CN113302139A

CN113302139A - Propulsion type material box for storing bulk products

Info

Publication number: CN113302139A
Application number: CN202080009302.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T·伯纳姆; N·甘布勒; A·乔因森; A·尼兰-菲利普斯; U·华盛顿; G·泽兰
Original assignee: Kraft Foods Schweiz Holding GmbH
Current assignee: Kraft Foods Schweiz Holding GmbH
Priority date: 2019-01-23
Filing date: 2020-01-16
Publication date: 2021-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-16
Also published as: CN116654512A; CN113302139B; EP3914541A1; CA3125759A1; CA3125759C; AU2020211400A1; WO2020154161A1; AU2020211400B2

Abstract

The present invention provides a bin for storing a plurality of products, the bin comprising: a frame having an open top and bottom; a product support platform movably coupled relative to the frame and configured to support the product thereon; a plurality of resilient members coupled with respect to the frame and the platform; a plurality of pulleys coupled with respect to the frame and the elastic member; and one or more linear segments interconnecting the pulleys and coupled relative to the platform. The resilient member, the pulley and the one or more linear segments are arranged to cause each of the corners of the platform to simultaneously move in a direction toward the bottom of the frame in response to a weight applied by the product when the product is loaded onto the platform and to simultaneously move in a direction toward the top of the frame in response to at least one of the products picked from the platform.

Description

Propulsion type material box for storing bulk products

Technical Field

Described herein are bins or units for storing bulk products, and in particular bins in which a movable platform is provided for supporting bulk products, such as food products.

Background

Product storage and display bins or units (such as point-of-sale units) are used at grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations to hold products for consumers to pick and purchase from. To facilitate easy removal of the products from the bin by the consumer and to prevent the consumer from having to reach deep into the bin as the number of products stored in the bin decreases, the products are loaded into the bin such that the top layer of products is at a level approximately waist high for the average person. To achieve this, many conventional bins have false bottoms that are much higher than the floor, disadvantageously resulting in the bins wasting a significant amount of storage space in the area below the false bottom. Another disadvantage of conventional bins is that as product is removed from the bin, the topmost layer of product in the bin drops significantly below the top of the bin, which may be unattractive.

Disclosure of Invention

Generally, the bins or units described herein include a movable platform disposed therein, and the height of the movable platform is automatically adjusted via a spring and pulley system based on the weight of the products supported by the platform to maintain the topmost layer of products within the bin at a predetermined height or within a range of heights to maintain the products stored in the bin within easy reach of the consumer.

In some embodiments, a bin for storing a plurality of products includes a frame including an open top and a bottom. The bin also includes a product support platform movable relative to the frame and configured to support a product thereon. The platform is movable relative to the frame between an unloaded position in which no product is supported on the platform and a fully loaded position closer to the bottom of the frame than the unloaded position in which a maximum number of products are loaded onto the platform. The magazine also includes a plurality of resilient members coupled with respect to the frame and the platform. The resilient member is biased to pull the platform in a direction toward the top of the frame to adjust the height of the platform relative to the frame based on the weight of the product supported by the platform to maintain the topmost layer of the product at a predetermined height or within a range of heights. The bin also includes a plurality of upper pulleys coupled relative to the frame adjacent the open top of the frame and a plurality of bottom pulleys coupled relative to the frame adjacent the bottom of the frame. Further, the magazine includes a plurality of linear segments each having an end fixedly coupled relative to the movable platform at spaced apart locations and passing over at least one of the upper pulleys and at least one of the bottom pulleys. The linear segments limit the movement of the platform relative to the frame such that the travel of the sides and/or anchor points of the platform is substantially synchronized in distance and speed (within acceptable production and equipment tolerances) with the movement of the platform between the loaded and unloaded positions.

In some aspects, the platform is rectangular and has a first corner, a second corner, a third corner, and a fourth corner.

In some aspects, four linear segments are provided, and each of the four linear segments extends from an adjacent one of the corners of the platform, beyond the upper pulley, from the upper pulley to the lower pulley, from the lower pulley to another lower pulley, and to another one of the corners of the adjacent platform.

In some embodiments, the bin may comprise a first leg comprising a first upper pulley and a first bottom pulley pair; a second leg comprising a second upper sheave and a second bottom sheave pair; a third leg comprising a third upper sheave and a third bottom sheave pair; and a fourth leg comprising a fourth upper sheave and a fourth bottom sheave pair.

In certain aspects, the linear segments include a first linear segment, a second linear segment, a third linear segment, and a fourth linear segment. The first linear segment has a first end attached adjacent a first corner of the platform, extends beyond the first upper pulley, and extends from the first upper pulley to one of the first pair of bottom pulleys, from one of the first pair of bottom pulleys to one of the second pair of bottom pulleys, and from one of the second pair of bottom pulleys to a second corner of the platform, wherein the second end of the first linear segment is attached adjacent the second corner of the platform. A second linear segment has a first end attached adjacent the second corner of the platform, extends beyond the second upper pulley, and extends from the second upper pulley to the other second bottom pulley of the second bottom pulley pair, from the other second bottom pulley of the second bottom pulley pair to one third bottom pulley of the third bottom pulley pair, and from one third bottom pulley of the third bottom pulley pair to the third corner of the platform, wherein a second end of the second linear segment is attached adjacent the third corner of the platform. A third linear segment has a first end attached adjacent the third corner of the platform, extends beyond the third upper pulley, and extends from the third upper pulley to the other third bottom pulley of the third bottom pulley pair, from the other third bottom pulley of the third bottom pulley pair to one fourth bottom pulley of the fourth bottom pulley pair, and from one fourth bottom pulley of the fourth bottom pulley pair to the fourth corner of the platform, wherein a second end of the third linear segment is attached adjacent the fourth corner of the platform. A fourth wire form segment has a first end attached adjacent the fourth corner of the platform, extends beyond the fourth upper pulley, and extends from the fourth upper pulley to the other fourth bottom pulley of the fourth bottom pulley pair, from the other fourth bottom pulley of the fourth bottom pulley pair to the other bottom pulley of the first bottom pulley pair, and from the other first bottom pulley of the first bottom pulley pair to the first corner of the platform, wherein a second end of the fourth wire form segment is attached adjacent the first corner of the platform.

