CA1327032C - Dispenser for perishable beverage containers - Google Patents
Dispenser for perishable beverage containersInfo
- Publication number
- CA1327032C CA1327032C CA 585365 CA585365A CA1327032C CA 1327032 C CA1327032 C CA 1327032C CA 585365 CA585365 CA 585365 CA 585365 A CA585365 A CA 585365A CA 1327032 C CA1327032 C CA 1327032C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- inlet
- containers
- partition
- channel
- inlet channel
- 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 - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F1/00—Racks for dispensing merchandise; Containers for dispensing merchandise
- A47F1/04—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs
- A47F1/12—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An integrally moulded plastic device for storing containers filled with perishable beverages on a cooler shelf and for dispensing the containers inthe order received. The device has a planar horizontal base which seats on a cooler shelf, a U-shaped sidewall extending upwardly from the base, and a central partition extending upwardly from the base within the sidewall. The sidewall and partition define an inlet channel to one side of the partition and an outlet channel to an opposite side of the partition. A curved portion of the sidewall spaced from the partition deflects containers pushed along the inlet channel into the outlet channel. Inlet and outlet ports for receiving and delivering the containers are positioned side-by-side at a forward end of the device opposite the curved sidewall portion. A pair of doors are integrally hinged to the sidewall and extend over the inlet to obstruct access to the inletchannel. The doors can be deflected inwardly to push a fresh beverage containerinto the inlet channel and are returned by the intrinsic resilience of the plastic to their closed orientation. The doors will not accommodate attempts to reach through the inlet and remove recently-introduced beverage containers.
An integrally moulded plastic device for storing containers filled with perishable beverages on a cooler shelf and for dispensing the containers inthe order received. The device has a planar horizontal base which seats on a cooler shelf, a U-shaped sidewall extending upwardly from the base, and a central partition extending upwardly from the base within the sidewall. The sidewall and partition define an inlet channel to one side of the partition and an outlet channel to an opposite side of the partition. A curved portion of the sidewall spaced from the partition deflects containers pushed along the inlet channel into the outlet channel. Inlet and outlet ports for receiving and delivering the containers are positioned side-by-side at a forward end of the device opposite the curved sidewall portion. A pair of doors are integrally hinged to the sidewall and extend over the inlet to obstruct access to the inletchannel. The doors can be deflected inwardly to push a fresh beverage containerinto the inlet channel and are returned by the intrinsic resilience of the plastic to their closed orientation. The doors will not accommodate attempts to reach through the inlet and remove recently-introduced beverage containers.
Description
`^'` ~ 327~32 DISPENSE~159~1 BEVE~GE CC)~AINl FlELI:) OF ~ II!~NTION
The invention relates pr~marily to the manner in which beer and 5 other pesishable beverages are stored in taverns, bars or restaurants and to rotation of beverage stock to ensure that product is sup~lied to customers before it becomes spoiled or flat.
BACKGROUN~ OF TH~ I~VENllON
Convention practice in taverns and bars is to store beer received 10 in bottles or cans on shelves in large coolers. A problem arises because beerstock is both introduced and removed through doors at the front of a cooler.
Fresher stock tends to be placed at the front of the cooler and to be served immediately, while older stock tends to rema n at the back. It is conseguently imperative to rotate beer stock periodically to ensure that older stock is br~ught 15 forward and dispensed to custom~s before later-received stock. Although beer stock is particularly susce~tible to spoiling wi~ ~me, it is also desirable to rotate stock of sparlding wines to enswe that products do not become fla~ with time and also to rotate other wine stock.
For a variety of reasons, it is difficult for tavern or bar operators ~0 to persuade st~ff to diligently ro~ate beer. Waiters and bar tenders are often fully occupied during peak hours with atsending to customer o~de~. Rotating beer stocks ~ends to be a very tim~orlsun~ing process requ~ing removal of old s~k pr~or to introduction of new stock. Since ~e bulk vf their ~ncome tends So be derived from customer gra~uities, servers have little mcendve to spend time 25 rotating beer stock or to attempt to reach around bot~es and cans to the back of a cooler to complete orders with older stock~ As many tavern or bar operators can attest, one cannot rely on serving staff to rotate beer or other beverage stock ~32~32 even dunng non-peak hours. The alternative of hiring non-sening staff to ensure that stock is properly rotated creates undue expense.
Failure to rotate beer and other beverage stocks can signi~lcantly affect the profitably of a tavern, bar or restaurant because of inunediate return of S spoiled products. Also, serving flat or bad stoclc to a customer, even once, can impair customer confidence in the operation of a bar or tavern and adversely affect further patronage. The inventor who has been involved for many years in t~e restaurant and tavern business has no~d that, despite common recognition of this problem and attendant costs, no p~actical solu~ion to the proUem has 10 been implemented. Tave~n, bar a~d restaurant operators simply continue to follow the practice of manually rotating beverage stock and simply tolerate the failure of staff to attend to such matters.
