CA2608863A1 - Cover for merchandising display bin of cold foodstuffs - Google Patents
Cover for merchandising display bin of cold foodstuffs Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2608863A1 CA2608863A1 CA 2608863 CA2608863A CA2608863A1 CA 2608863 A1 CA2608863 A1 CA 2608863A1 CA 2608863 CA2608863 CA 2608863 CA 2608863 A CA2608863 A CA 2608863A CA 2608863 A1 CA2608863 A1 CA 2608863A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cover
- bin
- display
- foodstuffs
- door
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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- Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
- Freezers Or Refrigerated Showcases (AREA)
Abstract
A fully collapsible cover encloses a merchandising display bin top with an ice tray on the bin top. The cover front panel is slanted rearward at an angle such that the front panel is approximately normal to the line of sight of the observing consumer to eliminate or minimize glare to the consumer's view. The height of the cover is such as to minimize the cover volume so it can be maintained cold solely by the ice while still providing access by the operator to all areas of the ice tray through the cover rear panel doors. The ice tray commonly has a raised guard rearward in the ice tray as a barrier against loss of ice from spillage as foodstuffs are removed. The bottom of the cover doors is just above the ice tray door providing maximum access to foodstuffs while minimizing the cover volume and clearing the guard.
Description
COVER FOR MERCHANDISING DISPLAY BIN OF COLD FOODSTUFFS
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention 6 This invention relates to a cover for merchandising display bin, and more specifically to a transparent cover enclosing a display bin showing foodstuffs on ice that 8 are accessible through rear cover doors by a retail operator.
Prior Art Merchandising of cold foodstuffs such as fresh seafoods and specialty meats is sometimes done by a retail operator using a temporary table with a bin as its top for 12 receiving the foodstuffs. An ice tray is placed in the bin and the tray is filled with ice.
The foodstuffs are placed on the ice and kept cold only by the ice. The table is positioned 14 strategically in a retail store to attract the attention of the consuming public. However, consumers also bring disease and infection and tend to want to touch what they see. The 16 foodstuffs need to be shielded from them. Hence the well-deserved common name for covers of these retail bins is"sneeze covers'as these covers meet the first and primary 18 object of providing a barrier between the consumer and the foodstuffs. Only an operator using gloves accesses the foodstuffs through a door in a cover back panel.
There is a second object achieved by bin covers. Because the bins are not refrigerated the only means of cooling the foodstuffs and the air surrounding the 22 foodstuffs is the ice. It is then required to maintain an enclosed environment close around the foodstuffs both to keep the foodstuffs cold and to minimize loss of cold air to the - I -ambient air around the bin and therefor to minimize the rate the ice melts and needs 2 replacing.
These merchandising display bins are usually temporary. From time to time, the 4 table, bin, ice tray, and bin cover are disassembled and relocated. It is therefore convenient to have a cover that is easily disassembled and reassembled. It is also 6 convenient to have a cover that collapses to a compact form for ease of transport and efficient storage.
These objects are achieved in the display cover of the present invention. The cover fully encloses the ice tray of the display bin as it fits on top of the bin. It is quickly collapsible by lifting off its top and sliding its rear panel up as the rear panel slides in 12 grooves between rear panel edges and cover side rear edges until the rear panel disengages from the cover sides. The sides then fold against the cover front panel on 14 hinges between front panel side edges and side front edges.
To maintain the ice tray fully enclosed generally and to prevent access by 16 observing consumers, access is limited to a retail operator through bin doors in the cover rear panel that remain closed except to remove foodstuffs at the request of a consumer for 18 purchase. The front panel is designed to provide the primary view of the foodstuffs. The front panel is therefore slanted rearward at an angle such that the front panel is approximately normal to the line of sight of the consumer observing the foodstuffs through the cover, this to eliminate or minimize glare to the consumefs view.
22 The bin cover achieves the object of providing an air environment at near freezing temperatures cooled solely by the ice by limiting the volume within the cover.
The height of the cover then is that which maintains air within the cover volume cold solely 2 by the ice while still providing access by the operator to all areas of the ice tray through the cover rear panel doors.
4 The ice tray commonly has a guard rearward in the bin that is raised as a barrier against loss of ice from spillage as foodstuffs are removed. The bottom of the cover 6 doors are by design low in the rear panel just above the ice tray door, thus providing maximum access to foodstuffs while minimizing the cover volume and clearing the 8 guard. The cover door comprises left and right matching sliding doors that maximizes access to the ice tray with a height from near the guard to near the cover top.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the merchandising display cover of the 12 present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the cover showing the cover top removed and 14 the rear panel partially removed.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rear panel side edges aligned to slide into a 16 groove at a cover side edge.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover sides folded against the cover front 18 panel.
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the cover in position over a display bin.
