The present invention relates generally to a bottle dispensation and marketing display assembly. More so, the present invention relates to a dispensation and display assembly that stores and dispenses individual bottles of a fluid in a housing defined by sidewalls forming apertures used for fastening the housing to a mounting surface, or detachable attachment of the housing to an adjacent housing for modular display arrangements, thereby allowing multiple housings to stack on top of each other for marketing and space-saving purposes; whereby the housing forms an inlet opening for loading bottles, an outlet opening for dispensing bottles, and a passageway connecting the inlet opening to the outlet opening, creating a gravity feed dispensing means, such that gravity urges the bottles to towards the passageway (bottles fall into place) while substantially maintaining alignment of the bottles at the outlet opening; and whereby an at least partially transparent case snaps onto one side of the housing to display an individual bottle, and an at least partially transparent raised panel snaps onto a second side of the housing to display a card.
The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
Typically, consumable liquid bottles are used for containing eclectic beverages, foodstuffs, petroleum products, cosmetics, and the like. These bottled fluid-like products are optimally retailed when displayed in an attractive manner, and dispensed easily from their container. Often, beverage containers, such as bottles, are displayed and sold individually at grocery stores, gas stations, drug stores, convenience stores and liquor stores. Typically, the beverage containers are manually loaded onto a display rack, shelving unit, or refrigeration display unit.
In the shelving arrangement of a typical store there often is an unutilized area because the uppermost shelf generally is not stocked with bottles. This is because the higher level is usually inconvenient for stocking by a stockperson, as well as being inconvenient for a customer to remove bottles. This is especially true for any bottles which may be stocked in rows rearward of the aisle edge of such top shelf.
Other proposals have involved display and dispensing units for bottles in a retail environment. The problem with these display and dispensing units is that they do not magnify allow for convenient dispensing of the bottles in a gravity fed manner. Also, these units do not display the bottles in an effective marketing manner. Even though the above display and dispensing units meet some of the needs of the market, a modular bottle dispensation showcase assembly that displays bottles and provides easy access to the bottles while detachably mounting to a mounting surface, and stacking/linking in an ornamental arrangement with adjacent showcase assemblies, is still desired.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a modular bottle dispensation showcase assembly. The modular bottle dispensation showcase assembly serves to control the display and access to multiple bottles that contain a fluid, and that are housed for individual display and sale in a retail environment. The showcase assembly is unique in that the bottles are dispensed through gravity-fed means, such that when removing a first bottle from an outlet opening, a subsequent bottle quickly falls to the outlet opening in a controlled, aligned manner. The showcase assembly is configured to display the bottles and a bottle information card in an ornamental manner, so as to optimize shelf space and marketing. The assembly also mounts to a variety of mounting surfaces, and has the modular capacity to link with adjacent showcase assemblies for creating efficient shelf space and marketing.
In one aspect, the modular bottle dispensation showcase assembly, comprises at least one housing defined by a bottom base wall and multiple sidewalls forming a cavity, the sidewalls further forming a pair of spaced-apart, parallel mount holes, the sidewalls further forming multiple case holes, the sidewalls forming multiple panel holes, the sidewalls defined by an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the sidewalls forming multiple modular clip reception slots, the upper end of the sidewalls further forming an inlet opening, the lower end of the sidewalls forming an outlet opening, the housing being operable to enable containment of multiple bottles, whereby gravity urges the bottles from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
In some embodiments, the assembly provides multiple mounting clips disposed at the upper end of the sidewalls, the mounting clips sized and dimensioned to detachably mate with a corresponding modular clip reception slot, whereby the adjacent housings are attachable in a modular arrangement.
In some embodiments, the assembly provides a lid detachably fitted to the edge of the upper end of the sidewalls.
In some embodiments, the assembly provides at least one case being detachably attachable to the sidewalls, the at least one case containing at least one of the bottles for display.
In some embodiments, the assembly provides multiple case tabs extending from the case, whereby the case tabs mate with corresponding case holes in the sidewall in a snap-fit relationship, such that the case detachably attaches to the housing.
In some embodiments, the assembly provides at least one panel, the panel being at least partially transparent, the panel being detachably attachable to the sidewalls, the raised panel being operable to enable retention of a card. Multiple panel tabs extend from the panel for mating with the mount holes.
In another aspect, the assembly further comprises at least one mount hole extending from a rear sidewall. A bolt (fastener) would already be attached to the peg board, and the housing then attaches to the bolt using the mount hole opening.
In another aspect, the housing has a rectangular shape.
In another aspect, the outlet opening has a U-shape.
In another aspect, the lid forms a snap-fit relationship with the sidewalls.
In another aspect, the case tabs mate with corresponding case hole in the sidewall in a snap-fit relationship.
In another aspect, the panel tabs mate with corresponding panel hole in the sidewall in a snap-fit relationship.
In another aspect, the bottles are defined by a 50 milliliter volume.
In another aspect, the assembly further comprises multiple case tabs extend from the case.
In another aspect, the sidewalls form multiple case holes.
In another aspect, the case tabs mate with corresponding case holes in the sidewall in a snap-fit relationship, such that the case detachably attaches to the housing.
In another aspect, the assembly further comprises multiple panel tabs extend from the case.
In another aspect, the sidewalls form multiple panel holes.
In another aspect, the panel tabs mate with corresponding panel holes in the sidewall in a snap-fit relationship, such that the panel detachably attaches to the housing.
In another aspect, the outlet opening is defined by a U-shaped edge.
In another aspect, the inlet opening and the outlet opening are disposed on opposing sidewalls.
In another aspect, the gravity urges the bottles from the inlet opening to the outlet opening when bottles are removed from the outlet opening.
One objective of the present invention is to dispense multiple bottles in an efficient, energy-free means, and also to ornamentally display the bottles, and cards describing the bottles in a unique assembly that can be mounted in a retail space with minimal shelf-space.
Another objective is to connect multiple housings in a modular arrangement with other assemblies carrying similar or dissimilar bottles.
Another objective is to efficiently stock and display 50 ml bottles in an attractive configuration.
Another objective is to stack and arrange the housings in an ornamental manner.
Yet another objective is to utilize gravity to urge the bottles to the dispensing outlet opening.
Yet another objective is to stack and link the housing with adjacent housings for enhanced stability, space-saving, and decorative effect.
Yet another objective is to mount the housing to a peg wall.
Yet another objective is to arrange the housing, so as to create more space in a retail environment.
Yet another objective is to display an individual bottle in the transparent case outside the housing for a consumer to view the label, contents, and shape of the bottle.
Yet another objective is to display a card with a transparent raised panel outside the housing, so as to display information pertinent to the bottle.
Yet another objective is to provide an inexpensive to manufacture bottle dispensing and display for bottles containing beverages, foodstuffs, cosmetics, or petroleum products.
Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
A bottle dispensation and marketing display assembly is referenced in
As referenced in
The at least one housing 102 is defined by sidewalls 106a-d and a bottom base wall 104 forming a containment for the bottles in a cavity 110 that forms therein. The sidewalls 106a-d are defined by an upper end 124a and a lower end 124b that is disposed at a lower elevation than the upper end 124a when the housing 102 is operational, or mounted for display and dispensing the bottles 116a-e. The housing 102 also includes a bottom base wall 104 abutting the lower end 124b of the sidewalls 106a-d. A lid 108 fits over the upper end 124a of the sidewalls 106a-d. In some embodiments, the housing 102 may include a rectangular shape, and the sidewalls 106a-d are rigid, such as from a rigid polymer, metal material, rubber, or wood.
Turning now to
Furthermore, multiple modular clip reception slots 120a, 120b form on a second side of the sidewalls 106b, opposite the side of the first sidewall having the mounting clips 114a-b. The modular clip reception slots 120a-b are sized and dimensioned to receive a corresponding mounting clips 114a-b of an adjacent housing. In this manner, multiple housings can be detachably joined together in a colinear relationship. This can be effective for magnifying the display effect, as different types of bottles can be arranged in a colinear, adjacent disposition.
In this manner, multiple housings to stack on top of each other for marketing and space-saving purposes. In one non-limiting embodiment, pegs or other protruding members may join the modular apertures. Though in other embodiments, the modular apertures have raised flanges that slid 108e into each other to form a locking relationship between housings.
For example, a pyramid arrangement of housings, with each housing containing a different type of bottle could be arranged. The housings could be loosely stacked, or detachably attached through modular apertures, as described below. By stacking the housings in various modular arrangements, space is saved and the bottles 116a-e can be presented in a more attractive way. Also by stacking multiple housings in such a manner, different brands and types of bottles 116a-e can be presented for optimal sales and display effect.
Turning now to
The bottles 116a-e are stacked on each other, buttressing each other to create a snug structural reinforcement inside the housing 102. The base wall 104 and sidewalls 106a-d are sufficiently rigid to maintain this stacked arrangement. Through the inlet opening 200, the bottles 116a-e can be placed in the cavity 110 in an organized arrangement that allows the bottles 116a-e to fall from the elevated inlet opening 200 to a lower outlet opening 118 in a steady, gravity-fed manner. The outlet opening 118 may have a wide, U-shaped edge 118 that is sufficiently wide enough to enable more than one bottle to be dispensed therefrom. For example, the necks of the bottles 116a-e can be oriented in the same direction, towards the end of the housing 102 forming the outlet opening 118.
Looking at
Looking now at
As shown in
Looking at
While attached to the housing, and containing bottles, the case 112a-b is sized and dimensioned to prominently display the bottle 116d that is contained in the housing 102. The case 112a-b allows the bottle 116d to display in a clear, prominent manner from the housing 102. In this manner, a consumer will not have to remove a bottle from the housing 102 to view the labeling, contents, and shape of the bottle.
In another marketing component, the showcase assembly 100 provides at least one panel 202 to display a card or placard, often used in retail environments. The panel 202 that is sized to enable a card or placard to slide between the sidewall and the panel 202. The displayed card may include information about the bottle or contents therein. For example, a description of a beverage, a nutrient count, and a price may display on the card. The panel 202 is configured to detachably attaches to the housing for retaining a card.
In one embodiment, multiple panel tabs 400a, 400b, 400c, 400d extend from the case 112. The sidewalls 106a-d form multiple panel holes 406a, 406b, 406c, 406d that are aligned with the panel tabs 400a-d. The panel tabs 400a-d mate with corresponding panel holes 406a-d in the sidewall in a snap-fit relationship, such that the panel 202 detachably attaches to the housing 102. Thus, the operational aspects of the showcase assembly 100 remain the same, even while the bottle display means are changeable. The panel 202 is sized to enable a card or placard to slide between the sidewall and the panel 202. The displayed card may include information about the bottle or contents therein. For example, a description of a beverage, a nutrient count, and a price may display on the card.
In an alternative embodiment,
In conclusion, a bottle dispensation and marketing display assembly 100 for controlling access to multiple bottles 116a-e containing a fluid-like product that are housed for individual display and sale at grocery stores, gas stations, drug stores, and convenience stores. The assembly 100 is unique in that it provides great stability in mounting to a mounting surface, and flexibility in a display arrangement with adjacent assemblies through modular connectivity.
The assembly 100 is also unique in that an attached transparent case retains one bottle for display, and an at least partially transparent panel 202 retains an information card, business card, or other marketing card to provide bottle-pertinent information. The card creates optimal viewing and information gathering of the bottles contained within. Further, the assembly 100 utilizes gravity feed dispensing means to dispense the bottles, such that when removing a first bottle from an outlet opening, gravity causes a subsequent bottle quickly falls to the outlet opening in a controlled, aligned manner.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/719,035, filed Aug. 16, 2018 and entitled MODULAR BOTTLE DISPENSATION SHOWCASE APPARATUS, which provisional application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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62719035 | Aug 2018 | US |