U.S. patent application number 17/403133 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-17 for merchandise supply device for storing and making available for picking sell-by-weight loose products.
The applicant listed for this patent is HL DISPLAY AB. Invention is credited to Linda ERIKSSON, Marten SJOBERG.
Application Number | 20220047097 17/403133 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005838247 |
Filed Date | 2022-02-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220047097 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SJOBERG; Marten ; et
al. |
February 17, 2022 |
MERCHANDISE SUPPLY DEVICE FOR STORING AND MAKING AVAILABLE FOR
PICKING SELL-BY-WEIGHT LOOSE PRODUCTS
Abstract
Merchandise supply device for storing and making available for
picking sell-by-weight loose products. The device comprises a
container (10) having side walls (12, 12,13) and a bottom wall
(14), which walls (11-14) together define a storage space for the
product, wherein a sloped bottom wall (14) is arranged for gravity
feeding the product from a rear fill opening (15) to a front
pick-out opening (17), which pick-out opening (17) is covered by an
openable lid (13). The pick-out opening (17) is covered by an
intrusion barrier device (30) comprising an iris port (40). An
intrusion barrier device for use with a merchandise supply device
is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
SJOBERG; Marten; (Stockholm,
SE) ; ERIKSSON; Linda; (Nacka, SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HL DISPLAY AB |
Nacka Strand |
|
SE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005838247 |
Appl. No.: |
17/403133 |
Filed: |
August 16, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/02 20130101; A47F
2010/065 20130101; A47F 10/02 20130101; A47F 13/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47F 1/02 20060101
A47F001/02; A47F 10/02 20060101 A47F010/02; A47F 13/08 20060101
A47F013/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 17, 2020 |
EP |
20191346.4 |
Claims
1. Merchandise supply device for storing and making available for
picking sell-by-weight loose products, comprising: a container (10)
having side walls (12, 12, 13) and a bottom wall (14), which walls
(11-14) together define a storage space for the product, wherein a
sloped bottom wall (14) is arranged for gravity feeding the product
from a rear fill opening (15) to a front pick-out opening (17),
which pick-out opening (17) is covered by an openable lid (13),
characterized in that the pick-out opening (17) is covered by an
intrusion barrier device (30) comprising an iris port (40).
2. Merchandise supply device according to claim 1, wherein the iris
port (40) comprises a membrane (41) of a resiliently flexible
material.
3. Merchandise supply device according to claim 2, wherein the
membrane (41) exhibits at least one through penetrating slit (42a,
42b) which defines at least one resiliently deflectable sealing
tongue (43a-d).
4. Merchandise supply device according to claim 3, wherein the
membrane (41) exhibits two through penetrating slits (42a, 42b)
arranged in a cross formation and defining four generally
triangular sealing tongues (43a-d).
5. Merchandise supply device according to claim 1, wherein a
maximum opening dimension of the iris port (40) is smaller than 10
cm.
6. Merchandise supply device according to claim 1, wherein the
intrusion barrier device (30) comprises a mounting bracket (31) to
which the iris port (40) is fixed, which mounting bracket (31) is
insertable through the pick-out opening (17) and fixable to the
container (10).
7. Merchandise supply device according to claim 6, wherein the
mounting bracket (31) comprises a base plate (32) with a port
opening (36) covered by the iris port (40) and at least two
mounting legs (33, 34) extending from the base plate (32) and being
supported by the bottom wall (14) of the container (10).
8. Merchandise supply device according to claim 7, wherein the port
opening (36) has an opening area which is smaller than approx. 50
cm.sup.2.
9. Merchandise supply device according to claim 6, wherein the iris
port (40) is detachably fixed to the mounting bracket (31).
10. Merchandise supply device according to claim 6, wherein the
iris port (40) is clamped between the mounting bracket (32) and a
peripheral mounting disc (37).
11. Merchandise supply device according to claim 10, wherein the
peripheral disc (37), the iris port (40) and the mounting bracket
(32) each exhibits a number of mutually aligned fixation holes
(32a, 37a, 41a) receiving fastening elements.
12. Merchandise supply device according to claim 1, wherein the
intrusion barrier device (30) is retrofittable to existing
merchandise supply devices.
13. An intrusion barrier device (30) for a merchandise supply
device comprising a container (10) having a rear fill opening (15),
a front pick-out opening (17), side walls (11, 12, 13) and a bottom
wall (14), which walls (11-14) together define a storage space for
a product, which intrusion barrier device (30) comprises a mounting
bracket (31) with a base plate (32) exhibiting a port opening (36)
covered by an iris port (40) and at least two mounting legs (33,
34) extending from the base plate (32).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of
merchandise supply devices for storing and providing sell-by-weight
loose products in shops and in particular to a device for storing
such products and making them available for the customers to
collect by picking. The disclosure also relates to an intrusion
barrier device for use with a merchandise supply device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the sale of loose products or commodities which are sold
by weight, sometimes referred to as bulk products or bulk
inventory, such as, for example, sweets, tea, grains, nuts and the
like, different merchandise supply systems for storing and making
the products available to the customers are used. The systems often
comprise one or several containers for storing the products. The
containers are placed in a shop and arranged such that the
customers may transfer the product from the storage container to a
bag or the like carried by the customer. The customer may
thereafter bring the bag to the shop's till for weighing and
payment.
[0003] Where the shop provides several varieties of a certain
product, it is usual for a number of storage containers
corresponding to the number of product varieties to be placed
adjacent to one another, often in a matrix containing horizontal
rows and vertical columns of containers. The customer may then
simply pick or feed out the desired quantity of each product
variety and transfer it to a common bag for mixing the product
varieties. This type of sale of sell-by-weight loose products
allows an effective utilization of space for the shopkeeper, low
packaging consumption and wide freedom of choice for the customer
to buy the desired quantity and product mix. By suitable shaping of
the containers, it is also possible for the products to be
displayed in a clear and appealing manner, which provides good
customer information and, moreover, can help to promote increased
sales.
[0004] The systems may be divided into two general groups
comprising open systems and closed systems. At the open systems,
the customers may gain access to and come in direct contact with
the product stored inside a storage container. Typically, at the
open systems, the customer uses a spoon or a scoop to transfer the
desired product amount from the storage container to a bag or the
like.
[0005] At the closed systems, direct contact is prevented, and the
systems are designed such that the product may be fed out without
allowing the customer to touch the product before it has left the
storage container. Normally, the closed systems comprise means for
feeding the product by gravity to an openable door, gate, valve or
the like. In use, the customer holds a bag or other receptacle
below an outlet spout such that the desired amount of the product
may be poured by gravity into the receptacle upon opening the door
and keeping it open until the desired amount has been poured into
the receptacle. EP 3 542 678 A1 discloses such a closed gravity
feed system.
[0006] The known closed systems thus afford for a high degree of
hygienic cleanliness with a comparatively low risk of contamination
of the products stored in the container. However, such closed
systems are not suitable for a lot of products, since the gravity
fed passage through the openable door may cause the loose product
to be packed together, agglomerated or to form lumps in the outlet
passage. This in turn prevents the possibility to dispense the
desired amount and may even cause clogging of the outlet passage
such that all further dispensing is prevented. These problems
especially occur when the closed systems are used for sticky and/or
soft loose products such as sweets and candy.
[0007] Hence, the open systems have hitherto been the only
practically viable solution for such sticky and/or soft
sell-by-weight loose products. EP 2 394 535 A1 discloses such an
open system comprising a storage container having a rear fill
opening, a front pick-out opening and a sloping bottom wall for
guiding the product towards the pick-out opening. The pick-out
opening is covered by an openable lid which the customer may open
for picking out the desired amount by using a hand-held scoop. The
use of a hand-held scoop allows for a precise metering and easy
picking also of bulk products that are prone to stick together.
However, at open systems, the stored products are exposed to
contamination by foreign matter entering through the pick-out
opening when the lid is open.
SUMMARY
[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an
enhanced merchandise supply device.
[0009] Another object is to provide such a device which prevents
intrusion of foreign matter to the stored product while still
allowing precise metering and easy transfer from the storage
container to a collection receptacle also of bulk products that are
prone to stick together.