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the merchandising display bin on which the cover mounts with an ice tray on its top.
Field of the Invention 6 This invention relates to a cover for merchandising display bin, and more specifically to a transparent cover enclosing a display bin showing foodstuffs on ice that 8 are accessible through rear cover doors by a retail operator.
Prior Art Merchandising of cold foodstuffs such as fresh seafoods and specialty meats is sometimes done by a retail operator using a temporary table with a bin as its top for 12 receiving the foodstuffs. An ice tray is placed in the bin and the tray is filled with ice.
The foodstuffs are placed on the ice and kept cold only by the ice. The table is positioned 14 strategically in a retail store to attract the attention of the consuming public. However, consumers also bring disease and infection and tend to want to touch what they see. The 16 foodstuffs need to be shielded from them. Hence the well-deserved common name for covers of these retail bins is"sneeze covers'as these covers meet the first and primary 18 object of providing a barrier between the consumer and the foodstuffs. Only an operator using gloves accesses the foodstuffs through a door in a cover back panel.
There is a second object achieved by bin covers. Because the bins are not refrigerated the only means of cooling the foodstuffs and the air surrounding the 22 foodstuffs is the ice. It is then required to maintain an enclosed environment close around the foodstuffs both to keep the foodstuffs cold and to minimize loss of cold air to the - I -ambient air around the bin and therefor to minimize the rate the ice melts and needs 2 replacing.
These merchandising display bins are usually temporary. From time to time, the 4 table, bin, ice tray, and bin cover are disassembled and relocated. It is therefore convenient to have a cover that is easily disassembled and reassembled. It is also 6 convenient to have a cover that collapses to a compact form for ease of transport and efficient storage.
These objects are achieved in the display cover of the present invention. The cover fully encloses the ice tray of the display bin as it fits on top of the bin. It is quickly collapsible by lifting off its top and sliding its rear panel up as the rear panel slides in 12 grooves between rear panel edges and cover side rear edges until the rear panel disengages from the cover sides. The sides then fold against the cover front panel on 14 hinges between front panel side edges and side front edges.
To maintain the ice tray fully enclosed generally and to prevent access by 16 observing consumers, access is limited to a retail operator through bin doors in the cover rear panel that remain closed except to remove foodstuffs at the request of a consumer for 18 purchase. The front panel is designed to provide the primary view of the foodstuffs. The front panel is therefore slanted rearward at an angle such that the front panel is approximately normal to the line of sight of the consumer observing the foodstuffs through the cover, this to eliminate or minimize glare to the consumefs view.
22 The bin cover achieves the object of providing an air environment at near freezing temperatures cooled solely by the ice by limiting the volume within the cover.
The height of the cover then is that which maintains air within the cover volume cold solely 2 by the ice while still providing access by the operator to all areas of the ice tray through the cover rear panel doors.
4 The ice tray commonly has a guard rearward in the bin that is raised as a barrier against loss of ice from spillage as foodstuffs are removed. The bottom of the cover 6 doors are by design low in the rear panel just above the ice tray door, thus providing maximum access to foodstuffs while minimizing the cover volume and clearing the 8 guard. The cover door comprises left and right matching sliding doors that maximizes access to the ice tray with a height from near the guard to near the cover top.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the merchandising display cover of the 12 present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the cover showing the cover top removed and 14 the rear panel partially removed.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rear panel side edges aligned to slide into a 16 groove at a cover side edge.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover sides folded against the cover front 18 panel.
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the cover in position over a display bin.
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the merchandising display bin on which the cover mounts with an ice tray on its top.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
2 The merchandizing bin cover 10 of the present invention is intended for use in combination with a merchandising bin 12 with an ice tray 14 filled with ice not shown on 4 the bin top 16 as the sole coolant for the bin 12 and for foodstuffs displayed on the ice.
The bin 12 has a channel 18 circumferential about its perimeter that receive bottom edges 6 20 of the cover 10.
The display cover 10 fully encloses the bin top 16 with opposite left and right 8 sides 22, 24 separated by a transparent front pane126 and a rear pane128.
The rear panel 28 includes a door 30 for access through the cover 10 to foodstuffs within.
The front pane126 is slanted rearward at an angle A approximately normal to a line of sight S of a consumer whose head is above the cover in observing foodstuffs within. The cover sides 12 22, 24 and the front and rear panels 26, 28 are of a cover height H
designed to limit the volume within the cover 10. The cold air within the limited volume then is able to be 14 maintained cooled only by the ice in the ice tray 14 at a required temperature, which is that temperature required to maintain the foodstuffs at freezing or near freezing 16 temperature. The height H must also be sufficient for an operator to be able to conveniently access all parts of the ice tray 14 through door 30. The opposing 18 requirements then arrive at the greatest height that still maintains the foodstuffs at freezing or near freezing temperature. For a bin of approximately 37 inches by 45 inches, which is typical of such merchandizing bins, that height H has been empirically determined to be approximately 24 inches.
