Feeder device
A feeder device configured for mounting on a shelf for feeding successive products (p) to a front of the shelf. The device comprises an elongated guide member ( 10 ) which is configured for extending longitudinally backwards from the front of the shelf when the device is mounted. A sled ( 30 ) is slidably arranged at the guide member ( 10 ) such that the sled can slide along the length of the elongated guide member, and configured for engaging a backmost product of the successive products (P) for pushing the products towards the front of the shelf. The feeder device also comprises means ( 35 ) for urging the sled ( 30 ) along the guide member ( 10 ) towards a front end of said guide member. Indication means are arranged to indicate that the sled ( 30 ) has reached a certain position along the guide member ( 10 ). The indication means comprises a transmission member ( 60 ) which is longitudinally, limitedly displaceable relative to the guide member ( 10 ); and a magnet ( 37 ) which is arranged to connect and to disconnect the transmission member ( 60 ) with and from the sled ( 30 ).
1. A feeder device configured for mounting on a shelf for feeding successive products to a front of the shelf, the device comprising:
an elongated guide member which is configured for extending longitudinally backwards from the front of the shelf when the device is mounted;
a sled slidably arranged at the guide member such that the sled can slide along the length of the elongated guide member, configured for engaging a backmost product of the successive products for pushing the products towards the front of the shelf;
means for urging the sled along the guide member towards a front end of said guide member; and
indication means arranged to indicate that the sled has reached a certain position along the guide member;
characterised in that
the indication means comprises (i) a transmission member which is longitudinally, limitedly displaceable relative to the guide member; and (ii) a magnet which is arranged to connect and to disconnect the transmission member with and from the sled.
2. A feeder device according to claim 1 , wherein the indication means comprises a visual indicator which is arranged at the front end of the guide member.
3. A feeder device according to claim 2 , wherein the visual indicator is connected to the transmission member.
4. A feeder device according to claim 1 , wherein the indication means comprises an electronic circuit arranged to give an electronic indication when the sled has reached said certain position along the guide member.
5. A feeder device according to claim 4 , wherein the electronic circuit is arranged to give the electronic indication at a distance from the shelf.
6. A feeder device according to claim 1 , wherein one of the sled and the transmission member comprises a first magnet and the other of the sled and the transmission member comprises a second magnet or a magnetic material, and wherein the second magnet or the magnetic material respectively is arranged to be attracted by the first magnet, thereby connecting the transmission member with the sled.
7. A feeder device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission member comprises a metal rod.
8. A feeder device according to claim 1 wherein the transmission member is guidedly received in a longitudinal groove arranged in the guide member.
9. A feeder device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission member and the guide member are provided with cooperating stop means arranged to allow only a limited longitudinal displacement of the transmission member relative to the guide member.
10. A feeder device according to claim 1 , wherein the guide member exhibits a through hole with a front edge and a rear edge and the transmission member comprises a stop portion extending through the through hole and being arranged to limit forward and rearward displacement of the transmission member by contacting the front edge and rear edge respectively.
11. A feeder device according to claim 10 , wherein the transmission member is guidedly received in a longitudinal groove arranged in the guide member and wherein the through hole is arranged in a bottom surface of the longitudinal groove.
12. A feeder device according to claim 7 , wherein the transmission member is formed of a magnetic metal rod exhibiting a first rectilinear front portion a second intermediate stop portion which extends perpendicularly from the first portion and a third rectilinear rear portion which extends perpendicular from the second portion and in parallel with the first portion.
13. A feeder device according to claim 12 , wherein the first portion is guidedely received in a longitudinal groove arranged in the guide member, the second portion extends through a through hole arranged in the guide member and the third portion is arranged below a bottom wall of the guide member.
14. A feeder device according to claim 1 , wherein the means for urging the sled forwardly comprises a coil spring with an end portion which is fixed to the front end of the guide member.
15. A feeder device according to claim 1 , wherein the guide member comprises a shelf divider wall.