CONTROLLED GRAVITY FEED SHELF SYSTEM

• US 20120285916A1
• Filed: 12/15/2011
• Published: 11/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: La Darling Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: La Darling Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: O'Quinn, Taft, Martin, Michael, Martin, Carrie, Duchene, Val-Jean
• Application Number:
  US13/327,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20120285916A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/151
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/021 Structural features of shelf bases
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/12 dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack A47F1/087 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0043 Show shelves shelves in general A47B96/02; brackets or similar shelf-supporting means A47B96/06; advertising or price indication G09F
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/023 Arrangements of article supporting rollers on racks

Abstract

A controlled gravity feed shelf system features a framework and at least one insert. The insert includes a number of support rails at least partially forming a front portion of the insert and a rear portion of the insert. A number of first rollers are rotatably mounted on the front portion of the insert, where each of the first rollers has a first diameter. A number of second rollers are rotatably mounted on the rear portion of the insert, where each of said second rollers has a second diameter. The first diameter of the first rollers is smaller than the second diameter of the second rollers. The insert is positioned within the framework so as the rear portion of the insert is positioned vertically higher than the front portion of the insert.

Claims

1. A controlled gravity feed shelf insert adapted to be positioned on a shelf system framework comprising:

a. a plurality of support rails at least partially forming a front portion of the insert and a rear portion of the insert;

b. a plurality of first rollers rotatably mounted on the front portion of the insert, each of said first rollers having a first diameter;

c. a plurality of second rollers rotatably mounted on the rear portion of the insert, each of said second rollers having a second diameter where said first diameter is smaller than said second diameter.

2. The controlled gravity feed shelf insert of claim 1 wherein the plurality of first and second rollers are removable from the plurality of support rails.

3. The controlled gravity feed shelf insert of claim 1 wherein the insert has a first side and a second side and wherein the plurality of first and second rollers are positioned on the first side of the insert only so that the insert may be flipped over to provide a stationary shelf surface.

4. The controlled gravity feed shelf insert of claim 3 wherein the stationary shelf surface features raised ribs.

5. The controlled gravity feed shelf insert of claim 1 wherein the insert further includes a structural member positioned generally perpendicular to and joining the plurality of support rails.

6. The controlled gravity feed shelf insert of claim 1 wherein the insert further includes a front structural member positioned generally perpendicular to and joining the plurality of support rails to define a front edge of the insert and a rear structural member positioned generally perpendicular to and joining the plurality of support rails to define a rear edge of the insert.

7. The controlled gravity feed shelf insert of claim 1 wherein the first diameter of the first rollers is in the range of about one to three inches and the second diameter of the second rollers is in the range of about three to five inches.

8. The controlled gravity feed shelf insert of claim 1 further comprising:

d. a plurality of first roller assemblies each including alternating first rollers and first axles; and

e. a plurality of second roller assemblies including alternating second rollers and second axles wherein said first and second roller assemblies are mounted on the support rails.

9. The controlled gravity feed shelf insert of claim 8 wherein the support rails include slots that removably receive the first and second roller assemblies.

10. A controlled gravity feed shelf system comprising:

a. a framework;

b. an insert including;

i) a plurality of support rails at least partially forming a front portion of the insert and a rear portion of the insert;

ii) a plurality of first rollers rotatably mounted on the front portion of the insert, each of said first rollers having a first diameter;

iii) a plurality of second rollers rotatably mounted on the rear portion of the insert, each of said second rollers having a second diameter where said first diameter is smaller than said second diameter;

c. said insert positioned within the framework so as the rear portion of the insert is positioned vertically higher than the front portion of the insert.

11. The controlled gravity feed shelf system of claim 10 wherein the inserts are removable from the framework.

12. The controlled gravity feed shelf system of claim 11 wherein the insert has a first side and a second side and wherein the plurality of first and second rollers are positioned on the first side of the insert only so that the insert may be flipped over to provide a stationary shelf surface.

13. The controlled gravity feed shelf system of claim 12 wherein the stationary shelf surface on the second side of the insert features raised ribs.

14. The controlled gravity feed shelf system of claim 10 wherein the plurality of first and second rollers are removable from the plurality of support rails.

15. The controlled gravity feed shelf system of claim 10 wherein the insert further includes a structural member positioned generally perpendicular to and joining the plurality of support rails.

16. The controlled gravity feed shelf system of claim 10 wherein the insert further includes a front structural member positioned generally perpendicular to and joining the plurality of support rails to define a front edge of the insert and a rear structural member positioned generally perpendicular to and joining the plurality of support rails to define a rear edge of the insert.

17. The controlled gravity feed shelf system of claim 10 wherein the first diameter of the first rollers is in the range of about one to three inches and the second diameter of the second rollers is in the range of about three to five inches.

18. The controlled gravity feed shelf system of claim 10 further comprising:

d. a plurality of first roller assemblies each including alternating first rollers and first axles; and

e. a plurality of second roller assemblies including alternating second rollers and second axles wherein said first and second roller assemblies are mounted on the support rails.

19. The controlled gravity feed shelf system of claim 18 wherein the support rails include slots that removably receive the first and second roller assemblies.

20. The controlled gravity feed shelf system of claim 10 wherein the framework includes a bracket that positions the rear portion of the insert vertically higher than the front portion of the insert.