CA1189485A - Gravity-feed shelf and components therefor - Google Patents

Gravity-feed shelf and components therefor

Info

Publication number
CA1189485A
CA1189485A CA000391124A CA391124A CA1189485A CA 1189485 A CA1189485 A CA 1189485A CA 000391124 A CA000391124 A CA 000391124A CA 391124 A CA391124 A CA 391124A CA 1189485 A CA1189485 A CA 1189485A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
panel
web panel
track
web
side edge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000391124A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
William S. Spamer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mead Corp
Original Assignee
Mead Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mead Corp filed Critical Mead Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1189485A publication Critical patent/CA1189485A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65GTRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G11/00Chutes
    • B65G11/02Chutes of straight form
    • B65G11/023Chutes of straight form for articles
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47FSPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F1/00Racks for dispensing merchandise; Containers for dispensing merchandise
    • A47F1/04Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs
    • A47F1/12Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack

Landscapes

  • Chutes (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)

Abstract

GRAVITY-FEED SHELF AND COMPONENTS THEREFOR

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

This invention relates to a gravity-feed shelf and to low friction tracks for use in such shelves. The tracks comprise a web panel and an integral flange panel together providing an "L"-shaped structure and are characterized by a frangible zone by which a portion of the web panel can be broken away from an adjacent portion to reduce the width of the web panel, whereby the tracks readily can be adapted for use in conjunction with various sizes of packages and/or single bottles.

Description

GRAVITY-FEED SH~I.F AND CO~PONENTS THEREFOR

This invention relates ~o gravity--feed shelves and more psecifically to track6 used in æuch shelves. These tracks are arranged to form one or more forwardly and downwardly inclined chutes adapted to support rows of articles such as bottles or packages and fac~litate the forward feeding move-ment of such articles wlth a minimum degree of friction.
Tracks of the type in question are disclosed in Canadian Patent No. 1,158,822 granted December ~0, 198~, and Canadian Patent No. 1,150,179 granted July 19, 1983, both owned by the assignee of the present invention. ~ile such tracks have experienced considerable success, there is a need for tracks which can be arranged in a Yariety of patterns to accommodate packa~es or bottles of various ~izes.
Shelves u~ilizing tracks according to this invention are characterized by versatility of use, low friction, simplic-ity of construction and a high degree of economy in both initial and maintenance cos~s. According to one aspect of this invention, there is pro~ided a track for a gravi~y-feed shelf, which track comprises a web panel, a flange panel integral with one side edge of sald web panel and forming therewith a ~ubstantially 'IL"-shaped structure~ a plurallty of æubstantially parallel rlbs formed on one ~urface of said web panel between said flange panel and the opposite side edge of said web panel, characterized in that means is pro-vided on said web panel to form at least one frangible zoneby which a portion of the web panel can be broken away from an adjacent portion to reduce ~he width of ~he web panel.
Another aspect of ~hls inven~on provides a gra~ity-feed 6helf comprising a substantially rigid support frame and 30 including a support surface disposed in a plane which is . .

~ ~ 8 Docket D 2123 -2-forwardly and d3wnwardly lnclined, a plurality of elongate tracks located on said support surface, each track c~mprising a web panel having an undersurface in contact with said support surface and a flange panel integral with one side edge of said web panel and forming therewith a substantially "Lll-shaped structure, characterized in that the flange panel of one track is located adjacent the side edge of an adjacent track remote from its flange panel, thereby providing an inclined chute formed by the flange panel of said one track and the web and flange panel6 of said adjacent track.
Yet another aspect of this invention provides a gravlty-feed shelf comprising a substantially rigid support frame and including a support surface disposed in a plane which is forwardly and downwardly inclined, a plurality of elongate tracks located on said support surface, each track comprising a web panel having an undersurface in contact with said support surface and a flange panel integral ~ith one side edge of said web panel and forming therewith a substan-tially "L"-shaped structure, characterized in that two adjacent tracks are disposed in mutually reversed orientation so that the side edge of one track remote from its flange panel is located adjacent the side edge of an adjacent track remote from its flange panel thereby providing an inclined chute formed by the flange and web panels of one track and the flange and web pa~els of said adjacent track.
Embodiments of the invention will now be set forth by way of example and taken in conjunc~ion with the accompany-ing drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view taken through a track according to one aspect of the invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view oi a series of tracks located to give one pos&ible arrangement of shelving chutes, Figure 3 is a cross-sec~ional view of a series of tracks located to give another possible arrangement of shelving chutes, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through a display shelf incorporating tracks according to the invention.

Docke~ D-2123 _3_ Referrlng to the drawings, Figure l illustrates in cross-seetion an elongate track l, comprising web panel 2 having an upper surface 3 and an undersurface 4, and a flange panel S integral with one side edge of the web panel 2 Thus, web panel 2 and flange panel 5 together form a track having a generally "L"-shaped s~ructure. A guide 1ange 6 iB integrally formed at the top edge of flange panel 5 thereby giving flange panel 5 a "T"-shaped cross-sectional configuration.
For the purpose of minimizing friction between the bottles and/or packages to be accommodated on the track, a plurality of upwardly projecting parallel ribs 7-18 is inte-grally formed along the upper surface 3. Each of the ribs is of generally triangular cross-sectional conflguration.
In order to allow the width of the web panel of track 1 to be reduced an elongate notch 19 is formed in the undersurface 4 of web panel 2 adjacent the free edge 20 of the web panel remote from flange panel 5. The no~ch 19 extends parallel to the ribs 7-18 and is located intermediate ribs 9 and 10 thereby forming a frangible zone extending along the whole length of the web panel 2. To reduce the width of ~he track it is necessary simply to raise the end section 21 as shown in phantom in Figure 1 60 ~hat end section 21 breaks away from the adjacent section of the web panel 2 along ~he frangible zone. End section 21 may then be discarded ~hereby leaving that portion of the web panel 2 having ribs 10-18.
It is envisaged that the notch 19 could be formed in the upper surface 3 of web panel 2. It also is envisaged that some means other than a notch could be provided to form the frangible zone. For example, a series of perforations or scored areas could be formed in the web panel. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the invention it may be appropriate to have more than one frangible æone along the web panel so as to provide a plurality of break-away sections.
Experience has shown that the track 1 may constitute an extrusion and may be formed of polyvinyl chloride or, it desir~d, may be formed of high impact polystyrene material.

S
Docket D-2123 -4-Also, in order to provide means for reducing frictlon between the ribs 7 18 and the bottom of articles disposed ~hereon, pol~-styrene may have silicone or some other suitable lubricant material dispersed therein during the manufacturing process so that even though the upper surfaces of the ribs 7-18 may wear, in use, the lubricating action of the lubricant mater~al is always effective because the structure is substantially homogeneous.
To provide a series of chutes "Cl", "C2" on a display shelf two arrangements of tracks are shown, by way of example, in Figures 2 and 3, respectively, of the drawings.
In Figure 2 the tracks are all disposed in the same side~by-side orientation and have all had their end sec~ions broken away and discarded As shown, the free edge of the web panel of each track (except ~he extreme lef~ hand track) is located nex~ to the flange panel of an adjacent track. This arrangement pro-vides a number of chutes "C" which each comp-rise the flange panel 5 of one track and the web and flange panels 2, 5, respec-tively, of an adjacent track. The arrangement is most suitable ~0 for accommodating on each chute "Cl" and "C2" a row of single packages and/or bottles.
In Figure 3 ~he chutes "C3" and "C4" are each formed by two tracks located side-by-side with the free edge of the web panel 2 of one track located next to the free edge of the web panel 2 of an adjacent track. In the case of chute "C3"
both web panels 2 have had their end sections broken away and discarded whereas in the case of chute "C4" both web panels have their end sec~ions intact. Chute "C3" is suitable for accommodating small mul~l-packs, e.g. six-packs, and chute "C4", which is of larger width, is suitable for accommodating relatively large multi-packs, Of course, any combina~ion of the track arrangements shown in Figures 1 and 2 is feasible.
In either arrangement, it will be appreclated ~hat ~he guide flanges 6 are provided ~o assist in guiding articles during movement down the chutes whlle keeping the contac~ bPtween the packages or bottles and flange panels 5 to a minimum. Also, Docket D-2123 -5-it is not necessary to locate adjacent tracks in abutment with one another, as shown, since some small amount of spacing between adjacent tracks is permissable without impairing the low frictional relationship between the articles and the tracks, Figure 4 illustrates a gravity-feed shelf 22 pro-viding part of a support frame and incorporating a series of ~racks l arranged to provide a row of inclined chutesO Shelf 22 comprises a front support element 23, an intermediate support element 24 and a rear support element 25. The support elements ~3, 24, 25 include upwardly facing support surfaces 26, 27, 28, respectively, all disposed in a common plane which is forwardly and downwardly inclined. Preferably a plannar suppor~ panel 29 is seated on support surfaces 26, 27 and 28 which provides an uninterrupted surface on which the undersurface 4 of each track, as at l, is located. Thus, the tracks and hence ~he chutes are tilted downwardly toward the front end of shelf 22. It will be understood $hat 2 row of articles disposed on a chute au~omatically is fed in the direction of inclination of the chute upon removal of the leading article in the row. The angle of tilt from the hori-zontal may vary somewhat but experience has shown that this angle preferably should be between 3~ minimum tilt to a maximum til~ of approximately 8. The an~le of tilt for mos~
applications of the invention should be approximately 6 from horizontal.
The front support element 23 of the shelf includes a stop member 30 comprising a wire guard which is slot~ed lnto a rearwardly protruding bead 31. ~1hen bottles and/or packages are accommodated on the chutes located on such a shelf there is a natural tendency for those articles auto--matically to slide downwardly and forwardly of ~he shelf so that the lowermost article has its sliding movement arrested by stop member 30 and normally rests against the bead 31.
In order to locate the tracks l in position on a shelf lt is necessary simply to flex each ~rack and inser~

~ 35 Docket D-2123 -6-the opposite ends thereof into the channel shaped recesses 32, 33 provided by the fr~nt and rear support elements 23, 25, respectively. Of course, if required the tracks may be secured to the support panel 29, when present, or to support surfaces 26, 27 and 28 by suitable fastening elements or by adhesive.

Claims (8)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A track for a gravity feed shelf which track comprises a web panel, a flange panel integral with one side edge of said web panel and forming therewith a substantially "L"-shaped structure, a plurality of substantially parallel ribs formed on one surface of said web panel between said flange panel and the opposite side edge of said web panel, characterized in that means is provided on said web panel to form at least one frangible zone by which a portion of the web panel can be broken away from an adjacent portion to reduce the width of the web panel.
2. The track according to claim 1 further character-ized in that said frangible zone means comprises a notch extend-ing the length of said web panel parallel to and adjacent said opposite side edge of the web panel.
3. The track according to claim 2 further character-ized in that said notch is formed in the surface of the web panel opposite to said one surface having said parallel ribs, said notch being located intermediate a pair of adjacent ribs.
4. The track according to claim 1 further character-ized in that said ribs are of substantially triangular cross-sectional configuration.
5. The track according to claim 1 further character-ized in that said flange panel is of substantially "T"-shaped cross-sectional configuration.
6. The track according to claim 1 further character-ized in that said track is formed of polyvinyl chloride.
7. The track according to claim 1 further character-ized in that said track is formed of high impact polystyrene having a lubricant material dispersed therein.
8. A plastics track for a gravity-feed shelf which track comprises a web panel, a flange panel integral with one side edge of said web panel and forming therewith a substan-tially "L"-shaped structure, characterized in that said web panel has formed therein an elongate notch extending parallel to and adjacent the other side edge of the web panel remote from said flange panel and providing a frangible zone by which a portion of the web panel between the notch and said other side edge can be broken away from an adjacent portion of the web panel so as to reduce the width of said web panel.
CA000391124A 1980-11-28 1981-11-27 Gravity-feed shelf and components therefor Expired CA1189485A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US21096480A 1980-11-28 1980-11-28
US210,964 1980-11-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1189485A true CA1189485A (en) 1985-06-25

Family

ID=22785054

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000391124A Expired CA1189485A (en) 1980-11-28 1981-11-27 Gravity-feed shelf and components therefor

Country Status (5)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS57156907A (en)
AU (1) AU542709B2 (en)
CA (1) CA1189485A (en)
GB (1) GB2088344B (en)
ZA (1) ZA817890B (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS61162409A (en) * 1984-12-28 1986-07-23 Toyo Seimaiki Seisakusho:Kk Flow-down chute of optical selecting device
US4801025A (en) * 1986-09-12 1989-01-31 Paul Flum Ideas, Inc. Adjustable shelf organizer units having frangible side and rear portions

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5512857Y2 (en) * 1975-04-21 1980-03-22
JPS5523379Y2 (en) * 1976-01-23 1980-06-04

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2088344A (en) 1982-06-09
AU7774981A (en) 1982-06-03
GB2088344B (en) 1984-08-22
JPS57156907A (en) 1982-09-28
ZA817890B (en) 1982-10-27
JPS6143243B2 (en) 1986-09-26
AU542709B2 (en) 1985-03-07

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