WO1990014034A1

WO1990014034A1 - Bin system

Info

Publication number: WO1990014034A1
Application number: PCT/AU1990/000199
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Leigh
Original assignee: George Leigh
Priority date: 1989-05-15
Filing date: 1990-05-15
Publication date: 1990-11-29

Abstract

A receptacle for storage, display and dispensing of one or more articles having a structure (2, 3, 4) adapted to be secured to a support means (12). At least one housing (5) pivotally connected at or adjacent the structures base (2). The housing (5) pivotal in use about a substantially horizontal axis, from a first position whereby the inside of said housing (5) is accessible to load articles therein from its back to a second position at which said housing (5) is secured; and an opening (8) located above or adjacent the base of the housing (5), allowing removal of an article held in said housing (5) through said opening (8).

Description

BIN SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a bin storage, display and dispensing system suitable for use in shops, supermarkets, storage rooms and the like. Whilst the invention is according to one embodiment directed towards and is primarily to be described with reference to a bin sales system in supermarkets and shops, it is anticipated that the invention is suitable for use in limited storage situations encountered in commercial, industrial and hospital applications.

In existing supermarkets and stores, the shelf and wall area available for display and sale of goods is limited by the height that a customer and sales person can easily reach from the floor level. In effect, most shelving heights in supermarkets are restricted to approximately 1800mm. Use of space above the top shelves vary, in some shelving and racking systems the space is left vacant, whilst in other systems the space is used for storage. The use of such space for storage purposes has its disadvantages. Firstly a storeperson is re-quired to place goods into this elevated area, typically gaining access by a step ladder or other means and secondly when the goods are required they need to be moved to lower shelves for display and/or sale. This form of above shelf storage is wasteful in labour and places additional safety concerns for people having to handle goods at elevated heights.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate the use of storage space which is above the reach of people such that goods can be easily and safely stored, displayed and accessed.

In one broad form the present invention provides a receptacle for storage, display and dispensing of one or more articles, said receptacle comprising: a structure adapted to be secured to a support means; a least one housing pivotally connected at or adjacent to its base to the structure, such that said housing can pivot in use about a substantially horizontal axis, from a first position whereby the inside of said

S B housing is accessible to load articles therein from its back, to a second position at which said housing is secured; and an opening located above or adjacent the base of the housing, allowing removal of an article held in said housing through said opening.

In another form the present invention provides a receptacle for storage, display and dispensing of one or more articles, said receptacle comprising: a structure adapted to be secured to a support means, said structure having a bottom member and side walls; at least one loading bin pivotally connected at or adjacent to its base to the bottom member, such that said loading bin can pivot in use about a substantially horizontal axis, from a first position whereby the inside of said loading bin is accessible to load articles therein from its back, to a second position at which said loading bin is secured, and an opening located above or adjacent the base of the loading bin allowing removal of an article held in said loading bin through said opening.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are side view schematics of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention in a closed and open position.

Fig. 4 is depicts the loading of articles into a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In a first preferred embodiment the invention is shown in Fig. 1, 2, 3. The receptacle 1 comprises a sheet metal tray 2, rear wire mat 3, side wire mats 4 and loading bin 5.

The rear wire mat 3 and side wire mats 4 extend upwardly from the metal tray 2. The loading bin 5 is pivotally connected to metal tray 2 by hinges 6.

To load the receptacle 1 the loading bin 5 is lowered from the vertical position as in Figs. 1 and 2, to the horizontal position of Fig. 3. The pivotal support 7 (or chain) holds the loading bin in the horizontal position. In the horizontal position goods may be placed in a row into the loading bin 5. The loading bin 5 may then be lifted into the vertical position, placing the goods in a stack arrangement within the receptable 1.

The loading bin 5 has an opening 8 covered by a wire gate 9, which allows access to the lowermost article in the stack arrangement.

In supermarkets and shops the receptacle 1 may be seated on a top shelf or attached to a wall or shelf by a bracket 12, see Fig. 1. In a typical supermarket shelf arrangement the base of the receptacle 1 when mounted would be approximately 1750mm from the floor. This allows a store or sales person standing at floor level to lower the loading bin 5 to the horizontal position, as in Fig. 3, and load the goods into the receptacle 1. Once the loading bin 5 is returned to the vertical postion by the storeperson, the goods may be accessed by the shopping public. The loading bin 5 is of wire construction and allows for easy display of stacked goods to store and sales persons and the public. In order to remove an article from the receptacle 1, a shopper needs only to lift the slidable wire gate 9 and remove the lowermost article through opening 8. Upon removal of the lowermost article the remaining articles move downwardly under gravity feed.

Fig. 4 depicts how a storeperson would load goods into loading bin 5 (in a horizontal position) and also depicts a stack arrangement 10 of goods that have been raised to the vertical position for display and dispensing.

Fig. 1 shows the present invention having a receptacle 1 with two loading bins 5, whilst Fig. 4 depicts a receptacle 1 having three loading bins 5. As can be seen from both Figs. 1 and 4 a dividing wire mat (or wall) is used to divide storage areas.

In further not shown embodiments the receptable may contain a plurality of loading bins in order to stack a variety of similar or dissimilar goods. Also the receptacle 1 may be built into shelving systems, be free standing or custom built to accommodate particular store requirements, and the breadth and width of the receptacle 1 may be varied for different sized goods.

In a further not shown embodiment, a means for urging the bottom article in the stack slightly forward, for ease of removal may be included. Such a means may be a curved or bent plate.

As mentioned the receptacle 1 can be of varied size, the height limit of which, in stores and supermarkets, is principally the ceiling height and aisle width.

In supermarkets and stores the use of the receptacle increases the effective shelf height and therefore increases the effective storage and sales area.

The abovementioned embodiments of the invention are ideally suited for bulky and fairly light weight goods, however heavy goods, may be stored and displayed if heavy wire, mesh or plate construction for the receptacle is used.

The present invention therefore provides a bin storage, display and dispensing system for goods, suitable for use in stores, supermarkets and the like.

It should be obvious to people skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications could be made to the method and apparatus of the present invention as described and with reference to the illustrations without departing from the overall scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS: 1. A receptacle for storage, display and dispensing of one or more articles, said receptacle comprising: a structure adapted to be secured to a support means; a least one housing pivotally connected at or adjacent to its base to the structure, such that said housing can pivot in use about a substantially horizontal axis, from a first position whereby the inside of said housing is accessible to load articles therein from its back, to a second position at which said housing is secured; and an opening located above or adjacent the base of the housing, allowing removal of an article held in said housing through said opening.

2. A receptacle according to claim 1 wherein said opening is covered by a movable closure means.

3. A receptacle according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said structure comprises a lower member and upper side walls.

4. A receptacle according to claim 3 wherein said lower member is formed from sheet metal.

5. A receptacle according to claim 3 wherein said upper side walls are formed from wire mat.

6. A receptacle for storage, display and dispensing of one or more articles said receptacle comprising: a structure adapted to be secured to a support means, said structure having a bottom member and side walls; at least one loading bin pivotally connected at or adjacent to its base to the bottom member, such that said loading bin can pivot in use about a substantially horizontal axis, from a first position whereby the inside of said loading bin is accessible to load articles therein from its back, to a second position at which said loading bin is secured, and an opening located above or adjacent the base of the loading bin allowing removal of an article held in said loading bin through said opening.

7. A receptacle according to claim 6 wherein said opening is covered by a movable closure means.

^SUBSTITUTESHEET

8. A receptacle according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said bottom member is formed from sheet metal.

9. A receptacle according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the side walls are formed from wire mat.

10. A receptacle according to any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the bottom member has a curved or bent urging means for urging the lower most article towards said opening when said loading bin is in said second position.

11. A receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said first position is substantially a horizontal position and said second position is substantially a vertical position.

12. A receptacle as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET