Shelf system for a beverage cabinet

Abstract

A beverage cabinet includes a housing, a door attached to a front edge of the housing, and shelves suspended within an interior of the housing by a track mechanism. One or more of the shelves include a rear support extending generally left to right in a rear portion of the interior of the housing, a lateral support extending generally left to right and offset from the front edge of the housing, and intermediate supports extending generally front to back. One or more of the intermediate supports include a rear portion extending from the rear support to the lateral support, and a front portion extending from the lateral support to the front edge of the housing, wherein the front portion is removable.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference of priority claims

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 307,148, filed May 4, 2021, entitled “SHELF SYSTEM FOR ABEVERAGECABINET,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention includes a shelving system for a beverage cabinet. Background Technology

[0004] Beverage cabinets (e.g., cabinets for storing, preserving, conditioning, and / or refrigerating beverages such as wine, beer, and / or spirits) may include multiple horizontal shelves for holding beverage containers, such as wine bottles, beer bottles, beer cans, and / or spirits bottles. To maintain the quality of the beverages, the beverage containers are typically oriented horizontally on the shelves (e.g., lying on the shelves). Accordingly, the shelves are typically vertically spaced from each other at a distance sufficient to accommodate the beverage containers (e.g., the height of a wine bottle when horizontally oriented on the shelf). Summary of the Invention

[0005] The following is a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the invention to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not a broad overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is neither intended to identify key or defining elements of all embodiments nor to define the scope of any or all embodiments. This summary presents some concepts of one or more embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that follows.

[0006] In one aspect, the invention includes a cabinet for storing beverage bottles, the cabinet comprising: a door; a housing including a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, a left side wall, a right side wall, and a front edge, wherein the door is hingedly attached to the front edge of the housing, and wherein the top wall, bottom wall, rear wall, left side wall, right side wall, and door form the interior of the housing. In some embodiments, the cabinet may include: a bottom shelf suspended above the bottom wall by at least one guide rail mechanism connected to the bottom shelf and the interior of the housing; and a plurality of shelves suspended above the bottom shelf by guide rail mechanisms connected to the interior of the housing. Additionally or alternatively, each of the plurality of shelves may include: a rear support extending generally from the left side wall to the right side wall in a rear portion of the interior; a lateral support extending generally from the left side wall to the right side wall, wherein the lateral support is offset from the front edge of the housing; and a plurality of intermediate supports extending generally from the front edge of the housing toward the rear wall and supported by the rear support and the lateral support. Additionally or alternatively, at least one of these shelves may include at least one intermediate support member, the at least one intermediate support member comprising: a rear portion extending from the rear support member to the transverse support member; and a front portion extending from the transverse support member toward the front edge of the housing, wherein the front portion may be removed from the rear portion and / or the transverse support member.

[0007] In some embodiments, the front portion is connected to the rear portion and / or the lateral support via an interference fit.

[0008] In some embodiments, for each at least one intermediate support of each at least one shelf, the front portion may be configured to connect to the rear portion of the at least one intermediate support at a second position after being removed from a first position on the rear portion. Additionally or alternatively, for each at least one intermediate support of each at least one shelf, the front portion may be configured to connect to another rear portion of another intermediate support of another shelf located below the shelf whose front portion has been removed, after being removed from a first position on the rear portion. In some embodiments, for each at least one intermediate support of each at least one shelf, the front portion is configured such that after the front portion is removed from a first position on the rear portion and connected to the rear portion of the at least one intermediate support and another rear portion of another intermediate support of another shelf at a second position, pulling one of the at least one shelf or the other shelf out of the housing causes both the at least one shelf and the other shelf to be pulled out of the housing.

[0009] In some embodiments, the cabinet may include a refrigeration system and a controller for controlling the refrigeration system to maintain one or more target temperatures inside the housing.

[0010] In another aspect, the present invention includes a shelving system for a cabinet, the shelving system comprising a plurality of shelves. In some embodiments, each shelf may include: a left-side support extending generally from the front of the cabinet to the rear of the cabinet; and a right-side support extending generally from the front of the cabinet to the rear of the cabinet. Additionally or alternatively, each shelf may include: a rear support extending generally from the left-side support to the right-side support in the rear portion of the cabinet; and a transverse support extending generally from the left-side support to the right-side support, wherein the transverse support is offset from the front edge of the cabinet. In some embodiments, each shelf may include a plurality of intermediate supports extending generally from the front of the cabinet to the rear of the cabinet and supported by the rear support and the transverse support. Additionally or alternatively, these intermediate supports may include: a rear portion extending from the rear support to the transverse support; and a front portion extending from the transverse support to the front edge of the cabinet, wherein the front portion is removable from the rear portion and / or the transverse support. In some embodiments, the shelving system may include: a plurality of left guide rail mechanisms, each securing a left-side support of the shelf to the left side wall of the cabinet; and a plurality of right guide rail mechanisms, each securing a right-side support of the shelf to the right side wall of the cabinet opposite the left side wall of the cabinet.

[0011] In some embodiments, the shelving system may include a bottom shelf positioned below the existing shelving within the cabinet.

[0012] In some embodiments, the intermediate support may be a first intermediate support, and each of the plurality of shelves may include a second intermediate support, wherein the second intermediate support includes: a rear portion extending from the rear support to the transverse support; and a front portion extending from the transverse support to the front edge of the cabinet, wherein the front portion may be removed from the rear portion and / or the transverse support.

