US4367818A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Forward feed merchandising device for soft drink bottles
Assignee: Mead Corp
•
Filing: 1980-08-18
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Granted: 1983-01-11
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Expires: 2000-08-18
Abstract
Abstract In a gravity-operated, forward feed bottle merchandiser, bottles are supported by their necks on tracks consisting of parallel track elements which are removable and reversible to accommodate bottles of different neck widths. Each track element is secured between front and rear support rails. The track elements are held against rotation in slots in the rear support rail, and must be twisted in order to be disengaged from the front support rails. Each track element comprises a web having flanges extending in opposite directions respectively from its upper and lower edges. Ramps extending forwardly from the flanges cross each other and each ramp has a projection overlying the other ramp so that the ramps reinforce each other.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Suttles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:43
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47F; A47F7/00; A47F7/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
329 words
A merchandising device for bottles having integrally formed, externally projecting neck rings comprising track means providing a pair of substantially parallel supporting surfaces having opposed edges spaced from each other to form a slot of substantially uniform width adapted to receive the necks of said bottles underneath said neck rings, and means supporting said track means in a fixed position, in which said track means comprises at least one removable, elongated track element providing one of said opposed edges, said supporting means and said track means including means for removably supporting said removable elongated track element in a first position such that said slot has a first width and in a second position such that said slot has a second and different width, whereby bottles having different neck widths can be accommodated; said supporting means comprising first and second supporting members spaced from each other in the direction of elongation of said track element; said track element being in engagement with both of said first and second supporting members and a portion of said track element extending between said first and second support members; said first supporting member comprising, means engageable by a first portion of said elongated track element, for: (a) locking said first portion of said track element against rotation beyond a limit in a first direction about an axis parallel to its direction of elongation while permitting rotation in the direction opposite to said first direction; and (b) locking said first portion of said track element against lateral and longitudinal translation when said element is rotated to its limit in said first direction; said second supporting member comprising means removably engageable by a second portion of said elongated track element longitudinally spaced from said first portion, for preventing lateral translation thereof and for preventing rotation thereof relative to said means removably engageable by said elongated track element; and having resilient means for resisting rotation of said first portion of said track element in said opposite direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
329 words
A merchandising device for bottles having integrally formed, externally projecting neck rings comprising track means providing a pair of substantially parallel supporting surfaces having opposed edges spaced from each other to form a slot of substantially uniform width adapted to receive the necks of said bottles underneath said neck rings, and means supporting said track means in a fixed position, in which said track means comprises at least one removable, elongated track element providing one of said opposed edges, said supporting means and said track means including means for removably supporting said removable elongated track element in a first position such that said slot has a first width and in a second position such that said slot has a second and different width, whereby bottles having different neck widths can be accommodated; said supporting means comprising first and second supporting members spaced from each other in the direction of elongation of said track element; said track element being in engagement with both of said first and second supporting members and a portion of said track element extending between said first and second support members; said first supporting member comprising, means engageable by a first portion of said elongated track element, for: (a) locking said first portion of said track element against rotation beyond a limit in a first direction about an axis parallel to its direction of elongation while permitting rotation in the direction opposite to said first direction; and (b) locking said first portion of said track element against lateral and longitudinal translation when said element is rotated to its limit in said first direction; said second supporting member comprising means removably engageable by a second portion of said elongated track element longitudinally spaced from said first portion, for preventing lateral translation thereof and for preventing rotation thereof relative to said means removably engageable by said elongated track element; and having resilient means for resisting rotation of said first portion of said track element in said opposite direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A merchandising device according to claim 1 in which said resilient means for resisting rotation of said first portion of said track element is constituted by at least part of the portion of said track element which extends between said first and second supporting members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A merchandising device according to claim 1 in which said resilient means for resisting rotation of said first portion of said track element is constituted by at least part of the portion of said track element which extends between said first and second supporting members, and in which said means removably engageable by a second portion of said elongated track element includes a slot in said second supporting member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A merchandising device according to claim 1 in which said removable elongated track element comprises: a substantially planar, elongated web having two opposite edges extending in the direction of its length; and first and second flanges of different widths extending from the respective edges of said web in substantially perpendicular relationship to said web.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
A merchandising device according to claim 4 in which said resilient means for resisting rotation of said first portion of said track element is constituted by at least part of the portion of said track element which extends between said first and second supporting members, and in which said means removably engageable by a second portion of said elongated track element includes a slot in said second supporting member, said slot receiving an end of said elongated web.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A merchandising device according to claim 1 in which said removable elongated track element comprises: a substantially planar, elongated web having two opposite edges extending in the direction of its length; and first and second flanges of different widths extending in opposite directions from the respective edges of said web in substantially perpendicular relationship to said web.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
A merchandising device according to claim 6 in which said resilient means for resisting rotation of said first portion of said track element is constituted by at least part of the portion of said track element which extends between said first and second supporting members, in which said means removably engageable by a second portion of said elongated track element includes a slot in said second supporting member, said slot receiving an end of said elongated web.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
173 words
A merchandising device according to claim 1 in which said removable elongated track element comprises: a substantially planar, elongated web having two opposite edges extending in the direction of its length; and first and second flanges of different widths extending in opposite directions from the respective edges of said web in substantially perpendicular relationship to said web; and first and second ramps, extending respectively from said first and second flanges, in perpendicular relationship to the plane of said web and in oblique relationship to said flanges, beyond one end of said web, said ramps crossing each other, and each ramp having means, projecting through the plane of said web and overlying and engaging the other ramp, for preventing said other ramp from bending toward a coplanar relationship with the flange from which it extends; and in which said resilient means for resisting rotation of said first portion of said track element is constituted by at least part of the portion of said track element which extends between said first and second supporting members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
A merchandising device according to claim 8 in which said resilient means for resisting rotation of said first portion of said track element is constituted by at least part of the portion of said track element which extends between said first and second supporting members, in which said means removably engageable by a second portion of said elongated track element includes a slot in said second supporting member, said slot receiving the end of said elongated web opposite said one end.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-10 | 1986-07-12 | 1987-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-10 | 1990-07-12 | 1991-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-10 | 1994-07-12 | 1995-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |