Patent Publication Number: US-10772441-B1

Title: Multi-level riser display and storage system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 62/546,280 filed Aug. 16, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a display and storage system configured for use in a deli-style display case, and more particularly to a front facing multi-level riser display with an integrated slidable storage unit extending from behind and in-part below the riser display. 
     2. Background 
     In the display of perishable food products, such as deli meats and cheeses or other items, it is desirable to allow potential customers to view the bulk or unsliced food products. The display of such bulk items allows for the presentation of wrapped and/or packaged products that clearly display the product itself and various advertising labels to the customer, where they are most effective. Additionally, the bulk items provide a more orderly and esthetically pleasing presentation to the customers. However, whole bulk deli meats and cheeses are often relatively large products, with relatively large footprints. Accordingly, the display of such products has been known to occupy a large portion of the relatively small space available in a deli-style refrigerated display case. 
     Therefore, prior attempts have been made to limit the amount of space utilized by such displays in deli-style refrigerated display cases. Such attempts have included the use of integrated shelves within the display case. However, in such cases, the whole bulk deli meats and cheeses are simply placed towards the front of the glass display case, and the opened and partially sliced food products are placed towards the rear of the display case. Such a solution is undesirable as the opened and partially sliced food products remain visible to the customers and may detract from the desired esthetics of the deli case display. 
     Alternatively, removable multi-level displays formed of generally solid surfaces have also been used. Such displays are preferable in that the solid surface nature of their construction allows the opened and partially sliced food products to be placed behind the multi-level displays where they are kept out of sight to the customers. However, such solutions do not provide for an improved organization of the food products located behind the multi-level displays, nor do they provide a means for improved storage thereof. 
     Accordingly, there is currently a desire for a system for use in deli-style refrigerated display case that provides both a front facing multi-level riser display and an integrated slidable storage extending from behind and underneath the riser display. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     By way of nonlimiting summary, in accordance with one aspect, the present invention contemplates a display and storage system configured for use in a deli-style refrigerated display case including a display riser with a series of shelves configured to retain food products thereon, and a shelf unit that extends into a recess within the display riser. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the series of shelves of the display riser may include at least a first shelf at a first height and a second shelf at a second height greater than the first height. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the slidable shelf unit may include at least one slidable shelf configured to retain food products therein, wherein that at least one slidable shelf is movable between a first position adjacent the display riser and a second position rearward of the first position. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the shelf unit may include an outwardly extending frame that defines a slot for receiving an edge of the rear side, such that the display riser is releasably affixed to the shelf unit and the shelf unit extends in-part into the interior recess of the display riser. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the outwardly extending frame may be disposed at an angle such that when the edge of the rear side of the display riser is received therein the display riser is tilted between 10° and 20° relative to a generally horizontal surface that the supports the system. 
     These and other features and aspects of the present invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating representative embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting the present invention, and of the construction and operation of typical mechanisms provided with the present invention, will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate the same elements in the several views, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear and left-side perspective view of a shelving unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention that is configured to receive a multi-level shelf riser; 
         FIG. 2  is a left side perspective view of the shelving unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is front left-side perspective view of the shelving unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear, top, and left-side perspective view of the shelving unit of  FIG. 1  receiving a multi-level shelf riser to from a display and storage system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear and left-side perspective view of the display and storage system of  FIG. 4 , in which one slidable shelf unit has been extended rearwardly; 
         FIG. 6  is a left-side perspective view of the display and storage system of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a left-side perspective view of the display and storage system of  FIG. 6 , including various food products arranged in both storage and display locations; and, 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the display and storage system of  FIG. 6 , in which the slidable shelf unit has been extended forwardly into a storage position located beneath a portion of the multi-shelf riser. 