It is an object of Ihe present disclosure to provide a device which in preferred ~o~n will induce tavem and bar staff to dispense beer and other 15 perishable beverage stock in substantially the or~er received for storage.
BRtEF SUMMQB.Y OF I~E ~NTIO~
In one aspect, the invention p¢ovides a device for storing containers flled wi~ ~shable ~verages and for dispensing the containers in the order in which the containers are initially received by the device for storage.
20 The device has an inlet po~t for receiving ~e Golltainers and an outlet port where the otltainers can be removed. The inlet and outlet ports ~e a~sanged in substan~dally side-by-side reladsnsh1p. The expression "side-by-side relationship" as used in ~is specificadon is intended to encompass a~Tangements ~n which the relevant ports are laterally spaced or inset one relative 2~ to another. l~e general object of ~ae side by-side r~lationship is to ensure that beverage containers can he c~nvenienlly introduced and remoYed fr~m the device, for examp1e, through a common cooler or storage unit d~or. A circuit dimensioned to pennit passage ~ the ~everage containers extends between the 132 ~032 inlet and ou~et ports. The circuit includes an inlet channel cornrnunicating withthe inlet port, an outlet channel substantially parallel to ~e inlet channel and communicating with the outlet port, and a container-directing portion adapted todirect containers from the inlet channel to the outlet chaMel as containers are 5 forced successively about the circuit. Closure means are associated with the inlet port and adapted to permit in~oduction of beverage containers into the inlet channel, but obstnuct removal of containers from the inlet channel through the inlet port. This cons~ains a waiter or bartender to remove stock only from the outlet port ra~er ~an taking ~ecently-received stock which has been placed in 10 the inlet channel.
ln another asp~t, ~e invention provides an integrally moulded plastic device for storing and dislpens~ng contain~rs filled with perishable beverages. The device comprises a genera11y planar horizontal base wi~
foqward and rear base p~rtions, an elongate partition extending upwardly from 15 the base, and a generally U-shaped sidewall extending upwardly from ~e base and having a cun~ed portion at a rear base portion. The sidewall is spac~d firomthe partition so as to define an inle~ channel to one side of the par~tion and an outlet chalmel to an opposite side of ths par~tion, and the curved por~ion of the sidewall is spaced from the partition and shaped to deflect containers pushed 20 along ~e inlet channel in~ the outlet channel. The sidewall coo~ ates wi~ thebase and ~e partifion to define an inlet po~t communicadng with the inlet channel and an outl~ port comsmmica~ing with the outlet charme1, the inlet and ou~et por~s being located ~t a ~onva~d base portion and in substantially side-by-si~ ~lationship. At least one closure member is integrally hinged to either the 25 sidewall or p~rddon, and pivots about a general~y vertical axis between a closed orientation in which access ~rough the inlet p~rt ~o the in1et channel is obs~ucted and arl open onentation in the inte~ior of the inlet channel in which the closure member permits introduc~on of a container throu~h the inlet port b ~
~327~32 into the inlet channel. The closure member deflects from its closed orientatisn to its open orientation when a conta~ner is pressed against an externally-fac;ngsurface of the closure member and is therea~ter urged by the intrinsic resilience of the plastic material to return to its closed orientation.
S (~er aspects of the invention will be apparent from a description below of a preferred embodiment and will be def~med in the appended claims.
~E~P~
The invention will be better understood w~th r~ference to fig. 1 which is a perspective view of a preferred storing and dispensing device shown positioned on a cooler shelf.
Fig. 1 il1ustrates an integrally moulded plas~ic device lû for storing and dispensing beve~age con~ainers such as the two exemplaly beer bot~e 12 specifically indicated. The device 10 is shown seated loosely on a horizontal shelf 14 in a coole~ as might be found in a restawant, tavern or bar.A num~er of such devices migh~ be located sid~y-side on ally ~iven cQoler shelf.
The device 10 has an inlet port 16 for receiving beer bottles and an ou~et p~rt 18 where the beer bot~es can be removed. The direc~ion of inser~on and removal of beer bs)t~es has been indicated w~th arrows. The inle~
and ouaet ports 16, 18 are in side-~y~ide relationship so that both can be accessed th~ugh a single cooler door (not illustrated~ as at the front of the cooler.
The device 10 comp¢ises a generally U-shaped circuit between the inlet and outlet ports 16, 18, dimensioned to pennit passage of the beer bot~es. In prac~ce, the width of the circuit may be only marginally larger than 1 3 2 r~ ~ 3 2 any particlllar type of beve~age conta~ner to be stored and dispensed in order to ensure singl~file progression about the circuit and to prevent jamrl~ng.
Additional width may be desired so that beverage u)ntainers of a variety of dimensions can be accommodated with a particular device.
S The dev~ce 10 has a unitary construction and includes a generally planar hori~ontal base 20 with forw~rd and rear base portions 22, 24. The base 20 may be apertured to pe~nit drainage of liquids. An elongate central par~tion 26 extends upwardly from the base 20. A generally U-shaped sidewall 28 extends upwardly from the base 20 and has a curved portion 30 at the rear base p~rtion 24. The sidewall 28 ;s spaced f~om the parti~on 26 to define an mlet channel 32 of the circuit to one side o~ the pa;rtition 26 and an ou~det channel 34 of the circuit to an op~site side of the partition 26. The inlet and outlet channels 32, 34 are substantially p~allel and, m use, direct beer boltles in opposite directions. The curved portion 30 of the sidewall 28 is spaced from the partition 26 to pern~it passage of ~e b~r bottles and sha~ to deflect container pushed along the irllet charmel 32 into the oudet channel 34. It will be a~p~ent that the si~wall 28 co~pe~tes wi~ ~e base 20 and the partiJdon 26 tode~fnetheinletandoutletports 16, 18.
Closu~e means are associa~ed with ~e inlet port 16. The closure means ~t in~duction of b~er bot~es in~o ~e inlet channel 32 Ihrough ~e inlet~rt 16, bu~ prevent ~emo~al of ~e beer from the inlet channel 32 ~rough ~he inlet port 16. The closure means include a first closure membel 36 attached ~o ~e sidewall 28 and a s~ond closure mem~er 38 attached ~o the partition 26 a~
the ~orward base portion 22 Two ve~ical, elongate recesses 40 moulded with the devi&e 10 provide weakened aIeas at ~e sidewal128 and partition 26. These recesses 40 effectively define integral hinges permitting ~e closu~ members 36, 38 to pivot about generally ver~cal axes between a clos~ orientation (solid in fig. 1) and an open orientation (phantom outline in fig. 1) in the inteli~
~.
~ 3 ~
the inlet channel 32. In the closed onentation, the closure members 36, 38 are aligned and spaced apart by a predetermined distance apart. The p~ede~ermined distance (not particularly critical) and the horizontal width of the inletport 16 are such that a beer bottle cannot be passed by hand through the inletport 16 5 without engaging externally-facing surfaces of the elosu~e members 36, 38 and deflecting the closure members 36, 38 to their open orientation. In the open orientation, the closure members 36, 38 are spaced sufficiently apart to permit a beer bot~e to be slip through the inlet port 16 into the inlet channel 32. Once the bottle has been in~oduc~d, the closure members 36, 38 are urged by the 10 in~insic resilience of the plastic material ~o return to ~eir closed onentation In use, incoming fresh beer stock will be in~oduced by hand through the closure members 36, 38 associated with the inlet port 16 into ~e inlet channel 32. The beer bot~es are simply pushed along the U-shaped circuit towa~ds the ou~et port 18 where servers can remove the bot~es to ~111 customer 15 orders. The botdes are effectively dispensed in substantially the sarne order in which the bo~es are i~utially received ~or storage. The need to rotate st~ck is - consequently elirninated.
The closure membe~s 36, 38 prevent seNe~s ~rom completing customer orders wi~ more ~ecen~ly received beer stock. It should be n~ hat 20 the shelf 14 illus~ated would nGImally be one of a series of vertically-spaced she~es and that a supeljacent shelf would no~nally ~lock a~cess to the bottles o~er than through the lnlet and ou~et ports 16, 18. The device lO might alterna~vely be formed with a cap closing the c~cuit, but Ws w~uld not lend itself to the prefe~red unitaly molding and would be ulmecessary with any 25 ve~sion of the device which is to be honzolltally~liented and located on ver~cally spaced-apart cooler shel~es. A server ~ght deflect the closwe mem~s 36~ 38 inwa~ly by hand to grasp a b~r bsttle, but the closure membe~s 36, 38 w~11 then close about the senrer's hand to prevent withdk~wal A~
~32~3~
of the bottle through ~e inlet p~t 16. The formation of the recesses 40 at the exte~ior of the device lû prevents any signi~lcant outward pivo~ng of ~e closure members 36, 38 that might otherwise penr~it re~ieval of beer bottle by outward deflection of the closure rnembers 36, 38. However, this is not 5 expected in practice to be important as the general object is to discourage servers from accessing recent stock, and it is not expected that servers who are normally in a h~y would attempt to m~n;pulate the closure memb~rs 36, 38 to frustrate the intended dispensing order.
A number of possible variations should be noted. First, paired 10 closure members 36, 38 are preferred because they direct incoming beve~age containers centrally down the inlet channel 32. This tends to ensure ~at incidental pushing forces are directed centrally along the inlet channel 32 and that a b~ttle ~ediately within ~e inlet port 16 is not wedge against the sid~wall 28 instead of beanng against and pushing earlier-received botdes alon~
15 the circuit. Howeve~, a single closure member configu~ substantially lil~e either o~ the closure members 36, 38, but of g~eater width, could be used.
