Shelf unit

Abstract

A shelf unit for displaying a plurality of products in a space saving manner includes a plurality of brackets for securing the shelf unit to a support. A tray extends between the brackets and includes an outwardly bowed curved front portion configured such that a depth of the tray gradually increases from each end of the tray and reaches a maximum depth at an approximate midpoint of the tray width. A face portion is disposed over the curved front portion and is configured to conform substantially to the curved front portion. The face portion includes a window for viewing a product disposed behind the window. A plurality of adjustable partitions disposed on the tray are arranged substantially parallel to the brackets and define a plurality of rows for displaying the products. A biasing mechanism for biasing the products toward the curved front portion is provided.

1 . A shelf unit for displaying a plurality of products in a space saving manner, the shelf unit comprising:
 a) a plurality of brackets for securing the shelf unit to a support;   b) a tray extending between said plurality of brackets, said tray comprising an outwardly bowed curved front portion configured such that a depth of said tray gradually increases from each end of said tray to reach a maximum depth at an approximate midpoint of a width of said tray;   c) a face portion disposed over said curved front portion and configured to conform substantially to said curved front portion, said face portion comprising a window for viewing a product disposed behind said window;   d) a plurality of adjustable partitions disposed on said tray arranged substantially parallel to said plurality of brackets to define a plurality of rows for displaying the plurality of products; and   e) a plurality of biasing mechanisms, each biasing mechanism disposed in a respective row of said plurality of rows for biasing the products in the row toward said curved front portion, each of said biasing mechanisms comprising a biasing element and a slidable product advancing member.   
   
   
       2 . The shelf unit according to  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a radius of curvature of said outwardly bowed curved front portion to a linear width of said tray is within the range of approximately 1.5-1.0 to approximately 3.0-1.0. 
   
   
       3 . The shelf unit according to  claim 2 , wherein said ratio of said radius of curvature of said outwardly bowed curved front portion to said linear width of said tray is approximately 2.0-1.0. 
   
   
       4 . The shelf unit according to  claim 1 , wherein a partition of said plurality of adjustable partitions comprises a projection extending through a corresponding slot in a floor portion of said tray for allowing said partition to slide laterally with respect to said tray. 
   
   
       5 . The shelf unit according to  claim 4 , further comprising a spacer disposed between said projection and an edge of said slot for maintaining said partition in a fixed position. 
   
   
       6 . The shelf unit according to  claim 1 , wherein a partition of said plurality of adjustable partitions comprises a projection extending through a corresponding slot in a floor portion of said tray for allowing said partition to slide laterally with respect to said tray, said projection comprising a flexible portion for engaging said floor portion. 
   
   
       7 . The shelf unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said slidable product advancing member further comprises a curved face. 
   
   
       8 . The shelf unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a wire grid secured to said plurality of brackets and disposed over said tray. 
   
   
       9 . The shelf unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said window has an aperture to facilitate loading of the products.