Gravity feed display device

Abstract

For providing double gravity feed type shelving for use in conjunction with refrigerated article display units, a gravity feed shelf unit is provided and comprises a main chute structure arranged to be inclined so as to feed articles in the direction of inclination thereof and supplementary chute structure disposed alongside said main chute structure and similarly inclined so as to feed articles in the direction of inclination thereof, the supplementary chute structure being detachable so as to reduce the transverse dimension of the shelving structure if need be, the shelf units being specially adapted for interchangeable mounting one above the other whereby a single shelf in a refrigerated display unit is adapted for use as a double shelf display.

We claim: 
     
       1. A gravity feed shelf unit comprising a main chute structure including a pair of side walls and arranged to be inclined so as to feed articles in the direction of inclination thereof, a supplementary chute structure disposed alongside said main chute structure and including a slide plate and an outer side wall integral with said slide plate and spaced from one side wall of said main chute structure, one wall of said pair of side walls constituting an inner side wall of said supplementary chute structure, a front bumper, and a rear wall and similarly inclined so as to feed articles in the direction of inclination thereof, frangible means including a first frangible tab interconnecting said bumper and said one side wall of said main chute structure and a second frangible tab interconnecting said rear wall of said supplementary chute structure and said one side wall of said main chute structure, and a weakened severance line interconnecting lower portions of said main and said supplemental chute structures and arranged to attach said supplementary chute structure to said main chute structure. 
     
     
       2. A gravity feed shelf unit comprising a main chute structure having side walls and arranged to be inclined so as to feed articles in the direction of inclination thereof, supplementary chute structure including a plurality of supplementary chutes disposed along each side of said main chute structure and similarly inclined so as to feed articles in the direction of inclination thereof, each of said supplementary chute structures including a slide plate, a front bumper, a rear wall and an outer side wall, the side walls of said main chute structure constituting the inner walls of the adjacent supplementary chute structure, and the outer side wall of a supplementary chute structure forming the inner side wall of an adjacent supplementary chute structure, and the slide plates of outer ones of said supplementary chutes being interconnected with adjacent parts of the adjacent inner chute by weakened severance means, and frangible means including a first frangible tab interconnecting each of said front bumpers and the side wall of the adjacent inner chute structure, and a second frangible tab interconnecting each of said rear walls of said supplementary chute structures and the side wall of the adjacent inner chute structure. .Iadd. 
     
     
       3.  A gravity feed shelf unit comprising a main chute structure including a pair of side walls and arranged to be inclined so as to feed articles in the direction of inclination thereof, a supplementary chute structure disposed alongside said main chute structure and including a slide plate and an outer side wall integral with said slide plate and spaced from one side wall of said main chute structure, one wall of said pair of side walls constituting an inner side wall of said supplementary chute structure, said supplementary chute structure being similarly inclined so as to feed articles in the direction of inclination thereof, frangible means including a frangible tab interconnecting said rear wall of said supplementary chute structure and said one side wall of said main chute structure, and a weakened severance line interconnecting lower portions of adjacent parts of said main and said supplementary chute structures whereby said supplementary chute structure is detachably secured to said main chute structure. .Iaddend. .Iadd.4. A gravity feed shelf unit comprising a main chute structure having side walls and arranged to be inclined so as to feed articles in the direction of inclination thereof, supplementary chute structure including a plurality of supplementary chutes disposed along at least one side of said main chute structure and similarly inclined so as to feed articles in the direction of inclination thereof, each of said supplementary chute structures including a slide plate, an end wall at the front and rear thereof and an outer side wall, a side wall of said main chute structure constituting the inner wall of the adjacent supplementary chute structure, and the outer side wall of a supplementary chute structure forming the inner side wall of an adjacent supplementary chute structure, and the slide plates of outer ones of said supplementary chute structures being interconnected with adjacent parts of the adjacent inner supplementary chute structure and the inner one of said supplementary chute structures being interconnected with the adjacent side of said main chute structure by weakened severance means, and frangible means interconnecting an end wall of each outer supplementary chute structure with the adjacent side wall of an adjacent inner supplementary chute structure and interconnecting a side wall of said main chute structure and an end wall of the adjacent supplementary chute structure. .Iaddend.