Radler than ~e in~insic biasing means constituted by ~e Jesilience of the plastic ma~rial, discrete and separa~ biasing means such as a spnng n~ight be used to res :ore closu~ members 36, 38 to a closed orienta~on. Such discrete and 20 separate biasing means a~ not preferred as a stop may be requiIPd to limit pivoting action, and, most significan~y, the benefit of a unitary and relativelyinexpensive moulW construction would be lost and labour would be r~quired to assemble the device. Las~y~ additional closu~e means might be associated with the ou~et port 18 to limit its operation s~ic~y to dispensing beve~age 25 containers and to p~vent in~duclion of beve~age ~ntainers th~ough the outlet p~rt 18. Such closure means might be arrange to open outwardly only and might be associated with biasing rneans that normally urge the closure means to ~32 ~32 a closed orientation. However, the principal problem is persuading servers who are in a hurry to meet a customer's request from using recent stock, and it is not expected in practice that having to loading recen~y-rcceived stock through the closure members 36, 38 is apt to frustrate the overall object of the5 invention.
A particular embodiment of the invention and certain alternatives have have been described for purposes of explaining the nature of the invention.It wlll be appreciated that furdler modifica~ons may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or necess~ily departing ~rom the scope of the 10 appended cla~ms.
"~
The invention relates pr~marily to the manner in which beer and 5 other pesishable beverages are stored in taverns, bars or restaurants and to rotation of beverage stock to ensure that product is sup~lied to customers before it becomes spoiled or flat.
BACKGROUN~ OF TH~ I~VENllON
Convention practice in taverns and bars is to store beer received 10 in bottles or cans on shelves in large coolers. A problem arises because beerstock is both introduced and removed through doors at the front of a cooler.
Fresher stock tends to be placed at the front of the cooler and to be served immediately, while older stock tends to rema n at the back. It is conseguently imperative to rotate beer stock periodically to ensure that older stock is br~ught 15 forward and dispensed to custom~s before later-received stock. Although beer stock is particularly susce~tible to spoiling wi~ ~me, it is also desirable to rotate stock of sparlding wines to enswe that products do not become fla~ with time and also to rotate other wine stock.
For a variety of reasons, it is difficult for tavern or bar operators ~0 to persuade st~ff to diligently ro~ate beer. Waiters and bar tenders are often fully occupied during peak hours with atsending to customer o~de~. Rotating beer stocks ~ends to be a very tim~orlsun~ing process requ~ing removal of old s~k pr~or to introduction of new stock. Since ~e bulk vf their ~ncome tends So be derived from customer gra~uities, servers have little mcendve to spend time 25 rotating beer stock or to attempt to reach around bot~es and cans to the back of a cooler to complete orders with older stock~ As many tavern or bar operators can attest, one cannot rely on serving staff to rotate beer or other beverage stock ~32~32 even dunng non-peak hours. The alternative of hiring non-sening staff to ensure that stock is properly rotated creates undue expense.
Failure to rotate beer and other beverage stocks can signi~lcantly affect the profitably of a tavern, bar or restaurant because of inunediate return of S spoiled products. Also, serving flat or bad stoclc to a customer, even once, can impair customer confidence in the operation of a bar or tavern and adversely affect further patronage. The inventor who has been involved for many years in t~e restaurant and tavern business has no~d that, despite common recognition of this problem and attendant costs, no p~actical solu~ion to the proUem has 10 been implemented. Tave~n, bar a~d restaurant operators simply continue to follow the practice of manually rotating beverage stock and simply tolerate the failure of staff to attend to such matters.
It is an object of Ihe present disclosure to provide a device which in preferred ~o~n will induce tavem and bar staff to dispense beer and other 15 perishable beverage stock in substantially the or~er received for storage.
BRtEF SUMMQB.Y OF I~E ~NTIO~
In one aspect, the invention p¢ovides a device for storing containers flled wi~ ~shable ~verages and for dispensing the containers in the order in which the containers are initially received by the device for storage.
20 The device has an inlet po~t for receiving ~e Golltainers and an outlet port where the otltainers can be removed. The inlet and outlet ports ~e a~sanged in substan~dally side-by-side reladsnsh1p. The expression "side-by-side relationship" as used in ~is specificadon is intended to encompass a~Tangements ~n which the relevant ports are laterally spaced or inset one relative 2~ to another. l~e general object of ~ae side by-side r~lationship is to ensure that beverage containers can he c~nvenienlly introduced and remoYed fr~m the device, for examp1e, through a common cooler or storage unit d~or. A circuit dimensioned to pennit passage ~ the ~everage containers extends between the 132 ~032 inlet and ou~et ports. The circuit includes an inlet channel cornrnunicating withthe inlet port, an outlet channel substantially parallel to ~e inlet channel and communicating with the outlet port, and a container-directing portion adapted todirect containers from the inlet channel to the outlet chaMel as containers are 5 forced successively about the circuit. Closure means are associated with the inlet port and adapted to permit in~oduction of beverage containers into the inlet channel, but obstnuct removal of containers from the inlet channel through the inlet port. This cons~ains a waiter or bartender to remove stock only from the outlet port ra~er ~an taking ~ecently-received stock which has been placed in 10 the inlet channel.
ln another asp~t, ~e invention provides an integrally moulded plastic device for storing and dislpens~ng contain~rs filled with perishable beverages. The device comprises a genera11y planar horizontal base wi~
foqward and rear base p~rtions, an elongate partition extending upwardly from 15 the base, and a generally U-shaped sidewall extending upwardly from ~e base and having a cun~ed portion at a rear base portion. The sidewall is spac~d firomthe partition so as to define an inle~ channel to one side of the par~tion and an outlet chalmel to an opposite side of ths par~tion, and the curved por~ion of the sidewall is spaced from the partition and shaped to deflect containers pushed 20 along ~e inlet channel in~ the outlet channel. The sidewall coo~ ates wi~ thebase and ~e partifion to define an inlet po~t communicadng with the inlet channel and an outl~ port comsmmica~ing with the outlet charme1, the inlet and ou~et por~s being located ~t a ~onva~d base portion and in substantially side-by-si~ ~lationship. At least one closure member is integrally hinged to either the 25 sidewall or p~rddon, and pivots about a general~y vertical axis between a closed orientation in which access ~rough the inlet p~rt ~o the in1et channel is obs~ucted and arl open onentation in the inte~ior of the inlet channel in which the closure member permits introduc~on of a container throu~h the inlet port b ~
~327~32 into the inlet channel. The closure member deflects from its closed orientatisn to its open orientation when a conta~ner is pressed against an externally-fac;ngsurface of the closure member and is therea~ter urged by the intrinsic resilience of the plastic material to return to its closed orientation.
S (~er aspects of the invention will be apparent from a description below of a preferred embodiment and will be def~med in the appended claims.
~E~P~
The invention will be better understood w~th r~ference to fig. 1 which is a perspective view of a preferred storing and dispensing device shown positioned on a cooler shelf.
Fig. 1 il1ustrates an integrally moulded plas~ic device lû for storing and dispensing beve~age con~ainers such as the two exemplaly beer bot~e 12 specifically indicated. The device 10 is shown seated loosely on a horizontal shelf 14 in a coole~ as might be found in a restawant, tavern or bar.A num~er of such devices migh~ be located sid~y-side on ally ~iven cQoler shelf.
The device 10 has an inlet port 16 for receiving beer bottles and an ou~et p~rt 18 where the beer bot~es can be removed. The direc~ion of inser~on and removal of beer bs)t~es has been indicated w~th arrows. The inle~
and ouaet ports 16, 18 are in side-~y~ide relationship so that both can be accessed th~ugh a single cooler door (not illustrated~ as at the front of the cooler.
The device 10 comp¢ises a generally U-shaped circuit between the inlet and outlet ports 16, 18, dimensioned to pennit passage of the beer bot~es. In prac~ce, the width of the circuit may be only marginally larger than 1 3 2 r~ ~ 3 2 any particlllar type of beve~age conta~ner to be stored and dispensed in order to ensure singl~file progression about the circuit and to prevent jamrl~ng.
Additional width may be desired so that beverage u)ntainers of a variety of dimensions can be accommodated with a particular device.
S The dev~ce 10 has a unitary construction and includes a generally planar hori~ontal base 20 with forw~rd and rear base portions 22, 24. The base 20 may be apertured to pe~nit drainage of liquids. An elongate central par~tion 26 extends upwardly from the base 20. A generally U-shaped sidewall 28 extends upwardly from the base 20 and has a curved portion 30 at the rear base p~rtion 24. The sidewall 28 ;s spaced f~om the parti~on 26 to define an mlet channel 32 of the circuit to one side o~ the pa;rtition 26 and an ou~det channel 34 of the circuit to an op~site side of the partition 26. The inlet and outlet channels 32, 34 are substantially p~allel and, m use, direct beer boltles in opposite directions. The curved portion 30 of the sidewall 28 is spaced from the partition 26 to pern~it passage of ~e b~r bottles and sha~ to deflect container pushed along the irllet charmel 32 into the oudet channel 34. It will be a~p~ent that the si~wall 28 co~pe~tes wi~ ~e base 20 and the partiJdon 26 tode~fnetheinletandoutletports 16, 18.
Closu~e means are associa~ed with ~e inlet port 16. The closure means ~t in~duction of b~er bot~es in~o ~e inlet channel 32 Ihrough ~e inlet~rt 16, bu~ prevent ~emo~al of ~e beer from the inlet channel 32 ~rough ~he inlet port 16. The closure means include a first closure membel 36 attached ~o ~e sidewall 28 and a s~ond closure mem~er 38 attached ~o the partition 26 a~
the ~orward base portion 22 Two ve~ical, elongate recesses 40 moulded with the devi&e 10 provide weakened aIeas at ~e sidewal128 and partition 26. These recesses 40 effectively define integral hinges permitting ~e closu~ members 36, 38 to pivot about generally ver~cal axes between a clos~ orientation (solid in fig. 1) and an open orientation (phantom outline in fig. 1) in the inteli~
~.
