Abstract:
A gravity feed shelving system is provided in which specially configured tiers contain necked-down channels for the receiving, storing and dispensing of series of flexible packages such as flex bags. Each channel is configured with relatively wide receiving and dispensing portions at the rear and front of the tier, respectively, and a narrowed intermediate portion that partially compresses the flex bags and restrains them against their removal from the channel until the flex bag passes from the intermediate portion into the dispensing portion. The tier has an operatively sloped orientation so that, once placed within the receiving portion of the channel, each flex bag is urged along the channel and into the intermediate portion by the force of its own weight.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates in general to inventory management systems and in particular to gravity feed shelving for displaying and dispensing stock contained in flexible packaging. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a specially designed gravity feed shelving apparatus embodying principles of the present invention and showing some of the display items operationally supported thereon. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of one of the tiers shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of one of the dividers shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of one of the dividers shown  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a properly oriented pair of the dividers shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged scale perspective view of a partially stocked tier of the gravity feed shelving apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the tier illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is top plan view of the tier illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a portion the tier illustrated in  FIGS. 8 , taken along Line  9 - 9  thereof; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of one of the tiers illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the alternative tier embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a gravity feed system embodying principles of the present invention is referred to, in general, by the reference numeral  10 . The gravity feed system  10  includes a support structure  12  to which a multitude of tiers  14  are removably coupled. The tiers  14  include a base unit  16  and a multitude of novel dividers  18  that create adjustably sized spaces for the organized display and dispensing of products packaged in flex bags  20  or other variably shaped flexible containers. 
     The support structure  12  is representatively illustrated in  FIG. 1  as including a first pair of horizontally extending, spaced parallel members  22  and  24  connected by a first horizontally extending member  26  and a second, spaced, corresponding member (not shown), both of which run between and perpendicular to the members  22  and  24 . Secured to and extending upward from the members  22  and  24  are a pair of uprights  30  and  32 , respectively, each having a generally L-shaped cross-section along its length. The rear side portion of each of the uprights  30  and  32  includes a series of vertically spaced holes  34  by which the tiers  14  may be attached to the support structure  12 . Although the support structure  12  is shown in  FIG. 1  as including dual-disc casters  36 , the support structure  12  can alternatively include any type of caster, glide, or other mechanical feature that enables the support structure  12  to be rotated so that the rear of the support structure  12  is accessible. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the base unit  16  is representatively illustrated as comprising a multitude of generally U-shaped wire members  16   a  that provide the framework of the base unit  16 . Each of the wire members  16   a  comprises a sloping section  16   aa  that joins a generally vertical front section  16   ab  and a generally vertical rear section  16   ac . The wire members  16   a  are connected and secured at the front and rear of the base unit  16  by front support member  16   b  and rear support members  16   c ,  16   d , and  16   e , all of which extend horizontally and perpendicular to the wire members  16   a . The wire members  16   a  are also joined by a top support member  16   f , which includes side portions  16   fa  and  16   fb  which extend generally from the ends of the support member  16   e  and front portion  16   fc  that follows the top edges of the sides and front of the base unit  16 . Support members  16   g  and  16   h  extend generally perpendicular to and join the support members  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d , and  16   e  at the bottom and rear edges of the ends of the base unit  16  and include protrusions  16   ga  and  16   ha , respectively, which are generally hook-shaped and extend upward and to the rear of the base unit  16 . 
     When the base unit  16  is in an assembled condition and is oriented so that the front sections  16   ab  and the rear sections  16   ac  are generally vertical, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sloping sections  16   aa  define a plane that slopes downward from the rear of the base unit  16 . As is described herein, this downward slope facilitates operation of the gravity feed system  10 . 
     In some exemplary embodiments in which the base unit  16  is configured for use in conjunction with the dividers  18  the base unit  16  includes a retaining member  42  and a retaining member  44 . The retaining members  42  and  44  extend generally toward each other from the side portions  16   fa  and  16   fb  of the top support member  16   f , respectively. The retaining member  42  comprises three linear, coplanar sections: a retaining section  42   a  and bevels  42   b  and  42   c . The end sections  42   b  and  42   c  extend from the retaining section  42   a  and toward the side portion  16   fa . In some exemplary embodiments, the end sections  42   b  and  42   c  extend in such directions as to create substantially identical obtuse angles with the retaining section  42   a . In other exemplary embodiments, the bevels  42   b  and  42   c  extend from the retaining section  42   a  at different angles and are not obtuse with the retaining section  42   a.    
