EP0032122A2

EP0032122A2 - Gravity feed merchandise dispensing device

Info

Publication number: EP0032122A2
Application number: EP81300001A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Joseph Clement; James M. Suttles
Original assignee: Mead Corp
Current assignee: Mead Corp
Priority date: 1980-01-02
Filing date: 1981-01-02
Publication date: 1981-07-15
Also published as: EP0032122A3; AU542283B2; EP0032122B1; CA1164418A; AU6556580A; DE3173219D1

Abstract

A merchandise dispensing device of the gravity feed type in which a track (55, 56) having a pair of rails to receive the neck-flanges of suitable bottles is mounted in a rack. The rails include upturned end portions (83, 90) providing a braking section in which gravity feed is arrested. The tracks include two different sized sets of rails (80,81 : 106,99) which can be selectively positioned to receive bottles having different neck flanges.

Description

This invention relates to a merchandise dispensing device of the gravity feed type. The device is particularly useful together with other such devices in forming a compact, automatic feed merchandise display rack.
Merchandise display racks of the gravity feed type are used where it is desirable that articles of merchandise for sale successively are advanced forwardly of the rack so that they are always in view of, and readily accessible to the customer.
In recent years large capacity bottles made from plastics material have been developed for the sale of e.g. soft drinks. Such bottles are tall and relatively light in comparison to their size and do exhibit some degree of instability when free standing, particularly if used on known merchandising display devices.
Many of these large capacity plastics bottles are formed with a projecting flange around the bottle neck used as a gripping element for handling the bottle prior to the point of sale. One aspect of this invention utilizes to advantage the provision of neck flanges on such bottles by providing a merchandising device which allows the bottles to be suspended by their neck flanges. The manner in which the bottles are suspended in the device according to the present invention is similar to the manner in which bottles are suspended in the well known soft drink vending machines having a series of parallel metal rails arranged to provide parallel slots for holding bottles underneath their neck flanges.
One aspect of the invention provides a gravity feed merchandise dispensing device comprising a track for supporting in tandem a row of similar bottles of the type having an annular flange on the neck of the bottle, the track comprising a pair of rails spaced apart to receive between them the necks of suitably sized bottles such that the underside of each bottle neck flange engages the rails whereby the bottles are suspended by their flanges for movement relative to the track, the track normally being inclined so as to permit the suspended bottles to gravity feed one after the other to the front of the track as the lead bottles in the row successively are unloaded, and stop means provided adjacent said front end of the track to arrest movement of each lead bottle.
According to a feature of this aspect of the invention, means may be provided for supporting said rails in a fixed position, and each of said rails may comprise a downwardly sloping portion for effecting feed of bottles by gravity, an upwardly sloping portion following said downwardly sloping portion in the direction of feed of bottles for retarding the movement of said bottles, said stop means comprising a tab integral with and extending upwardly from said sloping portion for effecting stoppage of a bottle by engagement with its neck flange, and whereby for removal, a bottle must be lifted so that its neck flange clears the tab.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a gravity feed merchandise dispensing device for bottles having externally projecting neck flanges, which device comprises track means providing a pair of substantially parallel supporting surfaces having opposed edges spaced from each other to form a slot of substantially uniform width adapted to receive the necks of said bottles underneath said neck flanges, and means for supporting said track means in a fixed position, characterized in that said track means comprises at least one removable elongate element including first and second flanges having different widths measured in directions transverse to the direction of elongation, and in that said supporting means and said track means include means for removably supporting said elongate element in a first position in which its first flange serves as one of said substantially parallel supporting surfaces and in a second position in which its second flange serves as one of said substantially parallel supporting surfaces, whereby bottles having different neck flange sizes can be accommodated.
In the following description preferred embodiments of the invention is described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 shows schematically a side view of a merchandise display rack incorporating a number of vertically spaced gravity feed devices,
Figure 2 is a front view of a top portion of the rack shown in Figure 1,
Figure 3 shows in more detail the pivotal mounting of the tracks of a gravity feed device according to the invention,
Figure 4 is a side view of a modified track,
Figure 5 is a cross-section through a series of modified tracks,
Figure 6 is an oblique perspective view showing a track support unit in accordance with the invention with a track installed in it comprising a pair of track members,
Figure 7 is an oblique perspective view of a single track member,
Figure 8 is a transverse section of a track showing the manner in which the track members cooperate with the support and with a bottle,
Figure 9 is a transverse section similar to Figure 8 except that the track elements are reversed in order to accommodate a larger bottle,
Figure 10 is a transverse section of a track illustrating the manner in which the track elements are installed and removed, and
Figure 11 is a vertical section of a support member taken on the plan 10-10 indicated in Figure 6.

Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a merchandise display rack 10 of the gravity feed type comprising a base structure 11 permitting free standing of the rack 10, a pair of spaced back support posts 12 (only one of which is shown) and a pair of spaced front support posts 13 (Figure 2). The support posts extend vertically from base structure 11 and are connected together by base space bars 14, top spacer bars 15 and front spacer bar 16 (Figure 2), thereby providing an 'open' frame display rack.
Pivotally mounted within the frame are five sets of vertically spaced gravity feed devices 17. Each device 17 basically comprises a series of five tracks 18 in each of which a raw of bottles 19 is supported in tandem for gravity feed to the forward end of rack 10, and stop means comprising a stirrup like structure 20. The series of tracks 18 of each device and their mounting within the rack 10 is shown in more detail in Figure 3.
Each device 17 includes a track support rod 21 which extends transversely of the tracks and terminates in a trunnion 22 at its opposite ends each of which trunnions are journalled in bearings 23 provided in both front support posts 13. The rod 21 includes a sheath 21a from which depend the series of tracks 18. The tracks 18 are welded or otherwise fixed to sheath 21a. The track series is formed by a number of elongate components 24 of sheet material having a 'U'-shaped cross-section. The base 25 of the 'U' is connected as by welding to the sheath 21a of support rod 21 so as to provide an inverted 'U'-shaped element. The limbs 26, 27 respectively of element 24 terminate in outwardly turned flanges 26a, 27a each of which provides a rail on which the neck flange 19a of a suitable bottle can engage. As can be seen from Figure 3 the rail pair of each track 18 is provided by adjacent 'U'-elements 24 so that one 'U'-shaped element provides the adjacent rails of neighbouring tracks. Thus, a series of tracks are formed each having a pair of spaced parallel rails on which the neck flange 19a of suitable bottles can engage (see Figure 2). The spacing between adjacent rails of a track can be altered by means of detachable strips 28 (Figure 3). Strips 28 are pressed onto the free edge of such rail of a pair to decrease the distance between the rails whereby the track can receive a bottle having a relatively small neck flange. Advantageously, the-detachable strips 28 are formed from a material having a low coefficient of friction such as Teflon (Registered Trade Mark) to enhance the sliding gravity feed of bottles relative to the track. It is also envisaged that the device 17 comprises only one track 18 or alternately a series of independently pivotable tracks 18. In the latter case the construction shown in Figure 3 is modified by split_'ing the sheath 21a at appropriate locations between adjacent tracks 18 to provide a series of sheath portions and also separating each 'U'-shaped component along its base 25 so as to provide a pair of track elements. Instead of separating the "U" components it is also envisaged that the base 25 of the 'U' could be attached intermediate the ends of a sheath portion so that it would be located immediately above the bottle tops, in which case the flanges 26a, 27a would be turned inwardly to face one another in order to provide the rails of the track.
The stirrup like structure 20 is provided at the forward end of each device 17 to stop gravity feed movement of the lead bottles in the device, and also to present a bottle to a prospective purchaser and to facilitate loading the device. Each stirrup like structure 20 comprises a support platform 29 having side walls 30 and a front wall 31. The stirrup 20 is supported by arms 32, 33 extending from adjacent the forward end of the first and last tracks 18 in a series of tracks such that the support platform itself is slung below and immediately forward the series of tracks.
When a device is empty, i.e. when no bottles are present on its tracks, the device adopts the position shown by the lowermost device in Figure 1. In this position the series of tracks 18 are pivoted into a loading configuration, in which the back end of the First and last tracks abuts one stop 34 of a pair of limiting stops 34, 35. The limiting stops 34, 35 are provided to limit the pivotal movement of the series of tracks within the frame structure. However, other appropriate stop devices also are envisaged. For example, sheath 21a could be radially slotted to receive a projection carried by rod 21 in order to prevent tilting movement of the device. In the view shown, when the tracks are in abutment with stops 34 they are inclined forwardly at an angle of about 3 to the horizontal. In this loading position bottles can be loaded one after another onto the tracks by sliding them along the rails without there being a tendency for those bottles to slide forwardly off the tracks. Hence, the gravity feed effect is minimized. The 3⁰ angle at which the tracks are constrained to adopt during loading can, of course, be varied depending on the weight of bottles, the relative coefficient of friction between the bottles and the rails and on a number of other factors.
The fulcrum of the device is chosen such that the series of tracks will be maintained in the loading position until such time as the last lead bottle has been received on the support platform 29 of the stirrup 20.
The condition is shown in the lowermost device of Figure 1 where all the tracks are fully loaded each with four bottles and bottles have yet to be accommodated in the stirrup 20 to complete the loading of the device. As can be seen, the pivotal mounting of the rod 21 to the front support posts 13 is positioned further toward the forward end of the tracks than the rearward end.
When the last lead bottle has been received in stirrup 20, the series of tracks thus becomes 'front heavy' and the tracks pivot into a dispensing position in which the tracks are inclined forwardly at an angle of about 6 to the horizontal. This 'dispensing' angle may also be changed depending on the load conditions.
Further pivotal movement is restricted by limiting stops 35. In the dispensing position the row of bottles 19 in each track 18 can gravity feed one after the other to the front (stirrup) end of the track as the lead bottles in that row successively are unloaded. When a lead bottle is removed from the stirrup 20 the next succeeding bottle slides along to the forward end of the track and then leaves the track. Immediately upon leaving the track that bottle is received in the stirrup so that the bottle base engages the substantially horizontal support platform 29 whereupon further gravity feed of the bottle is halted. In this location the bottle is presented to a prospective customer. The front wall 31 of the stirrup 20 prevents the lead bottle from overturning and being dislodged from the device.
It is, of course, envisaged that the fulcrum could be positioned elsewhere than as shown depending for example on the load capacity of each device. In some circumstances it may be desirable for the tracks to be inclined rearwardly i.e. reverse tilted to achieve easy loading of the device.
As is shown in Figure 1 of the drawings a plurality of gravity feed devices 17 can be mounted in vertically spaced relationship within a free-standing frame 10. In the embodiment illustrated there are five such devices each having a series of five tracks holding five bottles each. However, as previously mentioned the device may be used with only a single track if desired.
It is, of course, necessary to ensure that the spacing of adjacent devices is chosen such that the loading and dispensing operation of the one device is not impeded by that of an adjacent device, but at the same time achieving a compact construction with minimum wasted space.
Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings show another embodiment of the invention comprising a modified track construction in which the stirrup 20 is omitted and in which each track includes two pair of rails. The modified track 36 comprises an upper pair of rails 37 and a lower pair of rails 38 which are connected together as described hereinafter. To arrest movement of each lead bottle the rails 37, 38 are provided with portions 37a, 38a, respectively, at their front ends which are upturned relative to the remainder of the rails. Thus, unlike the previous embodiment the lead bottles received on the modified tracks do not leave the rails when arriving at their dispensing positions. In the construction the lead bottles gravity feed down the track and are braked to a stop by causing those bottles to move along an inclined path provided by the upturned front portion of the track. The track construction is shown in more detail in Figure 5 of the drawings. Each track is provided by a pair of connected track components such as those designated by the reference numerals 39, 40. Track component 39 includes a pair of generally channel section elements 41, 42 each having a base portion 41a, 42a respectively. Upstanding from base 41a is a pair of integral divergent limbs 41b, 41c which terminate in outwardly projecting flanges 41d, 41e, respectively. Each of the flanges 41d and 41e provide an upper rail for adjacent tracks.
Similarly, the channel section element 42 includes a pair of integral divergent limbs 42b, 42c extending from base 42a. The limbs 42b, 42c terminate in outwardly projecting flanges 42d, 42e each of which provides a lower rail for adjacent tracks. It will be seen that track component 40 which is only partially shown includes rail flanges 43d and 44d projecting from channel section elements 43 and 44 respectively.
The flanges 41e and 43d are spaced apart by a distance 'x' and provide an upper pair of rails on which the neck flange of a suitable bottle can slide. The flanges 42e and 44d are spaced apart by a distance 'y' and provide a lower pair of rails on which the neck flange of a suitable bottle can slide. Distance 'x' is greater than distance 'y^t so that bottles having two different standard diameter neck flanges can be received in the tracks. The distance 'z' is chosen to be such as to provide sufficient space in which to receive the tops of the bottles. Of course, whichever rail size is required for use needs to be located lowermost in the device and this may be achieved simply by removing the rails from the support stand, turning over the tracks and then replacing them in the stand. It is also envisaged that such rail 'reversal' can be achieved by installing each series of tracks so that they are pivotally mounted within the stand in a manner similar to that described with reference to the previous embodiment.
The track components are connected together by means of tie-bars 45, 46 (see Figure 4). As can be seen tie-bar 45 extends across the rear end of the upper rails 37 and the tie-bar 46 extends across the rear end of the lowermost rails 38.
In order to assemble a series of tracks in a suitable stand such as that shown in Figure 1 it is simply necessary to provide a suitable channel 47 into which the back ends of the tracks can be slotted (Figure 4) and a pin and fork assembly 48, 49 respectively, by which the mid-section of the track can be mounted. Naturally, the tracks are assembled in the frame so as to be inclined forwardly of the stand to provide the necessary gravity feed effect. As mentioned the tracks can be pivotally mounted in the frame, in which case the pin and fork . assembly 48, 49 could be replaced by a pivotal mounting similar to that described in the previous embodiment. It will be seen in Figure 4 that the upturned portion of the lower rails projects forwardly of the rear end of the upper rails. This feature of course allows the lead bottles 50 to be disposed in a readily accessible position at the front end of the tracks for removal by a prospective customer. The angle of the incline can of course be varied to increase or decrease the braking effect desired as can the angle at which the tracks are mounted in the stand.
