Patent Application
20190320822
This disclosure is generally directed to display shelves. More specifically, this disclosure is directed to a dual-directional display shelf.
A problem that arises with point of purchase cooler display shelves relates to the fact that cooler doors open in different directions. Certain types of display shelves are specifically oriented to the direction the door opens. These displays shelves often have two models referred to as left or right arrangements for a single design. When such left and right arrangements exist for such shelves, a customer may unfortunately purchase the wrong shelf for a particular door. Additionally, two models must be created for each design.
A shelf has been disclosed, which provides a level with a support bridge, a first vertical support, and a second vertical support. The support bridge, the first vertical support, and the second vertical support form three points in the level that support an object in alternative right or left arrangements at an angle where the objects extends upward and outward from the support bridge. In particular configurations, each of the first vertical support and the second vertical support comprise a shelving portion and each of the first vertical support and the second vertical support comprise an end support.
Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. The phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and only one item in the list may be needed. For example, “at least one of: A, B, and C” includes any of the following combinations: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; and A and B and C. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.
Additionally, it should be understood that while certain advantages may be described with reference to certain embodiments, other embodiments may have some or none of such advantages.
For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The FIGURES described below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure invention may be implemented in any type of suitably arranged device or system. Additionally, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
A problem that arises with point of purchase cooler display shelves relates to the fact that cooler doors open in different directions. Certain types of display shelves are specifically oriented to the direction the door opens. These displays shelves often have two models referred to as left or right arrangements for a single design. When such left and right arrangements exist for such shelves, a customer may unfortunately purchase the wrong shelf for a particular door. Additionally, two models must be created for each design.
To alleviate such concerns, certain embodiments of the disclosure provide a display shelf that is dual-directional. That is, a single shelf can be used on both left and right doors—while still retaining certain qualities traditionally reserved for left or right arrangement models. In particular configurations, such a dual-directional design is accomplished by having dual purpose features that re-use particular components for a left arrangement and right arrangement.
While providing such a dual-directional design, certain embodiments of the disclosure further minimize materials used to provide such a dual-directional shelf—resulting in manufacturing and shipping efficiencies. In yet other configurations, while minimizing materials, certain configurations provide support mechanisms in certain places to balance structural integrity with minimal materials.
Although a particular configuration for mounting the shelf 10 to a plane (e.g. a glass door) have been shown in
The first end 15 and the second end 95 of the shelf 10 interface with the plane of another item (e.g., a glass cooler door) to which the shelf is coupled (e.g., using suction cups or the like). When a suction cup (e.g., POWER CUP® suctions cup sold by Displays by Martin Paul, Inc. of Denton, Tex.) is utilized, the suction cup contacts the plane as the coupling mechanism. The respective first faces 15A, 95A of the first and second ends 15, 95 are the next closest structural component of the shelf 10 to the plane. In certain embodiments, the first faces 15A, 95A may contact the plane. In other embodiments, the first faces 15A, 95A may not contact the plane. In supporting the remainder of the shelf 10, the first end 15 generally creates a tensile force upward on the shelf 10 (as the shelf 10 hangs downward therefrom) whereas the second end 95 creates a compressive forward upward (pushing up on the holding the shelf 10).
The shelf 10 itself generally holds the object contained therein right up against the plane. In particular configurations, there is generally no component of the shelf 10 between an object being held and the plane. When the plane is glass, such a configuration desirably maximizes the view of the object being displayed in the shelf 10.
Between the respective first and second ends 15, 05, much of the structural support is provided by three spines that are seen more clearly in
In addition to the spine 60, 61, and 62, the shelf 10 may generally be viewed as containing material that forms a webbing that interconnects a plurality of different levels 45A, 45B, 45C, 45D, and 45E. A portion of such webbing is a retaining portion 30 in each level, for example as labeled in level 45A. Such a retaining portion 30 prevents a particular object being stored in the shelf from falling, for example, into a cooler. Further webbing discussion is provided below with reference to
Each of the levels 45A, 45B, 45C, 45D, and 45E also include two vertical supports 40 and a support bridge 50 that is interconnected to the spine 60. The respective vertical supports 40 are angled downward towards the support bridge 50. Each vertical support 40 includes an end support 42 and shelving support 44. The shelving support 44 in particular configurations may be configured to correspond to the shape of the object being supported thereon. In
In supporting the alternative arrangements of objects on a particular level, both vertical supports 40 and the support bridge 50 are utilized as described below.
Although six levels 45A, 45B, 45C, 45D, and 45E are shown in the configuration of
While the configuration of
With reference to level 45A, extending between the spine 60 and respective first and second edge spines 61 and 62. on each level is the retaining portion 30. Extending from the retaining portion 30 are web interconnects 47, 49 of a vertical support 40. In the configuration shown, the web interconnects 47, 49 are curvilinear and form the bell curve shape of the vertical support on the oppose side. In other configurations, the web interconnects 47, 49 may have different shapes.
These webbing features provide open spaces 41 that minimize materials (while retaining structural integrity). Such open spaces 41 also allow the objects being stored to be viewed without additional potential obstruction by the shelf 10.
One may also see how the support bridge 50 extends from the spine 60.
When positioned from the right side of the shelf 10 as seen in
When positioned from the left side of the shelf 10 as seen in
For both
Thus, as can be seen in the configuration of
The object 70 may be a variety of materials, including cans, plastic bottles, and the like. The shelf may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to plastic.
It will be understood that well known features have not been described in detail and have been omitted for brevity. Although specific structures and materials may have been described, the present disclosure is not limited to these specifics, and others may substituted as is well understood by those skilled in the art, and various steps may not necessarily be performed in the sequences shown.
While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.