     In some exemplary embodiments, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the retaining member  42  is attached to the side portion  16   fa  at the free ends of the bevels  42   b  and  42   c  so that the retaining section  42   a  is extended out over the interior space of the base unit  16  substantially in parallel with a plane defined by the bottom of the base unit  16 . The retaining section  42   a  also runs substantially in parallel with the side portion  16   fa.    
     The structure of the retaining member  44  and the interaction of its retaining section  44   a  and bevels  44   b  and  44   c  with the side portion  16   fb  are substantially similar to that of the retaining member  42  and its components with the side portion  16   fa  and are not described in detail herein. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 1 , barcode holders  38  and  40  can be affixed to the front and rear of the base unit  16 . In other exemplary embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2 , one or both of the barcode holders  38  and  40  can be omitted from the gravity feed system  10 . 
     One skilled in the art will appreciate that the base unit  16  can be constructed using any of a variety of materials and methods suitable for producing an apparatus for supporting retail inventory. For example, a variety of wire gauges can be used for the base unit  16 , and the bottom and vertical sections of the base unit  16  can comprise solid panels, rather than wire. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the base units  16  and the retaining members  42  and  44  may be powder-coated or otherwise treated with a friction-reducing product so as to facilitate the movement of flex bags  20  within the tier  14  (as later described herein). Such products may contain, for example, Teflon or other materials with similar low-friction properties. One example of such material is the Sliptex powder coating manufactured by Prism Powder Coating Ltd. However, other materials are also within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     A representative divider  18  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5  as including a spaced pair of dividing members  18   a  and  18   b  comprising sloping sections  18   aa  and  18   ba , generally vertical front sections  18   ab  and  18   bb  and generally vertical rear sections  18   ac  and  18   bc , respectively. The spacing between the dividing members  18   a  and  18   b  is generally greater along the sloping sections  18   aa  and  18   ba  than along the front sections  18   ab  and  18   bb  and the rear sections  18   ac  and  18   bc.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the narrowing of the space between the dividing members  18   a  and  18   b  toward the ends of the sloping sections  18   aa  and  18   ba  creates two sets of opposing bevels: rear bevels  18   ad  and  18   bd  (see  FIG. 3 ) and front bevels  18   ae  and  18   be . In some exemplary embodiments, the bevels  18   ad  and  18   ae  and the bevels  18   bd  and  18   be  form identical obtuse angles with the sloping portions  18   aa  and  18   bb , respectively. In other exemplary embodiments, the bevels  18   ad  and  18   ae  and the bevels  18   bd  and  18   be  extend at non-identical angles from the sloping portions  18   aa  and  18   ba , respectively, and do not form obtuse angles with the sloping portions  18   aa  and  18   ba , respectively. 
     The sloping sections  18   aa  and  18   ba  extend beyond the bevels  18   ad  and  18   ae  and the bevels  18   bd  and  18   be , respectively. The sloping sections  18   aa  and  18   ba  then meet the front sections  18   ab  and  18   bb , respectively, and the rear sections  18   ac  and  18   bc , respectively. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the free ends of the front sections  18   ab  and  18   bb  and the rear sections  18   ac  and  18   bc  are connected to a front divider base  18   c  and a rear divider base  18   d , respectively, both of which extend horizontally and substantially perpendicular to the dividing members  18   a  and  18   b . The ends of the front divider base  18   c  each include a protrusion  18   ca  that extends first rearward and then downward. The ends of the rear divider base  18   d  each include a protrusion  18   da  that extends first downward and then rearward. As is described in further detail below, the length of the divider bases  18   c  and  18   d  are determined, to a certain extent, by the distance between adjacent wire members  16   a . In some exemplary embodiments, the length of the divider bases  18   c  and  18   d  is either slightly less than or slightly greater than the distance between a set number of the wire members  16   a.    
     In some exemplary embodiments, the overall horizontal length of the divider  18  is dictated by the dimensions of the base unit  16  and the ability of the divider  18  to fit properly within the base unit  16  once installed. In other exemplary embodiments, other dimensions and properties of the divider  18  such as, for example, the length of the bevels  18   ad  and  18   ae  and the bevels  18   bd  and  18   be  and their angles relative to the sloping sections  18   aa  and  18   bb , respectively, the degree of downward slope along the sloping sections  18   aa  and  18   bb , and the length of the front sections  18   ab  and  18   bb  and the rear sections  18   ac  and  18   bc  are dictated by the dimensions and properties of the flex bags  20  or other containers that will be displayed in and dispensed from the gravity feed system  10 . As described below, the tailoring of the components of the divider  18  to suit the relevant inventory facilitates operation of the gravity feed system  10 . In some exemplary embodiments, the dimensions and properties of the components of the retaining members  42  and  44  correspond to the dimensions and properties of the dividers  18  that are installed in the base unit  16 . In some such embodiments, the retaining members  42  and  44  extend from the members  16   fa  and  16   fb , respectively, at an angle such that the height of the retaining members  42  and  44  approximate the height of the dividers  18  that are installed in the tier  14 . 
     One skilled in the art will appreciate that the divider  18  can be constructed using any of a variety of materials and methods suitable for separating and guiding the movement of flex bag inventory. For example, a variety of wire gauges can be used for the divider  18 , and the dividing members  18   a  and  18   b  can be shaped from a solid member, rather than two spaced members. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the dividers  18  may be powder-coated or otherwise treated with a friction-reducing product so as to facilitate the movement of flex bags  20  when they are in contact with the dividing members  18   a  or  18   b . Such products may contain, for example, Teflon or materials with similar low-friction properties. One example of such material is the Sliptex powder coating manufactured by Prism Powder Coating Ltd. However, other materials are also within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 6 , each divider  18  is installed in the base unit  16  by first inserting the rear of the divider  18  into the interior space of the base unit  16 , as defined by the wire members  16   a , and hooking the protrusions  18   da  under the rear support member  16   c . The divider  18  is then pivoted about the rear support member  16   c  so that the front of the divider  18  is lowered into the space defined by the wire members  16   a  until either the front divider base  18   c  rests on the wire members  16   a  or the protrusions  18   ca  rest on the front support member  16   b  (depending on the specific dimensions of the base unit  16  and the divider  18 ). Removal of each divider  18  is accomplished by raising the front of the divider  18  so that the front divider base  18   c  clears the top support member  16   f  then unhooking the protrusions  18   da  from under the rear support member  16   c  and lifting the divider  18  clear of the base unit  16 . 
     As is described in further detail herein, the appropriate spacing of multiple dividers  18  within the base unit  16  is determined by the properties of each item to be displayed and the total number of items to be displayed on each tier  14 . In some exemplary embodiments, the divider  18  is configured such that the divider bases  18   c  and  18   d  straddle the same wire members  16   a  and the positions of the protrusions  18   ca  and  18   da  with respect to those wire members  16   a  are similar. In some such embodiments (e.g.,  FIG. 6 ), the dividers  18  that are installed as described above are positioned so that the protrusions  18   ca  and  18   da  of the divider bases  18   c  and  18   d , respectively, are immediately adjacent wire members  16   a  and are all either inside or outside of such wire members  16   a , with respect to the location of the dividing members  18   a  and  18   b , so that lateral movement of the divider  18  is restricted. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the dimensions of the base unit  16  and the divider  18  will allow for clearance between the front divider base  18   c  and the front portion  16   fc  of the top support member  16   f . In other embodiments, the dimensions of the base unit  16  and the divider  18  will create a snap-fit wherein force must be applied to the front divider base  18   c  in order to advance it past the front portion  16   fc , in which case the front portion  16   fc  then acts to retain the divider  18  within the base unit  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , an overhead view of a pair of the dividers  18  demonstrates the spatial relationship between the dividers  18  when they are oriented and located with respect to each other as they would be when installed in the base unit  16 . For purposes of clarity, each of the dividers  18  is additionally described, within the context of  FIG. 5  only, as being either directionally “left” or “right” of the other divider  18 . As depicted in  FIG. 5 , a channel  50  is substantially defined by, and includes the space directly between, the dividing member  18   b  of the left divider  18  and the dividing member  18   a  of the right divider  18 . A loading zone  50   a  comprises the portion of the channel  50  that extends from the rearward-most end of the channel  50  to a boundary defined by the forward-most ends of the opposing bevels  18   bd  and  18   ad . A retention zone  50   b  comprises the portion of the channel  50  that extends from the forward-most boundary of the loading zone  50   a  to the rearward-most ends of the opposing bevels  18   be  of the left divider  18  and  18   ae  of the right divider  18 . A dispensing zone  50   c  comprises the portion of the channel  50  that extends from the forward-most boundary of the retaining zone  50   b  to the forward-most end of the channel  50 . 
     The loading zone  50   a  has a width X that corresponds to the distance between the rear vertical portion  18   bd  of the left divider  18  and the rear vertical portion  18   ad  of the right divider  18 . The retention zone  50   b  has a width Y that corresponds to the distance between the sloping portion  18   bb  of the left divider  18  and the sloping portion  18   ab  of the right divider  18 . The dispensing zone  50   c  has a width Z that corresponds to the distance between the front vertical portion  18   bb  of the left divider  18  and the front vertical portion  18   ab  of the right divider  18 . The widths X, Y and Z are determined by the spacing of the dividers  18  as installed into the base unit  16 . In some exemplary embodiments, the divider  18  is configured so that the widths X and Z are substantially similar and the widths X, Y and Z remain constant throughout the loading zone  50   a , the retention zone  50   b  and the dispensing zone  50   c , respectively. In other exemplary embodiments, the divider  18  is configured such that the widths X and Z are different and the widths X, Y and Z vary along the lengths of the loading zone  50   a , the retention zone  50   b  and the dispensing zone  50   c , respectively. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the channel  50  and the dimensional features associated therewith (described above) are similarly defined by the comparable spatial relationship between either of the retaining members  42  and  44 —in conjunction with the top support member  16   f —and an adjacent divider  18 . 
     As referenced previously herein, the shape of the dividers  18  and the retaining sections  42  and  44 , as well as the placement and spacing of the dividers  18  with respect to one another and the retaining sections  42  and  44 , is based on the physical properties of the flex bags  20 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , the flex bags  20  each comprise a top  52 , a base  54 , and a body  56 . The top  52  and the base  54  are substantially defined by flattened tabs that constitute seams of the flex bag  20  and generally have a width A. The body  56  comprises the voluminous portion of the flex bag  20  which contains foodstuffs or other goods and has an uncompressed width B. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the channel  50  is formed by the placement of two dividers  18 —or one of the dividers  18  and one of the retaining members  42  and  44 , as describe above—so that the widths X and Z of the loading zone  50   a  and the dispensing zone  50   c , respectively, are approximately equal to or less than the width A of the base  54 . In some such embodiments, the width Y of the retaining zone  50   b  is consistent and is both no greater than the width B of the body  20   b  and no less than a width that allows for the flex bag  20  to move easily along the channel  50 . 
     As described previously herein, when the tier  14  is in an assembled condition and is installed on the support structure  12 , the base unit  16  is oriented so that the sections  16   ab  and  16   ac  are generally vertical, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and the sloping sections  16   aa  define a plane that slopes downward toward the front of the base unit  16 . The angle of the downward slope of the base unit  16  is varied—by either the construction of the base unit  16  or the angle at which it is coupled with the support structure  12 —based on the properties of the inventory being stored on and dispensed from the tier  14  so that the flex bags  20  can be gravity fed toward the front of the tier  14 . 
