Patent ID: 6871923

Claim:
In a refrigerator including a liner mounted within a cabinet shell so as to define a refrigerator storage compartment, a spill-proof shelf assembly for supporting articles comprising: a shelf panel having upper and lower spaced surfaces and a peripheral edge portion; a frame member having a side wall section with a top end portion and a bottom end portion, a base wall section formed integral with and extending from the bottom end portion of the side wall section, and a bearing wall section integrally formed with and extending upward from the base wall section at a position spaced from the side wall section, said shelf panel being supported on said bearing wall section with the peripheral edge portion of the shelf panel being spaced from the side wall section and cantilevered over the bearing wall section, and the top end portion of said side wall section projecting above the shelf panel and defining a rim, wherein the peripheral edge portion, the side wall section, the lower surface of the shelf panel, the base wall section and the bearing wall section collectively define a channel; and an adhesive filling said channel and securing the peripheral edge portion of the shelf panel to the frame member in a fluid tight manner, wherein liquid spilled on the shelf is prevented from spilling off the shelf assembly by the rim.