[0010] A further object is to provide such a device which is simple
in construction and which may be manufactured at a comparatively
low cost.
[0011] Still another object is to provide such a device which is
easy to clean.
[0012] Yet an object is to provide such a devices which promotes
sales of the products stored and supplied therefrom.
[0013] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides
a merchandise supply device according the claim 1. The merchandise
supply device is arranged for storing and making available for
picking sell-by-weight loose products. The merchandise supply
device comprises a container having side walls and a bottom wall,
which walls together define a storage space for the product. A
sloped bottom wall is arranged for gravity feeding the product from
a rear fill opening to a front pick-out opening, which pick-out
opening is covered by an openable lid. The pick-out opening is
covered by an intrusion barrier device comprising an iris port.
[0014] The merchandise supply device thus allows for easy and
precise picking-out of the desired product amount by introducing a
hand-held scoop, pliers or similar tool through the iris port and
the pick-out opening after opening the lid. During such insertion
of the tool, the iris port deforms to follow the shape of the
inserted tool such that the opening exposing the interior of the
container is kept to a minimum during use of the tool. When the
tool is withdrawn from the pick-out opening, the iris port closes
such that the pick-out opening is essentially sealed from the
surrounding atmosphere. By this means the exposure to of the stored
product to the surrounding atmosphere is kept to a minimum which
essentially reduces the risk of contamination of the stored
product, by bacteria, viruses and other foreign matter.
[0015] By designing the intrusion barrier device and the iris port
accurately, it is further possible to completely prevent and make
impossible the insertion of a hand through the pick-out opening.
This solves an important problem at conventional open systems where
customers may neglect the intended use of a tool to instead grab
the products directly using the fingers. Naturally, such direct
human contact with the stored product increases the risk of
contamination of the stored product. In addition, the mere
possibility to reach the products by direct contact with the
fingers makes many customers reluctant to purchase products
supplied by such conventional open systems, which reduces the sales
of such products.
[0016] Not the least at times with pandemic diseases spreading in
society, the present merchandise supply devices thus provides an
efficient means for hygienic supply of precisely selected amounts
of bulk products which may willingly be used by most customers.
[0017] According to one embodiment, the iris port may comprise a
membrane of resiliently flexible material. In this disclosure, the
term "membrane" is used to signify a comparatively thin and soft
pliable sheet of a material which may or may not be permeable to
certain substances. In particular the material is preferably
essentially impermeable to air, moisture and other substances
normally occurring in the atmosphere surrounding the merchandise
supply device.
[0018] The membrane may exhibit at least one through penetrating
slit which defines at least one resiliently deflectable sealing
tongue.
[0019] The membrane may exhibit two through penetrating slits
arranged in a cross formation and defining four generally
triangular sealing tongues.
[0020] Preferably a maximum opening dimension of the iris port is
smaller than approx. 10 cm. By this means insertion of a human hand
through the pick-out opening is efficiently prevented.
[0021] In cases where the iris port comprises two slits in cross
formation each slit may have a longitudinal extension of 3-10 cm,
preferably 5-8 cm.
[0022] The intrusion barrier device may comprise a mounting bracket
to which the iris port is fixed, which mounting bracket is
insertable through the pick-out opening and fixable to the
container. This provides an easy means for fixing the intrusion
barrier to the container.
[0023] The mounting bracket may comprise a base plate with a port
opening covered by the iris port and at least two mounting legs
extending from the base plate and being supported by the bottom
wall of the container.
[0024] The port opening preferably has an opening area which is
smaller than approx. 50 cm.sup.2. This further prevents insertion
of a human hand into the container.
[0025] The iris port may be detachably fixed to the mounting
bracket. This allows for easy removal of the iris port such as for
cleaning and exchange if damaged.
[0026] The iris port may be clamped between the mounting bracket
and a peripheral mounting disc. This provides a tight and
well-sealed fixation of the iris port while still allowing easy
removal.
[0027] The peripheral disc, the iris port and the mounting bracket
may each exhibit a number of mutually aligned fixation holes
receiving fastening elements.
[0028] The intrusion barrier device may be retrofittable to
existing merchandise supply devices.
[0029] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure
provides an intrusion barrier device for a merchandise supply
device which comprises a container having a rear fill opening, a
front pick-out opening, side walls and a bottom wall, which walls
together define a storage space for a product. The intrusion
barrier device comprises a mounting bracket with a base plate
exhibiting a port opening covered by an iris port and at least two
mounting legs extending from the base plate. The intrusion barrier
device may be embodied in accordance with the above described
merchandise supply device and exhibits corresponding objects and
advantages.
[0030] Further objects and advantages of the merchandise supply
device and the intrusion barrier device will appear from the
following detailed description of exemplifying embodiments and from
the appended claims.
[0031] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be
interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical
field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references
to "a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc." are
to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of
the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless
explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed
herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed,
unless explicitly stated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] Aspects and embodiments are now described, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective, partly exploded view of a
merchandise supply device according to one embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the merchandise supply
device shown in FIG. 1 when assembled and further illustrating a
tool for picking out products stored in the device.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 2
schematically illustrating the tool being inserted through the iris
port of the merchandise supply device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The aspects of the present disclosure will now be described
more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown.
[0037] These aspects may, however, be embodied in many different
forms and should not be construed as limiting; rather, these
embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure
will be thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of all
aspects of invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers
refer to like elements throughout the description.
[0038] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the merchandise supply device
when partly disassembled. The merchandise supply device comprises a
container 10 which has a number of side walls including opposed
walls 11, 12, a curved front wall 13 and a rear wall (nor shown). A
bottom wall 14 extends between lower portions of walls 11, 12 and
front wall 13. The side walls 11, 12, 13 and the bottom wall 14
define an interior space for storing a bulk product (not shown)
such as sweets, candy, cereal or the like. The container exhibits a
rear fill opening 15 which is arranged at the top of an upwardly
protruding rear portion of the container 10. The fill opening 15 is
covered by a removable fill opening lid 16.
[0039] The curved front wall 13 exhibits a front most generally
vertical portion 13a, an intermediate sloping portion 13b and a
rear, generally vertical portion 13c. A pick-out opening 17 is
arranged in the intermediate sloping portion 13b. A openable lid 18
is pivotally connected to the container 10 by means of two hinges
19a, 19b. The lid 18 is pivotal between a fully open position shown
in FIG. 1 and a fully closed position (not shown) in which the lid
fully covers the pick-out opening 17. The hinges 19a, 19b are
damped to provide a braked soft closing of the lid when released
from a vertical position.
[0040] In the shown example the merchandise supply device further
exhibits a chassis 20 fixed to the container 10 and arranged for
attaching the device to a shelf, a stand, a bracket or the like
(not shown).
[0041] The merchandise supply device further comprises an intrusion
barrier device 30. The barrier device 30 comprises a mounting
bracket 31 which exhibits a base plate 32 and two mounting legs 33,
34 extending perpendicularly downwards from opposing side edges of
the base plate 32. A pair of fixation tabs 35 extend rearwardly
from the rear edge of the base plate 32. A rectangular port opening
36 is formed centrally in the base plate 32. The port opening 36 is
fully covered by an iris port 40 which is clamped between the base
plate 32 and a peripheral mounting disc 37, which exhibits a
central opening having essentially the same dimensions as the port
opening 36.
[0042] The iris port 40 is formed of a rectangular membrane 41 of a
resiliently flexible material such as silicone or a vinyl-based
material. A number of fixation holes 41a are distributed along a
peripheral portion of the membrane 41. Each fixation hole 41a is
aligned with a corresponding hole 32a, 37a through the base plate
32 and the mounting disc 37. The iris port 40 is fixed to the
mounting bracket 31 by being interposed between the base plate 32
and the mounting disc 37. The membrane 41 is clamed between the
base plate 32 and the mounting disc 37 by fastening means (not
shown) inserted through the aligned holes 37a, 41a, 32a. The
fastening means may be formed e.g. as snap-fitted pins, rivets,
screws and bolts or the like.
