Patent Publication Number: US-10775099-B1

Title: Refrigerator with a shelf

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     In a refrigerator or other appliance for storing food substances and containers of food substances, which can be found within a kitchen environment, garages, bars, restaurants, and other places, there can be numerous containers of various types, sizes, and shapes that are configured to store all matter of food substances and food items. Such a refrigerator can include a cabinet defining an interior, which can be provided as a compartment having an open face. The cabinet can include at least a pair of opposing side walls. 
     At least one shelf can be provided within the refrigerator for supporting food items and containers of food substances to be stored within the refrigerator. If a food item or container stored within the refrigerator leaks or spills, a food substance or liquid can gather on the shelf and cause a mess which can reach other food items or containers and can be a nuisance for a user to clean. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a refrigerator comprising at least one compartment having an open face, a closure movable relative to the open face to selectively close the open face, at least one annealed glass shelf provided within the compartment and having an upper surface, and at least one continuous, raised bead of ceramic paint provided on the upper surface and defining a contour at least partially bounding an area within the upper surface. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a refrigerator comprising at least one compartment having an open face, a closure movable relative to the open face to selectively close the open face, at least one glass shelf provided within the compartment and having an upper surface, and at least one continuous, raised bead provided on the upper surface and defining a contour at least partially bounding an area within the upper surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a refrigerating appliance in the form of a refrigerator having at least one shelf according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a shelf that can be provided within the refrigerator of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the shelf of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the shelf of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of another example of a shelf that can be provided within the refrigerator of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of the shelf of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the shelf of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of another example of a shelf that can be provided within the refrigerator of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a top view of the shelf of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a refrigerating or food storage appliance or refrigeration apparatus, illustrated herein as a refrigerator  10 , that can be provided within a storage and consumption environment, such as a kitchen. The refrigerator  10  comprises a cabinet  12  at least partially defining an interior, illustrated herein as at least one compartment  14 , that can hold a plurality of containers  30  or other food items. Each of the at least one compartments  14  can include and at least partially define an open face  16 , which can also function as an access opening to the compartment  14 , as well as a closure, illustrated herein as a door  18 , that further at least partially defines the compartment  14  when the door  18  selectively closes the open face  16 . 
     The door  18  is coupled to or movably mounted to the cabinet  12  and configured to be movable relative to the open face  16  between an opened position as shown and a closed position (not shown), so as to selectively open or close the open face  16 , respectively, and to selectively provide access into the compartment  14  through the open face  16 . By way of non-limiting example, the door  18  can be rotatable between the closed position and the opened position relative to the cabinet  12 , and further the door  18  can be hingedly coupled to the cabinet  12  for movement between the opened position and the closed position. 
     As illustrated herein, the refrigerator  10  can include side-by-side compartments  14  at least partially defined by side walls  22  and separated by a center partition or center wall  24 , though it will be understood that upper and lower compartments  14  can also be included. By way of non-limiting example, both of the compartments  14  can be provided as refrigerator compartments  14 , such as with an optional lower portion, which can further optionally include drawers  32 , being provided as a freezer compartment  14 , or the side-by-side compartments  14  can comprise one refrigerator compartment  14  and one freezer compartment  14 , the compartments  14  closable by the doors  18 . The compartments  14  can be cooled to different temperatures by operation of a refrigeration system. The temperature differential between the compartments  14  can be maintained through separation of the compartments  14  by the intervening insulated partition, herein the center wall  24 . 
     The number and arrangement of refrigerated compartments  14 , either a chilled compartment  14  or a freezing compartment  14 , are not germane to the present disclosure and are given by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate one possible environment. While the refrigerating appliance is illustrated as a side-by-side, front-opening refrigerator  10 , the aspects of the present disclosure can have applicability in other refrigerating appliances, non-limiting examples of which include stacked style freezer-on-top or freezer-on-bottom refrigerators, drawer-style refrigerators or freezers, beverage coolers, free-standing refrigerators, build-in refrigerators, display refrigerators, etc. 
     The compartment  14  can include shelf rails or shelf guides  26  that can be attached to at least the side walls  22  and the center wall  24 . As illustrated herein, one shelf guide  26  on the side wall  22  can be sized and positioned so as to be complementary with another shelf guide  26  on the center wall  24 , so as to comprise a pair of opposing shelf guides  26 . At least one shelf  50  can be provided within the compartment  14  such that each pair of opposing shelf guides  26  can support an individual shelf  50 . In addition, or alternatively, the shelf  50  can be provided such that a drawer  32  is slidably mounted directly beneath the shelf  50 , with the shelf  50  selectively closing an open top of the drawer  32 . The shelves  50  can be adapted for slidable, tiltable, a combination thereof, or any other suitable type of movement, out of and into the compartment  14 . 
