Storing and dispensing system

Claim 1

A stationary storing and dispensing system for substantially square or rectangular objects comprising: at least two shelves, each of the shelves having an article engaging bottom, the bottom having front and rear continuous parallel edges extending widthwise of the shelf, a ramp inclined upwardly at an angle from the rear edge of the bottom and extending widthwise of the shelf, a finger guide extending widthwise of the shelf below the bottom, the guide being inclined downwardly and rearwardly from the front edge at an acute angle with the bottom of the shelf, a continuous, uninterrupted article engaging and restraining member projecting downwardly below the bottom of each shelf, and extending widthwise of the shelf between the finger guide and the ramp, the shelves being assembled horizontally, one above the other, such that the single finger guide on the upper of two assembled shelves may be engaged at any point widthwise of the shelf by at least one finger to guide it while removing or inserting an object on a shelf immediately below the first shelf, and such that the article engaging and restraining member on the upper of the two assembled shelves may be engaged by an object on the shelf immediately below the upper shelf when the object is tilted in the process of removing the object, the engaging and restraining member limiting the amount of tilt.