Abstract:
A refrigerator storage guide channel for storing and aiding in the convenient retrieval of cooled containers includes a left and right channel member. The left and right channel members include a base, sidewalls and a feature for adjustably interlocking the channel members. The channel members are slidably joined via the interlocking feature. The base of the channel members preferably include features for reducing friction.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/588,766 filed Jun. 7, 2000.  
         [0002]    This invention claims priority of patent application Ser. No. 09/588,766. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The invention generally relates to a refrigerator apparatus for storage of refrigerator contents, and more particularly to a two piece adaptable channel track which can be adjusted to fit various sizes of refrigerators and is convenient for storage of cans, bottles and the like.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention was conceived as an answer to the task of cooling and storing drinks in a household refrigerator. Problems are often encountered in that leftovers from meals often occupy most of the extra space in a refrigerator. Beverages such as soda in individual cans, individual bottles of water, and other beverages, which are continuously being used and replenished, often have their space taken up with something else by the time someone thinks to replace them. When drinks are being replaced it is most commonly desirable to place them so that any cold drinks remaining in the refrigerator are removed while warm ones are placed towards the rear of the shelf. The cold drinks are then repositioned in front so that a person reaching for a cold drink does not have to search, or reach over the warm ones.  
           [0005]    In addition, cans or bottles placed on a refrigerator shelf made of wire or of aluminum or steel but having slots running from front to back or side to side, have a tendency to become stuck or even tip over if an attempt is made to slide them in order to make room for something else. This is often the case since the contents of most household refrigerators are constantly changing.  
           [0006]    Another inconvenient characteristic of most refrigerators is that the depth of the shelves makes it difficult to reach to the very back of a shelf. This is especially inconvenient in the instance of a physically challenged person, for instance, one who must reach in while seated in a wheelchair.  
           [0007]    This invention will ease the aforementioned inconveniences by storing containers, such as for beverages, which are in cans or bottles, utilizing the space which is otherwise least accessible in the refrigerator. When used as recommended, which is, for example, to retrieve drinks from one end and replace drinks at the opposite end, the colder drinks are continuously and automatically rotated to the retrieval end. Therefore, any need to manually shift items on a shelf, either to “make room” for, or to rotate warm drinks is eliminated. Drinks are substantially easier to retrieve and re-load since there is no need to reach any further than the front of the refrigerator. Further, wire racks in a refrigerator cannot interfere with the loading, unloading, or re-positioning of drinks with this invention, as the cans or bottles do not come into contact with the surface of the shelf. Still another benefit of this invention is the ability to adjust the storage apparatus to fit various size refrigerators.  
           [0008]    Several refrigerator devices for storage of containers are currently known in the art. Examples are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,029,263—Keighley; 2,581,363—Creedon; 2,678,735—Creedon; 3,501,016—Eaton; and 5,819,937—Walker. These patents teach various apparatus for holding or storing refrigerator contents, and are hereby incorporated.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,029,263 to Keighley discloses a cooling unit for a refrigerator which includes a corrugated sheet metal portion which is secured to a flat sheet metal portion, both portions together forming a substantially U-shaped structure after being secured together. The corrugations are arranged to provide a refrigerant expansion or evaporating passage between the metal portions. The metal portions of the cooling unit serve as a refrigerating surface for cooling and causing circulation of air within the food storage compartment. A partition is disposed with the U-shaped structure which divides the space between legs of the U-shaped structure into a plurality of chambers. A plate is secured to the U-shaped refrigerated surface and to the partition to provide a support or track upon which a plurality of bottled beverages may be guided through the cooling unit.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,581,363 and 2,678,725 to Creedon disclose a refrigerator shelf with guide tracks, wherein objects such as bottles or cans can be circulated along a curved path consisting of two substantially parallel channels joined by a returning channel. The shelf comprises a horizontal base which supports vertical guiding walls. The base consists of longitudinal bars and cross bars which cross each other. The longitudinal bars form a guideway on which bottles and the like may move. The shelf further comprises a guiding cage wall consisting of longitudinal bars which form lateral guide rails along which bottles and the like may advance without much friction.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,501,016 to Eaton discloses a storage rack for articles in which the articles are received for storage at the front of a first channel and are delivered in series to the end of a second parallel channel, adjacent the point at which the articles are received, by the action of inserting the articles to be stored. The rack includes a pair of closely adjacent article receiving channels and guide means defining a turnaround path. The guide means comprise a resiliently deflectable surface for urging the articles in a direction from one channel to the other channel.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,937 to Walker discloses a refrigerator organizer for storing baby bottles. The organizer comprises a tray-like means having a U-shaped track defined between inner and outer partitions for receiving and movably storing a plurality of bottles or containers. The U-shaped channel is open-ended so that bottles may be introduced through one end of the channel and removed from the other end of the channel. Friction means, such as ridges or dimples, may be placed on the track for yieldably restricting the movement of the bottles within the channel.  
           [0013]    The above storage devices are relatively complex and lack the ability to be adjusted to fit various sized refrigerators.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0014]    The present invention is refrigerator apparatus for storage and convenient retrieval of containers such as can and bottles and the like. The storage apparatus comprises a guide channel having a left and right channel member. Both channel member include a base, sidewalls, and interlocking means. The interlocking means are located in an interlocking region and the channel members are joined by the interlocking means. The guide channel may also include friction reducing means.  
           [0015]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the interlocking means includes a tongue on one of the channel members and a tongue-shaped slot on the other channel member.  
           [0016]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the interlocking means includes finger-like projections and recesses on each of the channel members.  
           [0017]    According to another aspect of the invention, the storage apparatus comprises two or more guide channels having a left and right channel member. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator storage guide channel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the left channel member.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the right channel member.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention showing an alternative channel member shape.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one type of friction reducing means.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view along line  6 - 6  of FIG. 5.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an alternative friction reducing means.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line  8 - 8  of FIG. 7.  
         [0026]    FIGS.  9 - 10  are top views of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 is a top view showing assembly of the channel members of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0030]    FIGS.  14 - 15  are cross-sectional views of lines  14  and  15 , respectively, of FIG. 13.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 16 is a top view of one embodiment of the invention indicating exemplary storage use.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of another exemplary embodiment adapted for use in both side-by-side and standard refrigerator compartments comprising locking tabs.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, assembled for use in a side-by-side refrigerator compartment.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, comprising an interlocking region insert comprising locking tabs.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, with the interlocking region insert assembled to the right side channel member. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0036]    Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator storage guide channel  10  comprises a left channel member  20  and a right channel member  30 . The channel members each comprise a base, side walls and interlocking means. The interlocking means are located in an interlocking region and join the channel members. Generally, the interlocking means on one the channel members includes as least one elongated tab and the interlocking means on the other of the channel members is the base of that channel member in the interlocking region defining at least one elongated recess for slidably receiving the tab on the other of the channel members.  
         [0037]    The guide channel may be comprised of a variety of materials, but is preferably made of a hard plastic material. The guide channel may be formed by molding or by other techniques known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0038]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 2 , left channel member  20  comprises a base  21 , an inner sidewall  22  and an outer sidewall  23 . Left channel member  20  has an inner edge  24 , an outer edge  25 , a front end  26 , and a back end  27 . Left channel member  20  includes a left channel interlocking region  28 . The interlocking region  28  includes interlocking means.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, right channel member  30  comprises a base  31 , an inner sidewall  32 , and an outer sidewall  33 . Right channel member  30  has an inner edge  34 , and outer edge  35 , a front end  36 , and a back end  37 . Right channel member  30  includes a right channel interlocking region  38 . The interlocking region  38  includes interlocking means.  
         [0040]    Left and right channel members  20 ,  30  are substantially L-shaped. The corner on the “L” is preferably curved but may be angled as shown in FIG. 4. The width W 1  of the bases  21 ,  31  may vary as desired and depending on the size of the containers or other items to be stored. Preferably the width W 1  is approximately 2¾ inches so that the channel members conveniently store standard sized beverages in cans or bottles.  
