Glide tray for dispensing items

Abstract

A glide tray having a plurality of rows includes a first unit defining a first longitudinal axis and having at least one row extending parallel thereto. The first unit includes a first attachment device formed on a lateral portion thereof and a plurality of sacrificial rear end portions detachably engageable from a front end portion of the first unit. The glide tray additionally includes a second unit defining a second longitudinal axis and having at least one row extending parallel to the second longitudinal axis. The second unit includes a second attachment device formed on a lateral portion of the second unit. The second attachment device is configured to be selectively engageable with the first attachment device to facilitate engagement between the first and second units, with the second unit having a plurality of sacrificial rear end portions detachably engageable from a front end portion of the first unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A glide tray having a plurality of rows, the glide tray comprising:
 a first unit defining a first longitudinal axis and having at least one row extending parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the first unit having at least one first attachment device formed on a lateral portion of the first unit, the first unit having a plurality of sacrificial rear end portions detachably engageable from a front end portion of the first unit; and   a second unit defining a second longitudinal axis and having at least one row extending parallel to the second longitudinal axis, the second unit having at least one second attachment device formed on a lateral portion of the second unit, the second attachment device being configured to be selectively engageable with the first attachment device to facilitate engagement between the first and second units, the second unit having a plurality of sacrificial rear end portions detachably engageable from a front end portion of the first unit.   
     
     
         2 . The glide tray recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment device includes a tab and the second attachment device includes a recess configured to receive the tab to facilitate engagement between the first unit and the second unit. 
     
     
         3 . The glide tray recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first unit includes a pair of first sidewalls and the second unit includes a pair of second sidewalls defining a pair of second sidewall planes, the tab being configured to extend between the pair of second sidewall planes when the tab is received in the recess. 
     
     
         4 . The glide tray recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first unit includes a pair of first sidewalls, the tab extending laterally outward from one of the pair of first sidewalls. 
     
     
         5 . The glide tray recited in  claim 4 , wherein the second unit includes a pair of second sidewalls, the recess extending into the second unit from one of the pair of second sidewalls. 
     
     
         6 . The glide tray recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of sacrificial rear end portions of the first unit includes a pair of sidewalls and a base extending between the pair of sidewalls. 
     
     
         7 . The glide tray recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a first pusher member coupled to the first unit and configured to be translatable therealong between a forward position and a rearward position. 
     
     
         8 . The glide tray recited in  claim 7 , wherein the first pusher member includes a lower plate and an upper cradle extending upwardly from the lower plate. 
     
     
         9 . The glide tray recited in  claim 8 , wherein the upper cradle includes a concave surface. 
     
     
         10 . The glide tray recited in  claim 8 , further comprising a spring having a forward end portion and a rearward end portion and an intermediate portion extending between the forward end portion and the rearward end portion, the forward end portion of the spring being attachable to the first unit, the intermediate portion being extendable through a slot formed in the lower plate, the spring being configured to apply a biasing force on the first pusher member to urge the first pusher member toward the forward position. 
     
     
         11 . The glide tray recited in  claim 8 , wherein the first pusher member includes at least one foot extending from the lower plate and the first unit includes a channel body sized to receive the at least one foot such that the at least one foot is slidable within the channel body when the at least one foot is received therein. 
     
     
         12 . The glide tray recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a spring connectable to the first pusher member and the first unit and configured to apply a biasing force on the first pusher member to urge the first pusher member toward the forward position. 
     
     
         13 . A glide tray having a plurality of rows, the glide tray comprising:
 a first unit defining a first longitudinal axis and having at least one row extending parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the first unit having at least one first attachment device formed on a lateral portion of the first unit, the first unit having a plurality of sacrificial rear end portions detachably engageable from a front end portion of the first unit; and   a first pusher member coupled to the first unit and translatable therealong between a forward position and a rearward position.   
     
     
         14 . The glide tray recited in  claim 13 , wherein the first pusher member includes a lower plate and an upper cradle extending upwardly from the lower plate. 
     
     
         15 . The glide tray recited in  claim 14 , wherein the upper cradle includes a concave surface. 
     
     
         16 . The glide tray recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a spring having a forward end portion and a rearward end portion and an intermediate portion extending between the forward end portion and the rearward end portion, the forward end portion of the spring being attachable to the first unit, the intermediate portion being extendable through a slot formed in the lower plate, the spring being configured to apply a biasing force on the first pusher member to urge the first pusher member toward the forward position. 
     
     
         17 . The glide tray recited in  claim 14 , wherein the first pusher member includes at least one foot extending from the lower plate and the first unit includes a channel body sized to receive the at least one foot such that the at least one foot is slidable within the channel body when the at least one foot is received therein. 
     
     
         18 . The glide tray recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a spring connectable to the first pusher member and the first unit and configured to apply a biasing force on the first pusher member to urge the first pusher member toward the forward position.