, the spill containment pattern 1021 of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a continuous pattern formed of parallel left and right side edge containment strips 1021a, 1021b, and parallel front and rear edge containment strips 1021c, 1021d, i.e., all respectively engaged to adjacent ones.
  • Each of the edge containment strips 1021a-1021d are generally uniform in width and arranged in an elongated linear configuration at a location directly at a respective edge of the shelf panel 1024. That is, in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, there is no non-hydrophobic area on the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024 between the spill containment pattern 1021 and the perimeter edge of the shelf panel 1024. In alternative embodiments, however, at least one of the strips 1021-1021d of the spill containment pattern 1021 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be offset inward from the perimeter edge of the shelf panel 1024 such that the shelf panel 1024 can include a non-hydrophobic area disposed between at least a portion of the spill containment pattern 1021 and the perimeter edge of the shelf panel 1024.
  • the side edge containment strips 1021a, 1021b are disposed at substantially right angles relative to the front and rear edge containment strips 1021c, 1021d. So configured, the spill containment pattern 1021 of the
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 forms a continuous, generally square, rectangular, and/or box-shape completely bounding, encircling, and/or enclosing the non-hydrophobic central portion 1025, which also has a generally square, rectangular, and/or box-shape.
  • FIG. 3 also illustrates the concept that the hydrophobic surface 1030 will form a spill containment barrier.
  • a soda can 1026 is illustrated as being turned on its side on the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024, and spilled liquid from the soda can 1026 is identified as liquid 1028.
  • the spilled liquid 1028 is prevented from spilling downwardly onto other surfaces below the shelf, and the spilled liquid 1028 is contained to the non-hydrophobic central portion 1025 defined on the top surface 1023 of the shelf 1024.
  • the spilled liquid 1028 is also prevented from seeping into cracks or crevices in a manner where substantial bacteria, mold, and other undesirable materials can form.
  • components such as a plastic rim (or even a frame) may be completely unnecessary with the use of the hydrophobic surface 1030 to provide the spill containment feature.
  • the shelf assembly 1020 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 maximizes the available useful shelf space since it does not include a plastic rim, a frame, or any other physical barrier or dam extending above the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024 for preventing liquids from spilling off of the shelf panel 1024.
  • an alternative embodiment of the shelf assembly 1020 of the present disclosure can include the hydrophobic surface 1030 disposed on the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024 in a grid-like spill containment pattern 1021, as shown in FIG. 5.
  • the grid- like spill containment pattern 1021 depicted in FIG. 5 includes a continuous frame-like border disposed at or around the outer perimeter of the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. More specifically, the frame-like border of the spill containment pattern 1021 depicted in FIG.
  • the grid-like spill containment pattern 1021 depicted in FIG. 5 includes two spaced apart longitudinal spill containment strips 1021e, 1021f and two spaced apart lateral spill containment strips 1021g, 1021h.
  • the longitudinal spill containment strips 1021c, 1021d intersect the lateral spill containment strips 1021e, 1021f at generally right angles.
  • the longitudinal spill containment strips 1021e, 1021f are parallel to each other, as well as parallel to the left and right side spill containment strips 1021a, 1021b.
  • lateral spill containment strips 1021g, 1021h are parallel to each other, as well as parallel to the front and rear spill containment strips 1021c, 1021d.
  • Other configurations are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.
  • the grid- like spill containment pattern 1021 of the embodiment of the shelf assembly 1020 of FIG. 5 defines first through ninth non-hydrophobic central portions 1025a- 1025i on the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024.
  • Each of the non- hydrophobic central portions 1025a-1025i is completely bounded, encircled, and/or enclosed by four of the spill containment strips 1021a-1021h and is therefore square, rectangular, and/or box-shaped.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates that each of the non-hydrophobic central portions 1025a- 1025i is capable of containing a liquid 1028 separate from the other non-hydrophobic central portions 1025a-1025i.
  • FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment of a shelf assembly 1020 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure and including a spill containment pattern 1021. Similar to the shelf assemblies 1020 described above with reference to FIGS. 3-5, the shelf assembly 1020 of FIG. 6 includes a continuous frame-like border of a hydrophobic surface 1030 disposed at or around the outer perimeter of the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024, thereby completely bounding, encircling, and/or enclosing a non-hydrophobic central portion 1025 of the shelf panel 1024. However, unlike the embodiments described above, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6 includes a double-border
  • the first hydrophobic surface border 1017 is disposed about the perimeter edge of the shelf panel 1024, and the second hydrophobic surface border 1019 is offset inwardly from the first hydrophobic surface border 1017.
  • the first hydrophobic surface border 1017 includes parallel left and right side edge containment strips 1017a, 1017b, and parallel front and rear edge containment strips 1017c, 1017d.
  • Each of the edge containment strips 1017a- 1017d of the first continuous hydrophobic surface border 1017 are generally uniform in width and arranged in an elongated linear configuration directly at the edge of the perimeter of the shelf panel 1024.
  • the side edge containment strips 1017a, 1017b are disposed at right angles relative to the front and rear edge containment strips 1017c, 1017d.
  • the first hydrophobic surface border 1017 forms a continuous generally square, rectangular, and/or box-shape completely bounding, encircling, and/or enclosing the non-hydrophobic central portion 1025, which is also generally square, rectangular, and/or box- shaped.
  • the second continuous hydrophobic surface border 1019 includes parallel left and right side edge containment strips 1019a, 1019b, and parallel front and rear edge containment strips 1019c, 1019d.
  • Each of the edge containment strips 1019a-1019d of the second hydrophobic surface border 1019 are generally uniform in width and arranged in an elongated linear configuration offset inwardly from the first hydrophobic surface border 1017.
  • the side edge containment strips 1019a, 1019b are disposed at right angles relative to the front and rear edge containment strips 1019c, 1019d such that the second hydrophobic surface border 1019 forms a generally square, rectangular, and/or box- shape completely bounding, encircling, and/or enclosing the non-hydrophobic central portion 1025 of the shelf panel 1024.
  • the first and second hydrophobic surface borders 1017, 1019 define a non-hydrophobic ring portion 1027 located between the two borders 1017, 1019.
  • the non-hydrophobic ring portion 1027 can advantageously capture any spill overflow which might escape from the non-hydrophobic central portion 1025 and travel over the second hydrophobic surface border 1019.
  • hydrophobic surfaces arranged in a spill containment pattern in accordance with the preferred embodiments eliminates the need for formed lips or ridges on the shelf s top surface, which reduces the amount of material used and the complexity of manufacturing, and, therefore, reduces the manufacturing cost.
  • the relative amount of usable shelf space is increased, i.e., maximized, on the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024 in accordance with the preferred embodiments described herein.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 depict a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of support brackets 100, only one of which is depicted, constructed in accordance with a first embodiment the present disclosure. Similar to the embodiments described above, the shelf assembly 1020 includes a flat shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface 1030 arranged and configured in a spill containment pattern 1021 on its top surface 1023.
  • the spill containment pattern 1021 can resemble any of the patterns described above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.
  • each bracket 100 includes a horizontal leg 104 and a vertical leg 102 extending downward from an inner edge 105 of the horizontal leg 104.
  • the brackets 100 have a generally upside-down L- shaped cross-section.
  • the brackets 100 of this embodiment are preferably constructed of metal, but could be constructed of plastic or any other foreseeable material.
  • the vertical and horizontal legs 102, 104 are disposed at an angle of approximately 90° relative to each other.
  • the horizontal leg 104 includes a substantially horizontal top surface 104a that corresponds to and supports a generally horizontal bottom surface 12a of a corresponding side perimeter portion 12 of the shelf panel 10.
  • a layer of an adhesive material 106 is disposed between the top surfaces 104a of the horizontal legs 104 of the brackets 100 and the bottom surface 12a of the side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 10 to adhere the shelf panel 10 to the brackets 100.
  • the adhesive material 106 can include a clear acrylic UV-cured adhesive, a clear polyurethane hot melt, or any other adhesive material capable of serving the principles of the present disclosure. So configured, and as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, no aspect of the brackets 100 extends above and/or over the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024.
  • the brackets 100 are disposed entirely below the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024, e.g., entirely opposite the shelf panel 1024 from its top surface 1023. As such, the usable space on the top surface 1023 is maximized.
  • each bracket 200 includes a horizontal leg 204 and a vertical leg 202 extending upward from an outer edge 205 of the horizontal leg 204. As such, the brackets 200 have a generally L-shaped cross-section.
  • the vertical leg 202 may or may not extend beyond the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024.
  • the brackets 200 of this embodiment can be constructed of plastic, metal, or any other suitable material.
  • the vertical and horizontal legs 202, 204 are disposed at an angle of approximately 90° relative to each other.
  • the horizontal leg 204 includes a substantially horizontal top surface 204a that corresponds to and supports a generally horizontal bottom surface 12a of a corresponding side perimeter portion 12 of the shelf panel 1024. Finally, a layer of an adhesive material 206 is disposed between the top surfaces 204a of the horizontal legs 204 of the brackets 200 and the bottom surface 12a of the
  • the adhesive material 206 can include a clear acrylic UV-cured adhesive, a clear polyurethane hot melt, or any other adhesive material capable of serving the principles of the present disclosure. So configured, and as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, no aspect of the brackets 200 extends above and/or over the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. That is, in this embodiment, the brackets 200 are disposed entirely below the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. The horizontal legs 204 are disposed entirely opposite the shelf panel 1024 from its top surface 1023, and the vertical legs 202 are disposed entirely to the side of the shelf panel 1024. As such, the usable space on the top surface 1023 is maximized.
  • FIGS. 11 and 12 depict a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of support brackets 300 constructed in accordance with a third embodiment the present disclosure. Similar to the embodiments described above, the shelf assembly 1020 includes a flat shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface 130 arranged and configured in a spill
  • the spill containment pattern 1021 on its top surface 1023 can resemble any of the patterns described above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.
  • the brackets 300 are adapted to latch into ladder racks, for example, at the rear of an appliance such as a refrigerator in a conventional manner.
  • Each bracket 300 includes an elongated top member 302 with a generally circular cross-section.
  • the top member 302 includes a horizontal supporting surface 304 formed, for example, by forging, stamping, or crushing the round wire in a fixture. So configured, the supporting surface 304 corresponds to and supports a generally horizontal bottom surface 12a of a corresponding side perimeter portion 12 of the shelf panel 1024.
  • the elongated top member 302 may not include the horizontal supporting surface 304, but rather, can have a perfectly circular cross-section providing a line of contact between the top member 302 and the shelf panel 1024.
  • a layer of an adhesive material 306 is disposed between the top members 302 of the brackets 300 and the bottom surface 12a of the corresponding side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 1024 to fix the shelf panel 10 to the brackets 300.
  • the adhesive material 306 can include a clear acrylic UV-cured adhesive, a clear polyurethane hot melt, or any other adhesive material capable of serving the principles of the present disclosure. So configured, and as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, no aspect of the brackets 300 extends above and/or over the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. That is, in this embodiment, the brackets 300 are disposed entirely below the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024, e.g., entirely opposite the shelf panel 1024 from its top surface 1023.
  • FIGS. 13 and 14 depict a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of support brackets 400, only one of which is shown, constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment the present disclosure. Similar to the embodiments described above, the shelf assembly 1020 includes a flat shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface (not shown) arranged and configured in a spill containment pattern (not shown) on its top surface 1023.
  • the spill containment pattern can resemble any of the patterns described above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.
  • each bracket 400 includes a triangular shaped plate a vertical plate portion 402 and a horizontal plate portion 404, thereby having a generally L-shaped upper cross-section.
  • the brackets 400 of this embodiment can be constructed of metal, plastic, or any other suitable material.
  • the vertical and horizontal plate portions 402, 404 are disposed at an angle of approximately 90° relative to each other. So configured, the horizontal plate portion 404 includes a substantially horizontal top surface 404a that corresponds to and supports a generally horizontal bottom surface 12a of a corresponding side perimeter portion 12 of the shelf panel 1024.
  • a layer of an adhesive material 406 is disposed between the top surfaces 404a of the horizontal plate portions 404 of the brackets 400 and the bottom surface 12a of the side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 1024 to fix the shelf panel 1024 to the brackets 400.
  • the adhesive material 406 can include a clear acrylic UV-cured adhesive, a clear polyurethane hot melt, or any other adhesive material capable of serving the principles of the present disclosure. So configured, and as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, no aspect of the brackets 400 extends above and/or over the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. That is, in this embodiment, the brackets 400 are disposed entirely below the shelf panel 1024, e.g., entirely opposite the shelf panel 1024 from its top surface 1023. As such, the usable space on the top surface 1023 is maximized.
  • FIGS. 15-17 depict a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of support brackets 500 constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment the present disclosure. Similar to the embodiments described above, the shelf assembly 1020 includes a flat shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface (not shown) arranged and configured in a spill containment pattern (not shown) on its top surface 1023.
  • the spill containment pattern can resemble any of the patterns described above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.
  • each bracket 500 includes a metal tri-angular shaped plate portion 502 and a plastic supporting rail 504.
  • the supporting rail 504 includes an elongated recess 504a receiving an elongated top edge 502a of the plate portion 502.
  • the supporting rail 504 is immovably fixed to the plate portion 502 by snap-fit or adhesion, for example.
  • the supporting rail 504 includes a substantially horizontal top surface 504b that corresponds to and supports a corresponding generally horizontal bottom surface 12a of the shelf panel 1024.
  • the bottom surfaces 12a of the side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 1024 are adhered to the top surfaces 504b of the supporting rails 504 with an adhesive material (not shown) to fix the shelf panel 10 to the brackets 500.
  • the adhesive material can include a clear acrylic UV-cured adhesive, a clear polyurethane hot melt, or any other adhesive material capable of serving the principles of the present disclosure. So configured, and as illustrated in FIGS. 15-17, no aspect of the brackets 500 extends above and/or over the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. That is, in this embodiment, the brackets 500 are disposed entirely below the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024, e.g., entirely opposite the shelf panel 1024 from its top surface 1023. As such, the usable space on the top surface 1023 is maximized.
  • FIG. 18 depicts a portion of a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of support brackets 600, only one of which is shown, constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment the present disclosure. Similar to the embodiments described above, the shelf assembly 1020 includes a flat shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface (not shown) arranged and configured in a spill containment pattern (not shown) on its top surface 1023.
  • the spill containment pattern can resemble any of the patterns described above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.
  • the support brackets 600 are adapted to support opposing side perimeter portions 12 of a flat shelf panel 1024 in a manner generally the same as those described above.
  • Each bracket 600 includes a vertical plate portion 602 and a horizontal plate portion 604, thereby having a generally upside-down L-shaped cross-section.
  • the vertical and horizontal plate portions 602, 604 are disposed at an angle of approximately 90° relative to each other.
  • the horizontal plate portion 604 includes a curved concave profile defining an elongated channel 608 in its topside and extending along the length thereof.
  • a layer of an adhesive material (not shown) is disposed in the channel 608 between the bracket 600 and a bottom surface 12a of the side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 1024.
  • channel 608 of the embodiment depicted above is formed by the horizontal plate portion 604 being curved
  • the channel 608 could alternatively be formed simply by having a recess in the top surface of the horizontal plate portion 604. So configured, the bottom surface of the horizontal plate portion 604 does not necessarily have to be curved, as illustrated.
  • This channel concept for receiving adhesive could be applied to any of the support brackets described above with reference to FIGS. 7-17.
  • the horizontal legs 104, 204, 404 of the brackets 100, 200, 400 depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, FIGS. 9 and 10, and FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively could include channels disposed in the top surfaces 104a, 204a, 304a thereof for receiving adhesive.
  • the top members 302 of the brackets 300 depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12 could include channels disposed in top surfaces thereof for receiving adhesive. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12, the channels could be formed directly into the horizontal supporting surfaces 304 of the top members 302 of the brackets 300.
  • FIGS. 11 and 12 the channels could be formed directly into the horizontal supporting surfaces 304 of the top members 302 of the brackets 300.
  • any of the foregoing shelf brackets 100-600 can be constructed of any one or more of a variety of materials such as metal, plastic, etc. and they may be attached to the shelf panel 1024 using any one or more of a variety of different adhesives, or other attachment means.
  • the process and/or method for assembling these components can also include a variety of variations.
  • the brackets described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8 could be constructed of a sheet metal with an epoxy polyester hybrid powder disposed on them.
  • the brackets are placed into a fixture and the adhesive, which can include Loctite 3494 acrylic UV/Visible light-cured adhesive, is applied to the top surface of the brackets automatically.
  • the glass shelf panel is then placed into the fixture on top of the adhesive and a clamping pressure is applied to the top of the glass shelf panel.
  • the adhesive "wets out,” i.e., the adhesive spreads out to a thickness of about 0.006" to about 0.010" thick.
  • the parts are then passed under a mercury UV lamp (wavelength of about 365nm, at about 200-400 watts per inch) for about 12-18 seconds, with the adhesive being disposed about 5.5" to about 6" away from the lamp. Once the adhesive is cured, the clamping pressure is removed and the assembly can be removed from the fixture.
  • a mercury UV lamp wavelength of about 365nm, at about 200-400 watts per inch
  • a hot-melt polyurethane adhesive can be used to secure the shelf panel to the brackets.
  • the brackets are placed into a fixture, and a melted polyurethane adhesive is applied instead of the UV cured adhesive described above.
  • the part is again clamped as the adhesive quick-sets. No lights are needed.
  • the assembly can then be removed from the fixture.
  • an adhesive tape such as 3M VHB tape
  • 3M VHB tape can be used instead of a liquid adhesive.
  • This tape would be placed onto either the underside of the glass shelf panel or on the top surface of the support brackets. Protective paper would then be removed from the tape, and the glass shelf panel and the support brackets can be joined together in a fixture, similar to that described above. A small amount of pressure is applied to the glass shelf panel to set the tape, and then the assembly can be removed from the fixture.
  • the shelf assemblies 1020 described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, and FIGS. 9 and 10 include support brackets 100, 200, respectively, that are adapted to be slidably supported on ribs formed in the side panels of an appliance such as a refrigerator.
  • Such slidable shelf assemblies 1020 can benefit from the incorporation of rear and front trim components.
  • FIGS. 19-22 illustrate one embodiment of such a slidable shelf assembly 1020 including, for the sake of illustration only, the support brackets 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
  • the shelf assembly 1020 of FIGS. 19- 22 could equally include the support brackets 200 described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
  • the shelf assembly 1020 includes a completely flat glass shelf panel 1024, a pair of opposing support brackets 100, a front trim component 14, and a rear trim component 16.
  • the support brackets 100 are adhered to the bottom of the side edges of the shelf panel 1024 for slidably supporting the shelf panel 1024 within a refrigerator in a manner identical to that described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
  • the front trim component 14 includes an elongated plastic member with a length substantially identical to the width of the shelf panel 1024. As shown in more detail in FIG. 21 the front trim component 14 includes a generally U-shaped attachment portion 18 and a lip portion 20 extending outward from the attachment portion 18.
  • the attachment portion 18 defines an elongated channel 22 with a plurality of barbed ribs 24 formed on both the upper and lower legs 18a, 18b of the attachment portion 18 and extending into the channel 22.
  • the channel 22 receives the front edge of the shelf panel 1024 such that the barbed ribs 24 frictionally engage the panel 1024 and fix the front trim component 14 thereto.
  • the front trim component 14 and, more particularly, the lip portion 20 of the front trim component 18 serves as a "bumper,” for example, to prevent bottles or other glass objects that are being loaded into the refrigerator from impacting the bare glass edge of the shelf panel 1024 and breaking the same.
  • the rear trim component 16 of the shelf assembly 1020 is illustrated as being substantially identical to the front trim component 14, but without the lip portion extending outward. Instead, the rear trim component 16 merely includes a generally U-shaped attachment portion 26 having upper and lower legs 26a, 26b.
  • the attachment portion 26 defines an elongated channel 28 with a plurality of barbed ribs 30 formed only on the upper leg 26a of the attachment portion 26.
  • the channel 28 receives the rear edge of the shelf panel 1024 such that the barbed ribs 30 frictionally engage the shelf panel 1024 and fix the rear trim component 16 thereto. So configured, the rear trim component 16 serves as a "stopper" to prevent items stored on the back portion of the shelf panel 1024 from sliding off of the shelf panel 1024 in the event that a user abruptly slides the shelf assembly 1020 out of the refrigerator.
  • FIG. 21 depicts a front trim component 14 that is U-shaped and receives the front edge of the shelf panel 1024
  • FIG. 23 illustrates an alternative front trim component 32.
  • the trim component 32 extends generally the length of and is fixed to the front edge of the shelf panel 1024 with a layer of adhesive 34.
  • the front trim component 32 includes a generally L-shaped cross-section and includes a horizontal leg 36 and a vertical leg 38 disposed at an angle of approximately 90° relative to the horizontal leg 36.
  • the front trim component 32 is preferably constructed of a plastic material such that the vertical leg 38 thereof can absorb the impact of glass bottles being loaded into the refrigerator, for example, and prevent breakage. While the trim component 32 in FIG.
  • trim component 32 depicted in FIG. 23 is described as being constructed of plastic, other materials are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
  • One advantage of the trim component 32 depicted in FIG. 23 is that it does not interfere with, encroach upon, or otherwise obstruct the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. As such, the available space on the top surface 1023 is maximized while also providing the "bumper" function.
  • the shelves having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern of various embodiments of the present disclosure were tested to determine that amount of water that could be retained on the shelf without failure (i.e. leakage). To accommodate for variations in the area of the shelves, which would affect the volume of liquid retained, the amount of retained water was measured as the height of the water retained in the non- hydrophobic region. Testing was completed by first leveling the shelf using a leveling apparatus. The shelf can be placed over a tray to catch any leakage from the shelf. The test water had a temperature in a range of 32°F to 50°F. Water was poured slowly so as not to cause "waves" or splashes" onto the geometric center of the non-hydrophobic region.
  • water can be poured onto the shelf using a small funnel. A screw can be inserted into the funnel to baffle the flow, if needed. Water can be introduced into the funnel in about 5 mm or about 10 mm increments. Water volume was measured prior to pouring onto the shelf, using, for example, graduated cylinders. Water was poured onto the shelf at a distance of about 1 mm to about 2 mm above the shelf. The shelf was continually filled with water until overflow just began to occur. The height of the water retained on the shelf was then determined by dividing the volume of water poured onto the shelf just prior to overflow by the area of the non-hydrophobic region.
  • Shelves prepared with a hydrophobic spill containment pattern using an acid etch surface treatment and tridecafluoro-l,l,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl trichlorosilane as the hydrophobic solution were also tested for water height retention.
  • Acid etching was performed using Armour Etch ® Glass Etching Cream.
  • Shelves were prepared by etching for about 3 minutes to about 6 minutes.
  • Example 25 was etched twice using an etching time of from 3 to 6 minutes for each etching process. Specifically, a first etching procedure was performed by applying the etching solution to the substrate, allowing it to remain on the substrate for about 3 minutes to about 6 minutes, and washing the etching solution from the surface of the substrate.
  • a second etching procedure was then performed by again applying the etching solution, allowing it to remain on the substrate for about 3 minutes to about 6 minutes, and washing the etching solution from the surface.
  • the fluorosilane was applied and the shelf was baked for about 20 minutes at 200°F.
  • the shelves were first tested for water height retention shortly after having the hydrophobic spill containment pattern was formed and cooled. The shelves were then retested sometime after the first test. As shown in the data below, in general, the water height retention properties of the shelves improved after the first testing. Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that when the spill containment pattern is first contact with water after formation, additionally silicon oxide groups remaining on the surface of silane and/or the surface-modified substrate by hydrolyzed by the water, thereby creating additional bonding sites between the silane and the surface-modified substrate and improving the hydrophobic nature of the spill containment pattern.
  • the average water height of the acid etch samples was about 5.18 mm.
  • the average water height of the acid etched shelves, which were etched for about 3 minutes was about 5.18 mm.
  • the average water height of the acid etched shelves, which were etched for about 4 minutes was about 5.19 mm.
  • the average water height of the acid etched shelves, which were etched for about 5 minutes was about 5.18 mm.
  • the average water height of the acid etched shelves, which were etched for about 6 minutes was about 5.19 mm. Examples No. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
  • the shelves having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern of various embodiments of the present disclosure were tested to determine the ability of the shelf to retain a spill (simulated by water) following repeated abrasion of the hydrophobic treatment.
  • the amount of water retained by the shelf before failure was measured before any abrasions were applied using the method described above and the height of the retained water was calculated.
  • a one quart glass jar was used to make abrasions by placing it on the hydrophobic region and sliding the jar horizontally along the surface of the shelf until the jar has passed over the entire hydrophobic region. The jar was then slide back to its original position, passing over the hydrophobic surface once more. The forward and backward motion of the jar is defined as one jar abrasion cycle.
  • a shelf having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern formed from a ceramic frit and a hydrophobic compound did not lose effectiveness for retaining water in the non-hydrophobic region of the shelf after 300 abrasion cycles.
  • Shelves having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern formed by acid etching the substrate and applying the hydrophobic compound to the acid etched region showed some loss of effectiveness after 300 abrasion cycles.
  • the shelves having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern of various embodiments of the present disclosure were tested to determine the ability of the shelf to retain a spill (water) following repeated cleaning cycles.
  • a cleaning cycle is defined as five forward and backward motions of the cleaning product/applicator perpendicular to the hydrophobic treatment with a consistent 2 kg load.
  • the Windex/paper towel cleaning method was prepared by saturating a 5 inch square of paper towel with Windex Original formula so that the paper towel was completely wet, but not dripping.
  • the Dawn dish soap/cotton dish cloth method was performed using a solution containing 2 ml of Dawn dish soap in one liter of room temperature water. The cotton dish cloth was then dipped in the solution and applied to the shelf.
  • the Formula 409/sponge method was performed by cutting a sponge into an approximately 1 inch by 1 inch square and saturating the sponge with Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner.
  • the Clorox wipe method was performed using a Clorox Wipe folded into a 1 inch by 1 inch square. All methods were performed using a 2 kg mass applied to the applicator.
  • a shelf having a hydrophobic pattern formed from a ceramic frit and a hydrophobic compound did not lose effectiveness after 30 cleaning cycles.
  • Shelves having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern formed by acid etching the glass substrate and applying a hydrophobic compound to the etched portion minimally lost effectiveness after 30 cleaning cycles.
  • Stain resistance of a shelf having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure was tested against a variety of staining agents, including, spaghetti sauce, canned beets, grape juice, yellow mustard, butter, Italian dressing, cherry Kool-Aid, and Soy sauce.
  • staining agents including, spaghetti sauce, canned beets, grape juice, yellow mustard, butter, Italian dressing, cherry Kool-Aid, and Soy sauce.
  • Each staining agent was applied to approximately one inch areas of the shelf, including a portion of the hydrophobic spill containment pattern and the non-hydrophobic region, and then allowed to stand for approximately 72 hours. The majority of the dried material was then wiped from the shelf with a paper towel and clean wash cloth containing a mixture of water and Dawn dish soap was used to remove any remnants of the material.
  • a shelf having a hydrophobic still containment pattern formed from a ceramic frit and a hydrophobic compound in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure was sta
  • the hydrophobic surface arranged in a spill containment pattern in accordance with the preferred embodiments provides a spill containment feature which prevents spilled liquids from leaking off of the top surface of the shelf, and shelves in accordance with the preferred embodiments can be used in various
  • shelf members or other support surfaces having a hydrophobic spill containment surfaces could be used in various settings, such as shelving in other settings, tables, countertops or the like, and are not limited to use as refrigerator shelves.
  • any method which may be used for creating a hydrophobic surface arranged in a spill containment pattern in substantially the same plane as the top surface of the shelf member is within the scope of the disclosure described herein, even if such method requires the use of multiple pieces to manufacture the shelf member.
  • a frame of hydrophobic material may be bonded to the shelf member such that it forms a continuous border which is generally in the same plane as the top surface of the shelf.
  • a shelf assembly comprising: a shelf panel having a completely flat top surface which is capable of supporting articles which may be placed on said shelf panel; a hydrophobic surface arranged in a spill containment pattern on the said top surface; wherein the majority of the surface area of said top surface of the shelf panel is not hydrophobic, thereby providing one or more non-hydrophobic central portions bounded by said spill containment pattern of said hydrophobic surface.
  • Aspect 2 The shelf assembly of Aspect 1, wherein said spill containment pattern is a continuous border which defines a single non-hydrophobic central portion within said border.
  • Aspect 3 The shelf assembly of any one of Aspects 1 or 2, wherein said spill containment pattern is a continuous border located near the perimeter of the top surface of the shelf panel.
  • Aspect 4 The shelf assembly of any one of Aspects 1 or 2, wherein said spill containment pattern is located along the perimeter of the top surface of the shelf panel.
  • Aspect 5 The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said spill containment pattern comprises a first continuous border and a second continuous border spaced from said first continuous border, the first continuous border located along the perimeter of the top surface of the shelf panel, and the second continuous border spaced inwardly from said first continuous border such that the second continuous border completely bounds a non-hydrophobic central portion of the top surface of the shelf panel, and the first and second continuous borders together define between them area non-hydrophobic ring portion for containing overflow from said non- hydrophobic central portion.
  • Aspect 6 The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said spill containment pattern is in the form of a grid pattern on the top surface of the shelf panel and wherein said grid pattern defines a plurality of non-hydrophobic central portions on the top surface of the shelf panel, each of the plurality of non-hydrophobic central portions completely bounded by the grid pattern.
  • Aspect 9 The shelf assembly of Aspect 8, wherein the shelf panel is glass.
  • Aspect 10 The shelf assembly of Aspect 7, wherein the hydrophobic surface is transparent.
  • Aspect 11 The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein at least some portion of the hydrophobic surface is colored.
  • Aspect 12 The shelf assembly of Aspect 11, wherein the hydrophobic surface contains a colored portion in a form chosen from the group consisting of a pattern, a company name, a company logo and combinations thereof.
  • Aspect 13 The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein the hydrophobic surface comprises: a ceramic frit layer adjacent to and bonded to the top surface of said shelf panel; and a hydrophobic compound coated over the ceramic frit layer.
  • Aspect 14 The shelf assembly of Aspect 13, wherein said ceramic frit layer contains additive particles that create roughness in a top surface of the ceramic frit layer.
  • Aspect 15 The shelf assembly of any one of Aspects 13 or 14, wherein at least a portion of said ceramic frit layer is colored.
  • Aspect 16 The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic coating over a roughened area in the surface of said shelf panel.
  • Aspect 17 The shelf assembly of Aspect 16, wherein said roughened area is made by etching the surface with acid.
  • Aspect 18 The shelf assembly of Aspect 16, wherein said roughened area is made by binding particles to surface of the shelf panel.
  • Aspect 19 The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a coating of hydrophobic particles on the surface of said shelf panel.
  • Aspect 20 The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic compound applied over or within the matrix of a cured sol gel composition.
  • Aspect 21 The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a metal oxide primer with an integrated hydrophobic compound.
  • Aspect 22 The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic coating applied over a metal oxide primer.
  • Aspect 23 The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic compound comprising a variety of molecular chain lengths to create a coating with surface irregularities.
  • Aspect 24 The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein the hydrophobic surface arranged in the spill containment pattern has a thickness in the range of approximately 0.001 microns to approximately 250 microns.
  • Aspect 25 The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein the hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic compound selected from the group consisting of fluorocarbons, fluoroalkyl silanes, fluoroalkoxy silanes, fluoroalkyl alkyl silanes, and combinations thereof.
  • a method of manufacturing a shelf capable of containing liquid spills thereon comprising: providing a panel having a generally flat top surface which is capable of supporting articles which may be placed on said panel; applying a hydrophobic surface arranged in a spill containment pattern generally in the plane of said top surface; leaving the majority of the surface area of said top surface of the panel non- hydrophobic, thereby providing one or more non-hydrophobic central portions bounded by the spill containment pattern of the hydrophobic surface.
  • Aspect 27 The method of Aspect 26, wherein applying a hydrophobic surface comprises: applying a ceramic frit to the top surface of the panel in a spill containment pattern; curing the ceramic frit to couple the ceramic frit to the top surface of the panel; applying a hydrophobic compound to the cured ceramic frit; and curing the hydrophobic compound.
  • Aspect 28 The method of Aspect 27, wherein curing the ceramic frit comprises heating the ceramic frit to a temperature in a range of about 1000°F to about 1400°F.
  • Aspect 29 The method of Aspect 27 or 28, wherein curing the hydrophobic compound comprises heating the hydrophobic compound to a temperature in a range of about 100°F to about 600°F.
  • Aspect 30 The method of Aspect 27 or 28, wherein curing the hydrophobic compound comprises exposing the hydrophobic compound to ambient temperature.
  • Aspect 31 The method of any one of Aspect 27 to 30, wherein applying the hydrophobic compound comprises applying a hydrophobic solution comprising the hydrophobic compound dispersed or dissolved in a solvent to the cured ceramic frit.
  • Aspect 32 The method of any one of Aspect 27 to 31, further comprising etching the cured ceramic frit with an etching solution prior to applying the hydrophobic compound to the cured ceramic frit.
  • Aspect 33 The method of any one of Aspect 27 to 31, further comprising etching the entire panel including the cured ceramic frit prior to applying the hydrophobic compound to the cured ceramic frit.