22 To provide the convenient access, the door 30 then has a door height D of approximately 14 inches extending substantially through the cover height H.
The door 30 comprises left and right sliding members 32, 34 that close together to effectively seal the 2 cover 10. The bottom 36 of the door 30 is located to coordinate with the ice tray 14 that comprises a guard 38 rearward in the bin 12 that is raised above the rest of the ice tray to 4 prevent ice from spilling rearward out of the bin 12. The door bottom 36 then is by design located in the rear pane128 to be above the guard 38 a small distance such that while the 6 door bottom 36 is low in the rear pane128 to provide access to foodstuffs and minimize cover height, it is also above the guard 38. The guard 38 is typically above the bin 12 8 approximately five inches and the door bottom 36 is above a rear panel bottom edge 40 approximately six inches.
The cover 10 additionally comprises a removable cover top 42 that rests on the cover sides 22, 24 and panels 26, 28 to effectively seal cold air from escaping from 12 within the cover 10. Rear panel side edges 44, 46 slidably respectively engage side grooves 54 at side rear edges 48, 50 through which the rear panel may be lifted away 14 from the cover sides 22, 24 during cover disassembly. The rear panel 28 re-engages the sides 22, 24 during cover assembly. Side forward edges 56, 58 engage front panel side 16 edges 60, 62 through respective hinges 64. With the rear pane128 and the cover top 42 removed, the sides 22, 24 are foldable alongside the front pane126 for convenient storage 18 of the cover 10.
2 The merchandizing bin cover 10 of the present invention is intended for use in combination with a merchandising bin 12 with an ice tray 14 filled with ice not shown on 4 the bin top 16 as the sole coolant for the bin 12 and for foodstuffs displayed on the ice.
The bin 12 has a channel 18 circumferential about its perimeter that receive bottom edges 6 20 of the cover 10.
The display cover 10 fully encloses the bin top 16 with opposite left and right 8 sides 22, 24 separated by a transparent front pane126 and a rear pane128.
The rear panel 28 includes a door 30 for access through the cover 10 to foodstuffs within.
The front pane126 is slanted rearward at an angle A approximately normal to a line of sight S of a consumer whose head is above the cover in observing foodstuffs within. The cover sides 12 22, 24 and the front and rear panels 26, 28 are of a cover height H
designed to limit the volume within the cover 10. The cold air within the limited volume then is able to be 14 maintained cooled only by the ice in the ice tray 14 at a required temperature, which is that temperature required to maintain the foodstuffs at freezing or near freezing 16 temperature. The height H must also be sufficient for an operator to be able to conveniently access all parts of the ice tray 14 through door 30. The opposing 18 requirements then arrive at the greatest height that still maintains the foodstuffs at freezing or near freezing temperature. For a bin of approximately 37 inches by 45 inches, which is typical of such merchandizing bins, that height H has been empirically determined to be approximately 24 inches.
22 To provide the convenient access, the door 30 then has a door height D of approximately 14 inches extending substantially through the cover height H.
The door 30 comprises left and right sliding members 32, 34 that close together to effectively seal the 2 cover 10. The bottom 36 of the door 30 is located to coordinate with the ice tray 14 that comprises a guard 38 rearward in the bin 12 that is raised above the rest of the ice tray to 4 prevent ice from spilling rearward out of the bin 12. The door bottom 36 then is by design located in the rear pane128 to be above the guard 38 a small distance such that while the 6 door bottom 36 is low in the rear pane128 to provide access to foodstuffs and minimize cover height, it is also above the guard 38. The guard 38 is typically above the bin 12 8 approximately five inches and the door bottom 36 is above a rear panel bottom edge 40 approximately six inches.
The cover 10 additionally comprises a removable cover top 42 that rests on the cover sides 22, 24 and panels 26, 28 to effectively seal cold air from escaping from 12 within the cover 10. Rear panel side edges 44, 46 slidably respectively engage side grooves 54 at side rear edges 48, 50 through which the rear panel may be lifted away 14 from the cover sides 22, 24 during cover disassembly. The rear panel 28 re-engages the sides 22, 24 during cover assembly. Side forward edges 56, 58 engage front panel side 16 edges 60, 62 through respective hinges 64. With the rear pane128 and the cover top 42 removed, the sides 22, 24 are foldable alongside the front pane126 for convenient storage 18 of the cover 10.