~ 3 ~
the inlet channel 32. In the closed onentation, the closure members 36, 38 are aligned and spaced apart by a predetermined distance apart. The p~ede~ermined distance (not particularly critical) and the horizontal width of the inletport 16 are such that a beer bottle cannot be passed by hand through the inletport 16 5 without engaging externally-facing surfaces of the elosu~e members 36, 38 and deflecting the closure members 36, 38 to their open orientation. In the open orientation, the closure members 36, 38 are spaced sufficiently apart to permit a beer bot~e to be slip through the inlet port 16 into the inlet channel 32. Once the bottle has been in~oduc~d, the closure members 36, 38 are urged by the 10 in~insic resilience of the plastic material ~o return to ~eir closed onentation In use, incoming fresh beer stock will be in~oduced by hand through the closure members 36, 38 associated with the inlet port 16 into ~e inlet channel 32. The beer bot~es are simply pushed along the U-shaped circuit towa~ds the ou~et port 18 where servers can remove the bot~es to ~111 customer 15 orders. The botdes are effectively dispensed in substantially the sarne order in which the bo~es are i~utially received ~or storage. The need to rotate st~ck is - consequently elirninated.
The closure membe~s 36, 38 prevent seNe~s ~rom completing customer orders wi~ more ~ecen~ly received beer stock. It should be n~ hat 20 the shelf 14 illus~ated would nGImally be one of a series of vertically-spaced she~es and that a supeljacent shelf would no~nally ~lock a~cess to the bottles o~er than through the lnlet and ou~et ports 16, 18. The device lO might alterna~vely be formed with a cap closing the c~cuit, but Ws w~uld not lend itself to the prefe~red unitaly molding and would be ulmecessary with any 25 ve~sion of the device which is to be honzolltally~liented and located on ver~cally spaced-apart cooler shel~es. A server ~ght deflect the closwe mem~s 36~ 38 inwa~ly by hand to grasp a b~r bsttle, but the closure membe~s 36, 38 w~11 then close about the senrer's hand to prevent withdk~wal A~
~32~3~
of the bottle through ~e inlet p~t 16. The formation of the recesses 40 at the exte~ior of the device lû prevents any signi~lcant outward pivo~ng of ~e closure members 36, 38 that might otherwise penr~it re~ieval of beer bottle by outward deflection of the closure rnembers 36, 38. However, this is not 5 expected in practice to be important as the general object is to discourage servers from accessing recent stock, and it is not expected that servers who are normally in a h~y would attempt to m~n;pulate the closure memb~rs 36, 38 to frustrate the intended dispensing order.
A number of possible variations should be noted. First, paired 10 closure members 36, 38 are preferred because they direct incoming beve~age containers centrally down the inlet channel 32. This tends to ensure ~at incidental pushing forces are directed centrally along the inlet channel 32 and that a b~ttle ~ediately within ~e inlet port 16 is not wedge against the sid~wall 28 instead of beanng against and pushing earlier-received botdes alon~
15 the circuit. Howeve~, a single closure member configu~ substantially lil~e either o~ the closure members 36, 38, but of g~eater width, could be used.
Radler than ~e in~insic biasing means constituted by ~e Jesilience of the plastic ma~rial, discrete and separa~ biasing means such as a spnng n~ight be used to res :ore closu~ members 36, 38 to a closed orienta~on. Such discrete and 20 separate biasing means a~ not preferred as a stop may be requiIPd to limit pivoting action, and, most significan~y, the benefit of a unitary and relativelyinexpensive moulW construction would be lost and labour would be r~quired to assemble the device. Las~y~ additional closu~e means might be associated with the ou~et port 18 to limit its operation s~ic~y to dispensing beve~age 25 containers and to p~vent in~duclion of beve~age ~ntainers th~ough the outlet p~rt 18. Such closure means might be arrange to open outwardly only and might be associated with biasing rneans that normally urge the closure means to ~32 ~32 a closed orientation. However, the principal problem is persuading servers who are in a hurry to meet a customer's request from using recent stock, and it is not expected in practice that having to loading recen~y-rcceived stock through the closure members 36, 38 is apt to frustrate the overall object of the5 invention.
A particular embodiment of the invention and certain alternatives have have been described for purposes of explaining the nature of the invention.It wlll be appreciated that furdler modifica~ons may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or necess~ily departing ~rom the scope of the 10 appended cla~ms.
"~
Claims (6)
1. A device for storing containers filled with perishable beverages and for dispensing the containers substantially in the order in which the containers are received for storage, comprising:
an inlet port for receiving the containers and an outlet port where the containers can be removed, the inlet and outlet ports being in substantially side-by-side relationship;
a circuit between the inlet and outlet ports dimensioned to permit passage of the containers, the circuit including an inlet channel communicating with the inlet port, an outlet channel substantially parallel to the inlet channel and communicating with the outlet port, and a container-directing portion adapted to direct containers from the inlet channel to the outlet channel as containers are forced successively through the inlet port into the inlet channel;
and, closure means associated with the inlet port, the closure means being adapted to permit introduction of containers into the inlet channel through the inlet port and being adapted to obstruct removal of containers from the inlet channel through the inlet port.
an inlet port for receiving the containers and an outlet port where the containers can be removed, the inlet and outlet ports being in substantially side-by-side relationship;
a circuit between the inlet and outlet ports dimensioned to permit passage of the containers, the circuit including an inlet channel communicating with the inlet port, an outlet channel substantially parallel to the inlet channel and communicating with the outlet port, and a container-directing portion adapted to direct containers from the inlet channel to the outlet channel as containers are forced successively through the inlet port into the inlet channel;
and, closure means associated with the inlet port, the closure means being adapted to permit introduction of containers into the inlet channel through the inlet port and being adapted to obstruct removal of containers from the inlet channel through the inlet port.
2. The device of claim 1 in which the closure means comprise:
a closure member located at the inlet port and movable between a closed orientation in which the closure member obstructs access through the inlet port to the inlet channel and an open orientation in which the closure member permits introduction of a container through the inlet port into the inletchannel;
biasing means for urging the closure member to the closed orientation.
a closure member located at the inlet port and movable between a closed orientation in which the closure member obstructs access through the inlet port to the inlet channel and an open orientation in which the closure member permits introduction of a container through the inlet port into the inletchannel;
biasing means for urging the closure member to the closed orientation.
3. The device of claim 1 in which the closure means comprise:
a pair of closure members at opposite sides of the inlet port, the closure members being movable between a closed orientation in which the closure members are substantially aligned across the inlet port and an open orientation in which the closure members are deflected into the inlet channel and define between the closure members an opening sufficient to permit introduction of a container between the closure members into the inlet channel;
biasing means for urging the closure members towards the closed orientation, the biasing means being adapted to be overcome by hand-pushing of a container against the closure members and through the inlet port into the inlet channel.
a pair of closure members at opposite sides of the inlet port, the closure members being movable between a closed orientation in which the closure members are substantially aligned across the inlet port and an open orientation in which the closure members are deflected into the inlet channel and define between the closure members an opening sufficient to permit introduction of a container between the closure members into the inlet channel;
biasing means for urging the closure members towards the closed orientation, the biasing means being adapted to be overcome by hand-pushing of a container against the closure members and through the inlet port into the inlet channel.
4. The device of claim 1, 2 or 3 integrally moulded of a plastic material.
5. An integrally moulded plastic device for storing containers filled with perishable beverages and for dispensing the containers substantiallyin the order in which the containers are received for storage, comprising:
a generally planar horizontal base having a forward base portion and a rear base portion;
an elongate partition extending upwardly from the base;
a generally U-shaped sidewall extending upwardly from the base and having a curved portion at the rear base portion, the sidewall being spaced from the partition to define an inlet channel to one side of the partition and an outlet channel to an opposite side of the partition, the curved portion being spaced from the partition and shaped to deflect containers pushed along the inlet channel into the outlet channel, the sidewall cooperating with the base and the partition to define an inlet port communicating with the inlet channel and an outlet port communicating with the outlet channel, the inlet and outlet portsbeing located at the forward base portion and being in substantially side-by-side relationship;
a closure member integrally hinged to one of the sidewall and the partition at the forward base portion, the closure member pivoting about a generally vertical axis between a closed orientation in which the closure member obstructs access through the inlet port to the inlet channel and an open orientation in the interior of the inlet channel in which the closure member permits introduction of a container through the inlet port into the inlet channel;
the closure member deflecting from its closed orientation to its open orientation when a container is pressed against an externally-facing surface of the closure member and being thereafter urged by intrinsic resilienceof the plastic material to return to its closed orientation.
a generally planar horizontal base having a forward base portion and a rear base portion;
an elongate partition extending upwardly from the base;
a generally U-shaped sidewall extending upwardly from the base and having a curved portion at the rear base portion, the sidewall being spaced from the partition to define an inlet channel to one side of the partition and an outlet channel to an opposite side of the partition, the curved portion being spaced from the partition and shaped to deflect containers pushed along the inlet channel into the outlet channel, the sidewall cooperating with the base and the partition to define an inlet port communicating with the inlet channel and an outlet port communicating with the outlet channel, the inlet and outlet portsbeing located at the forward base portion and being in substantially side-by-side relationship;
a closure member integrally hinged to one of the sidewall and the partition at the forward base portion, the closure member pivoting about a generally vertical axis between a closed orientation in which the closure member obstructs access through the inlet port to the inlet channel and an open orientation in the interior of the inlet channel in which the closure member permits introduction of a container through the inlet port into the inlet channel;
the closure member deflecting from its closed orientation to its open orientation when a container is pressed against an externally-facing surface of the closure member and being thereafter urged by intrinsic resilienceof the plastic material to return to its closed orientation.