     Each shelf  50  can comprise a support element  70  and a frame element  60 . The support element  70  can be at least partially planar. The frame element  60  can be provided about, and optionally at least partially surrounding, at least a portion of the periphery of the support element  70 . By way of non-limiting example, the frame element  60  can be provided as a continuous frame or as separate brackets or frame members, and can retain, support, encapsulate, be overmolded to, or surround at least a portion of the periphery or the perimeter of the support element  70 . The frame element  60  can be provided along at least one peripheral edge of the support element  70 , and can be provided along all of the peripheral edges of the support element  70 . The support element  70  is illustrated herein as a glass shelf, though it will be understood that other materials can be included, such as a plastic. The frame element  60  can be formed of any suitable material, non-limiting examples of which include plastic or metal. 
     The shelf  50 , and in particular the support element  70 , is configured to provide a support surface upon which food items and containers  30  can be placed to be stored and refrigerated. The containers  30  can be any sort of container  30  for holding a food substance. The containers  30  can be commercially available containers  30  that are obtained by a user already containing a food substance, or storage containers  30  into which a food substance is placed by a user for refrigerated storage outside of the original packaging. Containers  30  can be transparent or opaque, with any suitable level of opacity being contemplated. The food substance within the containers  30  can be any food substance, non-limiting examples of which include liquids, solids, gelatinous substances, mixtures, dry goods, etc. In one example, the containers  30  are used to contain food substances that are non-solid, non-limiting examples of which can include milk, juices, other beverages, ketchup, other condiments, mayonnaise, jellies, sauces, creams, etc. 
     The refrigerator  10  further comprises a control assembly, illustrated herein as a controller or a control unit  20 , for controlling the operation of the refrigerator  10  and coupled with various working components of the refrigerator  10  to control the operation of the working components and to implement cycles of refrigeration. While the control unit  20  is illustrated herein as being provided within the door  18 , it will be understood that any suitable location can be used for the control unit  20 , including within the cabinet  12  rather than within the door  18 . The control assembly can further include a user interface (not shown) that can be operably coupled with the control unit  20  and can provide an input and output function for the control unit  20 . 
     Other communications paths and methods can also be included in the refrigerator  10  and can allow the control unit  20  to communicate with a user in a variety of ways. For example, the control unit  20  can be configured to send a text message to the user, send an electronic mail to the user, or provide audio information to the user either through the refrigerator  10  or utilizing another device such as a mobile phone. 
     The control unit  20  can include a machine controller and any additional controllers provided for controlling any of the components of the refrigerator  10 . For example, the control unit  20  can include the machine controller and a refrigeration system controller. Many known types of controllers can be used for the control unit  20 . It is contemplated that the controller is a microprocessor-based controller that implements control software and sends/receives one or more electrical signals to/from each of the various working components to implement the control software. As an example, proportional control (P), proportional integral control (PI), and proportional derivative control (PD), or a combination thereof, a proportional integral derivative control (PID), can be used to control the various components of the refrigerator  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the shelf  50  includes the support element  70 , which can be a glass shelf, that is coupled with and at least partially received by the frame element  60 . The frame element  60  can include at least one mounting structure  62  that serves to couple the shelf  50  with the cabinet  12  for improved stability and durability. Alternately, it will be understood that the frame element  60  can be provided without the mounting structure  62 , such that the opposing shelf guides  26  can provide for coupling the shelf  50  within the compartment  14  and are configured for the frame element  60  to rest on, to be supported by, or to be slidably or otherwise received by the shelf guides  26 , without an additional mounting structure  62 . 
     The support element  70  comprises a peripheral edge  72  and an upper surface  74 . The peripheral edge  72  of the support element  70  defines a boundary of the support element  70  and is at least partially received by the frame element  60 . The upper surface  74  in particular defines the support surface or receiving surface upon which food items and containers  30  can be placed for refrigeration or storage. The shelf  50 , and in particular the support element  70 , further comprise at least one continuous, raised bead  80  that can be provided on the upper surface  74 . The at least one continuous, raised bead  80 , or a plurality of continuous, raised beads  80 , for example, a set of continuous, raised beads  80  or at least one partially continuous, raised bead  80  including at least one gap or break within the continuous, raised bead  80 , can collectively define a contour  82  that can extend across at least a portion of the upper surface  74 . 
     The contour  82  can extend across any desired portion, proportion, or percentage of the surface area of the upper surface  74 , and in any desired pattern, such that the contour  82  at least partially bounds at least one area  76  within the upper surface  74 . The contour  82  can be positioned within or interiorly of the peripheral edge  72 , though it will be understood that the contour  82  can extend up to, adjacent to, or terminate at the peripheral edge  72 . The contour  82  can comprise any suitable closed loop pattern or open loop pattern. In the present example, the contour  82  comprises an open loop pattern provided more specifically as a spiral-shaped open loop contour  82 . The contour  82  is considered to be an open loop contour  82  based on its inclusion of at least one open end or open channel  84 . In this way, the open loop contour  82  does not completely bound the area  76  within the upper surface  74  and the at least one area  76  is not completely fluidly isolated from the peripheral edge  72  by the open loop contour  82 . In addition, in the open loop contour  82 , the continuous, raised bead  80  can be provided as a single continuous, raised bead  80  forming the entire open loop contour  82 , though it will be understood that it can alternatively be more than one continuous, raised bead  80  that forms the open loop contour  82 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the open loop contour  82  of this example includes at least one open channel  84  fluidly coupling the area  76  with the peripheral edge  72 . The open loop contour  82  further includes a contact point  86  where the continuous, raised bead  80  terminates at the peripheral edge  72 . The contact point  86  can comprise an exposed end  86  of the continuous, raised bead  80  where it terminates at the peripheral edge  72 . It can also be seen that the open loop contour  82  extends across at least the majority of the upper surface  74  and is distributed uniformly across the upper surface  74 . Further, while the open loop contour  82  is illustrated herein as a substantially rectangular-shaped concentric pattern with rounded corners, it will be understood that any suitable shape profile can be used for the contour  82 , including a completely rectangular-shaped concentric pattern or a circular spiral-shaped pattern. 
     In one example, the continuous, raised bead  80  can comprise and be formed by a ceramic paint that is applied to the upper surface  74  as the continuous, raised bead  80 . The ceramic paint can be an ideal substrate for forming the continuous, raised bead  80  as it is highly durable and has high resistance to abrasion due to strong bonding between the continuous, raised bead  80  of ceramic paint and the glass support element  70 . With containers  30  and even pots and pans being placed on the shelves  50  within the refrigerator  10 , the use of a material with improved abrasion resistance to sliding of abrasive surfaces, such as containers  30 , compared to that of other types of paints or adhesives can be an improvement. However, it will be understood that any other suitable type of paint, material, or adhesive can be used to form the continuous, raised bead  80 . 
     In the case that ceramic paint is used to form the continuous, raised bead  80 , the ceramic paint can be applied to an annealed glass shelf or glass support element  70  that has not yet been tempered. The tempering of the annealed glass shelf after the application of the ceramic paint continuous, raised bead  80  further improves durability of the continuous, raised bead  80  because bonding between the glass support element  70  and the ceramic paint continuous, raised bead  80  is further promoted during the tempering process as the ceramic paint is heat cured onto the glass support element  70 . However, it will be understood that any suitable type of paint, material, or adhesive that can be used to form the continuous, raised bead  80  can be used, whether or not the material is cured by heat to form the continuous, raised bead  80 . 
     In another example, the continuous, raised bead  80  comprises and is formed by at least one optical glass fiber, such as optical glass fibers comprising silica. The optical glass fiber can be applied to the glass support element  70  to form the continuous, raised bead  80  using an adhesive to adhere the optical glass fiber continuous, raised bead  80  to the glass support element  70 , or the optical glass fiber continuous, raised bead  80  can be at least partially embedded within the glass support element  70 . 
     When optical glass fiber is used to form the continuous, raised bead  80 , the optical glass fiber continuous, raised bead  80  can further be configured to provide illumination to the continuous, raised bead  80 , and therefore also to the shelf  50 . By operably coupling the optical glass fiber continuous, raised bead  80  with at least one light source  88 , the optical glass fiber continuous, raised bead  80  can be illuminated. In one example, the exposed end  86  of the optical glass fiber continuous, raised bead  80  can function as the contact point  86  for operably coupling the optical glass fiber continuous, raised bead  80  with the light source  88 . The optical glass fiber continuous, raised bead  80  can be coupled directly with the light source  88 , which can in turn be operably coupled with the control unit  20 , or the optical glass fiber continuous, raised bead  80  can be operably coupled with the light source  88  via the control unit  20 , by way of wired or wireless communication, or a combination of both. In one example, when the continuous, raised bead  80  is formed from a single optical glass fiber defining the entire open loop contour  82 , the entire open loop contour  82  can be illuminated by the use of a single light source  88  coupled with the single optical glass fiber continuous, raised bead  80 . 
