BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic top view of a preferred embodiment of a cooler shelf device with a guide member for keeping bottles rolling in a straight path.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 3-6 are sectional views similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating other preferred embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a shelf device, in the form of a gravity feed tray 10, for a cooler 12 displays and dispenses beverage bottles 14 one at a time. Tray 10 has a base member 16 with a top surface 18, and edge portions. An upstanding left side panel 20 is attached to base member 16 along the left side edge portion. An upstanding right side panel 22 is attached to base member 16 along the right edge portion parallel to left side panel 20. Front panel 24 is attached to the base member along a front edge portion of the base member. Preferably, a rear panel 26 is attached to the base member along a rear edge portion of the base member. Top surface 18 defines a groove 28 that extends longitudinally between front and rear panels 24, 26.
A guide member 30 is disposed in the groove 28 and extends above the top surface 18 of the base member 16 parallel to the left and right side panels 20, 22. Guide member 30 is preferably constructed of an elastomeric material compression fitted into the groove, but may be metal or other material. As an alternative to a compression fit, guide member 30 may be fastened with an adhesive or the like.
In operation, the shoulder of the bottle 14 contacts guide member 30 which raises the shoulder and shifts the center of gravity toward the base of the bottle. As the bottle rolls, the liquid contents splash about causing a shift in the center of gravity. Previously, such a shift would cause the bottle to skew and sometimes become lodged between the side panels. The guide member 30 shifts the center of gravity toward the bottom of the bottle urging the bottle bottom to stay in contact with a side panel (right side panel 22, as illustrated).
Referring to FIG. 3, a guide member 330 is disposed in groove 328 and extends above top surface 318 of base member 316 parallel to the left and right side panels 320, 322. As illustrated, the top surface of guide member 330 is slanted downward to the right to urge a shift in the center of gravity of the beverage bottle toward the right where the bottle bottom contacts right side panel 322. Guide member 330 is preferably constructed of an elastomeric material compression fitted into groove 330 but may be secured with an adhesive or the like.
Referring to FIG. 4, a guide member 430 is integrally formed with base member 416 extends above top surface 418 of base member 416 parallel to the left and right side panels 420, 422. As illustrated, the top surface of guide member 430 is flat or horizontal but slanted can be slanted to urge an appropriate shift in the center of gravity of the bottle.
Referring to FIG. 5, a guide member 530 is separately formed and fastened to base member 516. Where guide member 530 is an elastomeric material fastening can be accomplished with an adhesive or the like, and where it is the same material as base member 516, sonic welding may be used. Guide member 530 extends above top surface 518 of base member 516 parallel to the left and right side panels 520, 522. As illustrated, the top surface of guide member 530 is a flat or horizontal surface.
Referring to FIG. 6, a guide member 630 is separately formed and fastened to base member 616. Where guide member 630 is an elastomeric material fastening can be accomplished with an adhesive or the like, and where it is the same material as base member 616, sonic welding may be used. Guide member 630 extends above top surface 618 of base member 616 parallel to the left and right side panels 620, 622. As illustrated, the top surface of guide member 630 is slanted to urge an appropriate shift in the center of gravity of the bottle.
It can now be appreciated that a guide member disposed on the top surface of the base member parallel to the left and right side panels contacts the radius shoulder of a bottle and elevates the bottle to shift the center of gravity of the bottle toward the base of the bottle. It can also be appreciated that a guide member disposed in a groove and extending above the top surface of the base member parallel to the left and right side panels protrudes out of the groove to contact the radius shoulder of a bottle. With the center of gravity shifted, the base of the bottle maintains contact with the side panel of the shelf device so that the bottle rolls in a straight path. Slanting the top surface of the guide member further urges a shift in the center of gravity.
While the invention has been described with particular reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements of the preferred embodiments without departing from invention. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.
ELEMENT LIST
10 gravity feed tray
12 cooler
14 beverage bottle
16 base member
18 top surface
20 left side panel
22 right side panel
24 front panel
26 rear panel
28 groove
30 guide member
316 base member
318 top surface
320 left side panel
322 right side panel
328 groove
330 guide member
416 base member
418 top surface
420 left side panel
422 right side panel
430 guide member
516 base member
518 top surface
520 left side panel
522 right side panel
530 guide member
616 base member
618 top surface
620 left side panel
622 right side panel
630 guide member
Patent Application
20070295678