         [0041]    The sidewalls  22 ,  23 ,  32 ,  33  of the channel members  20 ,  30  run along the inner and outer edges  24 ,  25 ,  34 ,  35  of the base  21  or  31  of their respective channel member and upwardly perpendicular to such base. The height H 1  of the sidewalls  22 ,  23 ,  32 ,  33  of the channel members  20 ,  30  may be varied as desired and depending on the size of the containers or other items to be stored. Preferably the height H 1  of the sidewalls is approximately 2 inches at the highest point to securely restrain standard-sized beverages in cans or bottles from tipping while being pushed along the bases  21 ,  31  and still allowing easy retrieval from any point along the channel members  20 ,  30 . The sidewalls  22 ,  23 ,  32 ,  33  of the channel members  20 ,  30  are preferably sloped at the front ends  26 ,  36  of the channel members  20 ,  30  so as to minimize any obstacle to loading or retrieving containers being stored.  
         [0042]    The bases  21 ,  31  of the channel members  20 ,  30  preferably further include friction reducing means. FIGS.  1 - 3  show one type of friction reducing means which may be employed. Such friction reducing means includes multiple elongated open slots  40  which run along the length and breadth of the bases  21 ,  31  of the channel members  20 ,  30  and parallel to the edges  24 ,  25 ,  34 ,  35  of the channel members  20 ,  30 .  
         [0043]    FIGS.  5 - 6  show an alternative friction reducing means, wherein bases  21 ,  31  (right channel member not shown) include multiple elongated bumps  41  which run along the length and breadth of the bases  21 ,  31  of the channel members  20 ,  30  and parallel to the edges  24 ,  25 ,  34 ,  35  of the channel members  20 ,  30 . FIGS.  7 - 8  show another alternative friction reducing means, wherein bases  21 ,  31  (right channel member not shown) include multiple continuous raised ridges  42  which run along the length and breadth of bases  21 ,  31  of the channel members  20 ,  30  and parallel to the edges  24 ,  25 ,  34 ,  35  of the channel members  20 ,  30 . It should be understood that other types of friction reducing means are possible and known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are covered by the present invention. Employment of these various friction reducing means reduce the friction caused by containers such as cans or bottles which are being pushed or slid on the top surface of bases  21 ,  31 .  
         [0044]    In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , the interlocking means on the right channel member  30  includes a long angular tongue-shaped section (“tongue”)  50 . As shown in FIG. 3, the base  31  of the right channel member  30  on either side of the tongue  50  in the interlocking region  38  is recessed relative to the tongue and the base  31  along the remainder of the right channel member  30 . The base  31  of the right channel member  30  in the interlocking region  38  is widened along the length of the tongue  50  causing the sidewalls  32 ,  33  of the interlocking region  38  to be spaced slightly farther apart than the sidewalls  32 ,  33  of the remainder of the right channel member  30 . In this exemplary embodiment, the interlocking means on the left channel member  20  includes an open tongue-shaped recess or slot  51  located on the base  21  of the left channel member  20  in the interlocking region  28 . The tongue-shaped slot  51  has substantially the same shape and size as the elongated tongue  50  of the right channel member  30 . Once joined, the base  21  of the left channel member  20  in the interlocking region  28  fits on the top of the recessed base  31  of the right channel member  30  such that the top surface of bases  21 ,  31  of the channel members  20 ,  30  form a continuous plane.  
         [0045]    In another exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS.  9 - 10 , the interlocking means on the right channel member  30  includes a plurality of fingers  60  which make up the base  31  of the right channel member  30  in the interlocking region  38  and a plurality of recesses  61  which run the length of the fingers  60 . The base  31  of the right channel member  30  in the interlocking region  38  is widened along the length of the fingers  60  causing the sidewalls  32 ,  33  of the interlocking region  38  to be spaced slightly farther apart than the sidewalls  32 ,  33  of the remainder of the right channel member  30 . In this exemplary embodiment, the interlocking means on the left channel member  20  includes a plurality of fingers  62  which make up the base  21  of the left channel member  20  in the interlocking region  28  and a plurality of recesses  63  which run the length of the fingers  62 .  
         [0046]    [0046]FIGS. 11 and 12 each show an additional alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the storage apparatus includes a plurality of guide channels, each guide channel having left and right channel members. The multiple left and right channel members of the embodiment in FIG. 11 each have a base, side walls, and interlocking means in an interlocking region. The interlocking means on the right channel members include a tongue and the interlocking means on the left channel members include a tongue-shaped recess or slot. The sidewalls of the interlocking region of the right channel member on the outermost edge  70  and innermost edge  80  of the storage apparatus are slightly widened to allow insertion of the sidewalls of the innermost and outermost right channel members. The inner sidewall of the outermost right channel member, the outer sidewall of the innermost right channel member, and the inner and outer sidewalls of any interior right channel members end at the beginning of the right channel member interlocking regions.  
         [0047]    The multiple left and right channel members of the embodiment in FIG. 12 each have a base, side walls, and interlocking means in an interlocking region. The interlocking means on the right and left channel members include a plurality of fingers which make up the bases in the interlocking region and a plurality of recesses which run the length of the fingers. The sidewalls of the interlocking region of the right channel member on the outermost edge  70  and innermost edge  80  of the storage apparatus are slightly widened to allow insertion of the sidewalls of the innermost and outermost right channel members. The inner sidewall of the outermost right channel member, the outer sidewall of the innermost right channel member, and the inner and outer sidewalls of any interior right channel members end at the beginning of the right channel member interlocking regions.  
         [0048]    The storage apparatuses as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 comprise guide channels of decreasing width. The left channel members may be permanently attached to one another and the right channel members may be permanently attached to one another (such as by molding or other processes known to those skilled in the art) or alternatively, the left channel members may be detachably connected to each other and the right channel members may be detachably connected to each other. The latter alternative would allow a user to select the number of guide channels that he or she desired according to his or her needs. Although the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 show storage apparatuses having three guide channels, alternative embodiment of the invention may have two, four or more guide channels.  
         [0049]    According to certain inventive aspects, the two channel members of the guide channel are assembled in the following manner. In the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS.  1 - 3  and  13 - 15 , the left channel member  20  and the right channel member  30  are joined at their respective back ends  27 ,  37 . The back end  27  of the left channel member  20  is placed into the back end  37  of the right channel member  30  such that the sidewalls  22 ,  23  of the left channel member  20  fit inside of the sidewalls  32 ,  33  of the right channel member  30  and the tongue  50  of the right channel member  30  slides into the slot  51  of the left channel member  20 . The base  21  of the left channel member  20  in the interlocking region  28  fits on top of the base  31  of the right channel member  30  which is slightly recessed in the interlocking region  38 . When completely slid together, the two channel members  20 ,  30  form a continuous channel or track, the tongue  50  of the right channel member  30  fitting into the slot  51  of the left channel member  20  to maintain a substantially flat plane on which cans or bottles can slide without obstruction. The channel members  20 ,  30  can slide along one another, making the width W 2  of the guide channel adjustable in order to accommodate different size refrigerator shelves.  
         [0050]    In the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS.  9 - 10 , the left channel member  20  and the right channel member  30  are joined at their respective back ends  27 ,  37 . The back end  27  of the left channel member  20  is placed into the back end  37  of the right channel member  30  such that the sidewalls  22 ,  23  of the interlocking region  28  of the left channel member  20  fit inside of the sidewalls  32 ,  33  of the right channel member  30 . The fingers  62  of the left channel member  20  slide into the recesses  61  of the right channel member  30  and the fingers  60  of the right channel member  30  slide into the recesses  63  of the left channel member  20 . When completely slid together, the two channel members  20 ,  30  form a continuous channel or track to maintain a substantially flat plane on which containers can slide without obstruction. The channel members  20 ,  30  can slide along one another, making the width W 2  of the guide channel adjustable in order to accommodate different size refrigerator shelves.  
         [0051]    In the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 11, the storage apparatus would be assembled in essentially the same manner as described above with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS.  1 - 3  and  13 - 15 , with the exception, as noted above, with respect to the differences in certain of the sidewalls. In the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 12, the storage apparatus would be assembled in the same manner as described above with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS.  9 - 10 , with the exception, as noted above, with respect to the differences in certain of the sidewalls.  
         [0052]    In a further exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS.  17 - 20 , a refrigerator storage guide channel  85  that is adapted for use in both side-by-side and standard refrigerators, comprises a left channel member  90 , a right channel member  100 , and an interlocking region insert  115  (FIG. 19). More particularly, left channel member  90  comprises a base  91 , an inner sidewall  92 , an outer sidewall  93  and an interlocking region  96 . Interlocking region  96  includes tabs  98  positioned on the outer surfaces of inner sidewall  92  and outer sidewall  93 . Tabs  98  project outwardly in substantially perpendicular relation to a top corner edge of inner sidewall  92  and outer sidewall  93 , respectively. Right channel member  100  comprises a base  101 , an inner sidewall  102 , an outer sidewall  103 , and an interlocking region  106 . Interlocking region  106  includes tabs  108  positioned on the top edge corners of inner sidewall  102  and outer sidewall  103 . Tabs  108  project upwardly in substantially parallel, coplanar relation to the top edge corner of inner sidewall  102  and outer sidewall  103 , respectively. Referring to FIG. 19, interlocking region insert  115  comprises a base  118 , an inner sidewall  121 , and an outer sidewall  123 . Tabs  128  project outwardly in substantially perpendicular relation to the right top corner edges of inner sidewall  102  and outer sidewall  93 , respectively, and tabs  130  project upwardly in substantially parallel, coplanar relation to the left top edge corners of inner sidewall  102  and outer sidewall  103 , respectively.  
         [0053]    When a narrow version of refrigerator storage guide channel  85  is required (e.g., for fitting within a standard side-by-side refrigerator compartment) left channel member  90  is positioned within right channel member  100  in a manner substantially similar to the assembly of left and right channel members  20 ,  30 , disclosed hereinabove (FIG. 18). In this construction, left channel member  90  and right channel member  100  are locked together by the interaction of tabs  98  and  108 . More particularly, once left channel member  90  is positioned within right channel member  100 , if they are pulled apart, tabs  98  will engage tabs  108  thereby preventing left channel member  90  and right channel member  100  from separating from one another.  
         [0054]    When a wider version of refrigerator storage guide channel  85  is required (e.g., for fitting within a standard refrigerator compartment) left channel member  90  is positioned in spaced relation to right channel member  100 , with interlocking region  96  positioned in confronting relation to interlocking region  106  (FIG. 19). Once in this position, interlocking region insert  115  is assembled to left channel member  90  and right channel member  100 . More particularly, the right side portion of interlocking region insert  115  is positioned within right channel member  100  (FIG. 20) and left channel member  90  is positioned within the right side portion of interlocking region insert  115 . In this way, refrigerator storage guide channel  85  may be selectively adjusted to fit within a variety of refrigerator compartments. In this construction, left channel member  90  and right channel member  100  are locked together, and to interlocking region insert  115 , by the interaction of tabs  98  and  130 , and  108  and  128 . In particular, once left channel member  90  is positioned within the right side portion of interlocking region insert  115  and the right side portion of interlocking region insert  115  is positioned within right channel member  100 , if they are pulled apart tabs  98  will engage tabs  130  and tabs  108  will engage tabs  128 , thereby preventing left channel member  90 , right channel member  100 , and interlocking region insert  115  from separating from one another.  
         [0055]    According to certain inventive aspects, the various embodiments of the present invention are used in the following manner. The right and left channel members are assembled as described above. The assembly is placed on top of a refrigerator shelf such that the outer sidewalls  23  and  33  near the back ends  27 ,  37  are against the back wall of the refrigerator. The left and right channel members  20 ,  30  are telescoped outwardly such that the outer sidewalls  23 ,  33  near the front ends  26 ,  36  are against the sidewalls of the refrigerator. As indicated in FIG. 16, containers, such as cans and bottles, are placed into the opening at the front end  26  or  36  of one of the channel members. As more containers are added to the same end, the containers are slid towards the front end of the other channel member. Once the channel or track is filled, the containers can be retrieved as needed from one side, and replaced at the other side, so that those on one side are always cold while warm ones are being chilled at the other side.  
       EXAMPLE  
       [0056]    According to one embodiment of the invention, two pieces of channel or track are “L” shaped except that the corners are curved instead of square and are approximately 2¾ inches wide at the bottom, or floor. Each piece has a sidewall approximately two inches high running along the length of each edge, and each piece is open at each end. The pieces are constructed to be placed with the floor(s) or bottom(s) flat on top of a refrigerator shelf so that one open end of one piece joins one open end of the other piece at the very back of the shelf creating a continuous track that runs down one side of the shelf from the front of the shelf to the rear of the shelf, then across the rear of the shelf to the other side and then up to the front on the other side of the shelf. The two pieces are joined at the rear in a fashion, (one piece being slightly narrower than the other), so that the end of one can telescope into the end of the other, making the sideways width of the combined channels adjustable in order to accommodate different refrigerator shelves of varying widths. Once in place, the pieces, having been joined at the rear, form a continuous track with openings at the front on both sides of the shelf. Drinks in cans or bottles are then placed onto the track, (upright), at one open end, one at a time, and by pushing gently each time, the channel becomes filled and the drinks which were loaded first, will appear at the opposite end. Once the track is filled, drinks can be retrieved as needed from one side, and replaced at the other side, so that those on one side are always cold, while warm ones are being chilled at the other side.  
         [0057]    The two pieces of track or channel include a base or bottom, which is wide enough to accommodate the diameter of the beverage container for which it is used, in this case, approximately two and three quarter inches which would accommodate many twelve ounce or sixteen ounce individual drink cans and/or bottles.  
         [0058]    The base, or bottom, or floor has multiple slots which run along it&#39;s entire length and breadth, and parallel to it&#39;s edges, the purpose of which is to reduce the friction caused by cans or bottles, being pushed or slid on the top of the base, or bottom, or floor.  
         [0059]    The two pieces of track or channel include two sidewalls, each being approximately two inches high at it&#39;s highest point, which sidewalls run, one along each edge of the length of, and upwardly perpendicular to the base or bottom or floor.  
         [0060]    The base or bottom or floor of one piece, contains a long angular raised section which can be called a tongue, and which is constructed at the end of the piece where it will meet the other piece, and in which the base or bottom or floor of the other piece contains a recessed section of the same size and shape which can be called a slot so that when the end of one piece is place into the end of the other piece to form a continuous channel or track, the tongue of one piece fitting into the slot of the other piece maintain a flat plane on which cans or bottles of drinks can slide without obstruction.  
         [0061]    The sidewalls are constructed to be high enough, (in this instance approximately two inches high), to force cans or bottles, which are being pushed along the base or bottom or floor, to follow the path of the base or bottom or floor along the side(s) and back of the refrigerator shelf.  
         [0062]    Each sidewall is constructed so as to be sloped at the front or open end of the base or bottom or floor so as to minimize any obstacle to loading or retrieving cans or bottles of drinks.  
         [0063]    The base or bottom of the piece which contains the angular elevation called the tongue, is widened along the length of said tongue so as to receive the end of the narrower piece containing the slot in which the tongue fits, so that the sidewalls of the narrower piece fit inside the sidewalls of the widened piece.  
         [0064]    The base or bottom of the piece which contains the angular shaped slot, into which the tongue from the opposite piece tits, is slightly raised so as to fit on top of the base or bottom of the opposing piece when joined, so that the base or bottom of the piece containing the slot rests on top of the base or bottom of the piece containing the tongue, and so that both pieces form a uniform plane when joined.  
         [0065]    Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing form the scope and range of equivalents of the invention. For example, the interlocking regions of the left and right channel members may be reversed such that interlocking region of the left channel member contains the tongue and the right channel member contains the tongue-shaped recess. Likewise, either channel member may have a broader base at the interlocking region for allowance of insertion of the sidewalls of the other channel member.