     By way of further non-limiting example, the control unit  20  can be programmed to provide power to the light source  88 , and thus also to the optical glass fiber continuous, raised bead  80  in response to the occurrence of a predetermined trigger event, non-limiting examples of which include the opening or closing of the door  18 , the door  18  remaining opened for a predetermined period of time, a user input or request, or a timer-based trigger event. In this way, the optical glass fiber continuous, raised bead  80  can be configured to be illuminated at any desired time based on user input, or, for example, can be automatically illuminated when the door  18  of the refrigerator  10  is opened. The illumination of the optical glass fiber continuous, raised bead  80  can comprise illumination of the visible light spectrum, including illumination in at least one color or in a variety of different colors that can be selectable, and/or can comprise ultraviolet (UV) illumination. When UV illumination is provided, it is contemplated that the UV illumination can additionally provide a freshness feature or function to the refrigerator  10 . 
     Any suitable number of light sources  88  can be provided within the refrigerator  10 , from a single light source  88  to a plurality of light sources  88  that can be arranged throughout the refrigerator  10  and coupled with any of or with all of the shelves  50  to provide illumination for the shelves  50 . The light sources  88  can be positioned such that they are aligned to be operably coupled with the contact point  86  when the shelf  50  is in an installed position and received within the compartment  14  by the shelf guides  26 . The shelves  50  and the light sources  88  can be provided and positioned such that only shelves  50  within a predetermined area within the refrigerator  10  are illuminated, or they can be positioned such that all of the shelves  50  within the refrigerator  10  are illuminated. 
     In the case that only a predetermined area of the shelves  50  are adapted to be illuminated by coupling of the optical glass fiber continuous, raised bead  80  with at least one light source  88 , non-limiting examples of such a predetermined area can include a single shelf  50  or specific shelves  50  within the refrigerator  10 , or only shelves  50  that are located on the door  18  or in a specific compartment  14  of the refrigerator  10 . The shelves  50  within the predetermined area can be predefined to receive containers  30  having specific desired contents. The specific desired contents can be, by way of non-limiting example, programmably defined either by the refrigerator  10  or according to a preference of a user, such as by the user interface that allows the user to designate an area, a compartment  14 , or specific shelves  50  as being associated with containers  30  having specific desired contents to be associated with illumination of the shelves  50 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a cross-section of a portion of the shelf  50  illustrates that the continuous, raised bead  80 , and thus also the contour  82 , is raised relative to and can extend, protrude, or project upwardly from the upper surface  74  to define a vertical height  90  of the continuous, raised bead  80  and of the contour  82  relative to the upper surface  74 . The raised height of the contour  82  relative to the upper surface  74  enables the contour  82  to provide a receiving surface for food items and containers  30  that is raised above the upper surface  74 , as well as to provide a spill containment or spill guiding function for the shelf  50 . The contour  82  is illustrated herein as having a uniform vertical height  90  throughout the entirety of the contour  82  extending across the upper surface  74  of the shelf  50 , which may be desired in order to provide a flat, level surface of the contour  82  upon which food items and containers  30  can be placed. Alternately, the vertical height  90  of the contour  82  can vary across the upper surface  74 . In one example, the vertical height  90  of the contour can increase steadily and at a uniform rate as the contour  82  moves outwardly from a central portion of the support element  70  towards the peripheral edge  72 . In another example, the vertical height  90  of the contour  82  can be uniform throughout the majority of the upper surface  74  and can increase in height only at outermost portions nearest the peripheral edge  72 . The vertical height  90 , whether uniform or non-uniform and whether at a minimum or a maximum vertical height  90 , can be specifically selected such that a predetermined volume of liquid can be contained by the contour  82 . 
     Further, the pattern defined by the contour  82  can be specifically selected to contain, isolate, or guide spills that may occur on the shelf  50 . For example, turning now to the function of the open loop contour  82  for the containment of spills that can occur on the shelf  50 , because the open loop contour  82  does not completely bound the area  76  and fluidly isolate the area  76  from the peripheral edge  72 , the open loop contour  82  is not configured to isolate or contain a spill to a small portion of the area  76  or of the upper surface  74 . Instead, the open loop contour  82 , and particularly in the spiral-shaped pattern as shown, can function as a raceway for a liquid or substance that is spilled, drawing the spilled liquid along the raceway defined by the contour  82 , such as by capillary action. In this way, the spiral-shaped open loop contour  82  is configured to guide the liquid along the open loop contour  82 , spreading the liquid out along the open loop contour  82 . This provides the benefit that the spill can be guided or directed to spread out along the spiral-shaped length of the open loop contour  82 , rather than exceeding the vertical height  90  of the open loop contour  82  and overflowing the open loop contour  82  at any point. This allows the bottoms of containers  30  or food items that are resting upon the contour  82  to remain dry and to not be soiled or wetted, despite the spill on the shelf. This is realized because the pattern of the open loop contour  82  is specifically selected to spread the spilled liquid out, rather than to isolate or contain it, in favor of directing the spilled liquid away from contact with containers  30  as much as possible. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, it is contemplated that, initially, when a spill occurs, the volume of liquid spilled may be sufficient such that it at least temporarily exceeds the vertical height  90  of the open loop contour  82  at the position of the spill and overflows at least a portion of the open loop contour  82  at the point of the spill. However, as the liquid moves outwardly from the point of the spill, the level of the spill can decrease, such as by a gradual decrease, to a point that the spill volume no longer exceeds the vertical height  90  of the open loop contour  82 , and can then guide or direct the spill to spread out along the open loop contour  82  in any suitable direction along the open loop contour  82 , as described previously, then allowing the open loop contour  82  to slow the flow of the spill and redirect the spill within the open loop contour  82 , rather than allowing the spilled liquid to contact containers  30  resting on the open loop contour  82 . Thus, even if the initial spill has a volume sufficient to overflow at least a portion of the open loop contour  82 , the open loop contour  82  can still be configured to redirect the spill and slow the spread of at least a portion of the spill as the spill moves throughout the open loop contour  82 . 
     If the open loop contour  82  has a uniform vertical height  90  throughout the upper surface  74 , then if the volume of spilled liquid is sufficient such that the entirety of the open loop contour  82  is filled with liquid, the liquid will then flow through the open channels  84  to exit the open loop contour  82 . Depending on the extent to which the frame element  60  surrounds the peripheral edge  72 , the liquid is then either contained by the frame element  60 , but above the level of the vertical height  90  of the open loop contour  82 , or the liquid could overflow the peripheral edge  72  and run off of the shelf  50  if the liquid reaches a position on the peripheral edge  72  that is not bounded by the frame element  60 . If the open loop contour  82  has a vertical height  90  that increases towards the peripheral edge  72 , the increased vertical height  90  can provide additional spill containment ability by increasing the liquid capacity of the open loop contour  82  as compared to the open loop contour  82  having a lower, uniform vertical height  90 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , another example of a shelf  150  that can include at least one continuous, raised bead  180  that individually and/or collectively define a contour  182  that can extend across at least a portion of the upper surface  174  is illustrated. The shelf  150  is similar to the first shelf  50 ; therefore, like parts will be identified with numerals increased by 100, with it being understood that the description of the like parts of the first shelf  50  applies to the second shelf  150 , unless otherwise noted. The shelf  150  can be substantially identical to the shelf  50 , and configured to interact in the same ways with the compartment  14 , such as by the at least one mounting structure  162  and the shelf guides  26 , and also in that the continuous, raised bead  180  can be formed by the same materials or methods as the continuous, raised bead  80 . In one example, the difference between the shelf  150  or the continuous, raised bead  180  and the shelf  50  or the continuous, raised bead  80  can be the shape(s) or pattern(s) defined by the at least one continuous, raised bead  180  and the at least one contour  182 . 
     In the present example, the contour  182  comprises a closed loop pattern, provided more specifically as a closed loop contour  182  comprising a plurality of contours  182 . The contour  182  is considered to be a closed loop contour  182  based on the inclusion of at least one closed loop contour  182  that can completely bound an area  176  within the upper surface  174  such that the area  176  is completely fluidly isolated from the peripheral edge  172  or from a separate area  176  by the closed loop contour  182 . In one example, the plurality of contours  182  can include contours  182  that can be separate, distinct, or non-continuous with one another, such that a plurality of independent continuous, raised beads  180  form the plurality of contours  182  that bound a plurality of fluidly isolated areas  176  within the upper surface  174 , each of the fluidly isolated areas  176  being completely bounded by a corresponding contour  182 . Further, at least a portion of the contours  182 , and specifically closed loop contours  182 , can be provided as a plurality of concentric closed loop contours  182 . 
     It can be seen that the closed loop contour  182  of the shelf  150  includes a plurality of contours  182  or areas  176  that share a border with the peripheral edge  172  and/or with the frame element  160 . In one example, the frame element  160  or the peripheral edge  172 , or both, can also be configured to prevent liquid that may be present on the shelf  150 , and specifically on the support element  170 , from flowing past the peripheral edge  172  or the frame element  160  in a manner similar to that of the continuous, raised beads  180  and contours  182 , such as, by way of non-limiting example, having a raised height relative to the upper surface  174 . In the case that the frame element  160  and the peripheral edge  172  also retain liquid within the upper surface  174 , the closed loop contour  182  of the collective extent of the upper surface  174  can be thought of as comprising only closed loop contours  182  that bound fluidly isolated areas  176 . 
     Alternatively, it is contemplated that the frame element  160 , or the peripheral edge  172 , or both, can be configured such that they do not prevent or restrict liquid from flowing over or beyond them. For example, the support element  170  and the frame element  160  can be coupled such that no liquid seal is formed between them and that liquid that may reach the frame element  160  can pass between the frame element  160  and the support element  170  to reach the peripheral edge  172 , and further to overflow the peripheral edge  172 . For portions of the perimeter of the support element  170  not contacted by the frame element  160 , the peripheral edge  172  can be provided such that liquid reaching the peripheral edge  172  is not prevented from overflowing the peripheral edge  172 . 
     When the peripheral edge  172  or the frame element  160  do not restrict the overflow of liquid, the contour  182  can then be thought of as comprising an overall closed loop contour  182  based on the inclusion of at least one closed loop contour  182 , but can further be thought of as comprising a set of open loop continuous, raised beads  180   a  defining a set of open loop contours  182   a  that only partially bound a set of open loop areas  176   a , as well as a set of closed loop continuous, raised beads  180   b  defining a set of closed loop contours  182   b  that completely bound and fluidly isolate a set of closed loop areas  176   b . As used herein, the term a set can refer to any suitable number of items, including only a single such item. The open loop contours  182   a  can include and define open channels  184  fluidly coupling the open loop areas  176   a  with the peripheral edge  172 . The open loop contours  182   a  can further define contact points  186  where the open loop continuous, raised beads  180   a  terminate at the peripheral edge  172  to comprise an exposed end  186 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , regardless of whether the frame element  160  and the peripheral edge  172  are configured to prevent or restrict the overflow of liquid to define a closed loop contour  182  comprising only closed loop contours  182  that bound fluidly isolated areas  176  or whether the frame element  160  and the peripheral edge  172  do not prevent or restrict the overflow of liquid, defining a closed loop contour  182  comprising both open loop contours  182   a  that only partially bound open loop areas  176   a  as well as closed loop contours  182   b  that completely bound and fluidly isolate closed loop areas  176   b , the overall contour  182  extending across the upper surface  174  can be provided to form a pattern that can be aesthetically pleasing or decorative to a user. Any suitable aesthetic pattern can be used, such that the pattern can include open or closed loop contours  182 , or a mixture of both. In one example, the pattern defined by the contours  182  can include concentric elements, whether the contours  182  are closed or open loop, or the contours  182  can form a pattern corresponding to a logo or brand indicia. Non-limiting examples of suitable shapes to be included within the contour  182  pattern include circles, ovals, ellipses with rounded or pointed ends, triangles, squares, rectangles with rounded or pointed corners, rhombus, trapezoids, etc. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a cross-section of a portion of the shelf  150  illustrates a vertical height  190  of the continuous, raised beads  180  and the contours  182  relative to and extending upwardly from the upper surface  174 . The plurality of continuous, raised beads  180  and contours  182  do not have a uniformly spaced cross section as did the shelf  50  of  FIG. 4  due to the varied distribution of the shapes of the contours  182 . As described previously with respect to the shelf  50 , the contours  182  of the shelf  150  can have uniform vertical height  90  throughout the entirety of the contours  182  extending across the upper surface  174 , or the vertical height  90  of the contours  182  an vary across the upper surface  174 , such as by increasing the vertical height  90  moving towards the peripheral edge  172  of the support element  170 . 
     Turning now to the function of the closed loop contour  182 , the pattern or patterns defined by the closed loop contour  182  can be specifically selected to contain and isolate spills that occur on the shelf  150 . Because at least a portion of the contours  182  completely bound and fluidly isolate areas  176  within the upper surface  174  from the peripheral edge  172  or from other areas  176 , the closed loop contour  182  is at least partially configured to isolate and contain a spill within the area  176 , rather than allowing the liquid to spread across a larger portion of the upper surface  174 . While the open loop contour  82  is configured to guide liquid within the open loop contour  82  to spread out in order to avoid the liquid overflowing the open loop contour  82  and soiling containers  30  or food items resting on the open loop contour  82 , the closed loop contour  182  is instead configured to contain and isolate liquid within the smaller areas  176  in order to minimize the surface area of the upper surface  174  that may be exposed to the spill. 
     By providing closed loop contours  182  that bound areas  176  smaller than the surface area of the upper surface  174 , a volume of a spill or liquid that is required to exceed the vertical height  90  of the closed loop contours  182  and to overflow the closed loop contours  182  is reduced as compared to the volume of liquid that would be required to overflow the open loop contour  82 . Thus, a smaller spill or a smaller volume of liquid on the shelf  150  can result in soiling of the containers  30  or food items resting on the closed loop contours  182  as compared to that for containers  30  or food items resting on the open loop contour  82  of the shelf  50 . 
     On the other hand, while the open loop contour  82  of the shelf  50  was configured to guide the liquid to spread out along the open loop contour  82  and along the upper surface  174 , the closed loop contour  182  of the shelf  150  can slow the spread of a liquid or spill because the spilled liquid has to fill and then overflow a plurality of closed loop contours  182  sequentially to continue spreading out across the upper surface  174 , rather than drawing the liquid across the upper surface  74  by capillary action as in the open loop contour  82 . It is contemplated that providing the closed loop contour  182  comprising both open loop contours  182   a  and closed loop contours  182   b  can provide an overall contour  182  that is configured both to slow the spread of a liquid by containing and isolating the liquid within closed loop contours  182   b , as well as by preventing overflow that can soil containers  30  and food items that rest upon the open loop contours  182   a . By including contours  182  providing both the closed loop and open loop liquid containment functions, liquid containment can be optimized to provide a balance of containing and isolating spills with guiding spills in order to avoid overflow. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , another example of a shelf  250  that can include at least one continuous, raised bead  280  that individually and/or collectively define a contour  282  that can extend across at least a portion of the upper surface  274  is illustrated. The shelf  250  is similar to the first shelf  50 ; therefore, like parts will be identified with numerals increased by 200, with it being understood that the description of the like parts of the first shelf  50  applies to the third shelf  250 , unless otherwise noted. The shelf  250  can further be similar to the second shelf  150 ; therefore, it will be understood that the description of the like parts of the second shelf  150  also applies to the third shelf  250 , unless otherwise noted. The shelf  250  can be substantially identical to the shelves  50 ,  150 , and configured to interact in the same ways with the compartment  14 , such as by the at least one mounting structure  262  and the shelf guides  26 , and also in that the continuous, raised bead  280  can be formed by the same materials or methods as the continuous, raised beads  80 ,  180 . In one example, the difference between the shelf  250  or the continuous, raised bead  280  and the shelves  50 ,  150  or the continuous, raised beads  80 ,  180  can be the shape(s) or pattern(s) defined by the at least one continuous, raised bead  280  and the at least one contour  282 . 
     In the present example, the contour  282  comprises a closed loop pattern, provided more specifically as an entirely closed loop contour  282  comprising a plurality of concentric closed loop contours  282 . The contour  282  is considered to be a closed loop contour  282  based on the inclusion of at least one closed loop contour  282  that can completely bound an area  276  within the upper surface  274  such that the area  276  is completely fluidly isolated from the peripheral edge  272  or from another of the areas  276  by the closed loop contour  282 . It will also be understood that the closed loop contour  282  can comprise only closed loop contours  282  configured to contain and isolate liquid on the upper surface  274 . Further, the only closed loop contours  282  can be provided such that all of the closed loop contours  282  are provided concentrically. 
