US3279618A

US3279618A - Bottle dispenser

Info

Publication number: US3279618A
Application number: US418836A
Authority: US
Inventors: John E Bergstedt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-12-16
Filing date: 1964-12-16
Publication date: 1966-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 1983-10-18

Description

Oct. 18, 1966 J. E. BERGS'I 'EDT BOTTLE DISPENSER 5 Sheets-Sheet l Flled Dec. 16, 1964 Z m P INVENTOR Joy/v E 569 7 /A/'ITORNEY Oct. 18, 1966 J. E. BERGSTEDT 3,279,618

BOTTLE DISPENSER Filed Dec. 16, 1964 5 Sheets$heet 3 INVENTOR Jo/aw E. 55/?037'507' L/ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,279,618 BOTTLE DISPENSER John E. Bergstedt, 2182 Wellesley Ave., St. Paul, Minn. Filed Dec. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 418,836 4 Claims. (Cl. 21149) This invention relates to an improvement in Display Racks and deals particularly with a rack useful in the dispensing of various products.

Display racks have been produced for a great number of years. In certain instances, these racks include a series of side by side guide-ways, each of which is designed to accommodate items of a pre-determined size arranged one behind the other. The guide-ways are tilted to the extent necessary so that when-the foremost unit is removed, the remaining units Will advance forwardly until the foremost one again strikes an abutment which holds the units for further movement.

Such racks have been used particularly well in conjunction with canned goods, as the cylindrical cans may be placed with axis horizontally and will roll toward the forward portion of the rack even when the rack is at but a slight slope. However, such r-acks have not been particularly practical for use with rectangular objects, such as paper board cartons of milk and the like, rectangular six-pack packages of beer and other beverages, or cans arranged with their axis upright, in view of the fact that slope of the racks must be relatively steep in order to function. Unless the guide-ways are sloped to the extent Where the weight of the units overcomes the co-eflicient friction, the units will not slide forwardly when the foremost unit is removed.

I have found that much of the previous difiiculty may be obviated by supporting the units in the guide-ways on bars of a material commercially known as Teflon. This material has a naturally slippery surface which greatly reduces the co-efiicient friction. By providing relatively narrow supporting bars of this material, instead of providing relatively wide trays, or solid metal shoots for supporting the goods, the rack will function effectively even when the guide-ways are at a relatively small angle with respect to the horizontal. As a result, the need for inplanting the racks at a substantial angle, is eliminated.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a rack which is extremely inexpensive to produce. In general, the dispensing rack includes a series of rectangular frames preferably made of strips of angle iron connected by mitered corners. One flange of all of the angle iron strips are on a common plan, while the right angularly extending flange forms an outer encircling wall. The guide-ways are inexpensively constructed in these rectangular frames.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the simplicity of the construction. An insert of wood or other suitable material, is supported along two opposed edges of the frame, and the inner opposed walls of these inserts are notched. Bars of Teflon are supported in parallel relation by these two opposed sides of the frame, the ends of the Teflon bars' being engaged in the notches. A divider, preferably in the form of a cylindrical rod, is provided between each pair of Teflon bars and the next adjoining pair. The dividers are based apart a distance substantially equal to, but slightly larger than, the width of the units of product being dispensed. The length of the frame is suflicient to accommodate a pre-determined number of units. Accordingly, the rack is easy and inexpensive to produce.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a rack of the type in question, which requires an extremely small number of different parts. The frames used on a rack of a predetermined size are of "ice identical form. The Teflon bars, which are used, are also 'of identical form. The dividers which are used, may also be of identical form. Thus, to provide a rack which is of a size suitable for containing units of product of the predetermined Width, it is only necessary to regulate the position of the notches in the notched inserts. In other words, the notched inserts which are used for forming guide-ways to dispense relatively narrow units, are closer together and are greater in number than for forming guide-ways designed for supporting wider units.

These, and other objects and novel features of the present invention, will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

FIGURE 1, is a side elevational view showing a dispensing rack constructed for the dispensing of liquids in cartons similar to the paper cartons used for containing milk.

FIGURE 2, is a top plan view of one of the frames forming a part of the rack illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3, is an enlarged elevational view, partly in section showing the forward portion of the racks shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4, is a vertical sectional view through one of the frames, the position of the section being indicated by the line 44 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5, is an elevational view, partly in section, showing a modified form of rack used for dispensing sixpack packages of canned products such as beer.

FIGURE 6, is a sectional view through a frame of the rack shown in FIGURE 5, the position of the section being indicated by the line 66 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7, is a perspective view of one of the inserts used at each end of the frame of the dispenser used for dispensing of six-packs.

FIGURE 8, is a perspective view of the insert used at the rear end of each frame of the rack shown in FIG- URES 1 through 4 of the drawings.

FIGURE 9, is a perspective view of the insert used at the forward end of each frame in the rack shown in FIG- URES 1 through 4.

As the present construction has been mainly used for the storage and dispensing of six-packs of beer, and paper board cartons of milk and allied products, the racks indi'cated in general by the letter A, are usually placed in walk-in coolers which are indicated in general by the letter B. The racks A are usually positioned adjoining the forward wall 10 of the walk-in cooler B, and the forward side of each rack is positioned adjacent to a door opening 11, normally closed by sliding doors such as 12 and 13. The sliding

doors

12 and 13, are normally supported in tracks such as 14 and 15, which extend along the upper and lower edges of the door opening 11, and the

doors

12 and 13, may be slid in either direction to expose the forward end of the rack.

The display rack A, includes a series of superposed frames 16, which may be of identical construction, or which may vary slightly in form to accommodate items of different widths. For example, the racks 16, shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, may be mainly formed to accommodate two-quart cartons of milk or the like. However, one or more of the racks, as shown at the upper portion of FIGURE 1, may be arranged to dispense pint or half-pint cartons D, and one-quart cartons such as E. The only difference between these frames lies in the position of the Teflon bars, the spacing of the dividers between the guide-ways, and the arrangement of notches in the inserts.

The rack A usually is supported by four legs or uprights secured to the sides of the individual frames. Preferably, the legs on one side of each frame are olfset forwardly or rearwardly from the legs on the opposite side of the frame, so that one rack may be positioned closely adjacent the other rack with only the thickness of a single leg therebetween. As is indicated in FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, the front legs 17, on the right side of the rack A as viewed from the front, are secured to the frames 16, at points spaced forwardly of the points of attachment of the legs 19, connecting the forward ends of the frame 16, on the left hand side of the frames when viewed from the front. In a similar manner, the legs 20, or uprights connecting the right-hand sides of the frames 16, near the rear corners of the frames located '25, connected at right angular relation along mitered corners to provide a rectangular frame. Usually, the frame is longer from front to rear thanfrom side to side, in view of the fact that the width of the rack is usually limited to the approximate width of the sliding

doors

12 and 13, and to provide room for a substantial number of units of product in each guide-way.

The

various frame pieces

22, 23, 24 and 25, are formed with the generally horizontal flanges in a common plane, and the generally vertical flanges extending upwardly from the outer margins of the horizontal flanges in a common plane. For example, with reference to FIGURE 3 of the drawings, it will be noted that the generally horizontal flange 26, of the front of the front frame member 25, is in coplaner relation with the horizontal flange 27, of the side frame member 22, and with the generally

vertical flanges

29 and 30, of the angles and 22, extending upwardly therefrom, The manner in which the inserts are positioned, is also indicated in FIGURE 3, and

being understood that the inserts overlie the horizontal flanges of the front and rear frame members 25 and.24 respectively. The forward insert 31 shown in FIGURES 3 and 9 of the drawings, is constructed as best illustrated in FIGURE 9 of the drawings. The insert 31, comprises an elongated strip of wood or other suitable material which is of rectangular cross-section and which is provided along its rear edge 32,.with pairs of rectangular notches 33, the number of pairs of notches being similar to the number of guide-ways which the frame is to support. The insert which is designed to be supported by therear frame member 24, is indicated in general by the numeral 34,

in FIGURE 8 of the drawings. The insert 34, also comprises an elongated strip of wood or other similar material, designed to overlie the generally horizontal flange of the rear frame member 24, and includes, in its inner edge 35, a series of pairs of notches 36, which are spaced similarly to the notches 33, and are in opposed relation thereto. Elongated bars 37, of Teflon or material having similar properties, extend from the front frame member 25, to the rear frame member 24, and the end of each of the bars 37, are engaged in

opposed notches

33 and 36. As indicated in FIGURE 3, of the drawings, the Teflon bars 37,extend above the level of the insert 31, and also above the level of the rear insert 34. The spacing between the notches of each pair of notches, 33 and 36, is perhaps equal to one-half the width of the units such as the unit C supported in the guideways.

A series of vertical apertures 39, extend through the insert 31, between each pair of notches 33, and the next adjoining pair. Additional vertial apertures 40, are provided near the ends of the insert 31, the spacing between the apertures 40, and the next adjacent aperture 39, usually equalling the spacing between the apertures 39. These

apertures

39 and 40, are designed to accommodate one end of dividers or dividing rails, which will be later described.

The insert 34, is also provided with a series of vertical apertures 41, extending therethrough, these apertures being between each adjacent pair of notches 36. Apertures 42, are also :provided near each end of the insert 34, and

4: the spacing between the aperture 42, and the next adjacent aperture 41,is preferably equal to the spacing be tween the adjoining apertures 41.

With reference now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, a divider or dividing rail indicated in general by the numeral 43, extends from the front insert 31, to the rear insert 34. Each guide rail 43, includes an intermediate portion 44, which is designed to extend in parallel'relation to the Teflon bars 37, and a pair of parallel down-turned ends 45 and 46. The down-turned ends 45 and 46, are designed to extend into opposed apertures in the front insert 31, and rear insert 34, respectively. The central portions 44, of the dividers 43, are substantially above the upper surfaces 47, of the Teflon bars 37, and engage opposite sides of the units such as C to hold the ,units in each guide-way in alignment.

The front insert 31, differs from the rear insert 34, in

providing an additional pair of vertical apertures 49,

which are located intermediatethe notches. of the outermost'pair of notches 33. Asindicated in FIGURE 4, of the drawings, an abutment forming rail 50, is provided including a horizontal central portion 51, and parallel down-turned ends 52,. which are frictionally engaged in the apertures 49. The rail 50, engages the surfacesof the foremost units of product C to hold the .unitsfrom falling from the forward ends of the guide-way. The rail 50, preferably engages the units C at a point low enough to permit the units to be manually tilted forwardly and removed from the guide-ways, while at the same time engaging the units high enough so that they cannot tilt over the abutment 50, as they slide down the guideways against the abutment.

In the arrangement illustrated, the forward frame members 26, may be provided with a molding 53, designed to accommodate price tags or the like. As molding of this type is in common use, it is not described in detail.

FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, disclose a modified form of rack which is indicated in general. by the letter F. The rack F is arranged to support six-pack cartons of beer G or a similar product.- Actually, the only difference between rack A and F, lies in the fact that the front abutment rail 50, is eliminated and the spacing betweenthe di-. viders and Teflon bars, is varied to accommodate the packages G. The six-pack cartons are of generally rectangular form and contain six cans of the product; Obviously, the number of can contained as well as the shape of the carriers, may be varied.

In the rack F, the frames 16, may be identical to those previously described, and the Teflon bars 37, are also identical to those previously described. The upper surfaces 47, of the Teflon bars 37, extend above the level of the inserts which are indicated in general by the numeral 60, and are below the level of the general vertical flanges 29, of the front frame members 25. As. a result, the upper edges of the flanges 29, provide the abutment against which the cartons G engage. The abutment rail 50, may be omitted, dueto the fact that the carton C have a length which is greater than the height of the cartons, and accordingly, there is no tendency for the carton G to tilt over the front ends of the guide-ways.

. The insert 60, at both the front and rear edges of the frame 16, are constructed as illustrated in FIGURE 7 of the drawings. One edge 61, of each insert 60, is notched to provide pairs of notches 62, designed to accommodate the ends of the Teflon bars 37. Apertures 63, extend through the inserts 30, between the notches of adjoining pairs to accommodate the ends of the separators or dividers 43. Additional apertures 64, are provided near the ends of the inserts 60. 1 The apertures 64, are designed to accommodate the ends of additional dividers 43, which are designed to form the outer wall of the outer-most guide-ways.

In order to compensate for variations, in the heights of the racks, the lower ends of the

legs

17, 19, 20 and 21, are provided with extensions 65, adjustably bolted to the lower ends of the legs by bolts 66. The bolts 66, extend through slot 67, in the legs to permit relative adjustment between the individual legs and the leg extensions.

Teflon is a product manufactured by E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, comprising a group of synthetic resins based on tetrafluoroethylene polymers. The bars are usually extruded or molded.

In accordance with the patent statutes, the principles of construction and operation of the dispensing rack, have been described; and while an attempt has been made to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A dispensing rack for use in dispensing units of product, the rack including:

a series of rectangular frames formed of frame members of angular cross-section arranged with one flange of all frame members in a common plane and the other right angular frame extending upwardly from the outer edges thereof,

uprights secured to said frames near the corners thereof supporting said frames in parallel sloping relation with one edge of each frame below the level of the opposite edge thereof,

insert strips secured to said one edge and said opposite edge of each of said frame to rest upon the coplanar flanges thereof,

said insert strips having spaced vertical notches in the inner opposed surfaces thereof,

bars of Teflon extending in parallel relation between said one edge and said opposite edge of each frame and having their ends engaged in said notches of said insert strips,

parallel dividers extending from said one edge of each frame to the opposite edge thereof between each pair of spaced Teflon bars and the next pair thereof,

the upper surfaces of said Teflon bars of each frame being on a common sloping plane substantially parallel to the plane of the frame, and said dividers extending above said upper surfaces, and

means forming an abutment extending along said one edge of each said frame member and against which units of product resting upon said Teflon bars may abut.

2. A dispensing rack for use in dispensing a product of substantially uniform width, the rack including:

a series of rectangular supporting frames,

means supporting said frames in parallel relation and in sloping relation with one edge of each frame below the level of the opposite edge,

at least one series of parallel bar of Teflon extending from said one edge to said opposite edge and spaced apart a predetermined space, dividers extending parallel to said parallel bars and between pairs of said parallel bars from said one edge to said opposite edge,

said bars and dividers being selectively fixable in spaced parallel relation,

means selectively engaging said bars and dividers in said predetermined spaced relation to said frame edges.

3. The structure of claim 2 and in which said means selectively engaging said bars and dividers includes a series of notches in each frame edge in registered relation.

4. The structure of claim 2 and in which an insert strip is secured to each said frame edge, each said strip having apertures in registered relation to the apertures of the other said strip, ends of said bars and dividers engaged in said apertures.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,125,557 8/1938 Goldman 211-74 X 2,218,444 10/ 1940 Vineyard 211-49 2,649,207 8/1953 Shield 211-49 2,905,330 9/1959 Lilja 21l49 2,916,226 12/1959 McGraw 242-68.5 3,063,534 11/1962 Amour 211-49 X CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

R. P. SEITTER, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A DISPENSING RACK FOR USE IN DISPENSING UNITS OF PRODUCT. THE RACK INCLUDING: A SERIES OF RECTANGULAR FRAMES OF FRAME MEMBERS OF ANGULARL CROSS-SECTION ARRANGED WITH ONE FLANGE OF ALL FRAME MEMBERS IN A COMMON PLANE AND THE OTHER RIGHT ANGULAR FRAME EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE OUTER EDGES THEREOF, UPRIGHTS SECURED TO SAID FRAMES NEAR THE CORNERS THEREOF SUPPORTING SAID FRAMES IN PARALLEL SLOPING RELATION WITH ONE EDGE OF EACH FRAME BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE OPPOSITE EDGE THEREOF, INSERT STRIPS SECURED TO SAID ONE EDGE AND SAID OPPOSITE EDGE OF EACH OF SAID FRAME TO REST UPON THE COPLANAR FLANGES THEREOF, SAID INSERT STRIPS HAVING SPACED VERTICAL NOTCHES IN THE INNER OPPOSED SURFACES, THEREOF, BARS OF TEFLON EXTENDING IN PARALLEL RELATION BETWEEN SAID ONE EDGE AND SAID OPPOSITE EDGE OF EACH FRAME AND HAVING THEIR ENDS ENGAGED IN SAID NOTCHES OF SAID INSERT STRIPS, PARALLEL DIVIDERS EXTENDING FROM SAID ONE EDGE OF EACH FRAME TO THE OPPOSITE EDGE THEREOF BETWEEN EACH PAIR OF SPACED TEFLON BARS AND THE NEXT PAIR THEREOF, THE UPPER SURFACES OF SAID TELFON BARS OF EACH FRAME BEING ON A COMMON SLOPING PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE PLANE OF THE FRAME, AND SAID DIVIDERS EXTENDING ABOVE SAID UPPER SURFACES, AND MEANS FORMING AN ABUTMENT EXTENDING ALONG SAID ONE EDGE OF EACH SAID FRAME MEMBER AND AGAINST WHICH UNITS OF PRODUCT RESTING UPON SAID TEFLON BARS MAY ABUT.