METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTAINER DISPENSING ON A SHELF

Abstract

A container dispenser for cylindrical containers uses gravity feed to direct containers from an input to an output slot, particularly adapted to use on a bottom shelf by providing visual and physical availability. Ramps can be formed and arranged to interlock and support dispensers at a desired angle.

Claims

1. A lower shelf product dispenser arrangement adapted for placement on a shelf assembly having a front a rear and a shelf surface comprising: a dispenser with a rectilinear plan form having a depth and width; a dispenser side panel being generally rectilinear but having a top front corner relieved to enable a slot and a bottom from corner having a product display projection; a generally rectilinear dispenser box top panel; a generally rectilinear dispenser box rear panel; a generally rectilinear dispenser box front panel closing said dispenser box in the manner of a box, but leaving a top slot for product insertion and having a dispenser box bottom front slot for product removal; a dispenser box product display flange closing a portion of the dispenser box area projecting from said bottom front slot to retain product until removed by vertical displacement; a base angled seven degrees (7) plus or minus one and one half degrees (1.5) upwardly from back to front so as to provide improved product visibility and manipulation from said dispenser; a dispenser box top ramp angled at ten degrees (10) plus or minus one and one half degrees (1.5) downwardly from front to back, when said dispenser box is upon said base; a rear gap between said dispenser box top ramp and said dispenser box rear panel such that product can be inserted in said top slot and pass through action of gravity rearwardly off and past said top ramp; a dispenser box lower ramp angled ten degrees (10) plus or minus one and one half degrees (1.5) downwardly from back to front, such that when said box is upon said base, the slope of said lower ramp is between fifteen degrees (15) and seventeen degrees (17) extending from said rear panel to said flange; said lower dispenser box ramp receiving product passing through said gap and said product passing through action of gravity downwardly and forwardly through said bottom front dispenser box slot to abut said flange; said base is formed and arranged with a base front surface from which a base angled deck extends to intersect a base floor; said base is further formed and arranged from foldable material, said base having a floor fold between said base floor and said base front and a base deck fold between said base front and said base deck; said base is further formed and arranged to have a base end tab extending from a floor rear edge on said floor and a slot proximate a deck rear edge on said deck, said slot matingly receiving said base end tab; said base is further formed and arranged so that said base end tab engages said slot, said slot being displaced forwardly from said deck rear edge providing spacing from a said shelf rear and providing location of said dispenser box in the described orientation; said base being foldable and interlockable, originally flat, with left and right side edges; said base extending about 14 inches (356 mm) from said deck end edge to said deck fold, and about 13 and one half inches (343 mm) from said floor edge to said floor fold with spacing between said deck fold and said floor fold being about one and one half inches (38 mm) whereby when assembled by folding and interlocking said tab and said slot an angle between said deck and said floor is more than six degrees (6) but less than seven degrees (7). said base has a right interlocking tab and left interlocking tab extending from opposed right and left side edges of said deck; said right tab and said left tab have, respectively, right flange and left flange spaced outward from right side edge and left side edge by right tab web and left tab web in a generally L shaped configuration such that said right tab and said left tab face in opposite longitudinal directions; said right flange and said left flange spaced being spaced outward from right side edge and left side edge by right tab web and left tab web so as to define between their respective inner edges and the respective side edges of said deck, left and right slots; said base being a first base and said right flange and said left flange being formed and arranged to interlock with a second base having the same configuration such that said first base and said second base are maintained in a side by side configuration.

2. A lower shelf product dispenser arrangement adapted for placement on a shelf assembly having a front a rear and a shelf surface comprising: a dispenser with a rectilinear plan form having a depth and width; a dispenser side panel being generally rectilinear but having a top front corner relieved to enable a slot and a bottom from corner having a product display projection; a generally rectilinear dispenser box top panel; a generally rectilinear dispenser box rear panel; a generally rectilinear dispenser box front panel closing said dispenser box in the manner of a box, but leaving a top slot for product insertion and having a dispenser box bottom front slot for product removal; a dispenser box product display flange closing a portion of the dispenser box area projecting from said bottom front slot to retain product until removed by vertical displacement; a base angled at about seven degrees (7) upwardly from back to front so as to provide improved product visibility and manipulation from said dispenser; a dispenser box top ramp angled at about ten degrees (10) downwardly from front to back, when said dispenser box is upon said base; a rear gap between said dispenser box top ramp and said dispenser box rear panel such that product can be inserted in said top slot and pass through action of gravity rearwardly off and past said top ramp; a dispenser box lower ramp angled at about +ten degrees (10) downwardly from back to front, such that when said box is upon said base, the slope of said lower ramp is between about fifteen degrees (15) and seventeen degrees (17) extending from said rear panel to said flange; said lower dispenser box ramp receiving product passing through said gap and said product passing through action of gravity downwardly and forwardly through said bottom front dispenser box slot to abut said flange.