     In one example, the plurality of contours  282  can include contours  282  that can be separate, distinct, or non-continuous with one another, such that a plurality of independent continuous, raised beads  280  form the plurality of closed loop contours  282  that each completely bound a fluidly isolated area  276  within the upper surface  274 . In addition, in the closed loop contour  282 , each of the continuous, raised beads  280  can be provided as a single continuous, raised bead  280  forming the entire closed loop contour  282 , though it will be understood that more than one continuous, raised bead  280  can form each of the closed loop contours  282 . The closed loop contour  282 , and in particular as an entirely closed loop contour  282 , can be provided such that the closed loop contours  282 , both individually and optionally collectively, completely fluidly isolate the areas  276  from the peripheral edge  272  or the frame element  260 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the closed loop contour  282  can be provided entirely interiorly of the peripheral edge  272  such that the continuous, raised beads  280  and the closed loop contour  282  do not contact or directly abut the peripheral edge  272 . However, it will be understood that the closed loop contour  282  can extend across any desired portion, proportion, or percentage of the surface area of the upper surface  274 , including across at least the majority of the surface area of the upper surface  274 , and in any desired pattern, geometric, aesthetic, or decorative, and whether distributed uniformly or non-uniformly across the upper surface  74 . Further, while the closed loop contour  282  is illustrated herein as a substantially rectangular-shaped concentric pattern, with the rectangles having rounded corners, it will be understood that any suitable shape profile can be used for the closed loop contour  282 , non-limiting examples of which include a completely rectangular-shaped concentric pattern, a circular concentric pattern, or concentric or non-concentric circles, ovals, ellipses with rounded or pointed ends, triangles, squares, rectangles with rounded or pointed corners, rhombus, trapezoids, etc. 
     The closed loop contour  282  can define a vertical height  290  relative to the upper surface  274 , uniform or non-uniform across the upper surface  274 , as described with respect to the closed loop contour  182  having vertical height  190 . Turning now to the function of the closed loop contour  282 , the pattern or patterns defined by the closed loop contour  282  can be specifically selected to contain and isolate liquid present on the support element  270  in the same manner as previously described with respect to the closed loop contours  182 ,  182   b  of  FIG. 7 . Specifically, the closed loop contours  282  are configured to contain and isolate liquid within the areas  276  such that the overflow of liquid from one closed loop contour  282  to the next slows the spread of the liquid and can contain and isolate the liquid within a smaller surface area of the upper surface  274  as compared to the open loop contour  82 . 
     The aspects of the present disclosure as described herein set forth refrigerator shelves that can be configured for improved spill containment function through the use of at least one continuous, raised bead defining the contour while still providing a stable surface upon which food items and containers can be supported. The various aspects described herein offer flexible options such that spills can be either contained and isolated within a smaller surface area or that spills can be guided along an open loop contour to spread out across the surface in order to avoid the soiling of food items or the undersides of containers that may be resting upon the contours, or further that a shelf can include sets of contours configured to provide each of the alternate spill containment functions for an optimized mix of spill containment strategies. 
     These aspects allow for spilled or leaked liquids to be managed in such a way that can minimize a mess or provide an easier cleaning process for a user by isolating, containing, or guiding a liquid and by minimizing soiling of containers by providing a support surface that extends upwardly from the upper surface of the shelf upon which liquid collects that can support the containers at a height above that of the liquid. Further, the shelves described herein can provide robust contours that stand up to wear and can even provide additional functionality to the shelves, such as by providing illumination to the contour and to the shelf. Such illumination can be decorative, can include at least one color, and can include UV illumination for improved freshness within the refrigerator. 
     While the use of the glass shelf has been described herein within the context of a refrigerating appliance, it will be understood that the present disclosure is applicable to any appliance for the storage of food substances, whether the temperature within the food storage appliance is regulated or stored at a temperature different from the external environment of the appliance or at a temperature that is the same as the external environment of the appliance, and further whether the appliance stores the food substances at a temperature that is lower or higher than the external environment if the temperature is not the same as the external environment of the appliance. Non-limiting examples of such an appliance for the storage of food substances include a storage or refrigerating cabinet, a storage or refrigerating drawer, a beverage storing appliance, such as for wine, spirits, liqueurs, etc., or a wine cellar. 
     To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various aspects can be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature may not be illustrated in all of the aspects of the disclosure is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different aspects can be mixed and matched as desired to form new aspects, whether or not the new aspects are expressly described. Combinations or permutations of features described herein are covered by this disclosure. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose aspects of the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice aspects of the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. While the aspects of the present disclosure have been specifically described in connection with certain specific details thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, which is defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the aspects of the present disclosure are not to be considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise.