Cross Reference To Related Applications

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201410588848.0 filed on October 28, 2014, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a modular system and device for dispensing and displaying barrel-like products, and particularly to a modular system and device having inclining channels.

Background Arts

At present, barrel-like products (such as bottled or canned chewing gums, cakes, biscuits and beverages) for sale are usually placed on an ordinary shelf or disposed in a vending machine in a supermarket and a shopping mall. The space utilization of an ordinary shelf is low and only limited number of barrel-like products can be deposited thereon. At the same time, due to limitation in structure, an ordinary shelf has poor extendibility and has difficulty in sorting and managing the barrel-like products. In addition, when accessing to barrel-like products on a shelf, a consumer may touch other barrel-like products due to even a slight inattention, which may result in a mess in placement and inconvenience in use. For an existing vending machine which consumes electric energy, it has a high requirement for placing products and is lower in flexibility, and the price of a vending machine is expensive due to complexity in structure, which therefore increases the cost of a merchant. On the other hand, in a vending machine, a product usually falls down as a free falling body or nearly a free falling body which may easily causes product damage, and therefore a vending machine is not suitable for dispensing fragile barrel-like products and so on. Therefore, a modular system and device for dispensing and displaying barrel-like products is needed, which has high space utilization and good extendibility to ensure the number of products deposited, and also has good convenience, flexibility and safety to enhance user experience.

Summary of the Invention

In order to solve the problems above, the present invention provides a modular system and device for dispensing and displaying barrel-like products.

Specifically, the modular system of the present invention comprises: a first module comprising: a first right side wall in a rectangular shape having a first right side wall upper edge, a first right side wall lower edge, a first right side wall front edge and a first right side wall rear edge; a first left side wall in a rectangular shape having a same size as that of the first right side wall and being disposed to be parallel and aligned to the first right side wall, and wherein the first left side wall has a first left side wall upper edge, a first left side wall lower edge, a first left side wall front edge and a first left side wall rear edge; a first upper inclining plate coupled between the first right side wall and the first left side wall, wherein the first upper inclining plate has a first upper inclining plate front edge and a first upper inclining plate rear edge, and the first upper inclining plate inclines and extends forwardly and downwardly from the first upper inclining plate rear edge located at the top rear corners of the first right side wall and the first left side wall, and the first upper inclining plate front edge joins to the first right side wall front edge and the first left side wall front edge; and a first lower inclining plate in parallel to the first upper inclining plate and coupled between the first right side wall and the first left side wall, wherein the first lower inclining plate has a first lower inclining plate front edge and a first lower inclining plate rear edge, and the first lower inclining plate inclines and extends rearwardly and upwardly from the first lower inclining plate front edge located at the bottom front corners of the first right side wall and the first left side wall, and the first lower inclining plate rear edge joins to the first right side wall rear edge and the first left side wall rear edge; wherein the first right side wall, the first left side wall, the first upper inclining plate and the first lower inclining plate define a first inclining channel for storing and dispensing a plurality of barrel-like products, and the first right side wall front edge, the first left side wall front edge, the first upper inclining plate front edge and the first lower inclining plate front edge define a first front opening, and the first right side wall rear edge, the first left side wall rear edge, the first upper inclining plate rear edge and the first lower inclining plate rear edge define a first rear opening; wherein the first upper inclining plate comprises a first upper inclining plate dodge gate adjacent to the first upper inclining plate rear edge, the first upper inclining plate dodge gate is removable to define a first upper opening, or, the first upper inclining plate dodge gate is pivotally convertible with respect to the first upper inclining plate rear edge between a first position and a second position, and wherein in the first position, the first upper inclining plate dodge gate and the remainder of the first upper inclining plate are co-plane and extend conformably, and in the second position, the first upper inclining plate dodge gate pivots downwardly and couples to the first lower inclining plate so as to form the first upper opening and cover the first rear opening. In addition, the first module may further comprise a first bottom wall and a first top wall to firm the modular system, but the present invention is not limited in this regard.

In a preferred embodiment, the first lower inclining plate comprises a first lower inclining plate dodge gate adjacent to the first lower inclining front edge, and the first lower inclining plate dodge gate is removable to define a first lower opening, or, the first lower inclining plate dodge gate is pivotally convertible with respect to the first lower inclining plate front edge between a first position and a second position, and wherein in the first position, the first lower inclining plate dodge gate and the remainder of the first lower inclining plate are co-plane and extend conformably, and in the second position, the first lower inclining plate dodge gate pivots upward and couples to the first upper inclining plate so as to form the first lower opening and cover the first front opening. In another embodiment, the modular system of the present invention further comprises a second module superposed on the first module and having a same horizontal cross-section in size as that of the first module, and the second module comprises: a second right side wall in a rectangular shape having a second right side wall upper edge, a second right side wall lower edge, a second right side wall front edge and a second right side wall rear edge; a second left side wall in a rectangular shape having a same size as that of the second right side wall and being disposed to be parallel and aligned to the second right side wall, and wherein the second left side wall has a second left side wall upper edge, a second left side wall lower edge, a second left side wall front edge and a second left side wall rear edge; a second upper inclining plate coupled between the second right side wall and the second left side wall, wherein the second upper inclining plate has a second upper inclining plate front edge and a second upper inclining plate rear edge, and the second upper inclining plate inclines and extends rearwardly and downwardly from the second upper inclining plate rear edge located at the top rear corners of the second right side wall and the second left side wall, and the second upper inclining plate rear edge joins to the second right side wall rear edge and the second left side wall rear edge; and a second lower inclining plate in parallel to the second upper inclining plate and coupled between the second right side wall and the second left side wall, wherein the second lower inclining plate has a second lower inclining plate front edge and a second lower inclining plate rear edge, and the second lower inclining plate inclines and extends forwardly and upwardly from the second lower inclining plate rear edge located at the bottom front corners of the second right side wall and the second left side wall, and the second lower inclining plate front edge joins to the second right side wall front edge and the second left side wall front edge, wherein the second right side wall, the second left side wall, the second upper inclining plate and the second lower inclining plate define a second inclining channel for storing and dispensing a plurality of the barrel-like products, and the second right side wall front edge, the second left side wall front edge, the second upper inclining plate front edge and the second lower inclining plate front edge define a second front opening, and the second right side wall rear edge, the second left side wall rear edge, the second upper inclining plate rear edge and the second lower inclining plate rear edge define a second rear opening, wherein the second upper inclining plate comprises a second upper inclining plate dodge gate adjacent to the second upper inclining plate rear edge, the second upper inclining plate dodge gate is removable to define a second upper opening, or, the second upper inclining plate dodge gate is pivotally convertible with respect to the second upper inclining plate front edge between a first position and a second position, and wherein in the first position, the second upper inclining plate dodge gate and the remainder of the second upper inclining plate are co-plane and extend conformably, and in the second position, the second upper inclining plate dodge gate pivots downward and couples to the second lower inclining plate so as to form the second upper opening and cover the second front opening, and wherein the second lower inclining plate comprises a second lower inclining plate dodge gate adjacent to the second lower inclining plate rear edge, the second lower inclining plate dodge gate is removable to define a second lower opening butting and in communication with the first upper opening, or, the second lower inclining plate dodge gate is pivotally convertible with respect to the second lower inclining plate rear edge between a first position and a second position, and wherein in the first position, the second lower inclining plate dodge gate and the remainder of the second lower inclining plate are co-plane and extend conformably, and in the second position, the second lower inclining plate dodge gate pivots upward and couples to the second upper inclining plate so as to form the second lower opening and cover the second rear opening.

In still another embodiment, the modular system of the present invention further comprises a third module coupled to the rear sides of both the first and second modules, the third module comprises: a lower channel in communication with the first inclining channel and extending upwardly and rearwardly along the orientation of the first inclining channel; an upper channel in communication with the second inclining channel and extending downwardly and rearwardly along the orientation of the second inclining channel; and a descending channel connecting the lower channel and the upper channel so that the barrel-like products in the second inclining channel can enter into the first inclining channel through the upper channel, the descending channel and the lower channel and reach the first front opening when the first upper inclining plate dodge gate, the second lower inclining plate dodge gate each locates in the respective first position. Wherein, at least one of the first module, the second module, and the third module can be partly formed of plastic, paperboard, wood, metal or composite materials, including transparent and translucent materials such as organic glasses. The left and right side walls of the first module and/or the second module may be formed of transparent material so as to make the barrel-like products deposited in the modular system and the movement of the products when being accessed visible by the users.

In a preferred embodiment, the modular system of the present invention further comprises a bracket coupled to the first front opening and extending outwardly from the first front opening to receive and expose at least one of the barrel-like products. The bracket is disposed to receive the barrel-like products rolling down and can be used to display the products and also can be used to facilitate taking of the products. In a further preferred embodiment, take the first module for example, the modular system of the present invention can also comprise a baffle plate located over the first front opening and a gate member located at the first rear opening to cover the first rear opening so as to further firm the modular system, and both the baffle plate and the gate member can be used to display addition information related to the products.

In a preferred embodiment, an angle of inclination of the first inclining channel -Θ is in the range between -2° to -30°. In a further preferred embodiment, the angle of inclination of the first inclining channel -Θ is in the range between -5° to -20°. In still a further preferred embodiment, the angle of inclination of the first inclining channel -Θ is in the range between -8° to -12°. In a preferred embodiment, an angle of inclination of the second inclining channel Θ is in the range between 2° to 30°. In a further preferred embodiment, the angle of inclination of the second inclining channel Θ is in the range between 5° to 20°. In still a further preferred embodiment, the angle of inclination of the second inclining channel Θ is in the range between 8° to 12°.

Those skilled in the art can readily realize that the angle of inclination of the first inclining channel and the angle of inclination of the second inclining channel can be disposed according to practical requirements, as long as the angle of inclination is suitable for the rolling of the barrel-like products, and the present invention is not limited in this regard.

In a preferred embodiment, the first inclining channel and the second inclining channel are mirror symmetry to the interface between the first module and the second module. However, those skilled in the art can readily realize that other asymmetric configuration can also be employed, and the present invention is not limited in this regard.

In a preferred embodiment, the cross-sections of the first inclining channel, the second inclining channel, the upper channel, the descending channel and the lower channel are rectangles having same size, wherein the length of the rectangles is in the range of 1.01 to 1.5 times of the length of the barrel-like products. In a further preferred embodiment, the length of the rectangles is in the range of 1.01 to 1.2 times of the length of the barrel-like products.

In a preferred embodiment, the width of the rectangles is in the range of 1.01 to 1.5 times of the diameter of the barrel-like products. In a further preferred embodiment, the width of the rectangles is in the range of 1.01 to 1.2 times of the diameter of the barrel-like products. Those skilled in the art can readily realize that the cross-sections of the first inclining channel, the second inclining channel, the upper channel, the descending channel and the lower channel and the corresponding sizes thereof can be designed according to practical requirements so as to achieve a good coordination with the rolling of the barrel-like products.

The present invention also provides a device for dispensing and displaying barrel-like products, the device comprises at least two modular systems including the first module, and the at least two modular systems including the first module are coupled together in a lateral side-by-side manner and/or in a vertically superposed manner.

The present invention also provides a device for dispensing and displaying barrel-like products, the device comprises at least two modular systems including the first module and the second module, and the at least two modular systems including the first module and the second module are coupled together in a lateral side-by-side manner and/or in a vertically superposed manner.

The present invention also provides a device for dispensing and displaying barrel-like products, the device comprises at least two modular systems including the first module, the second module and the third module, and the at least two modular systems including the first module, the second module and the third module are coupled together in a lateral side-by-side manner and/or in a vertically superposed manner.

It can be realized that, extended modes for the modular system are not limited, for example, only the first module can be superposed on a modular system including the first module and the second module for corresponding extending applications.

In the modular system and device for dispensing and displaying barrel-like product, a good extendibility can be achieved between the first module and the second module by the corresponding arrangement of the first upper inclining plate dodge gate and the second lower inclining plate dodge gate. Further, the rolling channel for the barrel-like products can also be extended by disposing the third module so that the number of the barrel-like products contained can be increased and the rolling of the barrel-like products can be buffered, and therefore the space utilization as well as the convenience and flexibility for use can be improved effectively.

Description of the Drawings

The present invention will be better understood by referring to illustration of embodiments thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a modular system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a modular system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a use state diagram of a modular system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary dodge gate according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of an exemplary first lower inclining plate (without the dodge gate) according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a use state diagram of a plurality of modular systems coupled together in a lateral side-by-side manner according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of two modular systems coupled together in a vertically superposed manner according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 7 is a use state diagram of a plurality of modular systems coupled together in a lateral side-by-side manner and in a vertically superposed manner according to one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

In the description below, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form. In this regard, the particular illustrated example embodiments are not provided to limit the invention but merely to illustrate it. Thus, the scope of the present invention is not to be determined by the specific examples provided above but only by the plain language of the following claims.

First of all, it should be note that, the barrel-like products in the present invention can be a length of a generalized cylinder and also can be a variation of a cylinder, for example, a cylinder with a cylindrical surface having a slightly convex or concave structure, a cylindrical surface having a surface relief and so on, and all products that can roll along a rolling channel fall in the protection scope of the present invention.

Refering to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6, wherein Figures 1-3 show a modular system 100 for dispensing and displaying barrel-like products, and Figure 6 shows two modular systems 100 coupled together in a vertically superposed manner. The modular system 100 comprises a first module 10, the first module 10 comprises a first right side wall 101 in a rectangular shape, a first left side wall 102 in a rectangular shape, a first upper inclining plate 103 and a first lower inclining plate 104. Wherein, both the first right side wall 101 and the first left side wall 102 are sheets in a general rectangular shape, for example. However, those skilled in the art can realize that, at least a part of the first right side wall 101 and the first left side wall 102 can be designed according to practical use conditions to meet the specific use requirements, for example, adding rounded corners or openings and so on, and the present invention is not limited in this regard. The first right side wall 101 has a first right side wall upper edge, a first right side wall lower edge, a first right side wall front edge and a first right side wall rear edge. The first left side wall 102 has a same size as that of the first right side wall 101 and is disposed to be parallel and aligned to the first right side wall 101, wherein the first left side wall 102 has a first left side wall upper edge, a first left side wall lower edge, a first left side wall front edge and a first left side wall rear edge. Wherein, the first upper inclining plate 103 and the first lower inclining plate 104 are parallel to each other and coupled between the first right side wall 101 and the first left side wall 102. Wherein, the first upper inclining plate 103 has a first upper inclining plate front edge 105 and a first upper inclining plate rear edge 106, and the first lower inclining plate 104 has a first lower inclining plate front edge 107 and a first lower inclining plate rear edge 108. The first upper inclining plate 103 inclines and extends forwardly and downwardly from the first upper inclining plate rear edge 106 located at the top rear corners of the first right side wall 101 and the first left side wall 102, and the first upper inclining plate front edge 105 joins to the first right side wall front edge and the first left side wall front edge. Whereas, the first lower inclining plate 104 inclines and extends rearwardly and upwardly from the first lower inclining plate front edge 107 located at the bottom front corners of the first right side wall 101 and the first left side wall 102, and the first lower inclining plate rear edge 108 joins to the first right side wall rear edge and the first left side wall rear edge. Those skilled in the art can realize that, the configuration of the first module 10 above is only an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited in this regard. In other embodiments, the first module 10 may further comprise a first bottom wall to firm the modular system 100. Similarly, those skilled in the art may also dispose a corresponding top wall (for example, a top wall that does not cover the first upper opening) according to practical requirements, and detailed explanations is not presented in the present invention. In addition, the first upper inclining plate 103 and the first lower inclining plate 104 can be integrally formed with the first right side wall 101 and the first left side wall 102, and can also be separate components that engage with the first right side wall 101 and the first left side wall 102 in a detachable attachment (for example, various inserting, snap-fitting and threaded connections, etc.) or in a permanent attachment (for example, bonding and welding, etc.), and the present invention is not limited in this regard.

Thus, the first side wall 101, the first left side wall 102, the first upper inclining plate 103 and the first lower inclining plate 104 define a first inclining channel LI for storing and dispensing a plurality of the barrel-like products, and the first lower inclining plate 104 forms a rolling channel for the barrel-like products. The first right side wall front edge, the first left side wall front edge, the first upper inclining plate front edge 105 and the first lower inclining plate front edge 107 define a first front opening Al, and the first right side wall rear edge, the first left side wall rear edge, the first upper inclining plate rear edge 106 and the first lower inclining plate rear edge 108 define a first rear opening A3. Therefore, the barrel-like products can be put in through the first rear opening A3 and roll along the first inclining channel LI under the gravity effect and be taken out from the first front opening Al.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first upper inclining plate 103 comprises a first upper inclining plate dodge gate 1030 adjacent to the first upper inclining plate rear edge 106. In use, the first upper inclining plate dodge gate 1030 is removable to define a first upper opening A4, and then the barrel-like products can be put in through the first upper opening A4. In a further exemplary embodiment, the first upper inclining plate dodge gate 1030 is pivotally convertible with respect to the first upper inclining plate rear edge 106 between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first upper inclining plate dodge gate 1030 and the remainder of the first upper inclining plate 103 are co-plane and extend conformably, and in the second position, the first upper inclining plate dodge gate 1030 pivots downwardly and couples to the first lower inclining plate 104 so as to form the first upper opening A4 and cover the first rear opening A3. In a further embodiment, the first lower inclining plate 104 also may comprise a first lower inclining plate dodge gate 1040 adjacent to the first lower inclining front edge 107. Similar to the first upper inclining plate dodge gate 1030, the first lower inclining plate dodge gate 1040 is removable to define a first lower opening A2, and then the barrel-like products can be output from the first lower opening A2. In addition, the first lower inclining plate dodge gate 1040 can also be pivotally convertible with respect to the first lower inclining plate front edge 107 between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first lower inclining plate dodge gate 1040 and the remainder of the first lower inclining plate 104 are co-plane and extend conformably. The difference lies in that, in the second position, the first lower inclining plate dodge gate 1040 pivots upward and couples to the first upper inclining plate 103 so as to form the first lower opening A2 and cover the first front opening Al. In Figure 6, from bottom to top, there are in turns a first module, a second module, a first module and second module alternately. Take the first module in Figure 6 for example, the locations of the first front opening Al, the first lower opening A2, the first rear opening A3 and the first upper opening A4 are shown in the Figure, wherein the direction of each arrow corresponds to the direction of each opening. Note that, the design of two dodge gates 1030 and 1040 is very important for extended applications of the modular system 100, which will be described in detail below.