     
    
    
     In describing the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word “connected,” “attached,” or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection, but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The various features and advantageous details of the subject matter disclosed herein are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiment described in detail in the following description. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , and initially  FIGS. 4-8 , a representative display and storage system  10  is shown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the system  10  includes a multi-level display riser  12  and a shelving unit, i.e., slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 , where the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14  is configured to be received behind and in-part beneath the multi-level display riser  12 . The system  10  is preferably formed primarily of a food grade rigid plastic material, such a high-density polyethylene, and metal fasteners, but may be formed of any other food grade material such as aluminum or stainless steel. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4-8 , the riser  12  includes a front  16 , a rear  18 , a first side  20 , an opposing second side  22 , a top  23  and a bottom  24 . A series of shelves  26  may be disposed within the front  16  of the riser  12  in a step-like fashion. In one embodiment, each of the shelves  26  has a shelf surface  28  with a depth sufficient to receive and retain one or more perishable food products  30 , such as deli meats and cheeses, therein, as shown in  FIG. 7 . The shelves  26  preferably are also spaced apart at a height  32  sufficient as to allow the shelf  26  of perishable food products  30  to be displayed without interference from the products  30  displayed on the adjacent shelf  26 . A retention tab  31  and label support  34 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , may also extend from the front end of each shelf  26 . The retention tab  31  extends upwardly from the front end of each shelf and is configured to prevent the food products  30  from falling forward, off of the shelf  26 . Preferably the height of the retention tab  31  is limited as to prevent obscuring or substantially covering the advertising labels of the various displayed products  30 . Furthermore, the front facing surface of the retention tab  31  defines a label support  34 , which may include a track  35  disposed therein for receiving one or more labels  37 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-7 . The labels  37  may be slidably positionable along the length of the track  35  as to be placed adjacent corresponding perishable food products  30  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Each individual label  37  may include corresponding information related to the adjacently located perishable food product  30  including but not limited to manufacturer information, product identification information, and/or pricing information. While the multi-level display riser  12  is shown in  FIGS. 4-8  in one configuration of the present invention having three shelves  26 , it should be understood that the present invention is not so limited, and any number of shelves  26  may be considered within the scope of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-8 , the rear  18  of the multi-level display riser  12  may engage the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 , when the system  10  is assembled, as will be described in further detail below. As shown in  FIG. 7 , when the multi-level display riser  12  engages the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 , the rear  18  of the multi-level display riser  12  may pivot upwardly relative to the front  16  of the multi-level display riser  12 , resulting in the bottom  24  being positioned at an angle relative to the base  36  upon which the system  10  is supported. By way of tilting the display riser  12 , its occupies less area on the base  36 , thereby providing additional space to accommodate the shelving unit  14  on the base  36 . This is particularly relevant when the base  36  is a refrigerated deli-style display case in which the available surface area of the base  36  is limited. As a result of engaging the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14  in this manner, the multi-level display riser  12  may tilt forward when the multi-level display riser  12  engages the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 . However, in a representative embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , the bottom support surface  28  of one or more shelves  26  of the multi-level display riser  12  may maintain a horizontal or generally rearwardly sloping surface while engaging the shelving unit  14 , as to prevent the displayed food products  30  from becoming dislodged or undesirably falling forward during use. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4-8 , the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14  is illustrated as extending rearwardly from the behind and in-part below the rear  18  of the multi-level display riser  12 . In this configuration a portion of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14  is contained in part within an interior void or recess formed generally below and at the rear of the display riser  12 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1-3 , the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14  is shown independently, without the multi-level display riser  12 . The slidable or fixed shelving unit  14  includes a front  40 , a rear  42 , a first side  44 , an opposing second side  46 , a top  48 , and a bottom  50 . A series of shelves  52  may be disposed within the interior of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 , extending between the first and second sides  44 ,  46 , respectively, along shelf tracks  53  that are located along the interior surfaces of the first and second sides  44 ,  46 , respectively. In one embodiment, one or more of the shelves  52  are rearwardly slidable shelves  55 , such that when extended, as shown in part in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the one or more slidable shelves  55  extend rearwardly, past the rear  42  of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 . In this embodiment, the slidable shelf  55  may move along the upper surface of the tracks  53 , which are affixed to the shelving unit  14 . When recessed, or pushed in, such as when in a storage position, the slidable shelves  55  may be disposed generally between the front  40  and rear  42  of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 . In one representative embodiment of the present invention, such as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a lower shelf  52  may be a rearwardly slidable shelf  55 , while the upper shelf  52  is a fixed location shelf  51 . The fixed location shelf  57  may be attached directly to its corresponding tracks  53 , as opposed to a slidable engagement present in slidable shelf  55 . In this configuration, the rearwardly slidable shelf  55  will provide access to the greater surface area provided by the lower shelf  52 , when the lower slidable shelf  55  has a greater surface area than the upper fixed location shelf  57 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , and particularly  FIG. 1 , the rear facing surface  59  of each shelf  52  defines a label support structure  61 , which may include a track  63  disposed therein for receiving one or more product identification labels (not shown) similar to the labels  37  that are received in the tracks  35  of multi-level display riser  12  shown in  FIGS. 4-7 . The labels may be slidably positionable along the length of the track  63  as to be placed adjacent corresponding perishable food products  30  in order to facilitate organization of the perishable food products  30  on the shelves  52  and easily provide the grocery store or deli employee with product identification and pricing information. 
     In one embodiment, each of the shelves  52  has a depth  54  defined by a length of the shelf  52  extending between the front  40  and rear  42  of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 , as to maximize the surface area of the shelves  52  and increase the potential for storage of food products  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The shelves  52  may be spaced apart at a height  56  sufficient as to allow the adjacent shelves  52  to store perishable food products  30  without interference or contact from the food products  30  stored on the adjacent shelf  52 . While the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14  is shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , in one configuration of the present invention having one rearwardly slidable shelf  55  and one fixed location shelf  57 , it should be understood that the present invention is not so limited, and any number of slidable shelves  55  or fixed shelves  57  may be considered within the scope of the present invention. 
     Returning now to  FIGS. 1-3 , and particularly  FIG. 2 , an outer frame  58  is shown extending outwardly along the outer surface of the first side  44 , top  48  and second side  46  of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 . The outer frame  58  forms a general “C” shape that extends outwardly along the sides  44 ,  46  and top  48  of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer frame  58  may include a primary frame member  60 , a first side frame member  62  and a second side frame member  64 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the primary frame member  60  may extend along the outer surface of the first side  44 , top  48  and second side  46  of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 , and defines the rear facing surface of the outer frame  58  generally. The first side frame member  62  is located along the outer surface of the first side  44  of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 , parallel to and slightly offset from the primary frame member  60 . In this configuration a linear void, or slot  66 , is formed between the primary frame member  60  and the first side frame member  62 , which extends along the length of the first side frame member  62 . Similarly, on the opposing side of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 , the second side frame member  64  is located along the opposing outer surface of the second side  46 , parallel to and slightly offset from the primary frame member  60 , as to form a slot  68  extending along the length of the second frame member  64 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4-6 , when the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14  is affixed beneath and in-part behind the multi-level riser  12 , the rear surface  18  of the multi-level riser  12  may contact or otherwise engage the outer frame  58 . Specifically, the rear surface  18  of the multi-level riser  12  may be received and retained within the slots  66 ,  68  of the outer frame  58 . That is to say that the rear surface  18  of the multi-level riser  12  is generally planar and configured to be slid into the slots  66 ,  68  until the interior and top  23  of the rear surface  18  of the multi-level riser  12  comes to rest against the top edge  67  of the first side frame member  62  and the top edge  69  of the second side frame member  64 . In this configuration the outer frame  58  will provide a support for maintaining the desired relative positioning of the multi-level riser  12  and the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14  when the system  10  is assembled. 
     Furthermore, the relative position of the outer frame  58 , namely along the sides  44 ,  46  and between the front  40  and rear  42  of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 , determines the amount of overlap between the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14  and the multi-level riser  12 . That is to say, if the outer frame  58  is positioned near the front  40  of the slidable shelving unit  14 , then the two components of the system  10  will exhibit decreased overlap; while, if the outer frame  58  is positioned near the rear  42  of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 , then the two components of the system  10  will exhibit relatively increased overlap. The position of the outer frame  58  relative to the depth of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14  may be selected to maximize the footprint of the system  10  relative to the size of the available base  36  as defined by the depth of a deli-style refrigerated display case. Additionally, the incline angle of the outer frame  58  relative to the bottom  50  upon which the shelving unit  14  rests will alter the angle of incline of the multi-level riser  12 , when the storage system  10  is assembled. In one embodiment, the outer frame  58  extends upwardly from the bottom  50  at an angle of between approximately 50° and 70°, and more preferably between approximately 55° and 65° relative to the bottom  50 . Resultantly, the rear  18  of the multi-level riser  12  is raised between approximately 5° and 20° from the base  36  upon which the storage system  10  rests, and more preferably between approximately 7° and 12°. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the display and storage system  10  is shown in use in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. While not illustrated as being positioned within a deli-style display case,  FIG. 7  shows the system  10  including the multi-level display riser  12  and slidable or fixed shelving unit  14  both stocked with food products  30  as they would be employed in use within a display case. Specifically, the three shelves  26  of the multi-level riser  12  are shown with forward facing bulk and unopened food products  30  in a display configuration, such that prospective customers can easily view the food products  30 . The series of shelves  52  of the slidable shelving unit H are also shown supporting a number of food products  30  that correspond to the forward facing food products  30  but that are accessible from the rear  42  of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 . In this configuration, the food products  30  that are accessible from the rear  42  of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14  may be readily accessed for slicing by a grocery store or deli employee without disrupting the food products  30  that are displayed in front of the display and storage system  10 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the lower slidable shelf  52  is elevated above the base  36  upon which the system  10  is supported as to provide additional storage capacity on the area of the base  36  located below the lower slidable shelf  52 , without causing interference or contacting the underside of the lower slidable shelf  52 . Accordingly, in use the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14  as illustrated, provides for three food product supporting surfaces, thereby greatly increasing the storage capacity of the system  10  and decreasing the overall footprint of the stored products, as compared to the independent use of a multi-level riser  12  in the absence of the integrated slidable or fixed shelving unit  14 . Moreover, due to the generally uninterrupted construction of the front  16  of the multi-level riser  12  and the presence of the food products  30  resting thereon, use of the slidable or fixed shelving unit  14  in combination with the multi-level riser in system  10  results in the obstructing the prospective customer&#39;s line of sight to the area of the base  36  located underneath and behind multi-level riser  12 . This obstructed line of sight provides an improved display esthetic in which the opened and/or partially used food product packages are removed from view. 
     Although a specific embodiment is illustrated and discussed above, it is understood that the size and shape of the system  10  may vary greatly to accommodate space of the display case in which the system  10  is to be used and the size and shape of perishable food products  30  to be displayed on the system  10 . While the figures have illustrated system  10  having a height of approximately between 12 and 30 inches, a width of approximately between 12 and 48 inches and a depth of approximately between 12 and 36 inches, larger or smaller systems  10  are considered well within the scope of the present invention. 
     It should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It also being understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.