Constraining apparatus to constrain containers on a shelf

Abstract

A retaining apparatus including a flexible sheet for deployment in blocking relationship over the front edge a horizontal shelf and anchored to anchor elements bonded to the wall surface of a refrigerator or shelving to retain containers from escaping therefrom.

1 . Retaining apparatus for retaining containers against ejection from the front edge of a horizontal shelf fixture having spaced apart walls and comprising:
 fastener devices for mounting to the walls and including respective anchor elements to be affixed by bonding or screwing into the fixture in spaced apart relationship and including respective fastener devices to releasable fastening to the respective anchor elements;   a net configured to be deployed in blocking relationship over the front edge of the shelf and including an opening for access to the containers and including a parametrical border;   tethers attached to opposite sides of the border and including free ends to be drawn tight and attached to the respective fastener elements to hold the net deployed in the blocking relationship.   
     
     
         2 . The retaining apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the border is constructed of reinforcing material.   
     
     
         3 . The retaining apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the net is constructed of plastic mesh.   
     
     
         4 . The retaining apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the border is constructed of a nylon belt.   
     
     
         5 . The retaining apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the anchor elements anchor rings to receive the tethers.   
     
     
         6 . The retaining apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the tethers include means for adjusting the lengths thereof.   
     
     
         7 . The retaining apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the fastener elements include open tubes for receipt of the respective free end tethers; and   the tethers project through the through the respective tubes.   
     
     
         8 . The retaining apparatus of  claim 1  that includes:
 hook and pile elements interposed between the anchor and fastener elements.   
     
     
         9 . The retaining apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the respective anchor devices include respective anchor pads to be adhered to the respective walls, respective connector elements configured with the respective hooks and releasable mechanical interlocks for connecting the perspective pads and connector elements together.   
     
     
         10 . A retaining apparatus for retaining containers on a horizontal shelf of a storage fixture having spaced apart walls and comprising:
 a net device including a nylon mesh to be deployed in blocking relationship in front of the shelf and circumscribed by a reinforcing belt, the net being formed with an access slit for access to the containers located on the shelf;   a releasable fastener attached to the mesh for closing the slit;   a plurality of anchor devices to be bonded or screwed to the fixture;   a plurality of tethers attached on their respective one ends to in spaced relation about the belt and configured on their respective opposite ends with respective anchor devices; and   elastic means in the mesh or tethers to, when the fasteners are attached to the walls and the opposite ends of the respective tethers are attached to the anchor devices and drawn tight to cooperate in holding the net in the blocking relationship.   
     
     
         11 . Retaining apparatus for retaining containers from escape of the opening at the front edge of a horizontal shelf of a storage fixture having spaced apart walls and comprising:
 a sheet to be deployed in blocking relationship adjust the front edge for overlying the containers;   a reinforcing border about the sheet;   anchor devices adhered in spaced relation to the fixture about the opening and including first mechanical interlock elements; and   attachment devices including respective second mechanical interlock elements for releasably mechanically interlocking with the first mechanical interlock elements to draw the sheet tight to cooperate in holding the sheet in the blocking relationship in front of the shelf.   
     
     
         12 . The retaining apparatus set forth in  claim 11  wherein:
 the first and second mechanical interlock elements are in the form of loop and pile.   
     
     
         13 . The retaining apparatus of  claim 11  that:
 the attachment devices include tethers.   
     
     
         14 . The retaining apparatus of  claim 11  wherein:
 the anchor device include hooks; and   the attachment devices include tethers for releasable attachment to the respective hooks.   
     
     
         15 . The retaining apparatus of  claim 11  wherein:
 the first mechanical interlock elements include pile; and   the second interlock element include hooks for releasably engaging “the pile”.   
     
     
         16 . The retaining apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the retaining apparatus is adapted for securement to the backside of rails defining an access opening over a shelf to receiving individual products and comprising;
 a net sized to be received in covering relationship over the opening and having boarder strips for being received in overlapping relationship on the backside of at least some of the rails and formed with a closable opening for retrieval of the products;   first strips of anchoring elements to be bonded to the backside of the rails; and   second strips of anchoring elements mounted on the opposite ends of the net and configured to release engage the first strips in locking relationship whereby the second strips may be boded to the backsides of the rails and the net positioned in the opening and the second strips releasably lock to the first strips.   
     
     
         17 . The retaining apparatus of  claim 16  wherein:
 the first and second strips are constructed of loop and pile material.   
     
     
         18 . The retaining apparatus of  claim 16  wherein:
 the net is constructed o resilient material.   
     
     
         19 . The retaining apparatus of  claim 16  wherein:
 the net is formed with an elongated slit defining the opening and includes a closure device for closing the slit.