# US 5,706,977 A · Modular display device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,706,977 A - Document ID: US5706977A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/608,015 - Filed: 1996-03-04 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1996-03-04 - Assignees: The Procter & Gamble Company - Inventors: Ayami Ogura; Helene F. Paulson; Max E. Syvuk, Sr.; Brian A. Stanko; Stephen N. Hardy; Anthony Calabrese - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706977A ## CPC - A47F 1/08: dispensing from bottom - A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS ## Abstract A device for displaying and dispensing articles having a housing and a plurality of removable cartridges is provided. The housing is provided with a cavity for receiving the cartridges such that they can be inserted, removed, and selectively arranged therein. The cartridges have an inlet opening for receiving articles, a hollow chamber for storing articles, and discharge opening for removal of the articles by a user of the display device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A display device for storing and dispensing articles, said display device, comprising: a plurality of cartridges each one having a hollow chamber for storing a plurality of articles and a discharge opening for removing said articles, said discharge opening being in article communication with said hollow chamber such that when one of said articles is removed from said discharge opening, another one of said articles moves into said discharge opening; and a housing having a housing opening and a cavity therein, said cavity holding said plurality of cartridges such that said discharge opening is accessible through said housing opening, said plurality of cartridges being interchangeably positioned and removably installed within said cavity, and said plurality of cartridges can be selectively rearranged by sliding said cartridge transversely within said housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The display device of claim 1, wherein said cartridges each further comprise opposing first and second side panels, a front panel having a front panel top edge and a front panel bottom edge, a back panel opposite said front panel, opposing top and bottom portions, said hollow chamber being substantially enclosed by said panels and having a plurality of ribs located on said first and second side panels for staggering said articles within said hollow chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The display device of claim 2, wherein said front panel comprises a transparent portion enabling visual inspection of said hollow chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The display device of claim 2, wherein said cartridges further comprise a projecting structure located on said back panel for positioning said cartridges within said cavity. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The display device of claim 1, wherein said cartridges each further comprise an inlet opening for receiving said articles, said inlet opening being in article communication with said hollow chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The display device of claim 5, wherein said inlet opening, said hollow chamber, and said discharge opening are in relative vertical alignment with each other such that said articles are stored substantially vertically within said cartridges and said articles move downwardly under the force of gravity. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The display device of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a top wall, a bottom wall having a bottom wall edge, opposing first and second side walls, a back wall, said cavity being enclosed by said walls, and said housing having a plurality of slots located adjacent said bottom wall edge for positioning said cartridges within said cavity. ### Claim 8 A display device for storing and dispensing articles, said display device, comprising: a plurality of cartridges each one having a hollow chamber for storing a plurality of articles and a discharge opening for removing said articles, said cartridges each further comprise opposing first and second side panels, a front panel having a front panel top edge and a front panel bottom edge, a back panel opposite said front panel, opposing top and bottom portions, said hollow chamber being substantially enclosed by said panels, said bottom portion further comprises a discharge chute which extends through said discharge opening, said discharge chute having a tab for positioning said cartridges within said cavity, said discharge opening being in article communication with said hollow chamber such that when one of said articles is removed from said discharge opening, another one of said articles moves into said discharge opening; and a housing having a housing opening and a cavity therein, said cavity holding said plurality of cartridges such that said discharge opening is accessible through said housing opening, said plurality of cartridges being interchangeably positioned and removably installed within said cavity. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The display device of claim 8, wherein said articles further comprise cylindrical shaped articles, said cylindrical articles having a centerline axis, said axis being aligned substantially parallel with said first and second side panels of said hollow chamber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The display device of claim 8, wherein said discharge chute is sloped downwardly and forwardly between about 10 degrees to about 15 degrees. ### Claim 11 A display device for storing and dispensing articles, said display device, comprising: a plurality of cartridges each one having a hollow chamber for storing a plurality of articles and a discharge opening for removing said articles, said cartridges each further comprise opposing first and second side panels, a front panel having a front panel top edge and a front panel bottom edge, a back panel opposite said front panel, opposing top and bottom portions, said hollow chamber being substantially enclosed by said panels, said cartridges each further comprise a platform attached adjacent said front panel for displaying a sample article, said discharge opening being in article communication with said hollow chamber such that when one of said articles is removed from said discharge opening, another one of said articles moves into said discharge opening; and a housing having a housing opening and a cavity therein, said cavity holding said plurality of cartridges such that said discharge opening is accessible through said housing opening, said plurality of cartridges being interchangeably positioned and removably installed within said cavity. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The display device of claim 11, wherein said display device further comprises a face plate having an engagement structure for fastening said face plate to a plurality of said platforms. ### Claim 13 A display device for storing and dispensing articles, said display device, comprising: a plurality of cartridges each having opposing first and second side panels, a front panel having a front panel top edge and a front panel bottom edge, a back panel opposite said front panel, opposing top and bottom portions, a hollow chamber for storing a plurality of articles substantially enclosed by said panels, an inlet opening for receiving said articles, a discharge opening for removing said articles, said inlet opening and said hollow chamber and said discharge opening being in relative vertical alignment with each other such that said articles are stored substantially vertically within said cartridges and such that one of said articles moves into said discharge opening when another one of said articles is removed from said discharge opening, a discharge chute extending through said discharge opening; and a platform attached adjacent said front panel for displaying a sample article; a housing having a housing opening, a top wall, a bottom wall with a bottom wall edge, opposing first and second side walls, a back wall, and a cavity enclosed by said walls and wherein said cartridges are interchangeably positioned and removably installed; a tab disposed on said discharge chute and a plurality of slots located adjacent said bottom wall edge such that said slot may engage said tab for interchangeably positioning and removably installing said cartridges within said cavity; a projecting structure located on said back panel for positioning said cartridges within said cavity; and a face plate having an engagement structure for fastening said face plate to each said platform. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The display device of claim 13, wherein said platform further comprises a mirrored wall located between the sample article and the front panel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The display device of claim 13, wherein said cartridges each further comprise a pivot structure for attaching said platform to each of said cartridges. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The display device of claim 13, wherein said platform can rotate to a position substantially perpendicular to said front panel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The display device of claim 13, wherein said face plate further comprises a locking structure for securing said face plate to said housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The display device of claim 13, wherein said engagement structure comprises opposing grooves. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The display device of claim 13, wherein said articles are cosmetic articles. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The display device of claim 13, wherein said housing further comprises at least one hanger for mounting said display device.