초록 ▼

A mullion shelf assembly is provided that includes a shelf having translucent upper and lower surfaces and contains an insulative medium that resists heat transfer between the surfaces. The mullion shelf assembly may also include a shelf with an upper surface in fluid communication with a sump. The

A mullion shelf assembly is provided that includes a shelf having translucent upper and lower surfaces and contains an insulative medium that resists heat transfer between the surfaces. The mullion shelf assembly may also include a shelf with an upper surface in fluid communication with a sump. The sump is in fluid communication with a drain that remove condensation from the compartment bounded by the mullion shelf assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A mullion shelf assembly for a refrigerator comprising:a removable shelf having an upper surface and a lower surface spaced from said upper surface, an insulative medium that resists heat transfer positioned between said upper surface and said lower surface of said shelf, wherein said shelf forms

1. A mullion shelf assembly for a refrigerator comprising:a removable shelf having an upper surface and a lower surface spaced from said upper surface, an insulative medium that resists heat transfer positioned between said upper surface and said lower surface of said shelf, wherein said shelf forms a thermal seal with adjacent portions of the refrigerator that contact said shelf;a sump formed in said shelf; and,a drain in fluid communication with said sump. 2. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein said upper surface and said lower surface of said shelf are translucent. 3. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 2, wherein said upper surface and said lower surface of said shelf are formed of glass. 4. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein said insulative medium is selected from the group consisting of air, vacuum, polymeric foam, and combinations thereof. 5. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein said shelf further comprises a frame encompassing said upper surface. 6. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 5, wherein said sump is formed in said frame. 7. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 5, wherein said frame comprises a light fixture mounting bracket formed thereon. 8. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein said sump comprises a nozzle connected to said drain. 9. A mullion shelf assembly for a refrigerator comprising:a removable shelf having an upper surface formed in a first pane of translucent material and a lower surface formed in a second pane of translucent material, an insulative medium positioned between said first pane and said second pane, wherein said insulative medium resists heat transfer between said upper surface and said lower surface of said shelf, and wherein said shelf forms a thermal seal with portions of the refrigerator adjacent said shelf. 10. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 9, wherein said first pane and said second pane are formed of glass. 11. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 9, wherein said insulative medium is selected from the group consisting of air, polymeric foam, vacuum and combinations thereof. 12. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 9, further comprising a sump formed in said shelf. 13. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 12, further comprising a drain in fluid communication with said sump. 14. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 9, wherein said shelf further comprises a frame encompassing said upper surface. 15. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 14, further comprising a sump formed in said frame. 16. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 15, further comprising a drain in fluid communication with said sump. 17. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 16, wherein said sump comprises a nozzle formed therein and connected to said drain. 18. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 14, wherein said frame comprises a light fixture mounting bracket formed thereon. 19. A mullion shelf assembly for a refrigerator comprising:plurality of removable shelves disposed within a refrigerator, said plurality of shelves comprising an upper shelf and a lower shelf, said upper shelf comprising a first upper surface and an upper sump, said lower shelf comprising a second upper surface and a lower sump; and,a first drain in fluid communication with said upper sump and said lower sump. 20. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 19, wherein at least one of said plurality of removable shelves comprises a first pane connected to a second pane with an insulative medium disposed between said first pane and said second pane, wherein said insulative medium resists heat transfer between said first pane and said second pane. 21. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 20, wherein said insulative medium is selected from the group consisting of air, vacuum, polymeric foam and combinations thereof. 22. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 20, wherein said first pane and said second pane are translucent. 23. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 22, wherein said first pane and said second pane are formed of g lass. 24. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 19, wherein at least one of said plurality of shelves forms a thermal seal with portions of the refrigerator adjacent said shelf. 25. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 19, wherein said first drain comprises a lower end aligned adjacent and above said lower sump of said lower shelf. 26. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 19, wherein said upper shelf comprises a frame in which a light fixture mounting bracket is formed. 27. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 19, further comprising a second drain in fluid communication with said lower sump. 28. The mullion shelf assembly of claim 27, further comprising a collection sump in fluid communication with said second drain. 29. The mullion shelf of claim 28, wherein said collection sump is in fluid communication with said upper sump and said first drain.