CN113302139B

CN113302139B - Push-in bin for storing bulk products

Info

Publication number: CN113302139B
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: 2023-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-16
Also published as: EP3914541A1; CN113302139A; CA3125759C; AU2020211400A1; WO2020154161A1; CN116654512A; AU2020211400B2; CA3125759A1

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 with respect to the frame and configured to support the product on the product support platform; 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 move simultaneously 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 in a direction toward the top of the frame in response to at least one of the products picked from the platform.

Description

Push-in bin for storing bulk products

Technical Field

A bin or unit for storing bulk products is described herein, and in particular, a bin in which a movable platform for supporting bulk products (such as food products) is provided.

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 product from the bin by the consumer and to prevent the consumer from having to go deep into the bin as the amount of product stored in the bin decreases, the product is loaded into the bin such that the top layer of the product is located at a level that is about waist high by an average person. To achieve this, many conventional bins have false bottoms that are much higher than the floor, disadvantageously resulting in the bin wasting a large 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 product supported by the platform to maintain the topmost layer of product within the bin within a predetermined height or range of heights, thereby maintaining the product 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 on the product support platform. 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, in which a maximum amount of product is loaded onto the platform, closer to the bottom of the frame than the unloaded position. The bin further includes a plurality of resilient members coupled relative 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 product at a predetermined height or range of heights. The headbox also includes a plurality of upper pulleys coupled with respect to the frame adjacent the open top of the frame and a plurality of bottom pulleys coupled with respect to the frame adjacent the bottom of the frame. Further, the bin includes a plurality of linear segments each having ends fixedly coupled at spaced apart locations relative to the movable platform 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 (within acceptable production and equipment tolerances) in terms of distance and speed with the movement of the platform between the fully 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 adjacent the platform.

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

In certain aspects, the linear segments comprise a first linear segment, a second linear segment, a third linear segment, and a fourth linear segment. The first wire segment has a first end attached adjacent the first corner of the platform, extends beyond the first upper sheave, and extends from the first upper sheave to one of the first pair of bottom sheaves, from one of the first pair of bottom sheaves to one of the second pair of bottom sheaves, and from one of the second pair of bottom sheaves to the second corner of the platform, wherein the second end of the first wire segment is attached adjacent the second corner of the platform. The second linear segment has a first end attached adjacent the second corner of the platform, extending beyond the second upper sheave and from the second upper sheave to the other of the second pair of bottom sheaves, from the other of the second pair of bottom sheaves to one of the third pair of bottom sheaves, and from the one of the third pair of bottom sheaves to the third corner of the platform, wherein the second end of the second linear segment is attached adjacent the third corner of the platform. The third wire segment has a first end attached adjacent the third corner of the platform, extending beyond the third upper sheave and from the third upper sheave to the other third bottom sheave of the third bottom sheave pair, from the other third bottom sheave of the third bottom sheave pair to one fourth bottom sheave of the fourth bottom sheave pair, and from the one fourth bottom sheave of the fourth bottom sheave pair to the fourth corner of the platform, wherein the second end of the third wire segment is attached adjacent the fourth corner of the platform. The fourth wire segment has a first end attached adjacent the fourth corner of the platform, extending beyond the fourth upper sheave and from the fourth upper sheave to the other fourth bottom sheave of the fourth bottom sheave pair, from the other fourth bottom sheave of the fourth bottom sheave pair to the other bottom sheave of the first bottom sheave pair, and from the other first bottom sheave of the first bottom sheave pair to the first corner of the platform, wherein the second end of the fourth wire 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 thereto.

In certain aspects, at least one of the corners of the platform includes at least one wire connector configured to allow an end of the at least one wire 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 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 of the corners.