Claims (15)
1. A display cover for use in combination with a merchandising display bin having an ice tray as its bin top on which cold foodstuffs, such as meats and sea foods, are displayed to a purchasing consumer, the foodstuffs being kept cold by ice in the ice tray, the display cover isolating outside ambient air from air inside the cover cooled by the ice, the improvement comprising a fully enclosed display cover having opposite left and right sides separated by a transparent front panel and a rear panel having a door with a door top and bottom, the front panel being slanted rearward an angle such that the front panel is approximately normal to a line of sight of a consumer whose head is above the cover observing foodstuffs within, the sides and the front and rear panels being of a cover height limiting the volume within the cover such as to maintain cold air cooled only by the ice at a required temperature, the cover also being of sufficiently height for an operator to be able to access all parts of the ice tray through said door, the required temperature being that required to maintain the foodstuffs at freezing or near freezing temperature.
2. The display cover of claim 1 wherein left and right edges of the rear panel fit slidably into a groove at rear edges of each side such that the rear panel is removable from the sides by sliding the rear panel upward from the side panels.
3. The display cover of claim 1 wherein said door of said rear panel comprises left and right members slidably secured to said rear panel and closing together to close the cover and separating to provide access to foodstuffs anywhere within the cover.
4. The display cover of claim 1 wherein said cover height is approximately two feet.
5. The display cover of claim 5 wherein said door has a door height of approximately fourteen inches providing convenient access to foodstuffs anywhere within the cover.
6. The display of claim 1 wherein said merchandising display bin comprises a channel circumferential about the bin top, the cover further comprising said sides and panels sized such that their bottom edges fit into said bin channel.
7. The display of claim 1 wherein said ice tray of said merchandising display bin comprises a guard rearward in the bin raised above the bin top that prevents ice from spilling rearward out of the bin, the door bottom being above the guard a small distance such that the door bottom is low in the rear panel to provide access to foodstuffs on the ice tray above the guard.
8. The display of claim 8 wherein the door bottom and the guard are spaced apart approximately an inch with the cover assembled on the bin.
9. The display of claim 9 wherein the guard is above the bin approximately five inches and the door bottom is above a rear panel bottom edge approximately six inches.
10. A display cover for use in combination with a merchandising display bin having an ice tray as its bin top on which cold foodstuffs, such as meats and sea foods, are displayed to a purchasing consumer, the foodstuffs being kept cold by ice in the ice tray, the merchandising display bin having a channel circumferential about the bin top the display cover isolating outside ambient air from air inside the cover cooled by the ice, the improvement comprising a fully enclosed display cover having opposite left and right sides separated by a transparent front panel and a rear panel having a door having a door top and bottom, the front panel being slanted rearward an angle such that the front panel is approximately normal to a line of sight of a consumer whose head is above the cover observing foodstuffs within, the sides and the front and rear panels being of a cover height limiting the volume within the cover such as to maintain cold air cooled only by the ice at a required temperature and sufficiently large for an operator to be able to access all parts of the ice tray through said door, the required temperature being that required to maintain the foodstuffs at freezing or near freezing temperature, wherein the cover sides and panels are sized such that their bottom edges fit into said bin channel, a top effectively sealing cold air from escaping from within the cover and being removable from atop said sides and panels, and wherein said sides are hinged to said front panel, and wherein said rear panel is removably attached to said sides, such that with said rear panel and said top removed, said sides are foldable alongside said front panel for ease assembling and disassembling and storage of the cover, wherein left and right edges of the rear panel fit slidably into a groove at rear edges of each side such that the rear panel is removable from the sides by sliding the rear panel upward from the side panels, and wherein said door of said rear panel comprises left and right members slidably secured to said rear panel and closing together to close the cover and separating to provide access to foodstuffs anywhere within the cover.
11. The display cover of claim 11 wherein said cover height is approximately two feet.
12. The display cover of claim 12 wherein said door has a door height of approximately fourteen inches providing convenient access foodstuffs anywhere within the cover.
13. The display of claim 11 wherein said ice tray of said merchandising display bin comprises a guard rearward in the bin raised above the bin top that prevents ice from spilling rearward out of the bin, the door bottom being above the guard a small distance such that the door bottom is low in the rear panel to provide access to foodstuffs on the ice tray above the guard.
14. The display of claim 14 wherein the door bottom and the guard are spaced apart approximately an inch with the cover assembled on the bin.
15. The display of claim 15 wherein the guard is above the bin approximately five inches and the door bottom is above a rear panel bottom edge approximately six inches.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US83140707A | 2007-07-31 | 2007-07-31 | |
| US11/831,407 | 2007-07-31 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2608863A1 true CA2608863A1 (en) | 2009-01-31 |
Family
ID=40299574
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2608863 Abandoned CA2608863A1 (en) | 2007-07-31 | 2007-10-29 | Cover for merchandising display bin of cold foodstuffs |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2608863A1 (en) |
-
2007
- 2007-10-29 CA CA 2608863 patent/CA2608863A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |