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United States Patent Application	20080000856
Kind Code	A1
Primiano; Bernard	January 3, 2008

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Claims

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1. A shelf device for a cooler, comprising:a plurality of shelves adapted to hold beverage containers in an upright position;a headroom space above said plurality of shelves; anda top shelf disposed above said plurality of shelves adapted to hold beverage containers disposed on their sides.

2. A shelf device for a cooler, comprising:a pair of upright front frame members;a pair of upright rear frame members spaced from said front frame members;a plurality of shelves attached to said front and rear frame members for holding containers in an upright position; anda top shelf disposed above said plurality of shelves and attached to said front and rear frame members for holding containers disposed on their sides.

3. A shelf device for a cooler, comprising:a pair of upright front frame members;a pair of upright rear frame members spaced from said front frame members;a plurality of shelves attached to said front and rear frame members for holding containers in an upright position, each shelf of said plurality of shelves having a predetermined amount of headroom space;a first shelf disposed above said plurality of shelves and having a predetermined amount of headroom space greater than the head room space for said plurality of shelves; anda top shelf disposed in the headroom space above said first shelf and attached to said front and rear frame members for holding containers disposed on their sides.

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Description

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TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]This invention relates to a shelf device for a cooler, and more particularly, to a device for more fully utilizing space in the cooler.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]In a cold vault or other cooler, shelves are used to display containers such as beverage bottles and cans. A pusher mechanism can be used to force a lead container to the front of the shelf for easy removal by a consumer, but pusher mechanisms occupy precious space which is undesirable. Gravity feed shelves also urge the lead container to the front of the shelf but must be slanted to achieve the gravity feed. Slanting usually results in wasted space at the top of the shelf. Both types of shelving have unused space at the top of the shelf above the containers. Most cooler shelving has extra space at the top which aids in the removal of containers from the top shelf and increases visual appeal. While space in a cooler has always been at a premium, it is even more critical today. Energy conservation concerns require a more efficient use of the cooled space in a cooler. It is desirable to have a shelf device for a cooler that utilizes previously unused space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003]The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present the invention, a shelf device for a cooler comprises a plurality of shelves adapted to hold beverage containers in an upright position; a headroom space above the plurality of shelves; and a top shelf disposed above the plurality of shelves adapted to hold beverage containers disposed on their sides. Placing beverage containers on their sides allows them to fit in the headroom space which is otherwise an unused cooled space.

[0004]According to another aspect of the present the invention, a shelf device for a cooler comprises a pair of upright front frame members; a pair of upright rear frame members spaced from the front frame members; a plurality of shelves attached to the front and rear frame members for holding containers in an upright position; and a top shelf disposed above the plurality of shelves and attached to the front and rear frame members for holding containers disposed on their sides. Having a top shelf in the otherwise unused headroom space more fully utilizes the cooled space.

[0005]These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a cooler with an energy conserving top shelf according to the present invention.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top shelf rack and beverage containers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008]Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a shelf device 10 for a cooler 12 has a pair of upright front frame members 14, 16, and a pair of upright rear frame members 18, 20 spaced from the front frame members 14, 16. A plurality of shelves 22 are attached to the front and rear frame members for holding beverage containers 24 in an upright position. Each shelf of the plurality of shelves has a predetermined amount of headroom space existing above the beverage containers.

[0009]A first shelf 26 is disposed above the plurality of shelves 22 and has a predetermined amount of headroom space above the beverage containers greater than the head room space for the plurality of shelves. This extra headroom is normally used to increase visual appeal of the beverage containers on the uppermost shelf and is otherwise wasted, cooled space, at least where product is concerned. Shelves 22, 26 are preferably gravity feed shelves, but may be necking hanging shelves, pusher assisted shelves or other types of shelving normally used in coolers.

[0010]A top shelf 28 is disposed in the headroom space above first shelf 26 and is attached to the front and rear frame members. Because the shelf is in the headroom space, it holds containers disposed on their sides to minimize the height requirement. As illustrated, the plurality of shelves holds bottles, such as the popular 20-ounce bottles, the first shelf holds cans, and the top shelf also holds cans. Since the idea is to use all available space, it may be inconvenient for a consumer to remove a container from the top shelf because of space limitations. However, the containers on the top shelf can still be cooled for stocking the first shelf thereby maintaining an ample supply.

[0011]While the invention has been described with particular reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements of the preferred embodiments without departing from invention. For example, while wire shelves have been illustrated, metal shelves could be used. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details of the examples illustrated, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

ELEMENT LIST

[0012]10 shelf device [0013]12 cooler [0014]14 left upright front frame member [0015]16 right upright front frame member [0016]18 left upright rear frame member [0017]20 right upright rear frame member [0018]22 plurality of shelves [0019]24 beverage containers [0020]26 first shelf [0021]28 top shelf

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