Supports: cabinet structure – With movable components – Having biasing means
Patent
1994-08-17
1995-10-24
Dorner, Kenneth J.
Supports: cabinet structure
With movable components
Having biasing means
312305, 312117, A47B 9502
Patent
active
054604427
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The object of the invention is a device to be used in the sale of groceries, especially pastries or similar groceries. This device comprises a side, made at least in part of transparent material, behind which groceries can be placed, this side being fitted with openings through which the groceries are taken from inside the device.
2. Related Art
When different kinds of groceries are sold loose as, for instance pastries, they are usually placed on the shelves behind a transparent plate so that the customers can see them but the salespeople take the products from the shelf at the customers' request and wrap them up in bags or other packages. A special worker is needed for this job, which increases costs. Some products are sold as self-service so that customers take them from trays or other such things. Pastries and similar products cannot be kept in an open space facing the store for hygienic reasons because in an open space they would be exposed to dust, saliva and other forms of uncleanliness or could be damaged.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aim of the invention is to bring forward a device to be used in the sale of groceries and especially pastries, and with this device the disadvantages connected with present devices can be avoided. More precisely, the aim of the invention is to bring forward a device which is hygienic and, when it is in use, allow customers themselves can take the products they wish from the device. In addition, the aim of the invention is to bring forward a device which is simple in structure, reliable and easy to use and which saves labor costs.
The device according to the invention comprises a plate equipped with openings which has been fastened to the front of the side so that it can freely revolve, these openings have been arranged to turn to the front of the openings of the side when groceries are taken from the device. Groceries are brought to the device and placed, for example, in their tray onto the shelves of the device or against supports so that the groceries coincide with the openings of the side. When the device is not in use, the plate is turned in such a way that its openings do not coincide with the openings of the side. In this case, the plate covers the openings of the side and the groceries are behind the plate sheltered from dust, saliva and other uncleanliness. When a customer wishes to take some grocery from the device, the plate turns as a result of the customer's actions so that the openings of both the side and the plate coincide and the customer is able to take the grocery of his/her choice from the device. The device is suitable for all kinds of groceries and especially for pastries or similar fresh groceries.
In a favorable embodiment of the invention, one half of the plate is heavier than the other half with respect to the shaft of the plate. In this case, the plate turns freely to a certain position. The plate can, in some embodiments, be for example fastened eccentrically to the shaft whereas in other embodiments a weight can be connected to one half of the plate or it can be made of heavier or thicker material than the other half. The difference in weights need not be great; it is enough that the plate is able to turn.
The turning movement of the plate can be favorably restricted by a restricting device which is fastened to the side or alternatively to the plate. In this case, a corresponding counterpart to the restrictor has been made on the plate or correspondingly on the side of the device for restricting the movement of the restricting device. The shape and structure of the restricting device and its counterpart may vary considerably in different embodiments of the invention.
In a favorable additional embodiment of the invention a support has been made onto the plate for the tongs of the groceries. The support has been placed on the lighter part of the plate so that due to the weight of the tongs, the plate has been arranged to turn into such a position that the openings of the side and the pl
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Dorner Kenneth J.
Leinonen Tarja
White Rodney B.
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