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Pusher System for Dispensing Articles

a technology of pusher plate and pusher plate, which is applied in the field of improved pusher plate dispensing system, can solve the problems of difficult use of pusher plate b>10/b> during the reloading of products, and achieve the effect of improving the travel of the pusher plate and reducing friction

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-07-28
LLOYD GERSTNER & PARTNERS
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The embodiments below describe a pusher system configured for dispensing articles. The pusher system includes a pusher track on which articles can be stacked for storage, displaying, and dispensing. The pusher system also includes a pusher plate assembly having a pusher plate for urging the articles stored on the pusher track toward a dispensing location under the action of a driving unit, such as a spring. The pusher plate assembly has a retaining portion to be movably received in a longitudinal channel formed in the pusher track to retain the pusher plate assembly on the pusher track and allow the pusher track assembly to translate along the longitudinal channel. According to the various embodiments, the pusher plate assembly is configured to be in a rolling engagement with the pusher track as the pusher plate travels along the pusher track. Such rolling engagement reduces friction between the pusher plate assembly and the pusher track, thereby improving travel of the pusher plate during forward movement as in the dispensing operation and / or during rearward movement as in a reloading operation.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, such pushers 10 are difficult to use during the reloading of product.

Method used

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  • Pusher System for Dispensing Articles
  • Pusher System for Dispensing Articles
  • Pusher System for Dispensing Articles

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

[0024]FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a pusher system 100 formed according to the invention. The pusher system 100 includes a pusher track 130, on which articles can be stacked for storage, displaying, and dispensing. In one example, the pusher track 130 has an elongated shape, formed similarly to the track 30 of FIG. 1, allowing articles to be stacked in a longitudinal direction. The top surface 132 of the pusher track 130 can be formed in various ways to facilitate storing, displaying, and dispensing the articles. For example, the top surface 132 of the pusher track 130 can contain longitudinally-oriented ridges to reduce friction between the articles and the pusher track 130 as the articles are being dispensed or otherwise moved along the pusher track 130. The pusher track 130 of the pushing system 100 has a longitudinal channel 134, which is formed under a top portion 136 of the pusher track 130 and opens to the top surface 132.

[0025]The pusher system 100 also includes a pusher plate...

second embodiment

[0032]FIG. 3 shows an assembled pusher system 200 according to the invention, which can be formed as either a single-track system or a multi-track system. The pusher system 200 has a base support 210, on which a pair of retainers 220 are mounted to support and retain one or more pusher tracks 230 and one or more dividers 240. Each pusher track 230 and two adjacent dividers 240 form a storage chamber 250, in which articles can be stacked along the pusher track 230. A pusher plate assembly 260 (also shown in FIG. 4) is supported on each pusher track 230 and works in tandem with a driving unit 270 (shown in FIG. 4), such as a coil spring, to urge the articles on the pusher track 230 toward the front end of the pusher track 230. Various components of the pusher system 200 will be discussed in great details below.

[0033]The pusher system 200 can further include a front panel 280 mounted to the front end of the base support 210. The front panel 280 acts as a barrier to retain the products ...

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Abstract

A pusher system for dispensing articles includes a pusher track, on which the articles can be stacked for storage, displaying, and dispensing. The pusher system also includes a pusher plate assembly having a pusher plate urging the articles stored on the pusher track toward a dispensing location under the action of a driving unit, such as a coil spring. The pusher plate assembly has a retaining portion to be movably received in a longitudinal channel formed in the pusher track to retain the pusher plate assembly on the pusher track and allow the pusher track assembly to translate along the longitudinal channel formed in the pusher track. According to the various embodiments, the pusher plate assembly is configured to be in a rolling engagement with the pusher track as the pusher plate travels along the pusher track. Such rolling engagement can reduce friction between the pusher plate assembly and the pusher track, thereby facilitating travel of a pusher plate during the dispensing and reloading operations.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 298,750 filed Jan. 27, 2010.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates generally to an improved system for dispensing articles. More particularly, the invention relates to a pusher-type dispensing system that has an improved pushing effect.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a conventional pusher 10 having a front end 12 facing the user and a rear end 14 further away from the user during normal use. The pusher 10 has a pusher plate 20 slidably supported on a track 30, on which merchandise can be stacked for storage, displaying, and dispensing during normal use. The pusher plate 20 of the pusher 10 includes an upright portion 22 and a bottom portion 24 forming an L-shape when viewing the pusher plate 20 from its side. The upright portion 22 of pusher plate 20 urges the stored ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A47F1/12
CPCA47F1/126
Inventor KIDD, ROBERT CHRISTOPHERCOKER, ANDREW
Owner LLOYD GERSTNER & PARTNERS