In some embodiments, the bottom pulleys each include a bottom pulley assembly coupled with respect to the frame, and each bottom pulley assembly includes a pair of shafts, each shaft having a pulley mounted for rotation with respect thereto. Each bottom pulley assembly may include a plurality of openings to allow at least one wire 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 with respect to the frame, wherein each top pulley assembly includes a shaft having a respective one of the upper pulleys mounted for rotation with respect thereto. In some embodiments, each upper pulley assembly further comprises at least one coupling member configured to allow a tip of a corresponding one of the resilient members to be coupled to the at least one coupling member.

In some embodiments, the frame includes 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 of a flexible, length-inextensible material.

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

Drawings

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

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

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

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

FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the bin 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, wherein the spring is slightly extended from its naturally relaxed/unextended state due to the weight of the platform;

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

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial perspective view of an exemplary top pulley assembly of the bin of FIG. 1, depicting pulleys, wires and spring members of the platform movement assembly;

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial perspective view of an exemplary bottom pulley of the bin of FIG. 1, depicting pulley and wire components of the platform movement assembly; and is also provided with

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

Detailed Description

Fig. 1-3 illustrate an exemplary bin 10. The bin 10 includes a frame 12 that includes an open top 14 and a bottom 16. The illustrated exemplary frame 12 of the bin 10 includes a front panel 28, a rear 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, floor 35 is generally horizontal and

panels

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

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

panels

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

panels

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

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 the product 90 from being seen on the platform 18 and/or to block a portion of the bin 10 located below the platform 18 from being seen. For example, all given panels may be opaque. In one embodiment, one or more of the plates may be predominantly opaque but have transparent windows. The window may be disposed toward the top (e.g., upper 25%) of the bin 10 and positioned so that the depth of the available product, i.e., how much product remains in the bin, can be seen.

It should be understood that the frame 12 of the bin 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 bin 10 may vary depending on the size and shape of the bin 10. For example, the frame 12 of the bin 10 may include three or more upstanding plates in some aspects, five upstanding plates in other aspects, six upstanding plates in yet other aspects, and eight upstanding plates in yet other aspects, or any other suitable number of upstanding plates within practical limits.

In the embodiment shown, bottom plate 35 has an upwardly facing surface 37 and a downwardly facing surface 39. In some embodiments (see, e.g., fig. 4), the downwardly facing surface 39 of the floor 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., floor). 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 can 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 also includes a top plate 38 that is generally aligned with the rear plate 34 and extends upwardly above the top end 14 of the bin 10. In some aspects, the top panel 38 includes printed information that identifies the products 90 located in the bin 10 by name and/or announces seasonal and/or reduced-price promotions associated with the products 90 in the bin 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bin 10 includes four

legs

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

plates

28, 30, 32, 34 in a fixed position relative to each other. An 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 each include a profile including sloped

lower surfaces

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 can provide resistance to platform elevation, acting as a choke, especially when the bin contains lighter products. This advantageously allows for a greater degree of control over the product and thus movement of the platform, and may allow for selection of springs for relatively heavy 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 fewer 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 yet other aspects, and eight legs in yet 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 oval 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 retain 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 drawings are shown by way of example only, and that each of the channels 41 may be entirely 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 leg 40a, the second leg 40b, the third leg 40c, and the fourth leg 40d includes an upper pulley 24 and bottom pulley 24 pair (which are referred to herein as first, second, third, and fourth upper pulleys 24, and first, second, third, and fourth bottom pulley 24 pairs).

Each channel 41 of each leg 40a-40d is defined by a first outer wall 46 and a second outer wall 48 and a first inner wall 50 and a second inner wall 52. The first outer wall 46 and the second outer wall 48 intersect each other to form an outer corner 54 of the legs 40a-40 d. In the form shown, 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 each other to form an elongated 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 cap configured to provide an aesthetic effect that blocks structures located within the channel 41 of its respective leg 40a-40d from being seen, as well as a protective effect that limits access and/or contact by consumers and/or retail store personnel to 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 the

edge portions

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

plates

28, 30, 32, 34. Specifically, in the form shown, the edge portion 27 of the front panel 28 is received in the channels 42 of the

legs

40a and 40b, the edge portion 29 of the first side panel 32 is received in the channels 42 of the

legs

40b and 40c, the edge portion 31 of the rear panel 30 is received in the channels 42 of the

legs

40c and 40d, and the edge portion 33 of the second side panel 34 is received in the channels 42 of the

legs

40d and 40 a.

