US20170042343A1 - Gravity feed tray - Google Patents
Gravity feed tray Download PDFInfo
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- US20170042343A1 US20170042343A1 US14/826,882 US201514826882A US2017042343A1 US 20170042343 A1 US20170042343 A1 US 20170042343A1 US 201514826882 A US201514826882 A US 201514826882A US 2017042343 A1 US2017042343 A1 US 2017042343A1
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- Prior art keywords
- support
- gravity feed
- feed tray
- retail
- merchandise
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F1/00—Racks for dispensing merchandise; Containers for dispensing merchandise
- A47F1/04—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs
- A47F1/12—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F5/00—Show stands, hangers, or shelves characterised by their constructional features
- A47F5/08—Show stands, hangers, or shelves characterised by their constructional features secured to the wall, ceiling, or the like; Wall-bracket display devices
- A47F5/0807—Display panels, grids or rods used for suspending merchandise or cards supporting articles; Movable brackets therefor
- A47F5/0838—Rails or bars; Article supports therefor, e.g. brackets being slidably attached on the outside thereof
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F7/00—Show stands, hangers, or shelves, adapted for particular articles or materials
- A47F7/28—Show stands, hangers, or shelves, adapted for particular articles or materials for containers, e.g. flasks, bottles, tins, milk packs
Abstract
Description
- This invention generally relates to a merchandising system that includes as a part of the system an improved gravity feed tray, which can be used for the storage, and gravity feed dispensing of bottles, cans, and other merchandise.
- Supermarkets and other retail settings typically utilize displays to store and dispense merchandise. Most of the display racks used in supermarkets and other retail stores are self-service displays. A common example of a self-service displays are found in supermarkets, convenience stores, and many other stores selling bottles or cans of soft drinks. Typically, the customer will select a bottle or can from the self-service display rack and then proceed to the checkout line without the help of store employees.
- Self-service display racks frequently implement a gravity feed configuration for the convenience of both the customer and store personnel. In typical gravity feed display racks, a shelf is tilted such that the rear edge of the shelf is above the front edge of the shelf thereby advancing items supported on the shelf toward the front edge due to gravity. In such a gravity feed configuration, the merchandise is readily accessible in a self-service manner to a customer in that it is positioned along the front edge of the shelf. This avoids the problem that it may be difficult for customers to reach bottles or merchandise on the rear or back of the shelf, particularly if the shelves are of significant depth or if several shelves are closely spaced together.
- Furthermore, typical gravity feed display racks are designed to automatically advance merchandise toward a front edge of the shelf after a customer has selected a product. This prevents the problem of having merchandise at the rear of the displays from being hidden from customers.
- Additionally, gravity feed display racks have proven to be advantageous when restocking merchandise. Gravity feed display racks allow store employees to readily ascertain whether the gravity feed tray needs to be restocked because if it was stocked the retail merchandise would be readily visible at the front edge of the gravity feed tray. Furthermore, if the merchandise on the gravity feed display rack needs to be restocked, the store employees can replenish the merchandise from the front edge or the rear edge because as the merchandise is added to the gravity feed display rack it will automatically advance toward the front edge of the shelf, which provides the additional advantage the employee restocking the merchandise will not need to keep rearranging the shelves as merchandise is added.
- One example of a conventional gravity feed tray includes a downwardly tilted planar support surface over which a feeder belt is arranged to slide. Such a gravity feed display shelf is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,177, which is herein incorporated by reference, issued Dec. 5, 1978. Another example of a conventional gravity feed tray is represented by U.S. Pat. No. 2,218,444, which is herein incorporated by reference, issued Oct. 15, 1940 which discloses a metal channel intended primarily for use in conjunction with milk bottles in refrigerators. This patent discloses alternative procedures for achieving the desired degree of tilt of the chute.
- Although, the conventional gravity feed trays described above have many advantages they are not without their faults. There are certain retail environments, such as commercial refrigerated cabinets or freezers, which have not been able to realistically incorporate conventional gravity feed trays. One reason for this is that conventional gravity feed trays fail to optimize the finite amount of space available in commercial refrigerators or freezer. As such, many retailers choose not to install conventional gravity feed trays in their freezers and refrigerators because they are unwilling to sacrifice valuable retail display space.
- Additionally, conventional gravity feed trays typically mount to shelving that is common in commercial refrigerated cabinets or freezers. The mounts of the conventional gravity feed systems typical couple with the retail shelving and the weight of the retail merchandise exerts a downward force on the mounts, which provides some prevention from having the mounts slide along the retail shelving. This design makes conventional gravity feed trays susceptible to dislodging. This is especially true when the conventional gravity feed trays are not fully stocked with retail merchandise and therefore there is little downward force being applied by the weight of the retail merchandise to keep the mounts of the gravity feed tray from dislodging from the retail shelving. A problem can occur if a mount dislodges before loading because it can cause the immediate collapse of the gravity feed tray. Likewise, if a conventional gravity feed system uses multiple mounts if one of them becomes dislodged or partially dislodged the weight of the retail merchandise will be applied to the non-dislodged mount which will cause excess strain on the non-dislodged mount. Over time, the strain on the non-dislodged mount can cause the non-dislodged mount to deform, in which case the retailor has to incur the cost of replacing the non-dislodged mount or the entire conventional gravity feed tray. In addition, the deformation of the mounts raises safety concerns for retailors due to the fact customers and employees routinely place their hands and arms below loaded gravity feed trays to restock or select retail merchandise. As a result, many retailers have not incorporated conventional gravity feed trays into their stores due to the financial and safety concerns raised above.
- Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a gravity feed tray that can be readily incorporated into a refrigerated cabinet or a freezer and maximize the limited amount of space available; is prevented from inadvertently dislodging from mount shelving; and remains in a cantilevered position even while holding heavy loads of retail merchandise for extended periods of time.
- The invention provides such a gravity feed tray. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.
- In one aspect, the invention provides a gravity feed tray. An embodiment of the gravity feed tray according to this aspect includes a first support and a second support structure in an opposed spaced relationship. The first support and the second support are coupled to a u-bracket. The first and second support structures having inwardly extending flanges and the first support structure having a first mount and the second support structure having a second mount. The first and second mounts being capable of coupling to a retail display bar to support the first and second support structures as cantilevered extensions. The gravity feed tray may include a bar lock located on the second support structure that prevents the inadvertent dislodging of the gravity feed tray from the retail display bar. The first support structure and the second support structure may act to define a merchandise channel where the inwardly extending flanges project into the merchandise channel. The bar lock on the first support structure may also be adjusted to accommodate for retail display bars of varying dimensions. The first mount and the second mount on the first and second support structures may take the form of hooks.
- In another aspect, the invention provides gravity feed tray. The gravity feed tray having a first support structure and a second support structure that can mount to a retail display. The first support and the second support act to define a merchandise channel and the first support having a first flange and the second support having a second flange that project inwardly into the merchandise channel and provide a retail display surface. The first support structure may have a first mount and the second support structure may have a second mount that couple to a retail display bar and support the first and second support structure as cantilevered extensions. In addition, the width of the merchandise channel may be adjustable. Furthermore, the gravity feed tray may have half of the volume of the retail merchandise displayed on the retail display surface be located below the retail display surface. The gravity feed tray may also include a bar lock that acts to prevent the inadvertent dislodging of the gravity feed tray from the retail display bar. In addition, the first and second mounts may include an adjustable aperture for receiving retail display bars of varying dimensions. The gravity feed tray may also have first and second mounts that have an aperture that is adjustable to accommodate for retail display bars having different height or width dimensions.
- In yet another aspect, the invention provides a gravity feed tray having a first support and a second support structure where the first support structure has a first mount and the second support structure has a second mount. The first support structure and the second support structure having inwardly extending flanges that project into a merchandise channel and provide a retail merchandise display surface. The gravity feed tray may have a bar lock having a first position and a second position where the first position allows the first and second mount to couple with a retail display bar and the second position prevents the first and second mount from decoupling with a retail display bar. The first and second support structures can have a first and second bar lock aperture where the first bar lock aperture is located above the second bar lock aperture on the first and second support structures. The bar lock being removable from the first bar lock aperture and capable of being inserted into the second bar lock aperture on the first and second support structures. The gravity feed tray having a contact surface area between the retail merchandise and the retail display surface is less than ten percent of the total surface area of the outside of the retail merchandise being displayed. The gravity feed tray capable of displaying retail merchandise having top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion where the top portion and bottom portion have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the middle portion and only the middle portion of the retail merchandise has a contact surface area with the retail display surface.
- Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
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FIG. 1 A is a perspective view of the gravity feed tray displaying merchandise in a retail setting according to one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 1 B is a side view of the gravity feed tray displaying merchandise in a retailing setting illustrated inFIG. 1 A; -
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional perspective view of a gravity feed tray according to one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional perspective view of the gravity feed tray shown inFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a gravity feed tray according to one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the gravity feed tray ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is a top view of the gravity feed tray ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the gravity feed tray ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 8 is a side-view of the gravity feed tray ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 9 is a side-view of the opposing side of the gravity feed tray illustrated inFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a gravity feed tray according to one embodiment of the present application; -
FIG. 11 is a front view of the gravity feed tray ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 12 is a rear view of the gravity feed tray ofFIG. 4 ; and -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a gravity feed tray according to one aspect of this invention in a retail environment illustrating a first piece of retail merchandise being selected from the gravity feed tray. - While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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FIG. 1A illustrate agravity feed tray 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Thefirst support structure 100 has afirst support mount 114 and thesecond support structure 200 has asecond support mount 214, as best illustrated inFIGS. 2-3 . In use, aretail display bar 900 can be inserted into anaperture 116 of thefirst support mount 114 and anaperture 216 ofsecond support mount 214. The first andsecond support structures gravity feed tray 10 as it hangs as a cantilevered extension from theretail display bar 900. The movement of theretail merchandise rear edge 250 of thegravity feed tray 10 to thefront edge 150 of the gravity feed tray is generally indicated at 20. - As the
gravity feed tray 10 hangs as a cantilevered extension from theretail display bar 900 it can be loaded with retail merchandise, 930, 940, and 950. InFIG. 1 A, the retail merchandise is represented by a first, second, and third soda bottle, 930, 940, and 950 respectively. Typically, soda bottles and other retail merchandise have abottom portion 980 having a large diameter, a middle orneck portion 975 having a smaller diameter, and atop portion 970 having a diameter that is typically less than thebottom portion 980, but larger than the middle orneck portion 975 diameter. This allows thegravity feed tray 10 to display soda bottles, water bottles, etc. while not taking up a great deal of space because thegravity feed tray 10 does not need to have a large contact area 955 (SeeFIG. 1B ) with theretail merchandise gravity feed tray 10 can display theretail merchandise retail merchandise -
FIG. 1 B is a side view of thegravity feed tray 10 displayingretail merchandise gravity feed tray 10 is forwardly and downwardly inclined when couple withretail display bar 900. The amount that the first andsecond support structures 100 and 200 (SeeFIG. 4 ) are forwardly and downwardly inclined is generally represented as θ. - As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art the angle θ required by the first and
second support structure retail merchandise contact area 955 between theretail merchandise flanges gravity feed tray 10, etc. In one embodiment, the angle θ could be in the range between 5° and 45°. However, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art the angle θ that the first andsecond support structures retail display bar 900 are not limited to the range between the range of 5° and 45° and may be any angle θ selected by the user. - Turning to
FIG. 3 , which generally illustrates thefirst support structure 100 of thegravity feed tray 10. As illustrated, thefirst support structure 100 has an inwardly extendingflange 104. The inwardly extendingflange 104 runs the length of thefirst support structure 100 and has a rearupturned end 106 and a frontupturned end 108. - Turning back to
FIG. 2 , which generally illustrates thesecond support structure 200 of thegravity feed tray 10. As illustrated, thesecond support structure 200 also has an inwardly extending flange indicated by 204. The inwardly extendingflange 204 runs the length of thesecond support structure 200 and has a rearupturned end 206 and frontupturned end 208. - As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art the coarseness of the material selected for the first and
second support structures flanges gravity feed tray 10 relies on the force of gravity to shift theretail merchandise front edge 150 of themerchandise channel 30 when the first piece ofretail merchandise 930 is selected by a customer. Therefore, if the material selected for the first andsecond support structures flanges flanges retail merchandise 970. Therefore, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, one embodiment of thegravity feed tray 10 according to the application may incorporate a brushed metal for the first andsecond support structures flanges -
FIG. 2 also illustrates thebar lock 600. In the illustrated embodiment thebar lock 600 is coupled to thesecond support structure 200. However, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in art other embodiments may have thebar lock 600 on thefirst support structure 100 or any other suitable component of thegravity feed tray 10. For example, as best illustrated inFIG. 10 , thefirst support structure 100 has a bottombar lock aperture 801 and topbar lock aperture 802 and thesecond support structure 200 also has a bottombar lock aperture 803 and a topbar lock aperture 804. As will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art thebar lock 600 can be decoupled from any one of thebar lock apertures bar lock apertures bar lock 600 frombar lock apertures gravity feed tray 10 allows thebar lock 600 to lock retail display bars 900 with varying dimensions. Furthermore, as will also be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art thebar lock apertures gravity feed tray 10 that allows for thebar lock 600 to prevent thegravity feed tray 10 from inadvertently dislodging from theretail display bar 900. - As illustrated, a user will position the
retail display bar 900 within themount 214 of thesecond support structure 200 and thebracket 300. Once theretail display bar 900 is positioned within themount 214 and thebracket 300 the user can rotate thebar lock 600 until thetriangular projection 602 of the bar lock is aligned flush with the bottom of theretail display bar 900. After thebar lock 600 is rotated to have thetriangular projection 602 aligned flush with thebottom edge 902 of theretail display bar 900 the user can tighten thefastener 700, which will prevent further rotation of thebar lock 600. Once thefastener 700 is tightened with thetriangular projection 602 of thebar lock 600 flush with the bottom of theretail display bar 902 themount 214 and thebracket 300 will not be able to be dislodged from theretail display bar 900. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art the user can remove thegravity feed tray 10 from theretail display bar 900 by untighteningfastener 700 and rotating thebar lock 600 until it is no longer flush with thebottom edge 902 of theretail display bar 900, which will provide clearance for the user to lift themount 214 andbracket 300 from theretail display bar 900. - Turning to
FIG. 4 andFIG. 5 , which respectively illustrate a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of thegravity feed tray 10 according to the invention. As illustrated, the first andsecond support structures bracket 300. As those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognizebracket 300 performs the function of acting as an additional support to the first andsecond support structures second support structure merchandise channel 30. -
FIG. 4 andFIG. 5 also illustrate the flip scan andplate label holder 400, where merchants can place information about the retail merchandise being displayed by thegravity feed tray 10 such as, but not limited to, the product name, price, bar code, QR code, etc., as best illustrated inFIG. 13 . The illustrated embodiment also showslabel support 500, which acts to secure thelabel holder 400 to thegravity feed tray 10 and supports thelabel holder 400 so that it faces towards potential customers, which allows the customers to easily view the information contained on thelabel holder 400. Furthermore, as best illustrated inFIG. 12 , the flip scan andplate label holder 400 is movable in a vertical direction, such that when a customer selects a piece ofretail merchandise merchandise channel 30 the flip scan and plate label holder can swing up vertically so that it does not interfere with the removal of the first piece ofretail merchandise 930 and then swing back down to its original position to front face the next customer and provide that customer with the information the retailor has displayed on the flip scan andplate label holder 400. -
FIG. 2 also illustrates thebar lock 600. In the illustrated embodiment thebar lock 600 is coupled to thesecond support structure 200. However, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in art other embodiments may have thebar lock 600 on thefirst support structure 100 or any other suitable component of thegravity feed tray 10. For example, as best illustrated inFIG. 10 , thefirst support structure 100 has a bottombar lock aperture 801 and topbar lock aperture 802 and thesecond support structure 200 also has a bottombar lock aperture 803 and a topbar lock aperture 804. As will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art thebar lock 600 can be decoupled from any one of thebar lock apertures bar lock apertures bar lock 600 frombar lock apertures gravity feed tray 10 allows thebar lock 600 to lock retail display bars 900 with varying dimensions. Furthermore, as will also be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art thebar lock apertures gravity feed tray 10 that allows for thebar lock 600 to prevent thegravity feed tray 10 from inadvertently dislodging from theretail display bar 900. - As illustrated, a user will position the
retail display bar 900 within themount 214 of thesecond support structure 200 and thebracket 300. Once theretail display bar 900 is positioned within themount 214 and thebracket 300 the user can rotate thebar lock 600 until thetriangular projection 602 of the bar lock is aligned flush with the bottom of theretail display bar 900. After thebar lock 600 is rotated to have thetriangular projection 602 aligned flush with thebottom edge 902 of theretail display bar 900 the user can tighten thefastener 700, which will prevent further rotation of thebar lock 600. Once thefastener 700 is tightened with thetriangular projection 602 of thebar lock 600 flush with the bottom of theretail display bar 902 themount 214 and thebracket 300 will not be able to be dislodged from theretail display bar 900. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art the user can remove thegravity feed tray 10 from theretail display bar 900 by untighteningfastener 700 and rotating thebar lock 600 until it is no longer flush with thebottom edge 902 of theretail display bar 900, which will provide clearance for the user to lift themount 214 andbracket 300 from theretail display bar 900. - Turning to
FIG. 6 andFIG. 7 , which respectively illustrate a top-down and bottom-up view of thegravity feed tray 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, themerchandise channel 30 has awidth 921 defined by the first andsecond support structures merchandise channel 30 may have awidth 921 between 3.40 and 5.75 cm. However, as will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art themerchandise channel 30 is not limited to this range and may be smaller than 3.40 cm or larger than 5.75 cm depending on the type ofretail merchandise gravity feed tray 10. - Next, the inwardly extending flanged 104 and 204 form a support and display surface for the
retail merchandise flanges width 923 between 0.85 cm and 1.70 cm. However, as will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art thewidths 923 of the inwardly extendingflanges retail merchandise gravity feed tray 10. Further, although thewidths 923 of the inwardly extendingflanges flanges flange 104 could be larger thanflange 204 and vice versa. - Next, the distance between the inwardly extending
flanges merchandise track gauge 922. As illustrated, themerchandise track gauge 922 is between 1.70 cm and 3.38 cm. However, as will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art themerchandise track gauge 922 is not limited to this range and may be smaller than 1.70 cm or larger than 3.38 cm depending on the type ofretail merchandise gravity feed tray 10. - As best illustrated in
FIG. 10 , thefirst support structure 100 and thesecond support structure 200 are coupled to abracket 300. In the illustrated embodiment the first andsecond support bracket 300 via mig weld. As will be appreciated by those having skill in the art a mig welding will provide a mechanically strong and relatively inexpensive coupling between the first andsecond support structures bracket 300. However, as will also be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art the first andsecond support bracket 300 by any means generally known in the art. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art that thebracket 300 both provides structural support to the first andsecond support second support width 921 of themerchandise channel 30. - Furthermore, as best illustrated in
FIGS. 2-3 and 6 , the gravity feed tray may also have afirst half u-brace 110 located on thefirst support structure 100 and asecond half u-brace 210 located on the second support structure. In the illustrated embodiment thefirst half u-brace 110 is incorporated into thefirst support structure 100 and thesecond half u-brace 210 is incorporated into thesecond support structure 200. In some embodiments thefirst u-brace 110 and thesecond u-brace 210 can then be coupled together via mechanical means such as, but not limited to, mig welding. Although, the illustrated embodiment show thefirst half u-brace 110 being a part of thefirst support structure 100 and thesecond half u-brace 210 being part of thesecond support structure 200 those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a u-brace does not have to be formed from two parts and can easily be formed from a single piece or a multitude of pieces that couple to thefirst support structure 100 and thesecond support structure 200 and provide structural support and act as a spacer between the first andsecond support structures - Turning to
FIG. 8 andFIG. 9 , which respectively represent a first side view of one embodiment of thegravity feed tray 10 and a second side view of thegravity feed tray 10 opposite the first side view. As illustrated, thelength 920 of thegravity feed tray 10 is generally defined by the length of the first andsecond support structure length 920 of the first andsecond support structure length 920 of the first andsecond support structure retail merchandise gravity feed tray 10. -
FIGS. 8 and 9 also illustrate the first and secondforward spacers FIG. 1B . The first and secondforward spacers label support 500. In addition, as best illustrated inFIG. 13 the first and secondforward spacers front aperture 807 that allows a customer to remove a piece ofretail merchandise gravity feed tray 10. - Next, the retail display mounts 114 and 214 of the first and second support structures are illustrated. The
mounts respective apertures retail display bar 900. In the illustrated embodiment theapertures apertures retail display bar 900 used to mount thegravity feed tray 10. Further, although theapertures same dimensions apertures aperture 116 could be larger or smaller thanaperture 216 and vice versa. - Turning to
FIG. 11 , thefront edge 150 of thegravity feed tray 10 is illustrated. As best illustrated inFIG. 11 , thefirst support structure 100 has a frontupturned end 108 and thesecond support structure 200 has a second frontupturned end 208. In one embodiment the front upturned ends 108 and 208 can extend angularly upward from the inwardly extendingflanges height 928 between range of 2.55 cm and 5.07 cm. However, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art theheight 928 of the front upturned ends 106 and 206 is not limited to the above range and can be below 2.55 cm or above 5.07 cm as required by the user. The front upturned ends 106 and 206 act to prevent the second and third piece ofretail merchandise retail channel 30 from inadvertently dislodging from themerchandise channel 30 when the first piece ofretail merchandise 930 is removed 930 from theretail merchandise display 30 and the second and third pieces of retail merchandise are shifted toward thefront edge 998 of theretail merchandise channel 30 by gravitational force (SeeFIG. 13 ). - Turning to
FIG. 12 , therear edge 250 of thegravity feed tray 10 is illustrated.FIG. 12 best illustrates that thefirst support structure 100 also has a first rearupturned end 106 and thesecond support structure 200 has a second rearupturned end 206. In one embodiment the rear upturned ends 106 and 206 can extend angularly upward from the inwardly extendingflanges height 927 between the range of 0.85 cm and 1.69 cm. However, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art theheight 927 of the rear upturned ends 106 and 206 is not limited to the above range and can be below 0.85 cm or above 1.69 cm as required by the user. As will also be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art the rear upturned ends 106 and 206 will typically have a smaller angular height than the front upturned ends 108 and 208 because the front upturned ends 108 and 208 act to prevent the dislodging of theretail merchandise retail merchandise rear edge 250 of themerchandise channel 30 when theretail merchandise front edge 150 of themerchandise channel 30. - Turning to
FIG. 12 , which illustrates agravity feed tray 10 according to one aspect of this invention in a typical retail environment. As illustrated, thegravity feed tray 10 is displayingretail merchandise second mount openings retail display bar 900. With the first andsecond mounts retail display bar 900 the first andsecond support structures gravity feed tray 10 as a cantilevered extension. Once in position and secured to thegravity feed tray 10 thegravity feed tray 10 can be loaded withretail merchandise FIG. 13 theretail merchandise - After the
gravity feed tray 10 is secured to theretail display bar 900 can then loadretail merchandise merchandise channel 30. Within themerchandise channel 30 the first andsecond support flanges retail merchandise merchandise channel 30. The user may place the first piece ofretail merchandise 930 into themerchandise channel 30 from theforward edge 150 or therear edge 250 of themerchandise channel 30. As the user releases the first piece ofretail merchandise 930 into themerchandise channel 30 the downward angle of the first andsecond support flanges retail merchandise front edge 150 of themerchandise channel 30. - After the
gravity feed tray 10 has been loaded withretail merchandise retail merchandise 930 that is located at the front edge of themerchandise channel 30. When the customer selects the first piece ofretail merchandise 930 from themerchandise channel 30 it will be removed from themerchandise channel 30 at a slightly upward direction 999. Once the first piece ofretail merchandise 930 is selected from themerchandise channel 30 the second and third piece ofretail merchandise gravity 998 until the second piece ofretail merchandise 940 abuts thefront edge 150 of theretail merchandise channel 30 and fills the space left vacant by the first piece ofretail merchandise 930 that has been selected by the customer. Therefore, as long as thegravity feed tray 10 remains stocked withretail merchandise retail merchandise front edge 150 of themerchandise channel 30 where it can easily be identified and selected by customers. - All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
- The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
- Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
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US14/826,882 US20170042343A1 (en) | 2015-08-14 | 2015-08-14 | Gravity feed tray |
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US14/826,882 US20170042343A1 (en) | 2015-08-14 | 2015-08-14 | Gravity feed tray |
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US11517127B2 (en) * | 2020-08-05 | 2022-12-06 | Fasteners for Retails, Inc. | Retail merchandise tray with mounting, spacing and locating |
Citations (12)
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US20140047745A1 (en) * | 2012-08-15 | 2014-02-20 | Richard J. Wildrick | Back-Loading Product Dispensing Hook |
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US3285426A (en) * | 1966-04-11 | 1966-11-15 | Wilcke Carl | Holder for storing tools and the like |
US4401221A (en) * | 1980-01-30 | 1983-08-30 | The Mead Corporation | Forward feed merchandising device for soft drink bottles |
US4958738A (en) * | 1989-10-26 | 1990-09-25 | Lee Daniel S | Clothing rack and hanger composite structure |
US5390802A (en) * | 1993-02-12 | 1995-02-21 | Hmg Worldwide In-Store Marketing, Inc. | Shelf assembly for gondola display structure |
US5586665A (en) * | 1995-02-28 | 1996-12-24 | Etalex Inc. | Gravity fed bottle dispensing and display rack |
US6398174B1 (en) * | 2000-05-22 | 2002-06-04 | Bradley S. Emalfarb | Receptacle with adjustable hanging bracket assembly |
US7950533B2 (en) * | 2006-02-03 | 2011-05-31 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Muffler pipe rack and hanger system |
US7954648B2 (en) * | 2006-09-29 | 2011-06-07 | Japan Tobacco Inc. | Cigarette display system |
US20110309220A1 (en) * | 2008-11-18 | 2011-12-22 | Lothar Collini | Storage Apparatus for Containers |
US20110290749A1 (en) * | 2010-02-05 | 2011-12-01 | Eric Neumann | Product display system with adjustable bracket |
US8813978B2 (en) * | 2012-02-22 | 2014-08-26 | Rustin A. Cassway | Material supporting ledge |
US20140047745A1 (en) * | 2012-08-15 | 2014-02-20 | Richard J. Wildrick | Back-Loading Product Dispensing Hook |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US11517127B2 (en) * | 2020-08-05 | 2022-12-06 | Fasteners for Retails, Inc. | Retail merchandise tray with mounting, spacing and locating |
US20230095417A1 (en) * | 2020-08-05 | 2023-03-30 | Fasteners For Retail, Inc. | Retail Merchandise Tray With Improved Mounting, Spacing, And Locating |
US11849864B2 (en) * | 2020-08-05 | 2023-12-26 | Fasteners For Retail, Inc. | Retail merchandise tray with mounting, spacing, and locating |
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