3. The lower shelf product dispenser arrangement of claim 2 further comprising: said base is formed and arranged with a base front surface from which a base angled deck extends to intersect a base floor; said base is further formed and arranged from foldable material, said base having a floor fold between said base floor and said base front and a base deck fold between said base front and said base deck; said base is further formed and arranged to have a base end tab extending from a floor rear edge on said floor and a slot proximate a deck rear edge on said deck, said slot matingly receiving said base end tab; said base is further formed and arranged so that said base end tab engages said slot, said slot being displaced forwardly from said deck rear edge providing spacing from a said shelf rear and providing location of said dispenser box in the described orientation.

4. The lower shelf product dispenser arrangement of claim 3 further comprising: said base being foldable and interlockable, originally flat, with left and right side edges; said base extending about 14 inches (356 mm) from said deck end edge to said deck fold, and about 13 and one half inches (343 mm) from said floor edge to said floor fold with spacing between said deck fold and said floor fold being about one and one half inches (38 mm) whereby when assembled by folding and interlocking said tab and said slot an angle between said deck and said floor is more than six degrees (6) but less than seven degrees (7).

5. The lower shelf product dispenser arrangement of claim 2 further comprising: said base has a right interlocking tab and left interlocking tab extending from opposed right and left side edges of said deck; said right tab and said left tab have, respectively, right flange and left flange spaced outward from right side edge and left side edge by right tab web and left tab web in a generally L shaped configuration such that said right tab and said left tab face in opposite longitudinal directions; said right flange and said left flange spaced being spaced outward from right side edge and left side edge by right tab web and left tab web so as to define between their respective inner edges and the respective side edges of said deck, left and right slots; said base being a first base and said right flange and said left flange being formed and arranged to interlock with a second base having the same configuration such that said first base and said second base are maintained in a side by side configuration.

6. The lower shelf product dispenser arrangement of claim 5 further comprising: said base being foldable and interlockable, originally flat, with left and right side edges; said base extending about 14 inches (356 mm) from said deck end edge to said deck fold, and about 13 and one half inches (343 mm) from said floor edge to said floor fold with spacing between said deck fold and said floor fold being about one and one half inches (38 mm) whereby when assembled by folding and interlocking said tab and said slot an angle between said deck and said floor is more than six degrees (6) but less than seven degrees (7).

7. A shelf product dispenser arrangement comprising: means for retaining product containers having means for product transport from a storage condition to a removable condition; means for presentation of said product for observation and removal; said means for retaining and transporting comprising one or more internal ramps within a dispenser box; said means for presentation and removal including in combination a face adaptable to display of means for content identification, opening means for product removal and retention means for retaining said product in a selected location until removed; said means for presentation and removal utilizing inclined base means for placing said means for presentation at a selected angle for optimizing viewing and removal.

8. The shelf product dispenser arrangement of claim 7 further comprising: said means for retaining product containers having a plurality of wall members and a ramp with loading means and removal means.

9. The shelf product dispenser arrangement of claim 7 further comprising: said means for presentation of said product for observation and removal being an opening and a retainer member acting in combination to hold said product in a viewable position while permitting manual removal thereof.

10. The shelf product dispenser arrangement of claim 7 further comprising: said means for retaining and transporting comprising one or more internal ramps within a dispenser box directing said product downwardly and forwardly.

11. The shelf product dispenser arrangement of claim 7 further comprising: said means for presentation and removal being a face adaptable to display of means for content identification, opening means for product removal and retention means for retaining said product in a selected location until removed.

