Apparatus for use in a cold vault

Abstract

An apparatus is provides which includes a frame configured to be supported by a customer-accessible lower shelf, the lower shelf being adapted to support a plurality of items, and an upper shelf supported by the frame at an angle thereto, the upper shelf also being adapted to support a plurality of items and having an opening at a lower end thereof, so that an item supported by the upper shelf drops onto the lower shelf, through the opening, after an item is removed from the lower shelf.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a frame configured to be supported by a customer-accessible lower shelf, the lower shelf being adapted to support a plurality of items; and    an upper shelf supported by the frame at an angle thereto, the upper shelf also being adapted to support a plurality of items and having an opening at a lower end thereof, so that an item supported by the upper shelf drops onto the lower shelf, through the opening, after an item is removed from the lower shelf.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a gate is disposed off the lower end of the upper shelf.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the gate comprises a plurality of panels.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the gate is vertically slidably and pivotably mounted.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the gate is vertically slidably mounted.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the gate comprises a plurality of flaps.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a frame;    a customer-accessible lower shelf supported by the frame and disposed at a first angle thereto; and    an upper shelf disposed at a second angle to the frame and above the lower shelf, wherein the upper and lower shelves are adapted to support a plurality of items, and wherein the upper shelf has an opening at a lower end thereof, so that an item supported by the upper shelf drops onto the lower shelf, through the opening, after an item is removed from the lower shelf.    
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the items are maintained in a substantially upright position on the upper and lower shelves.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the upper shelf comprises a plurality of tracks formed by an upper guide, the opening in the upper shelf corresponding to a plurality of openings in the tracks.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein each track has a spring-loaded pusher.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the lower shelf has a corresponding plurality of tracks formed by a visislide.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising a rear guide disposed at an upper end of the lower shelf.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising a lower guide disposed below and toward the rear of the upper guide.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of lifters, each lifter pivotably attached to the upper guide at a lower end of each track.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein when one of the lifters is in a locked position, a portion of said lifter forms a floor which covers a corresponding track opening.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein when one of the lifters is in an unlocked position, no floor is formed to cover a corresponding track opening.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising an adaptor rod disposed at a lower end of the lower shelf, and adapted to position the items on the lower shelf.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a housing;    a plurality of customer-accessible lower shelves supported from top to bottom by the housing, each lower shelf disposed at a first angle thereto; and    an upper shelf supported by the housing and disposed at a second angle thereto and above the topmost lower shelf, wherein both the upper shelf and lower shelves are adapted to support a plurality of items, and wherein the upper shelf has an opening at a lower end thereof, so that an item supported by the upper shelf drops onto the topmost lower shelf, through the opening, after an item is removed from the topmost lower shelf.