Scalloped rack or shelf for floral merchandiser

Abstract

A rack or shelf for a floral display cabinet has a scalloped cutout that holds a number of round or conic vases or flower containers. The scalloped shape allows the containers to be held in a number of configurations. The containers do not shift or slide if the merchandiser is bumped or moved. The tip or pitch angle of the shelf can be adjusted. A cover for the shelf allows the shelf to be used as a solid flat shelf for supporting items from the bottom.

1 . A rack or shelf for a floral merchandiser including a top panel having a scalloped cutout extending transversely thereon for supporting a plurality of round flower containers therein, said scalloped cutout being formed as a row of overlapping generally round voids defined by a series of arcs.  
   
   
       2 . The rack or shelf according to  claim 1  wherein the overlapping round voids of said scalloped cutout comprise a row of overlapping circular cutouts each circular cutout defining a position at which a round flower container can be positioned, each said circular cutout having a circle diameter and defining a center-to-center distance between successive said circular cutouts, where the center-to-center is at least about half the circle diameter, but less than the circle diameter, thus allowing the round flower containers to be placed in every other position.  
   
   
       3 . The rack or shelf according to  claim 1  further comprising a flat panel cover member adapted to be fastened onto said top panel to serve as a solid shelf member without cutouts.  
   
   
       4 . The rack or shelf according to  claim 3  wherein said cover member is pivotally supported on said top panel so that it can be swung between a cover position atop said top panel and a storage position behind said panel.  
   
   
       5 . The rack or shelf according to  claim 4  wherein said cover member is supported on a transverse axis.  
   
   
       6 . The rack or shelf according to  claim 1  further comprising means for selecting a pitch angle of said shelf so as to permit optimal display of flowers in said flower containers.  
   
   
       7 . The rack or shelf according to  claim 1  wherein further comprising side walls to supporting said top panel from left and right ends thereof, and a pair of struts adapted to attach to a vertical wall of said floral merchandiser, each said strut being adjustably mounted onto a respective one of said side walls, and said side walls including means permitting the pitch angle of the shelf to be adjusted relative to said struts.  
   
   
       8 . The rack or shelf according to  claim 7  wherein said means permitting the pitch angle to be adjusted includes a series of pin holes formed in an arc in each of said side walls, said pin holes adapted to receive a mounting pin to fasten the side wall to the associated one of said struts.  
   
   
       9 . The rack or shelf according to  claim 8  wherein said side walls are disposed below a plane of said top shelf, and said pin holes are situated at a rear portion of each respective side wall, with a front portion of the side wall being pivoted to a front end of the associated strut.  
   
   
       10 . The rack or shelf according to  claim 1  comprising a plurality of similar said racks or shelves to be arrayed one above the other on a vertical wall of said floral merchandiser.