Those skilled in the art can readily realize that, the specific connection between the dodge gates 1030 and 1040 is not limited, which can be realized via an elastic deformation connection (such as a snap-fit connection known in the art) or a magnetic attraction connection. For example, Figure 4A shows an exemplary embodiment of a kind of the first lower inclining plate dodge gate, wherein there are pivot devices 14, snap devices 16, 18 respectively on the two sides of the first lower inclining plate dodge gate 1040, for the connection with the first left side wall 102, the first right side wall 101 and the first lower inclining plate 104. The pivot devices 14 releasably engage with, for example, matching pivot holes (not shown), located on bottom front corner portions of the first left side wall 102 and the first right side wall 101, so that the first lower inclining plate dodge gate 1040 is pivotally convertible with respect to the first lower inclining plate front edge 107 between a first position and a second position. The snap devices 18 couple to an end of the portion of the first lower inclining plate which contains no dodge gate so that the first lower inclining plate dodge gate 1040 and the portion which contains no dodge gate constitute the whole first lower inclining plate 104. The snap devices 18 can releasably engage with, for example, matching grooves, located on the opposite upper inclining plate 103, and the snap devices 16 can releasably engage with, for example, matching recesses, located on the first left side wall 102 and the first right side wall 101, so as to fix the first lower inclining plate dodge gate 1040 in the first position and/or the second position. The other installation situations of inclining plates and corresponding dodge gates are similar.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 A and 4B, the upper surface of the first lower inclining plate dodge gate 1040 and the portion of the first lower inclining plate 104 which contains no dodge gate can include flanges 17 (shown as two parallel lines), wherein the Figure 4B illustrates the portion of the first lower inclining plate 104 which contains no dodge gate. The arrangement of the flanges can reduce the force of friction of the barrel-like products when rolling and can make the rolling channel be suitable for the rolling of barrel-like products in variety of shapes, for example, either a shape with concave and convex portions in its middle or a shape with an unsmooth surface. The characteristics including the shape and the height of the flanges can also be designed according to practical requirements specifically, for example, the shape of the flanges can be determined to be arc or trapezoid with a slightly protruded top according to the rolling friction force between the flanges and the barrel-like products and so on, and the present invention is not limited in this regard, as long as the generated rolling friction force is suitable for the rolling of the barrel-like products. In addition, the flanges generally can be integrally formed with the rolling channel, and also can be separate parts which are bonded via an adhesive or fixed via a locking mechanism. In one embodiment, the flanges are detachable so as to be replaced to extend the life time of the system.

As shown in the Figures, in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6, the modular system 100 can further comprise a bracket 40 coupled to the first front opening Al and extending outwardly from the first front opening Al to receive the rolling down barrel-like product(s), and the length of the bracket 40 is designed to expose at least one barrel-like product. The bracket 40 can be used to not only display the product(s) but also to facilitate taking of the product(s). Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 6, the free end of the bracket 40 bends upward in a certain radian to block the barrel-like products, and the length that the bracket 40 bends upward can be specifically designed according to the size of the barrel-like products. In other embodiments, the bracket 40 may also have other shapes, for example, a horizontally extended shape with several bulges on its surface to block the further rolling of the barrel-like products. In other words, those skilled in the art can design different shapes, even select different materials, for the bracket 40 according to practical requirements, so as to form a receiving structure for the barrel-like products, and the present invention is not limited in this regard, as long as the bracket 40 can block and receive the barrel-like products after coupling to the first front opening Al. In other embodiments, the modular system can also comprise a baffle plate 15 located over the first front opening Al and a gate member (not shown) located at the first rear opening A3 to cover the first rear opening A3 so as to further firm the modular system 100, and both the baffle plate and the gate member can be used to display addition information related to the products. The gate member is removable or pivotally openable with respect to the first upper inclining plate rear edge 106. The baffle plate 15 can have different lengths for modular systems with different stacked heights, for example, the baffle plate 15 as shown in Figures 6 and 7 can be lengthened accordingly. As shown in Figure 2, a indicia plate 19 can also be disposed before the baffle plate 15. Here, when used in cooperation with the bracket 40, the barrel-like products may be supplied from the first upper opening A4 or the first rear opening A3 of the modular system 100, so that several barrel-like products can be stored within the first inclining channel LI, wherein at least one barrel-like product can be received on the bracket 40. When the at least one barrel-like product is taken away, remaining barrel-like products roll down under the gravity effect in order, i.e., at least one barrel-like product will be presented on the bracket 40 again so as to facilitate the accessing of the products.

