Adjustable drip tray assembly for gravity-fed display system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gravity-fed display systems face difficulties in removing and cleaning the drip tray without spilling, and the proximity of shelves to refrigerated cooler doors complicates product retrieval due to space constraints.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable drip tray assembly with clip assemblies that securely attach and adjustably position the drip tray on the rack, utilizing spring-loaded brackets for easy installation, removal, and cleaning, and caster assemblies for mobility, allowing the tray to be positioned away from the cooler door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional drip tray extends the entire depth of the rack, then it effectively catches excess liquid and spillage, but it becomes difficult to remove and drain without spilling
Solution Approach 1:
The drip tray is divided into multiple sections with raised dividers that create separate compartments. This segmentation allows the tray to be removed and drained more easily by tilting and pouring out liquid from each compartment independently, rather than attempting to drain a single large continuous tray.
Solution Approach 2:
The drip tray incorporates a raised divider structure that adds vertical dimension to the tray design. The dividers create elevated compartments that facilitate liquid accumulation and drainage pathways, enabling easier removal and cleaning while maintaining effective liquid containment across the rack depth.
2Productivity
If shelves are positioned close to the cooler door to maximize shelf space, then inventory turnover increases, but product retrieval becomes difficult due to limited accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The rack structure is segmented into multiple levels with the drip tray assembly positioned at the bottom, creating distinct functional zones. This segmentation allows the upper shelves to be positioned closer to the cooler door for maximum space utilization, while the lower drip tray area provides operational clearance for easy product retrieval and tray maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The drip tray assembly is designed to be adjustable and removable, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the rack structure. This enables optimization of shelf positioning near the cooler door while maintaining accessibility through the removable tray design that provides clearance space.
3Area of stationary object
If shelves are positioned close to the cooler door, then shelf space is maximized, but the drip tray becomes difficult to access for cleaning and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The drip tray is segmented into removable sections with raised dividers, allowing individual compartments to be accessed and cleaned independently. This segmentation enables maintenance personnel to easily remove and clean the tray without needing to access the entire rack structure, even when shelves are positioned close to the cooler door.
Solution Approach 2:
The drip tray assembly is designed to be completely removable from the rack structure. This extraction capability allows the tray to be taken out for cleaning and maintenance without disturbing the shelf positioning near the cooler door, thereby maintaining maximum shelf space while ensuring easy access for maintenance activities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable drip tray assembly simplifies the removal, cleaning, and replacement of the drip tray, enhancing product accessibility by spacing it from the cooler door, making it easier to use and maintain.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring nut disposed within the through-hole and into the first receiving member to secure the projecting bracket to the body
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable drip tray assembly for a rack of a gravity-fed display shelf. The adjustable drip tray assembly includes a pair of clip assemblies attached to the rack, each clip assembly having a body with a base, a front end, and a rear end. A projecting bracket is coupled to the front end, an adjustable bracket is disposed between the front and rear ends of the body, and a spacing bracket is disposed near the rear end. The adjustable bracket includes a longitudinal slot and a spring nut disposed within the longitudinal slot and into a receiving member to secure the adjustable bracket to the body. A drip tray includes ends disposed on the pair of clip assemblies, the pair of clip assemblies supporting and adjustably securing the drip tray to the rack and spacing the drip tray from the rack.