Abstract: A crisper drawer for a refrigerator is provided. The crisper drawer includes a crisper pan and a shelf. The crisper pan has a pair of pan rolling surfaces with a ramp portion. The shelf is fixed to the storage compartment, and has a pair of fixed shelf rollers. Each of the pair of the fixed shelf rollers rolls on each of the pan rolling surfaces, and each of the pair of the pan rear rollers rolls on each of the shelf rolling surfaces. As the user pushes the crisper drawer closed, both the shelf rollers and the pan rollers roll on the rolling surfaces. When the shelf rollers reach a ramp portion, the crisper drawer is self-closed without the user's pushing operation.

Abstract: A crisper drawer for a refrigerator is provided. The crisper drawer includes a crisper pan and a shelf. The crisper pan has a pair of pan rolling surfaces with a ramp portion. The shelf is fixed to the storage compartment, and has a pair of fixed shelf rollers. Each of the pair of the fixed shelf rollers rolls on each of the pan rolling surfaces, and each of the pair of the pan rear rollers rolls on each of the shelf rolling surfaces. As the user pushes the crisper drawer closed, both the shelf rollers and the pan rollers roll on the rolling surfaces. When the shelf rollers reach a ramp portion, the crisper drawer is self-closed without the user's pushing operation.

Abstract: Storage systems are provided with a first shelf and a drop-down shelf. In one example, the storage system includes first and second link members that are each slidably and pivotably attached with respect to the first shelf. Each of the link members is also pivotably attached with respect to the drop-down shelf. In another example, the storage system includes first and second stationary track guides that each extend away from the first shelf. The drop-down shelf includes first and second support structures that are each slidably received in a respective one of the stationary track guides.

Abstract: Storage systems are provided with a first shelf and a drop-down shelf. In one example, the storage system includes first and second link members that are each slidably and pivotably attached with respect to the first shelf. Each of the link members is also pivotably attached with respect to the drop-down shelf. In another example, the storage system includes first and second stationary track guides that each extend away from the first shelf. The drop-down shelf includes first and second support structures that are each slidably received in a respective one of the stationary track guides.

Abstract: A protective foam layer is provided. The protective layer has a foam substrate that is at least partially enclosed by a formed skin adjacent the outer surface of the foam substrate. The formed skin is substantially non-porous. The combination of the foam substrate with the formed skin results in a protective layer that is effective to absorb and/or dissipate impact force for both high- and low-speed impacts that can be experienced during a sporting event such as cycling. The formed skin can also be provided with a plurality of protective zones having vent holes through the formed skin to regulate the degree of energy absorption in the respective zones. In this manner, a single continuous protective foam layer can be provided having multiple protective zones having distinct energy absorption characteristics instead of providing discrete protective layers that must be joined or meet at a seam.

Abstract: A product delivery system for a vending machine includes first and second guide rails and a carriage rail. The guide rails are fixedly mounted in the vending machine spaced from and parallel to each other and extend along respective first and second axes. The carriage rail extends along a third axis and includes first and second ends that are slidably connected to the respective ones of the first and second guide rails. A carrier member is slidably mounted to the carriage rail for movement along the third axis. A first drive belt is coupled to the carriage rail and a first drive motor to selectively shift the carrier member along the third axis. A second drive belt, extending in multiple axes, is connected to each of the first and second ends of the carriage rail and a second drive motor. The second drive motor selectively shifts the carriage rail along the first and second axes upon driving the second drive belt.

Abstract: A vending machine includes first and second integrated dispensing systems mounted at front portions of adjacent product shelf dividers establishing at least first, second and third product queues. Each of the first and second dispensing systems includes first and second release mechanisms having a plurality of hinged plates supported by a frame. The plurality of hinged plates are selectively shifted into and out of corresponding ones of the first, second and third product queues, such that each product queue has associated therewith two opposing release mechanisms. Preferably, at least one of the first and second release mechanisms for each dispensing system includes a queue spacing member which is mounted to one of the hinged plates and projects into the product queue to establish a desired spacing between the release mechanisms.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a storage/display region, a dispensing chamber including a product access opening, and an anti-pilfer device that prevents unauthorized removal of products from the storage/display region through the product access opening. A delivery door is provided which can be shifted from a closed position to an open position to enable the removal of products from the dispensing chamber. The anti-pilfer device includes a plate coupled to a lower portion of the delivery door. When the delivery door is moved from the closed position, the anti-pilfer plate shifts, over a guide element, into a position that prevents products from being withdrawn from the storage/display area. Preferably, the storage/display region and dispensing chamber are separated by a product door, with the anti-pilfer plate preventing the product door from opening when the delivery door is shifted from the closed position.

Abstract: A multi-leaf page for mounting substrate articles comprises an imperforate base leaf, a top leaf, and an intermediate leaf positioned between the top leaf and the base leaf. The base leaf, the intermediate leaf, and the top leaf are arranged in overlying parallel relation and are joined together at edges thereof such that the leaves can be pivotally separated from one another to enable the substrate articles to be mounted therebetween. The top leaf and the intermediate leaf include a pair of aligned windows for enabling a substrate article to be mounted to the base leaf and exposed through the aligned windows. The top leaf, the intermediate leaf, and the base leaf have imperforate regions overlying one another where no windows are formed in any of the leafs.