In some embodiments, each of the corners of the platform includes at least one coupling member configured to allow a bottom end of a respective one of the resilient members to be coupled to the coupling member.

In certain aspects, at least one of the corners of the platform includes at least one wire connector configured to allow an end of at least one linear segment to be fixedly coupled to the at least one wire connector. In some embodiments, each of the corners of the platform includes two linear connectors extending therefrom, and the at least one linear segment includes four linear segments, wherein each of the four linear segments has one end connected to one of the wire connectors at one of the corners and another end connected to one of the connectors at another one of the corners.

In some embodiments, the bottom pulleys each comprise a bottom pulley assembly coupled relative to the frame, and each bottom pulley assembly comprises a pair of shafts, each shaft having a pulley mounted relative thereto for rotation. Each bottom sheave assembly may include a plurality of openings to allow at least one linear segment to pass through the plurality of openings. In some aspects, the at least one linear segment is movably coupled relative to the pulley of the bottom pulley assembly such that movement of the at least one linear segment causes rotation of the pulley of the bottom pulley assembly.

In certain aspects, the top pulleys each include an upper pulley assembly coupled relative to the frame, wherein each top pulley assembly includes an axle having a respective one of the upper pulleys mounted for rotation relative thereto. In some embodiments, each upper sheave assembly further includes at least one coupling member configured to allow a top end of a respective one of the resilient members to be coupled to the at least one coupling member.

In some embodiments, the frame comprises a plurality of panels coupled relative to one another via a plurality of legs, wherein the side panels at least partially define an interior of the bin therebetween.

In some aspects, the linear segments are formed from a flexible, non-extensible length material.

In some embodiments, a method of dispensing products from a bin includes: storing the product in a bin and on a product support platform; in response to a plurality of products being picked from the bin, whereby contraction of the resilient member causes the platform to move in a direction towards the top of the frame; moving the linear segments to cause rotation of the upper and bottom pulleys in response to movement of the platform in a direction toward the top of the frame; the sides of the platform are moved substantially the same distance in a direction toward the top of the frame in response to the contraction of the at least one elastic member and the movement of the linear segments and the rotation of the pulleys.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary bin, shown without any products therein, and with a movable platform without any products thereon and in its empty position, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the bin of FIG. 1, the bin shown loaded with half of the products and with the movable platform having the products thereon and in an intermediate position;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the bin of FIG. 1, the bin being shown filled with products and the movable platform having more products thereon than shown in FIG. 2 and in its full position;

FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of the magazine of FIG. 1, further including an optional top plate extending upwardly above the open top of the magazine;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the magazine of FIG. 1;

fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the platform movement spring and pulley assembly of fig. 1 depicting the platform in its unloaded position and the spring shown in its contracted state, with the spring slightly extended from its natural relaxed/unextended state due to the weight of the platform;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the platform movement spring and sheave assembly of FIG. 1 depicting the platform in its fully loaded position and the spring extended;

FIG. 8 shows a partial perspective view of an exemplary top pulley assembly of the magazine of FIG. 1 depicting the pulley, wire and spring components of the platform movement assembly;

FIG. 9 shows a partial perspective view of an exemplary bottom pulley of the magazine of FIG. 1 depicting a pulley and wire component of the platform movement assembly; and is

Fig. 10 illustrates a partial perspective view of a corner of the movable platform showing the coupling of the spring member to the movable platform and the sheave assembly wire member passing therethrough.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1-3 show an exemplary bin 10. The bin 10 includes a frame 12 including an open top 14 and bottom 16. The illustrated exemplary frame 12 of the bin 10 includes a front panel 28, a back panel 30, a first side panel 32, a second side panel 34, and a bottom panel 35 that encloses an interior 36 of the bin 10. As can be seen in fig. 1-3, the floor 35 is generally horizontal and the

panels

28, 30, 32, and 34 are generally upright.

In fig. 1-3, the bin 10 is shown with each of the

plates

28, 30, 32, and 34 being made entirely of a transparent material to allow the products 90 loaded onto the product support platform 18 of the bin 10 to be visible through the

plates

28, 30, 32, and 34. It should be understood that in some embodiments, at least a portion of each of

plates

28, 30, 32, and 34 may be made opaque (e.g., by being made of an opaque material, by including an opaque coating, etc.) to block at least a portion of products 90 on platform 18 from view and/or to block a portion of bin 10 located below platform 18 from view. For example, all given panels may be opaque. In one embodiment, one or more of the plates may be predominantly opaque but have a transparent window. The window may be located towards the top (e.g., upper 25%) of the bin 10 and positioned so that the depth of usable product, i.e., how much product remains in the bin, can be seen.

