Rack system for displaying and dispensing candy

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rack structure for displaying and dispensing candy which comprises a plurality of enclosed containers arranged in first second and third rows, each container being totally enclosed on all sides and having a base, a supply of candy and a downwardly extending outlet for dispensing candy from the supply; and a support structure for retaining the containers in spaced relation in the rows. The support structure of each row of containers includes first and second horizontally disposed rods each having first and second ends, the enclosed containers supported on the first and second horizontally disposed rods; connecting bars for engaging the rod ends to maintain the rods in substantially parallel spaced relation for supporting the base of each container; vertical support rods for positioning the support structure to enhance the visibility of the containers; and at least one catch basin supported on the first horizontal rod in position under one or more of the container outlets for receiving candy that has been improperly dispensed, thus preventing spills of the same.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A rack structure for displaying and dispensing candy which comprises: a plurality of enclosed containers arranged in a first row, each container being totally enclosed on all sides and having a base, a supply of candy and a downwardly extending outlet for dispensing candy from the supply; and   a support structure for retaining the containers in spaced relation in the first row and including first and second horizontally disposed rods each having first and second ends, said enclosed containers being supported on said first and second horizontally disposed rods; means for engaging the rod ends to maintain the rods in substantially parallel spaced relation for supporting the base of each container; means for positioning the support structure to enhance the visibility of the containers; and at least one catch basin supported on the first horizontal rod in position under one or more of the container outlets for receiving candy that has been improperly dispensed, thus preventing spills of the same.   
     
     
       2. The rack structure of claim 1 wherein a separate catch basin is positioned beneath each container outlet. 
     
     
       3. The rack structure of claim 2 wherein the catch basin is made of plexiglass and has a base portion, at least one sidewall extending from the base portion and a hook member for engaging the first horizontal rod. 
     
     
       4. The rack structure of claim 1 wherein the catch basin has an elongated portion which spans the entire width of the row of containers and is positioned beneath the container outlets. 
     
     
       5. The rack structure of claim 1 which further comprises a plurality of containers arranged in a second row, each container having a base, a supply of candy and an outlet for dispensing candy from the supply; and a support structure for retaining the containers in spaced relation in the second row and including first and second horizontally disposed rods each having first and second ends; means for engaging the rod ends to maintain the rods in substantially parallel spaced relation for supporting the base of each container; means for positioning the support structure to enhance the visibility of the containers; and at least one catch basin supported on the first horizontal rod in position under one or more of the container outlets for receiving candy that has been improperly dispensed, thus preventing spills of the same;   wherein the support structure for the second row is positioned subjacent to the support structure of the first row and in offset vertical relation, therewith.   
     
     
       6. The rack structure of claim 5 wherein the first and second row rod ends engaging means each comprises first and second bar members, the first bar members each engaging the first rod ends of the first and second horizontal rods in the respective rows and the second bar members each engaging the second rod ends of the first and second horizontal rods in the respective rows. 
     
     
       7. The rack structure of claim 6 wherein the positioning means for the first row support structure comprises means for connecting the first and second bar members of the first row support structure to the first and second bar members of the second row support structure, the connecting means comprising vertically extending rod members having upper and lower ends. 
     
     
       8. The rack structure of claim 7 wherein each connecting means comprises two pair of vertically extending rod members, one pair positioned adjacent the first containers of the first and second rows with the other pair positioned adjacent the last containers of the first and second rows. 
     
     
       9. The rack structure of claim 7 which further comprises a bar member for connecting the lower ends of each pair of vertically extending rod members, and wheel means associated with each lower end connecting bar member to facilitate movement of the rack structure. 
     
     
       10. The rack structure of claim 9 wherein the lower end connecting bar members are maintained in spaced relation by at least two horizontally extending support bars for strengthening the structure and for providing a support structure for storage of materials thereon. 
     