12. The shelf product dispenser arrangement of claim 7 further comprising: said means for presentation and removal utilizing inclined base means for placing said means for presentation at a selected angle for optimizing viewing and removal.

13. The shelf product dispenser arrangement of claim 12 further comprising: said inclined base means being formed and arranged with a selectable tab means for interlocking a deck and floor, and side tab means for interlocking a plurality of said base means.

14. The shelf product dispenser arrangement of claim 7 further comprising: said means for retaining product containers having a plurality of wall members and a ramp with loading means and removal means; said means for presentation of said product for observation and removal being an opening and a retainer member acting in combination to hold said product in a viewable position while permitting manual removal thereof; said means for retaining and transporting comprising one or more internal ramps within a dispenser box directing said product downwardly and forwardly; said means for presentation and removal being a face adaptable to display of means for content identification, opening means for product removal and retention means for retaining said product in a selected location until removed; said means for presentation and removal utilizing inclined base means for placing said means for presentation at a selected angle for optimizing viewing and removal.

15. The shelf product dispenser arrangement of claim 15 further comprising: said inclined base means being formed and arranged with a selectable tab means for interlocking a deck and floor and side tab means for interlocking a plurality of said base means.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view generally showing the arrangement of a dispenser on a shelving assembly.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the dispenser of the invention showing arrangement of the internal shelves and a bottom wedge assembly, it being understood that it is generally symmetric.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the dispenser of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the dispenser of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an unassembled angle component for the dispenser of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the dispenser of the invention showing alternative ramp angle embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the dispenser of the invention showing an alternative top loading hopper embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a foldable and interlockable ramp member.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an assembled foldable and interlockable ramp member.

[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a series of foldable and interlockable ramp members with three interlocked and one shown schematically to show interlocking.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] The following detailed embodiments presented herein are for illustrative purposes. That is, these detailed embodiments are intended to be exemplary of the present invention for the purposes of providing and aiding a person skilled in the pertinent art to readily understand how to make and use of the present invention. Accordingly, the detailed discussion herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the metes and bounds of the patent protection afforded the present invention, in which the scope of patent protection is intended to be defined by the claims and their equivalents thereof. Therefore, embodiments not specifically addressed herein, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, should be and are considered to be implicitly disclosed by the illustrative embodiments and claims described herein and therefore fall within the scope of the present invention. Further yet, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated in order to more clearly depict certain features of the invention.

[0028] Reference throughout this specification, if any, to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0029] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0030] A standard, prior art shelving unit 10 has a plurality of shelves 12 including a bottom shelf 14 and a first shelf 16 fixed to rear panel or stanchion supports 18.

[0031] Dispenser 20 can be placed directly on shelves, or more advantageously used with the additional features of the invention. Dispenser 20 receives containers of generally cylindrical form 22 and makes them available for viewing and removal as described herein. Dispenser 20 has loading opening 24, internal ramps 26, 28 leading to lower opening 30. Containers 22 are held in place in opening 30 by lower opening flange 32. Dispenser front face 34 is formed, as further described, to enclose dispenser but also provide a surface to contain desired information, graphics, images, bar codes or the like.

[0032] Dispenser top 36 bottom 38 and rear panel 40 with sides 42, 44 generally enclose dispenser, relieved by slots 24, 30. As can be seen, dispenser 20 is generally formed with a rectilinear plan having depth and width, but adapted as further described.

[0033] Side panel 60 is formed and arranged so that proximate what would be top front corner 62 is a cutout 64 to define slot 22. Side panel 60 bottom front corner 66 is formed having projection 68 the end of which is closed for product containment by flange 32.

[0034] In a first embodiment base 100 is formed and arranged with base front surface 102 from which base angled deck 104 depends to intersect base floor 106. Base projecting tab 108, when assembled, engages base slot 110. Slot 110 is displaced forwardly from deck rear edge 112. Deck rear edge 112 preferably extends rearwardly from floor rear edge 114 providing spacing from shelf rear 18 and space defining a web containing base slot 110. When formed of foldable or hinged material, base 100 can have folds 120, 122 between floor 106front 102 and front 102deck 104, respectively. Similarly tab 108 joins floor 106 at fold 124.

[0035] Optimum operation of the gravity feed feature of a dispenser 20 using ramps 26, 28 can be achieved through both clearance to provide operable paths for containers 22 and angling ramps 26, 28 as a function of the density of containers 22, itself dependent on, essentially, product density and contents.

[0036] Thus interior top ramp variations are shown in ramp 126 and interior bottom ramp variations shown in ramp 128. Thus, clearance for a container 22 is provided between ramp 126 and top 136 while having a sufficient slope for container feed. Ramp end 138 and dispenser rear panel 140 permits passage of container 22 from top ramp 126 to bottom ramp 128.

[0037] Ramp 128, if too shallow, will not have optimized gravity feed of containers 22 from rear 140 to slot 142. The parameters described can be adapted to a separate dispenser 20 and base 102 or side panels could be adapted to support and present a unitary dispenser including both a dispenser and ramp portions and a base portion.

[0038] Ramp 126 can be angled at about six degrees (6) to about nine degrees (9) downwardly from front to back relative to the horizontal in a dispenser and base combination. Ramp 128 can be angled at about ten degrees (10) to about twelve degrees (12) from back to front relative to the horizontal in a dispenser and base combination. Horizontal is intended to have the normal meaning of perpendicular to the direction of gravitational acceleration on Earth.

[0039] Due to variables in materials in both the formation of the dispenser and base and diameters of products, the angular dimensions are believed to be accurate to plus or minus one and one half degrees (1.5).

[0040] In an alternative embodiment, a dispenser 220 is formed and arranged with a curved ramp 228. Top 236 may be openable for reuse or the entire packed dispenser can be shipped enclosing containers 22. Slot 222 can be reconfigured for one or both of load dispersal or aesthetics using an elliptical edge. As with the other embodiments, separate or unitary dispenser and base portions could be utilized.

[0041] An improved ramp is formed and arranged to be interlocked with corresponding ramps in this manner, support of multiple dispensers or dispensers of greater width, can be accomplished in a method less likely to be subject to unwanted horizontal displacement.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment base 300 is formed and arranged with base front surface 302 from which base angled deck 304 depends to intersect base floor 306. Base projecting tab 308, when assembled, engages base slot 310. Slot 310 is displaced forwardly from deck rear edge 312. Deck rear edge 312 preferably extends rearwardly from floor rear edge 314 providing spacing from shelf rear 18 and space defining a web containing base slot 310.

[0043] Being formed of foldable or hinged material, base 300 can have folds 320, 322 between floor 306front 302 and front 302deck 304, respectively. In this embodiment tab 308 has top flange 330 and intermediate web 332 the relative width thereof providing a tendency to engage and hold in slot 310.

[0044] Working dimensions for the foldable and interlockable, originally flat, base 300 can be about 14 inches (356 mm) from edge 312 to fold 320, and about 13 and one half inches (343 mm) from edge 314 to fold 322 with spacing between fold 320 and 322 being about one and one half inches (38 mm). It will be understood that the structure being formed and arranged of an economical and easy to fabricate material such as 0.125 inch corrugated cardboard, or an equivalent such as a foam board material, has general tolerances that do not require the numerical values at a higher precision than that described. The dimensions described provide an angle between deck 304 and floor 306 of more than six degrees (6) but less than seven degrees (7).

[0045] Right interlocking tab 340 and left interlocking tab 350when looking from front surface 302 towards edge 312have flanges 342 and 352 spaced outward from side edges 344, 354 by tab webs 346, 356. Tabs 340 and 350 face in opposite directions. Flanges 342, 352 and webs 346, 356 are formed and arranged to define engagement slots 348, 358. Because of the opposite direction orientation, therefore, when arranged side by side, as shown in FIG. 10, corresponding ramps 300 can be interlocked at location A by engagement between corresponding tabs 340, 350.

[0046] FIG. 11 is a top plan view 50 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Because of the angle of dispenser 20 the base is substantially concealed in this view. However, top 36 and face 34 are visible as are the loading opening 24 and lower opening 30.

[0047] There have thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution of the art may be better appreciated.

[0048] Numerous aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0049] The construction and arrangements, as shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or other varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0050] While a number of exemplary embodiments have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0051] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.