[0043] The intrusion barrier device is attached to the container 10
by insertion through the pick-out opening 17. In the mounted
position the mounting legs 33, 34 rest on a front portion of the
bottom wall 14, a peripheral portion of the base plate 32 rests
against a support flange or lip arranged around the pick-out
opening 17 and the fixation tabs 35 are engaged under the rear edge
of pick-out opening 17. Preferably, the mounting bracket 31, the
iris port 40 and the mounting disc 37 are each formed of a
transparent material for enhancing the display of the stored
product and facilitating picking-out of the product.
[0044] A pair of through penetrating slits 42a, 42b are formed in a
cross-shaped configuration in the membrane 41. The slits 42a, 42b
thus forms four generally triangular shaped resilient tongues 43a-d
of the membrane 41. In the unloaded condition shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, the resiliency of the membrane material urges the tongues 43a-d
to regain their natural position being coplanar with the peripheral
portion of the membrane 41. In this unloaded condition the
neighbouring tongues contact each other over the respective slit
42a, 42b such that the iris port is fully closed and seals the
interior space from the surrounding atmosphere.
[0045] In use, the customer first opens the pivotal lid 13 as shown
in FIG. 3. Thereafter, he or she grabs a suitable tool such as a
pair of pliers 50 which should normally be provided in the vicinity
of the merchandise supply device. When the pliers 50 is brought
into contact with the closed iris port 40 and pushed through the
pick-out opening 17, the resilient tongues 42a-d are yieldingly
deformed to allow insertion of the front end of the pliers 50 into
the container. The resiliency of the tongues 43a-d causes the
tongues 42a-d to be temporarily formed so as to follow the outer
contour of the portion of the pliers which is inserted through the
iris port 40. By this means the iris port 40 only opens to the
degree necessary for inserting and moving the front end of the
pliers 50 inside the container 10. This in turn results in that the
opening needed for inserting the pliers 50 is kept to a minimum
thereby to minimize the risk of foreign matter to be introduced
into the container 10.
[0046] When the desired product amount has been grabbed by the
pliers 50 or collected by the scoop, the tool 50 is withdrawn
through the pick-out opening 17 and the iris port 40 and the
picked-out product may then be dropped into a bag or other
receptacle. When the tool 50 is withdrawn from the iris port 40,
the iris port automatically resumes its closed condition by the
tongues 42a-d resiliently resuming their natural planar sealing
position as shown in FIG. 2
[0047] The iris port 40 also prevents insertion of a human hand
into the container 10. The maximum opening area of the iris port is
defined by the length of the slits 42a, 42b. It has proven
especially advantageous to give the two slits somewhat different
longitudinal extensions. In the shown example the shortest slit 42a
is approx. 4-6 cm and the longest slit 42b approx. 6-9 cm. By such
slit lengths the pliers 50 and other suitable tools may readily be
inserted and manipulated for picking-out any desired product amount
from the container. At the same time, such slit lengths limit the
maximum opening area of the iris port 40, such that a human hand of
normal size may not be introduced through the iris port 40.
Insertion of a human hand may be further prevented by limiting the
opening area of the port opening 36. Typically, the dimensions of
the port opening 36 are chosen to correspond with the length of the
slits 42a, 42b. Hence, in the shown example, the port opening 36
may be rectangular with one side having the length 4-6 cm and one
side the length 6-8 cm. By making the dimensions of the port
opening essentially corresponding to the length of the slits 42a,
42b rapture initiated at the ends of the slits is also
prevented.
[0048] The arrangement of the iris port 40 as a part of intrusion
barrier device 30 having a mounting bracket allows for that the
barrier member with iris port may be retrofitted onto existing
merchandise supply devices having a container with a pick-out
opening.
[0049] The aspects of the present disclosure have mainly been
described above with reference to a few embodiments and examples
thereof. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in
the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are
equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by
the appended patent claims. For example, the iris port may comprise
other numbers of slits than two for defining the resiliently
deflectable sealing tongues. It may e.g. be sufficient to provide a
single curved slit which defines a single generally U-shaped
resiliently deflectable tongue. Alternatively, the iris port may
comprise three or more slits arranged to define several resilient
tongues arranged in a star or flower shaped configuration.
* * * * *