GB2390084A

GB2390084A - Storage device comprising pots or trays on a column

Info

Publication number: GB2390084A
Application number: GB0217370A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alex Hall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-24
Filing date: 2002-07-26
Publication date: 2003-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-26
Also published as: GB0217370D0; GB2390084B

Abstract

A storage and dispensing device comprises a base, an upright column and a series of pots or trays each having an opening preferably of keyhole shape whereby they may be attached to and removed from the column in a radial direction. The pots or trays may be moulded from resilient plastics sheet and may be snap fitted onto the column. A stop notch may be provided to raise the lowermost pot above the base and the pots, which may contain food products, may have a foil closure. A recess for receiving implements such as cocktail sticks may be provided at the upper end of the column.

Description

STORAGE AND DISPENSING DEVICE

This invention concerns an improved storage and dispensing device, more especially for use in dispensing products in pre-packaged form at the point of sale. This Application is related to co-pending Application No. 0214513.4 a copy of which is attached as Appendix A, and the disclosure of which forms part of this description.

In accordance with the invention, a dispensing device comprises a mounting base providing an upright column, in combination with a plurality of pots or trays each having an opening passing vertically therethrough and extending from a central region to the periphery, in order that a plurality of containers can be stacked one above the other around the said column, each container being capable of being removed radially from the stack in such a manner that the central column passes through the radial opening.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a stand having a central column, Figure 2 is a plan view of the stand shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a sectional elevation showing a stack of containers in position around the central column, Figure 4 is an exploded view showing part of an array of stacked containers, and Figure 5 is a view of a modified form of stand for use with containers as shown in Figure 4.

- 2 Referring to the drawings, a novel dispensing arrangement for example for snack food products, comprises a plurality of stacked trays or pots of generally keyhole shape as shown more clearly in Figure 4.

Containers such as shown in Figure 4 may be formed by moulding of resilient thermoplastic sheet material, in order that the keyhole slots having the configuration illustrated may be snapped around the central column of the stand to form a stack as shown in Figure 3.

Although, as illustrated in Figure 4, the pots are shown in the form of open trays, for dispensing of, for example, food products, the containers would be closed by means of a foil cover secured to the peripheral flange illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

As illustrated in Figures 1-3 and 5, the upper end of the column of the stand illustrated may comprise a recess for receiving implements such as cocktail sticks.

Although as shown in Figure 3, the containers may rest upon the base of the stand, a stop notch may be provided as shown in Figure 5 in order that the stack of containers is raised above the base.

An arrangement in accordance with the invention forms a novel dispensing arrangement for snack foods intended to be purchased from a display at the point of sale. It will be appreciated that various alterations may be made to the described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, although the containers illustrated are resilient and comprise a keyhole slot to be snapped around the central column of the stand, the opening in the container may simply be of a U-

shaped form without the need for snap engagement therewith. The containers may then be rigid. Also, although the containers illustrated are of generally annular shape, any form of container may be supported in a stack making use of the stand illustrated, it only being necessary that some form of radial recess be provided to

- 3 extend through the containers in order that they may be supported one above the other around the central column of the stand whilst being removable therefrom in a radial direction. In addition the stop notch shown in Figure 5 may be replaced by an abutment of any shape capable of supporting a container, and a plurality of such abutments may be provided for supporting a plurality of containers in spaced relation one above another.

! - 4 APPENDIX "A"

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a flexible keyhole plastic pot that packages foods and other non food products.

The pot is mounted on a hollow pole welded or screwed into a base with a barrier In the top of hollow pole to cany implements or signs The pole may be made out of wood, metal or plastic.

The object of this invention is to provide a method of dispensing a product from a counter or bar, which is freestanding and is movable. It also gives the opportunity to mm different products/flavours on Me same pole, as there is no need to lift pot up and over, the pot of choice can be pulled off, so long as the pot shape is consistent.

The pot shape can be any shape, the flexible keyhole design on the pole is relevant. Preferably the pole/stand is made out of metal or plastics material, but it may instead be made from wood, or from a combination of these materials. See diagram.

- 5 - KEYHOLE POT ON POLE

1. A keyhole pot on pole as a point of sale, packaging dispenser including a post of no fixed height, fixed to a base.

2. The dispenser as claimed in Claim 1 where the apex incorporates a

hollow win a barrier for the purpose of placing a food eating implement (such as cocktail sticks) or a point of sale sign on a bung/cork. 3. The dispenser as claimed in Claim 1 and 2 to be utilised in conjunction with and to display a variety of vertically stacked, flexible, plastic keyhole pots that can package food and non-food products. 4. The dispenser as claimed in Claim I and 2 and 3 can hold any number of pots (depending on height of the pole) of varying product varieties and dispense them manually from any position or level. 5. The dispenser as claimed in Claim I can be placed on a bar or counter as a point of sale dispenser and is movable. It does not require to be fixed.

6. The keyhole pot or package as claimed in Claim 3 can be manually extracted from the pole at any level.

7. The keyhole pot on pole dispenser as claimed in any proceeding claim provides a method of dispensing a product from a counter or bar, which is freestanding and is movable.

- 6 8. The keyhole pot on pole dispenser as claimed in any proceeding claim gives the opportunity to display a variety of products or flavours of a generic food product or product on the same pole.

There is no requirement to lift pot up and over, the pot of choice can be manually extracted at any level.

9. The keyhole pot shape as claimed in any proceeding claim can be any shape, so long as it retains the keyhole for dispensing purposes.

lO.The keyhole pot and pole dispenser as claimed in any proceeding claim can dispense ambient or fresh food products or other dry or wet products.

Il.The keyhole pole dispenser as claimed in any proceeding claim which is made from metal or plastics or wood materials or from a combination of these materials.

12.The keyhole pot as claimed in any proceeding claim which is made fiom any form of plastic or flexible metal.

13.A keyhole pot on pole substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Claims

-: - - CLAIMS

1. A storage and dispensing device comprising a mounting base providing an upright column, in combination with a plurality of pots or trays each having an opening passing vertically therethrough and extending from a central region to the periphery, in order that a plurality of containers can be stacked one above the other around the said column, each container being capable of being removed radially from the stack in such a manner that the central column passes through the radial opening.

2. A storage and dispensing device as in Claim 1 characterized in that the radial opening of the containers is keyhole shaped.

3. A storage and dispensing device as in any preceding claim characterized in that the containers are formed of resilient thermoplastic sheet material, defining a base portion bounded by upright walls defining the periphery of said container and said opening.

4. A storage and dispensing device as in any preceding claim characterized in that the containers are closed by means of a foil cover secured to a peripheral flange.

5. A storage and dispensing device as in any preceding claim characterized in that the upper end of the column of the stand comprises a recess for receiving implements such as cocktail sticks.

6. A storage and dispensing device as in any preceding claim characterized in that the containers rest upon a stop notch such that they are raised above the base of the stand.

7. A storage and dispensing device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.