     
       11. The rack structure of claim 8 which further comprises a plurality of containers arranged in a third row, each container having a base, a supply of candy and an outlet for dispensing candy from the supply; and a support structure for retaining the containers in spaced relation in the third row and including first and second horizontally disposed rods each having first and second ends; means for engaging the rod ends to maintain the rods in substantially parallel spaced relation for supporting the base of each container; means for positioning the support structure to enhance the visibility of the containers; and at least one catch basin supported on the first horizontal rod in position under one or more of the container outlets for receiving candy that has been improperly dispensed, thus preventing spills of the same;   wherein the support structure for the third row is positioned subjacent to the support structure of the second row and in offset vertical relation therewith.   
     
     
       12. The rack structure of claim 11 wherein the positioning means for the second row support structure comprises means for connecting the first and second bar members of the second row support structure to the first and second bar members of the third row support structure, the connecting means comprising vertically extending rod members having upper and lower ends. 
     
     
       13. The rack structure of claim 12 wherein at least one of the vertically extending rod members is a single rod member which extends directly from the first support structure through the second support structure to the third support structure. 
     
     
       14. A rack structure for displaying and dispensing candy which comprises: a plurality of containers arranged in a first row, each container having a base, a supply of candy and an outlet for dispensing candy from the supply; and   a support structure for retaining the containers in spaced relation in the first row and including first and second horizontally disposed rods, each of the first and second horizontally disposed rods having first and second ends; means for engaging the rod ends to maintain the rods in substantially parallel spaced relation for supporting the base of each container; means for positioning the support structure to enhance the visibility of the containers; and at least one catch basin supported on the first horizontal rod in position under one or more of the container outlets for receiving candy that has been improperly dispensed, thus preventing spills of the same,   wherein the catch basin has an elongated portion which spans the entire width of the row of containers and is positioned beneath the container outlets, and includes a wire support structure.   
     
     
       15. The rack structure of claim 14 wherein the wire support structure of the catch basin extends along the width of the row of containers and includes a bowl member and an open area beneath each container outlet which is configured and dimensioned to support the bowl member so that each bowl member is positioned below a container outlet. 
     
     
       16. A rack structure for displaying and dispensing candy which comprises: a plurality of containers arranged in a first row, each container having a base, a supply of candy and an outlet for dispensing candy from the supply;   a support structure for retaining the containers in spaced relation in the first row and including first and second horizontally disposed rods, each of the first and second horizontally disposed rods having first and second ends; means for engaging the rod ends to maintain the rods in substantially parallel spaced relation for supporting the base of each container; means for positioning the support structure to enhance the visibility of the containers; and at least one catch basin supported on the first horizontal rod in position under one or more of the container outlets for receiving candy that has been improperly dispensed, thus preventing spills of the same;   a plurality of containers arranged in a second row, each container having a base, a supply of candy and an outlet for dispensing candy from the supply;   a support structure for retaining the containers in spaced relation in the second row and including first and second horizontally disposed rods, each of the first and second horizontally disposed rods having first and second ends; means for engaging the rod ends to maintain the rods in substantially parallel spaced relation for supporting the base of each container; means for positioning the support structure to enhance the visibility of the containers; and at least one catch basin supported on the first horizontal rod in position under one or more of the container outlets for receiving candy that has been improperly dispensed, thus preventing spills of the same; and   a series of tubular elements for displaying the candy of some of the containers and being retained on one of the support structure for the first row and the support structure of the second row,   wherein the support structure for the second row is positioned subjacent to the support structure of the first row and in offset vertical relation therewith.   
     
     
       17. The rack structure of claim 16 wherein the at least two vertically extending rod members are connected by a base plate member for supporting the tubular elements, and by a top plate member for retaining the tubular elements in the desired position on the base plate member, the base plate member being retained on one of the support structure for the first row and the support structure of the second row. 
     
     
       18. The rack structure of claim 17 wherein each tubular element has a top end, a bottom end and positioning means associated with the bottom end while the base plate member includes alignment means for engaging the positioning means of each tubular element. 
     
     
       19. The rack structure of claim 18 wherein the top plate member has first and second ends, a central elongated portion and first and second wall members which extend past the top ends of the tubular elements, wherein each of the first and second ends of the top plate member includes locking means for engaging the vertical rod member to prevent unauthorized removal of the tubular elements or contents therein. 
     
     
       20. The rack structure of claim 19 wherein each locking means comprises a slot in the respective vertical rod member and a cam member positioned in the top plate member, the cam being movable between a first position wherein the cam engages the slot of the vertical rod member for securely retaining the top plate member to the vertical rod member and a second position where the cam is positioned away from the slot so that the top plate member can be removed from the vertical rod members to allow access to the tubular elements or contents therein. 
     
     
       21. The rack structure of claim 20 wherein the two vertical rod members extend above the first row and are connected by a base plate member for supporting a series of tubular elements for displaying the candy of some of the containers, and by a top plate member for retaining the tubular elements in the desired position on the base plate member. 
     
     
       22. The rack structure of claim 21 wherein each vertical rod member has a lower end, and the two vertical rod members extend below the third row and include a bar member for connecting the lower ends of each vertical rod member to the other vertically extending rod member of the positioning means for the third support structure. 
     
     
       23. The rack structure of claim 22 which further comprises reinforcement members for strengthening the rack structure. 
     
     
       24. The rack structure of claim 23 wherein the reinforcement members comprise diagonally extending bars which connect the vertical rod members. 
     
     
       25. The rack structure of claim 24 wherein the lower end connecting bar members are maintained in spaced relation by at least two horizontally extending support bars for strengthening the structure and for providing a support structure for storage of materials thereon, and further including wheel means associated with each lower end connecting bar member to facilitate movement of the rack structure. .Iadd. 
     
     
       26.  A rack structure for displaying and dispensing candy which comprises: a plurality of enclosed containers arranged in a first row, each container being totally enclosed on all sides and having a base, a supply of candy and a downwardly extending outlet for dispensing candy from the supply; and   a support structure for retaining the containers in spaced relation in the first row and including first and second horizontally disposed rods each having first and second ends, said enclosed containers being supported on said first and second horizontally disposed rods; means for engaging the rods to maintain the rods in substantially parallel spaced relation for supporting the base of each container; means for positioning the support structure to enhance the visibility of the containers; and at least one catch basin supported on the first horizontal rod in position under one or more of the container outlets for receiving candy that has been improperly dispensed, thus preventing spills of the same..Iaddend..Iadd.27. The rack structure of claim 26 wherein a separate catch basin is positioned beneath each container outlet..Iaddend..Iadd.28. The rack structure of claim 27 wherein the catch basin is made of plexiglass and has a base portion, at least one sidewall extending from the base portion and a hook member for engaging the first horizontal rod..Iaddend..Iadd.29. The rack structure of claim 26 wherein the catch basin has an elongated portion which spans the entire width of the row of containers and is positioned beneath the container outlets..Iaddend..Iadd.30. The rack structure of claim 26 which further comprises a plurality of enclosed containers arranged in a second row, each container having a base, a supply of candy and an outlet for dispensing candy from the supply; and   a support structure for retaining the containers in spaced relation in the second row and including first and second horizontally disposed rods each having first and second ends; means for engaging the rods to maintain the rods in substantially parallel spaced relation for supporting the base of each container; means for positioning the support structure to enhance the visibility of the containers; and at least one catch basin supported on the first horizontal rod in position under one or more of the container outlets for receiving candy that has been improperly dispensed, thus preventing spills of the same;   wherein the support structure for the second row is positioned subjacent to the support structure of the first row and in offset vertical relation therewith..Iaddend..Iadd.31. The rack structure of claim 30 wherein the first and second row rod engaging means each comprises first and second bar members, the bar members each engaging the first and second horizontal rods in the respective rows..Iaddend..Iadd.32. The rack structure of claim 31 wherein the positioning means for the first row support structure comprises means for connecting the first and second bar members of the first row support structure to the first and second bar members of the second row support structure, the connecting means comprising vertically extending rod members having upper and lower ends..Iaddend..Iadd.33. The rack structure of claim 32 wherein each connecting means comprises two pair of vertically extending rod members, one pair positioned adjacent the first containers of the first and second rows with the other pair positioned adjacent the last containers of the first and second rows..Iaddend..Iadd.34. The rack structure of claim 33 wherein the lower end connecting bar members are maintained in spaced relation by at least two horizontally extending support bars for strengthening the structure and for providing a support structure for storage of materials thereon..Iaddend.