The Mead Corporation

Timothy M Shannon

William S Spamer

Dennis E Parham

A pusher device for dispensing merchandise is disclosed. The device includes an elongate plastic track having a floor on which a row of articles are positioned for movement therealong, a pusher connected to the track for movement therealong and having a front side for engagement with the rearmost article on the track, and a spring for urging the pusher toward the front end of the track to forwardly move all the articles on the track. The spring is a gradient force, self-coiling spring arranged to exert forwardly directed force on the rear side of the pusher. The force on the pusher gradually reduces as the leading articles on the track successively are removed from the track, and thereby articles on the track are prevented from being subject to excessive force. What is also disclosed is a pusher device including an elongate track, a pusher movably connected to the track, and a self-coiling spring for urging the pusher forward of the track. The spring is formed of a strip of spring material wound at least partially to form a coiled portion that is arranged such that the coiled portion is extended as the pusher is moved backward. The coiled portion, when fully wound, includes an inner set of layers of the strip and an outer set of layers of the strip disposed around the inner set of layers. The inner set of layers forms a constant force spring whereas the outer set of layers forms a gradient force spring. What is further disclosed is a pusher device which includes an elongate track, a pusher movably connected to the track, a spring for urging the pusher forward, and a mooring mechanism for locking the pusher in the rearmost position on the track so as to facilitate loading of articles onto the track. The locking mechanism is provided on the pusher to engage a rear wall upstanding on the track.

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Marietta, GA, United States of America

Timothy M Shannon