Title: Forward feed merchandising device for soft drink bottles

I claim:

1. A merchandising device for bottles having integrally formed, externally projecting neck rings comprising track means providing a pair of substantially parallel supporting surfaces having opposed edges spaced from each other to form a slot of substantially uniform width adapted to receive the necks of said bottles underneath said neck rings, and means supporting said track means in a fixed position, in which said track means comprises at least one removable, elongated track element providing one of said opposed edges, said supporting means and said track means including means for removably supporting said removable elongated track element in a first position such that said slot has a first width and in a second position such that said slot has a second and different width, whereby bottles having different neck widths can be accommodated;

said supporting means comprising first and second supporting members spaced from each other in the direction of elongation of said track element;

said track element being in engagement with both of said first and second supporting members and a portion of said track element extending between said first and second support members;

said first supporting member comprising, means engageable by a first portion of said elongated track element, for:

(a) locking said first portion of said track element against rotation beyond a limit in a first direction about an axis parallel to its direction of elongation while permitting rotation in the direction opposite to said first direction; and

(b) locking said first portion of said track element against lateral and longitudinal translation when said element is rotated to its limit in said first direction;

said second supporting member comprising means removably engageable by a second portion of said elongated track element longitudinally spaced from said first portion, for preventing lateral translation thereof and for preventing rotation thereof relative to said means removably engageable by said elongated track element; and

having resilient means for resisting rotation of said first portion of said track element in said opposite direction.

2. A merchandising device according to claim 1 in which said resilient means for resisting rotation of said first portion of said track element is constituted by at least part of the portion of said track element which extends between said first and second supporting members.

3. A merchandising device according to claim 1 in which said resilient means for resisting rotation of said first portion of said track element is constituted by at least part of the portion of said track element which extends between said first and second supporting members, and in which said means removably engageable by a second portion of said elongated track element includes a slot in said second supporting member.

4. A merchandising device according to claim 1 in which said removable elongated track element comprises:

a substantially planar, elongated web having two opposite edges extending in the direction of its length; and

first and second flanges of different widths extending from the respective edges of said web in substantially perpendicular relationship to said web.

5. A merchandising device according to claim 4 in which said resilient means for resisting rotation of said first portion of said track element is constituted by at least part of the portion of said track element which extends between said first and second supporting members, and in which said means removably engageable by a second portion of said elongated track element includes a slot in said second supporting member, said slot receiving an end of said elongated web.

6. A merchandising device according to claim 1 in which said removable elongated track element comprises:

a substantially planar, elongated web having two opposite edges extending in the direction of its length; and

first and second flanges of different widths extending in opposite directions from the respective edges of said web in substantially perpendicular relationship to said web.

7. A merchandising device according to claim 6 in which said resilient means for resisting rotation of said first portion of said track element is constituted by at least part of the portion of said track element which extends between said first and second supporting members, in which said means removably engageable by a second portion of said elongated track element includes a slot in said second supporting member, said slot receiving an end of said elongated web.

8. A merchandising device according to claim 1 in which said removable elongated track element comprises: a substantially planar, elongated web having two opposite edges extending in the direction of its length; and first and second flanges of different widths extending in opposite directions from the respective edges of said web in substantially perpendicular relationship to said web; and first and second ramps, extending respectively from said first and second flanges, in perpendicular relationship to the plane of said web and in oblique relationship to said flanges, beyond one end of said web, said ramps crossing each other, and each ramp having means, projecting through the plane of said web and overlying and engaging the other ramp, for preventing said other ramp from bending toward a coplanar relationship with the flange from which it extends; and in which said resilient means for resisting rotation of said first portion of said track element is constituted by at least part of the portion of said track element which extends between said first and second supporting members.

9. A merchandising device according to claim 8 in which said resilient means for resisting rotation of said first portion of said track element is constituted by at least part of the portion of said track element which extends between said first and second supporting members, in which said means removably engageable by a second portion of said elongated track element includes a slot in said second supporting member, said slot receiving the end of said elongated web opposite said one end.


Other info:


Inventors: Suttles, James M. (Elberton, GA)

Application Number: 06/178933
Filing Date: 1980-08-18
Publication_date: 1983-01-11
Assignee: MEAD CORP

Primary Class(es): 211/59.200 211/162, 211/74
Other Classes: A47F7/28; A47F7/28
US Patent Ref:

2218444	October, 1940	Vineyard	211/49D	Merchandise dispenser
2620691	December, 1952	Gould	81/31	Bottle opening device
3243220	March, 1966	Karas	294/87.28	Bottle carriers
3553927	March, 1968	Anglade, Jr.	53/26
4037766	July, 1977	Iacono	224/45	Multiple bottle carrier
4128177	December, 1978	Bustos	211/49D	Display rack with improved shelf assembly
4238022	December, 1980	Williams	193/32	Automatic forward-feed shelf
4239099	December, 1980	Williams	211/49D	Automatic forward-feed shelf
4303162	December, 1981	Suttles	211/49D	Forward feed merchandising device for soft drink bottles
4310097	January, 1982	Merl	211/74	Gravity feed combined display and storage unit
4318485	March, 1982	Clement	211/74	Gravity feed merchandise dispensing device

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Frazier, Roy D.
Assistant Examiner: Gibson Jr., Robert W.
Attorney: Howson, And Howson