It should be understood that the frame 12 of the magazine 10 is shown by way of example only as having four

upstanding plates

28, 30, 32 and 34, and that the number of upstanding plates of the magazine 10 may vary depending on the size and shape of the magazine 10. For example, the frame 12 of the magazine 10 may include three or more upright plates in some aspects, five upright plates in other aspects, six upright plates in still other aspects, and eight upright plates in still other aspects, or any other suitable number of upright plates within practical limits.

In the embodiment shown, the bottom plate 35 has an upwardly facing surface 37 and a downwardly facing surface 39. In some embodiments (see, e.g., fig. 4), a downward facing surface 39 of the bottom panel 35 of the bin 10 includes adjustable feet 44 coupled thereto to enable the bin 10 to stand flat on a support surface (e.g., bottom panel). In some aspects, the bin 10 includes four adjustable feet 44, and in other aspects, the bin 10 may include more than four feet 44 depending on the size and shape of the bin 10. Notably, the feet 44 are optional, and according to some embodiments, the bin 10 may be placed on a support surface (e.g., a floor) such that the downwardly facing surface 39 of the floor 35 is in direct contact with the support surface.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the frame 12 of the bin 10 further includes a top plate 38 that is generally aligned with the back plate 34 and extends upwardly above the top end 14 of the bin 10. In some aspects, the top plate 38 includes printed information that identifies the products 90 located in the bin 10 by name and/or announces seasonal and/or price reduction promotions associated with the products 90 in the bin 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the magazine 10 includes four

legs

40a, 40b, 40c, 40d configured to hold the

plates

28, 30, 32, 34 in a fixed position relative to one another. The upper portion of each of the

legs

40a, 40b, 40c, 40d is optionally connected with a horizontal cross member 45a-45 d. These cross members 45a-45d contribute to the structural integrity of the bin 10. In addition, the cross members 45a-45d may also each include a profile that includes a sloped

lower surface

47a, 47b, 47c, 47d, as shown in fig. 1, 2, 3, and 5. The inclined lower surfaces 47a-47d are positioned so as to create friction with adjacent articles stored in the bin 10, which may provide resistance to the platform rising, acting as a choke, especially when the bin contains lighter products. This advantageously allows a greater degree of control over the product and hence movement of the platform, and may allow springs to be selected for relatively heavier products, but still function adequately for lighter products.

The illustrated embodiment of the bin 10 includes four legs 40a-40d because the overall shape of the bin 10 is generally square. However, in embodiments where the bin 10 is not quadrilateral in shape, the frame 12 of the bin 10 may include less than four legs or more than four legs. For example, the frame 12 of the bin 10 may include three legs in some aspects, five legs in other aspects, six legs in still other aspects, and eight legs in still other aspects. The number of legs may correspond to the shape of the platform, e.g. a triangular platform may have three legs, a circular or elliptical platform may have three or more legs, etc.

Each of the legs 40a-40d of the exemplary bin 10 includes a channel 41, respectively, that is sized and shaped to maintain a structure responsible for movement of the product support platform 18. It should be understood that the configuration and shape of the channels 41 shown in the figures are shown by way of example only, and that each of the channels 41 may be completely or partially hollow, and may be any suitable shape (e.g., square, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, etc.) that exhibits some degree of rotational indexing. For example, in some aspects, each of the first, second, third, and

fourth legs

40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d includes an upper pulley 24 and a bottom pulley 24 pair (which are referred to herein as a first, second, third, and fourth upper pulley 24, and a first, second, third, and fourth bottom pulley 24 pair).

Each channel 41 of each leg 40a-40d is defined by first and second

outer walls

46, 48 and first and second

inner walls

50, 52. First outer wall 46 and second outer wall 48 intersect one another to form outer corners 54 of legs 40a-40 d. In the illustrated form, the first inner wall 50 and the first outer wall 46 intersect, the second inner wall 52 and the second outer wall 48 intersect, but the first outer wall 46 and the second outer wall 48 do not intersect and are spaced apart from one another to form an elongate slot 56 between the distal ends thereof.

Each of the legs 40 of the frame 12 may optionally include a top cover 43, respectively. Each of the caps 43 may be an opaque plastic cover configured to provide an aesthetic effect of blocking the structures located within the channel 41 of its respective leg 40a-40d from view, as well as a protective effect of limiting the consumer and/or retail store personnel from reaching and/or contacting any moving structures and/or potentially sharp edges located within the channel 41.

Referring to fig. 5, each of the legs 40a-40d of the frame 12 includes a pair of elongated vertical slots or channels 42, each sized and shaped to receive and securely retain an

edge portion

27, 29, 31, 33 of a respective one of the

plates

28, 30, 32, 34. Specifically, in the form shown, edge portions 27 of front panel 28 are received within channels 42 of

legs

40a and 40b, edge portions 29 of first side panel 32 are received within channels 42 of

legs

40b and 40c, edge portions 31 of back panel 30 are received within channels 42 of

legs

40c and 40d, and edge portions 33 of second side panel 34 are received within channels 42 of

legs

40d and 40 a.

In some embodiments, exemplary bin 10 includes an elastic member 22 coupled relative to frame 12 and platform 18, a pulley 24 coupled relative to the frame and elastic member, and one or more linear segments 26 interconnecting the pulley and coupled relative to platform 18. The elastic member 22 may be in the form of a spring (as shown in fig. 1-3), at least one elastic band, or the like. In the embodiment shown, the magazine 10 comprises four resilient members 22, each positioned in a corner of the magazine 10, and more particularly within a respective hollow channel 41 of the legs 40a-40 d. In particular, the load bearing strength and weight sensitivity of the resilient members 22 shown in fig. 2 and 3 are calibrated to account for the shape and/or weight of the food products 90 shown in fig. 2 and 3, but it should be understood that the load bearing strength and weight sensitivity of the resilient members 22 can be adjusted to accommodate a wide variety of products 90 that can be loaded into the bin 10 and on the platform 18. Instead of the resilient members 22 pulling the platform 18 towards the upper end of the magazine 10, the platform 18 may be pushed from the bottom towards the upper end of the magazine 10, such as by air bags, pistons or other means that may push the platform 18.

As shown in fig. 1-3, a portion of the resilient member 22 within each of the hollow channels 41 is visible through the slot 56 formed between the

inner walls

50 and 52 of the legs 40a-40 d. It should be understood that the magazine 10 is shown by way of example only as having four resilient members 22, and that the magazine 10 may include more than four (e.g., 6, 8, etc.) resilient members 22, depending on the desired size and shape.

The pulley 24 may be in the form of a rotatable wheel mounted on a shaft 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the magazine 10 includes four upper pulleys 24, each positioned within a corner of the magazine 10, and more specifically, within a respective hollow channel 41 of the leg 40. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1-3, a portion of each of the upper pulleys 24 located within a respective one of the hollow passages 41 is visible through a slot 56 formed between the inner wall 50 and the outer wall 52 of the legs 40a-40 d.

In certain embodiments described herein, the pulley 24 engages one or more linear segments 26 (e.g., wires, cables, ropes, strings, chains, belts, etc.) that are operably coupled at two different spaced-apart locations relative to the platform 18 (as will be described in greater detail below). Thus, movement of the platform 18 (e.g., in response to a product 90 being loaded onto the platform 18, or in response to a product 90 being picked from the platform 18) results in movement of one or more linear segments 26 coupled to the platform, which in turn causes rotation of the pulley 24. In some aspects, the linear segments 26 are formed of a flexible, non-malleable material. The pulley 24 may be a rotatable wheel, as shown and described herein. Alternatively, some or all of the pulleys may be something other than a rotatable wheel, which provides the function of allowing the direction of the linear segment to be changed on either side. For example, if the linear strand is formed from a chain, a rotatable sprocket may be used. By way of example, a smooth, low friction, fixed material may also be used, such as teflon, where the wire changes direction, or other means to facilitate the change of direction, such as rollers, curved grooves, slots, or channels, under which the wire can slide, pass over, or pass through.

Referring to fig. 1, 5, and 8, the exemplary bin 10 includes a plurality of upper sheave assemblies 58 coupled relative to the frame 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the magazine 10 includes four upper sheave assemblies 58, each located in a respective corner of the magazine 10. However, it should be understood that the bin 10 may include more than four (e.g., 6, 8, etc.) upper pulley assemblies 58 depending on the size and shape of the bin 10.

The exemplary upper sheave assembly 58 shown in fig. 8 includes two generally horizontal plates (i.e., an upper plate 60 and a lower plate 62) and two generally

vertical plates

64, 66. It should be understood that the

horizontal plates

60, 62 are shown in fig. 8 by way of example only as being interconnected by

vertical plates

64, 66, and may be spaced apart from one another without being interconnected. Further, it should be understood that in some aspects, the upper plate 60 may be fixed while the lower plate 62 may be movable. The

vertical plates

64 and 66 are spaced apart from each other but are interconnected via an upper rod 65 and a lower rod 67. In the illustrated form, the upper rod 65 acts as a spindle and has the pulley 24 mounted for rotation thereon. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 8, the lower rod 67 serves as a coupling member that allows the tip end 23 of the elastic member 22 to be fixedly coupled thereto. Preferably, the distance between the upper plate 60 and the lower plate 62 can be adjusted in order to adjust the tension of the elastic members 22 that are integrally connected to the lower plate 62, and the position of the lower plate 62 relative to the frame (in particular, the leg 40 to which it is attached). For example, the lower plate 62 may be fixed in one position relative to the frame (specifically, the leg to which it is attached); and the position of the upper plate 60 may be adjusted vertically and fixed in multiple positions, such as, for example, using one or more machine screws (not shown) extending between the upper plate 60 and the lower plate 62 to adjust the vertical spacing therebetween. Such adjustment may advantageously allow for adjustment of the tension of the wire loop (or a particular segment thereof).

The lower horizontal plate 62 of the upper pulley assembly 58 shown in fig. 8 includes one or more through-holes 63 (e.g., slots, holes, etc.) that allow the linear segments 26 connected to the pulleys 24 to pass therethrough. Similarly, the upper horizontal plate 60 of the upper pulley assembly 58 shown in fig. 8 includes one or more through-holes 61 (e.g., slots, holes, etc.) that allow portions of the pulleys 24 and portions of the linear segments 26 connected to the pulleys 24 to pass therethrough.

Referring to fig. 1, 5, and 9, the exemplary bin 10 includes a bottom pulley assembly 68 coupled relative to the frame 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the magazine 10 includes four bottom pulley assemblies 68, each located in a respective corner of the magazine 10. However, it should be understood that the bin 10 may include more than four (e.g., 6, 8, etc.) bottom pulley assemblies 68 depending on the size and shape of the bin 10.

