Storage and dispensing rack

Claim 2

A rack for storing and dispensing individual containers of generally cylindrical shape, said rack comprising: at least two identical side members, each side member having a plurality of apertures in paired, adjacent relationships, each side member further having a plurality of pairs of support tracks, each pair having a support track on either side of said side member at the same vertical location; and a plurality of rods, each end of each rod being removably received by a separate one of said adjacent pair of apertures so that said rods interconnect said side members at a plurality of locations whereby said support tracks cooperate to support the containers along an incline.

Claim 3

A rack for storing and dispensing individual containers of generally cylindrical shape, said rack comprising: at least three identical side members, each side member including a plurality of apertures in paired, adjacent relationships and a plurality of pairs of support tracks, each pair having a support track on either side of said side member at the same vertical location; a set of first rods, each end of each of said first rods being removably received by a separate one of said adjacent pair of apertures so that said set of first rods interconnect two of said side members at a plurality of locations whereby said support tracks cooperate to support first containers along an incline; and a set of second rods, each second rod being longer than each said first rod and each end of each of said second rods being removably received by a separate one of said adjacent pair of apertures so that said second rods interconnect one of said first two side members and a third side member at a plurality of locations whereby said support tracks cooperate to support containers taller than said first containers along an incline.

Claim 4

A rack for storing and dispensing individual containers of generally cylindrical shape, said rack comprising: at least three identical side members, each side member including a plurality of apertures in paired, adjacent relationships and a plurality of pairs of support tracks, each pair having a support track on either side of said side member at the same vertical location; a set of first rods, each end of each of said first rods being removably received by a separate one of said adjacent pair of apertures so that said set of first rods interconnect two of said side members at a plurality of locations whereby said support tracks cooperate to support first containers along an incline; and a set of second rods, each second rod being longer than each said first rod and each end of each of said second rods being removably received by a separate one of said adjacent pair of apertures so that said second rods interconnect one of said first two side members and a third side member at a plurality of locations whereby said support tracks cooperate to support containers taller than said first containers along an incline.

Claim 5

The storage and dispensing rack of claims 2 or 1 wherein at each said aperture there is provided a flange extending from said side member for guiding and supporting said associated rod.

Claim 6

The storage and dispensing rack of claims 2 or 1 wherein each said rod is provided with tapered ends having shoulder portions so that when a tapered end is inserted into an aperture, said shoulder portions cooperate with a portion of said side member adjacent the aperture to removably secure said rods within said aperture.

Claim 7

The storage and dispensing rack of claim 4 wherein each said tapered end is forked.

Claim 8

The storage and dispensing rack of claim 5 wherein each of said rods is of a generally cruciform cross-sectional shape.

Claim 9

A rack for storing and dispensing individual containers of generally cylindrical shape, said rack comprising: at least three identical side members, each side member including a plurality of apertures in paired, adjacent relationships and a plurality of pairs of support tracks, each pair having a support track on either side of the side member at the same vertical location, each support track being inclined and provided with a means for retaining said containers at a lowermost end of said incline; a set of first rods, each end of each of said first rods being removably received by a separate one of said adjacent pair of apertures so that said first rods interconnect two of the side members at a plurality of locations whereby said support tracks cooperate to support first containers; and a set of second rods, each second rod being longer than each said first rod and each end of said second rods being removably received by a separate one of said adjacent pair of apertures, said second rods interconnecting one of said first two side members and a third side member at a plurality of locations whereby said support tracks cooperate to support containers taller than said first containers.

Claim 10

A rack for storing and dispensing individual containers of generally cylindrical shape, said rack comprising: at least three identical side members, each side member including a plurality of apertures in paired, adjacent relationships and a plurality of pairs of support tracks, each pair having a support track on either side of the side member at the same vertical location, each support track being inclined and provided with a means for retaining said containers at a lowermost end of said incline; a set of first rods, each end of each of said first rods being removably received by a separate one of said adjacent pair of apertures so that said first rods interconnect two of the side members at a plurality of locations whereby said support tracks cooperate to support first containers; and a set of second rods, each second rod being longer than each said first rod and each end of said second rods being removably received by a separate one of said adjacent pair of apertures, said second rods interconnecting one of said first two side members and a third side member at a plurality of locations whereby said support tracks cooperate to support containers taller than said first containers.

Claim 11

The storage and dispensing rack of claim 7 wherein each said support track is also provided with a rear stop means.

Claim 12

The storage and dispensing rack of claim 7 further comprising at least one identification flap connected to said side members beneath a pair of support tracks.

Claim 13

The storage and dispensing rack of claim 9 wherein said flap is swingably connected to said side members.

Claim 14

A rack for storing and dispensing individual containers of generally cylindrical shape, said rack comprising; at least four identical side members, each side member including a plurality of apertures in paired, adjacent relationships, a plurality of pairs of support tracks, each pair having a support track on either side of said side member at the same vertical location, each support track being inclined and provided with a means for retaining said containers at a lowermost end of said incline; a set of first rods interconnecting two of said side members, each end of each of said first rods being separately received by one of said pair of adjacent apertures at a plurality of locations whereby said support tracks cooperate to support first containers; a set of second rods, each second rod being longer than each said first rod, said second rods interconnecting one of said first two side members and a third side member, each end of each of said first rods being separately received by one of said pair of adjacent apertures at a plurality of locations whereby said support tracks cooperate to support second containers taller than said first containers; and a set of third rods, each third rod being longer than each of said second rods, said third rods interconnecting one of said first three side members and a fourth side member, each end of each of said first rods being separately received by one of said pair of adjacent apertures at a plurality of locations whereby said support tracks cooperate to support third containers taller than said second containers.

Claim 15

A rack for storing and dispensing individual containers of generally cylindrical shape, said rack comprising; at least four identical side members, each side member including a plurality of apertures in paired, adjacent relationships, a plurality of pairs of support tracks, each pair having a support track on either side of said side member at the same vertical location, each support track being inclined and provided with a means for retaining said containers at a lowermost end of said incline; a set of first rods interconnecting two of said side members, each end of each of said first rods being separately received by one of said pair of adjacent apertures at a plurality of locations whereby said support tracks cooperate to support first containers; a set of second rods, each second rod being longer than each said first rod, said second rods interconnecting one of said first two side members and a third side member, each end of each of said first rods being separately received by one of said pair of adjacent apertures at a plurality of locations whereby said support tracks cooperate to support second containers taller than said first containers; and a set of third rods, each third rod being longer than each of said second rods, said third rods interconnecting one of said first three side members and a fourth side member, each end of each of said first rods being separately received by one of said pair of adjacent apertures at a plurality of locations whereby said support tracks cooperate to support third containers taller than said second containers.