Patent Publication Number: US-2022232998-A1

Title: Secure Display for Easy Loading of Small Format Beverage Containers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/674,818, entitled “Secure Display for Easy Loading of Small Format Beverage Containers,” filed on Nov. 5, 2019, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/758,135, entitled “Apparatus for the Display of Small Format Beverage Containers,” filed on Nov. 9, 2018, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/818,516, entitled “Apparatus for the Display and Theft Deterrence of Small Format Beverage Containers,” filed on Mar. 14, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/908,975, entitled “Secure Display for Easy Loading of Small Format Beverage Containers,” filed on Oct. 1, 2019, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present application relates in general to the field of beverage displays. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for the display of small format beverage containers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Merchandising display racks are not only used to shelve items awaiting purchase by a consumer so that the items are available, but are also used to arrange available items attractively and make them easy to recognize. In the beverage industry there is fierce competition for shelf space so that making available items attractive and easy to recognize is crucial. Further, taking advantage of the provided space in a display rack would allow more flow-through of products per loading cycle. 
     With any self-service shelving system a very important consideration, if not the most important, is the ease with which the consumer can retrieve the desired product from the display case. It would also be beneficial to provide a quick and easy method to load the system with products for sale and, in an effort to promote sales, prominently display the product or an ad related thereto. 
     SUMMARY 
     An apparatus for the display of small format beverage containers is disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a front door that allows access to beverage containers; front panels; a left panel and a right panel; a loading opening; back panels; bottom panels; and an internal channel having a curved ramp that stores beverage containers. 
     Each of the features and teachings disclosed herein can be utilized separately or in conjunction with each other. Representative examples utilizing many of these additional features and teaching, both separately and in combination, are described in further detail with reference to the attached figures. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Therefore, combinations of features disclosed above in the detailed description may not be necessary to practice the teachings in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to describe particularly representative examples of the present teachings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a container display, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates section views of a container display, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a flip door, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an expanded view of a container display, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an expanded view of a container display, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of a container display, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of a container display, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a section view of a container display, according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     The above and other preferred features, including various novel details of implementation and combination of elements, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular methods and apparatuses are shown by way of illustration only and not as limitations. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the principles and features explained herein may be employed in various and numerous embodiments. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An apparatus for the display of small format beverage containers is disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a front door that allows access to beverage containers; front panels; a left panel and a right panel; a loading opening; back panels; bottom panels; and an internal channel having a curved ramp that stores beverage containers. 
     Briefly, and in general terms, various embodiments are directed to a beverage container display that provides secure storage and easy loading of small format beverage containers. 
     According to one embodiment, a beverage container display includes an inside channel to store beverage containers, openings to facilitate distribution of beverage containers, and an easy dispensing mechanism for each opening to activate the dispensing for a user, such as a door, sliding cover, or other dispensing mechanism. The beverage container display may be configured to receive beverage containers through various loading openings placed around the beverage container display. 
     The beverage container display further includes security mechanisms for providing accessibility to beverage containers within the beverage container display in a protected fashion. In addition to the dispensing mechanisms explained above, keyholes may be provided to attach the beverage container display to a base, counter, floor, wall or other structure to securely display the beverage containers while deterring theft of the beverage container display and the containers therein. 
     The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. 
     Any dimensions provided in the detailed description or Figures are provided for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the claims. 
     In the description below, for purposes of explanation only, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the teachings of the present disclosure. 
     Merchandising display racks are not only used to shelve items awaiting purchase by a consumer so that the items are available, but are also used to arrange available items attractively and make them easy to recognize. There is intense competition for shelf space. In the beverage industry there is fierce competition so that making available items attractive and easy to recognize is crucial. The ease with which the consumer can securely retrieve the desired product from the display case remains one of the most important priorities of such a self-service shelving mechanism. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a container display  100  having dual storage chambers  102 , according to one embodiment. Container display  100  includes two front openings covered by independent flip doors  104  through which a consumer may access a small format beverage container. According to various embodiments, the small format beverage container may be in the form of a bottle, can, carton, jar, capsule, bag, box, vial, or other liquid vessel. The small format beverage container may have a capacity of 50 mL and have a cylindrical shape. Container display  100  may store 48 small format beverage containers ( 24  on each side), according to one embodiment. According to some embodiments, container display  100  may store more or less than 48 small format beverage containers. The access to small format beverage containers is limited by the flip doors  104  that remain closed, unless opened when a user lowers the door by pulling downward on the door. Front openings allow consumer access to a single beverage container per opening, according to one embodiment. Such a configuration minimizes the risk of theft of the small format beverage containers. 
