Patent Application
20180140112
The invention relates to the field of industrial food stuff storage, specifically to a modular apparatus and system which may formed to accommodate and dispense large cans on a modular shelf.
Large food item containers such as #5 or #10 sized aluminum cans have long been used to store food stuffs in warehouses, food retailers, and the like. Due to their relative large size and volume however, having a number of these food item containers in the same location will quickly use up any available shelf space when the food item containers are stored in the traditional fashion, namely with the containers stored upright or even stacked on top of one another.
Several attempts have been made previously which aim to solve the problem of maximizing storage space when storing or accommodating large cylindrical cans. Most prior art attempts comprise a gravity-fed rack or organizer which accommodate a plurality of cans, notably smaller aluminum cans used for beverages or smaller quantities of canned food stuffs. The cans are loaded lengthwise or sideways on to a top rack which is inclined downwards toward a bottom rack which is in turn inclined downwards in the opposing direction towards the front of the organizer. When a user removes a can from the front of the organizer, the remaining cans disposed in the organizer all roll forward at their respective positions, with cans disposed in the top rack falling down into the bottom rack as space dictates. Because the top and bottom racks are disposed at an incline relative to the surface on which the organizer rests, this ensures that the next can rolls towards the front portion of the organizer, even when the next can is the only remaining can left.
Other can dispensers are simple vertical racks which hold a plurality of cans that are orientated sideways or lengthwise within the dispenser. The dispenser comprises an opening at the bottom which is sized to fit only one can there at time so that when a user removes the can disposed within the opening, the next can disposed directly above drops down into the removed can's space.
Despite the specific orientations or configurations of previous can dispensers found in the art, each dispenser functions as a standalone unit. Specifically, each dispenser is a discrete structural unit that does not share any components with that of any other dispenser unit. Additionally, because most can dispensers are to be used in a majority of locations, many can dispensers comprise a universal shape or design without any accommodation for what type of shelf or storage unit the can dispenser is disposed upon. The result therefore is that when multiple can dispensers are to be stored in a single location, for example on a shelving unit or bookcase, the user must orient or slide the can dispensers next to each other or as close as possible so as to place all the dispensers within the shelving unit. This can lead to an inefficient use of storage space as well as fail to take advantage of the structural strength of the shelving unit itself, thus leading to a possible structural failure of the shelving unit or can dispensers.
What is needed is a can dispenser and a system of can dispensers which can be linked together so as to encompass all the area available within a given storage space such as a shelving unit and the like. What is also needed is a can dispenser and a system of can dispensers which are capable of being coupled directly to the structural frame of a storage unit so that a maximum amount of support for the can dispensers and the cans contained therein can be obtained.
The current invention provides an apparatus for accommodating and dispensing a plurality of cans. The apparatus may be known as a can dispenser and includes a first support frame, a second support frame that is disposed substantially angular or parallel to the first support frame, and multiple connectors which are removably connected via a connecting means to the first support frame and the second support frame. Each of the connectors are substantially angular and/or perpendicularly oriented between the first and second support frames. The first support frame and the second support frame each include an upper ramp, rail, or guide and a lower ramp, rail, or guide.
In one embodiment, the first support frame and second support frame each have multiple shelf supports which are configured to rest on a pair of parallel or substantially horizontal traverses of a shelf unit.
In another embodiment, the connectors of the apparatus are removably connected via a connection means to both the first support frame and the second support frame by means of a corresponding number of connection points that are disposed on the first support frame and the second support frame. In one preferred embodiment, the connection means comprise a frictional engagement. Each of the plurality of connection points on the first and second support frames include a protrusion. The protrusion of each of the plurality of connection points also has an upper recess and a lower recess defined in its surface.
In another embodiment, each of the connectors used to couple the first and second support frames together includes a body or link with a coupling portion disposed at either end. Each coupling portion has a reduced cross sectional thickness relative to the remaining body portion of the connector. The coupling portion of each connector further includes a protrusion slot defined therein which in turn accommodates a bifurcated fork element.
In yet another embodiment, the lower ramp, guide, or rail of the first support frame and the second support frame have at least one portion that is oriented at an incline relative to the rest of the lower ramp.
In yet another embodiment, the first support frame and the second support frame of the can dispenser each comprise a stop coupled to each respective lower ramp of the first support frame and second support frame.
In still a further embodiment, both the upper ramp and the lower ramp of each of the first and second support frames have a dual sided flange which extends substantially outward from each lateral side of the first and second support frames.
In yet another embodiment, the first and second support frames each contain multiple shelf supports that are each configured to be placed on or about a pair of substantially parallel and vertically disposed traverses of a shelf unit.
The current invention further includes a system for accommodating and dispensing a plurality of cans in a side by side serialized relationship. The system includes multiple support frames or panels and multiple connectors or links, each of the connectors being removably coupled via a connection means to at least two support frames. Each of the connectors that are preferably removably coupled via a connection means to at least two of the support frames are perpendicularly or angularly oriented relative to the support frame it is coupled to. In one preferred embodiment, the connection means comprises a frictional engagement. Additionally, each of the support frames within the system have at least two shelf supports which are configured to be placed on or about a pair of substantially parallel and horizontally disposed traverses of a shelf unit.
In one embodiment, each of the connectors that are removably coupled through a frictional engagement to at least two of the support frames are coupled to one of a number of connection points present on each of the support frames. Each of the connection points have a protrusion with an upper recess and a lower recess defined in its surface.
In another embodiment, the support frames of the system each include an upper and a lower ramp, rail, or guide. The lower ramp has at least one portion that is oriented at an incline relative to a remaining portion of the lower ramp. The upper ramp and the lower ramp of each of the support frames each have a dual sided flange which extends substantially outward from each lateral side of each of the support frames.
Finally, the current invention also includes a method for forming a can dispenser of variable size within a shelf unit. The method includes coupling one end of each of a first group of connectors to a first support frame at a position that is at an angle relative to the first support frame through a connection means and then coupling the opposing end of each of the first group of connectors to a second support frame at a position that is at an angle relative to the second support frame. The first support frame and the second support frame are then placed on or about a pair of substantially horizontal traverses of the shelf unit. Preferably, the connection means used to couple the first and second support frames together comprises a frictional engagement.
In one embodiment, wherein coupling an end of each of a plurality of connectors to a first support frame and coupling an opposing end of each of the plurality of connectors to a second support frame includes frictionally engaging both the end and the opposing end of each of the plurality connectors at a position that is substantially perpendicular to the first support frame and the second support frame, respectively.
In another embodiment, frictionally engaging one end of the first group of connectors to the first support frame and the other end of the first group of connectors to the second support frame comprises frictionally engaging each of the first group of connectors to at least one connection point present on the first support frame and the second support frame, respectively. Each of the first group of connectors is coupled to a respective connection point by inserting a protrusion that is present on the connection point into a coupling portion placed at both ends of each of the connectors. Specifically, each protrusion is inserted into each coupling portion by inserting at least one of two recesses defined in the protrusion into a protrusion slot defined in each coupling portion, and more specifically into a bifurcated fork element located within the coupling portion.
In one specific embodiment, the remaining open recess not coupled to one of the connectors of the first group is inserted into the coupling portion of one of a second group of connectors.
In another embodiment, the method further includes frictionally engaging one end of each of a second group of connectors to either the first support frame or the second support frame and then removably coupling the other end of each of the second group of connectors to a third or subsequent support frame. The subsequent support frame is then placed on or about the substantially horizontal traverses of the shelf unit next to the first and second support frames.
In one embodiment, frictionally engaging one end of the second group of connectors to either the first support frame or second support frame and the other end of the second group of connectors to the subsequent support frame preferably includes frictionally engaging each of the second group of connectors to at least one connection point present on either the first support frame or second support frame and to the subsequent support frame, respectively. Each of the second group of connectors are connected to each connection point located on either the first support frame or second support frame and to the subsequent support frame by inserting a protrusion disposed on each of the connection points into a coupling portion located on either end of each of the second group of connectors. Specifically, inserting the protrusion into the coupling portion located on either end of each of the second group of connectors includes inserting at least one of two recesses defined in the protrusion into a protrusion slot within in each coupling portion, and more specifically into a bifurcated fork element within the protrusion slot.
While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The disclosure can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.
The disclosure and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below.
The current invention is a can dispenser which is shown in
Greater detail of the support frames 12 may be seen in
Greater detail of the connector or link 14 may be seen by turning to
In order to form a can dispenser 10 of the current invention, a plurality of connectors or links 14 are coupled to at least two separate support frames 12, 12′ which are disposed in parallel with respect to each other in a substantially vertical orientation. Each of the connectors or links 14 comprise at least two ends which are each removably coupled to at least one of two support frames 12, 12.′ Specifically, each connector or link 14 is coupled to a corresponding support frame 12, 12′ through a connecting means which may include a camlock with a male cam disposed on the connector or link 14 and a female cam disposed on the support frame 12, 12.′ Alternatively, the connector or link 14 may comprise male threaded screw while the support frame 12, 12′ comprises a female threaded aperture. In yet another embodiment, each connector or link 14 is coupled to a support frame 12, 12′ through a spring catch, specifically with a spring and latch mounted to the connector or link 14 and a corresponding female aperture defined in the support frame 12, 12.′ Other coupling means including but not limited to latches, pawls, bolts, clamps, locks, catches, or pins or other equivalent means now known or later devised may also be used without departing from the original spirit and scope of the invention.
In a preferred embodiment, a connector or link 14 is coupled to a first support frame 12 by sliding the protrusion slot 46 disposed on either end of the connector or link 14 about one of the protrusions 36 of any of one of the connection points 34. More specifically, the fork element 48 of the protrusion slot 46 is pressed against the upper recess 38 of the protrusion 36 until the tines 50 make contact with the material disposed in the middle portion of the upper recess 38. The protrusion slot 46 and fork element 48 are continually pushed against the upper recess 38 until the portion of the protrusion 36 contained therein slides deeper into the fork element 48 past the barb elements and into a cavity 52 defined in the middle of the fork element 48. Because the entirety of the portion of the protrusion 36 within the upper recess 38 fits within the cavity 52, the barb elements of the tines 50 effectively keep the protrusion slot 46 coupled to the protrusion 36 and thus prevents any relative movement between the support frame 12 and the connector or link 14. This process is repeated for each connection point 34 disposed on the first support frame 12 so that each connection point 34 will ultimately have at least one corresponding connector or link 14 coupled to it with each connector or link 14 orientated in a perpendicular direction relative to the support frame 12 as best seen in
After the plurality of connectors 14 have been coupled to both the first support frame 12 and the second support frame 12,′ a housing is formed which forms the basic structure of the can dispenser 10 as seen in
After the can dispenser 10 has been constructed, a plurality of cans 54 can be accommodated within the can dispenser 10 and dispensed therefrom as seen in
In an alternative embodiment, the can dispenser 10 may be supported by at least three traverses 64 as seen in
In a further embodiment seen in
The process of coupling additional pluralities of connectors or links 14, 14′ to additional support frames 12, 12′, 12″ and expanding the can dispenser 10, 10′ may be repeated indefinitely for as long as the user desires or for as much shelf space as may be available with each subsequent plurality of connectors being coupled to each subsequently added support frame at an alternating position within the protrusion 36 of each connection point 34. As detailed above, the first plurality of connectors or links 14 which are used to couple the first and second support frames 12, 12′ together to form the can dispenser 10 seen in
Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following embodiments and its various embodiments.
Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiments includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements are combined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as also allowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are not combined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in other combinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the embodiments is explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the embodiments.
The words used in this specification to describe the various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.
The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments.
