Abstract: A display stand assembly comprising a plurality of display stand modules joined together. Each display stand module comprises an upper and lower base or spanner having a plurality of spanner members generally bisecting each other medially. A plurality of vertical uprights extends between the end portions of the spanner members of the upper and lower spanners and are joined to the ends of the upper and lower spanners with a plurality of wedges. A portion of each wedge fits around a clover defined on the vertical uprights and a bracket attached to each spanner member end slides over and attaches to each wedge.

Abstract: A display stand assembly comprising a plurality of display stand modules joined together. Each display stand module comprises an upper and lower base or spanner having a plurality of spanner members generally bisecting each other medially. A plurality of vertical uprights extends between the end portions of the spanner members of the upper and lower spanners and are joined to the ends of the upper and lower spanners with a plurality of wedges. A portion of each wedge fits around a clover defined on the vertical uprights and a bracket attached to each spanner member end slides over and attaches to each wedge.

Abstract: A pneumatic product vending and delivery system is provided which preferably uses an existing product vending machine as a storage and loading device for use in a pneumatic vending and delivery system along with an interface unit in place of the vending machine door. A product dispensing terminal is provided that is connected by the delivery tube of a pneumatic conveyor from the storage and loading device, which has a loading mechanism configured to load a product dispensed by the dispensing mechanism into the delivery tube. The pneumatic conveyor includes a back pressure source operable to apply reverse pressure to a product in the delivery tube to gently slow a product approaching the product dispensing terminal through the tube. A gate is selectively moveable into and out of the path of a product proximate the outlet end of the delivery tube to stop a product slowed by the back pressure source and to release the stopped product for delivery to a customer at the product dispensing terminal.

Abstract: A display stand assembly comprising a plurality of display stand modules joined together. Each display stand module comprises an upper and lower base having a central portion and a plurality of arms extending outwardly from the central portion. A plurality of vertical posts extend between the end portions of the arms of the upper and lower bases and are connected to the arms of the upper and lower bases with a plurality of hubs. Each hub has a plurality of connectors for receiving the arms of adjacent display stand modules in order to connect the display stand modules to each other. A portion of each hub fits inside one of the vertical posts.

Abstract: A display rack is provided in which a plurality of shelves are mounted in at desired locations along vertical corner posts by magnetized wedge lock elements. Each wedge lock element is of a one-piece construction having an outwardly extending projection adapted to seat within a dimple or detent vertically spaced along a surface or corner of the corner posts. The shelves are formed with a sleeve at each corner adapted to fit over the corner posts and into engagement with the wedge lock elements. The wedge lock elements become wedged between the corner posts and sleeves to prevent downward vertical movement of the shelves relative to the corner posts while permitting easy adjustment of the shelves by moving the magnetized wedge locks to a new position along the corner posts.

Abstract: A self standing merchandiser adapted to straddle a pallet loaded with product or an end display of product. The merchandiser comprises a continuous frame made of multiple pieces having an inverted U-shaped front portion and an inverted U-shaped rear portion connected by two stabilizer portions adapted to engage the supporting surface of the continuous frame. A plurality of parallel shelves extend between the front and rear portions of the merchandiser on the exterior of the frame and provide additional shelving.

Abstract: An existing product vending machine, such as a refrigerated vending machine provided by a bottled soft drink manufacturer or distributer, is adapted to serve as a storage and loading device for use in a pneumatic vending and delivery system by installing an interface unit in place of the vending machine door. The interface unit may be configured to mount on hinges or other pre-existing panel supporting structure of the vending machine and to lock to pre-existing latching structure on the vending machine. Alternatively, the dispensing mechanism and product storage supply from one or more product vending machines may be installed in a vault and equipped with one or more of the interfaces. The interface is provided with a loading tube that connects to the upstream end of the tube of a pneumatic conveyor of the vending and delivery system.

Abstract: A system is provided for vending products such as beverage and other food products, preferably individually packaged, from a storage unit to a customer terminal at a remote location through a pneumatic tube conveyor to move the product from storage to a dispensing unit at the remote location in response to product selection made by a customer at the remote location. Preferably, a vending system is provided for marketing products to customers of a facility at which they are engaged in a transaction for the purchase of another product or service of a diverse vending system. In such an embodiment, payment for the purchase price of the product is accounted for through the payment subsystem that accounts for the transaction with the diverse vending system. For example, an ancillary system may sell food, beverages or vehicle care products to gasoline customers by charging to a gasoline charge system having a credit card reader associated with a self-service gasoline pump to process the gasoline purchase charge.

Abstract: A wheeled display rack comprising a back panel, two side panels connected to the edges of the back panel, a plurality of removable shelves and a wheeled support including rotatable wheels. The wheeled support is movable between an active position in which the display rack may be supported by the wheeled support and an inactive position in which the display rack may not be supported by the wheeled support. In one embodiment the wheeled support comprises a wheel carriage and the side panels may or may not be collapsible. In another embodiment, the wheeled support comprises rear frame members of side panels which must be collapsible in order for the wheeled support to reach its active position.

Abstract: A system is provided for vending food products such as individually packaged beverages from a storage unit to a remote location such as a service counter or the service island of a gasoline service facility. Preferably, a pneumatic tube conveyor moves the product from storage to a dispensing unit at the remote location in response to product selection made by a customer at the remote location. Preferably, payment for the sale of the product item is coordinated with information from another vending or accounting system such as a gasoline charge system that includes a credit card reader associated with a fully automated self-service gasoline pump. The product is moved through the conveyor in a reusable carrier or in its own product packaging container that serves as a carrier. The carrier is formed with one or more annular seals to facilitate maintenance of pressure across the carrier and movement around curved sections of the tube.

Abstract: A low friction slip surface track for a merchandizing display rack including an extruded plastic base plate and a plurality of co-extruded plastic beads. The beads are formed of a compounded plastic, a mixture of high impact styrene and a percentage of silicone varying from 0.5 percent (0.5%) to 10 percent (10%). The base plate is formed of pure high impact styrene. The silicone in the beads makes the beads of lower surface friction than the base plate, facilitating the transfer of product down the track. The beads are formed of a light color plastic. The base plate is formed of a dark plastic to hide dirt while still creating an attractive merchandizing track and rack employing the track.

Abstract: A system is provided for vending food products such as individually packaged beverages from a temperature maintained storage unit to a remote location such as a service counter or the service island of a gasoline service facility. Preferably, a pneumatic tube conveyor moves the product from storage to a dispensing unit at the remote location in response to product selection made by a customer at the remote location. Preferably, payment for the sale of the product item is coordinated with information from another vending or accounting system such as a gasoline charge system that includes a credit card reader associated with a fully automated self-service gasoline pump. The product is moved through the conveyor in a reusable carrier or in its own product packaging container that serves as a carrier.

Abstract: A multisided refrigerated display cabinet preferably being hexagonal in cross section and at least one door for accessing the interior product compartment from one side. Rotatable or non-rotatable shelves are provided within the display compartment. Three alternating insulated walls each include a recessed air duct leading from a refrigeration unit within a base of the display cabinet upwardly into the product compartment and opening to the product compartment. Three lights are mounted within the walls of the cabinet at locations substantially equally space about the periphery of the product compartment. Each major outer surface of the display cabinet also includes an adjustable bumper pad for protecting that surface from the impact of shopping carts and the like.

Abstract: A merchandiser for merchandising refrigerated food products comprised as a support structure having two ends, refrigerated merchandising shelves spanning between the ends of the support structure, and a refrigerator for refrigerating product located on the refrigerated merchandising shelves. Each shelf is individually supplied with refrigerated air from the refrigerator. The merchandiser is placed adjacent checkout aisle with one end of the merchandiser abutting an end of the checkout counter, and preferably the express lane checkout counter. Refrigerated food products are thereby accessible and removable from the refrigerated merchandising shelves of the merchandiser from either side of the merchandiser as customers pass down the aisles to the express lane checkout stations.

Abstract: The gravity feed shelf design can be supported in either the cantilever configuration or upon a warehouse-style rack and includes an upper slip surface layer. The shelf design includes dividers which can be selectively positioned on the upper slip surface layer of the shelf to provide for adjustable width channels to arrange the merchandise in a gravity feed configuration upon the shelf. The shelf design includes an open frame configuration which supports a plurality of inverted box-shaped channels coupled together to provide a stable, rigid surface to support the merchandise thereon. A slip surface layer is then positioned atop the channels and open frame for the gravity feed advance of the merchandise on the shelf.

Abstract: Apparatus for merchandising product including an enclosure having circular, rotatable shelves each including compartmentalized portions which are product specific. The merchandising display apparatus is particularly suitable for displaying refrigerated or frozen products such as frozen dessert products. Each shelf is formed by a lower shelf support which may receive shelves having differently configured compartments for receiving different products. The shelves are modular in the sense that they may be removed and replaced with different shelves such that the merchandising display may be adapted to hold many varied types of products.