Multi-chute gravity feed dispenser display

Abstract

A set of panels having chutes therebetween. The chutes being defined by curvilinear rails on such panels. The curvilinear rails having stops thereon for stopping the products for viewing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispenser and display rack system for storing and displaying products on store shelving, said system comprising at least three panels having an operative orientation wherein said panels are disposed in spaced-apart side-by-side relation constituting an operative orientation and wherein adjacent ones of said panels constitute panel pairs, means affixed to said panels forming at least one product chute disposed between each of said panel pairs, each said chute and having a loading end, a dispensing end and an elongated product travel path descending at least substantially full length from said loading end to said dispensing end, a plurality of retention pins connecting said panels, there being at least some of said pins connecting said panel pairs in a first manner to permit shifting thereof between a collapsed condition and said operative orientation and in a second manner to lock said panels in said operative orientation. 
     
     
         2 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  and further including at least one product label holder moveable from a closed position in access closing relation to at least one said loading end to a removed position in access opening relation therewith. 
     
     
         3 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , the chute forming means comprising rails forming a plurality of chutes between each of said panel pairs. 
     
     
         4 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each of said panel pairs has an open front region, said open front region having an upper section and a lower section. 
     
     
         5 . A system in accordance with  claim 4 , there being first and second product chutes between each of said panel pairs, the loading end of the first of said chutes being located at the upper section thereof and disposed above the loading end of the second of said chutes, the discharge end of the first of said chutes being located at the lower section thereof and disposed below the discharge end of the second of said chutes. 
     
     
         6 . A system in accordance with  claim 4 , said door means being sized to simultaneously open and close access to the loading end of each of said chutes. 
     
     
         7 . A system in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein each of said chutes has a discharge end and wherein each of said panel pairs further includes product travel stops proximal the discharge end of each of said chutes. 
     
     
         8 . A system in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein said product stops are offset from each other with respect to the horizontal a sufficient distance to permit placement of a product atop and between adjacent products disposed at the discharge end of the first of said chutes. 
     
     
         9 . A system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the discharge end of the second of said chutes is disposed slightly above the discharge end of the first of said chutes and products therein. 
     
     
         10 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said travel path includes multiple direction reversing bend regions. 
     
     
         11 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , the chute forming means comprising rails affixed to each of said panels, said rails of each of said panels including at least one rail set, said set including a first rail having a first width and a second rail having a second width spaced from and disposed below said first rail, said second width being greater than said first width. 
     
     
         12 . A gravity feed rack in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said first width is about 0.275 inch and said second width is about 1.0 inch. 
     
     
         13  A gravity rack in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said first rail is spaced about 0.125 inch above said second rail. 
     
     
         14 . A gravity feed rack in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said panels comprise high impact polystyrene having a thickness of about 0.130 inch. 
     
     
         15 . A gravity feed rack in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the panels of each panel pair are spaced about 5.181 inches apart. 
     
     
         16 . A gravity feed rack comprising a pair of panels disposed in spaced apart side-by-side relation, each one of said panels having rails projecting therefrom toward the other of said panels to jointly define at least one travel path, said rails of each of said panels including at least one rail set, said set including a first rail and a second rail spaced from and disposed below said first rail, said second rail projecting further toward said other of said panels than said first rail. 
     
     
         17 . A gravity feed rack in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein said first rail projects about 0.275 inch and said second rail projects about 1.0 inch. 
     
     
         18 . A gravity rack in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein said first rail is spaced about 0.125 inch above said second rail. 
     
     
         19 . A gravity feed rack in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein said panels comprise high impact polystyrene having a thickness of about 0.130 inch. 
     
     
         20 . A gravity feed rack in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein said panels are spaced about 5.181 inches apart.