Patent Publication Number: US-7584862-B2

Title: Cooler door shelf device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a division of application Ser. No. 10/990,815 filed Nov. 17, 20004, now abandoned which is related to commonly assigned application Ser. Nos. 10/929,975, now abandoned filed Aug. 20, 2004 entitled “Cooler Door Shelf Device With Removable Product Panel”; 10/944,246, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,191,905, filed Sep. 16, 2004 entitled “Cooler Door Shelf Device With Stick-On Display Panels”; 10/944,295, filed Sep. 16, 2004 entitled “Cooler Door Shelf Device With Raised Panels”; 10/947,467, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,340, filed Sep. 22, 2004, entitled “Neck-Hanging Cooler Door Shelf Device”; and 10/947,472, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,080,744, filed Sep. 22, 2004, entitled “Vented Cooler Door Shelf Device”. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to a cooler, and, more particularly, to a door shelf device for a transparent cooler door. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Upright coolers in supermarkets and convenience stores typically have transparent glass doors so that the products inside are visible. It is now common to use the inside of the door for shelving as is done in household refrigerators. Door shelving fits against the door so that the product containers are visible, however the product labels do not always face forward for easy identification of the product. Some shelves have a small area for affixing product identification, but such small areas lack the impact needed, especially for impulse purchases. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that it would be highly desirable to have a door shelf with a large area for product labeling and identification. 
   A display shelf which employs a mounting or support panel for attachment to one face of a transparent wall is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,433. The display shelf has a floor which projects from the top edge of the support panel and a containment wall which projects upwardly from the floor. The support panel does not extend above the floor in the area which supports displayed product so that the product is visible through the transparent wall. Advertising material may be displayed on the support panel below the floor and the containment wall and/or floor may be appropriately shaped to provide individual compartments for each unit of product displayed. The display shelf is supported on a cooler door by suction cups which anchor in openings in flanges wherein one opening is above the floor and the other opening is below the floor. Advertising on the support panel cannot be changed while the shelf is attached to the cooler door because the lower openings and suction cups block access. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that it would be highly desirable to have a display shelf device that allows the advertising to be changed while the shelf device is attached to the cooler door. 
   Also, the support or mounting panel and floor intersect which inhibits the free circulation of air in the cooler. It is desirable to have a shelf device wherein the floor and display panel are separated and do not intersect blocking air circulation. It is also desirable to have a shelf device that promotes the free circulation of air to keep refrigerated products chilled. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a shelf device for an inside surface of a cooler door comprises a bottom panel having front, rear, left and right side edge portions. A left mounting flange is connected to the bottom panel along the left side edge portion and extends upward therefrom. The left mounting flange defines a left recess and has a pair of left keyways therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device. A right mounting flange is connected to the bottom panel along the right side edge portion and extending upward therefrom. The right mounting flange defines a right recess and has a pair of right keyways therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device. A partition panel is connected to the bottom panel and the left and right mounting flanges dividing the bottom panel into a plurality of compartments. A display panel is spaced from the bottom panel and attached to the left and right recesses and extends therebetween. 
   Space between the display panel and bottom panel allows the free flow of air to keep products on the shelf device chilled. The shelf device is attached to the inside surface of the cooler door using suction cups with a protrusion. The protrusions fit through the openings in the mounting flanges to anchor the shelf device to the door. The shelf device utilizes space in the cooler that would otherwise be wasted. The shelf device increases visual appeal and places product identification at the door where it is more readily seen than that on the containers in the cooler. The display panel includes top and bottom lips forming a slot for slidably receiving a display insert. Because the shelf device is supported via openings in the flanges above and below the display panel and is spaced from the door by suction cups, the insert can be inserted and removed while the shelf device is mounted on the cooler door. The recesses allow the display panel to be flush with the mounting flanges. 
   According to another aspect of the invention, a shelf device for mounting on an inside surface of a cooler door comprises a bottom panel having front, rear, left and right side edge portions. A left mounting flange is connected to the bottom panel along the left side edge portion and extends upward therefrom. The left mounting flange has a pair of left keyways therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device. A right mounting flange is connected to the bottom panel along the right side edge portion and extends upward therefrom. The right mounting flange has a pair of right keyways therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device. A partition panel is connected to the bottom panel and both mounting flanges dividing the bottom panel into a plurality of compartments. A plurality of vertically extending ribs are attached to the partition panel at junctions of adjacent compartments. A display panel is spaced from the bottom panel and attached to the ribs and extends laterally between the flanges. 
   Each rib contains a slot for receiving the display panel allowing the ribs to extend to the front side edge of the bottom panel. Where structural members are thin, the display panel has end portions lapping onto the left and right flanges to increase structural integrity. Lapping the display panel also creates spacing between the door and flanges so that the display can always be inserted and removed while the shelf device is mounted on the door. 
   According to yet another aspect of the invention, a shelf device for an inside surface of a cooler door comprises a bottom panel having front, rear, left and right side edge portions. A left mounting flange is connected to the bottom panel along the left side edge portion and extends upward therefrom. The left mounting flange has a pair of left keyways therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device. The left flange defines a left recess. A right mounting flange is connected to the bottom panel along the right side edge portion and extends upward therefrom. The right mounting flange has a pair of right keyways therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device. The right flange defines a right recess. A partition panel is connected to the bottom panel, left and right mounting flanges dividing the bottom panel into a plurality of compartments. A plurality of vertical ribs is attached to the partition panel at junctions of adjacent compartments with each rib defining a slot. A plurality of display panels is spaced from the bottom panel. Each display panel is associated with a selected one of the ribs and positioned in the recess of the associated rib. 
   The slots and recesses allow the display panel to fit flush with the mounting flanges. Positioning the display panel above the bottom panel creates a space for improved air circulation. Ventilation openings also promote increased air flow. Having a plurality of display panel supporting the display conserves material when compared to a single, lengthy display panel. 
   These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate similar or identical features that are common to the figures. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a shelf device for attaching to the inside surface of an upright cooler door according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the shelf device of  FIG. 1  with a display panel attached. 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a shelf device similar to  FIG. 1  but having ventilation windows. 
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a shelf device for attaching to the inside surface of an upright cooler door according to the present invention featuring a display panel attached to support ribs. 
       FIG. 5  is a top rear view of the shelf device of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a shelf device for attaching to the inside surface of an upright cooler door according to the present invention featuring segmented display panels attached to support ribs. 
       FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the shelf device of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the shelf device of  FIG. 6  with a display panel attached. 
       FIG. 9  is a front perspective view similar to  FIG. 6  but illustrating another preferred embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a shelf device  10  is provided for attaching to an inside surface of an upright cooler door. Articles, such as beverage containers for example, can be placed on shelf device  10  for easy viewing through the cooler door which minimizes the need to open the door to view the contents. It also utilizes the door space for storing additional product in a space that may otherwise be wasted. Product on the shelf device always remains up front within the easy grasp of a consumer. 
   Shelf device  10  has a bottom panel  12  with front, rear, left and right side edge portions. A left mounting flange  14  is connected to bottom panel  12  along the front and left side edge portions and extends upward therefrom. Left mounting flange  14  has a pair of slotted openings or keyways  16  therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device in conjunction with suction cups or the like. Left flange  14  has a slot or recess  18  preferably positioned between the keyways  16 . 
   Similarly, a right mounting flange  20  is connected to bottom panel  12  along the front and right side edge portions and extends upward therefrom. Right mounting flange  20  has a pair of keyways  22  therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device in conjunction with suction cups. Right flange  20  has a slot or recess  24  preferably positioned between the keyways  22 . Preferably, the front faces of the mounting flanges are flush with the front edge of bottom panel  12 . The recesses  18 ,  24  of mounting flanges  14 ,  20  may contain bores for accepting screws or other fasteners. 
   A partition panel  26  is connected to bottom panel  12  and the left and right mounting flanges  14 ,  20  dividing bottom panel  12  into a plurality of compartments. Panel  26  extends upward from bottom panel  12 . As illustrated, the compartments are curved to fit the contour of beverage bottles, but can be contoured to fit other container shapes. A bridging member  40  spans the spaces at the top between the outside curves of the compartments. Also, where desired, bottom panel  12  can extend between similar spaces at the bottom of the outside curves of the compartments. 
   A supporting rib  28  is formed at the junction of adjacent segments of partition panel  26 . Ribs  28  are recessed from the front edge of bottom panel  12 . The resulting space improves air circulation. Air flow is further improved by providing each compartment or selected compartments with a ventilation opening or window  30 . Window  30  may be positioned at any location in a compartment along partition panel  26 , but cross ventilation is encouraged when windows in adjacent compartments face one another. A single compartment may have more than one window and, similarly, each compartment need not have a window at all depending upon the particular environment. 
