Pivoting Gravity-Feed Shelving for Rear Refill Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shelf assemblies require connection to an outer cabinet or another shelf for controlled motion between display and refill positions, which is not feasible in all settings, such as shops and cold-storage rooms without an outer cabinet, and often result in inefficient use of staff time for product rotation.
Innovation Solution
A shelf assembly with a shelving section and base plate equipped with roller means and a position-fixing means featuring high friction material for secure pivoting between display and refill positions, allowing independent operation without external support, and enabling connection of multiple assemblies for enhanced stability and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the shelf assembly is made completely movable on wheels for refilling from behind, then refilling efficiency is improved, but the shelf assembly becomes difficult to steer and control
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf assembly employs a dynamic positioning system where the base plate can pivot between a display position (locked) and a refill position (unlocked). The locking mechanism allows the shelf to be stationary and controlled during normal operation, then becomes movable when refilling is needed, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and refilling efficiency
2Ease of operation
If the shelf assembly is connected to an outer cabinet or another shelf for controlled motion, then motion control is improved, but the shelf assembly cannot be used in settings without an outer cabinet
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf assembly incorporates an integrated locking mechanism attached to the base plate itself, rather than requiring external support structures. The position-fixing means with high friction material provides self-contained motion control, allowing the shelf to be used independently without an outer cabinet or additional shelf connections, thus improving versatility while maintaining ease of operation
3Ease of operation
If conventional shelf assemblies are used where products are supplied from the front, then staff can easily access products, but staff time is wasted removing remaining products before supplying new products
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf assembly is designed to be refilled from the rear instead of the front. By pivoting the base plate to the refill position, staff can access and supply new products from the rear of the shelf without needing to remove existing products from the front. This inverted refilling approach eliminates the time-wasting product rotation while maintaining easy customer access from the front
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
Enables efficient product rotation and refill from behind without damaging surface layers, allowing for easy reordering and reducing staff time, while allowing multiple assemblies to be arranged side by side for simultaneous refilling.
Implementation Method 1
roller means, which are adapted to roll on a base
Implementation Method 2
The high friction material provides frictional engagement with the base. The thus achieved frictional engagement can be used as a single engagement, which is advantageous since this prevents damage to surface layers on, for instance, floors
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a shelf assembly for products, comprising a shelving section (103) which has a plurality of gravity-feeding shelves (111) and a base plate (105), the underside of which is provided with roller means (117), which are adapted to roll on a base; and a position-fixing means (107) which extends along the base and which is arranged to engage the base. The shelving section (103) is pivotally connected (123) to the position-fixing means (107) and is pivotable between at least one display position, in which the shelves are accessible from the front of the shelving section, and a refill position, in which the shelves are accessible from the rear of the shelving section.