Patents by Inventor Milton J. Merl

Milton J. Merl has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7913860
    Abstract: A gravity-fed storage and dispensing unit featuring two sidewalls having opposed ledges which form a plurality of separated rearwardly-directed paths, a receiving bin area, and a forwardly-directed path for products to be stored and dispensed. Products placed on a loading area on the front side of the dispensing unit are pulled by gravity down the rearwardly-directed path, into a product receiving bin, and then travel together along the forwardly directed path in two rows. The products from the different rearwardly-directed paths are interspersed in the product receiving bin area. The sidewalls of the dispensing unit have bosses which receive divider rods of varying lengths so that the width of the paths can be adjusted. Multiple units may be attached to each other in an adjacent relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Publication number: 20090090739
    Abstract: A gravity-fed storage and dispensing unit featuring two sidewalls having opposed ledges which form a plurality of separated rearwardly-directed paths, a receiving bin area, and a forwardly-directed path for products to be stored and dispensed. Products placed on a loading area on the front side of the dispensing unit are pulled by gravity down the rearwardly-directed path, into a product receiving bin, and then travel together along the forwardly directed path in two rows. The products from the different rearwardly-directed paths are interspersed in the product receiving bin area. The sidewalls of the dispensing unit have bosses which receive divider rods of varying lengths so that the width of the paths can be adjusted. Multiple units may be attached to each other in an adjacent relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: MILTON J. MERL
  • Patent number: 6520093
    Abstract: A multi-use table has a central table flanked by extension wings which are independently positionable in vertical upward, horizontal and vertical downward orientations. A locking device is provided in association with each wing, and may consist of a right-angle arm mounted to a lower surface of the central table for sliding and rotational motion. A distal end of the arm engages the wing for locking purposes. In a preferred embodiment the distal end of the arm is retained in a pocket in the wing between upper and lower wing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: 6168032
    Abstract: A shelf construction for use in gondola systems having spaced vertical uprights comprises a shelf floor which is removably mounted to front and rear rails. The rails are in turn supported by shelf brackets projecting from the uprights. The front and rear rails are provided with horizontal slots to accept the shelf floor and vertical slots along their lengths to accommodate shelf dividers which can be used to segregate product placed on the shelf. The shelf brackets are preferably tilted forwardly downwardly, the shelf floor having a low-friction surface to allow arrayed and displayed products to migrate towards the front edge of the shelf, making them more accessible for observation and removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: 6142317
    Abstract: An apparatus for the display and storage of package products in a store environment for access by consumers is adapted for use in conjunction with conventional display gondolas having uprights for shelf mounting. The apparatus includes a gravity feed unit for positioning on a shelf behind an array of products to drive the products forward on the shelf towards a bumper unit. A track for guiding the gravity feed unit slopes downwardly towards the front of the shelf, allowing a force to be generated by the pusher unit against the arrayed products. The pusher may have a platform on which products may be placed to increase the effective mass of the pusher to enhance the produced forward force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: 5921412
    Abstract: A shelf assembly suitable for displaying products in refrigerated environments has a wire mat mounted to two brackets. The wire mat has a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel product support rods having integral, downwardly-extending, U-shaped portions in which cross bars are welded. The tops of the cross bars and product support bars are co-planar forming a substantially planar product supporting surface. Stiffening members are welded to the bottom surfaces of the U-shaped portions to impart rigidity to the wire mat. A rearward end bar engages one of a plurality of locking slots in the mounting brackets to provide a plurality of positions for the wire mat. Guide rails extending over the wire mat define discrete product channels. Forwardly-extending portions of the product supporting rods form extensions to the product channels to which product label holders can be mounted. A shelf extension is removably mountable between the brackets when the wire mat is in a forward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: 5921411
    Abstract: A shelf assembly has a shelf unit and pair of shelf brackets adapted to be mounted on aperture-bearing uprights of a gondola shelving support system. The shelf unit has a product-supporting panel with integral, outwardly and downwardly-extending side flanges adapted to engage outside surfaces of the shelf brackets to limit the lateral movement of said shelf unit. A thin, corrugated support structure is connected to the underside of the panel and spans between the side flanges. The support structure is spaced from the side flanges forming gaps allowing the shelf brackets to contact the underside of the panel to reduce the vertical space occupied by said shelf assembly. Stops associated with the shelf brackets and the shelf unit limit the forward and rearward movement of the shelf with respect to the shelf brackets. Integral front and rear flanges extend upwardly from the panel and provide boundaries for products supported thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: 5769247
    Abstract: A product display system comprises a bracket particularly adapted to support and display multi-pack products is, mounted to vertical uprights. In a first embodiment the bracket supports the multi-pack products both at the bottom of the multi-pack as well as along the bottom surface of a common top cover. In a second embodiment, particularly adapted for the support of multi-pack products in an overwrap, the bracket supports the product at the bottom and has upstanding sides for lateral product support. The support elements are preferably formed from wire stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: 5715957
    Abstract: A shelving system is designed for use in conjunction with a store gondola unit having a pair of uprights for conventional shelves. The system has a pair of auxiliary uprights which are mounted to a crossbar which in turn can be affixed to the gondola uprights. The auxiliary uprights are of a right-angle construction, each of the legs of the construction being provided with closely spaced apertures. Horizontal shelf supports are mounted to the auxiliary uprights, engagement occurring in two perpendicular planes to rigidly lock the shelf supports in position. A shelf is slidably mounted to the horizontal supports, and may include front and rear portions, the rear portion being pivotable between a horizontal and an elevated position. The front portion may include a well at the front thereof to further maintain product at the front of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: 5641081
    Abstract: A product display system comprises a bracket particularly adapted to support and display multi-pack products is mounted to vertical uprights. In a first embodiment the bracket supports the multi-pack products both at the bottom of the multi-pack as well as along the bottom surface of a common top cover. In a second embodiment, particularly adapted for the support of multi-pack products in an overwrap, the bracket supports the product at the bottom and has upstanding sides for lateral product support. The support elements are preferably formed from wire stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: 5526944
    Abstract: An inventory/facing construction currently available gondola which allows it to accommodate faster moving inventory without changing the desired planogrammed facings. A horizonal shelf carries symmetrical anchors at each rear end. A three-way arm has one arm pivotally secured to a forward finger, a second arm retaining; a counter balance spring between the second arm and an upper rear finger of the anchor, and a third arm extending diagonally upwardly pivotally secured to front anchors at each front end of the shelf. The front anchors support a vertical panel between the standards, forming a smaller version of a gondola upright, peg board construction, and supported desired shelving and facings. A bar is pivotally secured to the arms and anchors.The front anchors define a cam surface which engages a cam follower at the forward end of the horizonal shelf causing the panel to move its substantially full horizonal extent as soon as possible and then to drop vertically to its full extent thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: 5509541
    Abstract: An improved bracket construction for the storage and display of cylindrically and dish-shaped products in an orientation in which the top thereof is oriented generally vertically includes a pair of horizontal hanging bar units adapted to mount to the vertical standards utilized in conjunction with conventional gondola displays. The hanging bar units include a hanging bar and attachable brackets, the brackets being positionable along the length of the hanging bar and having hooks for engaging the vertical gondola standards. Vertical uprights are mounted to the hanging bars, and support at least one cradle assembly for support of the products. In a preferred embodiment, the cradle assembly includes a horizontal bar which is mounted to the vertical uprights, and at least one product cradle, extending forwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: 5480039
    Abstract: A two bin inventory construction to accommodate similar products in different size packaging, or the same shape and size products which sell at different rates. The construction is self-contained and sits on a gondola base, a shelf spaced from the base, or via hooks directly to the gondola uprights, and includes a first lower bin and a second upper bin. The upper front portion of the lower bin is truncated to accommodate the smaller bin. The bins may each have a cradle configuration so that as goods are removed, remaining goods will fall to an accessible location. The smaller bin is pivotally mounted on the sides to the larger bin allowing the small bin to be swung to a lower position allowing greater access to the larger bin. When the smaller bin is in its normal position, its inventory is directly accessible, while the larger bin inventory is accessible by an opening formed between the smaller bin and a forward lip of the larger bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: 5472103
    Abstract: A segmented shelving construction in which the vertical shelving cubic volumes are custom designed in accordance with the actual product being sold. The shelving is attached to a standard upright gondola construction consisting of a base and at least two vertical uprights per gondola. The uprights have a plurality of vertical slots to be engaged by hooks supporting the shelving. In the present invention, horizontal hanging bars with adjustable end male plugs carrying hooks to be received within the vertical upright slots are positioned at a desired height. The hanging bars then receive at least two vertical shelving standards, the shelving standards contain elongated slots near the top and bottom edges of the standards, or at any other desired location. The hanging bars are received in the vertical slots and there is sufficient room for them to be moved within the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: 5441161
    Abstract: A multi-level peg assembly for attachment to a pegbar having a predetermined width, such assembly comprising: an elongated peg wire bent to provide a horizontal spine, a vertical back peg hangar depending from the rearmost portion of said spine, a front peg hanger depending from the forwardmost portion of said spine, a back peg extending forwardly from said back peg hanger, and a front peg extending forwardly from said front peg hanger; said spine, hangers, and pegs all being disposed in a common plane; a pair of rigidifying wires disposed in tandem and in association with said spine; said rigidifying wires each having vertical mounting legs depending from rearmost portions thereof; said vertical mounting legs being spaced from said back peg hanger a predetermined distance substantially equal to the width of the pegbar; detent locking means formed integrally with lower portions of said mounting legs; a C-shaped bracket having a horizontal top wall and a horizontal bottom wall joined by a front wall; a first e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Milton Merl & Associates Inc.
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: 5417396
    Abstract: A universal shelf bracket composed of three basic interlocking components held together and adjusted by a screw and rectangular nut. The bracket engages a pair of vertically aligned slots in a vertical wall and can be adjusted to fit a variety of slot spacings and depths. The bracket is constructed so that its tabs are both flush with the same outer wall while still allowing the bracket to fit squarely in the slots. Left and right brackets can be constructed so that two brackets can be engaged to one common pair of vertically aligned slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: 5305898
    Abstract: A merchandise saddle display system for attachment to a vertical wall of a display case, including a male back containing at least two vertically aligned slots, and means for attaching the male back to the vertical wall, a saddle adapted to be cantilevered from the male back, the saddle having means for supporting at least one merchandise package, and engaging means mounted from the saddle for detachably securing the saddle to the male back, and including at least one engaging member having a body portion and at least one upper and at least one lower tab, each of the tabs being adapted to be received within the slots, the upper and lower tabs being spaced from the body portion, wherein the upper tab is spaced to a greater distance from the body portion than the lower tab for facilitating insertion and removal of the tabs into and from the slots, whereby the saddle is easily removable and replaceable in the vertically aligned slots on the male back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: D315270
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Gannett Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: D316428
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Gannett Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: D316873
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Gannett Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl