Allen C Johnson

US Patent:

58066896, Sep 15, 1998

Filed:

Feb 24, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/804565

Inventors:

Gary L. Mays - Edina MN
M. Scott Bryson - Brookfield WI
Allen E. Johnson - Hartford WI

Assignee:

General Mills, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A47F 104

US Classification:

211 592

Abstract:

A shelving system (10) includes an upper shelf (42) exclusively supported by and at differing vertical spacings from a lower shelf (16) which can be removably attached to an outside support in the preferred form of a refrigerator case (12). Each of the shelves (16, 42) include support panels (32, 56) for removable securement of trays (62) including upright walls (70) for retaining differing types of yogurt containers in a straight line. For containers where the bases include the largest horizontal dimension, the upright walls (70) are formed on the outside edges of the trays (62). For containers having the maximum horizontal dimension other than at the base, the trays (62) include first and second protrusions (71) extending beyond the upright walls (70) to an extent generally equal to the maximum horizontal dimension of the containers. The trays (62) each include flexible stops (72) for preventing product from sliding off their front edges and providing cushioning and stopping of sliding product. The trays (62) are inclined at a gentle angle sufficient to start sliding of product on the trays under gravitational forces and include ribs (68) upon which the planar bases of the products slide and are supported to reduce static friction.