Container storage and dispensing apparatus with adjustable container position

• US 7,401,709 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2003
• Issued: 07/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: System Logistics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Vertique Incorporated (Krones)
• Inventors: Stingel, Jeffrey W., Stingel, Frederick J. Jr., Stingel, Frederick J. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Keenan; James
• Application Number:
  US10/654,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20050045574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,784 Days
• Field of Search: 414/331.01, 414/331.04, 414/331.15, 414/276, 193/27, 198/347.1, 221/75
• US Class Current: 221/75
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 11/086 for articles

Abstract

An adjustable positioning apparatus for positioning containers on a shelf tray assembly of a vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus has a container abutting portion and engagement structure for securing the container abutting portion on a portion of the shelf tray assembly so as to position the container on the shelf tray. A vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus having adjustable container positioning structure is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An attachable device for positioning a container on an existing shelf tray of an existing shelf tray assembly of a vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus, said existing shelf tray assembly having front and rear portions and a container arresting assembly for contacting a container at a first contact location, said device comprising:

a container abutting portion having opposing ends; and

elongated adjustable engagement structure, wherein said engagement structure comprises elongated engagement members connected to said opposing ends of said container abutting portion, said elongated engagement members having a plurality of spaced apart engagement positions for detachably engaging said device to said container arresting assembly of said existing shelf tray assembly in a plurality of different possible locations so as to position said container abutting portion of said device on said existing shelf tray and thereby change said first contact location on said existing shelf tray to one of a plurality of different possible contact locations, without modifying said existing shelf tray assembly.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said engagement positions comprise grooves for receiving a portion of said shelf tray assembly.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said grooves are dimensioned to receive a cross-bar of said container arresting assembly.