Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MERCHANDISING DISPLAY UNIT FOR BOTTLES
TECI~TICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a merchandising display unit, and in
particular, a gravity feed merchandising display and dispensing unit for
bottles
suspended by their neck flanges.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Refrigerated display cases for beverage containers and the like
generally include vertically aligned rows of racks, commonly called glide
racks,
upon which the beverage containers are loaded. The beverage containers may be
cans or bottles of any size and the width of the glide rack row is adjusted
accordingly to accommodate the width of the containers. The glide rack
includes a
plurality of rows extending from the front of the glide rack to the rear
thereof. Each
row may then be loaded with beverage containers extending from the front of
the
display case to the rear of the display case. Each glide rack is disposed
within the
refrigerated display case at an angle sloping downwardly to the front at
approximately five to twelve degrees. Thus, when the lead beverage container
is
removed from the row by a customer, the next beverage container will move
forwardly to occupy the forwardmost position, and the remainder of the row of
beverage containers will follow. In this manner, there is always a beverage
container at the front of each row of the glide rack ready to be dispensed to
a
customer. An example of such a glide rack is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
4,809,855 to Bustos. Fig. 14 is an illustration of a glide or display rack,
originally
shown as Figure 1 in U.S. Patent No. 4,809,855, wherein the original patent
reference numbers have been given a "3" prefix. As this patent states, display
racks,
constructed primarily of sheet metal, are commonly used in grocery stores,
supermarkets, and the like for the display and merchandising of beverages.
Beverages are sold in bottles and containers of various sizes, the smaller
bottles
being commonly packaged in cartons, and the larger multi-liter sizes being
generally
in the form of individual bottles. The sizes of the small bottles may vary,
and the
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relative proportion of cartons to large bottles in a particular display also
varies,
depending upon the demand experienced by a particular vendor. For these
reasons,
gondola display racks are commonly supplied with vertically movable shelves
adapted to be positioned for optimum usage of available space. A typical
gondola
display rack comprises a sheet metal base and a vertical upright extending
upwardly
from the rear of the base. Beverage cartons are normally stacked on the base,
and
larger bottles are normally arranged on shelves supported from the upright and
cantilevered over the base.
The initially smooth sliding surface of the glide rack soon wears off,
however, thus creating more friction as the beverage containers slide thereon
such
the plastic sliding surface of the glide rack becomes more roughened. This in
turn
creates more problems as the beverage containers may fall over, tip, rotate,
occasionally open and spill. The repeated sliding along the roughened sliding
surface, and the occasional tipping and spilling, creates a worn and unusable
glide
rack within only three to four months of use. Therefore, it has generally been
necessary to completely replace the entire glide rack once it reached this
point of
wear and tear, resulting in costly and repeated expenditures.
An alternative for merchandising bottles for display and purchase is
an overhead support system, such as shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,401,221 to
Suttles,
U.S. Patent No._ 4,318,485 to Clement, and commonly assigned copending U.S.
patent application No. 08/923,267, filed September 4, 1997. In these types of
systems, an overhead support track having a pair of spaced rails suspends
bottles by
their neck flanges. The bottles slide forwardiy under gravity feed due to the
angle
of the support track. However, retrofitting existing display cases with
suspended
bottle systems has been wasteful and costly because it has required the
complete
removal of the conventional glide racks, which then become useless, and the
installation of special hangers or other structural elements for suspending
the bottle
support tracks. Further, existing suspended bottle systems generally cannot
readily
accommodate bottles of different heights. And, due to the way in which such
systems are assembled, should a single track need to be replaced, it is
necessary to
disassemble an entire bank of tracks in order to do so.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a merchandising display system for
bottles that is quickly and easily installed and supported on existing glide
or display
racks. The system of the present invention also provides easily
interchangeable
components tailored to bottles of different height and/or diameter, thus
yielding
greater flexibility for the use of the system. Tn addition, the system of the
present
invention offers increased visibility of the bottled product to be displayed
for sale,
both the bottle label and any distinctive shape of the bottle itself.
These and other objects are achieved by providing a gravity feed
merchandise dispensing device adapted for installation on the upper supporting
surface of a merchandise display rack. The dispensing device comprises at
least one
track capable of supporting in tandem a row of similar bottles of the type
having an
annular flange on the neck of the bottle. The track has a front end, a rear
end, and
a pair of rails spaced apart to receive between them the necks of suitably
sized
bottles such that the underside of each bottle neck flange engages the rails,
whereby
the bottles are suspended by their flanges for movement relative to the track.
A
track support extends downwardly from the track and is adapted to engage the
display rack and support the track above the display rack with the front end
of the
track near the front of the display rack, the rear end of the track near the
rear of the
display rack, and the track inclined with its front end lower than its rear
end. The
track is supported a sufficient distance above the display rack so that the
bottles
suspended in the track do not contact the display rack and can gravity-feed
along the
track toward the front of the display rack as bottles are removed from the
front end
of the track.
The track support may comprise a side support at each side of the
track, the side supports being spaced apart sufficiently to allow bottles to
move
therebetween along the track.
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To facilitate bottle dispensing, a lead bottle support is located at the
front end of the track and is sized to support the bottom of the lead bottle
of the row
with the neck of the lead bottle adjacent the front end but disengaged from
the rails.
In one embodiment, the lead bottle support has an upper hanger portion adapted
to
be supported on a retainer section of the track, spaced side members connected
to
the hanger portion and adapted to flank the track and the lead bottle, and a
platform
connected to the side members for supporting the lead bottle. A front stop on
the
platform engages the lower front edge of the lead bottle, while a front waist
band
above the platform engages a medial portion of the lead bottle. In another
embodiment, the lead bottle support is mounted on the sides of the track
support.
When the dispensing device comprises a plurality of parallel tracks,
adjacent tracks being contiguous, there is a common side support at each of
the
contiguous margins of the adjacent tracks. The tracks and the side supports
may be
integrally molded together of plastic material.
Various additional advantages and features of novelty which
characterize the invention are further pointed out in the claims that follow.
However, for a better understanding of the invention and its advantages,
reference
should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which
illustrate
arid describe two preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a front, top and right side perspective view of a three-track
modular dispensing device according to a first preferred embodiment of the
invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of thxee of the modular dispensing devices
of Fig. 1, placed side-by-side to form a nine-track dispensing arrangement;
Fig. 3 is a front exploded view of the dispensing device of Fig. 1;
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Fig. 4 is a rear exploded view of the dispensing device of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the dispensing device of Fig. 1;
Fig. b is a rear elevational view of the dispensing device of Fig. 1;
Fig. '7 is a right side elevational view of the dispensing device of Fig.
1;
Fig. 8 is a front, top and right side perspective view of a three-track
modular dispensing device according to a second preferred embodiment of the
invention;
Fig. 9 is a rear, top and left side perspective view of the dispensing
device of Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a front exploded view of the dispensing device of Fig. 8;
Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of the dispensing device of Fig. 8;
Fig. 12 is a right side elevational view of the dispensing device of
Fig. 8;
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the dispensing device of Fig. 8,
having Iead bottle supports of a different configuration; and
Fig. 14 is an illustration of a display rack, originally shown as Figure
1 in U.S. Patent No. 4,809,855, wherein the original patent reference numbers
have
been given a "3" prefix.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A merchandising display unit in accordance with the present invention
is designed to be used within a refrigerated display case, supported on prior
art glide
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rack units or the like. Such units typically comprise a plurality of
vertically spaced
shelves or wire racks which are inclined toward the front of the display case
at an
angle of approximately five to twelve degrees. However, as explained below,
the
invention also is adaptable to be supported on and used with racks ar shelves
which
are substantially horizontal. As used herein, therefore, the term "display
rack" is
used to denote any and all types of racks, shelves or other structures which
have an
upper supporting surface, whether inclined or horizontal, including but not
limited
to structures having supporting surfaces which are solid, perforated,
latticework or
any other form. One example of such type of racks, shelves or other structures
is
illustrated in Fig. 14, and which was originally shown as Figure 1 in U.S.
Patent
No. 4,809,855, and to which a "3" prefix has been added to the reference
numerals
for ease of reference herein. Referring to Fig. 14, there is illustrated a
beverage
display or rack 310 for displaying packages of beverage products 305 or
individual
bottled products. Such displays or racks are commonly used for displaying
beverage
bottles or packages of beverages in stores or retail establishments. Tn Fig.