Abstract

Shelf assembly for containing spills on shelving by providing the generally flat top surface of a support (1024) with a hydrophobic surface which is arranged in a spill containment pattern and which is generally in the plane of the top surface of the support. The majority of the top surface of the support consists of one or more spill containment areas which are of a non-hydrophobic nature and which are bounded by the hydrophobic surfaces, such that spills on the shelving collect in the non-hydrophobic spill containment area or areas and are prevented from spreading by the hydrophobic surfaces.

Description

SPILL CONTAINING REFRIGERATOR SHELF ASSEMBLY
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Priority is claimed to U.S. Patent Application No. 12/562,920, filed September 18, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No.
PCT/US09/48775, filed June 26, 2009, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/216,540, filed May 18, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/133,273, filed June 27, 2008, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to shelving and the like, e.g., countertops and table tops, including shelving which may be adapted for use with refrigerators. More particularly, the invention relates to the support surfaces of such articles which have spill containing features.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Previous types of shelving have been developed for use as refrigerator and other shelves. Shelving designs exist in the prior art which include means for containing liquid spills and leaks from a container stored on a shelf, and preventing the spill from dripping from the shelf onto the floor or into other parts of a refrigerator, commonly referred to as "spill proof" shelving. For example, Kane, et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,564,809, issued October 14, 1996, discloses a shelf assembly with a shelf panel, a shelf support supporting the panel, and a molded one-piece member encapsulating the edge of the shelf panel and a substantial majority of the shelf support. [0004] Herrmann, et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,735,589, issued April 7, 1998, discloses a shelf panel for a refrigerator compartment, which includes a shelf panel that is slidably supported for extension and retraction on a support, and which includes slide members that are preferably molded so as to form a rim on the top support surface of the shelf panel to contain liquids.
[0005] Bird, et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,429,433, issued July 4, 1995, also describes a refrigerator shelf which is adapted for containment of spills on the shelf. The shelf includes a planar shelf with a rim molded around the perimeter edge of the shelf. The rim projects above the top surface of the shelf to form a dam for containing liquid spills on the shelf.
[0006] Meier, et al., U.S. Patent 6,120,720, issued September 19, 2000, discloses a method of manufacturing a glass shelf with a plastic edge for retaining spills on the shelf. The glass shelf panel is placed in a cavity of a mold and plastic material is injected into the cavity surrounding the glass shelf panel such that a plastic edging is formed around the perimeter of the glass shelf panel.
[0007] Additional techniques for containing spills in refrigerator shelving include the use of injection molded plastic, so as to encapsulate a support plate forming the shelf, using plastic molded parts to essentially "sandwich" a support plate between the parts, or using a silicone sealant or various other types of adhesives to form physical spill containment barriers around the perimeter of the refrigerator shelving. In addition to the foregoing, it is known to utilize formed lips or ridges on the surface of the support plate itself, so as to essentially provide a physical barrier as a liquid retention feature. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is a method for containing spills on shelving and the like having a support top surface, and the resulting items made in accordance with the method, by providing the support top surface with a hydrophobic surface which is arranged in a spill containment pattern and which is generally in the plane of the top surface of the support. The majority of the top surface of the support consists of one or more spill containment areas which are of a non-hydrophobic nature and which are bounded by the hydrophobic surfaces, such that spills on the surface collect in the non-hydrophobic spill containment area or areas and are prevented from spreading by the hydrophobic surfaces.
[0009] These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the Description of the Preferred
Embodiments, and the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art shelf assembly mounted on a pair of support brackets, and utilizing the concept of encapsulation of a shelf for providing spill containment features;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front, sectional view of the shelf assembly shown in FIG. 1, with the absence of the support brackets;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shelf assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention including a shelf mounted on a pair of support brackets, the shelf including a hydrophobic spill containment pattern disposed on the top surface thereof to contain spilled liquids;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a front, elevation view of the shelf assembly shown in FIG. 3, with the absence of the support brackets;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a shelf assembly constructed in accordance with the present disclosure and having a grid-like hydrophobic spill containment pattern;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment shelf assembly constructed in accordance with the present disclosure and having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern that includes first and second borders;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a shelf assembly including support brackets constructed in accordance with a first embodiment the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 7 taken through line VIII- VIII of FIG. 7;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a shelf assembly including support brackets constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 9 taken through line X-X of FIG. 9;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a shelf assembly including support brackets constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure; [0022] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 11 taken through line XI-XI of FIG. 11;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a side view of a shelf assembly including support brackets constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 13 taken through line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a shelf assembly including support brackets constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a support bracket of the shelf assembly of FIG. 15;
[0027] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 15 taken through line XVII-XVII of FIG. 15;
[0028] FIG. 18 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a shelf assembly including support brackets constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 19 is a top view of a shelf assembly including front and rear trim components in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 20 is a side view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 19;
[0031] FIG. 21 is a detail view of the front trim component of the shelf assembly of FIGS. 19 and 20 taken from circle XXI of FIG. 20; [0032] FIG. 22 is a detail view of the rear trim component of the shelf assembly of FIGS. 19 and 20 taken from circle XXII of FIG. 20;
[0033] FIG. 23 is a detail view of front portion of a shelf assembly including a front trim component in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 24 is a graph showing the water height retention test results after abrasion with a glass jar for three shelves formed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 25 is a graph showing the water height retention test results after performing a cleaning process on three shelves formed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0036] FIGS. 26 A and 26B are photographs demonstrating the stain resistant properties of a shelf having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern formed of a ceramic frit and a hydrophobic compound in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] In the preferred embodiments, the term "shelving and/or the like," "shelving," "shelf," or "shelf and/or the like" encompasses shelves and articles whose top surfaces such as pantry shelves, countertops, stovetops, cook-tops, and table tops. Certain embodiments are especially advantageous for use in refrigerator and freezer shelving.
[0038] In such preferred embodiments of the invention, refrigerator shelving is provided with a spill containment pattern which may consist of a hydrophobic surface in the pattern of a frame-like border, which defines the boundaries of a single non- hydrophobic spill containment area therein. The pattern may be a frame-like border which extends along the perimeter of the shelf s top surface (FIG. 3), or it may be spaced from the perimeter and encompass a smaller portion of the top surface, and may include an outer border with a final spill catch area between the inner and outer border (FIG. 6). It may consist of a hydrophobic surface in a grid-like pattern, which pattern defines the boundaries of several spill containment areas therein (FIG. 5). Other variations are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0039] A preferred embodiment shelf may be incorporated into a shelving assembly with a shelf-supporting mechanism, such as a bracket, and a shelf, which is capable of supporting articles on its top surface. The disclosure provided herein relates to the shelf portion of the assembly, and various brackets that can be used with the shelf.
[0040] The shelf may consist of a substrate formed of metal, glass, plastic, another suitable material, or a combination of any of the foregoing, and which has a hydrophobic surface which is generally in the same plane as the top surface of the shelf substrate and which is arranged in a spill containment pattern to provide a spill containment feature on the top surface of the shelf substrate, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-6 and described below. The majority of the surface area of the top surface of the shelf substrate is non-hydrophobic in nature. The non-hydrophobic region of the top surface is bounded by the hydrophobic spill containment pattern such that spilled liquids are repelled by the hydrophobic spill containment pattern and pool and remain contained on these non-hydrophobic spill containing areas by the hydrophobic surfaces. The shelves described herein can be adapted for use as refrigerator or freezer shelves, for example.
[0041] A hydrophobic or super hydrophobic surface treatment may be applied to the shelf substrate's top surface to create the hydrophobic spill containment pattern described herein in a variety of methods, and any surface coatings may be used which are known to be hydrophobic or super-hydrophobic or are known to make a surface hydrophobic or super-hydrophobic. The hydrophobic surface described herein is not limited to any specific hydrophobic or super hydrophobic surface treatment, and any method of making a portion of the surface of the shelf substrate hydrophobic may be employed.
[0042] More specifically, according to the preferred embodiments, there are several hydrophobic compounds which may be used. Some of the hydrophobic compounds include: fluorocarbons; fluoroalkyl silanes; fluoroalkoxy silanes; and fluoroalkyl alkyl silanes. Any such hydrophobic compounds or a mixture thereof can be used to create the hydrophobic surfaces described herein, and other applicable hydrophobic compounds could also be used. It is believed that tridecafluoro-l,l,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl trichlorosilane provides a good example of a suitable hydrophobic compound. Other suitable hydrophobic compounds include, for example,
nonafluorohexyldimethyl(dimethylamino)silane,
heptadecafluorotetrahydrodecyldimethyl(dimethylamino)silane, tetrahdyrodecyl- tris(dimethylamino)silane, tridecafluoro-l,l,2,2,-tetrahydrooctyl silane, (tridecafluoro- 1 , 1 ,2,2-tetrahydooctyl)trimethoxysilane, (tridecafluoro- 1 , 1 ,2,2- tetrahydooctyl)triethoxysilane, n-octadecyl trimethoxysilane, n-octyl triethoxysilane, and heptadecafluoro-l,l,2,2-tetrahedyodecyl-tris(dimethylamino)silane. It is believed that the above-identified silanes bond and adhere strongly to glass and glass-like surfaces such as the cured ceramic frit material.
[0043] Further in accordance with the preferred embodiments described herein, methods of creating the hydrophobic surface may include, without limitation: application of a hydrophobic compound to the top surface using an application technique such as spraying; brushing; wiping; dipping; solvent casting; flow coating; curtain coating; roller coating; spin coating; printing; screen printing; ink jet printing; vacuum coating; magnetic field-assisted cathodic sputtering; plasma deposition; plasma magnetron deposition; plasma or atmospheric CVD; powder or liquid pyrolysis; atomization or chemical vapor deposition; electrophoretic deposition; cross-linking processes; etc. Another method of creating the hydrophobic surface can include "roughening" the portion of the surface of the substrate to be made hydrophobic using various methods (sanding, abrading, etching, e.g., acid etching, or otherwise removing material from the surface) and then applying a hydrophobic compound to the "roughened" surface. Etching can be performed using, for example, hydrofluoric acid, sodium silicate, bifluorides, including for example, a ammonium bifluoride sodium bifluoride, and mixtures thereof, any other known etching solutions, and any mixtures thereof. Commercially available etching solutions are available, for example from Armour® Products (Hawthorne, New Jersey). For examples, the Armour Etch Bath® Glass Dipping Solution (product name) or Armour Etch® Glass Etching Cream (product name), available from Armour® Products can be used, and includes a mixture of ammonium bifluoride and sodium bifluoride. The etching solution can be applied to the substrate surface with an applicator in the desired pattern. A mask, which is resistant to the etching solution, can be placed on the region of the substrate to be non-hydrophobic to protect this region from being etched. The etching solution can be allowed to remain on the substrate surface for a time in a range of about 15 seconds to about 20 minutes, about 20 seconds to about 15 minutes, about 30 seconds to about 10 minutes, about 45 seconds to about 8 minutes, about 1 minute to about 10 minutes, about 2 minutes to about 8 minutes, about 4 minutes to about 6 minutes, about 15 seconds to about 1 minute, about 20 seconds to about 50 seconds, about 25 seconds to about 45 seconds, about 30 seconds to about 40 seconds, about 1 minute to about 20 minutes, about 5 to about 15 minutes, or about 7 minutes to about 10 minutes. Other suitable times include, for example, about 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 25 seconds, 30 seconds, 35 seconds, 40 seconds, 45 seconds, 50 seconds, 55 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, 6 minutes, 7 minutes, 8 minutes, 9 minutes, 10 minutes, 11 minutes, 12 minutes, 13 minutes, 14 minutes, 15 minutes, 16 minutes, 17 minutes, 18 minutes, 19 minutes, and 20 minutes.
[0044] The hydrophobic surface can also be formed, for example, by providing a coating of hydrophobic particles on the surface, by using sol-gel deposition to apply a hydrophobic compound to the surface, either on top of or within the matrix of the sol-gel, by applying a metal oxide primer with an integrated or separate hydrophobic compound, by applying a hydrophobic compound comprising a variety of molecular chain lengths to create a coating with surface irregularities, or by adhering a thin material, such as a tape of thin glass or plastic which has been made hydrophobic to the surface. The
hydrophobic surface can formed, for example, by applying a ceramic frit material, with or without structure forming particles therein, to the surface of the substrate in the desired spill containment pattern, curing the frit, and then applying a hydrophobic compound over the cured frit and curing the hydrophobic compound.
[0045] Any combination of the above-described surface treatment methods can be also be used. For example, the substrate can be first prepared by applying and curing a ceramic frit material to the substrate. The ceramic frit material can then be etched using an etching solution as described above, and a hydrophobic compound can be applied to the etched ceramic frit. Alternatively, the entire substrate including the ceramic frit material can be etched using an etching solution, and a hydrophobic compound can then be applied to the etched ceramic frit. Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that etching the ceramic frit prior to application of the hydrophobic compound can improve the hydrophobic properties of the spill containment pattern by creating additional bonding sites on the ceramic frit to which the hydrophobic compound can bond. Additionally, the etched ceramic frit may include more surface area to which the hydrophobic compound can attached by virtue of the combined macro-scale surface roughening provided by the ceramic frit and micro- scale surface roughening provided by etching the ceramic frit.
[0046] The hydrophobic surface treatments described herein can be cured according to a number of different methods, if curing is required by the surface preparation or the hydrophobic compound, including without limitation: conduction heating; convection heating; UV radiation; VUV radiation; electron beam irradiation; ionizing radiation; laser; IR; and thermal radiation. The hydrophobic surface treatments can also be cured by remaining at ambient conditions for a sufficient length of time, for example, from about 16 hours to about 48 hours, from about 20 hours to about 40 hours, and from about 25 hours to about 35 hours. Curing can be performed in a controlled humidity environment. For example, curing can be performed at less than 70% humidity, less than 60% humidity, less than 50% humidity, less than 40% humidity, less than 30% humidity, less than 20% humidity, less than 10% humidity, or at 0% humidity. [0047] One preferred embodiment of the shelf assembly comprises a glass or tempered glass shelf substrate which is printed, e.g., screen printed, with a ceramic frit material, over which a hydrophobic coating is applied. The ceramic frit can be patterned on the substrate using any known placing, printing, or other patterning methods. The ceramic frit material is placed or printed in a pattern, for example, a frame-like border pattern on the glass substrate, which defines at least a portion of the spill containment pattern. For example, the ceramic frit material can be screen printed onto the substrate in the desired pattern using, for example, a silk screen having a mesh count in a range of about 80 to about 360, about 100 to about 300, about 120 to about 280, about 140 to about 240, about 160 to about 220, about 180 to about 200, about 86 to about 360. Other suitable mesh counts include about 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 340, 350, and 360. Various other mesh counts may be suitable depending on the composition and particle size of the frit material used. As described in more detail below, the hydrophobic spill containment pattern, and consequently, the frit pattern, can have a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be placed in a variety of locations on the glass substrate. Additionally, portions of the hydrophobic spill containment pattern can be formed, for example, using different hydrophobic compounds and/or different surface treatments. For example, a portion of the spill containment pattern can be formed, for example, by applying and curing a ceramic frit to the substrate and applying a
hydrophobic compound to the cured ceramic frit (as described in more detail below) and another portion of the hydrophobic spill containment pattern can be formed, for example, by acid etching a portion of the substrate and applying the hydrophobic compound to the etched portion.
[0048] In accordance with various aspects of the invention, the ceramic frit material can include finely ground particles. For example, the ceramic frit material can include lead oxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the frit material includes silicon dioxide. More preferably, the frit material includes from 5 weight percent (wt.%) to about 100 wt.% silicon dioxide, from about 10 wt.% to about 80 wt.%, from about 20 wt.% to about 60 wt.% from about 30 wt.% to about 40 wt.% from about 15 wt.% to about 75 wt.%, from about 20 wt.% to about 50 wt.%. Other suitable amounts of silicon dioxide in the frit material can include, for example, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 wt.%. For example, the frit material can include about 29 wt.% silicon dioxide. The frit material can also include, for example, additives, such as tantalum oxide, titanium dioxide, calcium oxide, zirconium oxide, sodium oxide, potassium oxides, iron oxide magnesium oxide, barium oxide, bismuth oxide, and mixtures thereof. Suitable commercially available frit materials can be used. For example, a commercially available frit material is available from Ferro Corp. (hereinafter "the Ferro frit") under Product No. A0430 Etch C32 Medium, and contains about 53.71 wt.% lead oxide, about 29 wt.% silicon dioxide, 15.72 wt.% aluminum oxide, 0.39 wt.% tantalum oxide, 0.38 wt.% titanium dioxide, 0.28 wt.% calcium oxide, 0.26 wt.% zirconium oxide, 0.11 wt.% sodium oxide, 0.04 wt.% potassium oxide, 0.04 wt.% iron oxide, 0.03 wt.% magnesium oxide, 0.02 wt.% barium oxide, and 0.02 wt.% bismuth oxide. The particles of the frit material may be mixed with inorganic or organic pigments or dyes, so as to yield a desired color. The ceramic frit material may be provided as a dry powder or as a paste or other such mixture. Once the ceramic frit material is placed on the substrate, the ceramic frit is then coupled to the substrate. For example, the ceramic frit can be coupled to the substrate by fusing the ceramic frit to the substrate. The ceramic frit can be coupled or fused to substrate by heating the substrate to a temperature in a range of about 1000°F to about 1400°F, about 1100°F to about 1300°F, about 1100°F to about 1200°F, and about 1200°F to about 1400°F. Other suitable temperatures include about 1000°F, 1050°F, 1100°F, 1150°F, 1200°F, 1250°F, 1300°F, 1350°F, and 1400°F. This heat treatment will cause the particles of the ceramic frit to cure by fusing to each other and to the glass surface to form a continuous structure and thereby couple the ceramic frit to the substrate. The pattern of the fused frit will be substantially identical to the pattern in which the frit material was placed on the substrate. It is believed that this fused frit coating can be characterized as being nearly as hard and tough as the glass itself. Also, the coated glass with the ceramic frit material is durable, and resists chipping, peeling, fading, and scratching.
Advantageously, the ceramic frit material is resistant to abrasions from common household containers, such as, for example, glass jars. In addition, the ceramic frit material is substantially resistant to most chemicals. Accordingly, the ceramic frit material is substantially resistant to a variety of cleaners that may be used to clean a glass shelf, including, for example, dish soap, such as Dawn dish soap, Windex, Sparkle, Clorox wipes, and Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner. A shelf having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern formed from a ceramic frit can resist multiple cleanings without experiencing a decrease in the shelf's ability to retain spilled liquids. [0049] In one embodiment, the ceramic frit can include some micro- scale additive particles which will remain unmelted at the temperature at which the frit is sintered, as described for example in U.S. Patents 4,591,530 to Lui, 6,872,441 and 6,800,354 to Baumann, and 5,324,566 and 5,437,894 to Ogawa. The frit is printed or placed in the pattern of a frame-like border at or near the outer perimeter of the shelf substrate's top surface or other desired location for the spill containment pattern. The shelf with the printed frit is then heated to a temperature above the melting point of the primary components of the frit material, but below the melting point of the glass shelf, for a time sufficient to cure the frit so that it is fused or bonded to the top surface of the shelf substrate. The specific time and temperature required to sinter the frit will vary based on the materials chosen for the frit.
[0050] By way of example only, the application of the hydrophobic compound will be described with reference to a glass substrate having a fused frit surface modification. Other surface modifications and/or preparations, including for example, acid etching and other surface roughening methods, can be used as described above, and the hydrophobic compound can be similarly applied to such surface modified substrates. The hydrophobic compound, such as, for example, a fluorocarbon, a fluoroalkyl silane, a fluoroalkoxy silane, or a fluoroalkyl alkyl silane is then applied to the fused frit material. Suitable hydrophobic compounds can include, for example, tridecafluoro-l,l,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl trichlorosilane, nonafluorohexyldimethyl(dimethylamino)silane,
heptadecafluorotetrahydrodecyldimethyl(dimethylamino)silane, tetrahdyrodecyl- tris(dimethylamino)silane, tridecafluoro-l,l,2,2,-tetrahydrooctyl silane, (tridecafluoro- 1 , 1 ,2,2-tetrahydooctyl)trimethoxysilane, (tridecafluoro- 1 , 1 ,2,2- tetrahydooctyl)triethoxysilane, n-octadecyl trimethoxysilane, n-octyl triethoxysilane, and heptadecafluoro- 1 , 1 ,2,2-tetrahedyodecyl-tris(dimethylamino)silane.
[0051] The hydrophobic compound can be applied to the frit material as a hydrophobic solution, which includes a solvent and the hydrophobic compound dissolved or dispersed in the solvent. The solvent can be, for example, dry or wet hexane. Suitable solvents include, for example, hexane, heptanes, methyl chloride, naptha, toluene, acetone, perfluorocarbons, and mixtures thereof. The hydrophobic solution can include from about 0.1% to about 5% of hydrophobic compound. Other suitable ranges include, for example, about 0.5 % to 4%, about 1% to about 3%, about 1% to about 5%, and about 2% to about 4%. Suitable amounts of the hydrophobic compound in the hydrophobic solution, can include, for example, about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, and 5%. For example, a 1% solution of tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2- tetrahydrooctyl trichlorosilane, a perfluoroalkyl alkyl silane, in hexane, can be applied to the fused frit, for example by wiping the solution onto the frit or applying the solution using an applicator tip, or by using any other known method. The hydrophobic compound can be applied to the solution using, for example, a one pass method in which a coated applicator is swept across the frit border a single time or a multiple pass method in which the applicator is passed over the frit border two or more times. The hydrophobic solution is then cured by heating it and/or exposing it to controlled humidity for a period of time. For example, conductive heating, convention heating, thermal radiation, UV radiation, VUV radiation, electron beam irradiation, ionizing radiation, laser, IR can be used to cure the hydrophobic solution. The hydrophobic solution can be cured, for example, at a temperature in a range of about 100°F to about 600°F, about 150°F to about 550°F, about 200°F to about 500°F, about 250°F to about 450°F, about 300°F to about 350°F, or about 100°F to about 300°F. Other suitable temperatures include, for example, about 100°F, 150°F, 200°F, 250°F, 300°F, 350°F, 400°F, 450°F, 500°F, 550°F, and 600°F. The hydrophobic solution can be cured, for example, by heating for a time in a range of about 5 minutes to about 1 hour, about 10 minutes to about 45 minutes, about 20 minutes to about 30 minutes, about 10 minutes to about 20 minutes, and about 15 minutes to about 30 minutes. Other suitable times include, for example, about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 minutes. Alternatively, the hydrophobic solution can be cured without heating. Heating, however, can accelerate the curing process. For example, the hydrophobic solution can be allowed to cure by leaving the glass substrate having the cured ceramic frit coated with the hydrophobic solution in ambient conditions for a time in a range of about 16 to about 48 hours, about 20 to about 40 hours, about 25 to about 35 hours, about 16 to about 24 hours, or about 20 hours to about 30 hours. The hydrophobic solution can be cured, whether at elevated temperatures or at ambient temperature, in relatively dry environment. For example, the hydrophobic solution can be cured in an environment having less than 70% humidity, less than 60% humidity, less than 50% humidity, less than 40% humidity, less than 30% humidity, less than 20% humidity, less than 10% humidity, or at 0% humidity. Upon curing, the hydrophobic compound preferably forms a continuous hydrophobic layer on the fused frit or other surface treatment.
[0052] Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that in the case of a fluorosilane, bonding is achieved between surface Si-OH contained on and extending from the surface of the fused frit material or other modified substrate surface, such as, for example, an acid etched surface, and the Si-OH groups of the silane. The surface hydroxyl groups can results from partial hydrolysis of the silane and the silicon dioxide in the fused frit material during heating. The Si-OH groups are caused to react with corresponding groups to form Si-O-Si linkages between the silane and the fused frit material. Correspondingly, Si-OH groups of adjacent silane molecules are also caused to react and form Si-O-Si cross linkages, thereby forming a continuous hydrophobic layer across the frit material. The method described herein will produce a hydrophobic surface that is a continuous border around the perimeter of the shelf s top surface which will operate as a spill containment feature.
[0053] One advantage of using a ceramic frit material to prepare the surface of the shelf for coating with the hydrophobic solution as described herein, in addition to improving the durability of the hydrophobic surface, is that frit material is commercially available in multiple colors and can be printed in a manner which allows for the inclusion of designs, company names or logos in the surface area where the frit material is applied to the shelf substrate.
[0054] In accordance with the preferred embodiments, the hydrophobic surface provides a spill containment surface which prevents spilled liquids from leaking off of the shelf substrate's top surface. For example, a frit material can be placed or printed in a continuous border pattern around the perimeter of the glass substrate and fused to the glass substrate as described above. A hydrophobic compound can then be bonded to the fused frit material, and thereby form a hydrophobic spill containment pattern, which bounds a non-hydrophobic spill containment surface formed of the glass substrate. The hydrophobic spill containment pattern repels liquids, causing them to collect in the non- hydrophobic region or regions of the shelf. The hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic surface is sufficient to repel a spilled liquid and prevent it from crossing onto or over the hydrophobic surface and therefore forces the spilled liquid to bead up or puddle up on the non-hydrophobic regions of the shelf due to the surface tension of the liquid. Thus, the hydrophobic surface is capable of containing spills without the use of a barrier lip or barrier edging used in prior art spill containment assemblies which act as a "dam" for the spilled liquid. The hydrophobic spill containment pattern can retain a spill having a height when pooled in the non-hydrophobic region of less than about 5.5 mm. For example, the spill containment pattern can retain a spill having a height of about 0.5 mm, about 1 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm, about 3.5 mm, about 4 mm, about 4.5 mm, about 5mm, or about 5.5 mm. The height of the spill liquid provides a measure of the amount of spilled liquid retained by a shelf regardless of the area of the non-hydrophobic spill containing region of the shelf. The height of the retained spill liquid is determined by dividing the volume of spill liquid retained by the shelf before failure (i.e. leakage) by the area of the non-hydrophobic spill containing region.
[0055] The reference to the fact that the hydrophobic surface is generally in the plane of the top surface of the shelf is intended to include surfaces and surface treatments, all or a portion of which may extend a small distance above the level of the top surface of the shelf which is not readily noticeable to the naked eye. For example, as described in greater detail above, the hydrophobic surface may be a hydrophobic coating, or a combination of a layer of ceramic frit and a hydrophobic coating on the ceramic frit. Such layers typically have a thickness of from about 0.001 microns to about 250 microns. Other suitable thickness ranges include from about 0.001 microns to about 2 microns, about 0.01 microns to about 1.5 microns, about 0.1 microns to about 1 microns, about
0.001 microns to about 10 microns, about 0.01 microns to about 8 microns, about 0.05 microns to about 7 microns, about 0.1 microns to about 5 microns, about 1 micron to about 4 microns, about 1 micron to about 10 microns, about 2 microns to about 8 microns, about 4 microns to about 6 microns, about 10 microns to about 100 microns, about 20 microns to about 80 microns, about 40 microns to about 60 microns, about 100 microns to about 250 microns, about 150 to about 200 microns, about 1 micron to about 250 microns, about 10 microns to about 200 microns, about 20 microns to about 150 microns, about 30 microns to about 100 microns, about 40 microns to about 80 microns, and about 50 microns to about 70 microns. Other suitable thickness include, for example, about 0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, and 250 microns.
[0056] A visual perspective of situations involving liquid spillage is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 which illustrate a prior art shelving assembly 1000. With reference to FIG.
1, the assembly 1000 is shown in fairly simplistic format. The assembly 1000 may include a number of other components, including elements such as shelf support brackets, for example. Specifically, the assembly 1000 includes a frame 1002 which is rectangular in configuration and surrounds and is secured to an inner plastic rim 1004. The plastic rim 1004 is also a rectangular configuration. The plastic rim 1004 is utilized to encapsulate a shelf panel 1006. The shelf panel 1006 could be constructed of glass or similar materials. The frame 1002, plastic rim 1004 and shelf panel 1006 are supported on a pair of opposing side plates 1008. [0057] To illustrate the concepts of liquid spillage, a soda can 1010 is illustrated as being left on its side on the upper surface of the shelf panel 1006. The soda can 1010 has spilled liquid which is shown as liquid 1012 on a portion of the shelf panel 1006. The visible edge of the shelf panel 1006 located on its upper surface at the intersection of the perimeter of the plastic rim 1004 may include a sealed edge 1014. As previously described herein, the sealed edge 1014 may merely include some type of a sealing adhesive or, alternatively, a silicone material or the like. In this manner, an attempt is made to essentially provide a raised physical barrier that is sealed to the shelf panel 1006 to seal the spilled liquid 1012 from spillage off of the shelf panel 1006.
[0058] A preferred embodiment shelf assembly 1020 of the present disclosure is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In accordance with the preferred embodiments described herein, the shelf assembly 1020 is characterized as having a shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface 1030 (shown shaded) arranged and configured in a spill containment pattern 1021 on a top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024 to provide the spill
containment functions. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the spill containment pattern 1021 of the hydrophobic surface 1030 consists of a frame-like border disposed at or around the outer perimeter of the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024, thereby completely bounding, encircling, and/or enclosing a non-hydrophobic central portion 1025 of the shelf panel 1024. More specifically, the spill containment pattern 1021 of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a continuous pattern formed of parallel left and right side edge containment strips 1021a, 1021b, and parallel front and rear edge containment strips 1021c, 1021d, i.e., all respectively engaged to adjacent ones. Each of the edge containment strips 1021a-1021d are generally uniform in width and arranged in an elongated linear configuration at a location directly at a respective edge of the shelf panel 1024. That is, in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, there is no non-hydrophobic area on the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024 between the spill containment pattern 1021 and the perimeter edge of the shelf panel 1024. In alternative embodiments, however, at least one of the strips 1021-1021d of the spill containment pattern 1021 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be offset inward from the perimeter edge of the shelf panel 1024 such that the shelf panel 1024 can include a non-hydrophobic area disposed between at least a portion of the spill containment pattern 1021 and the perimeter edge of the shelf panel 1024.
[0059] Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the side edge containment strips 1021a, 1021b are disposed at substantially right angles relative to the front and rear edge containment strips 1021c, 1021d. So configured, the spill containment pattern 1021 of the
embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 forms a continuous, generally square, rectangular, and/or box-shape completely bounding, encircling, and/or enclosing the non-hydrophobic central portion 1025, which also has a generally square, rectangular, and/or box-shape.
[0060] As with other known refrigerator shelf assemblies, the shelf assembly 1020 of the present disclosure may also include shelf brackets 1022 for supporting the shelf assembly 1020 in a refrigerator or other appliance, for example. In a preferred embodiment, the shelf brackets 1022 are designed and configured such as to not interfere with and/or intrude upon the top surface 1032 of the shelf panel 1024, thereby
maximizing the useable shelf space. Various embodiments of such shelf brackets 1022 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7-18. [0061] FIG. 3 also illustrates the concept that the hydrophobic surface 1030 will form a spill containment barrier. For example, a soda can 1026 is illustrated as being turned on its side on the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024, and spilled liquid from the soda can 1026 is identified as liquid 1028. In this manner, the spilled liquid 1028 is prevented from spilling downwardly onto other surfaces below the shelf, and the spilled liquid 1028 is contained to the non-hydrophobic central portion 1025 defined on the top surface 1023 of the shelf 1024. Further, the spilled liquid 1028 is also prevented from seeping into cracks or crevices in a manner where substantial bacteria, mold, and other undesirable materials can form. In particular, and in accordance with the preferred embodiments, it should be noted that components such as a plastic rim (or even a frame) may be completely unnecessary with the use of the hydrophobic surface 1030 to provide the spill containment feature. As such, the shelf assembly 1020 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 maximizes the available useful shelf space since it does not include a plastic rim, a frame, or any other physical barrier or dam extending above the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024 for preventing liquids from spilling off of the shelf panel 1024.
[0062] In addition to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an alternative embodiment of the shelf assembly 1020 of the present disclosure can include the hydrophobic surface 1030 disposed on the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024 in a grid-like spill containment pattern 1021, as shown in FIG. 5. Identical to the spill containment pattern 1021 described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the grid- like spill containment pattern 1021 depicted in FIG. 5 includes a continuous frame-like border disposed at or around the outer perimeter of the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. More specifically, the frame-like border of the spill containment pattern 1021 depicted in FIG. 5 includes parallel left and right side edge containment strips 1021a, 1021b, and parallel front and rear edge containment strips 1021c, 1021d. These spill containment strips 1021a-1021d can be generally identical to the corresponding spill containment strips 1021a-1021d described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 and, therefore, will not be described in any further detail.
[0063] In addition to the aforementioned spill containment strips 1021a-1021d, the grid-like spill containment pattern 1021 depicted in FIG. 5 includes two spaced apart longitudinal spill containment strips 1021e, 1021f and two spaced apart lateral spill containment strips 1021g, 1021h. The longitudinal spill containment strips 1021c, 1021d intersect the lateral spill containment strips 1021e, 1021f at generally right angles. As depicted, the longitudinal spill containment strips 1021e, 1021f are parallel to each other, as well as parallel to the left and right side spill containment strips 1021a, 1021b.
Moreover, the lateral spill containment strips 1021g, 1021h are parallel to each other, as well as parallel to the front and rear spill containment strips 1021c, 1021d. Other configurations are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.
[0064] So configured, the grid- like spill containment pattern 1021 of the embodiment of the shelf assembly 1020 of FIG. 5 defines first through ninth non-hydrophobic central portions 1025a- 1025i on the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. Each of the non- hydrophobic central portions 1025a-1025i is completely bounded, encircled, and/or enclosed by four of the spill containment strips 1021a-1021h and is therefore square, rectangular, and/or box-shaped. With this configuration, FIG. 6 illustrates that each of the non-hydrophobic central portions 1025a- 1025i is capable of containing a liquid 1028 separate from the other non-hydrophobic central portions 1025a-1025i. [0065] FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment of a shelf assembly 1020 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure and including a spill containment pattern 1021. Similar to the shelf assemblies 1020 described above with reference to FIGS. 3-5, the shelf assembly 1020 of FIG. 6 includes a continuous frame-like border of a hydrophobic surface 1030 disposed at or around the outer perimeter of the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024, thereby completely bounding, encircling, and/or enclosing a non-hydrophobic central portion 1025 of the shelf panel 1024. However, unlike the embodiments described above, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6 includes a double-border
configuration consisting of a first continuous hydrophobic surface border 1017 and a second continuous hydrophobic surface border 1019 disposed inside of the first hydrophobic surface border 1017.
[0066] The first hydrophobic surface border 1017 is disposed about the perimeter edge of the shelf panel 1024, and the second hydrophobic surface border 1019 is offset inwardly from the first hydrophobic surface border 1017. The first hydrophobic surface border 1017 includes parallel left and right side edge containment strips 1017a, 1017b, and parallel front and rear edge containment strips 1017c, 1017d. Each of the edge containment strips 1017a- 1017d of the first continuous hydrophobic surface border 1017 are generally uniform in width and arranged in an elongated linear configuration directly at the edge of the perimeter of the shelf panel 1024. The side edge containment strips 1017a, 1017b are disposed at right angles relative to the front and rear edge containment strips 1017c, 1017d. So configured, the first hydrophobic surface border 1017 forms a continuous generally square, rectangular, and/or box-shape completely bounding, encircling, and/or enclosing the non-hydrophobic central portion 1025, which is also generally square, rectangular, and/or box- shaped. Moreover, as depicted, the second continuous hydrophobic surface border 1019 includes parallel left and right side edge containment strips 1019a, 1019b, and parallel front and rear edge containment strips 1019c, 1019d. Each of the edge containment strips 1019a-1019d of the second hydrophobic surface border 1019 are generally uniform in width and arranged in an elongated linear configuration offset inwardly from the first hydrophobic surface border 1017. The side edge containment strips 1019a, 1019b are disposed at right angles relative to the front and rear edge containment strips 1019c, 1019d such that the second hydrophobic surface border 1019 forms a generally square, rectangular, and/or box- shape completely bounding, encircling, and/or enclosing the non-hydrophobic central portion 1025 of the shelf panel 1024. So configured, the first and second hydrophobic surface borders 1017, 1019 define a non-hydrophobic ring portion 1027 located between the two borders 1017, 1019. The non-hydrophobic ring portion 1027 can advantageously capture any spill overflow which might escape from the non-hydrophobic central portion 1025 and travel over the second hydrophobic surface border 1019. These and other variations in the spill containment pattern 1021 can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, while Fig. 6 depicts a double-border pattern, a pattern of any number concentric or non-concentric border patterns could be provided on the substrate surface. Each border pattern can, for example, surround at least a portion of the non-hydrophobic region.
[0067] The hydrophobic surface arranged in a spill containment pattern in accordance with the preferred embodiments described herein eliminates the need for plastic encapsulation material to create a spill containment barrier. Accordingly, the shelves produced in accordance with the preferred embodiments described herein utilize relatively less material than prior art spill-containing shelves. Further, the shelves described herein have no need for silicone sealants to create a spill containment barrier. With the exception of the hydrophobic tape embodiment, they have no need for adhesives to create a spill containment barrier. Elimination of the need for these materials also results in relatively less use of material. Further, using the hydrophobic surfaces arranged in a spill containment pattern in accordance with the preferred embodiments eliminates the need for formed lips or ridges on the shelf s top surface, which reduces the amount of material used and the complexity of manufacturing, and, therefore, reduces the manufacturing cost.
[0068] Elimination of plastic encapsulation and sealants from the design of the shelf member also eliminates a potential source of failure or leakage since the sealants and plastic encapsulation may have cracks or crevices where they join with the shelf member in which organic or inorganic materials may become entrapped and involve a bond area to the shelf member which may eventually leak. Still further, the use of hydrophobic surfaces arranged in a spill containment pattern retains an amount of liquid comparable to that retained by prior art shelves having spill containing dam features, without the necessity of using the dams.
[0069] Still further, by eliminating the space taken up by plastic encapsulation, sealants, adhesives, or formed lips, ridges, physical barriers, and dams, the relative amount of usable shelf space is increased, i.e., maximized, on the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024 in accordance with the preferred embodiments described herein. [0070] A further aspect of the present disclosure that serves to maximize the usable shelf space includes shelf brackets 1022 that are specifically designed, arranged, and configured to adhere to a bottom surface and/or side edge of the shelf panel 1024, thereby avoiding any necessity to interfere with and/or obstruct at least the perimeter portions of the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024 adjacent to the side edges and, in some embodiments, the entirety of the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024.
[0071] FIGS. 7 and 8 depict a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of support brackets 100, only one of which is depicted, constructed in accordance with a first embodiment the present disclosure. Similar to the embodiments described above, the shelf assembly 1020 includes a flat shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface 1030 arranged and configured in a spill containment pattern 1021 on its top surface 1023. The spill containment pattern 1021 can resemble any of the patterns described above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.
[0072] The brackets 100 are mirror images of each other and are adhered to side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 10. The brackets 100 of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 are adapted to be slidably supported on ribs formed in the side panels of an appliance such as a refrigerator. As shown in Fig. 8 above, each bracket 100 includes a horizontal leg 104 and a vertical leg 102 extending downward from an inner edge 105 of the horizontal leg 104. As such, the brackets 100 have a generally upside-down L- shaped cross-section. The brackets 100 of this embodiment are preferably constructed of metal, but could be constructed of plastic or any other foreseeable material. The vertical and horizontal legs 102, 104 are disposed at an angle of approximately 90° relative to each other. So configured, the horizontal leg 104 includes a substantially horizontal top surface 104a that corresponds to and supports a generally horizontal bottom surface 12a of a corresponding side perimeter portion 12 of the shelf panel 10. Finally, a layer of an adhesive material 106 is disposed between the top surfaces 104a of the horizontal legs 104 of the brackets 100 and the bottom surface 12a of the side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 10 to adhere the shelf panel 10 to the brackets 100. The adhesive material 106 can include a clear acrylic UV-cured adhesive, a clear polyurethane hot melt, or any other adhesive material capable of serving the principles of the present disclosure. So configured, and as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, no aspect of the brackets 100 extends above and/or over the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. That is, in this embodiment, the brackets 100 are disposed entirely below the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024, e.g., entirely opposite the shelf panel 1024 from its top surface 1023. As such, the usable space on the top surface 1023 is maximized.
[0073] FIGS. 9 and 10 depict a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of support brackets 200, only one of which is depicted, constructed in accordance with a second embodiment the present disclosure. Similar to the embodiments described above, the shelf assembly 1020 includes a flat shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface (not shown) arranged and configured in a spill containment pattern (not shown) on its top surface 1023. The spill containment pattern can resemble any of the patterns described above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.
[0074] The brackets 200 are mirror images of each other and are adhered to opposing side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 1024. The brackets 200 are adapted to be slidably supported on ribs formed in the side panels of an appliance such as a refrigerator. As shown in FIG. 10, each bracket 200 includes a horizontal leg 204 and a vertical leg 202 extending upward from an outer edge 205 of the horizontal leg 204. As such, the brackets 200 have a generally L-shaped cross-section. The vertical leg 202 may or may not extend beyond the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. The brackets 200 of this embodiment can be constructed of plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. The vertical and horizontal legs 202, 204 are disposed at an angle of approximately 90° relative to each other. So configured, the horizontal leg 204 includes a substantially horizontal top surface 204a that corresponds to and supports a generally horizontal bottom surface 12a of a corresponding side perimeter portion 12 of the shelf panel 1024. Finally, a layer of an adhesive material 206 is disposed between the top surfaces 204a of the horizontal legs 204 of the brackets 200 and the bottom surface 12a of the
corresponding side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 1024 to adhere the shelf panel 1024 to the brackets 200. The adhesive material 206 can include a clear acrylic UV-cured adhesive, a clear polyurethane hot melt, or any other adhesive material capable of serving the principles of the present disclosure. So configured, and as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, no aspect of the brackets 200 extends above and/or over the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. That is, in this embodiment, the brackets 200 are disposed entirely below the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. The horizontal legs 204 are disposed entirely opposite the shelf panel 1024 from its top surface 1023, and the vertical legs 202 are disposed entirely to the side of the shelf panel 1024. As such, the usable space on the top surface 1023 is maximized.
[0075] FIGS. 11 and 12 depict a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of support brackets 300 constructed in accordance with a third embodiment the present disclosure. Similar to the embodiments described above, the shelf assembly 1020 includes a flat shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface 130 arranged and configured in a spill
containment pattern 1021 on its top surface 1023. The spill containment pattern can resemble any of the patterns described above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.
[0076] The brackets 300 are adapted to latch into ladder racks, for example, at the rear of an appliance such as a refrigerator in a conventional manner. Each bracket 300 includes an elongated top member 302 with a generally circular cross-section. In one form, depicted in FIG. 12, the top member 302 includes a horizontal supporting surface 304 formed, for example, by forging, stamping, or crushing the round wire in a fixture. So configured, the supporting surface 304 corresponds to and supports a generally horizontal bottom surface 12a of a corresponding side perimeter portion 12 of the shelf panel 1024. In another form, the elongated top member 302 may not include the horizontal supporting surface 304, but rather, can have a perfectly circular cross-section providing a line of contact between the top member 302 and the shelf panel 1024.
Finally, a layer of an adhesive material 306 is disposed between the top members 302 of the brackets 300 and the bottom surface 12a of the corresponding side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 1024 to fix the shelf panel 10 to the brackets 300. The adhesive material 306 can include a clear acrylic UV-cured adhesive, a clear polyurethane hot melt, or any other adhesive material capable of serving the principles of the present disclosure. So configured, and as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, no aspect of the brackets 300 extends above and/or over the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. That is, in this embodiment, the brackets 300 are disposed entirely below the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024, e.g., entirely opposite the shelf panel 1024 from its top surface 1023. As such, the usable space on the top surface 1023 is maximized. [0077] FIGS. 13 and 14 depict a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of support brackets 400, only one of which is shown, constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment the present disclosure. Similar to the embodiments described above, the shelf assembly 1020 includes a flat shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface (not shown) arranged and configured in a spill containment pattern (not shown) on its top surface 1023. The spill containment pattern can resemble any of the patterns described above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.
[0078] The brackets 400 are mirror images of each other. The brackets 400 are adapted to latch into ladder racks, for example, at the rear of an appliance such as a refrigerator in a conventional manner. As illustrated, each bracket 400 includes a triangular shaped plate a vertical plate portion 402 and a horizontal plate portion 404, thereby having a generally L-shaped upper cross-section. The brackets 400 of this embodiment can be constructed of metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. The vertical and horizontal plate portions 402, 404 are disposed at an angle of approximately 90° relative to each other. So configured, the horizontal plate portion 404 includes a substantially horizontal top surface 404a that corresponds to and supports a generally horizontal bottom surface 12a of a corresponding side perimeter portion 12 of the shelf panel 1024. Finally, a layer of an adhesive material 406 is disposed between the top surfaces 404a of the horizontal plate portions 404 of the brackets 400 and the bottom surface 12a of the side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 1024 to fix the shelf panel 1024 to the brackets 400. The adhesive material 406 can include a clear acrylic UV-cured adhesive, a clear polyurethane hot melt, or any other adhesive material capable of serving the principles of the present disclosure. So configured, and as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, no aspect of the brackets 400 extends above and/or over the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. That is, in this embodiment, the brackets 400 are disposed entirely below the shelf panel 1024, e.g., entirely opposite the shelf panel 1024 from its top surface 1023. As such, the usable space on the top surface 1023 is maximized.
[0079] FIGS. 15-17 depict a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of support brackets 500 constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment the present disclosure. Similar to the embodiments described above, the shelf assembly 1020 includes a flat shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface (not shown) arranged and configured in a spill containment pattern (not shown) on its top surface 1023. The spill containment pattern can resemble any of the patterns described above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.
[0080] The brackets 500 are mirror images of each other. The brackets 500 are adapted to latch into ladder racks, for example, at the rear of an appliance such as a refrigerator in a conventional manner. As illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, each bracket 500 includes a metal tri-angular shaped plate portion 502 and a plastic supporting rail 504. The supporting rail 504 includes an elongated recess 504a receiving an elongated top edge 502a of the plate portion 502. The supporting rail 504 is immovably fixed to the plate portion 502 by snap-fit or adhesion, for example. Additionally, the supporting rail 504 includes a substantially horizontal top surface 504b that corresponds to and supports a corresponding generally horizontal bottom surface 12a of the shelf panel 1024. Finally, the bottom surfaces 12a of the side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 1024 are adhered to the top surfaces 504b of the supporting rails 504 with an adhesive material (not shown) to fix the shelf panel 10 to the brackets 500. The adhesive material can include a clear acrylic UV-cured adhesive, a clear polyurethane hot melt, or any other adhesive material capable of serving the principles of the present disclosure. So configured, and as illustrated in FIGS. 15-17, no aspect of the brackets 500 extends above and/or over the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. That is, in this embodiment, the brackets 500 are disposed entirely below the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024, e.g., entirely opposite the shelf panel 1024 from its top surface 1023. As such, the usable space on the top surface 1023 is maximized.
[0081] FIG. 18 depicts a portion of a shelf assembly 1020 including a pair of support brackets 600, only one of which is shown, constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment the present disclosure. Similar to the embodiments described above, the shelf assembly 1020 includes a flat shelf panel 1024 with a hydrophobic surface (not shown) arranged and configured in a spill containment pattern (not shown) on its top surface 1023. The spill containment pattern can resemble any of the patterns described above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, or otherwise.
[0082] As shown, the support brackets 600 are adapted to support opposing side perimeter portions 12 of a flat shelf panel 1024 in a manner generally the same as those described above. Each bracket 600 includes a vertical plate portion 602 and a horizontal plate portion 604, thereby having a generally upside-down L-shaped cross-section. The vertical and horizontal plate portions 602, 604 are disposed at an angle of approximately 90° relative to each other. Additionally, however, the horizontal plate portion 604 includes a curved concave profile defining an elongated channel 608 in its topside and extending along the length thereof. Finally, a layer of an adhesive material (not shown) is disposed in the channel 608 between the bracket 600 and a bottom surface 12a of the side perimeter portions 12 of the shelf panel 1024. While the channel 608 of the embodiment depicted above is formed by the horizontal plate portion 604 being curved, the channel 608 could alternatively be formed simply by having a recess in the top surface of the horizontal plate portion 604. So configured, the bottom surface of the horizontal plate portion 604 does not necessarily have to be curved, as illustrated.
[0083] This channel concept for receiving adhesive could be applied to any of the support brackets described above with reference to FIGS. 7-17. For example, the horizontal legs 104, 204, 404 of the brackets 100, 200, 400 depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, FIGS. 9 and 10, and FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively, could include channels disposed in the top surfaces 104a, 204a, 304a thereof for receiving adhesive. Similarly, the top members 302 of the brackets 300 depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12 could include channels disposed in top surfaces thereof for receiving adhesive. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12, the channels could be formed directly into the horizontal supporting surfaces 304 of the top members 302 of the brackets 300. Finally, in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 15-17 channels for receiving adhesive could be formed in the horizontal top surfaces 504b of the supporting rails 504 of the brackets 500. Therefore, it should be appreciated that the concept of providing channels in the top surfaces of the support brackets for receiving adhesive is not limited to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 18, but rather, can be applied to any of the embodiments expressly described herein, as well as any embodiment covered by the scope of the attached claims.
[0084] As mentioned above, any of the foregoing shelf brackets 100-600 can be constructed of any one or more of a variety of materials such as metal, plastic, etc. and they may be attached to the shelf panel 1024 using any one or more of a variety of different adhesives, or other attachment means. The process and/or method for assembling these components can also include a variety of variations.
[0085] For example, in one embodiment the brackets described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8, for example, could be constructed of a sheet metal with an epoxy polyester hybrid powder disposed on them. The brackets are placed into a fixture and the adhesive, which can include Loctite 3494 acrylic UV/Visible light-cured adhesive, is applied to the top surface of the brackets automatically. The glass shelf panel is then placed into the fixture on top of the adhesive and a clamping pressure is applied to the top of the glass shelf panel. The adhesive "wets out," i.e., the adhesive spreads out to a thickness of about 0.006" to about 0.010" thick. The parts are then passed under a mercury UV lamp (wavelength of about 365nm, at about 200-400 watts per inch) for about 12-18 seconds, with the adhesive being disposed about 5.5" to about 6" away from the lamp. Once the adhesive is cured, the clamping pressure is removed and the assembly can be removed from the fixture.
[0086] In an alternative to this method, a hot-melt polyurethane adhesive can be used to secure the shelf panel to the brackets. First, the brackets are placed into a fixture, and a melted polyurethane adhesive is applied instead of the UV cured adhesive described above. The part is again clamped as the adhesive quick-sets. No lights are needed. The assembly can then be removed from the fixture.
[0087] In yet another alternative method, an adhesive tape, such as 3M VHB tape, can be used instead of a liquid adhesive. This tape would be placed onto either the underside of the glass shelf panel or on the top surface of the support brackets. Protective paper would then be removed from the tape, and the glass shelf panel and the support brackets can be joined together in a fixture, similar to that described above. A small amount of pressure is applied to the glass shelf panel to set the tape, and then the assembly can be removed from the fixture.
[0088] While the foregoing embodiments of the shelf assembly 1020 have been described as including shelf panels 1024 with top surfaces 1023 that are completely free from intrusion or other obstruction, thereby maximizing the available shelf space, alternative embodiments of the shelf assembly 1020 can include rear and/or front trim components. Such rear and/or front trim components are minimally invasive, but can perform functions that may be desirable in certain applications.
[0089] For example, as mentioned above, the shelf assemblies 1020 described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, and FIGS. 9 and 10, include support brackets 100, 200, respectively, that are adapted to be slidably supported on ribs formed in the side panels of an appliance such as a refrigerator. Such slidable shelf assemblies 1020 can benefit from the incorporation of rear and front trim components.
[0090] For example, FIGS. 19-22 illustrate one embodiment of such a slidable shelf assembly 1020 including, for the sake of illustration only, the support brackets 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The shelf assembly 1020 of FIGS. 19- 22 could equally include the support brackets 200 described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The shelf assembly 1020 includes a completely flat glass shelf panel 1024, a pair of opposing support brackets 100, a front trim component 14, and a rear trim component 16. The support brackets 100 are adhered to the bottom of the side edges of the shelf panel 1024 for slidably supporting the shelf panel 1024 within a refrigerator in a manner identical to that described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. [0091] The front trim component 14 includes an elongated plastic member with a length substantially identical to the width of the shelf panel 1024. As shown in more detail in FIG. 21 the front trim component 14 includes a generally U-shaped attachment portion 18 and a lip portion 20 extending outward from the attachment portion 18. The attachment portion 18 defines an elongated channel 22 with a plurality of barbed ribs 24 formed on both the upper and lower legs 18a, 18b of the attachment portion 18 and extending into the channel 22. The channel 22 receives the front edge of the shelf panel 1024 such that the barbed ribs 24 frictionally engage the panel 1024 and fix the front trim component 14 thereto. So configured, the front trim component 14 and, more particularly, the lip portion 20 of the front trim component 18 serves as a "bumper," for example, to prevent bottles or other glass objects that are being loaded into the refrigerator from impacting the bare glass edge of the shelf panel 1024 and breaking the same.
[0092] Referring now to FIG. 22, the rear trim component 16 of the shelf assembly 1020 is illustrated as being substantially identical to the front trim component 14, but without the lip portion extending outward. Instead, the rear trim component 16 merely includes a generally U-shaped attachment portion 26 having upper and lower legs 26a, 26b. The attachment portion 26 defines an elongated channel 28 with a plurality of barbed ribs 30 formed only on the upper leg 26a of the attachment portion 26. The channel 28 receives the rear edge of the shelf panel 1024 such that the barbed ribs 30 frictionally engage the shelf panel 1024 and fix the rear trim component 16 thereto. So configured, the rear trim component 16 serves as a "stopper" to prevent items stored on the back portion of the shelf panel 1024 from sliding off of the shelf panel 1024 in the event that a user abruptly slides the shelf assembly 1020 out of the refrigerator.
[0093] While FIG. 21 depicts a front trim component 14 that is U-shaped and receives the front edge of the shelf panel 1024, other configurations are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, FIG. 23 illustrates an alternative front trim component 32. The trim component 32 extends generally the length of and is fixed to the front edge of the shelf panel 1024 with a layer of adhesive 34. The front trim component 32 includes a generally L-shaped cross-section and includes a horizontal leg 36 and a vertical leg 38 disposed at an angle of approximately 90° relative to the horizontal leg 36. The front trim component 32 is preferably constructed of a plastic material such that the vertical leg 38 thereof can absorb the impact of glass bottles being loaded into the refrigerator, for example, and prevent breakage. While the trim component 32 in FIG. 23 is described as being constructed of plastic, other materials are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. One advantage of the trim component 32 depicted in FIG. 23 is that it does not interfere with, encroach upon, or otherwise obstruct the top surface 1023 of the shelf panel 1024. As such, the available space on the top surface 1023 is maximized while also providing the "bumper" function.
[0094] The following examples are merely intended to illustrate the shelf assemblies of the present disclosure, and are not meant to limit the scope thereof in any way. EXAMPLES
EXAMPLES 1-29: WATER RETENTION TESTING
[0095] The shelves having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern of various embodiments of the present disclosure were tested to determine that amount of water that could be retained on the shelf without failure (i.e. leakage). To accommodate for variations in the area of the shelves, which would affect the volume of liquid retained, the amount of retained water was measured as the height of the water retained in the non- hydrophobic region. Testing was completed by first leveling the shelf using a leveling apparatus. The shelf can be placed over a tray to catch any leakage from the shelf. The test water had a temperature in a range of 32°F to 50°F. Water was poured slowly so as not to cause "waves" or splashes" onto the geometric center of the non-hydrophobic region. For example, water can be poured onto the shelf using a small funnel. A screw can be inserted into the funnel to baffle the flow, if needed. Water can be introduced into the funnel in about 5 mm or about 10 mm increments. Water volume was measured prior to pouring onto the shelf, using, for example, graduated cylinders. Water was poured onto the shelf at a distance of about 1 mm to about 2 mm above the shelf. The shelf was continually filled with water until overflow just began to occur. The height of the water retained on the shelf was then determined by dividing the volume of water poured onto the shelf just prior to overflow by the area of the non-hydrophobic region.
[0096] Shelves having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern formed using the Ferro frit, and a 1% solution of tridecafluoro-l,l,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl trichloro silane in hexane applied to the frit, were tested in accordance with the above described method. The silane was cured on the frit at a temperature of about 200°F for about 15 minutes. The spill containment pattern was formed as a border around the perimeter of the glass shelf, at or near the edge of the shelf. The shelves were tested at varying temperatures and humidity conditions. The average water height retention was about 4.43 mm.
Figure imgf000042_0001
Figure imgf000042_0002
[0097] Shelves prepared with a hydrophobic spill containment pattern using an acid etch surface treatment and tridecafluoro-l,l,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl trichlorosilane as the hydrophobic solution were also tested for water height retention. Acid etching was performed using Armour Etch® Glass Etching Cream. Shelves were prepared by etching for about 3 minutes to about 6 minutes. Example 25 was etched twice using an etching time of from 3 to 6 minutes for each etching process. Specifically, a first etching procedure was performed by applying the etching solution to the substrate, allowing it to remain on the substrate for about 3 minutes to about 6 minutes, and washing the etching solution from the surface of the substrate. A second etching procedure was then performed by again applying the etching solution, allowing it to remain on the substrate for about 3 minutes to about 6 minutes, and washing the etching solution from the surface. The fluorosilane was applied and the shelf was baked for about 20 minutes at 200°F.
[0098] The shelves were first tested for water height retention shortly after having the hydrophobic spill containment pattern was formed and cooled. The shelves were then retested sometime after the first test. As shown in the data below, in general, the water height retention properties of the shelves improved after the first testing. Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that when the spill containment pattern is first contact with water after formation, additionally silicon oxide groups remaining on the surface of silane and/or the surface-modified substrate by hydrolyzed by the water, thereby creating additional bonding sites between the silane and the surface-modified substrate and improving the hydrophobic nature of the spill containment pattern. The average water height of the acid etch samples was about 5.18 mm. The average water height of the acid etched shelves, which were etched for about 3 minutes was about 5.18 mm. The average water height of the acid etched shelves, which were etched for about 4 minutes was about 5.19 mm. The average water height of the acid etched shelves, which were etched for about 5 minutes was about 5.18 mm. The average water height of the acid etched shelves, which were etched for about 6 minutes was about 5.19 mm. Examples No. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Etch time (min) 3 3 4 6 3 5 3 4
Area of the 982.6 982.6 982.6 982.6 982.6 982.6 982.6 982.6
Nonhydrophobic
Region (cm )
Height of 5.14 5.09 4.99 5.09 4.86 5.09 5.09 5.09
Retained Water
(mm)
Retested height 5.60 5.04 5.34 5.39 5.29 5.39 5.34 5.34 of retained water
(mm)
Average 5.37 5.06 5.17 5.24 5.08 5.24 5.22 5.22
Figure imgf000044_0001
EXAMPLE 30: ABRASION RESISTANCE
[0099] The shelves having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern of various embodiments of the present disclosure were tested to determine the ability of the shelf to retain a spill (simulated by water) following repeated abrasion of the hydrophobic treatment. The amount of water retained by the shelf before failure was measured before any abrasions were applied using the method described above and the height of the retained water was calculated. Next, a one quart glass jar was used to make abrasions by placing it on the hydrophobic region and sliding the jar horizontally along the surface of the shelf until the jar has passed over the entire hydrophobic region. The jar was then slide back to its original position, passing over the hydrophobic surface once more. The forward and backward motion of the jar is defined as one jar abrasion cycle. About fifty jar abrasion cycles were performed. The water height retention test was repeated after each fifty abrasion cycles. As shown in Fig. 24, a shelf having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern formed from a ceramic frit and a hydrophobic compound did not lose effectiveness for retaining water in the non-hydrophobic region of the shelf after 300 abrasion cycles. Shelves having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern formed by acid etching the substrate and applying the hydrophobic compound to the acid etched region showed some loss of effectiveness after 300 abrasion cycles.
EXAMPLE 31: RESISTANCE TO CLEANING
[00100] The shelves having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern of various embodiments of the present disclosure were tested to determine the ability of the shelf to retain a spill (water) following repeated cleaning cycles. First the shelves were tested prior to any cleaning treatment to determine a baseline water retention level. Water retention height was tested in accordance with the method described above. Next, five cleaning cycles for each of four cleaning methods were performed on the glass shelf. A cleaning cycle is defined as five forward and backward motions of the cleaning product/applicator perpendicular to the hydrophobic treatment with a consistent 2 kg load. Four different cleaning methods were performed along portions of the hydrophobic spill containment pattern, including, Windex wiped with a paper towel, Dawn dish soap wiped with a cotton dish cloth, Formula 409 cleaner wiped with a sponge, and Clorox wipes. Each cleaning method was performed on a separate portion of the spill containment pattern. The water height retention test was repeated after each five cleaning cycles.
[00101] The Windex/paper towel cleaning method was prepared by saturating a 5 inch square of paper towel with Windex Original formula so that the paper towel was completely wet, but not dripping. The Dawn dish soap/cotton dish cloth method was performed using a solution containing 2 ml of Dawn dish soap in one liter of room temperature water. The cotton dish cloth was then dipped in the solution and applied to the shelf. The Formula 409/sponge method was performed by cutting a sponge into an approximately 1 inch by 1 inch square and saturating the sponge with Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner. The Clorox wipe method was performed using a Clorox Wipe folded into a 1 inch by 1 inch square. All methods were performed using a 2 kg mass applied to the applicator.
[00102] As shown in Fig. 25, a shelf having a hydrophobic pattern formed from a ceramic frit and a hydrophobic compound did not lose effectiveness after 30 cleaning cycles. Shelves having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern formed by acid etching the glass substrate and applying a hydrophobic compound to the etched portion minimally lost effectiveness after 30 cleaning cycles.
EXAMPLE 32: STAIN RESISTANCE
[00103] Stain resistance of a shelf having a hydrophobic spill containment pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure was tested against a variety of staining agents, including, spaghetti sauce, canned beets, grape juice, yellow mustard, butter, Italian dressing, cherry Kool-Aid, and Soy sauce. Each staining agent was applied to approximately one inch areas of the shelf, including a portion of the hydrophobic spill containment pattern and the non-hydrophobic region, and then allowed to stand for approximately 72 hours. The majority of the dried material was then wiped from the shelf with a paper towel and clean wash cloth containing a mixture of water and Dawn dish soap was used to remove any remnants of the material. As shown in Figures 26A and 26B, a shelf having a hydrophobic still containment pattern formed from a ceramic frit and a hydrophobic compound in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure was stain resistant to all staining agents.
[00104] As earlier described, the hydrophobic surface arranged in a spill containment pattern in accordance with the preferred embodiments provides a spill containment feature which prevents spilled liquids from leaking off of the top surface of the shelf, and shelves in accordance with the preferred embodiments can be used in various
applications, such as refrigerator shelves.
[00105] It will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent arts that other embodiments of shelving members in accordance with the invention may be designed. That is, the principles of shelving members in accordance with the disclosure are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. For example, shelf members or other support surfaces having a hydrophobic spill containment surfaces could be used in various settings, such as shelving in other settings, tables, countertops or the like, and are not limited to use as refrigerator shelves.
Further, it will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent art that any method which may be used for creating a hydrophobic surface arranged in a spill containment pattern in substantially the same plane as the top surface of the shelf member is within the scope of the disclosure described herein, even if such method requires the use of multiple pieces to manufacture the shelf member. For example, a frame of hydrophobic material may be bonded to the shelf member such that it forms a continuous border which is generally in the same plane as the top surface of the shelf. Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and other variations of the above- described illustrative embodiments of the disclosure may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the invention.
For example, in addition to the foregoing and in addition to the specific subject matter recited in the appending claims, the present invention may be characterized by any one or more of the following aspects.
Aspect 1. A shelf assembly comprising: a shelf panel having a completely flat top surface which is capable of supporting articles which may be placed on said shelf panel; a hydrophobic surface arranged in a spill containment pattern on the said top surface; wherein the majority of the surface area of said top surface of the shelf panel is not hydrophobic, thereby providing one or more non-hydrophobic central portions bounded by said spill containment pattern of said hydrophobic surface.
Aspect 2. The shelf assembly of Aspect 1, wherein said spill containment pattern is a continuous border which defines a single non-hydrophobic central portion within said border. Aspect 3. The shelf assembly of any one of Aspects 1 or 2, wherein said spill containment pattern is a continuous border located near the perimeter of the top surface of the shelf panel.
Aspect 4. The shelf assembly of any one of Aspects 1 or 2, wherein said spill containment pattern is located along the perimeter of the top surface of the shelf panel.
Aspect 5. The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said spill containment pattern comprises a first continuous border and a second continuous border spaced from said first continuous border, the first continuous border located along the perimeter of the top surface of the shelf panel, and the second continuous border spaced inwardly from said first continuous border such that the second continuous border completely bounds a non-hydrophobic central portion of the top surface of the shelf panel, and the first and second continuous borders together define between them area non-hydrophobic ring portion for containing overflow from said non- hydrophobic central portion.
Aspect 6. The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said spill containment pattern is in the form of a grid pattern on the top surface of the shelf panel and wherein said grid pattern defines a plurality of non-hydrophobic central portions on the top surface of the shelf panel, each of the plurality of non-hydrophobic central portions completely bounded by the grid pattern.
Aspect 7. The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said shelf panel is comprised of a material chosen from the group consisting of glass, plastic, metal and combinations thereof. Aspect 8. The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein the shelf panel is transparent.
Aspect 9. The shelf assembly of Aspect 8, wherein the shelf panel is glass.
Aspect 10. The shelf assembly of Aspect 7, wherein the hydrophobic surface is transparent.
Aspect 11. The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein at least some portion of the hydrophobic surface is colored.
Aspect 12. The shelf assembly of Aspect 11, wherein the hydrophobic surface contains a colored portion in a form chosen from the group consisting of a pattern, a company name, a company logo and combinations thereof.
Aspect 13. The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein the hydrophobic surface comprises: a ceramic frit layer adjacent to and bonded to the top surface of said shelf panel; and a hydrophobic compound coated over the ceramic frit layer.
Aspect 14. The shelf assembly of Aspect 13, wherein said ceramic frit layer contains additive particles that create roughness in a top surface of the ceramic frit layer.
Aspect 15. The shelf assembly of any one of Aspects 13 or 14, wherein at least a portion of said ceramic frit layer is colored. Aspect 16. The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic coating over a roughened area in the surface of said shelf panel.
Aspect 17. The shelf assembly of Aspect 16, wherein said roughened area is made by etching the surface with acid.
Aspect 18. The shelf assembly of Aspect 16, wherein said roughened area is made by binding particles to surface of the shelf panel.
Aspect 19. The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a coating of hydrophobic particles on the surface of said shelf panel.
Aspect 20. The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic compound applied over or within the matrix of a cured sol gel composition.
Aspect 21. The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a metal oxide primer with an integrated hydrophobic compound.
Aspect 22. The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic coating applied over a metal oxide primer.
Aspect 23. The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic compound comprising a variety of molecular chain lengths to create a coating with surface irregularities. Aspect 24. The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein the hydrophobic surface arranged in the spill containment pattern has a thickness in the range of approximately 0.001 microns to approximately 250 microns.
Aspect 25. The shelf assembly of any one of the preceding Aspects, wherein the hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic compound selected from the group consisting of fluorocarbons, fluoroalkyl silanes, fluoroalkoxy silanes, fluoroalkyl alkyl silanes, and combinations thereof.
Aspect 26. A method of manufacturing a shelf capable of containing liquid spills thereon comprising: providing a panel having a generally flat top surface which is capable of supporting articles which may be placed on said panel; applying a hydrophobic surface arranged in a spill containment pattern generally in the plane of said top surface; leaving the majority of the surface area of said top surface of the panel non- hydrophobic, thereby providing one or more non-hydrophobic central portions bounded by the spill containment pattern of the hydrophobic surface.
Aspect 27. The method of Aspect 26, wherein applying a hydrophobic surface comprises: applying a ceramic frit to the top surface of the panel in a spill containment pattern; curing the ceramic frit to couple the ceramic frit to the top surface of the panel; applying a hydrophobic compound to the cured ceramic frit; and curing the hydrophobic compound.
Aspect 28. The method of Aspect 27, wherein curing the ceramic frit comprises heating the ceramic frit to a temperature in a range of about 1000°F to about 1400°F.
Aspect 29. The method of Aspect 27 or 28, wherein curing the hydrophobic compound comprises heating the hydrophobic compound to a temperature in a range of about 100°F to about 600°F.
Aspect 30. The method of Aspect 27 or 28, wherein curing the hydrophobic compound comprises exposing the hydrophobic compound to ambient temperature.
Aspect 31. The method of any one of Aspect 27 to 30, wherein applying the hydrophobic compound comprises applying a hydrophobic solution comprising the hydrophobic compound dispersed or dissolved in a solvent to the cured ceramic frit.
Aspect 32. The method of any one of Aspect 27 to 31, further comprising etching the cured ceramic frit with an etching solution prior to applying the hydrophobic compound to the cured ceramic frit.
Aspect 33. The method of any one of Aspect 27 to 31, further comprising etching the entire panel including the cured ceramic frit prior to applying the hydrophobic compound to the cured ceramic frit.

Claims

What is Claimed:
1. A shelf assembly, comprising: a completely flat shelf panel having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface capable of supporting articles; a hydrophobic surface arranged in a spill containment pattern generally in the plane of said top surface; at least one non-hydrophobic central portion completely bounded by the spill containment pattern for containing liquids on the top surface of the shelf panel; and at least one support bracket attached to the bottom surface of the shelf panel such that the top surface of the shelf panel is completely free from intrusion or other obstruction, thereby maximizing the available shelf space on the top surface of the shelf panel.
2. A shelf assembly, comprising: a completely flat shelf panel having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface capable of supporting articles; a hydrophobic surface arranged in a spill containment pattern generally in the plane of said top surface; at least one non-hydrophobic central portion completely bounded by the spill containment pattern for containing liquids on the top surface of the shelf panel; and at least one support bracket attached only to the bottom surface of the shelf panel such that the top surface of the shelf panel is completely free from intrusion or other obstruction, thereby maximizing the available shelf space on the top surface of the shelf panel.
3. The shelf assembly of claim 1 or 2, further comprising an adhesive material disposed between the support bracket and bottom surface of the shelf panel thereby attaching the support bracket to the shelf panel.
4. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one support bracket includes a pair of support brackets, each of which is adhered to the bottom surface of the shelf panel.
5. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one support bracket is disposed entirely below the top surface of the shelf panel.
6. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one support bracket is disposed entirely opposite the shelf panel from the top surface of the shelf panel.
7. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the adhesive material comprises a clear adhesive material.
8. The shelf assembly any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one support bracket includes a top surface and the adhesive material is disposed between the top surface of the support bracket and the bottom surface of the shelf panel.
9. The shelf assembly of claim 8, wherein the top surface of the support bracket defines a channel receiving the adhesive material.
10. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one support bracket includes a generally L-shaped cross-section.
11. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said spill containment pattern is a continuous border which defines a single non-hydrophobic central portion within said border.
12. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said spill containment pattern is a continuous border located near the perimeter of the top surface of the shelf panel.
13. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said spill containment pattern is located along the perimeter of the top surface of the shelf panel.
14. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said spill containment pattern comprises a first continuous border and a second continuous border spaced from said first continuous border, the first continuous border located along the perimeter of the top surface of the shelf panel, and the second continuous border spaced inwardly from said first continuous border such that the second continuous border completely bounds a non-hydrophobic central portion of the top surface of the shelf panel, and the first and second continuous borders together define between them area non-hydrophobic ring portion for containing overflow from said non-hydrophobic central portion.
15. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said spill containment pattern is in the form of a grid pattern on the top surface of the shelf panel and wherein said grid pattern defines a plurality of non-hydrophobic central portion on the top surface of the shelf panel, each of the plurality of non-hydrophobic central portions completely bounded by the grid pattern.
16. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said shelf panel is comprised of a material chosen from the group consisting of glass, plastic, metal and combinations thereof.
17. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the shelf panel is transparent.
18. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the shelf panel is glass.
19. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the hydrophobic surface is transparent.
20. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein at least some portion of the hydrophobic surface is colored.
21. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the hydrophobic surface contains a colored portion in a form chosen from the group consisting of a pattern, a company name, a company logo and combinations thereof.
22. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the hydrophobic surface comprises: a ceramic frit layer adjacent to the top surface of said shelf panel; and a hydrophobic compound coated over the ceramic frit layer.
23. The shelf assembly of claim 22, wherein said ceramic frit layer contains additive particles that create roughness in a top surface of the ceramic frit layer.
24. The shelf assembly of claim 22 or 23, wherein at least a portion of said ceramic frit layer is colored.
25. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic coating over a roughened area in the surface of said shelf panel.
26. The shelf assembly of claim 25, wherein said roughened area is made by binding particles to surface of the shelf panel.
27. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a coating of hydrophobic particles on the surface of said shelf panel.
28. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic compound applied over or within the matrix of a cured sol gel composition.
29. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a metal oxide primer with an integrated hydrophobic compound.
30. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic coating applied over a metal oxide primer.
31. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein said hydrophobic surface comprises a hydrophobic compound comprising a variety of molecular chain lengths to create a coating with surface irregularities.
32. The shelf assembly of any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein the hydrophobic surface arranged in the spill containment pattern has a thickness in the range of approximately 0.001 microns to approximately 250 microns.
PCT/US2010/048711 2009-09-18 2010-09-14 Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly WO2011034835A2 (en)

Priority Applications (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2769436A CA2769436C (en) 2009-09-18 2010-09-14 Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly
CN201080036561.7A CN102483297B (en) 2009-09-18 2010-09-14 Hold the refrigerating chamber shelf assembly overflowed
EP19189977.2A EP3598043B1 (en) 2009-09-18 2010-09-14 Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly
MX2012001781A MX2012001781A (en) 2009-09-18 2010-09-14 Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly.
ES10757348T ES2745860T3 (en) 2009-09-18 2010-09-14 Set of refrigerator shelves for spill containment
EP20208002.4A EP3798558A1 (en) 2009-09-18 2010-09-14 Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly
EP10757348.7A EP2478310B1 (en) 2009-09-18 2010-09-14 Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly
KR1020127004614A KR101877474B1 (en) 2009-09-18 2010-09-14 Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly
BR112012006003-1A BR112012006003B1 (en) 2009-09-18 2010-09-14 REFRIGERATOR SHELF SET CONTAINING SPILL

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/562,920 2009-09-18
US12/562,920 US8286561B2 (en) 2008-06-27 2009-09-18 Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2011034835A2 true WO2011034835A2 (en) 2011-03-24
WO2011034835A3 WO2011034835A3 (en) 2011-05-12

Family

ID=43598033

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2010/048711 WO2011034835A2 (en) 2009-09-18 2010-09-14 Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (9) US8286561B2 (en)
EP (3) EP3598043B1 (en)
KR (1) KR101877474B1 (en)
CN (1) CN102483297B (en)
BR (1) BR112012006003B1 (en)
CA (1) CA2769436C (en)
DE (1) DE202010018226U1 (en)
ES (2) ES2745860T3 (en)
MX (1) MX2012001781A (en)
TW (2) TWI595201B (en)
WO (1) WO2011034835A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2496886B1 (en) 2009-11-04 2016-12-21 SSW Holding Company, Inc. Cooking appliance surfaces having spill containment pattern and methods of making the same

Families Citing this family (55)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8286561B2 (en) 2008-06-27 2012-10-16 Ssw Holding Company, Inc. Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly
US11786036B2 (en) 2008-06-27 2023-10-17 Ssw Advanced Technologies, Llc Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly
WO2010042668A1 (en) 2008-10-07 2010-04-15 Ross Technology Corporation Spill resistant surfaces having hydrophobic and oleophobic borders
KR20110036446A (en) * 2009-10-01 2011-04-07 삼성전자주식회사 Shelf assembly for refrigerator and manufacturing method thereof
GB2476093A (en) * 2009-12-11 2011-06-15 Manvers Engineering Ltd Oil Collecting Device Made Of Hydrophobic And Oleophilic Materials.
FR2955911B1 (en) * 2010-01-29 2012-04-27 Saint Gobain FRAME FOR PANEL AND METHOD FOR FASTENING A FRAME ON A PANEL
WO2011116005A1 (en) 2010-03-15 2011-09-22 Ross Technology Corporation Plunger and methods of producing hydrophobic surfaces
EP2678400A4 (en) 2011-02-21 2015-11-18 Ross Technology Corp Superhydrophobic and oleophobic coatings with low voc binder systems
DE102011077821A1 (en) * 2011-06-20 2012-12-20 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Storage plate for a refrigeration device and refrigeration device
DE102011085428A1 (en) * 2011-10-28 2013-05-02 Schott Ag shelf
WO2013090939A1 (en) 2011-12-15 2013-06-20 Ross Technology Corporation Composition and coating for superhydrophobic performance
KR102018241B1 (en) * 2012-03-26 2019-09-04 실코텍 코포레이션 Coated Article and Chemical Vapor Deposition Process
BR112014032676A2 (en) 2012-06-25 2017-06-27 Ross Tech Corporation elastomeric coatings that have hydrophobic and / or oleophobic properties
US9226577B2 (en) * 2012-07-26 2016-01-05 Prosteel Security Products Inc. Modular safe interior
US8960827B2 (en) 2012-08-24 2015-02-24 Ssw Holding Company, Inc. Anti-tip and retention assembly for appliance support plate
US20140283980A1 (en) * 2013-01-14 2014-09-25 Juifeng Lee Methods for creating tempered glass art furniture and accessories
US10065278B2 (en) * 2013-01-22 2018-09-04 Western Industries Incorporated Spill resistant warming drawer
KR101470293B1 (en) * 2013-07-17 2014-12-08 코닝정밀소재 주식회사 Method of fabricating light extraction substrate for oled
KR20150094049A (en) * 2014-02-10 2015-08-19 엘지전자 주식회사 Refrigerator
US10101079B2 (en) * 2014-05-07 2018-10-16 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Cooling device having a storage plate comprising a profile
KR102133544B1 (en) 2014-06-23 2020-07-13 사우쓰와이어 컴퍼니, 엘엘씨 Uv-resistant superhydrophobic coating compositions
US10526215B2 (en) * 2014-07-21 2020-01-07 The Frazer And Cruickshank Living Trust Selenium and other contaminants removal process
KR102236740B1 (en) * 2014-08-07 2021-04-06 삼성전자주식회사 Refrigerator
WO2016138272A1 (en) 2015-02-27 2016-09-01 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Non-fluorinated water-based superhydrophobic compositions
US9593879B2 (en) 2015-03-17 2017-03-14 Whirlpool Corporation U-shaped tuck shelf
USD810795S1 (en) 2015-03-17 2018-02-20 Whirlpool Corporation Refrigerator
DE102015211244A1 (en) * 2015-06-18 2016-12-22 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Freezers storage device
EP3147607B1 (en) 2015-09-22 2020-04-22 emz-Hanauer GmbH & Co. KGaA Shelf assembly for a refrigerator or freezer
USD808446S1 (en) 2015-10-09 2018-01-23 Whirlpool Corporation Refrigerator shelf
USD809572S1 (en) 2015-10-09 2018-02-06 Whirlpool Corporation Refrigerator shelf
USD810493S1 (en) * 2016-02-25 2018-02-20 Dometic Sweden Ab Cooktop cover
US9909248B2 (en) * 2016-07-14 2018-03-06 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Washing machine appliance and lid assembly
US10281197B2 (en) 2016-10-11 2019-05-07 Whirlpool Corporation Quick shelf adjustment mechanism for a refrigerating appliance
USD841059S1 (en) 2016-11-11 2019-02-19 Whirlpool Corporation Door bin
BR102017009967A2 (en) 2017-05-11 2018-12-04 Whirlpool S.A. home appliance equipment including shelf arrangement
US10655905B2 (en) 2017-06-13 2020-05-19 Whirlpool Corporation Flexible compartment for a refrigerator
US10823480B2 (en) 2017-08-01 2020-11-03 Whirlpool Corporation Air flow mechanism for compartment
US10677514B2 (en) 2017-08-01 2020-06-09 Whirlpool Corporation Door bin with dual material and system lock
BR102017019233B1 (en) 2017-09-08 2022-10-18 Whirlpool S.A. TRANSLATION SYSTEM FOR REFRIGERATOR SHELF
FR3071909B1 (en) * 2017-09-29 2019-10-18 Eurokera S.N.C. VITROCERAMIC PLATE COMPRISING A CORD FOR RETAINING LIQUIDS.
US10371436B2 (en) 2017-11-08 2019-08-06 Whirlpool Corporation Bin assembly
US10808944B2 (en) 2018-01-12 2020-10-20 Whirlpool Corporation Swinging rack
US10551071B2 (en) 2018-05-11 2020-02-04 Whirlpool Corporation Oven rack system with removable support elements
US10889727B1 (en) 2018-06-14 2021-01-12 Southwire Company, Llc Electrical cable with improved installation and durability performance
US20200033051A1 (en) * 2018-07-26 2020-01-30 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Rotating shelf assembly for a refrigerator appliance
US11073329B2 (en) 2018-10-31 2021-07-27 Whirlpool Corporation Refrigerator shelving frame with snap-in sliding insert
US10753674B1 (en) 2019-02-20 2020-08-25 Whirlpool Corporation Refrigerator tuck shelf with flush profile and co-injected fixed glass
US10470573B1 (en) * 2019-03-12 2019-11-12 Sub-Zero, Inc. Tray with support arm
US20200317560A1 (en) * 2019-04-05 2020-10-08 Schott Ag Spill retention mechanisms for cooktops and other substrates
US10775099B1 (en) 2019-08-27 2020-09-15 Whirlpool Corporation Refrigerator with a shelf
US11696642B2 (en) 2020-03-06 2023-07-11 BSH Hope Appliances Corporation Shelf support bracket system for glass refrigerator shelf and refrigerator shelf assembly using same
DE102020109820B3 (en) 2020-04-08 2021-08-05 Emz-Hanauer Gmbh & Co. Kgaa Shelf assembly and support brace therefor
KR102506336B1 (en) * 2020-12-09 2023-03-06 (주)세고스 Manufacturing method for shelf for refrigerator and shelf using the same
US20220204395A1 (en) * 2020-12-30 2022-06-30 Whirlpool Corporation Peripheral Overfilled-Spillage-Protected Ceramic Cooktop
DE102022208476A1 (en) * 2022-08-16 2024-02-22 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Storage plate for stored goods and household refrigeration device

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4591530A (en) 1983-05-03 1986-05-27 T.V.S. S.P.A. Soft ceramic kitchenware internally coated with a non-stick resin
US5324566A (en) 1991-01-23 1994-06-28 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Water and oil repelling film having surface irregularities and method of manufacturing the same
US5429433A (en) 1991-03-07 1995-07-04 Donnelly Technology, Inc. Molded refrigerator shelf
US5564809A (en) 1991-03-07 1996-10-15 Donnelly Technology, Inc. Encapsulated shelf for refrigerated compartments
US5735589A (en) 1994-04-29 1998-04-07 Donnelly Technology, Inc. Sliding refrigerator shelf assembly
US6120720A (en) 1994-09-08 2000-09-19 Gemtron Corporation Method of manufacturing a plastic edged glass shelf
US6800354B2 (en) 2000-12-21 2004-10-05 Ferro Gmbh Substrates with a self-cleaning surface, a process for their production and their use
US6872441B2 (en) 2000-04-01 2005-03-29 Ferro Gmbh Glass ceramic and metal substrates with a self-cleaning surface, method for the production and use thereof

Family Cites Families (656)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US392061A (en) 1888-10-30 Assighoe of one-half to jacob
US870439A (en) 1906-01-09 1907-11-05 Charles F Kade Adjustable bracket.
US2191701A (en) 1938-05-10 1940-02-27 Montgomery Ward & Co Inc Display apparatus
US2976386A (en) 1958-03-31 1961-03-21 Lewis L Salton Electric food warmers
US3185426A (en) 1961-05-03 1965-05-25 Bjerke Alf Johan Dismountable shelf supporting unit and bracket therefor
US3980153A (en) 1963-06-17 1976-09-14 Peter Andrews Motor vehicle oil drop pan apparatus device for indirectly saving lives and accidents on a highway
US3354022A (en) 1964-03-31 1967-11-21 Du Pont Water-repellant surface
US3579540A (en) 1968-11-01 1971-05-18 Howard G Ohlhausen Method for protecting nonporous substrates and for rendering them water repellent
BE755278A (en) * 1969-08-25 1971-02-01 Standard Oil Co CONTAINER FOR HOT FOOD
GB1341605A (en) 1970-06-24 1973-12-28 Johnson & Johnson Surgical drape or gown
US3716502A (en) 1970-11-27 1973-02-13 Inmont Corp Elastomeric thermoplastic polyester polyurethane compositions stabilized against hydrolysis
US3975197A (en) 1973-02-12 1976-08-17 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Coated aluminum substrates
US3967030A (en) 1973-08-22 1976-06-29 Union Carbide Corporation Siloxanes
US3976572A (en) 1974-01-04 1976-08-24 Michael Ebert Aircraft fuel contaminant tester
US3931428A (en) 1974-01-04 1976-01-06 Michael Ebert Substrate coated with super-hydrophobic layers
US3963349A (en) 1974-08-27 1976-06-15 American Hospital Supply Corporation Method and apparatus for determining coagulation times
US4199142A (en) 1976-04-30 1980-04-22 Michael Ebert Toys and games using super-hydrophobic surfaces
US4142724A (en) 1976-04-30 1979-03-06 Michael Ebert Water maze game with super-hydrophobic surface
US4680173A (en) 1977-04-28 1987-07-14 Norman D. Burger Aerosol dispensing system
US4132824A (en) 1977-07-21 1979-01-02 General Electric Company Method for casting ultrathin methylpentene polymer membranes
US4151327A (en) 1978-02-24 1979-04-24 Lawton William R Complex amine/silane treated cellulosic materials
DE2940978A1 (en) 1978-03-06 1980-11-27 G Davies Improvements in or relating to bonding plastics materials to steel
DE2819118C2 (en) 1978-04-29 1982-09-23 Schott Glaswerke, 6500 Mainz Heatable surface made of a glass or glass ceramic plate with a glued frame
US4184936A (en) 1978-07-24 1980-01-22 Eastman Kodak Company Device for determining ionic activity
US4301197A (en) 1979-12-03 1981-11-17 Ppg Industries, Inc. Siloxane release surfaces on glass
US4311755A (en) 1980-12-29 1982-01-19 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Non-stick coated steel article
DE3104114C2 (en) 1981-02-06 1984-06-14 Schott Glaswerke, 6500 Mainz Holder for a plate made of glass, glass ceramic or similar material, in particular for a cooking surface
US4415405A (en) 1981-08-19 1983-11-15 Yale University Method for engraving a grid pattern on microscope slides and slips
US4581149A (en) 1982-07-29 1986-04-08 Mobil Oil Corporation Zwitterionic quaternary ammonium sulfonates and sulfates and lubricants and fuels containing same
US4451619A (en) 1982-09-30 1984-05-29 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Method of hydrophilizing or hydrophobizing polymers
FR2565593B1 (en) 1984-06-12 1986-12-12 Rhone Poulenc Spec Chim AQUEOUS EMULSION COMPOSITIONS FOR NON-STICK AND WATER REPELLENT TREATMENT OF CELLULOSIC MATERIALS
JPS612784A (en) 1984-06-14 1986-01-08 Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd Spray can packed with water-repellent surface treatment
DE3583707D1 (en) 1984-06-26 1991-09-12 Asahi Glass Co Ltd TRANSPARENT HEAVY DIRTING ITEM WITH LOW REFLECTION.
JPS61161103A (en) 1985-01-10 1986-07-21 Terumo Corp Hydrophilic porous membrane and its preparation
US4617057A (en) 1985-06-04 1986-10-14 Dow Corning Corporation Oil and water repellent coating compositions
US4614464A (en) 1985-07-12 1986-09-30 Christensen Harry N Adjustable jig for hole formation
DE3527533A1 (en) 1985-08-01 1987-02-12 Ego Elektro Blanc & Fischer ELECTRIC COOKING PLATE
US4646948A (en) 1985-10-03 1987-03-03 Container Mfg. Inc. Measuring container with modified pour-spout and method and apparatus for filling the same
JPS62246960A (en) 1985-12-20 1987-10-28 Nok Corp Sealing material
USD295950S (en) 1986-09-04 1988-05-31 Arbell Inc. Pair of support brackets for a shelf or the like
JPS63120773A (en) 1986-11-10 1988-05-25 Toray Silicone Co Ltd Waterproof material composition composed of aqueous silicone emulsion
DE3635260A1 (en) 1986-10-16 1988-04-28 Wacker Chemie Gmbh METHOD FOR MAKING WATER REPELLENT OF SUCTIONABLE INORGANIC CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
US4753977A (en) 1986-12-10 1988-06-28 General Electric Company Water repellent for masonry
JPS63149601A (en) 1986-12-15 1988-06-22 Toyota Central Res & Dev Lab Inc Anti-fogging optical member
US4733843A (en) 1987-03-23 1988-03-29 Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company Flexible glass shelf bracket
US4738426A (en) 1987-03-23 1988-04-19 Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company Resilient sleeve glass shelf bracket
US4971912A (en) 1987-07-14 1990-11-20 Technicon Instruments Corporation Apparatus and method for the separation of immiscible liquids
JP2667830B2 (en) 1987-09-07 1997-10-27 株式会社クラレ Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition
US5047563A (en) 1987-09-10 1991-09-10 Miles Inc. Chiral crown ethers
US4826970A (en) 1987-09-17 1989-05-02 Hercules Incorporated Carboxymethyl hydrophobically modified hydroxyethylcellulose
US5009652A (en) 1987-10-16 1991-04-23 Morgan Cheryle I Medical sponges and wipes with a barrier impermeable to infectious agents
US4803233A (en) 1987-10-30 1989-02-07 Dow Corning Corporation Water-based silicone-organic polymer compositions and method therefor
US5011963A (en) 1988-02-09 1991-04-30 Matsushita Electric Ind., Co., Ltd. Terminal perfluoroalkylsilane compounds
CA1338989C (en) 1988-03-08 1997-03-11 Masashi Matsuo Water and oil repellant
US5004302A (en) 1988-03-14 1991-04-02 General Electric Company Shelf support system for split cantilever shelves
FR2632962A1 (en) 1988-06-17 1989-12-22 Pola Chem Ind Inc WATERPROOFING AND OLEOFUGE COATING POWDERS, PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF AND COSMETIC PRODUCTS CONTAINING THEM
CA1336929C (en) 1988-06-28 1995-09-05 Kansai Paint Co., Ltd. Water-repellent film-forming composition
US4870907A (en) 1988-08-09 1989-10-03 Mckee Roy L Towel rack convenience shelf
JP2732260B2 (en) 1988-09-09 1998-03-25 鐘淵化学工業株式会社 Polyimide laminate with improved slipperiness
US4934541A (en) 1988-11-07 1990-06-19 Whirlpool Corporation Refrigerator shelf and method of manufacturing
US5856378A (en) 1988-12-02 1999-01-05 Courtaulds Coatings (Holdings) Limited Powder coating compositions
GB8906379D0 (en) 1989-03-20 1989-05-04 Am Int Providing a surface with solvent-wettable and solvent-non wettable zones
US5069408A (en) 1989-07-14 1991-12-03 Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company Shelving mount system
US4923260A (en) 1989-08-29 1990-05-08 White Consolidated Industries, Inc. Refrigerator shelf construction
GB8921041D0 (en) 1989-09-16 1989-11-01 Rtz Chemicals Ltd Water-borne water repellents and their use
JP2990608B2 (en) 1989-12-13 1999-12-13 株式会社ブリヂストン Surface treatment method
JPH03193975A (en) 1989-12-22 1991-08-23 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Co <3M> Water-repellant oil-repellant treating agent
US5156611A (en) 1990-02-05 1992-10-20 Becton, Dickinson And Company Blood microsampling site preparation method
US5057050A (en) 1990-03-20 1991-10-15 Mattel, Inc. Surface skimming toy
US5308705A (en) 1990-04-03 1994-05-03 Ppg Industries, Inc. Water repellent surface treatment
US5707740A (en) 1990-04-03 1998-01-13 Ppg Industries, Inc. Water repellent surface treatment with acid activation
US6025025A (en) 1990-04-03 2000-02-15 Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. Water-repellent surface treatment
US5328768A (en) 1990-04-03 1994-07-12 Ppg Industries, Inc. Durable water repellant glass surface
US5523162A (en) 1990-04-03 1996-06-04 Ppg Industries, Inc. Water repellent surface treatment for plastic and coated plastic substrates
US5523161A (en) 1990-04-03 1996-06-04 Ppg Industries, Inc. Water repellent surface treatment with integrated primer
US5688864A (en) 1990-04-03 1997-11-18 Ppg Industries, Inc. Autophobic water repellent surface treatment
US4983459A (en) 1990-04-03 1991-01-08 Ppg Industries, Inc. Chemically reacted glass surface
US5674967A (en) 1990-04-03 1997-10-07 Ppg Industries, Inc. Water repellent surface treatment with integrated primer
US4997684A (en) 1990-07-19 1991-03-05 Ppg Industries, Inc. Method of using perfluoroalkylsilanes to lower the surface energy of glass
CA2022039A1 (en) 1990-07-26 1992-01-27 Julio O. Gun Composition for producing a monomolecular film on the surfaces of various materials
US5228905A (en) 1990-08-14 1993-07-20 Ppg Industries, Inc. Water-borne treatment compositions for porous substrates
JP3072120B2 (en) 1990-08-24 2000-07-31 東レ・ダウコーニング・シリコーン株式会社 Water and oil repellent treatment agent
US5300239A (en) 1990-08-24 1994-04-05 Dow Corning Toray Silicone Co., Ltd. Water-repellent and oil-repellent treatment
JP2646150B2 (en) 1990-08-27 1997-08-25 出光興産 株式会社 Water repellent silica sol and method for producing the same
US5240774A (en) 1990-10-25 1993-08-31 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Fluorocarbon-based coating film and method of manufacturing the same
DE69122212T2 (en) 1990-10-25 1997-01-30 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Monomolecular film laminated by chemical adsorption and process for its production
US5238746A (en) 1990-11-06 1993-08-24 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Fluorocarbon-based polymer lamination coating film and method of manufacturing the same
FR2669642B1 (en) 1990-11-28 1993-05-07 Lengrand Pascal HYDROPHOBIC COMPOSITIONS FOR SURFACE COATING IN LIQUID OR PASTE CONDITIONS FOR USE AS A THICK OR SEMI-THICK COATING IN THE BUILDING AND DECORATION.
JP2637869B2 (en) 1990-12-10 1997-08-06 松下電器産業株式会社 Adsorbed monomolecular film and method for producing the same
DE69120788T2 (en) 1990-12-25 1996-11-07 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Non-contaminating, absorbed film and process for its production
CA2060294C (en) 1991-02-06 2000-01-18 Kazufumi Ogawa Chemically absorbed film and method of manufacturing the same
US5540493A (en) 1991-03-07 1996-07-30 Donnelly Technology Inc. Encapsulated shelf with pre-encapsulated bracket
US5273354A (en) 1991-03-07 1993-12-28 Donnelly Corporation Molded refrigerator shelf and support bracket
US5403084A (en) 1991-03-07 1995-04-04 Donnelly Corporation Molded refrigerator shelf with snap-in slide
US5441338A (en) 1991-03-07 1995-08-15 Donnelly Corporation Snap-on shelf
US5454638A (en) 1991-03-07 1995-10-03 Donnelly Technology, Inc. Adjustable refrigerator shelving
AU654355B2 (en) 1991-04-15 1994-11-03 Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Method for modifying fluorine-containing plastic, modified plastic and bio-material containing this plastic
US5424130A (en) 1991-05-13 1995-06-13 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Water repellent glass and process for producing the same
EP0646151B1 (en) 1991-06-14 1997-11-05 W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Surface modified porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and process for making
US5297486A (en) 1991-08-14 1994-03-29 Donnelly Corporation Bracket and shelf
CN2113879U (en) * 1991-08-24 1992-08-26 叶林林 Electrostatic chinese typewriter
JP2594813Y2 (en) 1991-09-13 1999-05-10 旭光学工業株式会社 Adhesive member
US5202361A (en) 1991-12-23 1993-04-13 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Pressure-sensitive adhesive
US5364299A (en) 1992-01-29 1994-11-15 Mattel, Inc. Surface skimming toy
BR9207079A (en) 1992-02-10 1995-12-05 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Radiation crosslinkable composition
DE69213918T2 (en) 1992-02-19 1997-02-06 Hughes Aircraft Co Frozen premix, urethane adhesives or sealants that retain the shape of a strand
DE4210010C2 (en) 1992-03-27 1995-04-27 Schott Glaswerke Cooktop
US5368892A (en) 1992-04-10 1994-11-29 Saint-Gobain Vitrage International Non-wettable glass sheet
JP2741823B2 (en) 1992-05-27 1998-04-22 松下電器産業株式会社 Surface treatment agent and method of using the same
US5228764A (en) 1992-08-10 1993-07-20 General Electric Company Refrigerator shelf assembly
US5366810A (en) 1992-10-09 1994-11-22 General Electric Company Water-repellent wallboard
US5747561A (en) 1992-10-14 1998-05-05 Smirnov; Aleksandr Vitalievich Solid surface modifier
US5316799A (en) 1992-10-30 1994-05-31 Advanced Chemical Technologies, Inc. Method for applying paint with a water repellant composition
JP3305322B2 (en) 1992-11-06 2002-07-22 バイオログ,インコーポレーテッド Liquid and suspension analyzers
SK69995A3 (en) 1992-12-04 1995-12-06 Franz Haas Waffelmaschienen In Process for producing biodegradable thin-walled starch-based moldings
IT1256721B (en) 1992-12-16 1995-12-15 Ausimont Spa PROCESS FOR IMPROVING OIL AND HYDRO-REPELLENCE TO THE SURFACE OF POROUS CERAMIC MATERIALS
US5435839A (en) 1992-12-24 1995-07-25 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Finishing agents and method of manufacturing the same
EP0605154B1 (en) 1992-12-28 1997-11-12 General Electric Company Sliding and spill proof cantilever shelf
US5274159A (en) 1993-02-18 1993-12-28 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Destructable fluorinated alkoxysilane surfactants and repellent coatings derived therefrom
US5352733A (en) 1993-03-10 1994-10-04 R. E. Hart Labs, Inc. Water based, solvent free, two component aliphatic polyurethane coating
JPH06275109A (en) 1993-03-24 1994-09-30 Toshiba Lighting & Technol Corp Manufacture of colored glass base, illuminating glass globe, luminaire and electrostatic coating film, and powder
US5348547A (en) 1993-04-05 1994-09-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent members having improved fluid distribution via low density and basis weight acquisition zones
US5338345A (en) 1993-05-05 1994-08-16 Eastman Kodak Company Water-based water repellent coating compositions
DE4318854C1 (en) 1993-06-07 1994-06-23 Schott Glaswerke Glass-plate-mounting for use as cooking surface
US5500216A (en) 1993-06-18 1996-03-19 Julian; Jorge V. Topical hydrophobic composition and method
JP2960304B2 (en) 1993-06-30 1999-10-06 信越化学工業株式会社 Water repellent for fiber
DE4327475C2 (en) 1993-08-16 1999-04-22 Schott Glas Process for forming a permanently elastic, easily detachable adhesive connection in the event of disassembly
JPH07118577A (en) 1993-10-22 1995-05-09 Dow Corning Asia Kk Water-repellent mildewproofing coating film-forming composition
EP0652492B1 (en) 1993-11-09 1998-01-28 Ricoh Company, Ltd Image forming apparatus with a contact member contacting an image carrier
US6155677A (en) 1993-11-26 2000-12-05 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink jet recording head, an ink jet unit and an ink jet apparatus using said recording head
US5959342A (en) 1993-12-08 1999-09-28 Lucent Technologies Inc. Semiconductor device having a high voltage termination improvement
JP3367572B2 (en) 1993-12-08 2003-01-14 日本板硝子株式会社 Method of forming water-repellent coating
US20030166840A1 (en) 1994-01-24 2003-09-04 Urry Dan W. Photoresponsive polymers
US5578361A (en) 1994-01-26 1996-11-26 Central Glass Company, Limited Water-repellent composite grains, method for producing same, and water-repellent article using same
US5489328A (en) 1994-01-31 1996-02-06 Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. Water repellent agent
US5660777A (en) 1994-04-29 1997-08-26 Donnelly Technology, Inc. Method for making a sliding refrigerator shelf assembly
US5464492A (en) 1994-05-20 1995-11-07 Renew Roof Technologies Inc. Method for manufacturing a portable liquid spill containment system
US5466770A (en) 1994-05-26 1995-11-14 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Fluorine-efficient oil- and water-repellent compositions
JP3443751B2 (en) 1994-06-22 2003-09-08 敬 高橋 Roof snow removal method
FR2722493B1 (en) 1994-07-13 1996-09-06 Saint Gobain Vitrage MULTI-LAYERED HYDROPHOBIC GLAZING
EP0701020A2 (en) 1994-07-27 1996-03-13 Bayer Ag Oil and water-repellent papers, process for making the same, and new fluorine-containing copolymers for making the same
PL178053B1 (en) 1994-07-29 2000-02-29 Wilhelm Barthlott Self-cleaning surfaces of objects and method of obtaining such surfaces
US5599893A (en) 1994-08-12 1997-02-04 Shin-Etsu Co., Ltd. Water repellent composition
US5736249A (en) 1994-08-16 1998-04-07 Decora, Incorporated Non-stick polymer-coated articles of manufacture
WO1996007621A1 (en) 1994-09-08 1996-03-14 Ford Motor Company Volatile glass batch materials incorporated in frits
US5590861A (en) 1994-11-10 1997-01-07 Ardolino; Sam Cup holder with a spill-collecting plate
FR2727417B1 (en) 1994-11-29 1997-01-03 Atochem Elf Sa CATIONIC FLUORINE COPOLYMERS FOR OLEOPHOBIC AND HYDROPHOBIC TREATMENT OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
EP0714870A1 (en) 1994-11-29 1996-06-05 Elf Atochem S.A. Process and composition for the oleophobic and hydrophobic treatment of construction materials
JPH08239241A (en) 1995-02-28 1996-09-17 Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co Ltd Water-repelling agent for glass and water-repelling glass
US5725789A (en) 1995-03-31 1998-03-10 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Aqueous oil and water repellent compositions
ES2133862T3 (en) 1995-06-01 1999-09-16 Ppg Ind Ohio Inc WATER REPELLENT SURFACE TREATMENT WITH INTEGRATED PRIMER.
CA2175849C (en) 1995-06-01 2003-07-15 George B. Goodwin Autophobic water repellent surface treatment
CA2175848C (en) 1995-06-05 2000-01-11 Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. Water repellent surface treatment with integrated primer
AT402369B (en) 1995-07-03 1997-04-25 Oemv Ag METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEPARATING A HYDROPHOBIC LIQUID FRACTION FROM AN AQUEOUS SUSPENSION
JP3234748B2 (en) 1995-07-14 2001-12-04 キヤノン株式会社 Method for selective water-repellent treatment of substrate, light-shielding member-formed substrate, and method for manufacturing color filter substrate using this light-shielding member-formed substrate
US5577817A (en) 1995-07-31 1996-11-26 Reynolds; Cory Portable paints and supplies storage and work enclosure
JP3133949B2 (en) 1995-08-25 2001-02-13 キヤノン株式会社 Method and apparatus for manufacturing color filter
AU6960296A (en) 1995-08-31 1997-03-19 First Medical, Inc. Methods and articles for enhanced protein adsorption and fluid management on surfaces
FR2739023B1 (en) 1995-09-21 1997-10-31 Oreal AQUEOUS COMPOSITION FOR HOLDING AND/OR FIXING HAIR COMPRISING A FILM-GENERATING ACRYLIC OLIGOMER, SOLUBLE OR DISPERSIBLE IN AQUEOUS MEDIUMS AND USES
WO1997012835A1 (en) 1995-10-02 1997-04-10 Mitsubishi Materials Corporation Hydrophobic metal oxide powder and use thereof
DE19539789A1 (en) 1995-10-26 1997-04-30 Merck Patent Gmbh Means and methods for producing water-repellent coatings on optical substrates
JP3766707B2 (en) 1995-10-25 2006-04-19 ディップソール株式会社 Water-soluble composition for water-repellent treatment of zinc and zinc alloy and water-repellent treatment method
US6221823B1 (en) 1995-10-25 2001-04-24 Reckitt Benckiser Inc. Germicidal, acidic hard surface cleaning compositions
JPH09151357A (en) 1995-11-28 1997-06-10 Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co Ltd Coating agent composition
JPH09165553A (en) 1995-12-15 1997-06-24 Dow Corning Asia Ltd Composition for forming water repelling membrane
ATE297262T1 (en) 1996-01-11 2005-06-15 Gregory Edye Ross PERIMETER COATING PROCESS
US5705079A (en) 1996-01-19 1998-01-06 Micron Display Technology, Inc. Method for forming spacers in flat panel displays using photo-etching
US5813741A (en) 1996-01-23 1998-09-29 White Consolidated Industries, Inc. Adjustable shelf for a refrigerator
MY118037A (en) 1996-02-01 2004-08-30 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Water repellent coating film, method and apparatus for manufacturing the same, and water repellent coating material composition
JPH09277487A (en) 1996-02-16 1997-10-28 Riso Kagaku Corp Plate making method of thermosensible stencil base sheet, thermosensible stencil base sheet using it, and composition
JP2982678B2 (en) 1996-02-19 1999-11-29 東洋インキ製造株式会社 Resin composition for water-repellent coating
JPH09225299A (en) 1996-02-28 1997-09-02 Toyota Motor Corp Activated carbon
US6191122B1 (en) 1996-03-29 2001-02-20 DEGUSSA HüLS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT Partially hydrophobic precipitated silicas
ATE205519T1 (en) 1996-04-02 2001-09-15 Johnson & Son Inc S C METHOD FOR HYDROPHOBIZING A SUBSTRATE SURFACE WITH LOW CONCENTRATION ORGANOFUNCTIONAL SILANES
CA2202834C (en) 1996-04-17 2001-08-07 Susumu Fujimori Water repellent coating composition and coating films and coated articles using the same
JP3253851B2 (en) 1996-04-18 2002-02-04 株式会社日立製作所 Super water repellent paint and super water repellent coating using the same
JP2000509663A (en) 1996-05-03 2000-08-02 ミネソタ・マイニング・アンド・マニュファクチャリング・カンパニー Non-woven abrasive products
CN1136247C (en) 1996-05-17 2004-01-28 美国3M公司 Fluorochemical polyurethane, providing good laundry air-dry performance
JP3498881B2 (en) 1996-05-27 2004-02-23 セントラル硝子株式会社 Manufacturing method of water-repellent glass
CN1171966C (en) 1996-05-31 2004-10-20 东陶机器株式会社 Antifouling member and coating composition
EP0909800B1 (en) 1996-06-19 2004-09-01 Daikin Industries, Limited Coating composition and coating film
US5830259A (en) 1996-06-25 1998-11-03 Ltv Steel Company, Inc. Preventing skull accumulation on a steelmaking lance
US6090447A (en) 1996-08-09 2000-07-18 Asahi Glass Company, Ltd. Process for forming a water-repellent thin film
EP0825241B1 (en) 1996-08-16 2003-03-26 Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation Water repellent coating composition, method for preparing the same, and coating films and coated articles using the same
EP0825157B1 (en) 1996-08-19 2002-01-02 Central Glass Company, Limited Water-repellent glass pane and method for producing same
US5697991A (en) 1996-08-29 1997-12-16 Crescent Marketing, Inc. Glass treatment compound
US6093559A (en) 1996-10-24 2000-07-25 Corning Incorporated Producing low binding hydrophobic surfaces by treating with a low HLB number non-ionic surfactant
US6811716B1 (en) 1996-10-24 2004-11-02 Fibervisions A/S Polyolefin fibers and method for the production thereof
JP4451931B2 (en) 1996-11-12 2010-04-14 ホアットマン,インコーポレーテッド Hydrophilic polymer phase change membrane
US6119626A (en) 1996-11-14 2000-09-19 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Vacuum apparatus for forming a thin-film and method for forming thin-film
DE19651478A1 (en) 1996-12-11 1998-06-18 Beiersdorf Ag Sunscreen preparations containing surface-active mono- or oligoglyceryl compounds, water-soluble UV filter substances and optionally inorganic micropigments
WO1998029505A1 (en) 1996-12-25 1998-07-09 Kansai Paint Co., Ltd. Polymer composition capable of forming surface slidable on water
US5890907A (en) 1997-01-13 1999-04-06 Clifford W. Estes Company, Inc. Educational doll
JPH10259038A (en) 1997-01-24 1998-09-29 Samsung Corning Co Ltd Durable water-repelling glass and its production
IT1290209B1 (en) 1997-01-29 1998-10-22 Progress S R L SHELF IN PARTICULAR FOR REFRIGERATOR COMPARTMENT
US5858551A (en) 1997-01-31 1999-01-12 Seydel Research, Inc. Water dispersible/redispersible hydrophobic polyester resins and their application in coatings
US5853894A (en) * 1997-02-03 1998-12-29 Cytonix Corporation Laboratory vessel having hydrophobic coating and process for manufacturing same
DE19706183C2 (en) 1997-02-17 1999-01-14 Schott Glas Refrigerator shelf
US6013724A (en) 1997-03-05 2000-01-11 Nippon Paint Co., Ltd. Raindrop fouling-resistant paint film, coating composition, film-forming method, and coated article
US5908708A (en) 1997-03-05 1999-06-01 Engelhard Corporation Aqueous dispersion of a particulate solid having a hydrophobic outer surface and films produced thereby
US6482524B1 (en) 1997-03-11 2002-11-19 Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. Substrate having a treatment surface
US20020155299A1 (en) 1997-03-14 2002-10-24 Harris Caroline S. Photo-induced hydrophilic article and method of making same
US6391578B2 (en) 1997-04-09 2002-05-21 3M Innovative Properties Company Method and devices for partitioning biological sample liquids into microvolumes
US5947574A (en) 1997-06-04 1999-09-07 Maytag Corporation Refrigerator shelving assembly
US5921411A (en) 1997-06-09 1999-07-13 Merl; Milton J. Shelf assembly
JP3334611B2 (en) 1997-06-24 2002-10-15 日本板硝子株式会社 Method for producing water-repellent article, water-repellent article and solution for forming water-repellent coating
JP3292681B2 (en) 1997-06-26 2002-06-17 日本板硝子株式会社 Plate
US6465556B1 (en) 1997-07-01 2002-10-15 Rhodia Inc. Latex made with crosslinkable surface active agent
FR2767270B1 (en) 1997-08-14 2000-02-11 Daniel Gamain GAS PHASE TREATMENT PROCESS OF A SOLID MATERIAL TO MAKE IT HYDROPHOBIC, MATERIAL OBTAINED AND APPLICATIONS
DE19737475A1 (en) 1997-08-28 1999-03-04 Bayer Ag Coating compositions based on silanes containing epoxy groups
US6045650A (en) 1997-09-16 2000-04-04 Sunsmart, Inc. Hydrophilic materials and their method of preparation
US5952053A (en) 1997-09-26 1999-09-14 Willamette Valley Company Process for producing filled polyurethane elastomers
FR2769318B1 (en) 1997-10-06 1999-12-10 Saint Gobain Vitrage HYDROPHOBIC COATING, ESPECIALLY FOR GLAZING
FR2770212B1 (en) 1997-10-29 1999-11-26 Eurokera GLASS MATERIAL PLATE FOR FIXING IN A FRAME
US6105233A (en) 1997-10-29 2000-08-22 Neal; Albert D. Shelf for a refrigerator and method of making
DE19748295A1 (en) 1997-10-31 1999-05-06 Max Planck Gesellschaft Element with extremely water-repellent drying zones on the surface
US6017997A (en) 1997-10-31 2000-01-25 The B. F. Goodrich Company Waterborne polyurethane having film properties comparable to rubber
FR2770526B1 (en) 1997-11-04 2000-01-14 Atochem Elf Sa STABLE AQUEOUS DISPERSIONS BASED ON WATER-SOLUBLE POLYMERS CONTAINING A CATIONIC DISPERSANT HAVING HYDROPHOBIC PATTERNS
DE19748606A1 (en) 1997-11-04 1999-05-06 Ge Bayer Silicones Gmbh & Co Superficially hydrophilized silicone elastomers, processes for their production and their use
TW418116B (en) 1997-11-04 2001-01-11 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Water-repellent coating and coating device
DE19749380A1 (en) 1997-11-07 1999-05-12 Wacker Chemie Gmbh Compositions containing aminosiloxanes
JP3574734B2 (en) 1997-11-27 2004-10-06 東京エレクトロン株式会社 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
GB9726807D0 (en) 1997-12-18 1998-02-18 Mupor Ltd Hydrophobic/Oleophobic surfaces and a method of manufacture
AU2024099A (en) 1998-01-02 1999-07-26 Ashland Inc. Water repellent glass treatment for automotive applications
DE69819292T2 (en) 1998-01-13 2004-07-29 Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul Fluoropolymer and fluoropolymer compositions for imparting water and oil repellency to a substrate
AU2310199A (en) 1998-01-15 1999-08-02 Cabot Corporation Method of preparing hydrophobic silica
US8192994B2 (en) 1998-02-10 2012-06-05 Angros Lee H Method of applying a biological specimen to an analytic plate
US6713304B2 (en) 1998-02-10 2004-03-30 Lee H. Angros Method of forming a containment border on an analytic plate
US5948685A (en) 1998-02-10 1999-09-07 Angros; Lee Analytic plate with containment border and method of use
US6818451B2 (en) * 1998-02-10 2004-11-16 Lee H. Angros Analytic plate with containment border
US6235833B1 (en) 1998-02-13 2001-05-22 Central Glass Company, Limited Water-repellent solution and method of forming water-repellent film on substrate by using the solution
US6197438B1 (en) 1998-03-11 2001-03-06 Roger Faulkner Foodware with ceramic food contacting surface
AU3004799A (en) 1998-03-16 1999-10-11 Reichhold, Inc. Surface active polyesters
WO1999048339A1 (en) 1998-03-17 1999-09-23 Seiko Epson Corporation Substrate for patterning thin film and surface treatment thereof
US6352758B1 (en) 1998-05-04 2002-03-05 3M Innovative Properties Company Patterned article having alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface regions
US6264751B1 (en) 1998-05-18 2001-07-24 Hoya Corporation Mechanism for performing water repellency processing on both sides simultaneously
EP0959102B1 (en) 1998-05-18 2005-09-28 Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. Silica particles surface-treated with silane, process for producing the same and uses thereof
WO1999060397A1 (en) * 1998-05-18 1999-11-25 University Of Washington Liquid analysis cartridge
JPH11340321A (en) 1998-05-27 1999-12-10 Sony Corp Semiconductor device and its manufacture
JP3842554B2 (en) 1998-06-04 2006-11-08 日本板硝子株式会社 Method for producing water-repellent film-coated article, water-repellent film-coated article, and liquid composition for water-repellent film coating
US6589641B1 (en) 1998-06-04 2003-07-08 Seagate Technology Llc Thin films of crosslinked fluoropolymer on a carbon substrate
FR2781495B3 (en) 1998-07-24 2000-09-01 Saint Gobain Vitrage HYDROPHOBIC TREATMENT COMPOSITION, PROCESS FOR FORMING A COATING FROM THIS COMPOSITION AND PRODUCTS PROVIDED WITH THIS COATING
US6579620B2 (en) 1998-07-31 2003-06-17 Ntt Advanced Technology Corp. Water-repellent coating and coating film
JP2000053449A (en) 1998-08-06 2000-02-22 Murakami Corp Non-fogging mirror and its production
FR2782522B1 (en) 1998-08-19 2003-10-03 Atochem Elf Sa WATERPROOFING COMPOSITION
JP2000136377A (en) 1998-08-24 2000-05-16 Asahi Glass Co Ltd Water-dispersible water and oil repellent composition
FI109220B (en) 1998-09-04 2002-06-14 Kemira Chemicals Oy A method for making water-repellent paper or paperboard and a bonding mixture
EP0985741A1 (en) 1998-09-07 2000-03-15 The Procter & Gamble Company Modulated plasma glow discharge treatments for making super hydrophobic substrates
US6649222B1 (en) 1998-09-07 2003-11-18 The Procter & Gamble Company Modulated plasma glow discharge treatments for making superhydrophobic substrates
US6143358A (en) 1998-10-01 2000-11-07 Nanofilm, Ltd. Hydrophobic thin films on magnesium fluoride surfaces
JP2001072734A (en) 1998-10-23 2001-03-21 Nitto Denko Corp Aromatic polycarbodiimide and water-repellent sheet made therefrom
US6136210A (en) 1998-11-02 2000-10-24 Xerox Corporation Photoetching of acoustic lenses for acoustic ink printing
US20020001676A1 (en) 1998-11-03 2002-01-03 Don Hayden Capped silicone film and method of manufacture thereof
US6245387B1 (en) 1998-11-03 2001-06-12 Diamon-Fusion International, Inc. Capped silicone film and method of manufacture thereof
IT1303808B1 (en) 1998-12-01 2001-02-23 Ausimont Spa SURFACE TREATMENTS WITH BIFUNCTIONAL DIPERFLUOROPOLYETER DERIVATIVES.
US6162877A (en) 1998-12-04 2000-12-19 Hercules Incorporated Hydrophobically modified comb copolymers
FR2787350B1 (en) 1998-12-21 2002-01-04 Saint Gobain Vitrage GLASS WITH FUNCTIONAL MESOPOROUS COATING, ESPECIALLY HYDROPHOBIC
JP4566409B2 (en) 1998-12-24 2010-10-20 キアゲン ゲゼルシャフト ミット ベシュレンクテル ハフツング Ultra-sparse surface
DE19904423A1 (en) 1999-02-04 2000-08-10 Kloeber Johannes Hydrophobically equipped, breathable underlayment
US6291054B1 (en) 1999-02-19 2001-09-18 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Abrasion resistant coatings
US7478785B2 (en) 1999-02-22 2009-01-20 Herron Intellectual Property Holdings, Llc Vertically stabilized adjustable shelf bracket assembly
US6196141B1 (en) 1999-02-22 2001-03-06 Herron, Iii Warren L. Vertically stabilized adjustable shelf bracket assembly
US6224974B1 (en) 1999-03-10 2001-05-01 Consolidated Papers, Inc. Water resistant, caustically removable coating, paper label and recyclable labeled glass bottle
US6383642B1 (en) 1999-04-09 2002-05-07 Saint-Gobain Vitrage Transparent substrate provided with hydrophobic/oleophobic coating formed by plasma CVD
US6184408B1 (en) 1999-04-28 2001-02-06 Dow Corning Corporation Method for preparation of hydrophobic precipitated silica
US6280834B1 (en) 1999-05-03 2001-08-28 Guardian Industries Corporation Hydrophobic coating including DLC and/or FAS on substrate
AU4698300A (en) 1999-05-03 2000-11-17 Sustainable Technologies Corporation Encapsulant compositions and methods for treating spills of hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic materials
US7108833B2 (en) 1999-05-12 2006-09-19 Spectromedical Inc. Sample tab
US6200626B1 (en) 1999-05-20 2001-03-13 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated Surface-treatment of silicone medical devices comprising an intermediate carbon coating and graft polymerization
WO2001009266A1 (en) 1999-08-02 2001-02-08 Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. Article coated with water-repellent film, liquid composition for coating with water-repellent film, and process for producing article coated with water-repellent film
US6780497B1 (en) 1999-08-05 2004-08-24 Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc. Surface modified expanded polytetrafluoroethylene devices and methods of producing the same
US6479612B1 (en) 1999-08-10 2002-11-12 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Fluorochemical water and oil repellents
AUPQ234599A0 (en) 1999-08-20 1999-09-16 Lamb, Robert Norman Hydrophobic material
US6437040B2 (en) 1999-09-01 2002-08-20 Rhodia Chimie Water-soluble block copolymers comprising a hydrophilic block and a hydrophobic block
US6660339B1 (en) 1999-09-07 2003-12-09 The Procter & Gamble Company Process for hydrophobic treatment of water vapor permeable substrates
US6685992B1 (en) 1999-09-13 2004-02-03 Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. Method for partially treating a water-repellent glass sheet
US6451437B1 (en) 1999-10-13 2002-09-17 Chugoku Marine Paints, Ltd. Curable composition, coating composition, paint, antifouling paint, cured product thereof and method of rendering base material antifouling
US6308728B1 (en) 1999-10-27 2001-10-30 Douglas Frazier Spill containment system and method
US6564935B1 (en) 1999-11-04 2003-05-20 Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. Coating solution, method and kit for preparing the same, and method for water-repellent treatment using the same
US6384130B1 (en) 1999-12-03 2002-05-07 Bayer Corporation Liquid, hydrophobic, non-migrating, non-functional polyurethane plasticizers
EP1249474B1 (en) 1999-12-08 2012-10-03 Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd. Fine metal oxide powder having high dispersibility and toner composition comprising the same
DE19959949A1 (en) 1999-12-13 2001-06-21 Bayer Ag Hydrophobization with carboxyl-containing polysiloxanes
WO2001048094A1 (en) 1999-12-24 2001-07-05 Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd. Surface-modified inorganic oxide powder, process for producing the same, and use thereof
EP1113048A3 (en) 1999-12-27 2002-01-30 General Electric Company Hydrophobicity imparting particulate
US6811045B1 (en) 2000-01-10 2004-11-02 General Electric Company Spillproof refrigerator shelf
DE10007859A1 (en) 2000-02-21 2001-08-23 Bayer Ag Durable water- or oil-repellant surface, e.g. for car windows, includes a reservoir layer for the repellant below a porous surface layer
AU2001251583A1 (en) 2000-04-12 2001-10-30 World Properties Inc. Method for improving bonding of rigid, thermosetting compositions to hydrophilicsurfaces, and the articles formed thereby
AU2001270488A1 (en) 2000-04-14 2001-10-30 Nanogate Technologies Gmbh Ceramic material surface with hydrophobic or ultraphobic properties and method for the production thereof
DE10018671C2 (en) 2000-04-14 2002-09-26 Nanogate Technologies Gmbh Process for producing a hydrophobic surface of objects made of silicate ceramic materials and object with a hydrophobic surface
CA2404013A1 (en) 2000-04-21 2001-11-01 Hongyou Fan Prototyping of patterned functional nanostructures
DE10022246A1 (en) 2000-05-08 2001-11-15 Basf Ag Coating agent for the production of difficult to wet surfaces
JP2001316630A (en) 2000-05-09 2001-11-16 Nippon Paint Co Ltd Coating material composition for topcoat
US6371034B1 (en) 2000-05-22 2002-04-16 Globe Business Furniture Of Tennessee, Inc. Folding table
US6660686B2 (en) 2000-05-24 2003-12-09 Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho Photocatalyst and process for producing the same
US6476095B2 (en) 2000-06-02 2002-11-05 Microphase Coatings, Inc. Antifouling coating composition
EP1164161A1 (en) 2000-06-16 2001-12-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Thermoplastic hydrophilic polymeric compositions with high water solubility component
US6403397B1 (en) 2000-06-28 2002-06-11 Agere Systems Guardian Corp. Process for fabricating organic semiconductor device involving selective patterning
JP3876961B2 (en) 2000-06-29 2007-02-07 信越化学工業株式会社 Surface treatment agent and water / oil repellent article
US7004184B2 (en) 2000-07-24 2006-02-28 The Reagents Of The University Of Michigan Compositions and methods for liquid metering in microchannels
EP1193289A1 (en) 2000-10-02 2002-04-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Improved thermoplastic hydrophilic polymeric compositions for moisture vapour permeable structures
EP1180533A1 (en) 2000-08-10 2002-02-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Thermoplastic hydrophilic, polymeric compostions with improved adhesive properties for moisture vapour permeable structures
JP2004523598A (en) 2000-08-10 2004-08-05 ザ プロクター アンド ギャンブル カンパニー Thermoplastic hydrophilic polymer composition with improved adhesive properties for moisture permeable structures
US7785699B1 (en) 2000-09-06 2010-08-31 Ward Calvin B Electrostatically charged porous water-impermeable absorbent laminate for protecting work surfaces from contamination
EP1325978A4 (en) 2000-10-10 2005-05-11 Asahi Glass Co Ltd Composition for imparting water repellency and oil resistance
US6613860B1 (en) 2000-10-12 2003-09-02 3M Innovative Properties Company Compositions comprising fluorinated polyether silanes for rendering substrates oil and water repellent
US6610363B2 (en) 2000-10-18 2003-08-26 Nanofilm, Ltd. Composition with film forming alkylsilsesquioxane polymer and method for applying hydrophobic films to surfaces
GB2368967A (en) 2000-11-14 2002-05-15 Secr Defence System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
EP1353761A4 (en) 2000-11-15 2004-10-20 Ssw Holding Co Inc Coating with anti-microbial agent for refrigerator shelving
CA2353207A1 (en) 2000-11-20 2002-05-20 C-Cure Corporation Colored cement
US6488347B1 (en) 2000-11-21 2002-12-03 Gemtron Corporation Refrigerator shelf with one-piece internally ribbed/reinforced polymeric frame and reinforced suspension hooks
US7016847B1 (en) 2000-12-08 2006-03-21 Ben Franklin Patent Holdings L.L.C. Open architecture for a voice user interface
US6423372B1 (en) 2000-12-13 2002-07-23 North Carolina State University Tailoring the grafting density of organic modifiers at solid/liquid interfaces
JP2002241695A (en) 2000-12-15 2002-08-28 Dow Corning Toray Silicone Co Ltd Water-repellent silicone coating agent composition
US6729704B2 (en) 2000-12-22 2004-05-04 General Electric Company Removable glass encapsulated shelves
FR2819518B1 (en) 2001-01-12 2005-03-11 Omya Ag PROCESS FOR TREATING A MINERAL FILL BY A POLYDIALKYLSILOXANE AND A FATTY ACID, HYDROPHOBIC CHARGES THUS OBTAINED, AND THEIR APPLICATIONS IN "BREATHABLE" FILM POLYMERS
JP4908681B2 (en) 2001-02-09 2012-04-04 東レ・ダウコーニング株式会社 Silicone resin composition for water repellent coating
DE10106213A1 (en) 2001-02-10 2002-08-22 Dmc2 Degussa Metals Catalysts Cerdec Ag Self-cleaning paint coatings and methods and means of making the same
NZ526794A (en) 2001-02-22 2007-11-30 Shinetsu Chemical Co Aqueous water repellent for substrate treatment, making method, preparation of plywood or modified laminated veneer lumber, and preparation of wooden fiberboard
KR20020069288A (en) 2001-02-24 2002-08-30 삼성전자 주식회사 Semiconductor package using tape circuit board forming groove for preventing the encapsulant from overflowing and method for manufacturing thereof
CA2441004A1 (en) 2001-03-15 2002-09-26 Cabot Corporation Corrosion-resistant coating composition
EP1377853B1 (en) 2001-04-10 2008-09-17 President And Fellows of Harvard College Microlens for projection lithography and method of preparation thereof
DE10118346A1 (en) 2001-04-12 2002-10-17 Creavis Tech & Innovation Gmbh Self-cleaning, water-repellent textiles, used e.g. for tents, sports clothing and carpets, made by impregnating textile material with a suspension of hydrophobic particles and then removing the solvent
DE10118352A1 (en) 2001-04-12 2002-10-17 Creavis Tech & Innovation Gmbh Self-cleaning surfaces through hydrophobic structures and processes for their production
US6422673B1 (en) 2001-04-16 2002-07-23 Gemtron Corporation Refrigerator compartment housing vertically adjustable shelves, each formed from a piece of tempered glass snapped-fastened to an injection molded frame
KR100928172B1 (en) 2001-05-02 2009-11-25 가부시키가이샤 니혼규슈다이기쥬쓰겡뀨쇼 Pain- and water-resistant barrier sheet and absorber product using same
US6770323B2 (en) 2001-05-16 2004-08-03 North Carolina State University Methods for forming tunable molecular gradients on substrates
US7211329B2 (en) 2001-05-18 2007-05-01 Schott Ag Process for making a product with a long-lasting easily cleaned surface and product thereof
US20030032681A1 (en) 2001-05-18 2003-02-13 The Regents Of The University Of Clifornia Super-hydrophobic fluorine containing aerogels
US6806299B2 (en) 2001-05-18 2004-10-19 The Regents Of The University Of California Preparation of hydrophobic organic aeorgels
US20020192472A1 (en) 2001-05-25 2002-12-19 Bernd Metz Easily cleanable coating
US7005372B2 (en) 2003-01-21 2006-02-28 Novellus Systems, Inc. Deposition of tungsten nitride
EP1395529B1 (en) 2001-05-30 2004-12-08 MOLTECH Invent S.A. Carbon tiles with refractory coating for use at elevated temperature
JP2002356651A (en) 2001-05-30 2002-12-13 Dow Corning Toray Silicone Co Ltd Silicone composition for water repellent coating
US6851776B2 (en) 2001-06-28 2005-02-08 Gemtron Corporation Refrigerator compartment housing vertically adjustable shelves, each formed from a piece of tempered glass to which is injection molded a frame in the form of front and rear border members
CN100465619C (en) 2001-06-29 2009-03-04 梅索磅秤技术有限公司 Assay plates, reader systems and methods for luminescence test measurements
US7568583B2 (en) 2001-07-16 2009-08-04 Maytag Corporation Upright rear wall extension for refrigerator shelves
DE10134477A1 (en) 2001-07-16 2003-02-06 Creavis Tech & Innovation Gmbh Self-cleaning surfaces through hydrophobic structures and processes for their production
AU2002319689B2 (en) 2001-07-25 2006-06-08 The Sherwin-Williams Company Water-based water repellent coating compositions
US7056868B2 (en) 2001-07-30 2006-06-06 Cabot Corporation Hydrophobe associative polymers and compositions and methods employing them
CN100439096C (en) 2001-08-10 2008-12-03 3M创新有限公司 Stain assistant protect film and adhesive sheet having the same film
US6786562B2 (en) 2001-08-22 2004-09-07 Engineered Glass Products Llc Refrigeration shelf and method of making the same
JP2003160361A (en) 2001-09-14 2003-06-03 Wilson:Kk Two-pack type water repellent for glass surface
US6956084B2 (en) 2001-10-04 2005-10-18 Bridgestone Corporation Nano-particle preparation and applications
CA2457564C (en) 2001-10-05 2009-04-07 Surmodics, Inc. Particle immobilized coatings and uses thereof
KR100447931B1 (en) 2001-10-24 2004-09-08 한국화학연구원 The super water-repellent organic/inorganic composite membrane
FR2831547B1 (en) 2001-10-26 2005-08-19 Rhodia Chimie Sa LIQUID SILICONE FORMULATION FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ANTI-ADHERENT AND HYDROFUGED ELASTOMERIC REINFORCED COATINGS ON A SOLID SUPPORT, FOR EXAMPLE PAPER
FR2831551B1 (en) 2001-10-31 2004-07-02 Dehon Sa WATERPROOFING COMPOSITION, WINDSCREEN WASHER WITH CONTAINER, PARTICULARLY FOR VEHICLE WINDSHIELD
PL204021B1 (en) 2001-11-02 2009-12-31 Cnt Spo & Lstrok Ka Z Ogranicz Superhydrophobous coating
US20050008876A1 (en) 2001-11-08 2005-01-13 Toyoyuki Teranishi Ultra-water-repellent substrate
US20050165194A1 (en) 2001-11-20 2005-07-28 Rhodia Chimie Crosslinking agent for a silicone composition which can be crosslinked at low temperature based on a hydrogenated silicone oil comprising Si-H units at the chain end and in the chain
IL146598A0 (en) 2001-11-20 2002-07-25 Silcoat Ltd Method for the preparation of aggregates
TW200300448A (en) 2001-11-21 2003-06-01 Novartis Ag Conditioning solution for contact lenses
AU2002358506A1 (en) 2001-11-27 2003-06-10 Basf Drucksysteme Gmbh Laser engravable flexo printing elements for the production of flexo printing forms containing blends of hydrophilic polymers and hydrophobic elastomers
US6890360B2 (en) 2001-12-17 2005-05-10 3M Innovative Properties Company Fluorochemical urethane composition for treatment of fibrous substrates
US6604800B2 (en) 2001-12-20 2003-08-12 Maytag Corporation Refrigerator shelving assembly
US6811844B2 (en) 2001-12-21 2004-11-02 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Multilayer film
FR2833963B1 (en) 2001-12-21 2004-03-12 Rhodia Chimie Sa CROSSLINKER FOR A CROSSLINKABLE SILICONE COMPOSITION WITH LOW PLATINUM RATES, BASED ON HYDROGENATED SILICONE OIL COMPRISING Si-H PATTERNS AT THE END OF THE CHAIN AND IN THE CHAIN
KR20030052853A (en) 2001-12-21 2003-06-27 주식회사 엘지이아이 Shelf for refrigerator
JP3698138B2 (en) 2001-12-26 2005-09-21 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Water repellent treatment method, thin film forming method, organic EL device manufacturing method using the method, organic EL device, and electronic apparatus
US20030125656A1 (en) 2001-12-31 2003-07-03 Vadim Davankov Hemo-and biocompatible beaded polymeric material for purification of physiological fluids of organism, method of producing the material, as well as method of and device for purification of physiological fluids of organism with use of the material
US6976998B2 (en) 2002-01-17 2005-12-20 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Minimally invasive retinal prosthesis
CN1208388C (en) 2002-01-17 2005-06-29 佳能株式会社 Epoxy resin composition, surface treatment method, liquid jetting record head and liquid jetting recorder
US20030222043A1 (en) 2002-01-25 2003-12-04 Eric Rouch Adhesively bonded, leak-proof shelf
JP2003221406A (en) 2002-01-31 2003-08-05 Asahi Glass Co Ltd Aqueous dispersion
JP2003272336A (en) 2002-03-18 2003-09-26 Asahi Glass Co Ltd Mounting member made of glass for magnetic disk and method for manufacturing the same
GB0206930D0 (en) 2002-03-23 2002-05-08 Univ Durham Method and apparatus for the formation of hydrophobic surfaces
AU2003229500A1 (en) 2002-03-28 2003-10-13 Nanogate Technologies Gmbh Water-based coating fluid
US6855375B2 (en) 2002-03-28 2005-02-15 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Method for producing water-repellent film
DE10215962A1 (en) 2002-04-11 2003-10-30 Wacker Polymer Systems Gmbh Organopolymers of silicone and their saponification products
DE60228195D1 (en) 2002-04-12 2008-09-25 Procter & Gamble Liquid-tight, water-vapor-permeable films and layers having thermoplastic hydrophilic polymer compositions which have improved strength
FR2838735B1 (en) 2002-04-17 2005-04-15 Saint Gobain SELF-CLEANING COATING SUBSTRATE
US20030207629A1 (en) 2002-05-01 2003-11-06 Sobieski Robert T. Highly durable, coated fabrics exhibiting hydrophobicity, oleophobicity and stain resistance and related methods
US7166235B2 (en) 2002-05-09 2007-01-23 The Procter & Gamble Company Compositions comprising anionic functionalized polyorganosiloxanes for hydrophobically modifying surfaces and enhancing delivery of active agents to surfaces treated therewith
US6706408B2 (en) 2002-05-16 2004-03-16 Surmodics, Inc. Silane coating composition
FR2841063B1 (en) 2002-06-18 2004-09-17 Commissariat Energie Atomique DEVICE FOR DISPLACING SMALL VOLUMES OF LIQUID ALONG A MICRO-CATENARY BY ELECTROSTATIC FORCES
US6998051B2 (en) 2002-07-03 2006-02-14 Ferro Corporation Particles from supercritical fluid extraction of emulsion
EP1525283B1 (en) 2002-07-26 2009-09-16 Arkema France Use of a block copolymer comprising at least one hydrophilic block
DE10236146A1 (en) 2002-07-31 2004-02-19 Basf Coatings Ag Coating material, useful for scratch-resistant, transparent coatings, films, shaped parts, and multilayer effect coatings in automobile finishing, contains hydrophobic and hydrophilic nano particles based on silicon dioxide
FR2843048B1 (en) 2002-08-01 2004-09-24 Commissariat Energie Atomique DEVICE FOR INJECTING AND MIXING LIQUID MICRO-DROPS.
EP1387169B1 (en) 2002-08-02 2006-05-24 Sony Deutschland GmbH Method of attaching hydrophilic species to hydrophilic macromolecules and immobilizing the hydrophilic macromolecules on a hydrophobic surface
DE10235446B3 (en) 2002-08-02 2004-01-22 WECO Bahnüberwege- und Auffangwannenbau GmbH Collection system for a vehicle parking space and method for avoiding soil pollution in the area of the vehicle parking space
DE10236728A1 (en) 2002-08-09 2004-02-26 Schott Glas Easy to clean device
US20040209072A1 (en) 2002-08-09 2004-10-21 Inka Henze Cleaning-friendly article with an easily cleanable, heat-resistant surface coating
US6644609B1 (en) 2002-09-11 2003-11-11 Gene Scott Wall mounted shelving system
US6871923B2 (en) 2002-09-24 2005-03-29 Maytag Corporation Spill-proof refrigerator shelf
US6966990B2 (en) 2002-10-11 2005-11-22 Ferro Corporation Composite particles and method for preparing
US7041088B2 (en) 2002-10-11 2006-05-09 Ethicon, Inc. Medical devices having durable and lubricious polymeric coating
US20040087924A1 (en) 2002-11-06 2004-05-06 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Semi-hydrophobic cover for an absorbent product
US6758887B2 (en) 2002-11-29 2004-07-06 United Technologies Corporation Chromate free waterborne epoxy corrosion resistant primer
JP4689467B2 (en) 2002-12-10 2011-05-25 日本板硝子株式会社 Functional film-coated article, manufacturing method thereof, and functional film-forming coating material
GB0229003D0 (en) 2002-12-12 2003-01-15 Int Coatings Ltd Powder coating process
GB0229004D0 (en) 2002-12-12 2003-01-15 Int Coatings Ltd Powder coating apparatus and process
US6811884B2 (en) 2002-12-24 2004-11-02 Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. Water repellant surface treatment and treated articles
US20040138083A1 (en) 2003-01-10 2004-07-15 Kimbrell Wiliam C. Substrates having reversibly adaptable surface energy properties and method for making the same
US7468333B2 (en) 2003-01-10 2008-12-23 Milliken & Company Wash-durable, liquid repellent, and stain releasing polyester fabric substrates
US6875818B2 (en) 2003-01-16 2005-04-05 Bridgestone Corporation Polymer nano-strings
US20040149304A1 (en) 2003-01-30 2004-08-05 Yukio Noguchi Hair roller assembly
US7083748B2 (en) 2003-02-07 2006-08-01 Ferro Corporation Method and apparatus for continuous particle production using supercritical fluid
US6931888B2 (en) 2003-02-07 2005-08-23 Ferro Corporation Lyophilization method and apparatus for producing particles
US7288311B2 (en) 2003-02-10 2007-10-30 Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. Barrier film
DE10306582A1 (en) 2003-02-17 2004-08-26 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Surface coating for a cooker or oven comprises a vitreous enamel layer with embedded crystal zones that provide both coarse and fine surface roughness
US7148181B2 (en) 2003-02-25 2006-12-12 Dainippon Ink And Chemicals, Inc. Thermosensitive recording medium
DE10308379A1 (en) 2003-02-27 2004-09-09 Creavis Gesellschaft Für Technologie Und Innovation Mbh Dispersion of water in hydrophobic oxides for the production of hydrophobic nanostructured surfaces
FR2852312B1 (en) 2003-03-10 2007-04-06 Rhodia Chimie Sa A METHOD FOR INCREASING THE HYDROFUGATION OF MINERAL BINDER COMPOSITIONS AND THE COMPOSITIONS WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED BY THIS METHOD AND THEIR USES
JP2004308984A (en) 2003-04-04 2004-11-04 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Cooker
AU2003901734A0 (en) 2003-04-11 2003-05-01 Unisearch Limited Transparent superhydrophobic coating
AU2003901735A0 (en) 2003-04-11 2003-05-01 Unisearch Limited Durable superhydrophobic coating
US6923216B2 (en) 2003-04-15 2005-08-02 Entegris, Inc. Microfluidic device with ultraphobic surfaces
US6938774B2 (en) 2003-04-15 2005-09-06 Entegris, Inc. Tray carrier with ultraphobic surfaces
US6845788B2 (en) 2003-04-15 2005-01-25 Entegris, Inc. Fluid handling component with ultraphobic surfaces
US6976585B2 (en) 2003-04-15 2005-12-20 Entegris, Inc. Wafer carrier with ultraphobic surfaces
US6852390B2 (en) 2003-04-15 2005-02-08 Entegris, Inc. Ultraphobic surface for high pressure liquids
US7074294B2 (en) 2003-04-17 2006-07-11 Nanosys, Inc. Structures, systems and methods for joining articles and materials and uses therefor
US7056409B2 (en) 2003-04-17 2006-06-06 Nanosys, Inc. Structures, systems and methods for joining articles and materials and uses therefor
JP2005037881A (en) 2003-04-21 2005-02-10 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Pattern forming method, image forming method, fine particle adsorption pattern forming method, conductive pattern forming method, pattern forming material, and planographic printing plate
US6982242B2 (en) 2003-04-23 2006-01-03 Rohm And Haas Company Aqueous detergent composition and method of use
EP1475426B1 (en) 2003-04-24 2006-10-11 Goldschmidt GmbH Process for the production of removable soil- and water-resistant surface coatings
USD547640S1 (en) 2003-04-28 2007-07-31 Clairson, Inc. Drawer bracket
US7497533B2 (en) 2003-04-28 2009-03-03 Clairson, Inc. Shelves, resilient drawer stops, and drawer brackets for supporting shelves and drawers
EP1473355A1 (en) 2003-04-29 2004-11-03 The Procter & Gamble Company A method for increasing the hydrophobicity of a lavatory bowl surface
JP4293035B2 (en) 2003-05-07 2009-07-08 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Liquid repellent film covering member, component of liquid ejection device, nozzle plate of liquid ejection head, liquid ejection head, and liquid ejection device
EP1479738A1 (en) 2003-05-20 2004-11-24 DSM IP Assets B.V. Hydrophobic coatings comprising reactive nano-particles
DE10325094B4 (en) 2003-06-03 2006-02-16 Rudolf Gmbh & Co. Kg Chemische Fabrik Preparations for the oil and water repellent finishing of fabrics and their use
US20040245146A1 (en) 2003-06-06 2004-12-09 Kulp George Rodman Portable lap tray with adjustable torso protector section
WO2004110132A2 (en) 2003-06-12 2004-12-23 E.I. Dupont De Nemours And Company Water vapor permeable hydrophilic membranes and devices made there-from and process for using the devices
CN1566891A (en) * 2003-06-16 2005-01-19 河南新飞电器有限公司 Heat exchanger
JP3865719B2 (en) 2003-07-03 2007-01-10 昇太郎 望月 Animal excrement disposal material
CA2530759C (en) 2003-07-08 2012-02-21 Karl J. Scheidler Methods and compositions for improving light-fade resistance and soil repellency of textiles and leathers
US7344783B2 (en) 2003-07-09 2008-03-18 Shell Oil Company Durable hydrophobic surface coatings using silicone resins
DE10336544A1 (en) 2003-08-05 2005-02-24 Degussa Ag Two-component coating system for smooth surfaces with "easy-to-clean" properties
ES2487894T3 (en) 2003-08-27 2014-08-25 Dow Corning Corporation Silicone emulsions or compositions of the oil / water (O / W) type useful for water repellent applications
EP1660704B1 (en) 2003-09-02 2009-07-15 Sabanci Universitesi Process for preparing superhydrophobic surface compositions, surfaces obtained by said process and use of them
US7179758B2 (en) 2003-09-03 2007-02-20 International Business Machines Corporation Recovery of hydrophobicity of low-k and ultra low-k organosilicate films used as inter metal dielectrics
US7975489B2 (en) 2003-09-05 2011-07-12 Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Catalyst module overheating detection and methods of response
US7198855B2 (en) 2003-09-12 2007-04-03 Becton, Dickinson And Company Methods of surface modification of a flexible substrate to enhance cell adhesion
WO2005028562A1 (en) 2003-09-17 2005-03-31 Techno Polymer Co., Ltd. Polymer composition for molded-article molding, molded article, hydrophilic molded article and process for producing the same, and layered article
JP4635217B2 (en) 2003-09-17 2011-02-23 学校法人慶應義塾 Surface treatment agent and material, and surface treatment method
WO2005042437A2 (en) 2003-09-30 2005-05-12 Schott Ag Antimicrobial glass and glass ceramic surfaces and their production
TWI240648B (en) 2003-09-30 2005-10-01 Univ Nat Central Method for making transparent zeolite film and structure of the zeolite film
WO2005033237A2 (en) 2003-10-03 2005-04-14 The Regents Of The University Of California Apparatus for friction enhancement of curved surfaces
ITBO20030593A1 (en) 2003-10-13 2005-04-14 Curvet Spa PRODUCT AND METHOD FOR WATER REPELLENT TREATMENT OF SURFACES.
US7425367B2 (en) 2003-10-23 2008-09-16 O'rear Iii Edgar A Method for making an article water resistant and articles made therefrom
US7767998B2 (en) 2003-12-04 2010-08-03 Alcatel-Lucent Usa Inc. OFETs with active channels formed of densified layers
JP4997765B2 (en) 2003-12-04 2012-08-08 旭硝子株式会社 Fluorine-containing compound, water-repellent composition and thin film
US20050121782A1 (en) 2003-12-05 2005-06-09 Koichiro Nakamura Selectively adherent substrate and method for producing the same
US6942746B2 (en) 2003-12-11 2005-09-13 Optima, Inc. Lens blocking system
US7828889B2 (en) 2003-12-18 2010-11-09 The Clorox Company Treatments and kits for creating transparent renewable surface protective coatings
US8034173B2 (en) 2003-12-18 2011-10-11 Evonik Degussa Gmbh Processing compositions and method of forming the same
KR20050068860A (en) 2003-12-30 2005-07-05 엘지.필립스 엘시디 주식회사 Upper substrate for use in dual-plate organic electroluminescent device and method for fabricating the same
US20080107864A1 (en) 2004-01-15 2008-05-08 Newsouth Innovations Pty Limited Rupert Myers Building Method of Making a Surface Hydrophobic
ATE489114T1 (en) 2004-02-11 2010-12-15 Procter & Gamble HYDROPHOBIC SURFACE COATED ABSORBENT ITEMS
DE202004002438U1 (en) 2004-02-16 2005-08-11 Systec Pos-Technology Gmbh Shopping cart or transport container
US7213309B2 (en) 2004-02-24 2007-05-08 Yunzhang Wang Treated textile substrate and method for making a textile substrate
FR2866643B1 (en) 2004-02-24 2006-05-26 Saint Gobain SUBSTRATE, ESPECIALLY GLASS, WITH A HYDROPHOBIC SURFACE, WITH IMPROVED DURABILITY OF HYDROPHOBIC PROPERTIES
US7112369B2 (en) 2004-03-02 2006-09-26 Bridgestone Corporation Nano-sized polymer-metal composites
US7057881B2 (en) 2004-03-18 2006-06-06 Nanosys, Inc Nanofiber surface based capacitors
US7048889B2 (en) 2004-03-23 2006-05-23 Lucent Technologies Inc. Dynamically controllable biological/chemical detectors having nanostructured surfaces
JP4522739B2 (en) 2004-03-31 2010-08-11 株式会社堀場製作所 Concentration method of liquid sample, holding table for concentration, and trace element analysis method using the same
WO2005100495A1 (en) 2004-04-12 2005-10-27 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Antifouling coating composition
US7342551B2 (en) 2004-04-13 2008-03-11 Electronic Controlled Systems Antenna systems for reliable satellite television reception in moisture conditions
FR2869604B1 (en) 2004-04-28 2006-06-23 Saint Gobain ACTIVATION OF A GLASS SURFACE
US7323033B2 (en) 2004-04-30 2008-01-29 Lucent Technologies Inc. Nanostructured surfaces having variable permeability
US7306304B2 (en) 2004-05-18 2007-12-11 Daewoo Electronics Corporation Refrigerator shelf
US20080039558A1 (en) 2004-05-25 2008-02-14 Dario Lazzari Perfluorinated Esters, Polyester, Ethers and Carbonates
US7354650B2 (en) 2004-05-28 2008-04-08 Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. Multi-layer coatings with an inorganic oxide network containing layer and methods for their application
US7354624B2 (en) 2004-05-28 2008-04-08 Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. Multi-layer coatings and related methods
CN1960857A (en) 2004-05-31 2007-05-09 三井化学株式会社 Hydrophilic porous film and multi-layered film comprising the same
US7879396B2 (en) 2004-06-04 2011-02-01 Applied Microstructures, Inc. High aspect ratio performance coatings for biological microfluidics
KR101069519B1 (en) 2004-07-08 2011-09-30 삼성전자주식회사 Alternating Organic Semiconductor Copolymers Containing Oligothiophene and n-Type Heteroaromatic Units in the Backbone Chain
US20060013983A1 (en) 2004-07-15 2006-01-19 3M Innovative Properties Company Adhesive delivery of oil and water repellents
US7150904B2 (en) 2004-07-27 2006-12-19 Ut-Battelle, Llc Composite, ordered material having sharp surface features
US7258731B2 (en) 2004-07-27 2007-08-21 Ut Battelle, Llc Composite, nanostructured, super-hydrophobic material
ITVA20040031A1 (en) 2004-08-05 2004-11-05 Lamberti Spa HIGH DISSOLUTION SPEED HYDROXIALKYL GUAR DERIVATIVES
US20060029808A1 (en) 2004-08-06 2006-02-09 Lei Zhai Superhydrophobic coatings
CN101044651A (en) 2004-08-19 2007-09-26 通用汽车环球科技运作公司 Surface modifications of fuel cell elements for improved water management
US7344758B2 (en) 2004-09-07 2008-03-18 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Hydrocarbon extenders for surface effect compositions
JP4843793B2 (en) 2004-09-08 2011-12-21 国立大学法人名古屋大学 Production of cell culture and materials used for the production
US7547424B2 (en) 2004-09-21 2009-06-16 Van Andel Research Institute Method and apparatus for making partitioned slides
EP1802721A4 (en) 2004-10-05 2007-12-26 Newsouth Innovations Pty Ltd Hydrophobic and lyophobic coating
US7722951B2 (en) 2004-10-15 2010-05-25 Georgia Tech Research Corporation Insulator coating and method for forming same
EP1828695B1 (en) 2004-10-15 2020-02-12 Magna Mirrors of America, Inc. Shelf assembly
DE102004053707B8 (en) 2004-11-03 2008-08-28 Schott Ag Process for producing a glass-ceramic article with diffusion barrier and use of a glass-ceramic article produced according to the method
US7204298B2 (en) 2004-11-24 2007-04-17 Lucent Technologies Inc. Techniques for microchannel cooling
FR2878707B1 (en) 2004-12-03 2008-01-04 Saint Gobain SHELF, ESPECIALLY FOR REFRIGERATED FACILITIES, SUITABLE FOR SUPPORTING AT LEAST ONE ACCESSORY AND CORRESPONDING ACCESSORIES
US7906177B2 (en) 2004-12-22 2011-03-15 The Board Of Regents Of The University Of Oklahoma Method for making an article hydrophobic and oleophobic as well as articles made therefrom and their use
DE102004062742A1 (en) 2004-12-27 2006-07-06 Degussa Ag Textile substrates with self-cleaning properties (lotus effect)
US7695767B2 (en) 2005-01-06 2010-04-13 The Boeing Company Self-cleaning superhydrophobic surface
US20060145577A1 (en) 2005-01-06 2006-07-06 Gemtron Corporation Shelf assembly for a refrigerator compartment
JP4855781B2 (en) 2005-02-01 2012-01-18 日東電工株式会社 Antireflection hard coat film, optical element and image display device
DE102005004871A1 (en) 2005-02-03 2006-08-10 Degussa Ag Highly viscous aqueous emulsions of functional alkoxysilanes, their condensed oligomers, organopolysiloxanes, their preparation and their use for the surface treatment of inorganic materials
DE102005008927A1 (en) 2005-02-24 2006-08-31 Philipps-Universität Marburg Hydrophobic polymer surface, useful as water-repellant coating in e.g. carpets and yarn, comprises a homo or a copolymer containing a side chain exhibiting fluoro-substituted aryl group
DE502006006696D1 (en) 2005-03-04 2010-05-27 Steelcase Werndl Ag SHELF SYSTEM
WO2006097597A1 (en) 2005-03-14 2006-09-21 Rhodia Recherches Et Technologies Composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a hydrophilizing agent
US7767251B2 (en) 2005-03-16 2010-08-03 Shiping Wang Repellent elastomeric article
DE102005012329A1 (en) 2005-03-17 2006-09-28 Lanxess Deutschland Gmbh Process for the hydrophobization of leather by means of alkylalkoxysilanes and hydrophobized leather
US8899704B2 (en) * 2005-03-25 2014-12-02 Gemtron Corporation Refrigerator shelf
US7985451B2 (en) 2005-04-01 2011-07-26 Clemson University Method of manufacturing ultrahydrophobic substrates
US20070075199A1 (en) 2005-04-15 2007-04-05 Stewart Brian J Wire sideplates
TW200704593A (en) 2005-04-22 2007-02-01 Dow Corning Toray Co Ltd Solution or dispersion for substarate surface treatment comprising titanium oxide doped with metallic element, method for substrate surface treatment using the same, and surface-treated material obtained therefrom
GB0508235D0 (en) 2005-04-23 2005-06-01 Eastman Kodak Co A method of forming mirrors on a conducting substrate
US7524531B2 (en) 2005-04-27 2009-04-28 Ferro Corporation Structured self-cleaning surfaces and method of forming same
US7527832B2 (en) 2005-04-27 2009-05-05 Ferro Corporation Process for structuring self-cleaning glass surfaces
JP4310290B2 (en) 2005-04-28 2009-08-05 株式会社ニデック A flexible lens retainer for holding a spectacle lens and a spectacle lens peripheral edge processing apparatus having the same.
DE102005021538A1 (en) 2005-05-10 2006-11-16 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Carrier assembly and thus equipped refrigeration device
ITVA20050035A1 (en) 2005-05-17 2006-11-18 Whirlpool Co DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR WITH SHELVES
CN101180181B (en) 2005-05-25 2012-06-06 H.B.富勒公司 Method of making water repellent laminates
EP1726609A1 (en) 2005-05-25 2006-11-29 DSM IP Assets B.V. Hydrophobic coating
US20070005024A1 (en) 2005-06-10 2007-01-04 Jan Weber Medical devices having superhydrophobic surfaces, superhydrophilic surfaces, or both
US20060292345A1 (en) 2005-06-14 2006-12-28 Dave Bakul C Micropatterned superhydrophobic silica based sol-gel surfaces
EP1908804A4 (en) 2005-06-29 2010-06-23 Agc Si Tech Co Ltd Process for producing water repellent particulate
US7419615B2 (en) 2005-06-30 2008-09-02 The Boeing Company Renewable superhydrophobic coating
US20090136737A1 (en) 2005-07-11 2009-05-28 John Ring Powder coating materials
US7989619B2 (en) 2005-07-14 2011-08-02 Innovative Surface Technoloiges, Inc. Nanotextured surfaces
JP5330828B2 (en) 2005-08-09 2013-10-30 ユニヴァーシティ・オヴ・サンダーランド Hydrophobic silica particles and method for producing them
US7748806B2 (en) 2005-08-29 2010-07-06 Whirlpool Corporation Encapsulated sliding shelf and over-molded frame
US7452957B2 (en) 2005-08-31 2008-11-18 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Hydrophilic silicone elastomers
CA2618861A1 (en) 2005-09-01 2007-03-08 Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. Use of alkoxylated amines to improve water repellency of wood
WO2007053242A2 (en) 2005-09-19 2007-05-10 Wayne State University Transparent hydrophobic article having self-cleaning and liquid repellant features and method of fabricating same
JP2007111690A (en) 2005-09-22 2007-05-10 Akebono Brake Ind Co Ltd Workpiece to be coated formed with multilayer coating film and method for forming multilayer coating film to workpiece to be coated
USD612404S1 (en) 2005-10-13 2010-03-23 Clarion Technologies, Inc. Refrigerator shelf
WO2007052260A2 (en) 2005-10-31 2007-05-10 Shenkar College Of Engineering And Design Use of poss nanostructured molecules for hydrophobic and self cleaning coatings
US20070104922A1 (en) 2005-11-08 2007-05-10 Lei Zhai Superhydrophilic coatings
WO2007055003A1 (en) 2005-11-09 2007-05-18 Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. Moisture-resistant deoxidant
FR2893266B1 (en) 2005-11-14 2007-12-21 Commissariat Energie Atomique SUPERHYDROPHIL OR SUPERHYDROPHOBIC PRODUCT, PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME AND USE THEREOF
US7265468B1 (en) 2005-11-22 2007-09-04 Mancl Dennis J Water repellent motor sleeve
USD568344S1 (en) 2005-11-30 2008-05-06 Bsh Bosch Und Siemens Hausgeraete Gmbh Refrigerator shelf
USD607020S1 (en) 2005-11-30 2009-12-29 Bsh Bosch Und Siemens Hausgeraete Gmbh Refrigerator shelf
TW200722732A (en) 2005-12-09 2007-06-16 Li Bing Huan Semi-enclosed observation space for electron microscopy
JP2009518676A (en) 2005-12-12 2009-05-07 コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エレクトロニクス エヌ ヴィ Prevention of solution flow in a fluid focus lens.
US8067402B2 (en) 2005-12-12 2011-11-29 Allaccem, Inc. Methods and systems for coating an oral surface
US20070141114A1 (en) * 2005-12-15 2007-06-21 Essilor International Compagnie Generale D'optique Article coated with an ultra high hydrophobic film and process for obtaining same
US20070141306A1 (en) 2005-12-21 2007-06-21 Toshihiro Kasai Process for preparing a superhydrophobic coating
EP1970421B1 (en) 2005-12-22 2015-04-29 JGC Catalysts and Chemicals Ltd. Coating liquid for forming low dielectric constant amorphous silica coating film and low dielectric constant amorphous silica coating film obtained from such coating liquid
TWI322833B (en) 2005-12-27 2010-04-01 Ind Tech Res Inst Water-repellent structure and method for making the same
WO2007077673A1 (en) 2005-12-28 2007-07-12 Agc Si-Teck Co., Ltd. Water-repellent inorganic powder and process for production thereof
JP5145638B2 (en) 2006-01-06 2013-02-20 パナソニック株式会社 Resin composition
WO2007087348A1 (en) 2006-01-30 2007-08-02 3M Innovative Properties Company Polyurethane-based retention, covering, filling and reinforcement composition
US20090018249A1 (en) 2006-01-30 2009-01-15 Subbareddy Kanagasabapathy Hydrophobic self-cleaning coating compositions
US20080221009A1 (en) 2006-01-30 2008-09-11 Subbareddy Kanagasabapathy Hydrophobic self-cleaning coating compositions
US20080221263A1 (en) 2006-08-31 2008-09-11 Subbareddy Kanagasabapathy Coating compositions for producing transparent super-hydrophobic surfaces
US20070184247A1 (en) 2006-02-03 2007-08-09 Simpson John T Transparent, super-hydrophobic, disordered composite material
US8598052B2 (en) 2006-03-02 2013-12-03 Daio Paper Corporation Highly air-permeable and water-resistance sheet, a highly air-permeable and water-resistance sheet composite and an absorbent article, and a method for manufacturing a highly air-permeable and water-resistance sheet and a method for manufacturing a highly air-permeable and water-resistance sheet composite
EP2375286A3 (en) 2006-03-06 2012-04-04 Asahi Glass Company, Limited Treated substratum with hydrophilic region and water-repellent region and process for producing the same
DE102006011153A1 (en) 2006-03-10 2007-09-13 Construction Research & Technology Gmbh Fluoromodified additive for cementitious products, process for its preparation and its use
FR2898898B1 (en) 2006-03-22 2008-06-06 Polyintell Sarl MOLECULAR IMPRESSIONS FOR RECOGNITION IN AQUEOUS MEDIA, PROCESSES FOR THEIR PREPARATION AND USES THEREOF
US20070224898A1 (en) 2006-03-27 2007-09-27 Deangelis Alfred R Electrically conductive water repellant fabric composite
US20090011222A1 (en) 2006-03-27 2009-01-08 Georgia Tech Research Corporation Superhydrophobic surface and method for forming same
JP4671897B2 (en) * 2006-03-30 2011-04-20 日立アプライアンス株式会社 Vacuum insulation, hot water supply equipment and electric water heater using vacuum insulation
US20070231517A1 (en) 2006-03-31 2007-10-04 Golownia Robert F Method of reducing the tendency for water insoluble films to form on the exposed surfaces of containers and articles which are used to contain water borne coatings and article
EP2010239A2 (en) 2006-04-06 2009-01-07 Symyx Technologies, Inc. Water resistant film forming compositions incorporating hydrophilic activities
US20070259156A1 (en) 2006-05-03 2007-11-08 Lucent Technologies, Inc. Hydrophobic surfaces and fabrication process
US20070274871A1 (en) 2006-05-23 2007-11-29 Genetix Limited Well plate
WO2007139773A2 (en) 2006-05-25 2007-12-06 Clarion Technologies, Inc. Refrigerator shelf assembly
US20080044635A1 (en) 2006-06-08 2008-02-21 O'neill Michael Barrier film for flexible articles
US7731316B2 (en) 2006-06-09 2010-06-08 Maytag Corporation Universal shelf module for a refrigerator
US8354160B2 (en) 2006-06-23 2013-01-15 3M Innovative Properties Company Articles having durable hydrophobic surfaces
JP4792338B2 (en) 2006-07-04 2011-10-12 株式会社日立製作所 Liquid transfer device
US20090317590A1 (en) 2006-07-05 2009-12-24 Postech Academy-Industry Foundation Method for fabricating superhydrophobic surface and solid having superhydrophobic surface structure by the same method
CN101484612B (en) 2006-07-05 2011-06-15 浦项工科大学校产学协力团 Method for fabricating superh ydrophob ic surface and solid having superhydrophobic surface structure by the same method
US20080193772A1 (en) 2006-07-07 2008-08-14 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc Mass spectrometry probes having hydrophobic coatiings
FR2904206B1 (en) 2006-07-31 2008-09-26 Seb Sa CULINARY ARTICLE HAVING IMPROVED HYDROPHOBIC PROPERTIES AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH ARTICLE
US8202614B2 (en) 2006-08-09 2012-06-19 Luna Innovations Incorporated Additive particles having superhydrophobic characteristics and coatings and methods of making and using the same
EP2057008B1 (en) 2006-08-09 2016-03-02 Innovation Chemical Technologies, Ltd. Nano structured phased hydrophobic layers on substrates
US20080070146A1 (en) 2006-09-15 2008-03-20 Cabot Corporation Hydrophobic-treated metal oxide
JP5466356B2 (en) 2006-09-19 2014-04-09 学校法人慶應義塾 High water-repellent composition
IL178239A (en) 2006-09-21 2012-02-29 Eduard Bormashenko Method of manufacturing superhydrophobic nanotextured polymer or metal surfaces
KR100824712B1 (en) 2006-09-21 2008-04-24 포항공과대학교 산학협력단 Method for processing solid having fabricating superhydrophobic surface and superhydrophobic tube by the same method
US7649289B2 (en) 2006-10-11 2010-01-19 Huang-Hsi Hsu Water-repellent motor assembly for rotisserie and casing thereof
EP1911801B1 (en) 2006-10-13 2011-05-18 Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. Coating emulsion composition, and water/oil-repellent paper and making method
DE102006048997B3 (en) 2006-10-17 2008-06-19 Ullrich Gmbh Process to apply a coating of hydrophilic or hydrophobic agent to a surface roughened glass tumbler
WO2008051221A2 (en) 2006-10-23 2008-05-02 Nano-Structured Consumer Products, Llc Compositions and methods for imparting oil repellency and/or water repellency
TWI311897B (en) 2006-10-26 2009-07-01 Delta Electronics Inc Electronic apparatus with water blocking and draining structure and manufacturing method thereof
JP2008135369A (en) 2006-10-27 2008-06-12 Canon Inc Water repellent catalyst layer for polymer electrolyte fuel cell and manufacturing method for the same
WO2008057842A2 (en) 2006-10-27 2008-05-15 The Regents Of The University Of California Micro-and nanocomposite support structures for reverse osmosis thin film membranes
US7803499B2 (en) 2006-10-31 2010-09-28 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Super-hydrophobic composite bipolar plate
EP1921051B1 (en) 2006-11-07 2013-02-27 Lafarge SA Silica-based coating composition and its use for coating cement-bonded objects
US7470818B2 (en) 2006-11-13 2008-12-30 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & Company Fluoroalkyl phosphate compositions
JP4845119B2 (en) 2006-11-30 2011-12-28 Hoya株式会社 Artificial bone information management system
US8047235B2 (en) 2006-11-30 2011-11-01 Alcatel Lucent Fluid-permeable body having a superhydrophobic surface
ITMI20062482A1 (en) 2006-12-22 2007-03-23 Ce S I Centro Studi Industriali Di Taddei Ing WATER-REPELLENT, WATERPROOF HYBRID COATING FOR HUMIDITY FOR REINFORCED POLYMERIC COMPOSITE MATERIALS BY PECVD
US20080166549A1 (en) 2007-01-04 2008-07-10 Nan Ya Plastics Corporation Surface protection film for polarizer film
ITMC20070008A1 (en) 2007-01-17 2008-07-18 Diasen Srl WATERPROOFING REDUCING PROPAGATION OF FIRE.
US9487698B2 (en) 2007-01-24 2016-11-08 Ethox Chemicals, Llc Method for improving the water transport characteristics of hydrophobic surfaces
DE102007005952A1 (en) 2007-02-06 2008-08-07 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Refrigerating appliance with shelves suspended from a rail
US8231191B2 (en) 2007-02-16 2012-07-31 Saint-Gobain Glass France Shelf for supporting articles, particularly in refrigerated installations
US20080206550A1 (en) 2007-02-26 2008-08-28 Michael Jeremiah Borlner Hydrophobic surface
US7943234B2 (en) 2007-02-27 2011-05-17 Innovative Surface Technology, Inc. Nanotextured super or ultra hydrophobic coatings
US7767758B2 (en) 2007-02-28 2010-08-03 Xerox Corporation Silane functionalized fluoropolymers
JP5045149B2 (en) 2007-03-02 2012-10-10 日立電線株式会社 Highly water-repellent / highly slidable coating member, method for producing the same, and highly water-repellent / slidable product using the same
US20080220676A1 (en) 2007-03-08 2008-09-11 Robert Anthony Marin Liquid water resistant and water vapor permeable garments
US20080226694A1 (en) 2007-03-13 2008-09-18 Daniel Gelbart Method for introducing superhydrophobic articles into the human body
JP5297595B2 (en) 2007-03-20 2013-09-25 凸版印刷株式会社 Needle-like body and method for producing needle-like body
US8236379B2 (en) 2007-04-02 2012-08-07 Applied Microstructures, Inc. Articles with super-hydrophobic and-or super-hydrophilic surfaces and method of formation
US20080248263A1 (en) 2007-04-02 2008-10-09 Applied Microstructures, Inc. Method of creating super-hydrophobic and-or super-hydrophilic surfaces on substrates, and articles created thereby
JP2008254279A (en) 2007-04-03 2008-10-23 Canon Inc Liquid jet head
KR100854486B1 (en) 2007-04-05 2008-08-26 한국기계연구원 Manufacturing method for super water-repellent surface
US20080245273A1 (en) 2007-04-05 2008-10-09 Jouko Vyorkka Hydrophobic coatings
US20080250978A1 (en) 2007-04-13 2008-10-16 Baumgart Richard J Hydrophobic self-cleaning coating composition
KR20080094363A (en) 2007-04-20 2008-10-23 엘지전자 주식회사 Structure for modifying height of shelf and refrigerator having the same
JP4579265B2 (en) 2007-04-25 2010-11-10 信越化学工業株式会社 Hydrophobic spherical silica fine particles having high fluidity, method for producing the same, toner external additive for developing electrostatic image using the same, and organic resin composition containing the same
JP5250024B2 (en) 2007-04-26 2013-07-31 ダウ・コーニング・コーポレイション Water-based silicone emulsion that provides water repellency
US20100213334A1 (en) 2007-05-04 2010-08-26 John Davenport Shelf mounting system
US20080280699A1 (en) 2007-05-08 2008-11-13 Erik Jonas Jarvholm Water Repellant Golf Balls Containing a Hydrophobic or Superhydrophobic Outer Layer or Coating
US7396395B1 (en) 2007-05-08 2008-07-08 Everest Textile Co., Ltd. Composition of a water-repellent agent
US20080286556A1 (en) 2007-05-17 2008-11-20 D Urso Brian R Super-hydrophobic water repellant powder
US8216674B2 (en) 2007-07-13 2012-07-10 Ut-Battelle, Llc Superhydrophobic diatomaceous earth
US8193406B2 (en) 2007-05-17 2012-06-05 Ut-Battelle, Llc Super-hydrophobic bandages and method of making the same
US20080295347A1 (en) 2007-06-01 2008-12-04 Eric Barkley Braham Moisture resistant chalk line composition for use with chalk line devices
US8980991B2 (en) 2007-06-08 2015-03-17 Xerox Corporation Intermediate transfer members comprised of hydrophobic carbon nanotubes
CA2634941A1 (en) 2007-06-12 2008-12-12 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Method and apparatus for hearing assistance device using superhydrophobic coatings
EP2011766B1 (en) 2007-06-15 2009-03-25 Omya Development Ag Surface-reacted calcium carbonate in combination with hydrophobic adsorbent for water treatment
JP5202626B2 (en) 2007-06-29 2013-06-05 スヴェトリー・テクノロジーズ・アーベー Method for preparing superhydrophobic surfaces on solids with rapidly expanding solutions
US7879768B2 (en) 2007-07-04 2011-02-01 Mud Enginneering Drilling fluid composition comprising hydrophobically associating polymers and methods of use thereof
EP2011817B1 (en) 2007-07-04 2009-11-18 Evonik Degussa GmbH Moulded part with a super hydrophobic surface with high compressive and shearing resistance
TWI349701B (en) 2007-07-26 2011-10-01 Ind Tech Res Inst Superhydrophobic self-cleaning powders and fabrication method thereof
DE102007035366A1 (en) 2007-07-27 2009-01-29 Bayer Materialscience Ag Aqueous polymer secondary dispersions for the production of coatings
WO2009018327A2 (en) 2007-07-30 2009-02-05 Soane Labs, Llc Ultraphobic compositions and methods of use
US8961589B2 (en) 2007-08-01 2015-02-24 Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc. Bioabsorbable coating with tunable hydrophobicity
US20090032088A1 (en) 2007-08-03 2009-02-05 Mario Rabinowitz Sealants for Solar Energy Concentrators and Similar Equipment
US20090042469A1 (en) 2007-08-10 2009-02-12 Ut-Battelle, Llc Superhydrophilic and Superhydrophobic Powder Coated Fabric
US7950756B2 (en) 2007-08-28 2011-05-31 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Drop-down shelf
US20090064894A1 (en) 2007-09-05 2009-03-12 Ashland Licensing And Intellectual Property Llc Water based hydrophobic self-cleaning coating compositions
WO2009036147A1 (en) 2007-09-12 2009-03-19 Clarion Technologies, Inc. Refrigerator shelf assembly
JP5056296B2 (en) 2007-09-14 2012-10-24 富士通株式会社 Method for switching accommodation sector of light projecting station apparatus and radio base station apparatus
US8323732B2 (en) 2007-09-18 2012-12-04 Council Of Scientific & Industrial Research Nanocomposite material useful for the preparation superhydrophobic coating and a process for the preparation thereof
KR20090032707A (en) 2007-09-28 2009-04-01 엠파워(주) Method of fabricating superhydrophobic silica chain powders
US20100003493A1 (en) 2007-10-10 2010-01-07 Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. Radiation curable coating compositions, related coatings and methods
US7829477B2 (en) 2007-10-29 2010-11-09 E.I. Dupont De Nemours And Company Fluorinated water soluble copolymers
EP2058430A1 (en) 2007-11-08 2009-05-13 Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast- natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO Hydrophobic surface finish and method of application
JP5164542B2 (en) 2007-12-04 2013-03-21 ニチハ株式会社 How to paint building materials
USD596931S1 (en) 2007-12-04 2009-07-28 Clairson, Inc. Bracket
EP2225339B1 (en) 2007-12-18 2016-06-29 Dow Global Technologies LLC Protective coating for window glass having enhanced adhesion to glass bonding adhesives
US7892660B2 (en) 2007-12-18 2011-02-22 General Electric Company Wetting resistant materials and articles made therewith
CN101945932A (en) 2007-12-21 2011-01-12 卡伯特公司 Filler system including densed fumed metal oxide
MX2009000930A (en) 2008-01-23 2009-09-23 Ssw Holding Co Inc Full extension refrigerator shelf and basket system.
US8944621B2 (en) 2008-06-04 2015-02-03 Ssw Holding Company, Inc. Shelf with LED assembly
EP2318793B1 (en) 2008-06-27 2020-09-30 SSW Holding Company, LLC Method for spill containment and shelves or the like therefore
US8286561B2 (en) * 2008-06-27 2012-10-16 Ssw Holding Company, Inc. Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly
BRPI0803841A2 (en) 2008-07-07 2010-03-09 Whirlpool Sa system for moving a set of refrigeration equipment shelves and refrigeration equipment
FR2934481B1 (en) 2008-07-30 2011-01-14 Saint Gobain SHELF, ESPECIALLY FOR REFRIGERATED FACILITIES.
FR2935242B1 (en) 2008-09-03 2013-02-15 Saint Gobain SHELF, ESPECIALLY FOR REFRIGERATED FACILITIES
WO2010042668A1 (en) 2008-10-07 2010-04-15 Ross Technology Corporation Spill resistant surfaces having hydrophobic and oleophobic borders
FR2937235B1 (en) 2008-10-16 2010-11-12 Seb Sa CULINARY ARTICULUS COMPRISING ANTI-ADHESIVE COATING HAVING IMPROVED SUPPORT ADHESION PROPERTIES
USD596932S1 (en) 2008-10-21 2009-07-28 Crystal Spring Colony Farms Ltd. Shelf bracket
USD612405S1 (en) 2008-11-06 2010-03-23 Bsh Bosch Und Siemens Hausgeraete Gmbh Glass refrigerator shelf
USD613316S1 (en) 2008-11-06 2010-04-06 Bsh Bosch Und Siemens Hausgeraete Gmbh Glass refrigerator shelf
US8215732B2 (en) 2009-01-15 2012-07-10 Lg Electronics Inc. Vertically adjustable refrigerator shelf with hidden drive unit
US9250010B2 (en) 2009-01-16 2016-02-02 Whirlpool Corporation Refrigerator shelf with glass receiving slot
CA2762225C (en) 2009-05-19 2018-01-30 Expo Power Systems, Inc. Battery spill containment trays, battery spill containment systems, and methods of battery spill containment
US8287062B2 (en) 2009-10-21 2012-10-16 General Electric Company Shelf for an appliance
EP2496886B1 (en) 2009-11-04 2016-12-21 SSW Holding Company, Inc. Cooking appliance surfaces having spill containment pattern and methods of making the same
US8282178B2 (en) 2010-02-16 2012-10-09 Whirlpool Corporation Non-encapsulated refrigerator shelf
US8534783B2 (en) 2010-10-27 2013-09-17 General Electric Company Shelf assembly with a single-piece frame particularly suited for use in a refrigeration appliance
US20120104925A1 (en) 2010-10-27 2012-05-03 General Electric Company shelf assembly particularly suited for use in a refrigeration appliance
EP2678400A4 (en) 2011-02-21 2015-11-18 Ross Technology Corp Superhydrophobic and oleophobic coatings with low voc binder systems
DE102011085428A1 (en) 2011-10-28 2013-05-02 Schott Ag shelf

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4591530A (en) 1983-05-03 1986-05-27 T.V.S. S.P.A. Soft ceramic kitchenware internally coated with a non-stick resin
US5324566A (en) 1991-01-23 1994-06-28 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Water and oil repelling film having surface irregularities and method of manufacturing the same
US5437894A (en) 1991-01-23 1995-08-01 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing a water- and oil-repelling film having surface irregularities
US5429433A (en) 1991-03-07 1995-07-04 Donnelly Technology, Inc. Molded refrigerator shelf
US5564809A (en) 1991-03-07 1996-10-15 Donnelly Technology, Inc. Encapsulated shelf for refrigerated compartments
US5735589A (en) 1994-04-29 1998-04-07 Donnelly Technology, Inc. Sliding refrigerator shelf assembly
US6120720A (en) 1994-09-08 2000-09-19 Gemtron Corporation Method of manufacturing a plastic edged glass shelf
US6872441B2 (en) 2000-04-01 2005-03-29 Ferro Gmbh Glass ceramic and metal substrates with a self-cleaning surface, method for the production and use thereof
US6800354B2 (en) 2000-12-21 2004-10-05 Ferro Gmbh Substrates with a self-cleaning surface, a process for their production and their use

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2496886B1 (en) 2009-11-04 2016-12-21 SSW Holding Company, Inc. Cooking appliance surfaces having spill containment pattern and methods of making the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR101877474B1 (en) 2018-07-11
BR112012006003A2 (en) 2016-03-22
EP2478310A2 (en) 2012-07-25
US8286561B2 (en) 2012-10-16
EP3598043B1 (en) 2021-01-27
CN102483297A (en) 2012-05-30
BR112012006003B1 (en) 2020-07-14
EP3798558A1 (en) 2021-03-31
TWI561784B (en) 2016-12-11
US11191358B2 (en) 2021-12-07
ES2745860T3 (en) 2020-03-03
US9532649B2 (en) 2017-01-03
US20170188707A1 (en) 2017-07-06
MX2012001781A (en) 2012-02-29
US20160037923A1 (en) 2016-02-11
DE202010018226U1 (en) 2014-10-31
US9207012B2 (en) 2015-12-08
US9179773B2 (en) 2015-11-10
TW201120390A (en) 2011-06-16
US20130037505A1 (en) 2013-02-14
US10827837B2 (en) 2020-11-10
US20140353268A1 (en) 2014-12-04
EP2478310B1 (en) 2019-08-07
CA2769436C (en) 2018-06-12
KR20120089448A (en) 2012-08-10
US20210015260A1 (en) 2021-01-21
EP3598043A1 (en) 2020-01-22
CN102483297B (en) 2016-01-20
TW201704706A (en) 2017-02-01
US20130255543A1 (en) 2013-10-03
US20190053622A1 (en) 2019-02-21
US10130176B2 (en) 2018-11-20
WO2011034835A3 (en) 2011-05-12
US20100102693A1 (en) 2010-04-29
CA2769436A1 (en) 2011-03-24
ES2864425T3 (en) 2021-10-13
US8596205B2 (en) 2013-12-03
TWI595201B (en) 2017-08-11
US20160157609A1 (en) 2016-06-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11191358B2 (en) Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly
US20240000232A1 (en) Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly
CA2729141C (en) Method for spill containment and shelves or the like therefore

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 201080036561.7

Country of ref document: CN

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 10757348

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2769436

Country of ref document: CA

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: MX/A/2012/001781

Country of ref document: MX

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 20127004614

Country of ref document: KR

Kind code of ref document: A

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2010757348

Country of ref document: EP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 3299/CHENP/2012

Country of ref document: IN

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: BR

Ref legal event code: B01A

Ref document number: 112012006003

Country of ref document: BR

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 112012006003

Country of ref document: BR

Kind code of ref document: A2

Effective date: 20120316