Display case system

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of display cases, with common but by no means exclusive application to the display of food items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many retail stores, shops and restaurants display food and other products for sale to their customers. Typically, display cases are provided with a frontward-facing transparent window through which customers can view the products on display. Shelving on which the products can be positioned is also often provided.

Over time during use, the interior of the display case may become dirty, requiring cleaning. For hygienic reasons, the interior (and particularly the interior side of the display window) of display cases for food products must be cleaned frequently.

Accordingly, the inventors have recognized a need for an improved display case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed toward a display system.

Specifically, the subject invention is directed towards a display system having a shell module defining an interior region and a shelving module sized and configured to be received within the interior region. The shell module includes a display window and an access portal providing access to the interior region. The shelving module includes a plurality of shelves and at least one support member configured to support the shelves. The shelving module also includes a sliding mechanism coupled to the support member and configured to slide the shelving module relative to the shell module.

In another aspect, the invention is directed towards a shelving module for use in a display system having a shell module defining an interior region, with the shell module further including a display window and an access portal providing access to the interior region. The shelving module includes a plurality of shelves, at least one support member configured to support the shelves, and a sliding mechanism coupled to the support member and configured to slide the shelving module relative to the shell module. Additionally, the shelving module is sized and configured to be received within the interior region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation cutaway view of a first embodiment of a display system made in accordance with the present invention, with the shelving module shown in a first position within the interior of the shell module.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation cutaway view of the display system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan section view taken at the base of the display system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A and 4B together show a rear perspective view of a second embodiment of a display system made in accordance with the present invention, with the shelving module shown in a second position remote from the interior of the shell module.

FIG. 5A is close-up partially cutaway view of the sliding mechanism of the display system of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 5B is close-up view of the sliding members of the display system of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 5C is a partial side plan partially cutaway view of the sliding mechanism of the display system of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1, 2 & 3, illustrated therein is a preferred embodiment of the display system of the subject invention. The display system, shown generally as 10, comprises a shell module 12 and a shelf module 14. The shell module 12 is provided with a generally forward-facing display window 16 coupled to side wall members 18, which together define an interior region 20. The rear of the shell module 12 may be open and defines an access portal 21 providing access to the interior region 20. However, for applications not requiring frequent access to the products on display in the interior region 20, means for closing the rear of the shell module 12 such as through a hinged door, may be provided.

Typically, the display window 16 (and also the side wall members 18) may be made from glass, plexiglass, plastic or other sufficiently strong and transparent material so that the interior region 20 may be viewed from the front (as indicated by direction arrow A). The interior surface of the display window 16 is indicated generally as 16′. The shell module 12 is typically seated on the floor or ground 22 and may be provided with a base 19 typically made of wood or wood composite or similarly durable structural material capable of supporting the display window 16 and side wall members 18.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shelf module 14 is sized and configured to be received within the interior region 20. The shelf module includes at least one and typically two substantially vertical support members 24. The support members may be made from metal tubing or other sufficiently strong material. Shelves 26 are mounted to and supported by the support members 24. The shelves 26 may be formed of a lattice of substantially horizontal and longitudinal bar members 28 and substantially horizontal and lateral bar members 30, which may be made from metal tubing. As will be understood, however, other shelving configurations are possible.

Preferably, baskets 32 capable of holding products for display (such as food items) and typically made of metal which may be more easily cleaned for food applications, may be removably received on and supported by the shelves 26. Depending on the application, the baskets 32 may be narrow, relative to the width of the shelves 26, such that a plurality of baskets may be placed side-by-side on each shelf 26. Preferably, too, the height between each shelf 26 and the size of the baskets 32 are configured to facilitate easy insertion and removal of the baskets 32 from the shelves, from the access portal 21 at the rear. Lighting lamps 34 which may be mounted to the support members 24 and/or the shelves 26 may also be provided for illuminating the shelves 26 and baskets 32 and the products displayed thereon.

A sliding mechanism, shown generally as 34, is coupled to the support members 24. The siding mechanism 34, will often include wheels or castors 36 mounted to the underside of a base platform 38, which in turn is typically mounted to the support members 24 using a mounting plate 39. As will be understood, the castors 36 may engage the ground 22 and permit the shelving module 24 to be rolled in different positions relative to the shell module 12. Preferably the castors 36 are free to rotate in any direction about a vertical axis so that once free from the interior region 20, the shelving module may be steered and manoeuvred freely. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the shelf module 14 is in a first position X, substantially disposed within the interior region 20. Preferably, the base platform 38 is sized to fit relatively snugly within the corresponding base portion of the shell module 12. The base platform 38 is typically made from wood or wood composite or similarly durable structural material. The base platform may also be provided with an endgable or kickplate 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, illustrated therein is an alternate embodiment 100 of the display system of the present invention. Parts which are similar to those of the first embodiment 10 are illustrated with similar numbering combined with an apostrophe (′). Substantial differences between the embodiments 10, 100 are described below. The shelving module 14′ is illustrated in a second position Y remote from the interior region 20′ of the shell module 12′. The support members 24′ are shown only in dotted outline, but as will be understood, corresponding shelving and baskets etc. similar to those 26, 32 of the first embodiment 10 may be provided.

The sliding mechanism 34′ includes a pair of first sliding members 102 mounted to the base 19′ of the shell module 12′. The sliding mechanism 34′ also includes a pair of second sliding members 104 mounted to the base platform 38 of the shelf module 14′. Preferably, the rearward upper corners 106 and the frontward lower corners 108 of the first sliding members 102 and second sliding members 104, respectively, have been rounded. As will be understood, when the shelving member 14′ is pushed into the first position X (substantially within the interior region), as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the first and second sliding members 102, 104 operatively engage such that the second sliding members 104 mount and slide over the corresponding first members 102. The rounded corners 106,108 facilitate the mounting and engagement of the sliding members 102, 104 as will be understood. The interior of the base 19′ is also configured to properly align the shelving member 14′ when it is pushed into the interior region 20′, and hence align the sliding members 102,104.

Preferably, the first and second sliding members 102, 104 are configured in height such that the shelving unit 14′ is raised off its castors 36′, thereby providing added stability to the shelving unit 14′ when it is in its first position X.

In use, the shelving module 14, 14′ is positioned in the first position X, substantially contained within the interior region 20, 20′. Products may be loaded onto and displayed on the baskets 32. Baskets 32 may be removed from the shelving 26 to access or restock the products. When it is time to clean the interior surface 17, 17′ of the display window 16, the shelving module 14, 14′ may be moved from its first position X to its second position Y, remote from the interior region 20, 20′. The interior surface 17, 17′ may then be accessed for cleaning. The shelving 26 and support members 24 may also be easily accessed for cleaning, in the second position Y.

Furthermore, stocking the shelving module 14, 14′ with products may also be accomplished with the module 14, 14′ in the second position Y, which may be easier than when the module 14, 14′ is in the first position X. Once the cleaning is complete and/or the products stocked in the shelving module 14, 14′, the module 14, 14′ may be slidably manoeuvred into the first position X substantially within the interior region 20, 20′.

It should be understood that while the shell modules 12, 12′ have been illustrated as being open to the rear, as noted alternatively they may be may be provided with a door for closing the rear (and hence the interior region 20, 20′) and providing added security against theft of the products on display. A locking mechanism may also be provided for particularly valuable products. As yet another alternative, the “door” may comprise a panel mounted to the rear of the base platform 38, 38′, enclosing the interior region 20, 20′ when the shelving module 14, 14′ is in its first position X. With such a configuration, however, as will be understood the shelving module 14, 14′ would need to be moved from its first (and closed) position X in order to permit access to the products on display in the interior region 20, 20′.

Thus, while what is shown and described herein constitute preferred embodiments of the subject invention, it should be understood that various changes can be made without departing from the subject invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.