14, rack
310 is illustrated as having two shelves 317, the top surfaces of which slope
downwardly and forwardly at an angle of approximately 8 degrees so as to
facilitate
sliding of bottles or articles supported upon the top surfaces of the shelves
forwardly
to the front edge of the shelf and against an abutment 320 secured to the
front edge
of the shelf. There are multiple channel-shaped or L-shaped dividers 322
mounted
upon the top surface 321 of each shelf 317. The bottom surface of these sheet
metal
dividers 322 has downwardly extending, hook-shaped, tabs pressed therefrom
such
that the dividers may be attached to the top surface of the shelf at any
desired
location by simply inserting the tabs into holes formed in the top surface 321
of each
shelf. Preferably, such divider is secured or locked to the top surface of the
shelf
by a conventional sheet metal screw extending downwardly through the channel
and
the top surface of the shelf. Thereby, a trackway 323 is defined between two
adjacent dividers 322 for the support of a column of packages or bottles.
Fig. 1 illustrates a modular dispensing device 10 according to a first
embodiment of the invention having three parallel tracks 20 for supporting and
dispensing rows of bottles B. The bottles have a flange or ring R by which
they are
suspended on spaced rails 22 within tracks 20. A track support 30 is attached
to and
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extends downwardly from tracks 20, and is adapted to be supported on a display
rack
(not shown in Fig. 1) with the front ends 24 of tracks 20 near the front of
the display
rack, and the rear ends 26 of tracks 20 near the rear of the display rack.
Track
support 30 comprises side supports 32 at each side of each track 20. See Fig.
6. A
lead bottle support or basket 40 is attached to the front end of each track
20. Each
basket 40 supports the bottom of the lead bottle of its respective row, with
the neck
of the lead bottle disengaged from rails 22. See Fig. 7.
Two or more three-track modular dispensing devices 10 may be grouped
together to fill the lateral space on a display rack with multiple rows of
bottles B.
Fig. 2 illustrates three such dispensing devices 10, which together form nine
tracks
for dispensing bottles. While three tracks are depicted in the modular display
unit
10 of Fig. 1, modular units may be constructed having one, two, three, four or
more
tracks, and these may be selectively grouped to substantially fill a display
rack of
any given width.
Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the assembly of the dispensing device 10.
Tracks 20 and track support 30 are injection molded as a unit of high impact
polystyrene or other suitable plastic material. Baskets 40 are separately
injection
molded as an integral three-basket assembly of polycarbonate or other suitable
plastic
material. Baskets 40 are snapped onto the front ends of tracks 20, as
described
below. Tracks 20 are covered by a separately molded cap 50 made of high impact
polystyrene or other suitable plastic material. Cap 50 is attached to tracks
20 by
means of projecting male snap tabs 52 on cap 50 which mate with female snap
tabs
28 on tracks 20. Cap 50 has holes 54 which facilitate washing of the
dispensing
device when removed from the display rack. Holes 54 also serve a ventilation
function by allowing refrigerated air to circulate through the structure more
freely.
Further details of tracks 20 now will be described with reference to
Figs. 3, 4 and 6. Tracks 20 are molded with longitudinal stiffening ribs 21
and
lateral stiffening ribs 23 and an arched base 25 which terminates in spaced
rails 22.
As shown in Fig. 6, the space between rails 22 is slightly greater than the
width of
the necks of bottles B so that the bottles are suspended on rails 22 by their
flanges
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R but can freely slide under the influence of gravity toward front ends 26 of
tracks
20. A rear bottle stop in the form of a U-shaped wire loop W {Figs. 4,6) is
secured
to the track and prevents the bottles from being pushed off the rear of the
track as
they are loaded from the front. A continuous rear vertical flange 27
reinforces the
rear ends of tracks 20, while separate vertical front flanges 29 reinforce the
front
ends of the tracks. The front ends 24 of tracks 20 project beyond the front
edges of
side supports 32 to define retainer sections on which baskets 40 are hung.
Referring to Figs. 3-7, the assembly of baskets 40 comprises upper
hanger portions 41 from which outboard side members 42 and inboard side
members
43 depend. Hanger portions 41 are sized and shaped to mate with the retainer
sections at the front ends of tracks 20. In these retainer sections there are
gaps
between the adjacent tracks (not shown) which accommodate inboard side members
43. Inwardly projecting ribs 47, 48 cooperate with the retainer sections to
snap the
basket assembly into place on tracks 20. Side members 42, 43 are
interconnected
by a base 49, and support ribbed platforms 44 which, in turn, support the lead
bottles of each row above and forwardly of base 49, and disengaged from rails
22.
An arcuate front stop 45 at the front of each platform 44 engages the lower
front
edge of the lead bottle. Front waist bands 46 spanning side members 42, 43
engage
the medial portions of the lead bottles.
Further details of track support 30 now will be described with reference
to Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 7. Side supports 32 extend downwardly from each side of
each
track 20, and have elongated vertical slots 33 which facilitate ventilation,
viewing
bottles B in the tracks, and washing of the dispensing device when removed
from the
display rack. A single side support 32 is located between adjacent tracks.
Side
supports 32 are interconnected at their bottoms by front lateral struts 34 and
rear
lateral struts 36. Intermediate stabilizer tabs 38 lend additional support
along the
length of the side supports. If desired, the entire bottom of the track
support may
be closed by a bottom wall for added strength and stability. The bottom wall
may
have apertures which enhance ventilation, and facilitate washing of the
dispensing
device.
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In the embodiment described above, the height of the dispensing device
is uniform, and is intended to be installed on an inclined display rack,
whereby
tracks 20 will be disposed at substantially the same angle as the display
rack.
However, as previously noted, the dispensing device of the invention can be
adapted
for installation on a generally horizontal display rack. This can be done by
forming
side walls 32 as tapered supports, higher at the rear than at the front, so
that tracks
20 would be disposed at the required angle to the horizontal to enable gravity
feed
of bottles even though the dispensing device rests on a horizontal display
rack.
Figs. 8-12 illustrate a modular dispensing device 100 according to a
second embodiment of the invention having three parallel tracks 120 for
supporting
and dispensing rows of bottles B. In these figures, elements which are similar
to
those in the first embodiment are designated by like reference numerals, but
with a
"1" prefix. As with the first embodiment, two or more modular dispensing
devices
100 may be grouped together to fill the lateral space on a display rack, and
modular
units maybe made having one, two, three, four or more tracks. The same
materials
may be used to fabricate this embodiment.
A track support I30 is integrally molded with tracks 120. Track support
130 has side supports 132 at each side of each track 120. Each side support
132
comprises an upper web 135, a front leg 137, and a rear leg 139. Rear legs 139
are
interconnected at their bottoms by rear lateral struts 136. The substantially
open
sides and bottom of the dispensing device allows refrigerated aix to circulate
freely
around the bottles, and facilitates washing of the device.
Tracks 120 are molded with longitudinal stiffening ribs 12I, lateral
stiffening ribs 123, and rear and front flanges 127, I29, respectively. Each
track
120 also has an arched base I25 which opens upwardly into an elongated, keyed
channel I60. Channel 160 slidably receives (from the rear) and retains (behind
front
flange 129) a separately molded channel-shaped lane 162 (Fig. IO) on which are
formed the spaced rails 122 from which bottle flanges or rings R are
suspended.
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A lead battle support or basket 140 is attached at the front end 124 of
the dispensing device to front legs 137. A plurality of baskets 140 are molded
together as a unit, the number of baskets corresponding to the number of
tracks in
the dispensing device. Each basket has a ribbed platform 144 which partially
underlies front legs 137 and projects forwardly of tracks 120. Platform I44
has slots
(not shown) which receive portions of the lower edges of front legs 137. Each
basket 140 has an arcuate front stop 145 and a front waist band 146 which form
between them a bottle viewing window, and side members 142, 143 which mate
with
correspondingly shaped recesses in front legs 137. Each front leg 137 has a
forwardly projecting flanged tab 137a which slidably mates with a
correspondingly
slotted boss 140a at the upper corner of each basket 140. Baskets 140 thus are
assembled to front Iegs 137 by an upward sliding motion which engages tabs
137a
with bosses 140a, and the lower edges of front legs 137 with the slots in
platforms
144.
Fig.l3 illustrates a dispensing device 200 Iike that of Figs. 8-12, but
with a modified assembly of lead bottle baskets 240. In this embodiment, side
members 242, 243 project further forwardly and upwardly, and support arcuate
label
holders 270 in front of and at an angle to the fronts of the bottles. This
angle
preferably is approximately equal to the angle of inclination of the display
rack.
Thus, when the dispensing device 200 is installed on the display rack, the
labels in
the label holders 270 face the purchaser in a substantially vertical position.
Each
label holder may comprise, e.g., an open frame, as shown, which removabiy
holds
a product label or advertisement. The frame may hold a clear plastic window
behind
which the label is placed. Alternatively, adhesive labels may be applied to
arcuate
inserts positioned in the label holders. Other label holding configurations
will be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
The dispensing device of the invention can be made in different sizes to
accommodate bottles of different sizes. Dispensing units of different size may
be
mixed in the same display case as needed. Further changes, adaptations and
modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in
the art
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without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined
by the
appended claims.
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