BACKGROUND ART At present, refrigerators have shelves which consist of steel rods that are plastic coated and fused together to provide a shelf in which to store various products. In particular, though not solely, the products that are stored in refrigerator used in service stations, supermarkets and the like are drink bottles, cans, tetra packs or the like. The manual filling of these shelves is performed by placing bottles in rows on the shelves, and there is currently no adjustable means known in which to guide the bottles into lines or rows, therefore organisation into lines must be done manually. Therefore, refilling or stocking such fridges can provide a difficult task for the user in that it requires the user to maintain straight rows to enable easy removal and tidiness of the products.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a guide rail that can be fitted to existing refrigerators or sold in addition to the existing shelf supports of new refrigerators that overcomes the abovementioned disadvantages or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

In a first aspect the present invention broadly consists in an alignment member fittable to a refrigerator support shelf, wherein said shelf consists of a wire grid having a plurality of juxtaposed longitudinally extending rods joined to each other by at least two rods extending substantially naturally below said juxtaposed rods, said alignment member comprising or including : an elongate member, for locating substantially parallel to and intermediate of said juxtaposed members, wherein, in situ, said elongate member extends along said preferably substantially straight shelf and with which a product supported by said shelf can engage such that a plurality of products can be arranged in line longitudinally on said shelf.

In a second aspect the present invention broadly consists in a shelf for a refrigerator consisting of : a plurality of juxtaposed longitudinally extending rods joined to each other by at least two rods extending substantially naturally below said juxtaposed rods, and

an alignment member comprising of an elongate member for locating substantially parallel to and immediate of said juxtaposed members, wherein, insitu, said elongate member extends along said shelf which is preferably substantially straight and with which a product supported by said shelf can engage such that a plurality of products can be arranged in line longitudinally on said shelf.

In a third aspect the present invention broadly consists in an alignment member fittable into a refrigerator shelf consisting or including: a plurality of juxtaposed longitudinally extending elongate members joined to each other by at least two latitudinally extending elongate members to said juxtaposed members, wherein said alignment member is placed on or with an existing shelf of a refrigerator, with which a product supported by said shelf can engage such that a plurality of products can be arranged in line longitudinally on said shelf.

In a forth aspect the present invention broadly consists in an alignment system fittable to a refrigerator support shelf, wherein said shelf consists of a wire grid having a plurality of juxtaposed longitudinally extending rods joined to each other by at least two rods extending substantially naturally below said juxtaposed rods, said alignment member comprising or including : an elongate member, for locating substantially parallel to and intermediate of said juxtaposed members, a locating upstand provided at one distal end of said elongate member and a display means provided the other distal end of said elongate member, wherein, insitu, said elongate member extends along said preferably substantially straight shelf and with which a product supported by said shelf can engage such that a plurality of products can be arranged in line longitudinally on said shelf.

In a fifth aspect the present invention broadly consists in an alignment member fittable to a refrigerator support shelf wherein said shelf consists of a wire grid having a plurality of juxtaposed longitudinally extending rods joined to each other by at least two rods extending substantially naturally below said juxtaposed rods, said alignment member comprising or including: an elongate member, for locating substantially parallel to an intermediate of said juxtaposed members, and movement restricting means provided on and located at one end of said elongate member, wherein, insitu, said elongate member extends along said substantially straight shelf and with which a product supported by said shelf can engage such that a plurality of

products can be arranged in line longitudinally on said shelf.

In a sixth aspect the present invention broadly consists in an alignment system comprising or including: an alignment member, and display means, each fittable to a refrigerator support shelf, wherein said shelf consists of a wire grid having a plurality of juxtaposed longitudinally extending rods joined to each other by at least two rods extending substantially naturally below said juxtaposed rods, said alignment member comprising or including: an elongate member, for locating substantially parallel to and intermediate of said juxtaposed members, wherein, in situ, said elongate member extends along said preferably substantially straight shelf and with which a product supported by said shelf can engage such that a plurality of products can be arranged in line longitudinally on said shelf, said display means comprising or including: a hooking portion, and a display portion, wherein, in situ, said hooking portion is hooked under the frontmost of said two rods extending substantially naturally below said juxtaposed rods, and said display means provides an area in which to display product details at the front end of said refrigerator shelf.

