Shelf and display device

Abstract

A gravity-feed shelf for a display device for modular merchandise units includes a first outer wall, a second substantially parallel outer wall and a support between the first and second outer wall. The support includes an inclined rearward portion elevated at a first angle between 5 degrees and 20 degrees relative to a horizontal, a forward retaining portion and an inclined intermediate portion connecting the rearward portion and forward retaining portion. The intermediate portion is elevated at a second angle relative to the horizontal greater than the first angle and forms a third angle of substantially 90 degrees with the forward retaining portion. The support defines an unobstructed travel path for the modular merchandise unit so that when a rear surface of the modular merchandise unit is placed on the inclined rearward portion of the support, the modular merchandise unit descends by gravity and tips into a selected presentation position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gravity-feed shelf for a display device for a least one modular merchandise unit having a substantially flat rear surface, a substantially flat front surface and a substantially flat bottom surface, the gravity-feed shelf comprising:
 a) a first outer wall;   b) a second outer wall disposed substantially parallel to said first outer wall; and   c) at least one support disposed between said first outer wall and said second outer wall, said support comprising an inclined rearward portion elevated at a first angle between 5 degrees and 20 degrees relative to a horizontal; a forward retaining portion and an inclined intermediate portion connecting said inclined rearward portion and said forward retaining portion, wherein said inclined intermediate portion is elevated at a second angle relative to the horizontal greater than said first angle and said inclined intermediate portion forms a third angle of substantially 90 degrees with said forward retaining portion;   wherein said support defines an unobstructed travel path for the modular merchandise unit so that when the rear surface of the modular merchandise unit is placed on said inclined rearward portion of said support, the modular merchandise unit will descend by gravity and tip into a selected presentation position wherein the rear surface of the modular merchandise unit rests against said inclined intermediate portion, the bottom surface of the modular merchandise unit rests against said forward retaining portion and the front surface of the modular merchandise unit is displayed at an angle relative to the horizontal equal to said second angle.   
     
     
         2 . The gravity-feed shelf according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one dividing wall disposed between and substantially parallel to said first outer wall and said second outer wall, wherein said at least one support comprises at least a first support disposed between said first outer wall and said at least one dividing wall and at least a second support disposed between said second outer wall and said at least one dividing wall. 
     
     
         3 . The gravity-feed shelf according to  claim 1 , wherein said second angle is between 40 degrees and 50 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The gravity-feed shelf according to  claim 3 , wherein said second angle is approximately 46 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The gravity-feed shelf according to  claim 1 , wherein said first angle is approximately 12 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The gravity-feed shelf according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one raised rail extending along said inclined rearward portion of said support. 
     
     
         7 . The gravity-feed shelf according to  claim 6 , further comprising a lubricant applied to said at least one raised rail. 
     
     
         8 . The gravity-feed shelf according to  claim 1  wherein a ratio of a length of said inclined intermediate portion of said support to a length of the rear surface of the modular merchandise unit is within a range of 5.5:10-6.5:10. 
     
     
         9 . A display device for a least one modular merchandise unit having a substantially flat rear surface, a substantially flat front surface and a substantially flat bottom surface, the display device comprising:
 a) a housing comprising at least one open face;   b) at least one gravity-feed shelf supported in said housing, said gravity-feed shelf comprising:
 i) a first outer wail; 
 ii) a second outer wail disposed substantially parallel to said first outer wall; and 
 iii) at least one support disposed between said first outer wall and said second outer wall, said support comprising an inclined rearward portion elevated at a first angle between 5 degrees and 20 degrees relative to a horizontal; a forward retaining portion and an inclined intermediate portion connecting said inclined rearward portion and said forward retaining portion, wherein said inclined intermediate portion is elevated at a second angle relative to the horizontal greater than said first angle and said inclined intermediate portion forms a third angle of substantially 90 degrees with said forward retaining portion; 
   wherein said support defines an unobstructed travel path for the modular merchandise unit so that when the rear surface of the modular merchandise unit is placed on said inclined rearward portion of said support, the modular merchandise unit will descend by gravity and tip into a selected presentation position wherein the rear surface of the modular merchandise unit rests against said inclined intermediate portion, the bottom surface of the modular merchandise unit rests against said forward retaining portion and the front surface of the modular merchandise unit is displayed at an angle relative to the horizontal equal to said second angle.   
     
     
         10 . The display device according to  claim 9 , wherein said gravity-feed shelf further comprises at least one dividing wall disposed between and substantially parallel to said first outer wall and said second outer wall and wherein said at least one support comprises at least a first support disposed between said first outer wall and said at least one dividing wall and at least a second support disposed between said second outer wall and said at least one dividing wall. 
     
     
         11 . The display device according to  claim 9 , wherein said second angle is between 40 degrees and 50 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The display device according to  claim 11 , wherein said second angle is approximately 46 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The display device according to  claim 9 , wherein said first angle is approximately 12 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The display device according to  claim 9 , wherein said gravity-feed shelf further comprises at least one raised rail extending along said inclined rearward portion of said support. 
     
     
         15 . The display device according to  claim 14 , further comprising a lubricant applied to said at least one raised rail. 
     
     
         16 . The display device according to  claim 9 , wherein wherein a ratio of a length of said inclined intermediate portion of said support to a length of the rear surface of the modular merchandise unit is within a range of 5.5:10-6.5:10.