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Display merchandiser with conically-shaped glassDisplay merchandiser with conically-shaped glass description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070175231, Display merchandiser with conically-shaped glass. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/763,601, filed Jan. 31, 2006, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND [0002]The present invention relates to a glass-front display merchandiser. More particularly, the invention relates to a glass-front display merchandiser with wedge-style cases. [0003]Glass-front display merchandisers, sometimes referred to as deli or service merchandisers are generally assembled from aligned modular sections or cases. The modular cases typically include straight cases of variable lengths (e.g., 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 feet long) and inside and outside wedge cases of variable arc length (e.g., 45 and 90 degrees). The different modular cases can be aligned end to end and assembled to form a linear merchandiser or a merchandiser having a customized shape, such as a 90 degree corner, a bump out, an inlet, or an S-curve. [0004]Typically, display merchandisers that include only straight cases have glass fronts made from "straight glass" panes. Straight glass is used to described a generally planar glass pane. When straight cases are assembled together end-to-end, the adjacent ends of the straight glass panes are aligned with each other to provide the illusion of a single seamless elongated merchandiser. Alternatively, when a customized shape is desired, the glass fronts of the straight cases can use "curved glass" and the glass fronts of the wedge cases can use "spherical glass" panes. Curved glass refers to glass panes that are curved when viewed in a vertical cross-section, and that are flat when viewed in a horizontal cross-section. Spherical glass is curved in both the horizontal and vertical cross-sections. When a straight case is assembled together with a wedge case the adjacent ends of the spherical and curved glass panes are aligned with each other along a curved path to similarly provide the illusion of a single seamless customized merchandiser. [0005]FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art straight case 10 with a curved glass pane 12. The case 10 generally includes a product display area 14 that supports food product (not shown) available to consumers in a retail setting. The case 10 further includes a base 16 and an upper case frame or case top 18. The base 16 includes a front portion 20 and a rear portion 22 which partially define the product display area 14. At least one strut 24 connects the case top 18 and the rear portion 22 of the case 10. A lower portion 26 of the curved glass pane 12 contacts the front portion 20 to maintain the food product in the product display area 14 at predetermined conditions. [0006]With further reference to FIG. 2, an upper portion 28 of the curved glass pane 12 is pivotally attached to the case top 18 above the product display area using a clamp 30 and a hinge 32. When curved glass panes are attached, the clamp 30 is linear. Alternatively, when spherical glass panes are attached the clamp 30 is bent to match the curve of the upper edge of the spherical glass pane. An extruded stationary front profile 35 is attached to the case top 18 and provides a transition between the clamp 30 and the case top 18. The clamp 30 includes a clamping axis 34 that defines an angle A (e.g., a clamping angle) relative to a vertical axis 36. This angle A is typically approximately 55 degrees. The hinge 32, case top 18, and front profile 35 are collectively referred to as spherical glass hardware because they are used to mount curved and spherical glass panes. SUMMARY [0007]In one embodiment, the invention provides a case for displaying food product in a product display area. The case includes a base having a front portion and a rear portion, and an upper case frame coupled to the rear portion and extending partially above the product display area The merchandiser also includes a glass member having a lower portion coupled to the front portion and all upper portion coupled to the upper case frame. The glass member defines a curved profile when viewed in a horizontal cross-section and a straight profile when viewed in a vertical cross-section. [0008]In another embodiment, the invention provides a glass member configured for installation on a display case that has a front portion and an upper case frame. The glass member includes a glass pane having a curved lower portion configured to couple to the front portion, and a curved upper portion configured for pivotal attachment to the upper case frame. The glass pane defines a curved profile in a horizontal cross-section and a straight profile in a vertical cross-section. [0009]In vet another embodiment, the invention provides a clamp configured for installation on a wedge-style display case to couple a glass member to the display case. The display case includes an upper case frame. The clamp includes a base having a first surface. The base is configured to couple to the upper case frame. The clamp also includes a top portion spaced apart from the base and having a second surface, and a back wall coupled to the base and the top portion such that the first surface, the second surface, and the back wall define a slot configured to receive the glass member along a clamping axis. The clamping axis and a vertical axis cooperate to define a clamping angle for the glass member between about 25 degrees and about 45 degrees. [0010]In still another embodiment, the invention provides a method of converting a case having a spherical glass member to a case having a conically-shaped glass member. The method includes providing a case having a hinge, a first clamp attached to the hinge, and a spherical glass member coupled to the clamp. The method also includes removing the spherical glass member from the first clamp, detaching the first clamp from the hinge, attaching a second clamp to the hinges and coupling a conically-shaped glass member to the second clamp. [0011]Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012]FIG. 1 is a side view of a straight case of a display merchandiser of the prior art having a curved glass pane. [0013]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a prior art glass clamp of the straight case shown in FIG. 1. [0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inside wedge-style case of a glass-front display merchandiser according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0015]FIG. 4 is a side view of the case shown in FIG. 3. [0016]FIG. 5 is a top view of the case shown in FIG. 3. [0017]FIG. 6 is a front view of the case shown in FIG. 3. [0018]FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a glass clamp of the case shown in FIG. 3. [0019]FIG. 8 is a front view of the glass clamp and conically-shaped glass pane of the case shown in FIG. 3 [0020]FIG. 9 is a top view of the glass clamp and conically-shaped glass pane shown in FIG. 8. Continue reading about Display merchandiser with conically-shaped glass... Full patent description for Display merchandiser with conically-shaped glass Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Display merchandiser with conically-shaped glass patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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