     The tiers  14  are representatively illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 8  as being removably coupled to the support structure  12  by inserting the protrusions  16   ga  and  16   ha  into the holes  34  at the height at which each tier  14  is desired to hang. The engagement of the protrusions  16   ga  and  16   ha  with the holes  34  creates pivot points on the uprights  30  and  32 , respectively, while the interaction between the support members  16   g  and  16   h  and the front faces of the uprights  30  and  32 , respectively, maintains the tier  14  at the desired angle with the uprights  30  and  32 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-9 , in operation the gravity feed system  10  displays and dispenses inventory packaged in the flex bags  20 . The gravity feed system  10  receives the flex bags  20  at the rear of each tier  14  and gravity feeds the flex bags  20  toward the front of each tier  14 . The progress of each flex bag  20  is halted by contact with either the vertical front sections  16   ab  of the base unit  16  or an adjacent flex bag  20 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 6-9 , when a forward-most flex bag  20   a  is removed from the tier  14 , flex bags  20   b - 20   e  are gravity-fed along the channel  50 , urged forward and downward by the force of their own weight. The movement of the flex bags  20   b - 20   e  along the channel  50  creates space between the rear-most flex bag  20   e  and the rear of the base unit  16 , and that space continues to increase with the sequential removal of flex bags  20   b - 20   e  from the tier  14 . When the stock of the gravity feed system  10  is depleted—either entirely or to a level that prompts the user to replenish it—the gravity feed system  10  is restocked by rotating the gravity feed system  10  such that the rear of each tier  14  is accessible and additional flex bags  20  can be added to the rear of each channel  50  of each tier  14 . 
     Referring to FIGS.  5  and  7 - 9 , for a particular channel  50 , each flex bag  20  is loaded into the channel  50  by inserting the flex bag  20  into the loading zone  50   a  so that the base  54  contacts the members  16   a  of the base unit  16 . The base  54  is allowed to pass between the dividers  18  and the flex bag  20  is seated in the loading zone  50   a  due to the width X of the loading zone  50   a  being at least as great as the width A of the base  54  of the flex bag  20 . 
     If the rearward-most flex bag  20  is released and is not immediately adjacent another flex bag  20  within the channel  50 , the rearward-most flex bag  20  is gravity fed toward the front of the tier  14 . The flex bag  20  is funneled into the retention zone  50   b  by the geometry of the dividers  18  or, depending on which channel  50  is considered, the geometry of either of the retaining members  42  and  44  and the adjacent divider  18 . As previously described herein, the retention zone  50   b  has the width Y that is no greater than the maximum width B of the body  56  of the flex bag  20  and is less than the width A of the base  54  of the flex bag  20 . Thus, while the flex bag  20  remains in the retention zone  50   b  the flex bag  20  cannot be removed from the channel  50  by the application of an upward force without distorting the base  54  or rotating the flex bag  20  to clear the dividers  18 . Distortion of the base  54  is resisted by the rigidity of the base  54  and rotation of the flex bag  20  is inhibited by the slope of the base unit  16 , which urges the base  54  of the flex bag  20  to remain perpendicular to the members  16   a . The dividers  18  also maintain the flex bag  20  in a substantially upright position while the flex bag  20  is in the retention zone  50   b , as the flex bag  20  cannot fall forward or backward into a substantially horizontal position due to the lack of clearance between the top  52  of the flex bag  20  and the dividers  18 . 
     As the majority of conventional shelving units are placed so as to be backed by a wall or other display units and the removal of any of the flex bags  20  directly from the retention zone  50   c  is inhibited as detailed above, the removal of any of the flex bags  20  from the tier  14  entails the movement of the flex bag  20  toward the front of the tier  14  and into the dispensing zone  50   c . Accordingly, the flex bag  20  is gravity fed from the retention zone  50   b  into the dispensing zone  50   c , which has the width X that is at least as great as the width A of the base  54 . At this point the flex bag  20  can be easily removed from the channel  50  and the tier  14 , allowing the trailing flex bags  20  to feed further along the channel  50  toward the front of the tier  14 . 
     Standard retail inventory practice entails the cycling of inventory so that units that have been in inventory for longer periods are sold before those units that have been more recently added to inventory. In order to put this practice into effect, many retailers will remove older inventory from a display, place newer inventory near the rear of the display, and replace the older inventory on the display near the forefront. Such a practice requires that time and effort be spent in relocating older inventory in addition to stocking newer inventory. 
     Retailers also prefer that displays allow for effective presentation of products, such that the product is visible to consumers and easily identifiable. Thus, in the case of products marketed in packaging similar to the flex bag  20 , it is desired that the product remain upright within the display. Where, as in the case of the flex bag  20 , the shape of the product packaging does not provide support sufficient to maintain the product in an upright position, the product is kept upright by packing it into the display shelf with other products so that the products interact with one another to maintain each other in an upright position. The support for the upright orientation of the product diminishes, however, with the removal of the first and every subsequent product, until insufficient support exists to maintain the product in an upright position and the product falls over. 
     The spatial relationship and interaction between the flex bags  20  and the channel  50  maintains the flex bags  20  in the most desirable display position (i.e. generally upright) while also ensuring proper cycling of inventory. The apparatus described above encourages and facilitates such cycling of inventory by providing a means by which the flex bags  20  are dispensed in the order in which they are added to the gravity feed system  10  inventory. Moreover, the gravity feed system  10  eliminates the repetitious handling of products that is currently inherent to most inventory cycling practices. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , in some alternative embodiments the individually installed dividers  18  and retaining members  42  and  44  that are attached to the base unit  16  are replaced by a channel insert  58 . In such embodiments, the dividers  18  and retaining members  42  and  44  are integral and fixed features of the channel insert  58 , which is installed in the tier  14  by simply placing the channel insert  58  within the base unit  16 . The dividing members  18   a  and  18   b  are configured and spaced as described in the exemplary embodiments detailed previously but lack the divider bases  18   c  and  18   d  shown in  FIGS. 3-5 . The retaining members  42  and  44  are not connected to the base unit  16  in such embodiments and include front and rear sections  42   d  and  42   e  and  44   d  and  44   e , respectively, which approximate the shape and size of the front sections  18   ab  and  18   bb  and the rear sections  18   ac  and  18   bc , respectively of the dividers  18 . The dividers  18  are connected to cross-members  60 ,  62 ,  64 , and  66 , which extend horizontally along the lateral length of the base unit  16  at the front-bottom, front-top, rear-top and rear-bottom positions, respectively, and join the dividers  18  and the retaining members  42  and  44 . In some such embodiments, the channel insert  58  is initially configured with consideration of the known physical characteristics (as previously described) of the inventory to be displayed in and dispensed from the gravity feed system  10 . 
     An apparatus for storing and dispensing containers has been described that includes a tier comprising a base unit comprising a bottom portion opposite front and rear portions; opposite side portions; and a channel that extends along and above a top side of the bottom portion, the channel having rear and front sections respectively configured to receive and dispense containers and a narrowed intermediate section disposed between the front and rear sections and configured to restrain upward removal of the containers. In some exemplary embodiments, the containers have flexible constructions and the channel is configured so that a base of one of the containers may travel substantially unimpeded from the rear portion toward the front portion while a midsection of the container is compressed or narrows to substantially match the contour of the channel and the container is secured against movement in a substantially vertical direction. In some exemplary embodiments, the channel is a first channel and the tier comprises at least one other channel. In some exemplary embodiments, the channel is defined by a dividing structure secured to the base unit and one of the side portions. In some exemplary embodiments, the channel extends through first and second dividing structures secured to the base unit. In some such exemplary embodiments, at least one of the first dividing structure and the second dividing structure is integral to the base unit. In some such exemplary embodiments, at least one of the dividing structures comprises a bevel configured to direct the containers from the rear section into the intermediate section. In some such exemplary embodiments, at least one of the dividing structures comprises a bevel configured to gradually widen the channel in transition from the intermediate section to the front section. In some such exemplary embodiments, at least one of the dividing structures is adapted to be removably coupled with the base unit so that the dividing structure can be installed at a plurality of locations along the base unit. In some such exemplary embodiments, the dividing structures are of wire construction. In some such exemplary embodiments, the dividing structures are of plastic construction. In some such exemplary embodiments, the dividing structures substantially parallel the bottom portion of the base unit. In some such exemplary embodiments, both of the first and second dividing structures are adapted to be removable from the base unit and are interconnected. In some such exemplary embodiments, at least one of the first and second dividing structures includes a friction-reducing coating. In some such exemplary embodiments, the friction-reducing coating contains Teflon. In some such exemplary embodiments, the friction-reducing coating is a Sliptex product manufactured by Prism Powder Coating Ltd. In some exemplary embodiments, the channel is a first channel and the tier comprises at least one other channel. In some such exemplary embodiments, the at least one other channel is defined by one of the first dividing structure and the second dividing structure in combination with one of one of the side portions of the base unit and an additional dividing structure. In some exemplary embodiments, the tier is coupled with a support structure. In some such exemplary embodiments, the tier is removably coupled with the support structure and the support structure is configured to receive the tier at a plurality of locations within the support structure. In some such exemplary embodiments, at least one of the tier and the support structure is configured so that the bottom portion of the base unit is forwardly and downwardly sloped when the tier is coupled with the support structure. In some such exemplary embodiments, the tier is a first tier and the apparatus comprises at least one other tier that is removably coupled with the support structure. In some such exemplary embodiments, the support structure is configured to receive the at least one other tier at a plurality of locations. In some exemplary embodiments, the base unit is of lattice wire construction. In some exemplary embodiments, the base unit is of plastic construction. In some exemplary embodiments, at least one of the bottom, front, rear, and side portions comprises a solid panel. In some exemplary embodiments, the base unit includes a friction-reducing coating. In some such exemplary embodiments, the friction-reducing coating contains Teflon. In some such exemplary embodiments, the friction-reducing coating is a Sliptex product manufactured by Prism Powder Coating Ltd. 
     A method of constructing an apparatus for storing and dispensing containers is described and comprises the steps of providing a base unit comprising a bottom portion, front and rear portions, and opposite side portions; and forming a channel within the base unit, said channel extending substantially between the rear portion and the front portion and having a narrowed intermediate portion disposed between the rear and front portions. In some exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of providing a support structure and removably coupling the base unit with the support structure. In some such exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises the step of configuring the support structure to receive the base unit in a plurality of locations on the support structure. In some such exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises the step of configuring at least one of the base unit and the support structure so that the bottom portion of the base unit has a forwardly and downwardly sloped orientation when the base unit is coupled with the support structure. In some exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises the step of configuring a lateral cross-section of the channel so that there is sufficient clearance between the bottom portion of the base unit and a narrowed portion of the cross-section to allow a base of a container to travel substantially unimpeded along the channel while a narrowed or compressible midsection of the container is disposed within the narrowed portion of the cross-section and the container is secured against movement in a substantially vertical direction. In some exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises the step of forming the channel within the base unit is performed by providing a dividing structure that removably couples with the base unit. In some such exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises the step of configuring the base unit to receive the dividing structure at a plurality of locations. In some such exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises the step of treating the dividing structure with a friction-reducing coating. In some such exemplary embodiments, the treating step is performed using a friction-reducing coating containing Teflon. In some such exemplary embodiments, the treating step is performed using a friction-reducing Sliptex coating product manufactured by Prism Powder Coating Ltd. 
     A gravity feed shelving apparatus for storing and dispensing flexible containers such as flex bags is described and comprises a support structure having a vertically extending portion; and a vertically spaced plurality of tier portions supported on the vertically extending support structure portion, each supported tier portion having a base unit with opposite front and rear portions, a forwardly and downwardly sloping bottom portion, opposite side portions, and a plurality of side-by-side channels extending in front-to-rear directions with each channel being at least partially defined by one of a plurality of dividing structures secured to the base unit, each channel having rear and front sections respectively configured to receive and dispense flex bags, and a narrowed intermediate section disposed between the rear and front sections and being configured to engage and narrow portions of flex bags received therein and restrain upward removal of the received flex bags therefrom. In some exemplary embodiments, the dividing structures include bevels configured to guide received flex bags into the intermediate section of the channel. In some exemplary embodiments, the dividing structures are treated with a friction-reducing coating. In some exemplary embodiments, at least one of the dividing structures is removably secured to the base unit. In some exemplary embodiments, the base unit is configured to receive the at least one removably secured dividing structure at a plurality of locations on the base unit. In some exemplary embodiments, the base unit is of latticed metal construction. In some exemplary embodiments, the base unit is treated with a friction-reducing coating. 
     It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     Any spatial references such as, for example, “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “between,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “angular,” “upward,” “downward,” “side-to-side,” “left-to-right,” “right-to-left,” “top-to-bottom,” “bottom-to-top,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific orientation or location of the structure described above. 
     In several exemplary embodiments, one or more of the operational steps in each embodiment may be omitted. Moreover, in some instances, some features of the present disclosure may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Moreover, one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or variations may be combined in whole or in part with any one or more of the other above-described embodiments and/or variations. 
     Although several exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above, the embodiments described are exemplary only and are not limiting, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications, changes and/or substitutions are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes and/or substitutions are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.