     According to another embodiment, multiple beverage containers can be displayed and removed from each opening by way of the flip doors  104 . Container display  100  shows two flip doors  104  in an upward position and their respective pivot pins  106  to hold the doors in place. Flip doors  104  swivel on pivot pins  106 , which facilitate attaching the flip doors to the sides of container display  100 , according to one embodiment. The flip doors  104  may use a spring-action mechanism to close the doors automatically after a user releases the doors, according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment, container display  100  also includes a stand that raises the display to the height of the stand, providing easy access for the user. 
     Container display  100  further includes front panels  108  which may provide support for displaying graphics or advertisements, according to some embodiments. Front panels  108  includes graphic channels  110 . Graphic channels  110  may be located in between the two storage chambers  102  and the side edges of front panels  108  in which advertising sheets may be inserted. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of container display  200 , according to some embodiments. Container display  200  includes a rectangular body and an internal channel  202  that extends from the top of container display  200  to the associated flip door. According to some embodiments, internal channel  202  may be provided by various formations or shapes. For example,  FIG. 2  illustrates two exemplary embodiments of internal channel  202 : J-channel  204  and S-channel  206 . According to some embodiments, J-channel  204  may be provided as a ramp with an angled drop to prevent damage to the bottles during the loading and dispensing processes. J-channel  204  has a curved end to facilitate loading a bottle into the flip door when a user opens the flip door. According to some embodiments, J-channel  204  may be loaded from the back of container display  200  through loading opening  205 . According to other embodiments, J-channel may not have a loading opening  205  and, instead, is loaded from the side as demonstrated by S-channel  206 . 
     Container display  200  further illustrates another embodiment of internal channel  202  as S-channel  206 . S-channel  206  provides for a ramp that winds back and forth within the storage chamber in an S-like formation. The S-like shape of the channel may prevent damage to the small format beverage containers during the serving process and reduce downward pressure for the small format beverage container to gently land in the flip door when the consumer opens it. 
     According to some embodiments, S-channel  206  may allow for easy loading of small format beverage containers without a loading opening, such as loading opening  205  as provided by J-channel  204 . For example, S-channel  206  may be loaded from either side by removing magnetic side panels of container display  200 . Magnetic side panels and their functionality will be explained in further detail below. According to other embodiments, S-channel  206  may also provide for a loading opening similar to loading opening  205  of J-channel  204 , eliminating the need for the removal of magnetic side panels. 
     Container display  200  further shows clicker device  210 , pivot pins  212 , and bias spring attachments  214  to facilitate the opening of a flip door. Clicker device  210  may be actuated by a clicker actuating member of a flip door when it is opened. A clicker actuating member of a flip door inside container display  200  may be a protrusion that interfaces with clicker device  210 . According to some embodiments, clicker device  210  is attached horizontally to a clicker support panel  208  inside container display  200 . Clicker support panel  210  attaches to the inner rear and inner side walls of container display  200 , according to some embodiments. Container display  200  shows pivot pins and bias spring attachments  214  to attach a flip door and facilitate the opening thereof. Further details regarding the attachment and functionality of a flip door is explained below. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a flip door  300  for container display  302 , according to one embodiment. Flip door  300  includes a front notched member  304  connected to a front bottom member  306 . Flip door  300  also includes two side members  308 , each having a pivot point  310 , which may be a hole to accept a pivot pin or pivot screw that attaches to container display  302 . According to some embodiments, flip door  300  has a curved member  312  that holds a single small format beverage container from the internal channel for dispensing to a user when the flip door  300  is opened. The curve of curved member  312  matches the curve of the small format beverage container, according to one embodiment. Flip door  300  includes a rear bottom member  314  that includes a clicker actuating member  316 , mounted perpendicularly to the rear bottom member  314 . 
     According to some embodiments, flip door  300  attaches to springs  318  to keep flip door  300  in an upward position, unless lowered by a user. When lowered, flip door  300  actuates a corresponding clicker device  320  when opened. Each flip door inside the container display, such as flip door  300 , includes a clicker actuating member  316  that interfaces with corresponding clicker device  320  that is attached horizontally to a clicker support panel  322  inside container display  302 . 
     According to some embodiments, clicker device  320  has a rectangular shape and contains a metal sheet that when in contact with clicker actuating member  316 , makes a clicking noise. The clicking noise may be used to alert a store attendant that a small format beverage container has been removed from container display  302 . The clicking noise also discourages theft by a consumer because the consumer&#39;s actions will not go undetected if an attendant can hear the clicking noise made when the small format beverage container is removed. Clicker device  320  may be attached to clicker support panel  322  using glue, screws or other appropriate fastening mechanisms, according to some embodiments. 
     Rear bottom member  314  is narrower than front bottom member  306  to avoid interference with springs  318  that attach flip door  300  to the inner sides of display container  302 , according some embodiments. Springs  318  may cause flip door  300  to close once a user lets go of the flip door  300 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an expanded view of a container display  400 , according to some embodiments. The expanded view shows two flip doors  402  of container display  400  and corresponding springs  404  to facilitate the pivoting of flip doors  402 . According to some embodiments, container display  400  also contains two clickers  406 , one for each chamber. The chambers each include an inside channel. For demonstrative purposes only, container display  400  shows inside channel  408  as an S-channel with side-loading capabilities. However, container display  400  may display other channel formations (e.g., J-channel or another formation). Furthermore, container display  400  may further provide loading openings similar to loading opening  205  of  FIG. 2  rather than the side-loading capabilities as demonstrated in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 4  also demonstrates side-loading capabilities provided by two side panels, one for each side. Container display  400  includes an inside side panel  412 , which illustrates the inside of an exemplary removable side panel, and an outside side panel  414 , which illustrates the outside of an exemplary removable side panel. Inside side panel  412  shows panel magnets  416  on the inside to attach to container display  400 . The chambers of container display  400  may include anchor magnets  418  embedded therein in order to magnetically receive and securely attach to panel magnets  416  of inside side panel  412 . Outside side panel  414  may or may not display the location of panel magnets  416  of inside side panel  412 . In fact, as demonstrated in  FIG. 4 , outside side panel  414  conceals the location of panel magnets  416 . This concealment may provide the benefit of securely attaching a side panel to a container display without revealing the mechanisms of attachment, deterring thieves from taking advantage of such knowledge. Side panels  412  and  414  may be used to cover the inside channel and enclose the small format beverage containers. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates container display  500  with keyhole panels. Container display  500  includes back panels  510  and base panels  520 , wherein keyholes  515  and  525  may be provided respectively. Keyholes  515  found in back panels  510  may be used to facilitate attaching container display  500  to a wall or other secure structure. Keyholes  525  found in base panels  520  may be used to attach container display  500  to a display stand, counter, floor, or other secure structure. Keyholes  515  and  520  may be provided for the benefit of security, stability, and durability, among other benefits. According to some embodiments, more than one chamber of container display  500  may be mounted to a display stand, counter, floor, wall or other secure structure. For example, container display  500  demonstrates two mountable chambers  530 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a front perspective view of a container display  600  having layered front openings for dispensing beverage containers, according to one embodiment. Container display  600  includes three front openings  602  through which a consumer may access a small format beverage container, according to some embodiments. According to various embodiments, the small format beverage container may be in the form of a bottle, can, carton, jar, capsule, bag, box, vial, or other liquid vessel. The small format beverage container may have a capacity of 50 mL and have a cylindrical shape. 
     The access to the small format beverage containers is limited by removable curved covers  604  that are inserted inside front openings  602 . Front openings  602  with covers  604  allow consumer access to a single beverage container per opening, according to one embodiment. Such a configuration minimizes the risk of theft of the small format beverage containers. According to another embodiment, multiple units can be displayed and removed from each opening. 
     Container display  600  has 3 levels of front openings  602 . Each level may dispense the same beverage container, or different beverage containers (e.g., different flavors of vodka). In alternate embodiments, any number of levels may be used in container display  600 . 
     Similar to previous embodiments of container displays, container display  600  may sit on top of a cashier&#39;s counter at a liquor store, or on top of a display shelf, according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment, container display  600  also includes a stand that allows the display and stand to sit on the floor. 
     According to some embodiments, container display  600  may have a top opening  606 , as well as two rear openings  608 . Container display  600  uses top opening  606  and rear openings  608  to load the display with beverage containers. Top opening  606  and rear openings  608  are large enough to allow a single beverage container to be inserted into container display  600  horizontally. According to another embodiment, multiple units can be loaded at one time in top opening  606  and rear openings  608 . The number of openings may vary between top opening  606  and rear openings  608 . For example, container display  600  may include numerous top openings and only one rear opening, according to some embodiments. In other embodiments, container display  600  may include numerous top openings and numerous rear openings. Alternatively, in  FIG. 6 , container display  600  shows one top opening  606  and numerous rear openings  608 , according to some embodiments. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of container display  700 , according to some embodiments. Container display  700  displays a rectangular body  702  and three ramps  704 ,  706 , and  708  that extend from the rectangular body  702 . The length of ramp  704  is shorter than ramp  706  to allow access to the front opening of ramp  706 . Similarly, ramp  706  is shorter than ramp  708  to allow access to the front opening of ramp  708 . 
     Ramps  704 ,  706 , and  708  include three straight sides and one curved side as shown. Rectangular body  702  and ramps  704 ,  706 , and  708  provide storage for a number of small format beverage containers, according to some embodiments. 
     Each ramp  704 ,  706 , and  708 , includes a spaces  710  therebetween, the spaces large enough to allow consumers to access front openings of each ramp and, thus, the beverage containers stored therein. Each ramp  704 .  706 , and  708  further includes front openings  712 , allowing consumers to access and remove beverage containers stored within each ramp. 
     Furthermore, each ramp  704 ,  706 , and  708  includes a front barrier  714 ,  716 , and  718 , respectively. Front barriers  714 ,  716 , and  718  prevent beverage containers from falling out of container display  700 . Spaces  710  between the front barriers  714 ,  716 , and  718  are large enough to allow consumers to access openings  712  from which single beverage containers may be removed from container display  700 . According to another embodiment, multiple units can be displayed and removed from each opening  712 . 
     According to some embodiments, ramp  704  reaches 7.25 inches from the back wall of rectangular body  702 , ramp  706  reaches 8.75 inches from the back wall of rectangular body  702 , and ramp  708  reaches 10.25 inches from the back wall of rectangular body  702 . 
     According to some embodiments, spaces  710  may be 3.25 inches in height between each ramp. Additionally, front barriers  714 ,  716 , and  718  may be 1.75 inches tall, according to some embodiments. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a section view of a container display  800 , according to some embodiments. Container display  800  shows two rear openings  802  and  804 , along with top opening  806  through which beverage containers may be inserted in container display  800 . Container display  800  has top slides  808 ,  812 , and  816  extending from one edge of a rear or top opening to a front opening. Bottom slides  810 ,  814 , and  818  extend from another edge of a rear or top opening to the bottom of a front opening. A pair of top and bottom slides may be used to form an internal channel of container display  800 , similar to other internal channels of other embodiments. 
     According to some embodiments, slides  808 - 818  are curved to allow beverage containers to roll from the back to the front of container display  800 . Slides  808 - 818  prevent the beverage containers from getting jammed inside container display  800  and ensure the beverage containers remain in a horizontal orientation. According to some embodiments, the distance between a top and bottom slide may be approximately 35 mm, which minimizes beverage containers from jamming while gravity moves them down the slide from the openings to the front barriers. The configuration of the front openings and front barriers to form overhangs, prevents the beverage containers from coming out of container display  800  when being loaded with beverage containers. 
     According to some embodiments, the ramp formed by top slide  816  and bottom slide  818  may drop a distance of 210 mm and travel 258 mm horizontally. The ramp formed by top slide  812  and bottom slide  814  may drop a distance of 210 mm and travel 224 mm horizontally. The ramp formed by top slide  808  and bottom slide  810  may drop a distance of 210 mm and travel 190.5 mm horizontally. 
     According to some embodiments, bottom slides  810 ,  814 , and  818  include rubber mats near the front barriers  822  to retard the movement of the beverage containers. The front barriers  822  may also have foam cushion pads to retard the impact of the beverage containers when rolling down the slides  810 ,  814 , and  818  and reaching the front barriers  822 . 
     According to some embodiments, the surfaces of the container display include graphic channels to insert advertising graphics. The graphic channels may be on the surface of each front barrier  822 , the sides, and front of the container display. The graphic channels can accommodate paper, plastic, or cardboard print advertising. 
     The container displays described above may be manufactured from black acrylic plastic, or any other similar material known to a person of skill in the art. 
     Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. 
     Various modifications and departures from the disclosed example embodiments will occur to those having ordinary skill in the art. The subject matter that is intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure is set forth in the following claims. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that later filed claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.