In some embodiments, the exemplary bin 10 includes a resilient member 22 coupled with respect to the frame 12 and the platform 18, a pulley 24 coupled with respect to the frame and the resilient member, and one or more wire segments 26 interconnecting the pulleys and coupled with respect to the 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 illustrated embodiment, the bin 10 includes four resilient members 22 that are each positioned in a corner of the bin 10, and more specifically within a respective hollow channel 41 of the legs 40a-40 d. In particular, the load-bearing strength and weight-sensitivity of the resilient member 22 shown in fig. 2 and 3 is calibrated to take into account the shape and/or weight of the food product 90 shown in fig. 2 and 3, but it should be appreciated that the load-bearing strength and weight-sensitivity of the resilient member 22 may be adjusted to accommodate a wide variety of products 90 that may be loaded into the bin 10 and onto the platform 18. Instead of the resilient member 22 pulling the platform 18 towards the upper end of the bin 10, the platform 18 may be pushed from the bottom towards the upper end of the bin 10, such as by a bladder, piston, or other device 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 appreciated that the bin 10 is shown by way of example only as having four resilient members 22, and that the bin 10 may include more than four (e.g., 6, 8, etc.) resilient members 22 depending on the desired size and shape.

Pulley 24 may be in the form of a rotatable wheel mounted on shaft 25. In the embodiment shown, the bin 10 includes four upper pulleys 24, each positioned within a corner of the bin 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 channels 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 operatively coupled at two different spaced apart positions relative to the platform 18 (as will be described in greater detail below). Thus, movement of the platform 18 (e.g., in response to the product 90 being loaded onto the platform 18, or in response to the 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 wire segments 26 are formed of a flexible, inextensible material. 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 a function that allows changing the direction of the wire segments on either side. For example, if the strand is formed of a chain, a rotatable sprocket may be used. By way of example, a smooth, low friction securing material may also be used, such as teflon, where the wires change direction, or other means of facilitating the change of direction, such as rollers, curved grooves, slots or channels, under which the wires may slide, pass over or through.

Referring to fig. 1, 5 and 8, the exemplary bin 10 includes a plurality of upper pulley assemblies 58 coupled relative to the frame 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the bin 10 includes four upper pulley assemblies 58, each located within a respective corner of the bin 10. However, it should be appreciated 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 example upper pulley 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 appreciated 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 interconnection. Further, it should be appreciated that in some aspects, the upper plate 60 may be stationary while the lower plate 62 may be movable. The

vertical plates

64 and 66 are spaced apart from each other but interconnected via an upper rod 65 and a lower rod 67. In the form shown, 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 23 of the elastic member 22 to be fixedly coupled thereto. Preferably, the distance between the upper plate 60 and the lower plate 62 is adjustable in order to adjust the tension of the resilient member 22 coupled to the lower plate 62, as well as the position of the lower plate 62 relative to the frame (specifically, the leg 40 to which it is attached). For example, the lower plate 62 may be fixed in a position relative to the frame (specifically, the leg to which it is attached); and may, for example, vertically adjust the position of upper plate 60 and secure them in a plurality of positions, such as using one or more machine screws (not shown) extending between upper plate 60 and 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 wire 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 pulley 24 and portions of the wire segment 26 connected to the pulley 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 bin 10 includes four bottom pulley assemblies 68, each located within a respective corner of the bin 10. However, it should be appreciated 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 example bottom pulley assembly 68 shown in fig. 5 and 9 is in the form of a corner bracket that includes generally horizontal top and

bottom walls

69, 71 and side walls 70 and 72 that intersect one another to form a corner 74 of the bottom pulley assembly 68. The example 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 its respective side wall 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 portions of the line 26 connected to the pulleys 24 housed within the bottom pulley assembly 68 to pass therethrough. In some aspects, slot-like apertures 73 also allow for removal of wire 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 with respect 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 appreciated 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 may be, for example, an individually packaged or bulk packaged product for consumption (e.g., confectionery product, flavored product, etc.), as well as any other non-consumable product (e.g., electronics, stationery, household items, etc.).

The product support platform 18 is movable between an unloaded position (shown in fig. 1) in which no product 90 is supported on the platform 18, and a fully loaded 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 smaller quantity of product 90 than the quantity of product 90 shown in fig. 3 (as shown in fig. 2), the platform 18 is located closer to the top 14 of the bin 10 than the platform 18 of the bin 10 shown in fig. 3, but is located farther from the middle of the top 14 of the bin 10 than the platform 18 of the bin 10 shown in fig. 1. It should be appreciated that the amount of food or other product 90 and the location 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 capable of moving to a lower position than shown in fig. 3 if the full charge of product 90 intended to be contained in the bin 10 includes a greater number of products 90 (with a total combined weight greater than the total combined weight of the number of products 90 shown in fig. 3) and/or includes a plurality of different products with a total combined weight 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 further comprises two generally

vertical plates

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

vertical plates

15a and 15b are spaced apart from each other but interconnected via the rod 13. As shown in fig. 10, the lever 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 segment 26 is in the form of one continuous linear segment (e.g., wire, cable, string, etc.) having: a first end and a second end each separately connected to the platform to form a continuous loop; and a plurality of fasteners, such as by clamping along its length relative to the platform (e.g., adjacent a corner thereof). In other embodiments, the linear segment 26 is in the form of two separate continuous linear segments 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 19 a) includes two

wire connectors

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

wire connectors

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

wire connectors

78, 80 may be in the form of clamps 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 connectors

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

wire connectors

78 and 80 extending therefrom. In such an embodiment, given four corners 19a-19d of the platform 18, there are a total of eight

such wire connectors

78, 80, and the wire segments 26 include four independent wire segments 26, each end of the wire segments being connected to a top wire connector 78 at one of the corners of the platform 18, and the other end being connected to a bottom wire connector 80 at another of the corners of the platform 18.

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

In some aspects, one or more portions of a single continuous linear segment 26 are attached (e.g., clamped) adjacent each of the other corners (e.g., 19b, 19c, and 19 d) 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 the same total travel distance (up or down) substantially simultaneously and at substantially the same rate in a manner that is substantially synchronized with movement of the platform 18 between the fully loaded and unloaded positions (up and down). Such substantially synchronous movement is not necessarily accurate, but may be considered to be affected by friction of the sliding or rolling components, manufacturing variations, materials used (such as spring strength materials), but may result in improved movement compared to not employing such pulley systems, and may avoid skewing and locking of the platform. During construction, the linear segments 26 may be preformed continuous loops (each end terminating adjacent to one another) that are then clamped to the platform at a plurality of locations 19a-19 d.

In one exemplary embodiment, the linear segments 26 are in the form of four separate linear segments and include a first linear segment, a second linear segment, a third linear segment, and a fourth linear segment. The first wire segment 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 from the first upper 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 pair of first bottom pulleys 24 to one of the pair of second bottom pulleys 24 located below the second corner 19d of the platform 18 and from the one of the pair of second bottom pulleys 24 located below the second corner 19d to the second corner 19d of the platform 18, wherein a 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 attached adjacent the second corner 19d of the platform 18 (e.g., via a wire connection similar to the top wire connection 78) and extending beyond the second upper pulley 24 above the second corner 19d and from the second upper pulley 24 above the second corner 19d to the other second bottom pulley of the second bottom pulley 24 pair below the second corner 19d of the platform 18. Then, the second linear segment 26 extends from the one of the pair of second bottom pulleys 24 at the second corner 19d of the platform 18 to one of the pair of third bottom pulleys 24 located below the third corner 19c of the platform, and from the one of the pair of third 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 wire 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 extending beyond the third upper sheave 24 above the third corner 19c of the platform 18 and from the third upper sheave 24 to the other third bottom sheave of the third bottom sheave pair below the third corner 19c of the platform 18. Then, the third wire segment 26 extends from the other 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 the second end of the third wire 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 wire segment 26 has a first end attached adjacent the fourth corner 19b of the platform 18 (e.g., via a wire connection similar to the top wire connection 78) and extending beyond the fourth upper sheave 24 above the fourth corner 19b of the platform 18 and from the fourth upper sheave 24 to the other fourth bottom sheave of the fourth bottom sheave pair below the fourth corner 19b of the platform 18. Then, the fourth wire segment 26 extends from the other of the pair of fourth bottom pulleys 24 to the other 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 wire segment 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 wire segments 26 described above provide a continuous wire segment loop that passes over the pulley 24 and is connected to the platform 18 to provide substantially synchronous movement of the corners (19 a,19b,19c,19 d) and 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 bin 10 limits the movement of the platform 18 relative to the frame 12 such that the distance traveled by the sides of the platform 18 (up or down) is substantially the same as the distance the platform moves between the full and empty positions (up and down). In certain aspects, as will be described in greater detail below, the resilient member 22, the pulleys 24, and the linear segments 26 of the bin 10 are arranged to cause each of the corners 19a-19d of the platform 18 to move simultaneously in a direction toward the bottom 16 of the frame 12 in response to the weight applied by the product 90 when the product 90 is loaded onto the product support surface 20 of the platform 18, and in a direction toward the top 14 of the frame 12 in response to the product 90 being picked from the platform 18 (i.e., by a consumer or store personnel).

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

Because the linear segments 26 are attached and/or clamped with respect to one or more corners 19a-19d of the platform 18 as described above, downward movement of the platform 18 results in downward movement (e.g., two inches, three inches, 6 inches, etc.) of the linear segments 26 coupled to a given corner (e.g., 19 a) of the platform 18. This movement of the linear segment 26 results in 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 the corner (e.g., 19 a) and associated movement of one or more bottom pulleys 24 associated with an adjacent corner (e.g., 19 d) of the platform, which in turn results in the adjacent corner (e.g., 19 d) moving downward substantially the same distance (e.g., two inches, three inches, 6 inches, etc.) as the first corner (19 a) moving 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 bin 10 to the position shown in fig. 7 where the platform 18 is in its fully loaded position and the resilient member 22 is fully extended downwardly, but neither the sides 11 or the 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 platform 18 (e.g., by a worker or by one or more consumers), the weight exerted by the remaining products 90 on the product support surface 20 of platform 18 decreases, which may cause the resilient member 22 (which is biased in an upward direction toward the top of bin 10) to pull platform 18 in an upward direction toward the top 14 of frame 12 of bin 10. In some aspects, removal of individual products 90 (e.g., smaller, lighter weight products) from bin 10 may not be indicative of a load weight reduction sufficient to allow elastic members 22 to contract and move platform 18 in an upward direction, while removal of a plurality (e.g., 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 20, etc.) of individual products 90 from bin 10 may be indicative of a load weight reduction sufficient to allow elastic members 22 to contract and move platform 18 in an upward direction, depending on the weight of each individual product 90, the load sensitivity of elastic members 22, the friction of the surfaces of remaining products 90 against the inner surfaces of

plates

28, 30, 32, and 34, and any friction between platform 18 and surrounding components. Similarly, removal of individual products 90 (e.g., larger, heavier products) from bin 10 may represent a weight reduction of the load sufficient to allow elastic members 22 to contract and move platform 18 in an upward direction, depending on the weight of each individual product 90, the load sensitivity of elastic members 22, the friction of the surfaces of remaining products 90 against the inner surfaces of

plates

28, 30, 32, and 34, and any friction between platform 18 and surrounding components. Thus, each of the sides 11 of the platform 18 and each of the corners 19b of the platform 18 are moved substantially simultaneously at substantially the same travel speed and at substantially the same travel distance in a direction toward the top 14 of the frame 12 of the bin 10. Since the side 11 of the platform 18 and each of the corners 19a-19d are moved upwards simultaneously and at the same distance, tilting of the platform 18 (which may result in displacement of the product to one side of the bin 10, which would be visually unattractive to the consumer) is advantageously prevented.

Although preferred embodiments have been described in detail, variations and modifications can be made within the configurations described herein. For example, the description of the bin and its platform movement direction may be oriented in other positions than the upright position, such as tilted or even horizontal. Thus, use of directional terms herein, such as "top", "vertical", "upward" and the like, 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 platform movable relative to the frame and configured to support a product on the platform, the platform movable relative to the frame between an empty position in which no product is supported on the platform and a full position closer to the bottom of the frame than the empty 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 within a predetermined height or range of heights;

A plurality of upper pulleys coupled with respect 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 ends fixedly coupled relative to the 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 distance traveled by a side of the platform is substantially the same as a distance moved by the platform between the full and empty positions.

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 bin of claim 2, wherein four linear segments are provided.

4. The bin of claim 3, wherein each of the four linear segments extends from adjacent ones of the first, second, third, and fourth corners of the platform, beyond an upper pulley, from the upper pulley to a bottom pulley, from the bottom pulley to another bottom pulley, and to another corner adjacent to the first, second, third, and fourth corners of the platform.

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

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

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

the third leg includes a third upper pulley and a third bottom pulley pair; and is also provided with

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

6. The bin of claim 5, wherein the linear segments include a first linear segment, a second linear segment, a third linear segment, and a fourth linear segment, wherein:

the first wire segment has a first end attached adjacent the first corner of the platform, extends beyond the first upper sheave and from the first upper sheave to one of the first bottom sheave pair, extends from the one of the first bottom sheave pair to one of the second bottom sheave pair, and extends from the one of the second bottom sheave pair to the second corner of the platform, wherein the second end of the first wire 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 sheave and from the second upper sheave to the other of the second bottom sheave pair, from the other of the second bottom sheave pair to one of the third bottom sheave pair, and from the one of the third bottom sheave pair to the third corner of the platform, wherein the second end of the second linear segment is attached adjacent the third corner of the platform;

the third wire segment has a first end attached adjacent the third corner of the platform, extending beyond the third upper sheave and from the third upper sheave to the other third bottom sheave of the third bottom sheave pair, from the other third bottom sheave of the third bottom sheave pair to one fourth bottom sheave of the fourth bottom sheave pair, and from the one fourth bottom sheave of the fourth bottom sheave pair to the fourth corner of the platform, wherein the second end of the third wire segment is attached adjacent the fourth corner of the platform; and is also provided with

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

7. The bin of claim 2, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth 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 first, second, third, and fourth 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 bin of claim 8, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth corners of the platform each comprise two linear connectors, and wherein at least one linear segment comprises four linear segments, each of the four linear segments having one end connected to one of the linear connectors at one of the first, second, third, and fourth corners and another end connected to one of the linear connectors at the other of the first, second, third, and fourth corners.

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

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 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.

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

13. The bin of 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 pulley assemblies and the coupling member is adjustable to tighten the at least one wire segment.

15. The bin of claim 1, wherein the frame includes 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. The bin of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame includes a plurality of horizontal cross members adjacent the open top, each including an inclined surface for increasing friction with adjacent products within the bin.

17. The bin of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the plurality of linear segments are each formed of a flexible, length inextensible material.

18. A method of dispensing product from a bin according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising:

storing said product within said bin and on said platform;

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

in response to movement of the platform in the direction toward the top of the frame, the linear segment is moved to control movement of the sides or corners of the platform in substantially the same distance in the direction toward the top of the frame.