Figures 6 to 11 of the drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Referring to Figure 6, a beverage display stand or "merchandiser" in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises one or more track support units of the kind shown in Figure 6 removably mounted on a rack (not shown). The rack can be a conventional four-post rack or alternatively a rack consisting of a base having a vertically extending back wall on which the track support units are cantilevered. In general, each merchandiser will have several track support units arranged one above another.
The track support unit in Figure 6 is designed for use in a four-post rack. It is forced entirely of sheet metal, and comprises side members 51 and 52, cross members 53 and 54, and a number of tracks, only one of which is shown. The track comprises removable track members 55 and 56.
Side members 51 and 52 have an inverted L-shaped transverse cross-section. Hooks are formed at the ends of the side members at 57, 58, 59 ad 60. These hooks are adapted to engage slots in the four-post rack. If desired, in a four-post system, the side members can be identical to each other since the front and rear hooks can be symmetrical. When the track support is designed for use in a rack having a back extending upwardly from the rear of a base, the side members are designed differently, and are provided with special slot-engaging tabs such as those shown in Suttles patent 3,983,822, dated October 5, 1976.
Transverse elements 53 and 54 are preferably identical, and have cross-sections of the shape shown in Figure 11. Elements 53 and 54 extend between side elements 51 and 52, and are secured underneath the horizontal flanges of elements 51 and 52 by spot welding, or by suitable fasteners. Transverse element 53 is positioned near the front of the track support unit, while transverse element 54 is positioned near the rear of the unit.
The transverse elements support the track elements so that the tracks slope downwardly and forwardly at a small angle, e.g. 10 degrees, to allow bottles to be carried to the front of the track by gravity.
Referring to Figure 11, each transverse element of the track support unit comprises a horizontal web 61 for attachment to the side elements, a rear, L-shaped reinforcing flange 62, and a depending front flange 63. As shown in Figure 6, flange 63 of transverse element 53 is provided with a series of evenly spaced slots of complex shape. The slots in element 53 are indicated at 64, 65, 66 ad 67.
The complex shape of the slots is best seen in Figure 10 which shows the details of slot 64. Slot 64 comprises a horizontal edge 68 which is parallel to and spaced upwardly from lewer edge 69 of flange 63. At its left-hand end, flange 63 curves downwardly at 70, to meet another horizontal, downwardly facing edge 71, which is positioned at a level below edge 68. Horizontal edge 71 is the upper boundary of an opening 72, the lower boundary of which, at 73, is the upper edge of a horizontal extension 74. At the right-hand end of horizontal extension 74, there is provided a vertical extension 75 having a horizontal upper edge 76, and an upwardly extending tab 77.
Preferably, the left-hand edge 78 of extension 75 extends obliquely from lower boundary 73 of opening 72 to horizontal edge 76. Horizontal edge 76 is positioned at a level below the level of downwardly facing edge 71, the vertical spacing between thæe two edges being equal to the thickness of the sheet metal from which the track elements are made. Opening 72 should be large enough to provide clearance for the larger of the two track element flanges.
The configuration of the right-hand end of slot 64 is a mirror image of the configuration of the left-hand end, and need not be separately described.
The two track elements 55 and 56 are preferably identical and track element 56 is shown in detail in Figure 7. The track element is formed from a unitary piece of sheet metal, and comprises a vertical web 79 having a first flange 80 extending perpendicularly from its upper edge, and a second flange 81 extending perpendicularly from its lower edge in the opposite direction. Thus, throughout most of its length, the track element has a Z-shaped cross-section. Flange 81 is wider than flange 80.
At the front end of track element 56, flange 80 is separated from the upper edge of the web, and is bent downwardly at 82 to form an obtuse angle (e.g. approximately 138°) with the main part of flange 80 to provide a ramp183. Ramp 83 terminates in a flange 84 which is substantially perpendicular to ramp 83, and extends downwardly therefrom. A similar ramp 85 is formed at the opposite end of flange 80, and terminates in a downwardly extending flange 86.
Flange 80 is provided with a small opening 87 spaced a short distance from bend 82. Opening 87 is positioned adjacent web 79. A similar opening 88 in flange 80 is spaced from bend 89 by a distance equal to the spacing between opening 87 and bend 82.
Wide flange 81 on the opposite side of the track member is similarly bent to provide ramps 90 and 91, which terminate respectively in flanges 92 and 93. Flange 81 is also provided with openings (not shown) corresponding to openings 87 and 88, and the openings in flange 81 are at the same longitudinal positions as openings 87 and 88.
Figure 8 shows track element 56 installed in slot 64. The right-hand face 94 of web 79 bears against vertical edge 95, while the underside of flange 80 bears against horizontal edge 96. Tab 97 extends upwardly through opening 87. A similar track element 98 is supported on the opposite side of slot 64 in the same manner. Flanges 81 and 99 of the respective track elements have parallel edges 100 and 101 which form a slot for receiving the neck 102 of bottle 103. Bottle 103 has an outwardly projecting annular neck flange 104, which extends beyond edges 100 and 101, thereby permitting the bottle to be supported by engagement of neck flange 104 with the upwardly facing sides of flanges 99 and 81. The weight of the bottle causes face 94 of web 79 to bear against vertical edge 95, while the engagement of tab 97 in opening 87 prevents the web from rotating away from edge 95. The weight on track element 56 is supported by edge 96.
In Figure 9, track elements 56 and 98 are reversed. A larger bottle 105 rests on shorter flanges 80 and 106, while longer flanges 99 and 81 engage surfaces 107 and 96 to provide vertical support.
By simply reversing the track elements, the track can be modified to accommodate larger bottles such as bottle 105.
As shown in Figure 10, a track element, such as element 98, is easily installed by tilting the track element, and causing its upper flange to enter opening 72, and thereafter rotating the track element until tab 77 enters opening 108. The manipulation of the track element in installation, of course, also involves the engagement of the track element in a similar manner with the rear transverse track support element 54 (Figure 6).
Returning to Figure 6, soft drink bottle 109 is shown held in the track comprising track elements 55 and 56. As bottle 109 slides down the track, it will normally reach the position indicated by bottle 110, which is shown in broken lines. The bottles behind the foremost bottle in a track cause the foremost bottle to assume the tilted position indicated at 110. The bottle at 110 is removed by a customer simply by lifting it upwardly in order to cause its neck ring to clear the upwardly extending tabs at the ends of the ramps. By reason of the presence of the ramps and the tabs at the ends of the ramps, the bottle behind the foremost bottle is prevented from causing accidental disengagement of the foremost bottle from the track.
An important feature of this aspect of the invention is the prevention of a "see_-saw" effect, which could cause accidental disengagement of the removable track elements from their supports when a single bottle is positioned at the front of the track. The weight of a bottle positioned forward of front cross member 53 causes the track elements to tend to pivot about the front cross member. The rear ends of the track elements are urged upwardly with a resulting tendency for the track elements to become disengaged from the rear cross member 54. Such disengagement is prevented by reason of the fact that the upper flange of each track element is in engagement with a downwardly facing edge corresponding to edge 71 in Figure 10. So long as at least one bottle is present in the track, the engagement between the upper flange and the downwardly facing edge is maintained. Consequently, the track elements of a particular track cannot be removed from the track support unit until all of the bottles are removed from the track.
In summary, the merchandising device in accordance with this aspect of the invention has numerous advantages including its structural simplicity, ease of manufacture, ease of conversion to accommodate bottles with different neck sizes, its small vertical space requirement, the ease with which bottles can be removed from its tracks, the prevention of accidental removal of bottles, and the simple manner in which the track elements are locked in place so long as bottles are present in the track. The device gives rise to a number of additional advantages not previously mentioned. For example, since the slot widths of the tracks can be changed individually, this merchandising device gives the merchant a high degree of flexibility; he can place large-necked and small-necked bottles on adjacent tracks if he so chooses. It is possible to accommodate three different sizes of bottles with two identical track elements of the type shown in Figure 7. It is also possible to accommodate four different bottle sizes, using a pair of non-identical track elements.
If a completely new bottle is made available on the market, it can be accommodated simply by providing new track elements, without the need for replacing the entire track unit of Figure 6.
For ease of manufacture, the entire track unit of Figure 6 can be constructed from elements of only three different types, since elements 53 and 54 can be identical, elements 51 and 52 can be identical, and elements 55 and 56 can be identical.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, various modifications can be made to it. For example, in the embodiment described with reference to Figures 6 to 11 with suitable modifications of the track support slots, the track elements can be made with cross-sectional shapes other than the Z-shaped shown. For example, the track elements can be L-shaped, in which event the two legs of the L are usable alternatively as supporting surfaces for the neck flanges of the bottles. The track elements can also be C-shaped. These and still other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A gravity feed merchandise dispensing device comprising at least one track (36), each track having a front and a rear end for supporting in tandem a row of similar bottles (50) of the type having an annular flange on the neck of the bottle, characterized in that each track comprises a pair of rails (42e, 44d) spaced apart to receive between them the necks of suitably sized bottles such that the underside of each bottle neck flange engages the rails whereby the bottles are suspended by their flanges for movement relative to the track, each track normally being inclined towards the front end so as to permit the suspended bottles to gravity feed one after the other to the front end of the track as the lead bottles in the row successively are unloaded, and in that stop means (38a) is provided adjacent said front end of the track to arrest movement of each lead bottle.

2. A gravity feed device according to Claim 1 further characterized in that said front end includes a length of track (38a) which is upturned relative to the immediately preceding track length to provide said stop means.

3. A gravity feed device according to Claim 2 further characterized in that each track comprises a lower pair of rails (42e, 44d) and an upper pair of rails (41e, 43d) spaced from said lower pair of rails, the rails of the upper pair being spaced apart by a distance which differs from that between the lower pair of rails and wherein each of said upper and lower pair of rails is upturned to provide said stop means.

4. A gravity feed device according to Claim 3 further characterized in that each track is formed from a pair of connected track components, each component including a pair of generally channel shaped elements (41, 42) and each element comprising a base portion (41a, 42a), a pair of limbs (41b,41c: 42b,42c) upstanding from said base portion and a flange (41d 41e:42d,42e) extending outwardly from each limb to provide a rail for adjacent tracks, said pair of channel shaped elements (41,42) being connected together by their bases to form one of said track components, and wherein the distance between the free edges of the flanges of one channel element (41) of the pair differs from that between the free edges of the flanges of the other channel element (42) of the pair thereby providing the spacing differential between the upper and lower rail pairs in each track.

5. A gravity feed merchandise dispensing device according to claim 1 further characterized in that means (53,54) are provided for supporting said rails in a fixed position, and in that each of the rails (55,56) comprises a downwardly sloping portion (80) for effecting feed of bottles by gravity, an upwardly sloping portion (83) following said downwardly sloping portion in the direction of feed of bottles for retarding the movement of said bottles, said stop means comprising a tab (84) integral with and extending upwardly from said sloping portion for effecting stoppage of a bottle by engagement with its neck flange, and whereby for removal, a bottle must be lifted so that its neck flange clears the tab.

6. A gravity feed merchandise dispensing device for bottles having externally projecting neck flanges, which device comprises track means (55,98) providing a pair of substantially parallel supporting surfaces (99,81) having opposed edges (100,101) spaced from each other to form a slot of substantially uniform width adapted to receive the necks of said bottles underneath said neck flanges, and means (53,54) for supporting said track means in a fixed position, characterized in that said track means comprises at least one removable elongate element (56) including first and second flanges (80,81) having different widths measured in directions transverse to the direction of elongation, and in that said supporting means and said track means include means for removably supporting said elongate element in a first position in which its first flange serves as one of said substantially parallel supporting surfaces and in a second position in which its second flange serves as one of said substantially parallel supporting surfaces, whereby bottles having different neck flange sizes can be accommodated.

7. A gravity feed device according to claim 6, further characterized in that said elongate element comprises a web (79) having two parallel edges extending in the direction of its length, and in which said first flange (80) extends substantially perpendicularly from one of said parallel edges and second flange (81) extends substantially perpendicularly from the other of said parallel edges.

8. A gravity feed device according to claim 7, further characterized in that said flanges (80,81) extend in opposite directions from said web (79) and in which said support means comprises means providing a surface (96) for engaging and supporting the underside of the one of said flanges which is not serving as one of said parallel supporting surfaces, means (95) for engaging the side of said web underneath the last-mentioned flange at least at a location below said engaging and supporting surface, and means (97) for preventing lateral movement of the upper end of said elongate element in a direction away from said side-engaging means.

9. A gravity feed device according to claim 7, further characterized in that said flanges (80,81) extend in opposite directions from said web (79) and in that said support means comprises first and second support members (53,54) both at intermediate locations between the ends of said elongate element, said first and second support member being spaced from each other in said direction of elongation, and each support member comprising means providing a surface (96) for engaging and supporting the underside of the one of said flanges (80) which is not serving as one of said parallel supporting surfaces, and means (95) for engaging the side of said web (79) underneath the last-mentioned flange at least at a location below said engaging and supporting surface, and by means (97) for preventing lateral movement of the upper end of said elongate element in a direction away from said side-engaging means, and in that at least one of said first and second support members also comprises means for preventing the flange which is not serving as one of said parallel supporting surfaces from being moved upwardly away from said engaging and supporting surfaces so long as said web-engaging means is in contact with said side of said web at a location below said engaging and supporting surface, wiereby the weight of a bottle on said track means located adjacent the end thereof farthest from said one of said first and second support members is prevented from causing said elongate element from separating from said one of said first and second support members.

10. A gravity feed device according to claim 7, further characterized in that said flanges (80,81) extend from said web in opposite directions, and in which, at least adjacent one end of said elongate element, said first flange (80) is separated from the edge of the web from which it extends, and is bent toward the opposite edge of the web to form a retarding ramp (83).

11. A gravity feed device according to claim 10, further characterized in that at least adjacent one end of the elongate element, said second flange (81) is separated from the edge of the web from which it extends, and is bent toward the opposite edge of the web to form a retarding ramp (90).

12. A gravity feed device according to claim 11, further characterized by tab means (84,92) integrally formed at the end of said retarding ramp for engaging the neck flange of a bottle and requiring the lifting of a bottle for removal from the track means, thereby positively preventing bottles from accidentally becoming disengaged from the track means.

13. A gravity feed device according to claim 7, further characterized in that said track means comprises a second removable elongate element (98) substantially identical to said first elongate element (56) and in which said supporting means and said track means include means for removably supporting said second elongate element in a first position in which its first flange (106) serves as the other of said substantially parallel supporting surfaces and in a second position in which its second flange (99) serves as the other of said substantially parallel supporting surfaces; in which the first and second flanges on each elongate element extend in opposite directions from the web; and in which, adjacent each end of each elongate element, each flange is separated from the edge of the web from which it extends and is bent toward the opposite edge of the web from which it extends to form a retarding ramp, the bent portions of each flange being symmetrical with respect to the flange; whereby said elongate elements are interchangeable.