Patents Examined by Jenifer E. Novosad
  • Patent number: 7896171
    Abstract: A gravity feed shelving system is provided in which specially configured tiers contain necked-down channels for the receiving, storing and dispensing of series of flexible packages such as flex bags. Each channel is configured with relatively wide receiving and dispensing portions at the rear and front of the tier, respectively, and a narrowed intermediate portion that partially compresses the flex bags and restrains them against their removal from the channel until the flex bag passes from the intermediate portion into the dispensing portion. The tier has an operatively sloped orientation so that, once placed within the receiving portion of the channel, each flex bag is urged along the channel and into the intermediate portion by the force of its own weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Display & Fixtures Company
    Inventor: Joseph M. Battaglia