The exemplary bottom sheave assembly 68 shown in fig. 5 and 9 is in the form of a corner bracket that includes a generally horizontal top wall 69, a bottom wall 71, and side walls 70 and 72 that intersect one another to form a corner 74 of the bottom sheave assembly 68. The exemplary bottom pulley assembly 68 is configured to include two pulleys 24. In the embodiment shown in fig. 9, each of the pulleys 24 rotatably coupled to the bottom pulley assembly 68 is mounted on a respective one of two spindles or rods 76 extending inwardly from their respective side walls 70 and 72 of the bottom pulley assembly 68. As shown in fig. 9, the top wall 69 of the bottom pulley assembly 68 includes two slot-like apertures 73 that allow the portion of the line 26 connected to the pulley 24 housed within the bottom pulley assembly 68 to pass therethrough. In some aspects, the slot-like apertures 73 also allow for removal of the linear segments 26 and/or pulleys 24 therethrough (e.g., for maintenance purposes).

In the illustrated embodiment, the bin 10 includes a product support platform 18 movably coupled relative to the frame 12. The product support platform 18 has a product support surface 20 configured to support a plurality of products 90 thereon. As shown, the exemplary product support platform 18 is generally rectangular and includes four sides 11 and four corners 19a-19d, but it should be understood that the product support platform 18 may have another suitable shape, such as rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, circular, etc., based on the overall shape of the bin 10. The product 90 can be, for example, an individually or bulk packaged product for consumption (e.g., a confectionery product, a flavored product, etc.), as well as any other non-consumable product (e.g., an electronic device, stationery, household item, etc.).

The product support platform 18 is movable between an empty position (shown in fig. 1) in which no products 90 are supported on the platform 18, and a full position (shown in fig. 3) in which a maximum number of products 90 are loaded onto the platform 18. When the platform 18 is in the empty position shown in fig. 1, the platform 18 is positioned closer to the open top 14 of the bin 10 than when the platform 18 is in the full position shown in fig. 3. When the platform 18 is loaded with a lesser number of products 90 (as shown in fig. 2) than the number of products 90 shown in fig. 3, the platform 18 is located at an intermediate position closer to the top 14 of the bin 10 than the platform 18 of the bin 10 shown in fig. 3, but further from the top 14 of the bin 10 than the platform 18 of the bin 10 shown in fig. 1. It should be understood that the amount of food or other products 90 and the position of the platform 18 shown in fig. 3 are shown by way of example only, and that the platform 18 is not limited to being able to move to a lower position than shown in fig. 3 if the full charge of products 90 intended to be contained in the bin 10 includes a greater number of products 90 (whose total combined weight is greater than the total combined weight of the number of products 90 shown in fig. 3) and/or includes a number of different products whose total combined weight is greater than the total combined weight of the products 90 shown in fig. 3.

In some embodiments, each of the corners 19a-19d of the platform 18 includes at least one through hole 17 configured to allow at least one linear segment 26 to pass through the platform 18, for example, as shown in fig. 10. Each of the corners 19a-19d of the platform 18 also includes two generally

vertical plates

15a, 15 b. In the embodiment shown in fig. 10, the

vertical plates

15a and 15b are spaced apart from each other, but interconnected via a rod 13. As shown in fig. 10, the rod 13 serves as a coupling member that allows the bottom end 21 of the elastic member 22 to be fixedly coupled thereto.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the linear section 26 is in the form of one continuous linear section (e.g., wire, cable, string, etc.) having: a first end and a second end, each individually connected to the platform to form a continuous loop; and a plurality of fasteners, such as by clamping against the platform along its length (e.g., adjacent its corners). In other embodiments, the linear section 26 is in the form of two separate continuous linear sections each having a first end and a second end. In certain aspects, the linear segment 26 may be in the form of three separate continuous linear segments each having a first end and a second end. In still other aspects, the linear segment 26 may be in the form of four continuous linear segments each having a first end and a second end.

In one exemplary configuration, one of the corners of the platform 18 (i.e., corner 19a) includes two

wire connections

78, 80 that allow the ends (and/or portions other than the ends) of the linear segment 26 to be fixedly coupled thereto, as shown in fig. 10. The

wire connections

78, 80 may be in the form of pins, rods, etc., and may be cylindrically shaped as shown, or may have a different shape suitable to allow any portion of the linear segment 26 to be coupled thereto (e.g., by twisting and/or binding). In some aspects, the

wire connections

78, 80 may be in the form of a clamp having two threaded elements and two separate plates. In some embodiments, the linear segments 26 may be clamped to one, two, three, or four corner regions of the platform 18 to facilitate orientation of the platform 18 within the frame 12 and generally simultaneous movement of the platform 18.

In some embodiments, the

wire connections

78, 80 are present at only one corner (e.g., corner 19a) of the platform 18, and the linear section 26 is a single continuous line having one portion (e.g., one end) connected to the top wire connection 78 and another portion (e.g., the other end) connected to the bottom wire connection 80. In other embodiments, each of the corners 19a-19d of the platform 18 may include two wire connections similar to the

wire connections

78 and 80 extending therefrom. In such embodiments, there are a total of eight

such wire connections

78, 80 given the four corners 19a-19d of the platform 18, and the linear section 26 comprises four independent linear sections 26, each end of the linear section being connected to the top wire connection 78 at one of the corners of the platform 18 and the other end being connected to the bottom wire connection 80 at the other of the corners of the platform 18.

In some configurations, the linear section 26 is in the form of a single continuous wire extending from the top wire connection 78 adjacent one of the corners (e.g., 19a) of the platform 18, beyond the upper pulley 24 located above the corner, from the upper pulley 24 to the lower pulley 24 located below the corner, and extends from the lower pulley 24 to another lower pulley 24 located adjacent to another one of the corners (e.g., 19d) of the platform 18, and to an upper pulley 24 located at the corner 19d, and then extends down to the bottom pulley 24 at the corner 19d, and so on, until the other free end of the linear section 26 reaches the bottom wire connection 80 in the corner 19a and is fixedly attached thereto, thereby completing the attachment of the linear section 26 to the platform 18.

In some aspects, one or more portions of the single continuous linear segment 26 are attached (e.g., clamped) adjacent each of the other corners (e.g., 19b,19c, and 19d) of the platform 18 to limit independent movement of the

corners

19a,19b,19c, and 19d relative to each other and to cause the sides 11 of the platform 18 to travel substantially simultaneously and at substantially the same rate for the same total travel distance (up or down) in substantial synchronization with movement of the platform 18 between the fully loaded and unloaded positions (up and down). Such substantially simultaneous movement is not necessarily precise, but may be considered to be affected by friction of sliding or rolling components, manufacturing variations, materials used (such as spring strength materials), but may result in improved movement compared to not employing such a pulley system, and may avoid skewing and locking of the platform. During build, the linear segments 26 may be pre-formed continuous loops (each end terminating adjacent to each other) that are then clamped to the platform at a plurality of locations 19a-19 d.

In an exemplary embodiment, the linear segments 26 are in the form of four individual linear segments and include a first linear segment, a second linear segment, a third linear segment, and a fourth linear segment. The first linear section 26 has a first end attached adjacent the first corner 19a of the platform 18 (e.g., to a wire connection similar to the top wire connection 78), and extends beyond the first upper pulley 24 (above the first corner 19a of the platform 18), and extends from the first upper portion 24 at the first corner 19a to one of the pair of first bottom pulleys 24 below the first corner 19a of the platform 18. The linear segment 26 then extends from the one of the first pair of bottom pulleys 24 to one of the second pair of bottom pulleys 24 located below the second corner 19d of the platform 18 and from the one of the second pair of bottom pulleys 24 located below the second corner 19d to the second corner 19d of the platform 18, wherein the second end of the first linear segment 26 is attached adjacent the second corner 19d of the platform 18 via a wire connection similar to the bottom wire connection 80.

The second linear segment 26 has a first end that is attached adjacent the second corner 19d of the platform 18 (e.g., via a wire connection similar to the top wire connection 78) and extends beyond the second upper pulley 24 located above the second corner 19d and from the second upper pulley 24 located above the second corner 19d to the other of the pair of second bottom pulleys 24 located below the second corner 19d of the platform 18. The second linear segment 26 then extends from the one of the second pair of bottom pulleys 24 at the second corner 19d of the platform 18 to one of the third pair of bottom pulleys 24 located below the third corner 19c of the platform and from the one of the third pair of bottom pulleys 24 to the third corner 19c of the platform 18, with the second end of the second linear segment 26 attached adjacent the third corner of the platform (e.g., via a wire connection similar to the bottom wire connection 80).

The third linear segment 26 has a first end attached adjacent the third corner 19c of the platform 18 (e.g., via a wire connection similar to the top wire connection 78) and extends over the third upper pulley 24 above the third corner 19c of the platform 18 and from the third upper pulley 24 to the other third bottom pulley of the third bottom pulley pair below the third corner 19c of the platform 18. The third linear segment 26 then extends from the other one of the third pair of bottom pulleys 24 to one of the fourth pair of bottom pulleys 24 located below the fourth corner 19b of the platform 18 and from the one of the fourth pair of bottom pulleys to the fourth corner 19b of the platform 18, with a second end of the third linear segment 26 attached adjacent the fourth corner 19b of the platform 18 (e.g., via a wire connection similar to the bottom wire connection 80).

The fourth linear section 26 has a first end that is attached adjacent the fourth corner 19b of the platform 18 (e.g., via a wire connection similar to the top wire connection 78) and extends beyond the fourth upper pulley 24 above the fourth corner 19b of the platform 18 and from the fourth upper pulley 24 to the other fourth bottom pulley of the fourth bottom pulley pair below the fourth corner 19b of the platform 18. The fourth linear section 26 then extends from the other one of the pair of fourth bottom pulleys 24 to the other one of the pair of first bottom pulleys 24 located below the first corner 19a of the platform 18 and from the one of the pair of first bottom pulleys 24 to the first corner 19a of the platform 18, with the second end of the fourth linear section 26 attached adjacent the first corner 19a of the platform 18 (e.g., via a wire connection similar to the bottom wire connection 80).

The four linear segments 26 provide a continuous loop of linear segments that passes through the pulleys 24 and connects to the platform 18 to provide substantially simultaneous movement of the corners (19a,19b,19c,19d) and the sides 11 of the platform 18 between the exemplary empty position shown in fig. 1 and the exemplary full position shown in fig. 3 during movement of the platform 18. Each of the four linear segments 26 is attached adjacent a respective one of the

corners

19a,19b,19c and 19 d. The linear section 26 of the magazine 10 limits the movement of the platform 18 relative to the frame 12 so that the side of the platform 18 travels a distance (up or down) that is substantially the same as the distance the platform moves (up and down) between the full and empty positions. In certain aspects, as will be described in greater detail below, the resilient members 22, pulleys 24, and linear segments 26 of the bin 10 are arranged to cause each of the corners 19a-19d of the platform 18 to simultaneously move in a direction toward the bottom 16 of the frame 12 in response to the weight exerted by the products 90 when the products 90 are loaded onto the product support surface 20 of the platform 18, and to simultaneously move in a direction toward the top 14 of the frame 12 in response to the products 90 being picked from the platform 18 (i.e., by a consumer or store associate).