In a seventh aspect the present invention broadly consists in a refrigerator which is provided with: at least one product supporting shelf wherein the shelf is of a kind which consists of a plurality of juxtaposed longitudinally extending rods joined to each other by at least two rods extending substantially naturally below said just juxtaposed rods, and an alignment member comprising of said elongate member for locating substantially parallel to an immediate of the juxtaposed members, wherein, insitu, said elongate member is to be provided extending along said shelf which is preferably substantially straight and with which a product supported by said shelf can engage such that a plurality of products can be arranged in line longitudinally on said shelf, wherein said elongate member is positioned intermediate of any pair of juxtaposed members for the purposes of providing a guide for said products.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a perspective view of one preferred form of the alignment member, showing strips of plastic or such preferably attached to the shelf at either end of the alignment member, the strip having the purpose of providing an area for the placement of advertising material and to act as a product stop.

Figure 2 is a side view of the alignment member of Figure 1 in association with a refrigerator storage shelf, Figure 3 is a perspective view of another preferred form of the alignment member, wherein the alignment member is an angle rail that is pressed at each end over the rods of the refrigerator storage shelf, Figure 4 is a side view of the alignment member of Figure 3 in association with a refrigerator storage shelf, Figure 5 is a perspective view of yet another preferred form of the present invention, wherein the alignment member is an extended rod, wherein the ends are bent perpendicular to the length of the rod, Figure 6 is a side view of the alignment member as shown in Figure 5, in association with a refrigerator storage shelf, Figure 7 is a perspective view yet another preferred form of the present invention, wherein the alignment member is an extended rod, wherein the ends are bent at a angle substantially less than 90° to the length of the rod, Figure 8 is a side view of the alignment member as shown in Figure 7, in association with the refrigerator storage shelf, Figure 9 is a perspective view of yet another preferred form of the alignment member, it being wholly placed into a refrigerator and fitting onto and into the refrigerator shelf, Figure 10 is a front view of a refrigerator shelf with bottles and cans stored thereon, showing the alignment member in between said bottles and cans providing the guiding of the bottles and cans into longitudinal lines, Figure 11 is a perspective view of yet another preferred form of the present invention, wherein the alignment member is an extended rod, wherein the ends are perpendicular to the length of the rod and one end is longer proportionally to the other end,

Figure 12 is a side view of the alignment member as shown in Figure 12, in association with a refrigerator storage shelf, Figure 13 is a front view of a refrigerator shelf with bottles and cans stored thereon, showing yet another preferred form of the alignment member, the member being positioned between said bottles and cans providing the guiding of the bottles and cans into longitudinal lines, Figure 14 is a partial cutaway perspective view of yet another preferred form of the alignment member, it being wholly placed into a refrigerator and fitting onto and into the refrigerator shelf, the alignment member has placement members to enable the pulling forward of bottles, cans or tetrapak cartons to the front of the shelf, Figure 15 is a perspective view of a refrigerator shelf further illustrating alternative forms of hooking members, that may be used to pull stock within the refrigerator to the front of the shelf, Figure 16 is a front view of the first alternative form of the hooking member in association with the shelf as shown in Figure 15, Figure 17 is a front view of the second alternative form of the hooking member in association with the shelf as shown in Figure 15, Figure 18 is a side view of a further alternative form of a hooking member that may be provided separately with the alternative forms of the elongate member as illustrated in any one of Figures 1 to 10 and 19 to 30, Figure 19 is a perspective view of an alternative form of the alignment member of the present invention, showing an angle rail attached to one end of the alignment member to be used for display purposes, where the other end of the alignment member has attached to it a locating upstand that may be used as a hooking member or to restrict movement or removal of the alignment member from the refrigerator shelf, Figure 20 is a front view of the alignment member, as shown in Figure 19, in association with the refrigerator storage shelf and products stored thereon, Figure 21 is a plan view of the alignment member, as shown in Figure 19, in association with the refrigerator storage shelf and products stored thereon, Figure 22 is a side view of the alignment member, as shown in Figure 19, in association with a refrigerator storage shelf, Figure 23 is a plan view of yet another preferred form of the alignment member in association with a refrigerator shelf wherein one end of the alignment member has been pressed to form a triangular area that acts to prevent easy removal of the alignment member from the shelf, Figure 23A is a plan view of the alignment member of Figure 23, showing the

alignment member having an alternative split end, used to prevent removal of the alignment member from the refrigerator shelf, Figure 24 is a side view of the alignment member as shown in Figure 23, Figure 25 is a bottom view of yet another preferred form of the alignment member, wherein a square section has been attached to one end of the rod thereby preventing easy removal of the alignment member from the refrigerator storage shelf, Figure 26 is a side view of the alignment member as shown in Figure 25, Figure 27 is a side view of a display means that may be used in conjunction with some embodiments of the alignment member as described, Figure 28 is a plan view of the display means of Figure 27 in association with a refrigerator shelf and the alignment member of Figure 23, Figure 29 is a side view of alternative form of a display means that may be used in conjunction with any of the alignment members shown in the Figures above, and Figure 30 is a plan view of the display means of Figure 29 in association with a refrigerator shelf and the alignment member of Figure 23.

With reference to Figure 1 and 2, in the preferred form of the present invention the alignment member 1 is a rod 2 that is circular in shape and extends to a length at least as long as the shelf of the refrigerator. The rod 2 may be made of anodised aluminum, plastic coated steel, extruded plastic or the like material. The plastic coating or extruded plastic may be of PVC or nylon. The alignment member 2 is provided with strips 3 that allow for the placement of the rod 2 over the refrigerator shelf 4, so that movement of the rod does not occur in a horizontal direction, that is, in the direction along the shelf rails.

The strips 3 have an additional purpose of allowing advertising material to be displayed on the strip. Furthermore, strips 3 are preferably attached to the shelf 4, which lie substantially against the end of each rod 2. In this case, the strips 3 would be made out of a substantially rigid material such as plastic or steel which also act as a stop for products on the shelf 4. Alternatively, the strips 3 may be attached, by welding or otherwise, to the alignment member making a grid-like structure, where the alignment members are themselves non-adjustable.

In use, the alignment member is placed between the rods of the refrigerator shelf 4 and is of such a diameter that the rod 2 sits substantially above the rods that make up the refrigerator shelf 4. A series of alignment members are provided on and in between the rods making up the refrigerator shelf, and can be placed at various distances from one another dependent on product sizes. The alignment members provide guide rails in which products may be placed, thereby producing a straight line of products that are easy to remove and replace. The face of each strip 3 may also provide a means in which to place

labeling such as product identification or product prices.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the present invention may have a form wherein the alignment member 5 is an angle rail, which may be made from either extruded aluminum, steel, plastic, or the like material and may be coated with a plastic coating as that detailed above. The angle rail 5 is placed upon and over one such rod of the shelf 6 and each end 7 of the angle rail 5 are pressed to the ends of the shelf rod 6. Alternatively the angle rail may be prefabricated wherein the ends of the rail are pressed in such a way that allows for snap fitting of the ends onto the shelf rod 6.

The alignment member as shown in Figures 3 and 4 is used in a similar way as described with reference to Figure 1 and 2 above, but the alignment member snaps over the shelf and is not placed between the shelf rails.

With reference to Figures 5 and 6, the present invention may be provided in the form wherein the alignment member consists of a circular rod 8 that has been extruded so that each end 9 is substantially perpendicular to the length of the rod 8.

With reference to Figures 7 and 8, the present invention may alternatively be provided in the form wherein the alignment member consists of a circular rod 8 that has been extruded so that each end 11 lies at an angle that is substantially less than the perpendicular to the length of the rod 8.

In use, the alignment member of Figures 5 to 8 may be placed into the grid of rods made by the shelf 10 of the refrigerator. Again, a number of rods 8 of this type can be place in horizontal alignment with one another providing rows in which products may be placed between.

With reference to Figure 9, the present invention may be in the form of a placeable frame 12 that can be fitted to existing refrigerator shelves. The frame 12 is made of a number of boards 13 placed adjacent to one another and provided with similar end boards 14. Alternatively, the placeable frame 12 may be made of flattened steel or wire. The end boards 14 provide the engaging of the frame 12 onto and about a shelf of a refrigerator, where the shelf of the refrigerator is made from rods placed in a grid-like arrangement or a flattened sheetmetal shelf. The end boards 14 may also provide a means in which to place labeling such as product identification or product prices and acts as product stops.

Figure 10 shows the use of two alignment members as detailed above. Here, the refrigerator shelf 15 has two alignment members of the rod type 16 as described above, used in conjunction with the alignment member of the angle type 17. The alignment members provide a space in which cans or bottles or the like may be placed so that for a

straight line of products is made. The alignment members due to their construction, as position allow for the products to remain in close proximity with one another thereby, providing efficient use of shelf space.

With reference to Figures 11 and 12, the present invention may be in the form wherein the alignment member 18 is a rod of a diameter such that the rod sits substantially above the rods that make up the refrigerator shelf 21. In the form of Figure 11 the alignment member has ends 19 and 20 that are bent at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the rod 18. Preferably end 20 is longer in length than end 19. In use, as shown in Figure 13, the end extension 20 extends below the shelf and the rod is placed within the shelf so that the shorter end sits over the front most rail of the shelf 21 and end extension 20 sits over and around the back most rail of the refrigerator shelf 21. Therefore if stock is required to be pulled forward a person may turn end 19 in a circular manner, and slide the rod forward so that extension end 20 pulls the stock, such as cans or bottles, to the front of the shelf. As the alignment member 18 is placed between rows of bottles or cans 22 the rod may be rotated clockwise, as shown by the arrow A, and the bottles 22 on the left hand side of the rod can be moved to the front of the shelf 21.

Alternatively, the rod may be rotated anti-clockwise, as shown by arrow B, and the bottles 22 on the right hand side of the rod can be moved to the front of the shelf 21 by pulling the rod outwards. The rod 18 may be made of anodised aluminum or may be made of a plastic coated steel or the like material.

Figure 14 shows another form of the present invention wherein the alignment member is in the form of a placeable frame 23 that can be fitted to existing refrigerator shelves. Again, as with the invention of Figure 9, the frame 23 is made of a number of boards placed adjacent to one another and provided with similar end boards. Here the boards may be made of aluminum sections, sections of flattened steel, wire or any other appropriate material. Fitted within the adjacent boards (24 and 25) may be slidable members 26 which when pulled out from the frame 23 enable the pulling forward of stock placed on the refrigerator shelf. The slidable members 26 may be a single member made of flattened steel or wire, where the length of steel or wire has front and back ends, preferably extruded, which are perpendicular to the length of the slidable member 26. The back end of the slidable member is longer than the front end, and acts as a hook-like member that, as the shorter front ends 27 are grasped and the corresponding back end is pulled forward the cans, bottles or cartons are moved to the front of the refrigerator shelf.

Alternatively the hooking member may be extended along the full length of the individual

shelf space that seats a row of cans or bottles and forms a handle-like rectangular member.

In use, upon pulling the handle 28 formed by the sliding member, the opposing end of the slidable member 29, itself handle-like in appearance, pulls the stock, such as cans or bottles, to the front of the refrigerator shelf.

Referring now to Figures 15,16 and 17, a alternative to the slidable member as described above may be provided with either the shelf or the individual rod-like alignment members of the present invention. Two forms of slidable members are shown in Figure 15, are placeable on a refrigerator shelf 21 and slidable upon the shelf. The first form of a slidable member, as shown front on in Figure 16, is an extruded circular rod, although it is anticipated that the slidable member may be made from a flattened steel, that is substantially rectangular in shape and has a back section that is bent to accommodate products such as bottles or cans, that would fit in the circular area 33 (see Figure 15) or broken lines 33 (see Figure 16). This form of the slidable member 31 may also have the provision of attachable strips 32 that enable the placement of advertising and such. The second form of a slidable member 30, as shown front on in Figure 17, is also preferably an extruded circular rod, but which can be made of flattened steel. Slidable member 30 is a length of rod that has a front end 34 which is bent perpendicular to the length of the member. The other end of the member forms hook like portions extending either side of the rod at an angle from the rod, and have upstand at the distal end of each hook like portion which further assist in the support of the product that is placeable in area 33 as shown in Figure 15 or by the broken lines in Figure 17. Upon a user pulling the end 34, the products are pulled along the shelf to the front of the shelf by the hooking-like portions.

Alternatively a hooking member 35 may be provided, as shown in Figure 18. The member 35 is made from an extruded steel or aluminum rod, wire or a plastics type material and has a hook-like end 37 and a handle 36. The handle 36 can also hold a label.

In use the member 35 is held by the handle 36 and may be placed above or beside products on a refrigerator shelf and the products pulled forward along the shelf by the hook-like end 37 by hooking and pulling from the rear of the products.

Referring now to Figures 19 to 22, a further alternative form of the alignment member will now be described. The alignment member as shown in Figure 19 consists of a rod or tube 37, that is preferably a circular elongate rod substantially equivalent in length to that of the refrigerator shelf. The rod or tube 37 has attached to one end a upstand 38 preferably made of the same material as the rod, for example extruded

aluminum, steel (stainless or other) or a plastic type material. The upstand 38 is substantially rectangular in shape and attached to the rod 37 by any appropriate means.

Attached to the other end of the rod 37 is a angular rail 39, preferably made of the same material as the rod 37. The rail 39 consists of a vertical section 40 that may be used to display advertising material or product prices. The substantially horizontal section 41 of the angular rail 39, which is better illustrated in Figure 22, sits below the front most rail of the refrigerator shelf 42, therefore providing for the snug fitting of the alignment member to the shelf 42. The angular rail 39 and upstand 38 assist in the prevention of easy rotation and removal of the alignment member from the shelf 42. As can be seen in Figures 20 and 21 products 43 such as cans, bottles or tetrapaks are placed upon the shelf on either side of the rod 37 in parallel lines.

Referring now to Figures 23 and 24, a further alternative form of an alignment member is shown. The alignment member of this form consists of a circular rod or tube 44 having a length that is substantially equal to the length of the refrigerator shelf. The rod or tube 44 has one end 46 that has been pressed, by appropriate pressing apparatus, to provide the end 46 with a tapered, triangular-like shape. Upon placement or removal of the alignment member within the refrigerator shelf 45 there is required an upward movement of the front end of the rod or tube 44 and circular turning movement of the rod or tube 44, as shown by arrow A in Figure 23, so as to enable the rod to be removed or replaced from the shelf.

As shown in Figure 23A the rod 44 may be provided with a split end 144. Here the end has a horizontal slit 145 in it which, when used in conjunction with dimples 146 and 147, prevent the rod 44 from being easily removed from the shelf. To install this alignment member (rod 44) into the refrigerator shelf 45 the user must apply a force, either side of the slit 145, onto the dimples, in the direction of the arrows'B in Figure 23A.

This force pushes the legs 150 and 151 together reducing the width of the slit 145, and the diameter of the rod 44, to allow the rod to be slotted between horizontal shelf rails 148 and 149 (see Figure 23). After the force has been removed from the dimples, the legs 150 and 151 move back into their original position thereby causing the rod to be locked into place between the vertical rails 148 and 149. If a user wishes to remove the alignment member from the refrigerator shelf then both a sliding and a twisting movement of the rod is required.

A rod of any one of the alignment members disclosed may have a split end 144 incorporated into one or both ends.

Referring now to Figures 25 and 26, an alternative form of the alignment member as shown in Figure 23 is shown. The alignment member of this form consists of a circular rod or tube 47 and a section 48, preferably square or rectangular in shape, that has been welded or attached by any other appropriate means to end 49 of the rod. The section 48 prevents the easy removal of the alignment member from the refrigerator shelf. The alignment member can be placed within the shelf or removed from the shelf by using a upward lift of the rod end 50 and circular turning movement of the rod 47.

Referring now to Figures 27 and 28, display means 51 may be provided with some of the alignment members herein described. The display means 51 may be made from aluminum, plastic, steel or any other appropriate material. In Figure 28 the alignment member 58 is that as shown in Figure 23. The display means 51 has a hooking portion 52, a dimple or continuously longitudinal bead 53 and display panel 54. In use, the hooking portion 52 is hooked under the front most rail 55 of the refrigerator shelf 56 and the dimple or bead 53 provides a snap type fitting to fix the display means 51 to the refrigerator shelf 56. A display panel 54 is attached, by any appropriate means, to the straight section 57 of the hooking portion 52. Although in alternative forms, the display means and section 57 may be formed as one component. The straight section 57 also acts as a stop for products stored upon the shelf 56. Preferably the panel 54 is made of a transparent material, such as a an appropriate plastic, where the panel could be a sleeve that is able to receive a piece of card or paper having product information printed upon it. Alternatively, the panel may be a flat section of plastic affixed to the hooking member where a sticky label may be affixed. Preferably the display means is made from a plastic type material, but can be made of other appropriate materials.

Referring now to Figures 29 and 30, which show an alternative arrangement of the display means as illustrated in Figure 27. Here, instead of there being a dimple or bead provided on the display means 59 there is attached to the straight section of the hooking portion 60 a canoe clip 61. The canoe clip 61 provides the fixing of the display means to the front rod 55 of the refrigerator shelf 56.

Each of the display means as described above may also be provided with a lip 62 as shown in Figure 27. The lip has the purpose of providing further means to retain the alignment member upon the refrigerator shelf, as is illustrated in Figure 28.

The advantages of such an alignment member are that the member can be fitted with existing refrigerators in existing shelves utilising the space between each of the longitudinal members of the refrigerator shelf. Alternatively, the alignment member may

be provided with the shelves or refrigerator when bought. Furthermore, at least one form of the alignment member of the present invention can be removed and placed elsewhere along the shelf and a number of members may be placed at various distances to one another to provide different sized guides to allow for differing sized products to be placed on the shelves. The provisions of strips, either on the shelf or attachable to the alignment members provide a stop for products as well as a space for labeling and advertising, thereby providing easy identification of the stock that has been depleted. The provision of the alignment members within and on the shelves allows for easy removal and replacement of products from the shelf and allows for a tidy presentation of products, therefore making stock rotation easier. Therefore, advancing stock forward along the shelf using a hooking member is made faster and easier than it is by hand and stock is kept to the front of the shelf and is easily maintained.

A further advantage of the alignment member as shown in Figures 19 to 22 is the provision for easy product identification, as well as a ledge which stops the product from falling from the shelf. Furthermore, the angle rail provides a guide to maintain the rod in the correct position within the shelf, and to enable the alignment member to be fitted into refrigerator storage shelves where the rods making up the shelf are distanced from one another more than the width of the alignment member. This alignment member is further adjustable for different sized products.

The alignment member as shown in Figures 23 to 26 has the advantage of preventing the easy removal of, and therefore possible theft, of the alignment member.

This alignment member also provides for more secure positioning of the member, and can be fitted to storage shelves where the shelf rods are placed further apart.

The alignment member of the present invention is that the all forms of the alignment member is situated near to the refrigerator shelf therefore products can be moved between rows established by the alignment member with ease.

Finally, all forms of the alignment member are simple to use and install, they are low cost, and are able to be placed in existing and newly installed refrigerators.