Continue referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6, in the examplary emobodiments shown, the modular system 100 further comprises a second module 20 superposed on the first module 10 and having a same horizontal cross-section size as that of the first module 10. The structure of the second module 20 is similar to that of the first module 10, and comprises a second right side wall 201 in a rectangular shape, a second left side wall 202 in a rectangular shape, a second upper inclining plate 203 and a second lower inclining plate 204, details in its structure are not described specifically. As compared with the first module 10, the differences lie in that, the second upper inclining plate 203 inclines and extends rearwardly and downwardly from the second upper inclining plate rear edge 205 located at the top rear corners of the second right side wall 201 and the second left side wall 202, and the second upper inclining plate rear edge 206 joins to a second right side wall rear edge and a second left side wall rear edge; and the second lower inclining plate 204 inclines and extends forwardly and upwardly from the second lower inclining plate rear edge 208 located at the bottom front corners of the second right side wall 201 and the second left side wall 202, and the second lower inclining plate front edge joins to a second right side wall front edge and a second left side wall front edge. Therefore, the first module 10 and the second module 20 substantially align to each other in vertical. In a preferred embodiment, the first inclining channel LI and the second inclining channel L2 are mirror symmetry to the interface between the first module 10 and the second module 20. In other words, during actual use, one of the two first modules 10 can be vertically flipped 180 degrees to superpose on the other first module 10, the upper first module 10 forms the second module 20. The coupling of the second module 20 and the first module 10 can be realized in a known coupling way in the art, for example, it can be realized by locking structures 13 and 23 disposed respectively in the first module 10 and the second module 20, and the present invention is not limited in this regard. However, those skilled in the art should understand that, the horizontal cross-sections of the first module 10 and the second module 20 are preferably the same, but the heights of the first module 10 and the second module 20 may be the same or not the same. Namely, the angles of inclination of the first inclining channel LI and the second inclining channel L2 may be the same or not the same, and the present invention is not limited in this regard. In other words, the first module 10 and the second module 20 may be mirror symmetry modules or may not be mirror symmetry modules with respect to the interface between the first module 10 and the second module 20.

In addition, similar to the first module 10, the second upper inclining plate 203 and the second lower inclining plate 204 of the second module 20 respectively comprise a second upper inclining plate dodge gate 2030 adjacent to the second upper inclining plate rear edge 205 and a second lower inclining plate dodge gate 2040 adjacent to the second lower inclining plate rear edge 206. Both the second upper inclining plate dodge gate 2030 and the second lower inclining plate dodge gate 2040 are removable, or pivotally convertible with respect to the second upper inclining plate front edge 205 and the second lower inclining plate rear edge 208 between a first position and a second position, respectively. The specific implements of the second upper inclining plate dodge gate 2030 and the second lower inclining plate dodge gate 2040 are similar to those of the dodge gates 1030 and 1040. In Figure 1 , the second upper inclining plate dodge gate 2030 is removed, wherein a gate member 25 openably covers a second front opening B 1. Particularly, it should be pointed out that, by removing or pivoting upward, the second lower inclining plate dodge gate 2040 is in communication with the first upper opening A4 of the first module 10 via the generated second lower opening B4. Therefore, when the second lower inclining plate dodge gate 2040 and the first lower inclining plate dodge gate 1040 are pivoted to the second position (as shown in the Figure 6), the second inclining channel L2 is in communication with the first inclining channel LI, so that the barrel-like products can, via a second upper opening B2 or a second front opening B 1 , through the second inclining channel L2, roll to the first inclining channel LI and roll out. Or, by removing the second lower inclining plate dodge gate 2040 and the first lower inclining plate dodge gate 1040, the communication of the second inclining channel L2 and the first inclining channel LI can be realized by disposing corresponding gate members at a second rear opening B3 and the first rear opening A3, and the present invention is not limited in this regard. Take one second module in Figure 6 for example, the locations of the second front opening Bl, the second upper opening B2, the second rear opening B3 and the second lower opening B4 are shown in the Figure, and similarly, the direction of each arrow corresponds to the direction of each opening. By incorporating the second module, the capability of the modular system to contain the barrel-like products can be effectively improved (increased capacity).

In a further embodiment of the modular system 100 shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6, the modular system 100 further comprises a third module 30 coupled to the rear sides of both the first second module 10 and the second module 20. The third module 30 comprises a lower channel LI ', an upper channel L2' and a descending channel L12' connecting the lower channel LI ' and the upper channel L2'. The lower channel LI ' is in communication with the first inclining channel LI and extending upwardly and rearwardly along the orientation of the first inclining channel LI, the upper channel L2' is in communication with the second inclining channel L2 and extending downwardly and rearwardly along the orientation of the second inclining channel L2. In a preferred embodiment, the third module 30 may further comprise a channel extending portion 35 which engages with the left side wall and the right side wall of the third module 30 and located between the lower channel LI ' and the upper channel L2'. The channel extending portion 35 extends downward and rearward along the orientation of the second inclining channel L2 from the second inclining channel rear edge. The length of the channel extending portion 35 can be designed according to specific situations (including but not limited to, the size of the barrel-like products, the angles of inclination of the second inclining channel and the first inclining channel).

Referring to Figure 1, when both the first upper inclining plate dodge gate 1030 and the second lower inclining plate dodge gate 2040 are in the respective first positions, the barrel-like products in the second inclining channel L2 can enter the first inclining channel LI and arrive at the first front opening through the lower channel LI ', the descending channel L12' and the upper channel L2' and then roll out. By incorporating the third module 30, the capability of the modular system to contain the barrel-like products can be further improved (increased capacity) and the rolling of the barrel-like products from the second inclining channel L2 to the first inclining channel LI can also be buffered effectively, and therefore the whole process of rolling will be more fluently.

It needs to point out that, the top of the third module 30 may be opened at least in part. Besides, in an embodiment of the present invention, the module 30 may comprises an aperture 31 on its rear wall for observation of the amount of the barrel-like products within the modular system so as to decide whether to add barrel-like products or not according to the remainder of the products. It can be readily realized that, the present invention may also employ other arrangements to observe the remainder of the barrel-like products, for example, setting corresponding apertures (not shown) in the first right side wall 101 or the first left side wall 102 of the first module 10, or at least one of the first module, the second module and the third module may be partly formed of a material which is at least partially transparent.

Moreover, the coupling manner of the third module 30 to the first module 10 and the second module 20 can be a detachable coupling manner which is well known to those skilled in the art, for example, threaded connection, riveting connection, inserting connection, snapping connection and bonding via reclosable glue and so on. In other words, the present invention is not limited in the shape of the third module and the connecting manner thereof, as long as the third module has the above-mentioned or similar channel structure and can be coupled to the first module and the second module so as to realize the transfer of the barrel-like products from the second inclining channel to the first inclining channel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cross-sections of the first inclining channel LI, the second inclining channel L2, the upper channel L2', the descending channel LI 2' and the lower channel LI ' are rectangles with a same size, wherein the length of the rectangles is in the range of 1.01 to 1.5 times of the length of the barrel-like products, and the width of the rectangles is in the range of 1.01 to 1.5 times of the diameter of the barrel-like products. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the rectangles is in the range of 1.01 to 1.2 times of the length of the barrel-like products, and the width of the rectangles is in the range of 1.01 to 1.2 times of the diameter of the barrel-like products. It can be readily realized that, those skilled in the art may also change the shape of the channel boundary to facilitate the rolling of the barrel-like products according to practical requirements, for example, disposing

corresponding parts and materials.

As for the angles of inclination of the first inclining channel LI and the second inclining channel L2, in an exemplary embodiment, the angle of inclination -Θ of the first inclining channel LI is in the range between -2° to -30°, and the angle of inclination Θ of the second inclining channel L2 is in the range between 2° to 30°. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of inclination -Θ of the first inclining channel LI is in the range between -5° to -20°, and the angle of inclination Θ of the second inclining channel L2 is in the range between 5° to 20°. In a further preferred embodiment, the angle of inclination -Θ of the first inclining channel LI is in the range between -8° to -12°, and the angle of inclination Θ of the second inclining channel L2 is in the range between 8° to 12°. Those skilled in the art should realize that, the above-mentioned angle ranges are only examples of the present invention, the specific inclining angles of the first inclining channel LI and the second inclining channel L2 may be set depending on actual use conditions. As mentioned above, preferably, the first inclining channel LI and the second inclining channel L2 are mirror symmetry with respect to the interface between the first module and the second module.

In actual use, at least two modular systems 100, each only comprises a first module 10, can be coupled together in a lateral side-by-side manner, and the coupling can be realized by a coupling manner which is well known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to, disposing corresponding insertable engaging devices (for example, inserting structures 11 and 12 as shown in Figure 3) in the first right side wall 101 and the first left side wall 102 of each modular system 100 to engage the first right side wall 101 of one of the two adjacent modular systems 100 with the first left side wall 102 of the other of the two adjacent modular systems 100. In other embodiments, at least two modular systems 100, each only comprises first module 10, can be coupled together in a vertically superposed manner,and similarly, the coupling manner is not limited as well. It can be readily realized that, the modular system 100 of the present invention may be coupled together in a lateral side-by-side manner and a vertically superposed manner simultaneously to extend applications.

In another exemplary embodiment, at least two modular systems 100, each only comprises a first module 10 and a second module 20, can be coupled together in a lateral side-by-side manner and/or a vertically superposed manner. When being superposed longitudinally, the positions of the baffle plate and the bracket can be suitably designed according to practical requirements. For example, a bracket can be disposed only at the first front opening in the modular system 100 located in the bottom and gate members can be engaged with all other openings, and a bracket can also be disposed at the first front opening in the modular system 100 located above, the present invention is not limited in this regard. In still another exemplary embodiment, at least two modular systems 100, each comprises a first module 10, a second module 20 and a third module 30, can be coupled together in a lateral side-by-side manner (as shown in Figure 5) and/or in a vertically superposed manner. In the present embodiment, the rolling channel for the barrel-like products can be flexibly selected by setting the positions of several dodge gates. For example, in the embodiment as shown in Figure 6 wherein two modular systems comprising the first module, the second module and the third module are coupled together in a vertically superposed manner, the second lower inclining plate dodge gate 2040 and the first upper inclining plate dodge gate 1030 of the modular system located above are in the first position, and the first lower inclining plate dodge gate 1040 is in the second position; and the second upper inclining plate dodge gate 2030, the second lower inclining plate dodge gate 2040 and the first upper inclining plate dodge gate 1030 of the modular system located below are in the second position, and the first lower inclining plate dodge gate 1040 is in the first position, so that the communication of the two modular system is realized. Therefore, when added through the second upper opening B2 of the modular system located above, the barrel-like products roll down through the channels in the second modular 20, the third modular 30 and the first module 10 of the modular system located above as well as the second module 20, the first module 10 (without passing through the third module 30) of the modular system located below.

Surely, the above-mentioned extendible forms only are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited. For example, the present invention can be used by only superposing another first module 10 on the modular system 100 comprising the first module 10 and the second module 20. Figure 7 illustrates a use state diagram of a plurality of the modular systems coupled together in a lateral side -by-side manner and a vertically superposed manner, the devices extended in this way can store and dispense barrel-like products in a manner which is easy for sorting and effective for storage.

Regarding selection of materials, all components such as the first module 10, the second module 20, and the third module 30 , according to the modular system 100 of the present invention, can be formed of plastic, paperboard, wood, metal or composite materials, including transparent and translucent materials such as organic glasses. Those skilled in the art can readily realize that, at least one of the left side wall of the first module or the second module , the right side wall of the first module or the second module, and the third module may be partly formed of transparent or translucent materials so as to facilitate the observation of the amount of the barrel-like products in the modular system by user. Meanwhile, in practical, the materials should be reasonably selected for the rolling channels (or flanges) according to practical conditions so as to enhance the control of the rolling of the barrel-like products. To reduce the noises during the rolling of the barrel-like products, the rolling channels (or flanges) are preferably formed of non-mental materials.

Further, in practical use, for example, during a sale process in a shopping mall, the modular system 100 of the present invention may contain a corresponding control unit therein or may connect to an external control device so as to better dispense the products. In an exemplary embodiment, a switching device may be disposed in the modular system to realize the convert of a dodge gate between the first position and the second position. In another exemplary embodiment, a plurality of sensors can be disposed in the modular system 100, for example, the remainder of the barrel-like products in the system can be calculated by weight detection or infrared photoelectric detection, and corresponding display device can be disposed to display information, so as to facilitate the purchase of the consumers and the stocktaking of a salesman. In addition, a indication can be given out when the amount of the barrel-like products is lower than a set value, and the indication can be voice, flash and so on, so as to remind the staff to add barrel-like products in time. This present invention is not limited in this regard.

Although several exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above, the embodiments described are exemplary only and are not limiting, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications, changes, and/or substitutions are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes, and/or substitutions are defined in the attached claims.