Fig. 6 shows a portion of the magazine of fig. 1 without frame members, and shows the platform 18 in its exemplary unloaded position and the resilient members 22 contracted but still extended from their natural relaxed/non-extended state (which they would be if the resilient members 22 were not supporting the weight of the platform 18) due to the weight of the platform 18. Since bin 10 is configured with resilient members 22, pulleys 24, and wire-form segments 26 as described above and shown in fig. 6, when bin 10 is loaded with products 90, the weight of products 90 loaded onto product support surface 20 of platform 18 exerts a downward force on the platform that is stronger than the combined upward biasing force of resilient members 22 and pushes platform 18 in a downward direction, thereby causing resilient members 22 to stretch/extend/stretch in the downward direction.

Because the linear section 26 is attached and/or clamped relative to one or more corners 19a-19d of the platform 18 as described above, downward movement of the platform 18 causes the linear section 26 coupled to a given corner (e.g., 19a) of the platform 18 to also move downward (e.g., move two inches, three inches, 6 inches, etc.). This movement of the linear segment 26 causes rotation of one or more bottom pulleys 24 (two bottom pulleys 24 are shown by way of example at each corner in fig. 6) associated with that corner (e.g., 19a), and associated movement of one or more bottom pulleys 24 associated with an adjacent corner (e.g., 19d) of the platform, which in turn causes the adjacent corner (e.g., 19d) to move downward by substantially the same distance (e.g., two inches, three inches, 6 inches, etc.) as the first corner (19a) moves downward.

In this way, each of the sides 11 of the platform 18 and each of the corners 19b of the platform 18 are simultaneously moved the same distance in a direction toward the bottom 16 of the frame 12 of the magazine 10 to a position as shown in fig. 7 where the platform 18 is in its fully loaded position and the resilient members 22 are fully extended downward, but neither the sides 11 or corners 19a-19d of the platform 18 are undesirably inclined relative to any of the other sides 11 or corners 19a-19d of the platform 18, thereby maintaining a substantially horizontal orientation of the product-supporting surface 20 of the platform 18.

For the same reason, when one or more products 90 are removed from the platform 18 (e.g., by a worker or by one or more consumers), the weight applied by the remaining products 90 onto the product support surface 20 of the platform 18 is reduced, which may cause the resilient members 22 (which are biased in an upward direction toward the top of the bin 10) to pull the platform 18 in an upward direction toward the top 14 of the frame 12 of the bin 10. In some aspects, depending on the weight of each individual product 90, the load sensitivity of the resilient members 22, the friction of the surfaces of the remaining products 90 against the inner surfaces of the

plates

28, 30, 32, and 34, and any friction between the platform 18 and surrounding components, removing an individual product 90 (e.g., a smaller, lighter weight product) from the bin 10 may not represent a load weight reduction sufficient to allow the resilient members 22 to contract and move the platform 18 in an upward direction, while removing multiple (e.g., 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 20, etc.) individual products 90 from the bin 10 may represent a load weight reduction sufficient to allow the resilient members 22 to contract and move the platform 18 in an upward direction. Similarly, depending on the weight of each individual product 90, the load sensitivity of the resilient member 22, the friction of the surface of the remaining products 90 against the inner surfaces of the

plates

28, 30, 32, and 34, and any friction between the platform 18 and surrounding components, removal of an individual product 90 (e.g., a larger, heavier product) from the bin 10 may represent a reduction in load weight sufficient to allow the resilient member 22 to contract and move the platform 18 in an upward direction. Thus, each of the sides 11 of the platform 18 and each of the corners 19b of the platform 18 are moved substantially simultaneously in a direction towards the top 14 of the frame 12 of the magazine 10 at substantially the same travel speed and at substantially the same travel distance. Since the sides 11 and corners 19a-19d of the platform 18 are each moved upwardly and by the same distance at the same time, the platform 18 is advantageously prevented from tilting (which may result in product shifting to one side of the bin 10, which would be visually unattractive to a consumer).

Although preferred embodiments have been described in detail, variations and modifications may be made within the configurations described herein. For example, the description of the direction of movement of the bin and its platform may be oriented in other positions than the upright position, such as inclined or even horizontal. Thus, use of directional terms herein such as "top," "vertical," "upward," etc., will be understood to encompass such non-upright orientations of the bin.

Claims

1. A bin for storing a plurality of products, the bin comprising:

a frame comprising an open top and bottom;

a product support platform movable relative to the frame and configured to support products thereon, the platform being movable relative to the frame between an unloaded position in which no products are supported on the platform and a loaded position closer to the bottom of the frame than the unloaded position, in which a maximum number of the products are loaded onto the platform;

a plurality of resilient members coupled with respect to the frame and the platform, the resilient members biased to pull the platform in a direction toward the top of the frame to adjust a height of the platform with respect to the frame based on a weight of a product supported by the platform to maintain a topmost layer of the product at a predetermined height or within a range of heights;

a plurality of upper pulleys coupled relative to the frame, a plurality of bottom pulleys coupled to the frame closer to the bottom of the frame than the upper pulleys; and

a plurality of linear segments each having an end fixedly coupled relative to the movable platform at spaced apart locations and passing over at least one of the upper pulleys and at least one of the bottom pulleys, the plurality of linear segments restricting movement of the platform relative to the frame such that a side of the platform travels a distance substantially the same as a distance the platform moves between the fully loaded position and the unloaded position.

2. The bin of claim 1, wherein the platform is rectangular and has a first corner, a second corner, a third corner, and a fourth corner.

3. The tank according to claim 2 wherein four linear sections are provided.

4. The bin of claim 3, wherein each of the four linear segments extends from an adjacent one of the corners of the platform, beyond an upper pulley, from the upper pulley to a lower pulley, from the lower pulley to another lower pulley, and to another one of the corners adjacent the platform.

5. The bin of claim 3, wherein the frame comprises a first leg, a second leg, a third leg, and a fourth leg, wherein:

the first leg comprises a first upper pulley and a first bottom pulley pair;

the second leg comprises a second upper pulley and a second bottom pulley pair;

the third leg comprises a third upper pulley and a third bottom pulley pair; and is

The fourth leg includes a fourth upper pulley and a fourth bottom pulley pair.

6. The magazine according to claim 5 wherein the linear segments comprise a first linear segment, a second linear segment, a third linear segment and a fourth linear segment, wherein:

the first linear segment having a first end attached adjacent the first corner of the platform, extending beyond the first upper pulley, and extending from the first upper pulley to one of the first pair of bottom pulleys, extending from the one of the first pair of bottom pulleys to one of the second pair of bottom pulleys, and extending from the one of the second pair of bottom pulleys to the second corner of the platform, wherein a second end of the first linear segment is attached adjacent the second corner of the platform;

the second linear segment having a first end attached adjacent the second corner of the platform, extending beyond the second upper pulley, and extending from the second upper pulley to the other second bottom pulley of the second bottom pulley pair, from the other second bottom pulley of the second bottom pulley pair to one third bottom pulley of the third bottom pulley pair, and from the one third bottom pulley of the third bottom pulley pair to the third corner of the platform, wherein a second end of the second linear segment is attached adjacent the third corner of the platform;

the third linear segment having a first end attached adjacent the third corner of the platform, extending beyond the third upper pulley, and extending from the third upper pulley to another third bottom pulley of the third bottom pulley pair, from the another third bottom pulley of the third bottom pulley pair to one fourth bottom pulley of the fourth bottom pulley pair, and from the one fourth bottom pulley of the fourth bottom pulley pair to the fourth corner of the platform, wherein a second end of the third linear segment is attached adjacent the fourth corner of the platform; and is

The fourth wire form segment has a first end attached adjacent the fourth corner of the platform, extends beyond the fourth upper pulley, and extends from the fourth upper pulley to the other fourth bottom pulley of the fourth bottom pulley pair, extends from the other fourth bottom pulley of the fourth bottom pulley pair to the other bottom pulley of the first bottom pulley pair, and extends from the other first bottom pulley of the first bottom pulley pair to the first corner of the platform, wherein a second end of the fourth wire form segment is attached adjacent the first corner of the platform.

7. The bin of claim 2, wherein each of the corners of the platform includes at least one coupling member configured to allow a bottom end of a respective one of the resilient members to be coupled to the coupling member.

8. The bin of claim 2, wherein at least one of the corners of the platform includes at least one linear connector configured to allow a portion of at least one linear segment to be fixedly coupled to the at least one linear connector.

9. The magazine of claim 8 wherein each of the corners of the platform each comprise two linear connectors, and wherein at least one linear segment comprises four linear segments each having one end connected to one of the linear connectors at one of the corners and another end connected to one of the connectors at another one of the corners.

10. The bin of claim 1, wherein the bottom pulleys each include a bottom pulley assembly coupled relative to the frame, each bottom pulley assembly including a pair of shafts, each shaft having a pulley mounted relative thereto for rotation.

11. The bin of claim 10, wherein each bottom pulley assembly includes a plurality of openings to allow the at least one linear segment to pass through the plurality of openings, and wherein the at least one linear segment is movably coupled relative to the pulleys of the bottom pulley assembly such that movement of the at least one linear segment causes rotation of the pulleys of the bottom pulley assembly.

12. The bin of claim 1, wherein the upper pulleys each include an upper pulley assembly coupled relative to the frame, each top pulley assembly including an axle having a respective one of the upper pulleys mounted for rotation relative thereto.

13. The tank defined in claim 12 wherein each upper sheave assembly further comprises at least one coupling member configured to allow a top end of a respective one of the resilient members to be coupled to the at least one coupling member.

14. The bin of claim 13, wherein a distance between each of the upper sheave assemblies and the coupling member is adjustable to tighten the at least one linear strand.

15. The bin of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of panels coupled relative to one another via a plurality of legs, the side panels at least partially defining an interior of the bin therebetween.

16. Headbox according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of horizontal cross members adjacent the open top, each of the plurality of horizontal cross members comprising an inclined face for increasing friction with adjacent products within the headbox.

17. The headbox according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plurality of linear segments are each formed from a flexible, non-extensible in length material.

18. A method of dispensing products from a bin according to any preceding claim, the method comprising:

storing the product in the bin and on the product support platform;

in response to a plurality of said products being picked from said bin, contraction of said resilient member causes said platform to move in a direction toward said top of said frame;

moving the linear segments to control movement of the sides or corners of the platform substantially the same distance in a direction toward the top of the frame in response to movement of the platform in the direction toward the top of the frame.