   A display panel  32  is attached to the left and right mounting flanges  14 ,  20  in their respective recesses  18 ,  24 . Display panel  32  is spaced from bottom panel  12  and is not required to contribute to the support of the shelf device  10 . The spacing improves air circulation. Top and bottom flanges or lips  34 ,  36  form a slot for slidably receiving a display insert  38 . Each lip may be a long, single lip or may be a series of shorter lips extending across display panel  32 . Because display panel  32  is seated in flange recesses  18 ,  24 , it can be flush with the front edge of bottom panel  12  and the front faces of flanges  14 ,  20 . It is preferred that the slot formed by flanges  34 ,  36  extend above the flanges an amount sufficient for installing and removing display insert  38 . 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the shelf device is preferably constructed of plastic. Bottom panel  12 , flanges  14 ,  20  and partition panel  26  can be injection molded as a single unit with display panel  32  injection molded as a separate unit. Panel  32  can be attached with screws fitting through the bores in the flanges, but it is preferred to mold it with protrusions known as tree fasteners. Tree fasteners allow the display panel to be quickly and easily installed without tools. A plastic display insert can slide into and be slidably removed from the slot in the display panel. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4-5 , shelf device  110  has a bottom panel  112  with front, rear, left and right side edge portions. A left mounting flange  114  has a pair of keyways  116  therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device in conjunction with suction cups or the like. A right mounting flange  120  has a pair of keyways  122  therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device in conjunction with suction cups. 
   A partition panel  126  is connected to bottom panel  112  and the left and right mounting flanges  114 ,  120  dividing bottom panel  112  into a plurality of compartments. Panel  126  extends upward from bottom panel  112 . The front edge of bottom panel  112  is recessed from the left and right ends of partition panel  126 . As illustrated, the compartments are curved to fit the contour of beverage bottles, but can be contoured to fit other container configurations. A bridging member  140  spans spaces at the top between the outside curves of the compartments. 
   A mounting rib  128  having a vertical slot is formed at the junction of adjacent segments of partition panel  126 . Ribs  128  are preferably flush with the front edge of bottom panel  112 . Left and Right flanges  114 ,  120  are attached to the left and right ends of partition panel  126  and thus extend forward of bottom panel  112 . The resulting space improves air circulation across the front of the shelf device. Air flow is further improved by providing the compartments with ventilation openings or windows (not shown). 
   A display panel  132  is attached to the mounting ribs  128  in the slots. Display panel  132  is spaced from bottom panel  112  and is not required for the support of the shelf device  110 . The spacing improves air circulation. Top and bottom flanges or lips  134 ,  136  form a slot for slidably receiving a display insert. Each lip may be a long, single lip or may be a series of shorter lips extending across display panel  132 . A series of shorter lips is preferred to improve flexibility so that the panel can be force fit into the slots in the ribs. In addition to lips facing to the front, there may be lips facing the rear for fitting into the slots. To increase integrity of the construction, display panel  132  may have end portions lapping onto left and right flanges  114 ,  120  and wedged with a rear facing lip, or attached with an adhesive or the like. Because display panel  132  is seated in the mounting rib slots, it is not flush with the front edge of bottom panel  112  but extends forward thereof. It is preferred that the slot formed by lips  134 ,  136  extend above the flanges an amount sufficient for installing and removing a display insert. 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 4-5 , shelf device  110  differs from shelf device  10  in the positioning of the partition panel on the bottom panel, and in the left and right mounting flanges. Shelf device  10  has ribs of partition panel  26  set back from the front edge of bottom panel  12 , and flanges  14 ,  20  have recesses also so that display panel  32  seats in the recesses and rests in front of ribs  28 . On the other hand, shelf device  110  has ribs  128  of partition panel  126  flush with the front edge of bottom panel  112 , and left and right flanges  114 ,  120  do not have full recesses. There is a partial recess at the corner where the flanges and partition panel meet. This partial recess is sufficient for a force fit of the lips of the display panel to keep ends of the display panel from being unseated and curling. Ribs  128  have slots for seating display panel  132  which can rest in front of flanges  114 ,  120 . Display panel  132  can be force fit while display panel  32  attaches with an adhesive or fasteners. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , shelf device  210  has a bottom panel  212  with front, rear, left and right side edge portions. A left mounting flange  214  is connected to bottom panel  212  along the front and left side edge portions thereof and extends upward therefrom. Left mounting flange  214  has a pair of slotted openings or keyways  216  therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device in conjunction with suction cups or the like. Left flange  214  has a slot or recess  218  preferably positioned between the keyways  216 . 
   Similarly, a right mounting flange  220  is connected to bottom panel  212  along the front and right side edge portions thereof and extends upward therefrom. Right mounting flange  220  has a pair of keyways  222  therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device in conjunction with suction cups. Right flange  220  has a slot or recess  224  preferably positioned between the keyways  222 . Preferably, the front faces of the mounting flanges are flush with the front edge of bottom panel  214 . 
   A partition panel  226  is connected to bottom panel  212  and the left and right mounting flanges  214 ,  220  dividing bottom panel  212  into a plurality of compartments. Panel  226  extends upward from bottom panel  212 . The front edge of bottom panel  212  is flush with the left and right ends of partition panel  226  flush with front faces of left and right flanges  214 ,  220 . As illustrated, the compartments are curved to fit the contour of beverage bottles, but can be contoured to fit other container configurations. A bridging member  240  spans spaces at the top between the outside curves of the compartments giving a more finished appearance and increasing structural integrity. Also, where desired, bottom panel  212  can extend between similar spaces at the bottom of the outside curves of the compartments. Air flow is improved by providing each compartment or selected compartments with a ventilation opening or window  230 . Window  230  may be positioned at any location in a compartment along partition panel  226 , but cross ventilation is encouraged when windows in adjacent compartments face one another. 
   A display panel  232  is attached to selected ribs  228 . Display panel  232  is spaced from bottom panel  212  and is not required to contribute to the support of the shelf device  210 . The spacing improves air circulation. Top and bottom flanges or lips  234 ,  236  in each display panel  232  form slots for slidably receiving a display insert  238 . Because display insert  238  is seated in flange recesses  218 ,  224 , it can be flush with the front edge of bottom panel  212  and the front faces of flanges  214 ,  220 . To help keep display insert  238  seated, left flange  214  has upper and lower protrusions  242 ,  244  to retain the left end of display insert  238 , while right flange  220  has upper and lower protrusions  246 ,  248  to retain the right end of display insert  238 . The protrusions form pockets for holding the ends of the display panel. 
   A mounting rib  228  having a vertical slot is formed at the junction of adjacent segments of partition panel  224 . Ribs  228  are flush with the front edge of bottom panel  212 . Left and right flanges  214 ,  220  are attached to the left and right ends of partition panel  226 . The vertical slots containing individual display panels differs from the arrangement of display panels in shelf devices  10  and  110 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 9 , there are two arrangements of display panel and mounting flange recesses illustrated. In  FIG. 6 , display panels  232  are wide and flange recesses  218 ,  224  narrow. Preferably, each display panel  232  has about twice the width of each recess  218 ,  224 . On the other hand,  FIG. 9  shows each flange recess  318 ,  324  having about twice the width of each display panel  332 . Where the wider flange recesses  318 ,  324  are used, it has been determined that fewer display panels  332  are required for the desired inset holding and presentation ability.  FIG. 9  shows left upper and lower flange protrusions  342 ,  344  as multiple protrusions instead of a single protrusion. Similarly, right upper and lower protrusions  346 ,  348  are multiple instead of single protrusions. 
   While the invention has been described with particular reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements of the preferred embodiments without departing from invention. For example, display devices with three and six compartments have been illustrated but any number of compartments can be formed. Also, while a display panel and a separate display insert have been described, a display insert may sometimes be used alone without a separate display panel. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention. 
   ELEMENT LIST 
   
       
         10  shelf device 
         12  bottom panel 
         14  left mounting flange 
         16  left keyways 
         18  left flange recess 
         20  right mounting flange 
         22  right keyways 
         24  right flange recess 
         26  partition panel 
         28  supporting ribs 
         30  ventilation window 
         32  display panel 
         34  top flange or lip 
         36  bottom flange or lip 
         38  display insert 
         40  bridging member 
         110  shelf device 
         112  bottom panel 
         114  left mounting flange 
         116  left keyways 
         120  right mounting flange 
         122  right keyways 
         126  partition panel 
         128  mounting rib 
         132  display panel 
         134  top flange or lip 
         136  bottom flange or lip 
         140  bridging member 
         210  shelf device 
         212  bottom panel 
         214  left mounting flange 
         216  left keyways 
         218  left recess 
         220  right mounting flange 
         222  right keyways 
         224  right recess 
         226  partition panel 
         228  mounting rib 
         230  ventilation window 
         232  display panel 
         234  top lip 
         236  bottom lip 
         238  display insert 
         240  bridging member 
         242  upper protrusion 
         244  lower protrusion 
         246  upper protrusion 
         248  lower protrusion 
         318  left flange recess 
         324  right flange recess 
         332  display panel 
         342  upper left flange protrusion 
         344  lower left flange protrusion 
         346  upper right flange protrusion 
         348  lower right flange protrusion