Gravity feed dispenser and method

Abstract

A gravity feed method and apparatus for displaying, dispensing and storing a variety of merchandise items. The apparatus has no moving parts. It includes a tripper which causes each item to turn automatically into a display position, when a previous item is removed. The dispenser also includes a convenient storage area which feeds each item to a display position by the force of gravity, when one of the items is removed. As each item is removed, it is replaced sequentially by succeeding items until the supply is exhausted. The apparatus in the described embodiment incorporates openings of specific size for loading items into the dispenser from either the front or rear. The apparatus may be made of wire, plastic, paper or sheet metal, and it may be constructed to accommodate a variety of items of different sizes. The apparatus may also be constructed to display the items at any desired angle. The apparatus, moreover, may be constructed so that it may be removably mounted on a shelf, or it may be constructed for rear mounting onto a wall or upright support, or it may be free standing. The apparatus is constructed to be used as a single unit or in multiple groupings.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.