Display merchandiser with conically-shaped glass

Abstract

A glass member configured for installation on a display case that includes a front portion and an upper case frame. The glass member includes a glass pane having a curved lower portion configured to couple to the front portion and a curved upper portion configured for pivotal attachment to the upper case frame. The glass pane defines a curved profile in a horizontal cross-section and a straight profile in a vertical cross-section.

1 . A case for displaying food product in a product display area, the case comprising:
 a base including a front portion and a rear portion;   an upper case frame coupled to the rear portion and extending partially above the product display area; and   a glass member including a lower portion coupled to the front portion, and an upper portion coupled to the upper case frame, the glass member defining a curved profile when viewed in a horizontal cross-section, and the glass member defining a straight profile when viewed in a vertical cross-section.   
   
   
       2 . The case of  claim 1 , further comprising a clamp coupled to the upper portion of the glass member and a hinge pivotally coupled to the clamp and the upper case frame. 
   
   
       3 . The case of  claim 2 , wherein the clamp is bent to match a curvature of the upper portion of the glass member. 
   
   
       4 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the case is defined by a wedge-style shape, and wherein the case includes one of an inside wedge-style case and an outside wedge-style case. 
   
   
       5 . The case of  claim 4 , wherein the glass member is curved to match a curvature defined by the wedge-style case. 
   
   
       6 . The case of  claim 4 , wherein each of the inside wedge-style case and the outside wedge-style case extends through an angle of approximately 45 degrees. 
   
   
       7 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the glass member includes a conically-shaped glass pane as if cut from a cone pointing in a downward direction. 
   
   
       8 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the glass member includes a conically-shaped glass pane as if cut from a cone pointing in an upward direction. 
   
   
       9 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the glass member defining a straight profile in a vertical cross-section is configured to mate with a straight glass member of a straight case positioned adjacent the case. 
   
   
       10 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the straight profile of the glass member defines an axis and wherein the axis defines an angle relative to a vertical axis between about 25 degrees and about 45 degrees. 
   
   
       11 . A glass member configured for installation on a display case that includes a front portion of an upper case frame, the glass member comprising:
 a glass pane including a curved lower portion configured to couple to the front portion, and a curved upper portion configured for pivotal attachment to the upper case frame;   wherein the glass pane defines a curved profile in a horizontal cross-section, and a straight profile in a vertical cross-section.   
   
   
       12 . The glass member of  claim 11 , wherein the glass pane is conically-shaped as if cut from a cone pointing in a downward direction. 
   
   
       13 . The glass member of  claim 11 , wherein the glass pane is conically-shaped as if cut from a cone pointing in an upward direction. 
   
   
       14 . The glass member of  claim 11 , wherein the glass pane is configured to mate with a straight glass member of an adjacent straight display case. 
   
   
       15 . A clamp configured for installation on a wedge-style display case to couple a glass member to the display case, the display case including an upper case frame, the clamp comprising:
 a base including a first surface, the base configured to couple to the upper case frame;   a top portion spaced apart from the base and including a second surface;   a back wall coupled to the base and the top portion such that the first surface, the second surface, and the back wall define a slot configured to receive a portion of the glass member along a clamping axis, the clamping axis and a vertical axis cooperating to define a clamping angle for the glass member between about 25 degrees and about 45 degrees.   
   
   
       16 . The clamp of  claim 15 , wherein the clamping angle is between about 30 degrees and about 40 degrees. 
   
   
       17 . The clamp of  claim 15 , wherein a wedge is configured to be positioned at least partially within the slot to partially secure the glass member. 
   
   
       18 . The clamp of  claim 15 , wherein the second surface includes ridges configured to partially secure the glass member in the slot. 
   
   
       19 . The clamp of  claim 15 , wherein the base defines a curved profile to substantially correspond to the curvature of the wedge-style display case. 
   
   
       20 . The clamp of  claim 15 , wherein the base is configured to attach to a hinge of the display case to pivotally couple the glass member to the case. 
   
   
       21 . A method of converting a case having a spherical glass member to a case having a conically-shaped glass member, the method comprising:
 providing a case including a hinge, a first clamp attached to the hinge, and a spherical glass member coupled to the first clamp;   removing the spherical glass member from the first clamp;   detaching the first clamp from the hinge;   attaching a second clamp to the hinge; and   coupling a conically-shaped glass member to the second clamp.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein providing a case includes providing a wedge-style style case including one of an inside wedge-style case and an outside wedge-style case. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein detaching the first clamp from the hinge and attaching the second clamp to the hinge includes modifying a clamping angle from about 55 degrees relative to a vertical axis to between about 25 degrees and about 45 degrees relative to the vertical axis. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 inserting a wedge at least partially within the second clamp; and   partially securing the conically-shaped glass member to the second clamp with the wedge.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising aligning the case including the conically-shaped glass member with a case including a straight glass member.