Modular merchandising

Claim 1

An improved merchandising unit comprising a shelving unit having opposed parallel end walls and a continuous outer wall which is substantially semi-cylindrical in configuration extending between outer edges of the end walls, upper edges of the end walls and continuous outer wall defining an open portion which lies in a substantially horizontal plane when the shelving unit is in an initial position, the end walls having trunnions mounted thereon, the trunnions pivotally supporting the shelving unit from a pair of cooperating support brackets mounted on a wall situated rearwardly of the shelving unit such that a longitudinal axis of the shelving unit is substantially horizontal, the trunnions permitting the shelving unit to be normally displaced from its initial position when a user removes items from the shelving unit, whereby the open portion assumes a position extending downwardly toward the user, thereby providing easier access to the shelving unit to facilitate insertion and removal of items from the shelving unit; the trunnions being offset from a centre of gravity of the shelving unit such that when the shelving unit is displaced from its initial position by a user, the shelving unit automatically returns to the initial position upon being released by the user; means provided on at least one end wall cooperating with the adjacent support bracket to limit the amount of the tilting of the shelving unit between the initial position and the tilted position thereby prevent accidental spillage of contents situated within the shelving unit; the semi-cylindrical configuration of the continuous outer wall permitting the mounting of the shelving unit with a rear portion thereof closely adjcent a vertical wall, the shelving unit being freely pivotable between its initial and tilted position without any portion thereof engaging said wall.