US3240507A

US3240507A - Merchandising cart

Info

Publication number: US3240507A
Application number: US312915A
Authority: US
Inventors: Braun Bernard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-10-01
Filing date: 1963-10-01
Publication date: 1966-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 1983-03-15

Description

March 15, 1966 B. BRAUN MERCHANDISING CART Filed Oct. l, 1963 www u* 'I l 11W/23 MU .Mum 2 A@ 15 WUZQA L Il 1 ATTORNEY 3,240,507 MERCHANDTSIING CART Bernard Braun, 13d-72 226th St., Laurelton, N.Y. Filed Get. l, 1963, Ser. No. 312,915 4 Claims. (Cl. 280-475) This .invention relates in general to a merchandising cart, and more specifically to a merchandising cart constructed and arranged so `as to enhance the sale of beverages and to facilitate .the handling and disposing of the returnable empty beverage containers in which various beverages are retailed.

Many various kinds of beverages are today sold in returnable containers or bottles and the like on which a deposit is required at the time of sale. For this reason, the customers purchasing such beverages are obliged to return the emptied containers to the store or market of purchase .to claim the refund of such deposit. Therefore the supermarkets, retail outlets and the like, selling such beverages, are confronted with a serious problem of handling and disposing of the returnable containers. The problem of the empty returnable containers is particularly aggravated in the so-called self-service or supermarkets because such `stores accept such returns only at a particular location or register specifically set aside for such refunding. Since these markets or stores do volume business, the emptied returnables are quickly accumulated. Heretofore, such empties Were permitted to accumulate in a `random manner and With little attention given to the problem of handling and disposing of the same. Consequently such areas would become so cluttered that there is presented an unsightly and hazardous condition Within the store. Also the effort to effect removal of such empties resulted in much Waste of time and lost motion on the .part of the store employees who otherwise could be utilized to greater advantage.

Oftentimes the store proprietor would seek to solve the problem by using the conventional shoppin-g cart to collect the returnable empties. However, the use of the conventional shoppin-g carts was ineffective because too many of the carts would be kept out of circulation and thus resulted in an inefficient use of such carts and an inconvenience to the shopper.

It has also-been discovered that the particular area of the store to which the empties are returned forms the best location from a merchandising point of View to sell the full containers of beverages. This is because a customer returning the empties can conveniently repurchase a further supply from the -same area and without the Waste motor `of shopping for the same. Thus, the sale of bottled beverages can be enhanced.

Prior to the instant invention, it has been further observed that clerks are required to continually stock the shelves from which beverages are generally retailed. In doing so, the aisle space in the vicinity of such shelves was required to be blocked during such restocking. As a result, traffic in the store is hindered Whenever such stocking operation is in progress.

It is therefore an object of this invention .to provide means to facilitate the handling and disposing of the returnable empties in a convenient and expeditious manner.

It is another object of this invention to provide an arrangement for facilitating the handling of the returnable empties and at the same time enhance the sale of the full containers of beverages.

It is another object of this invention to provide for handling and disposing of the empty returnable containers in a manner in which the heretofore unsightly accumulations of empties is completely eliminated.

States Patent O 3,240,507 Patented Mar. 15, 1966 ICC Another object of this invention is to provide for the handling and disposing of returnable empty beverage containers in a retail outlet or the like in a manner which substantially minimizes the amount of waste or breakage.

It -is still another object of this invention to provide for stocking of .bottled beverages and the like in a manner which will not interfere with the tratiic in the shopping aisles.

Another object is to provide means for placing sales inducing copy at a central focal point in a retail outlet.

-lt is another object of this invention to provide an imlproved merchandising cart capable of handling a relatively large volurne of returnable empties in a neat and orderly manner and at the same time be utilized as a display in retailing full containers of beverages.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved merchandising cart which is relatively simple in construction, can be easily fabricated, and is positive in operation.

The foregoing objects and other features and advantages are attained in accordance with this invention by a merchandising cart which comprises essentially a base frame supported on Wheels or the like to facilitate the movement of the same. In accordance with this invention means are provided for defining on the base frame a pair of juxtapositioned compartments disposed in side by side `relationship constructed and arranged so as to facilitate the storage yof emptied returnables in one compartment and to effect a display of full beverage containers in the other compartment.

In order to form a readily safe and convenient deposit for the returnable empties, the compartment for receiving the same is constructed and arranged with a front wall that is lower than the rear wall thereof and which is formed `with -a full open top. The display or dispensing compartment is constructed and arranged so as to facilitate the stacking and removal of the beverages therefrom. This is attained by providing the compartment for receiving the same with an inclined bottom wall and with a full open front and top. If desired load stabilizing means may be provided to distribute or carry the load therein. In operation, the merchandising cart thus provides ample storage area for neatly receiving and storing the returnable empties and for displaying a supply of full beverage containers from which the same may be readily sold.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision that the construction of the cart is such that it is relatively light in weight, sturdy in construction, and readily transportable from. place to place.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision that a supply of full containers may be conveniently stored and sold therefrom and from which the individual same may be readily removed therefrom.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision that the returnable empties may be handled and disposed in a neat and orderly manner and With a minimum of breakage.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision that the sale of beverages displayed in retail in this manner is enhanced inasmuch as the prospective purchaser will more readily make a purchase if the same were readily noted.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision that a customer of bottle beverages is notl required to travel from one location to another of the retail outlet to purchase beverages and to return the empties.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision that the number of man hours required for handling empties can be substantially reduced in that the instant invention requires the consumer to dispose of his own empties into the cart, thus performing the work that a store employee was heretofore required to do.

Another feature of the invention resides in the vprovision that the retailing and display compartment on the instant mechandising cart is loaded or filled in the storage area of the store and therefore interference with the sh-opping customers heretofore resulting during the restocking of the shelves is completely eliminated.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings and specification in which,

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation View on the improved mechandising cart of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan View of the mechandising cart of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 3 is a right end view of the mechandising cart of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary detail view of the modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of another modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary plan view of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings there is shown the merchandising cart 10 of this invention. It comprises essentially of a base frame 11 defined by rectangularly disposed structural members, e.g. angle iron or the like. The arrangement is such that the vertical legs of the respective structural members define an upright ange 11A and the other leg portions 11B of the respective frame members 11 are horizontally disposed inwardly of the base frame. A pair of longitudinally extending angle iron stringers 12 are interconnected between the end members of the frame. The respective angle iron stringers 12 have one leg 12A thereof turned downwardly and the other leg portion 12B thereof disposed horizontally toward the horizontal flange or leg 11B of the adjacent side frame member. Accordingly, the

horizontal leg portions

11B and 12B of the side members and the stringers respectively are disposed in a common plane opposite one another. Connected thereto and therebetween adjacent the corners of the frame is a plate or gusset 13 to which the wheels or casters 14 are mounted. Accordingly, two of the wheels or casters are swivelly connected, and the other two are fixedly connected to their respective gussets to facilitate steering and guiding of the cart 10.

Connected to the base frame 11 and extending upwardly therefrom are rectangularly disposed wall means to define a pair of

juxtapositioned compartments

15, 16 disposed in side by side relationship. In accordance with this invention, the wall means are disposed to define one .compartment 15 for receiving returnable emptied containers, as for example bottles and the like, from which various beverages are retailed; and the other compartment 16 is constructed and arranged so as to display and retail therefrom containers which are filled with beverages.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the compartment 15 for receiving the returnable empty containers is proportioned so as to occupy the major portion of the frame area. In the illustrated embodiment, this compartment 15 is shown as occupying approximately two thirds of the base frame area.

The compartment 15 is defined by a rectangularly disposed wall portion. In the illustrated arrangement, the opposed

end wall portions

17, 18 of the compartment 15 are each defined by an inverted U shaped

tubular frame member

19, 20 having corresponding front and rear leg portions. The lower ends of the respective leg portions are securely fastened to the base frame by any suitable means. Secured to each of the respective inverted U shaped end frame members is a panel 21 of wire lattice construction or the like to define the

end walls

17, 18 of the compartment.

Connected to and between the corresponding front and rear legs of the respective U shaped end members is a longitudinally extending cross piece or

tie member

22, 23. As shown, the respective front and

rear tie members

22, 23 are defined as shallow inverted U shaped members. Accordingly, ends relatively short depending leg portions of the

tie members

22, 23 are secured between the corresponding leg portions of inverted U shaped end frame members to dene the outline for the front and

rear panels

24, 25 respectively of the compartment 15.

The front and rear walls or

panels

24, 25 are likewise formed of open wire grill or lattice construction. In the illustrated embodiment, front tie bar 22 is secured to the corresponding front legs of the respective inverted U shaped

members

17, 18 at an elevation lower than that of the rear cross bar 23 is connected to the corresponding rear legs of the respective inverted U shaped end frame members. The reason for this is to permit a customer to more easily position the initial emptied containers onto the bottom 26 of the compartment. As shown, the bottom 26 is also formed of wire lattice construction. With the cart emptied, a person may readily bend over the front wall 24 of the compartment 15 to place a returnable emptied container on the bottom 26 of the compartment without causing it to drop a considerable distance, and thereby subjecting the same to likely damage or breakage.

The remaining portion of the base frame 11 is utilized to define the display compartment 16 in which the full containers of beverages may be stacked and from which they are retailed. Accordingly, the dispensing and retailing compartment 16 of the cart 10 is defined by the end wall 18 of the storage compartment 15, a rear Wall 27, forming an extension of the compartment rear Wall 25 and an end wall 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear Wall 27 of the display compartment 16 is defined by an inverted L shaped frame member 29 in which the horizontal portion 29A of the frame 29 is secured to the rear leg of the inverted U frame member 20 and the lower end of the vertical leg portion 29B of the L shaped frame member 29 is secured to the base frame 11 by a suitable means. Accordingly, the L shaped frame member 29 and the rear leg of the U shaped end frame member 20 defines the rear wall area of the display compartment 16. Secured thereto is the rear wall 27 of the display compartment which is likewise formed of open wire grill work similar to that of the rear wall 25 of the storage compartment 15. The end wall 28 of the display compartment, as shown in FIG. 3, is defined by an open grill or wire lattice construction. Accordingly, a display compartment 16 is formed so as to have a full open front and a full open top. The bottom wall 30 of wire construction is supported on the frame, and as shown in FIG. 3 is inclined to slope downwardly from the front to back. The arrangement is such that cartons or cases of full containers can be stacked one onto the other in the display compartment in a manner so as to prevent the same from being accidentally spilled from the full open front.

If desired a load stabilizer 31 may be provided in the display compartment 16 to relieve the bottom 30 from some of the load. The load stabilizer 31 comprises a shelf which is hingedly connected to the rear wall 27 for movement between vertically stowed inoperative position and horizontally disposed operative position. As shown, the shelf 31 is formed of open wire lattice construction in which the ends of one of the cross wires 32 extends beyond the side forming Wires 31A of the shelf.

Fixed to the inside of the

opposed end walls

18 and 28 of the compartment 15 intermediate height thereof and spaced inwardly therefrom slightly is a rail forming wire 33 which serves to support the front end of the load stabilizer 31 in the operative horizontal position thereof. As shown, the respective rail 33 is provided with a bend 34 adjacent the front thereof for receiving and supporting therein the extended ends of the wire 32. Thus a firm support is provided for the load stabilizer 31 in the operative position. Consequently it will be noted that the cases or cartons of beverages can be stored both on the bottom Wall 3l) and load stabilizer 31. Also the latter enables one to display various brands of beverages, i.e. one brand may be stacked on the bottom wall 30 and another brand on the load stabilizer 31.

A handle means 35 in the form of a tubular U shaped construction is secured to the end wall 17 of the cart 10. From the foregoing, it will be noted that the cart can be easily wheeled from one position to another by simply pushing the same by means of the handle.

To enhance sales of the product retailed from the cart, a

back board

40, 41 of sheet material is suitably connected to the

cross bar

23, 29A respectively for receiving suitable advertising copy.

In operation, the display compartment of the merchandising cart described lis preferably loaded with a supply of beverages in the rear or warehouse area of the retail outlet or supermarket. Thus, the stock clerks can load the display compartment 16 of the cart with containers without disruption or interfering with shoppers traveling in the shopping aisles of the store. When the display compartment 16 of the cart has thus been loaded, it is then readily wheeled out to the location in the store, adjacent the refund register, so that customers returning empties to the store may readily deposit the same directly in the storage compartment of the cart immediately prior to receiving their refund. Thus the customer himself positions the returnable empties in the cart thus obviating the need for an attendant to periodically clear the accumulations of bottles from the floor of the store which would otherwise occur at the refund register. Because the full containers of beverages are conveniently located adjacent to the deposit area of the returnable empties, a customer will more than likely pick up a full carton of containers in exchange for the empties. Thus, experience has shown that the sale of a beverage is enhanced by the added convenience afforded by the instant cart. Consequently, there is less likelihood that a purchaser will forget to make a purchase of such beverages. The cart is constructed so as to receive and neatly stack a large quantity of containers in the storage compartment l5 of the cart and thereby avoid the clutter and unsightly appearance which heretofore resulted by the return of such empties at the refund register. Also by causing the empty returnables to be neatly stacked in the storage area of the compartment reduces the amount of breakage, loss or Waste. When the cart has been completely lled with returnable empties, an attendant can then readily wheel the merchandising cart from its position adjacent the refund register to the back or storage area of .the store, at which point the returnable empties are removed. As the loaded merchandising cart is being unloaded, another similarly constructed merchandising cart may be substituted in place thereof at the refund register. Therefore, for optimum utility, it is preferred that a store utilize the merchandising cart in pairs. In this manner there is always .available at the refund counter a cart l0 for receiving the empties. Thus, by alternating substituting the empty cart for the full cart, a steady and organized manner of handling returnable empties is accomplished. As a result, the area in the vicinity of the refund register will always be neat, pleasing, and safe.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that the instant cart is relatively simple `in construction, relatively light in weight, and can be constructed and fabricated with a minimum of cost or effort. The arrangement is such that the handling of the returnable empty containers is readily facilitated, and permits a greater number of empties to be handled with a minimum of personal attention on the part of the store employees, and with a minimum amount of breakage or Waste. Also, the construction of the cart is such that the sale of full containers of beverages is greatly enhanced by the added convenience afforded to the customers. Therefore, an almost automatic situation is afforded in that a customer returning an empty is likely to purchase a further supply of beverage. Actual experience has indicated that the sale of a given beverage can be enhanced when handled in the manner herein set forth.

FIGURES 5 and 6 illustrate a modified f-orm of load stabilizer for the compartment 16A. In thi-s form of the invention the compartment 16A for receiving the articles to be retailed is defined by rectang-ularly disposed

tubular frame members

44, 45, 46, 47 to which the respective wire lattice walls of the compartment are secured. A load stabilizer or shaft 4S is adjustably supported thereon. Accordingly, the load stabilizer comprises split sleeves 49, Sil, 51, 52 which are slidably adjusted along the respective frame members or

parts

44, 45, 46 and 47 respectively. Connected intermediate the length of sleeves 49, 5f), 5l and 52 is a wire lattice shelf or load stabilizer 53. The arrangement is such that when the shelf 53 is horizontally disposed it may be vertically adjusted along its

respective frame members

44, 45, 46 and 47. The shelf or stabilizer is maintained in .its vertically adjusted position by imparting a slight tilt thereto so as to be frictionally retained. Thus articles may be stored above and below the load stabilizer 48. In operation the load stabilizer can also ibe supported by resting the same directly on the stacked article disposed therebeneath and resting on the bottom of the compartment. With the construction described, the size of the article in compartment 16A can be varied, i.e. the load stabilizer can be readily adjusted to accommodate 6, 8, 101, 16 or 32 oz. bottles, cans and the like with ease and facility.

While the instant invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A merchandising cart comprising,

(a) a rectangular base frame formed of structural members,

(b) a bottom panel of wire lattice construction supported on said base frame,

(c) casters connected to said base frame adjacent the respective corners thereof,

(d) a pair of inverted U shaped frame members extending transversely of said base frame in spaced relationship from one another,

(e) one of said pair of U shaped frame members being connected to one side edge of said base frame, and the other U shaped frame member being connected to said base frame intermediate the length thereof and parallel to the other U shaped frame member,

(f) a longitudinally extending front and rear crosspiece interconnected between the corresponding leg portion of said inverted U shaped frame members,

(g) opposed side panels each formed of wire lattice construction to said U shaped members, and between said cross-pieces and said base frame to define Aa full open top compartment adapted to receive the returnable empty containers,

(h) an inverted L shaped frame member connected to one of said other U shaped members,

(i) a rear panel of wire lattice construction connected to said L shaped frame member,

(j) and a side panel connected to the end of said base member to define with said rear panel and side panel of said compartment a juxtaposition compartment having a full open top and a full open front for receiving and dispensing therefrom full containers.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 and including,

(a) a load stabilizer in said juxaposition compartment,

(b) said load stabilizer including a shelf of wire lattice construction hingedly connected to said rear panel for movement between vertical inoperative position and horizontal operative position,

(c) and means for supporting said shelf in the operative position thereof.

3. A merchandising cart for receiving and storing re- (l) an open wire lattice panel connected to the other end of said base frame to define with said rear wire panel and end wire panel of said compartment to deturnable empty beverage containers and for displaying and retailing therefrom full containers of beverages comprisins,

(a) rectangularly disposed structural members defining a base frame,

fine a full opened top and front retailing compartment for receiving full containers,

(b) casters connected to said -base frame for supporting (In) shelf means hingedly connected to said rear panel the same in rolling engagement with a floor, for movement between operatively horizontal posi- (c) a bottom wall supported on said base frame, tion and inoperative vertically stored position.

(d) a pair of spaced apart transversely extending, -up- 4. The .invention as defined in claim 3 and including, right inverted U shaped frame members connected (a) means dening n baek board extending upwardly t0 Sad base member 20 from the rear extending cross member and the hori- (t) 911 0f Sald Pair 0f U Shape@ frame members zontal portion of said L shaped member for receivbemg connected to one end of sald base frame, the ing advertising matten other of said U shaped frame members being connected to said base frame at a point intermediate the References Cited bythe Examiner length thereof,

(f) each of said U shaped members having opposed UNITED STATES PATENTS front and rear leg portions, Hunt X (g) a front and rear longitudinally extending tubular Y, 5041476 9/1893 KCHY 28o-793 X cross member connected between the corresponding ,211001548 11/1937 Maxmfront and rear leg portions of said U shaped frame 213141490 3/1943 Goldman 10S- 146 X members, 2,761,568 9/1956 Temple 211-148 X (h) said front extending tubular cross member being 310071708 11/1961 Ochs 28o-793 X disposed lower than the rear cross member, 310931261 6/1963 Salat 211181 X (i) an open wire lattice panel connected between the 31122238 2/1964 Burnet@ 211-181X leg members of the respective U shaped frames and 311371250 6/1964 Hutchinson 28047-34 X between the base frame and each of said longitudinal- A. HARRY LEVY, Primary Examiner.

KENNETH H. BETTS, BENJAMIN HERSH,

Examiners.

ly extending cross members to define an open top compartment for receiving a relatively large numer of returnable empty containers,

Claims

1. A MERCHANDISING CART COMPRISING, (A) A RECTANGULAR BASE FRAME FORMED OF STRUCTURAL MEMBERS, (B) A BOTTOM PANEL OF WIRE LATTICE CONSTRUCTION SUPPORTED ON SAID BASE FRAME, (C) CASTERS CONNECTED TO SAID BASE FRAME ADJACENT THE RESPECTIVE CORNERS THEREOF, (D) A PAIR OF INVERTED U SHAPED FRAME MEMBERS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID BASE FRAME IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP FROM ONE ANOTHER, (E) ONE OF SAID PAIR OF U SHAPED FRAME MEMBERS BEING CONNECTED TO ONE SIDE EDGE OF SAID BASE FRAME, AND THE OTHER U SHAPED FRAME MEMBER BEING CONNECTED TO SAID BASE FRAME INTERMEDIATE THE LENGTH THEREOF AND PARALLEL TO THE OTHER U SHAPED FRAME MEMBER, (F) A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING FRONT AND REAR CROSSPIECE INTERCONNECTED BETWEEN THE CORRESPONDING LEG PORTION OF SAID INVERTED U SHAPED FRAME MEMBERS, (F) OPPOSED SIDE PANELS EACH FORMED OF WIRE LATTICE CONSTRUCTION TO SAID U SHAPED MEMBERS, AND BETWEEN SAID CROSS-PIECES AND SAID BASE FRAME TO DEFINE A FULL OPEN TOP COMPARTMENT ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE RETURNABLE EMPTY CONTAINERS, (H) AN INVERTED L SHAPED FRAME MEMBER CONNECTED TO ONE OF SAID OTHER U SHAPED MEMBERS, (I) A REAR PANEL OF WIRE LATTICE CONSTRUCTION CONNECTED TO SAID L SHAPED FRAME MEMBER, (J) AND A SIDE PANEL CONNECTED TO THE END OF SAID BASE MEMBER TO DEFINE WITH SAID REAR PANEL AND SIDE PANEL OF SAID COMPARTMENT A JUXTAPOSITION COMPARTMENT HAVING A FULL OPEN TOP AND A FULL OPEN FRONT FOR RECEIVING AND DISPENSING THEREFROM FULL CONTAINERS.