6. An integrally moulded plastic device for storing containers filled with perishable beverages and for dispensing the containers in the order in which the containers are received for storage, comprising:
a generally planar horizontal base having a forward base portion and a rear base portion;
an elongate partition extending upwardly from the base;
a generally U-shaped sidewall extending upwardly from the base and having a curved portion at the rear base portion, the sidewall being spaced from the partition to define an inlet channel to one side of the partition and an outlet channel to an opposite side of the partition, the curved portion being spaced from the partition and shaped to deflect containers pushed along the inlet channel into the outlet channel, the sidewall cooperating with the base and the partition to define an inlet port communicating with the inlet channel and an outlet port communicating with the outlet channel, the inlet and outlet portsbeing located at the forward base portion and being in substantially side-by-side relationship;
a first closure member integrally hinged to one of the sidewall and the partition and a second closure member integrally hinged to the other of the sidewall and the partition, the first and second closure members pivoting about generally vertical axes between a closed orientation in which the closure members are spaced a predetermined distance apart, the predetermined distance and the horizontal width of the inlet port being such that a container cannot bepassed through the inlet port without engaging both closure members, and an open orientation in the interior of the inlet channel in which the closure members are spaced sufficiently apart to permit the container to be passed through the inlet port into the inlet channel;
the first and second closure members deflecting from the closed orientation to the open orientation when a container is pressed by hand against externally-facing surfaces of the first and second closure members and being thereafter urged by intrinsic resilience of the plastic material to return to the closed orientation.
a generally planar horizontal base having a forward base portion and a rear base portion;
an elongate partition extending upwardly from the base;
a generally U-shaped sidewall extending upwardly from the base and having a curved portion at the rear base portion, the sidewall being spaced from the partition to define an inlet channel to one side of the partition and an outlet channel to an opposite side of the partition, the curved portion being spaced from the partition and shaped to deflect containers pushed along the inlet channel into the outlet channel, the sidewall cooperating with the base and the partition to define an inlet port communicating with the inlet channel and an outlet port communicating with the outlet channel, the inlet and outlet portsbeing located at the forward base portion and being in substantially side-by-side relationship;
a first closure member integrally hinged to one of the sidewall and the partition and a second closure member integrally hinged to the other of the sidewall and the partition, the first and second closure members pivoting about generally vertical axes between a closed orientation in which the closure members are spaced a predetermined distance apart, the predetermined distance and the horizontal width of the inlet port being such that a container cannot bepassed through the inlet port without engaging both closure members, and an open orientation in the interior of the inlet channel in which the closure members are spaced sufficiently apart to permit the container to be passed through the inlet port into the inlet channel;
the first and second closure members deflecting from the closed orientation to the open orientation when a container is pressed by hand against externally-facing surfaces of the first and second closure members and being thereafter urged by intrinsic resilience of the plastic material to return to the closed orientation.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 585365 CA1327032C (en) | 1988-12-08 | 1988-12-08 | Dispenser for perishable beverage containers |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 585365 CA1327032C (en) | 1988-12-08 | 1988-12-08 | Dispenser for perishable beverage containers |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1327032C true CA1327032C (en) | 1994-02-15 |
Family
ID=4139250
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 585365 Expired - Fee Related CA1327032C (en) | 1988-12-08 | 1988-12-08 | Dispenser for perishable beverage containers |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1327032C (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2492957A (en) * | 2011-07-15 | 2013-01-23 | Johnny George Subu | Container Organiser |
| ITAR20120009A1 (en) * | 2012-03-22 | 2013-09-23 | Leonardo Mattoni | TRACK TO ADJUST THE DISPOSAL OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS |
| EP2891857A3 (en) * | 2013-12-18 | 2015-08-26 | Liebherr-Hausgeräte Lienz GmbH | Receiving element |
| US10172482B2 (en) | 2015-01-28 | 2019-01-08 | The Heartbeat Manufacturing Co (Redditch) Limited | Shelf management device |
| GB2565631A (en) * | 2017-06-20 | 2019-02-20 | Robinson Darryl | Article storage apparatus and a method of manufacture thereof |
| GB2567643A (en) * | 2017-10-17 | 2019-04-24 | Serval Automotive Ltd | Slider device |
-
1988
- 1988-12-08 CA CA 585365 patent/CA1327032C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2492957A (en) * | 2011-07-15 | 2013-01-23 | Johnny George Subu | Container Organiser |
| US9427096B2 (en) | 2011-07-15 | 2016-08-30 | Johnny George SUBU | Container organiser |
| GB2492957B (en) * | 2011-07-15 | 2016-10-19 | George Subu Johnny | Container organiser |
| ITAR20120009A1 (en) * | 2012-03-22 | 2013-09-23 | Leonardo Mattoni | TRACK TO ADJUST THE DISPOSAL OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS |
| EP2891857A3 (en) * | 2013-12-18 | 2015-08-26 | Liebherr-Hausgeräte Lienz GmbH | Receiving element |
| US10172482B2 (en) | 2015-01-28 | 2019-01-08 | The Heartbeat Manufacturing Co (Redditch) Limited | Shelf management device |
| GB2565631A (en) * | 2017-06-20 | 2019-02-20 | Robinson Darryl | Article storage apparatus and a method of manufacture thereof |
| GB2567643A (en) * | 2017-10-17 | 2019-04-24 | Serval Automotive Ltd | Slider device |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKLA | Lapsed |