Cooler door shelf device

Abstract

A shelf device for mounting on an inside surface of a cooler door comprises a bottom panel and left and right mounting flanges connected to the bottom panel along left and right side edge portions thereof. Each flange has a pair of openings therein vertically spaced from one another and adapted to mount and support the shelf device. A partition panel is connected to the bottom panel and divides the bottom panel into a plurality of compartments. Vertically extending ribs are attached to the partition panel at junctions of adjacent compartments. A display panel is spaced from the bottom panel and attached to the ribs. The display panel includes top and bottom lips forming a slot for slidably receiving a display insert. Ventilation openings in the partition panel increase air circulation

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to commonly assigned co-pending applications Ser. Nos. 10 / 929,975 filed Aug. 20, 2004 entitled “Cooler Door Shelf Device With Removable Product Panel”; 10 / 944,246, filed Sep. 16, 2004 entitled “Cooler Door Shelf Device With Stick-On Display Panels”; 10 / 944,295, filed Sep. 16, 2004 entitled “Cooler Door Shelf Device With Raised Panels”; 10 / 947,467, filed Sep. 22, 2004, entitled “Neck-Hanging Cooler Door Shelf Device”; and 10 / 947,472, filed Sep. 22, 2004, entitled “Vented Cooler Door Shelf Device”.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to a cooler, and, more particularly, to a door shelf device for a transparent cooler door. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Upright coolers in supermarkets and convenience stores typically have transparent glass doors so that the products inside are visible. It is now common to use the inside of the door for shelving as is done in household ref...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] Space between the display panel and bottom panel allows the free flow of air to keep products on the shelf device chilled. The shelf device is attached to the inside surface of the cooler door using suction cups with a protrusion. The protrusions fit through the openings in the mounting flanges to anchor the shelf device to the door. The shelf device utilizes space in the cooler that would otherwise be wasted. The shelf device increases visual appeal and places product identification at the door where it is more readily seen than that on the containers in the cooler. The display panel includes top and bottom lips forming a slot for slidably receiving a display insert. Because the shelf device is supported via openings in the flanges above and below the display panel and is spaced from the door by suction cups, the insert can be inserted and removed while the shelf device is mounted on the cooler door. The recesses allow the display panel to be flush with the mounting flanges.

[0011] The slots and recesses allow the display panel to fit flush with the mounting flanges. Positioning the display panel above the bottom panel creates a space for improved air circulation. Ventilation openings also promote increased air flow. Having a plurality of display panel supporting the display conserves material when compared to a single, lengthy display panel.

Problems solved by technology

Door shelving fits against the door so that the product containers are visible, however the product labels do not always face forward for easy identification of the product.

Some shelves have a small area for affixing product identification, but such small areas lack the impact needed, especially for impulse purchases.

Advertising on the support panel cannot be changed while the shelf is attached to the cooler door because the lower openings and suction cups block access.

Also, the support or mounting panel and floor intersect which inhibits the free circulation of air in the cooler.

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