[0013] In some embodiments, each intermediate support of each of the plurality of shelves may include: a rear portion extending from the rear support to the transverse support; and a front portion extending from the transverse support to the front edge of the cabinet, wherein the front portion may be removed from the rear portion and / or the transverse support.

[0014] In some embodiments, for each of the plurality of shelves, the front portion of the intermediate support may be connected to the rear portion via an interference fit.

[0015] In some embodiments, for each of the plurality of shelves, the front portion of the intermediate support may be configured to connect to the rear portion of the intermediate support at a second position after being removed from a first position on the rear portion. Additionally or alternatively, for each of the plurality of shelves, the front portion of the intermediate support may be configured to connect to another rear portion of another intermediate support of another shelf located below the shelf whose front portion has been removed, after being removed from the first position on the rear portion.

[0016] In another aspect, the invention includes a shelving system for a cabinet. In some embodiments, the shelving system may include at least one shelf comprising: a left-side support extending generally from the front of the cabinet to the rear of the cabinet; and a right-side support extending generally from the front of the cabinet to the rear of the cabinet. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one shelf may include: a rear support extending generally from the left-side support to the right-side support in the rear portion of the cabinet; and a transverse support extending generally from the left-side support to the right-side support, wherein the transverse support is offset from the front edge of the cabinet. In some embodiments, the at least one shelf may include a plurality of intermediate supports extending generally from the front of the cabinet to the rear of the cabinet and supported by the rear support and the transverse support. Additionally or alternatively, these intermediate supports may include: a rear portion extending from the rear support to the transverse support; and a front portion extending from the transverse support to the front edge of the cabinet, wherein the front portion may be removed from the rear portion and / or the transverse support.

[0017] In some embodiments, the shelving system may include: a left guide rail mechanism that secures a left-side support to the left side wall of the cabinet; and a right guide rail mechanism that secures a right-side support to the right side wall of the cabinet opposite the left side wall. Additionally or alternatively, the left and right guide rail mechanisms allow the at least one shelf to move from a storage position within the cabinet to an extended position, in which a portion of the at least one shelf extends beyond the front edge of the cabinet.

[0018] In some embodiments, the intermediate support may be a first intermediate support, and the at least one shelf may include a second intermediate support among the plurality of intermediate supports. Additionally or alternatively, the second intermediate support may include: a rear portion extending from the rear support to the transverse support; and a front portion extending from the transverse support to the front edge of the cabinet, wherein the front portion may be removable from the rear portion and / or the transverse support.

[0019] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of intermediate supports may include: a rear portion extending from the rear support to the lateral support; and a front portion extending from the lateral support to the front edge of the cabinet, wherein the front portion may be removed from the rear portion and / or the lateral support.

[0020] In some embodiments, the front portion of the intermediate support member may be connected to the rear portion via an interference fit.

[0021] In some embodiments, the front portion of the intermediate support may be configured to connect to the rear portion of the intermediate support at a second position after being removed from a first position on the rear portion. Additionally or alternatively, the front portion of the intermediate support may be configured to connect to another rear portion of another intermediate support of another shelf located below the shelf where the front portion has been removed, after being removed from the first position on the rear portion.

[0022] In some embodiments, the shelving system may include a plurality of shelves, wherein each of the plurality of shelves may include at least one intermediate support member, the at least one intermediate support member including a removable front portion facing the front edge of the cabinet.

[0023] In some embodiments, the at least one shelf may include a front support extending from a left-side support to a right-side support, and the front support may support an intermediate support. Additionally or alternatively, a front portion of the intermediate support may extend from a transverse support to the front support, and the front portion of the intermediate support may be removed from the front support.

[0024] The features, functions, and advantages already discussed can be implemented independently in various embodiments of the invention or can be combined with other embodiments, and further details of these features, functions, and advantages can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Embodiments of the invention have been described in general terms, and reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 A cabinet with a shelving system and beverage bottles stored therein, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown, with the door in the closed position;

[0027] Figure 2 A cabinet with a shelving system and beverage bottles stored therein, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown, with the door in the open position;

[0028] Figure 3 A cabinet with a shelving system and beverage bottles stored therein, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown, wherein the shelves are in an extended position;

[0029] Figure 4 A top view of a shelf system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0030] Figure 5 A perspective view of a shelf system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0031] Figure 6 A top view of a shelf system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0032] Figure 7 A perspective view of a shelf system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0033] Figure 8 A top view of a shelf system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0034] Figure 9 A perspective view of a shelf system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0035] Figure 10 A close-up perspective view of a portion of a shelf in a shelving system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0036] Figure 11 A close-up perspective view of a portion of a shelf in a shelving system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0037] Figure 12 A close-up perspective view of a portion of a shelf in a shelving system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0038] Figure 13 A perspective view of a shelf system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0039] Figure 14 A perspective view of a shelf system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0040] Figure 15 A perspective view of a shelf system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0041] Figure 16 A top view of a shelving system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, the shelving system having beverage bottles stored therein in an upright orientation;

[0042] Figure 17 An embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 16 A side view of a shelving system having beverage bottles stored therein in an upright orientation;

[0043] Figure 18An embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 16 A perspective view of a shelving system having beverage bottles stored therein in an upright orientation and having shelves in an extended position; and

[0044] Figure 19 An embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 16 A perspective view of a shelving system having beverage bottles stored therein in an upright orientation and having shelves in the storage position. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some, but not all, of the embodiments of the invention. In fact, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Where possible, any term expressed in the singular form herein shall also include the plural form, and vice versa, unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “a” and / or “an” shall mean “one or more,” even though the phrase “one or more” is also used herein. Additionally, when something is said herein to be “based on” another, it may also be based on one or more other things. In other words, unless expressly stated otherwise, as used herein, “based on” means “at least partially based on” or “at least partially based on.” Similar reference numerals refer to similar elements throughout.

[0046] As described above, a beverage cabinet (e.g., a cabinet for storing, preserving, conditioning, and / or refrigerating beverages such as wine, beer, and / or spirits) may include multiple horizontal shelves for holding beverage containers, such as wine bottles, beer bottles, beer cans, and / or spirits bottles. To maintain the quality of the beverage, the beverage containers are typically oriented horizontally on the shelves (e.g., lying on the shelves). Accordingly, the shelves are typically vertically spaced from each other at a distance sufficient to accommodate the beverage containers (e.g., the height of a wine bottle when horizontally oriented on the shelf). To efficiently utilize the space within the beverage cabinet, the vertical spacing between the shelves is typically slightly larger than the width of the beverage containers, but much smaller than their vertical height. However, after one beverage container is opened, its contents may not be completely consumed, but due to the vertical spacing between the shelves, the beverage container cannot be stored upright (e.g., vertically oriented) in the beverage cabinet. Furthermore, if the opened beverage container is horizontally oriented in the beverage cabinet, its contents may spill and / or leak into the cabinet.

[0047] Some embodiments described herein provide a shelving system for a beverage cabinet that can be adapted to accommodate the storage of one or more beverage containers in an upright orientation. For example, the beverage cabinet may include one or more shelves for supporting beverage containers horizontally oriented on the shelves, and the shelves may include: rear supports (e.g., rear support slats) extending generally across the width of the beverage cabinet in a rear portion; lateral supports (e.g., lateral support slats) extending generally across the width of the beverage cabinet in a front portion; and intermediate supports (e.g., intermediate slats) extending generally from the front portion to the rear portion of the beverage cabinet and supported by the rear supports and lateral supports. In some embodiments, at least one of these shelves may include: a lateral support offset from the front edge of the beverage cabinet; and one or more intermediate supports including a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion is removable from the rear portion. Additionally or alternatively, the front portion of the intermediate support may extend substantially from the transverse support to the front edge of the beverage cabinet and may be removed from the transverse support. In this way, the front portion of the intermediate support of the shelf can be removed, and beverage containers can be placed in an upright orientation on another shelf below this shelf, extending through the shelf where the front portion of the intermediate support has been removed. By offsetting the transverse support from the front edge of the beverage cabinet, the shelf can accommodate the upright orientation of the beverage containers while supporting other beverage containers oriented horizontally on the shelf.

[0048] Figures 1 to 3 A cabinet 100 (e.g., a beverage cabinet, etc.) with a shelving system 120 and beverage bottles 122 stored therein is shown. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, cabinet 100 may include a door 102 and a housing 104, the housing including a top wall 106, a bottom wall 108, a rear wall 110, a left side wall 112, a right side wall 114, and a front edge 116. In some embodiments, and as... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, door 102 can be hingedly attached to the front edge 116 of cabinet 100, and can be (e.g., by a user) from, as Figure 1 Move the closed position shown to the position as follows: Figure 2 and Figure 3 The opening position is shown.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the top wall 106, bottom wall 108, rear wall 110, left side wall 112, right side wall 114, and door 102 can form the interior 118 of the housing 104 of the cabinet 100. Additionally, the cabinet 100 may include a shelving system 120 within the interior 118 of the housing 104 for supporting one or more bottles 122. For example, and as... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the shelving system 120 can be configured to support the bottle 122 when it is horizontally oriented (e.g., lying on the shelves of the shelving system 120). In order to make efficient use of the space within the interior 118 of the housing 104, the vertical spacing between the shelves of the shelving system 120 can be slightly greater than the width of the bottle 122 and less than the vertical height of the bottle 122.

[0050] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, cabinet 100 may include a refrigeration system and a controller 126, which may be located in the rear portion of housing 104. In some embodiments, the controller may control the refrigeration system to maintain one or more target environmental conditions (e.g., temperature and / or humidity levels) within the interior 118 of housing 104. For example, cabinet 100 may include one or more environmental sensors (e.g., temperature sensors and / or humidity sensors, etc.) located within the interior 118 of housing 104 and configured to generate one or more signals based on sensed environmental conditions, and the controller may be configured to control the refrigeration system based on one or more signals from the one or more environmental sensors to maintain one or more target environmental conditions.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, cabinet 100 may include a guide rail mechanism 124 configured to support shelves within the interior 118 of housing 104. For example, each shelf in shelving system 120 may include the guide rail mechanism 124 on both its left and right sides, wherein the guide rail mechanism secures the shelf to the inner surface of the side walls of housing 104 (e.g., left side wall 112 and / or right side wall 114, etc.). Figure 3 As shown, the guide rail mechanism 124 allows the shelf to move from a storage position within the interior 118 of the housing 104 to an extended position where a portion of the shelf extends beyond the front edge 116 (e.g., providing access to bottles 122, etc.). For example, the guide rail mechanism 124 may include a telescopic guide rail mechanism, etc. Although Figure 3 Only one guide rail mechanism 124 on the bottom shelf of the shelving system 120 is depicted, but the cabinet 100 may include additional guide rail mechanisms on the left and right sides of the other shelves of the shelving system 120 (e.g., each shelf, etc.).

[0052] Figure 4 and Figure 5 A shelving system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown (e.g., Figures 1 to 3 Shelf system 120) and shelf 200. For example... Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the shelf 200 may include a guide rail mechanism 202, a left-side support 204 (e.g., a left-side slat), a right-side support 206 (e.g., a right-side slat), a rear support 208 (e.g., a rear support slat), a lateral support 210 (e.g., a lateral support slat), a middle support 212 (e.g., a middle slat), and a front support 214 (e.g., a front support slat). In some embodiments, the left-side support 204, right-side support 206, rear support 208, lateral support 210, and / or front support 214 may provide a frame for supporting the middle support 212.

[0053] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the shelf 200 may include two guide rail mechanisms 202 on both sides of the shelf 200. In some embodiments, the guide rail mechanism 202 may be similar to those described herein. Figures 1 to 3 The described guide rail mechanism 124. For example, guide rail mechanism 202 can secure shelf 200 to the inner surface of the side wall of the cabinet, allowing shelf 200 to move from a storage position to an extended position, and / or may include telescopic guide rail mechanism, etc. Additionally or alternatively, one of the guide rail mechanisms 202 may be attached and / or connected to a left-side support 204, and another of the guide rail mechanisms 202 may be attached and / or connected to a right-side support 206.

[0054] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the shelf 200 may include a plurality of intermediate supports 212 extending from the front support 214 to the rear support 208. For example, when the shelf 200 is positioned in a cabinet (e.g., Figures 1 to 3 When inside the cabinet 100), the intermediate support 212 can extend from the front of the cabinet to the rear of the cabinet and can be supported by the rear support 208, the lateral support 210 and / or the front support 214. Although Figure 4 and Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment of the shelf 200 includes six intermediate supports 212, but other embodiments of the shelf 200 may include fewer intermediate supports 212 (e.g., one, two, three, four or five) or more intermediate supports 212 (e.g., seven, eight, nine, ten or more).

[0055] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the intermediate support 212 may include a rear portion 212a and a front portion 212b. The rear portion 212a may extend from the rear support 208 to the lateral support 210, and the front portion 212b may extend from the lateral support 210 to the front support 214. In some embodiments, and as described herein... Figures 10 to 15Further described, the front portion 212b can be removed from the rear portion 212a and can be connected to the rear portion via an interference fit (e.g., a cutout of corresponding shape and / or a bolt hole mechanism, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the front portion 212b can be removed from the lateral support 210 and / or the front support 214 and can be connected to the lateral support and / or the front support via an interference fit.

[0056] Although Figure 4 and Figure 5 Embodiments of the illustrated shelf 200 include intermediate supports 212, each removable from and connected to a front portion 212b of the rear portion. However, other embodiments of the shelf 200 may include intermediate supports 212 that do not include removable from and connected to the front portion 212b of the rear portion (e.g., intermediate supports 212 formed from a single material such as wood and / or metal). As another example, other embodiments of the shelf 200 may have several intermediate supports 212 (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, or more) that include removable from and connected to the front portion 212b of the rear portion, and other intermediate supports 212 (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, or more) that do not include removable from and connected to the front portion 212b of the rear portion. As yet another example, other embodiments of the shelf 200 may have a single intermediate support 212 that is removable from the rear portion 212a and connected to the front portion 212b of the rear portion, and other intermediate supports 212 that are not removable from the rear portion 212a and connected to the front portion 212b of the rear portion.

[0057] Figure 6 and Figure 7 A shelving system according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown (e.g., Figures 1 to 3 Shelf system 120) and shelf 200. For example... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the shelf 200 may include a guide rail mechanism 202, a left-side support 204 (e.g., a left-side slat), a right-side support 206 (e.g., a right-side slat), a rear support 208 (e.g., a rear support slat), a lateral support 210 (e.g., a lateral support slat), a middle support 212 (e.g., a middle slat), and a front support 214 (e.g., a front support slat). In some embodiments, the left-side support 204, right-side support 206, rear support 208, and / or front support 214 may provide a frame for supporting the middle support 212. In some embodiments, Figure 6 and Figure 7The shelf 200, guide rail mechanism 202, left-side support 204, right-side support 206, rear support 208, and front support 214 in the embodiment can be similar to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The embodiment includes a shelf 200, a guide rail mechanism 202, a left-side support 204, a right-side support 206, a rear support 208, and a front support 214. In this regard, Figure 6 and Figure 7 The shelf 200 includes intermediate supports 212 in which a front portion 212b is integral with a rear portion 212a (e.g., the front portion is not removable from the rear portion and / or the front and rear portions are formed from a single material portion, etc.), and intermediate supports 212 in which the front portion 212b is removable from the rear portion 212a and can be connected to these rear portions, as described herein. Figures 10 to 15 Further description.

[0058] For example, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the two rightmost intermediate supports 212 may include front portions 212b that can be removed from and connected to the rear portions 212a, and the other intermediate supports 212 may be integral. In this example, and also as... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the lateral support 210 extends from the rightmost central support 212 to the rightward support 206. By extending across a shorter portion of the shelf 200, the lateral support 210 can increase the amount of storage space between shelves, while also allowing bottles to be stored in an upright orientation.

[0059] Although Figure 6 and Figure 7 The illustrated embodiment of the shelf 200 has two intermediate supports 212 including a front portion 212b removable from and connected to the rear portions 212a, but additional intermediate supports 212 (e.g., the rightmost three and / or the rightmost four, etc.) may include the front portion 212b removable from and connected to the rear portions 212a. Furthermore, although... Figure 6 and Figure 7 The illustrated embodiment of the shelf 200 has a rightmost intermediate support 212 that is removable from and connected to the front portion 212b of the rear portions 212a, but intermediate supports 212 in other locations (e.g., the leftmost and / or the center, etc.) may include a front portion 212b that is removable from and connected to the rear portions 212a.

[0060] Figure 8 and Figure 9A shelving system according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown (e.g., Figures 1 to 3 Shelf system 120) and shelf 200. For example... Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the shelf 200 may include a guide rail mechanism 202, a left-side support 204, a right-side support 206, a rear support 208, a lateral support 210, and a middle support 212. In some embodiments, Figure 8 and Figure 9 The shelf 200, guide rail mechanism 202, left-side support 204, right-side support 206, rear support 208, lateral support 210, and middle support 212 in the embodiment can be similar to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The embodiment includes a shelf 200, a guide rail mechanism 202, a left-side support 204, a right-side support 206, a rear support 208, a lateral support 210, and a middle support 212. In this regard, Figure 8 and Figure 9 Shelves 200 do not include, for example Figure 4 and Figure 5 The front support member 214 is shown in the shelf 200.

[0061] Figures 10 to 12 An embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 8 and Figure 9 A close-up 3D view of a portion of shelf 200. Furthermore, Figures 10 to 12 An exemplary embodiment of an interference fit is illustrated, through which the front portion of the intermediate support can be removed from and connected to the rear portion of the intermediate support. Accordingly, using other interference fits and / or removable connections to removably connect the front portion of the intermediate support to the rear portion of the intermediate support is also within the scope of this invention.

[0062] In some embodiments, and as Figure 10 As shown, the rear portion 212a of the intermediate support (e.g., the intermediate support adjacent to the right-hand support 206, etc.) may include a cutout portion and a hole 218a adjacent to and following the transverse support 210. Additionally or alternatively, and as... Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the rear portion 212a of the intermediate support may include a cutout and a hole 218b adjacent to and preceding the transverse support 210. Figure 11 As shown, the front portion 212b of the intermediate support may include cuts and bolts 216 corresponding to the cut-out portion and hole 218a and the cut-out portion and hole 218b. Also as... Figure 11 As shown, the front portion 212b of the intermediate support member can be removed from the rear portion 212a of the intermediate support member. Figure 12 As shown, the front portion 212b of the intermediate support can be reconnected to different portions of the rear portion 212a via the cutout and hole 218a after being removed from the rear portion 212a. In other words, the front portion 212b can be removably connected to the rear portion 212a before the transverse support 210, and the front portion 212b can also be removably connected to the rear portion 212a after the transverse support 210.

[0063] In some embodiments, and as described herein... Figures 16 to 19 Further described, the front portion 212b of the intermediate support 212 can be removed to accommodate beverage bottles stored in an upright orientation (e.g., open beverage bottles whose contents may not have been fully consumed). For example, the front portion 212b of the intermediate support 212 of the shelf 200 can be removed, and the beverage bottles can be placed in an upright orientation on another shelf below the shelf 200, extending through the shelf 200 where the front portion 212b has been removed.

[0064] As this article is about Figures 16 to 19 Further described, the front portion 212b can be configured to, after being removed from the rear portion 212a, connect to the rear portion 212a of the intermediate support member to which the front portion has been removed, and to another rear portion 212a of another intermediate support member of another shelf positioned above or below the shelf to which the front portion has been removed. In some embodiments, and as described... Figure 12 As shown, after being reattached to the rear portion 212a in a position following the transverse support 210, the front portion 212b can extend downwards, which can cause the front portion 212b to interact with another shelf positioned below the shelf 200 (e.g., connected to another shelf and / or interacting with the transverse support of the shelf, etc.). Accordingly, in some embodiments, the front portion 212b may have a length configured such that, after being removed from the rear portion 212a and then reattached to the position following the transverse support 210, the front portion 212b interacts with another shelf positioned above or below that shelf. In this regard, the rear portion 212a of the intermediate support may include a channel 219 adjacent to the cutout portion and the hole 218b. One end of the front portion 212b may be configured to fit into and engage the channel 219 of the shelf immediately below it.

[0065] Figures 13 to 15 An embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figures 8 to 12 A 3D view of the 200-inch shelf. (See attached image.) Figure 13As shown, the front portion 212b of the rightmost intermediate support 212 has been removed from the cutout and hole 218b adjacent to and preceding the transverse support 210 of the rear portion 212a, and has been reconnected to the rear portion 212a by the cutout and hole adjacent to and following the transverse support 210. By removing and reconnecting the front portion 212b in this manner, beverage bottles can be placed in an upright orientation on another shelf below the shelf 200 and can extend through the shelf 200.

[0066] In some embodiments, and as Figure 14 As shown, the front portions 212b of the two rightmost intermediate supports 212 can be removed and reconnected to the rear portions 212a after the transverse support 210. By removing and reconnecting the front portions 212b of the two intermediate supports 212, additional space can be created in the shelf 200 to accommodate the storage of one or more beverage bottles placed on another shelf below the shelf 200 in an upright orientation, and to allow the one or more beverage bottles to extend through the shelf 200.

[0067] Additional or alternative land, and as Figure 15 As shown, the front portion 212b of each of the intermediate supports 212 can be removed and reconnected to the rear portion 212a after the transverse support 210. By removing and reconnecting the front portion 212b of each of the intermediate supports 212, additional space can be created in the shelf 200 to accommodate the storage of multiple beverage bottles placed on another shelf below the shelf 200 in an upright orientation, and to allow these beverage bottles to extend through the shelf 200.

[0068] Figure 16 A top view of a shelf system 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, the shelf system having bottles 122 stored therein in an upright orientation. Figure 17 An embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 16 A side view of a shelving system 120, which has bottles 122 stored therein in an upright orientation. Figure 17 As shown, the shelving system 120 may include a plurality of shelves 200. Furthermore, each shelf 200 may include a guide rail mechanism 202, a left-side support 204, a right-side support 206, a rear support 208, a lateral support 210, and a middle support 212. In some embodiments, Figure 16 and Figure 17 The shelf 200, guide rail mechanism 202, left-side support 204, right-side support 206, rear support 208, lateral support 210, and middle support 212 in the embodiment can be similar to Figures 4 to 15The embodiment includes a shelf 200, a guide rail mechanism 202, a left-side support 204, a right-side support 206, a rear support 208, a transverse support 210, and a middle support 212.

[0069] like Figure 16 and Figure 17 As shown, except for the bottom shelf 200, the front portion 212b of the rightmost intermediate support 212 in each shelf 200 has been removed from the cut-out portion and hole adjacent to and preceding the transverse support 210 in the rear portion 212a, and has been reconnected to the rear portion 212a by the cut-out portion and hole adjacent to and following the transverse support 210. By removing and reconnecting the front portion 212b in this way, the bottle 122 can be placed on the bottom shelf in an upright orientation and can extend through each shelf 200.

[0070] like Figure 17 As shown, the front portion 212b of the rightmost intermediate support 212 in each shelf 200, after being reconnected to the rear portion 212a via a cutout and hole adjacent to and following the transverse support 210, extends downward toward the shelf 200 where the front portion 212b is removed. Additionally or alternatively, the front portion 212b extends into a channel 219 adjacent to and following the cutout of the transverse support 210 of the shelf immediately below. By extending into the channel 219 adjacent to and following the cutout of the transverse support 210 of the shelf immediately below, the front portion 212b can interact with the shelf below, as described herein. Figure 18 and Figure 19 Further description.

[0071] In some embodiments, the front portion 212b may be connected to the front portion 212b in a manner different from that described herein. Figure 16 and Figure 17 The described manner removes the shelf above or below the shelf 200 and / or interacts with it. For example, the front portion 212b may be connected to or interact with the shelf above or below the shelf 200 to which the front portion 212b is removed via another type of interference fit. As another example, the front portion 212b may be connected to or interact with the shelf above or below the shelf 200 to which the front portion 212b is removed via a lateral support 210 that extends upward or downward and is connected to or interacts with the shelf above or below the shelf 200 to which the front portion 212b is removed.

[0072] Figure 18 and Figure 19 An embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 16 and Figure 17A perspective view of a shelving system 120, which has bottles 122 stored therein in an upright orientation and shelves 200 in extended and stored positions, respectively. Figure 18 and Figure 19 As shown, bottle 122 can be placed in an upright orientation on the bottom shelf of shelf system 120, and other shelves of shelf system 120 can support other bottles 122 that are horizontally oriented on the shelf (e.g., lying on the shelf).

[0073] For example, a user may open one of bottles 122 but not empty all of its contents. To preserve the remaining contents, the user may wish to store the opened bottle in cabinet 100. The user can pull the shelves of the shelving system 120 to an extended position, where the shelves extend outward via guide mechanism 202, and in this extended position, a portion of the shelf extends beyond the front edge of cabinet 100 and is no longer inside cabinet 100. The user can remove the front portion of one or more of the intermediate supports of the shelves, similar to the description herein. Figures 10 to 17 The aforementioned method reconnects the front portion to the rear portion of the intermediate support. By removing the front portion, the open bottle can be placed in an upright orientation on the bottom shelf of the shelving system 120, and the open bottle can extend through the shelves of the shelving system 120.

[0074] Furthermore, after placing the opened bottle on the bottom shelf of the shelving system 120, the user can apply force to one or more shelves in the shelving system 120 to push the shelf into the interior of the cabinet 100. When the user applies force, it is similar to the force described herein. Figures 10 to 17 The described method reconnects each of the front portions of the intermediate support to the rear portion of the intermediate support, allowing it to interact with a force applied by the user and transmit that force to the shelf below the shelf where the front portion has been removed. For example, and as per... Figure 17 The front portion may extend into a channel 219 adjacent to and following a lateral support of the shelf immediately below it. As another example, the front portion may connect to and / or interact with a shelf above or below which the front portion is removed via another type of interference fit. As yet another example, the front portion may connect to and / or interact with a shelf above or below which the front portion is removed by extending upwards or downwards and connecting to and / or interacting with a lateral support of the shelf above or below which the front portion is removed. In this way, when a user applies force, the shelves of the shelving system 120 move uniformly, thereby preventing an open bottle from impacting an open bottle and / or tipping over if one of the shelves extends through it. Therefore, the user can safely push the shelves of the shelving system 120 from their extended position to a storage position within the interior of the cabinet 100.

[0075] In some embodiments, cabinet 100 and / or shelf system 120 may include fewer or more shelves than shown in the figures. Additionally or alternatively, bottles may be placed in an upright orientation on shelves of shelf system 120 other than the bottom shelf, and the front portion of the intermediate support of the shelf through which the bottle extends may be removed to accommodate an upright bottle. Furthermore, in some embodiments, bottles may be placed in an upright orientation on the inner surface of bottom wall 108, and the front portion of the intermediate support of the shelf through which the bottle extends may be removed to accommodate an upright bottle.

[0076] In some embodiments, instead of removing the front portion of the rightmost intermediate support, the user can remove the front portions of other intermediate supports of the shelf to accommodate an upright bottle. Additionally or alternatively, to accommodate the width of an upright bottle, the user can remove the front portions of multiple adjacent intermediate supports in each shelf of the shelving system 120.

[0077] Although Figures 10 to 19 And related descriptions include, for example Figures 8 to 9 The illustrated shelf 200 is an example embodiment, but the features, functions, and descriptions can be applied to, for example... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment of the shelf 200 and as shown Figure 6 and Figure 7 An example embodiment of the shelf 200 is depicted. Furthermore, Figures 10 to 19 The features, functions, and descriptions, as well as the associated descriptions, can also be applied to other exemplary embodiments of the shelves described herein, as well as exemplary embodiments of shelves that include combinations of features of the exemplary embodiments of the shelves described herein.

[0078] Although Figures 1 to 19 A central support extending from the rear portion of the cabinet to the front portion is depicted; however, some embodiments may include a central support extending from the left side portion of the cabinet to the right side portion. In these embodiments, the lateral support may be offset from the right side wall and / or the left side wall of the cabinet, rather than from the front edge. Furthermore, instead of the front portions of one or more of the central supports being removable from the rear portion, the left and / or right portions of one or more central supports may be removable and reattached to the central portion of the central support in a manner similar to that described herein with respect to the front portions of the central supports. Additionally or alternatively, the left and / or right portions may be connected to and / or interact with another shelf below the shelf where the left and / or right portions are removed, in a manner similar to that described herein with respect to the front portions of the central supports.

[0079] In some embodiments, the front portion of the intermediate support, after being connected to the rear portion following the transverse support to accommodate upright bottles, can be removed from the rear portion following the transverse support and reconnected to the rear portion in front of the transverse support (e.g., to support bottles stored in a horizontal orientation). In this way, the shelf system 120 can be converted from storing horizontal bottles to storing one or more upright bottles as well as horizontal bottles, and the shelf system 120 can be converted back to storing horizontal bottles.

[0080] While many embodiments of the invention have been described above, the invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Furthermore, it should be understood that, where possible, any advantage, feature, function, apparatus, and / or operational aspect of any of the embodiments of the invention described and / or contemplated herein may be included in any of the other embodiments of the invention described and / or contemplated herein, and / or vice versa. Moreover, where possible, unless expressly stated otherwise, any term expressed herein in the singular should also include the plural form, and / or vice versa. Accordingly, the terms “a” and / or “an” should mean “one or more,” even though the phrase “one or more” is used herein. Similar reference numerals refer to similar elements throughout.

[0081] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative and not limiting of the broader invention, and the invention is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, as various other variations, combinations, omissions, modifications, and substitutions are possible in addition to those set forth in the foregoing paragraphs. Those skilled in the art will understand that various adjustments, modifications, and combinations can be made to the embodiments just described without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention can be practiced in ways different from those specifically described herein within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cabinet for storing beverage bottles, the cabinet comprising: Door; A housing, comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, a left side wall, a right side wall, and a front edge, wherein a door is hingedly attached to the front edge of the housing, and wherein the top wall, the bottom wall, the rear wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, and the door form the interior of the housing; A bottom shelf, which is suspended above the bottom wall by at least one guide rail mechanism connected to the bottom shelf and the interior of the housing; Multiple shelves, suspended above the bottom shelf by guide rails connected to the interior of the housing, wherein each of the multiple shelves comprises: A rear support member that extends from the left side wall to the right side wall in the rear portion of the interior; A lateral support member extending from the left side wall to the right side wall, wherein the lateral support member is offset from the front edge of the housing; and Multiple intermediate support members extend from the front edge of the housing toward the rear wall and are supported by the rear support member and the transverse support member; Wherein, at least one of the plurality of shelves includes at least one intermediate support member, the at least one intermediate support member comprising: The rear portion extends from the rear support member to the lateral support member; and The front portion extends from the transverse support toward the front edge of the housing, wherein the front portion is removable from the rear portion; The shelf is configured to accommodate the upright orientation of beverage containers while supporting other beverage containers that are oriented horizontally on the shelf.

2. The cabinet as described in claim 1, wherein, The front portion is connected to the rear portion via an interference fit.

3. The cabinet as described in claim 1, wherein, For each at least one intermediate support of each at least one shelf, the front portion is configured to be connected to the rear portion of the at least one intermediate support at a second position after being removed from a first position on the rear portion.

4. The cabinet as described in claim 3, wherein, For each at least one intermediate support of each at least one shelf, the front portion is configured to, after being removed from the first position on the rear portion, connect to another rear portion of another intermediate support of another shelf located below the shelf to which the front portion has been removed, in these shelves or the bottom shelf.

5. The cabinet as described in claim 4, wherein, For each at least one intermediate support of each at least one shelf, the front portion is configured such that after the front portion is removed from the first position on the rear portion and connected at the second position to the rear portion of the at least one intermediate support and the other rear portion of the other intermediate support of the other shelf, pulling one of the at least one shelf or the other shelf out of the interior of the housing results in the at least one shelf and the other shelf being pulled out of the interior of the housing.

6. The cabinet of claim 1, comprising a refrigeration system and a controller for controlling the refrigeration system to maintain one or more target temperatures inside the housing.

7. A shelving system for a cabinet, the shelving system comprising: Multiple shelves, wherein each of these shelves comprises: A left-side support member that extends from the front of the cabinet to the rear of the cabinet; A right-side support member that extends from the front of the cabinet to the rear of the cabinet; A rear support member that extends from the left-side support member to the right-side support member in the rear portion of the cabinet; A lateral support member extending from the left-side support member to the right-side support member, wherein the lateral support member is offset from the front edge of the cabinet; and Multiple intermediate support members extend from the front of the cabinet to the rear and are supported by the rear support member and the transverse support member, wherein the intermediate support members include: The rear portion extends from the rear support member to the lateral support member; and The front portion extends from the transverse support to the front edge of the cabinet, wherein the front portion is removable from the rear portion; Multiple left-side guide rail mechanisms, each of which secures the left-side supports of these shelves to the left side wall of the cabinet; and Multiple right-side guide rail mechanisms, each of which secures the right-side supports of these shelves to the right-side wall of the cabinet opposite to the left-side wall of the cabinet; The shelf is configured to accommodate the upright orientation of beverage containers while supporting other beverage containers that are oriented horizontally on the shelf.

8. The shelving system of claim 7, comprising a bottom shelf positioned below the shelves within the cabinet.

9. The shelving system as claimed in claim 7, wherein, The intermediate support is a first intermediate support, and each of the plurality of shelves includes a second intermediate support, and the second intermediate support includes: The rear portion extends from the rear support member to the lateral support member; and The front portion extends from the transverse support to the front edge of the cabinet, wherein the front portion is removable from the rear portion.

10. The shelving system of claim 7, wherein, Each of these intermediate supports for each of the plurality of shelves includes: The rear portion extends from the rear support member to the lateral support member; and The front portion extends from the transverse support to the front edge of the cabinet, wherein the front portion is removable from the rear portion.

11. The shelving system of claim 7, wherein, For each of the plurality of shelves, the front portion of the intermediate support is connected to the rear portion via an interference fit.

12. The shelving system of claim 7, wherein, For each of the plurality of shelves, the front portion of the intermediate support is configured to be connected to the rear portion of the intermediate support at a second position after being removed from a first position on the rear portion.

13. The shelving system of claim 12, wherein, For each of the plurality of shelves, the front portion of the intermediate support is configured to, after being removed from the first position on the rear portion, connect to another rear portion of another intermediate support of another shelf located below the shelf whose front portion has been removed.

14. A shelving system for a cabinet, the shelving system comprising: At least one shelf, the at least one shelf comprising: A left-side support member that extends from the front of the cabinet to the rear of the cabinet; A right-side support member that extends from the front of the cabinet to the rear of the cabinet; A rear support member that extends from the left-side support member to the right-side support member in the rear portion of the cabinet; A lateral support member extending from the left-side support member to the right-side support member, wherein the lateral support member is offset from the front edge of the cabinet; and Multiple intermediate support members extend from the front of the cabinet to the rear and are supported by the rear support member and the transverse support member, wherein the intermediate support members include: The rear portion extends from the rear support member to the lateral support member; and The front portion extends from the transverse support to the front edge of the cabinet, wherein the front portion is removable from the rear portion; The shelf is configured to accommodate the upright orientation of beverage containers while supporting other beverage containers that are oriented horizontally on the shelf.

15. The shelving system of claim 14, comprising: A left guide rail mechanism that fixes the left-side support to the left side wall of the cabinet; as well as The right guide rail mechanism fixes the right-side support to the right side wall of the cabinet, which is opposite to the left side wall of the cabinet.

16. The shelving system of claim 15, wherein, The left and right guide rail mechanisms allow the at least one shelf to move from a storage position within the cabinet to an extended position, where a portion of the at least one shelf extends beyond the front edge of the cabinet.

17. The shelving system of claim 14, wherein, The intermediate support is a first intermediate support, wherein the at least one shelf includes a second intermediate support among the plurality of intermediate supports, and wherein the second intermediate support includes: The rear portion extends from the rear support member to the lateral support member; and The front portion extends from the transverse support to the front edge of the cabinet, wherein the front portion is removable from the rear portion.

18. The shelving system of claim 14, wherein, Each of the plurality of intermediate supports includes: The rear portion extends from the rear support member to the lateral support member; and The front portion extends from the transverse support to the front edge of the cabinet, wherein the front portion is removable from the rear portion.

19. The shelving system of claim 14, wherein, The front portion of the intermediate support is connected to the rear portion via an interference fit.

20. The shelving system of claim 14, wherein, The front portion of the intermediate support is configured to be connected to the rear portion of the intermediate support at a second position after being removed from the first position on the rear portion.

21. The shelving system of claim 20, wherein, The front portion of the intermediate support is configured to connect, after being removed from the first position on the rear portion, to another rear portion of another intermediate support located below the shelf where the front portion was removed.

22. The shelving system of claim 14, comprising a plurality of shelves, wherein, Each of the plurality of shelves includes at least one intermediate support member, the at least one intermediate support member including a removable front portion facing the front edge of the cabinet.

23. The shelving system of claim 14, wherein, The at least one shelf includes a front support extending from the left-side support to the right-side support; The front support supports these intermediate support components; The front portion of the intermediate support extends from the transverse support to the front support; and The front portion of the intermediate support can be removed from the front support.

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