U.S. patent application number 10/716258 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-12 for system and method for product display, arrangement and rotation.
Invention is credited to Close, James Garth.
Application Number | 20050098515 10/716258 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34549115 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050098515 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Close, James Garth |
May 12, 2005 |
System and method for product display, arrangement and rotation
Abstract
A device, system, and method for manually arranging products on
a display shelf. A plastic ridged base may be cut to a desired
display shelf width along preformed notches and then be placed on
the display shelf. Excess base width may serve as a rear backing
element to support row partitions. The ridges support merchandise
and permit a pull member to rest between ridges. The pull member
may be manually pulled to bring merchandise to the front of a row.
The ridges may be universal, or may be of specific dimensions for
items such as soup cans or baby food jars. Narrow base sections may
be extruded and snapped together to form a desired base unit width.
A spring or elastic active alignment device may be used on the base
to move display items forward on a shelf.
Inventors: |
Close, James Garth;
(Georgetown, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Rick B. Yeager
10805 Mellow Lane
Austin
TX
78759
US
|
Family ID: |
34549115 |
Appl. No.: |
10/716258 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10716258 |
Jan 15, 2004 |
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10392162 |
Mar 18, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/59.3 ;
211/184 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/12 20130101; A47F
1/126 20130101; A47F 7/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/059.3 ;
211/184 |
International
Class: |
A47F 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A product display base for use in manually aligning merchandise
on a display shelf, the display base comprising a plurality of
overlapping sections each section comprising: a bottom surface,
such that the display base may be placed on the display shelf, and
at least a portion of the bottom surface is in contact with the
display shelf; a front edge; a first side edge; a second side edge;
a rear edge; a plurality of merchandise support ridges, including a
first merchandise support ridge and a second merchandise support
ridge, such that the merchandise support ridges extend from the
proximity of the front edge to the proximity of the rear edge; and
at least one pull member channel located between the first
merchandise support ridge and the second merchandise support ridge,
such that a portion of a pull member may be placed in the channel
under merchandise supported by the first merchandise support ridge
and the second merchandise support ridge
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31. The product display base of claim 1 further comprising a front
stop element which may be positioned in proximity to the front edge
of the display base, the front stop element comprising a front
retention member, such that the front retention member may engage
an item on the display base to prevent the item from inadvertently
being pushed or pulled off of the front of the display base; a base
attached to the front retention member and positioned under the
display base; and a retaining lip integral to the base, such that
the retaining lip engages slots provided in the bottom portions of
a plurality of support ridges on the display base.
32. The product display base of claim 1 further comprising a first
snap feature along the first side edge; and a second snap feature
along the second side edge, such that the first snap feature of a
first base section may snap over the second snap feature of a
second base section.
33. The product display base of claim 1 wherein the first and
second support ridges at least partially support merchandise in a
first row; there is a third merchandise support ridge, such that
the second ridge is positioned between the first ridge and the
third ridge, and the third ridge at least partially supports
merchandise in a second row; and there is at least one row
partition insert, such that the row partition insert is inserted
between the second ridge and the third ridge in order to separate
the first row and the second row.
34. A product display system comprised of a display shelf; a
plurality of partially overlapping display base sections, each
display base section comprising a bottom surface, such that the
display base may be placed on the display shelf, and at least a
portion of the bottom surface is in contact with the display shelf,
a front edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, a rear edge,
and a plurality of ridges comprising a first ridge extending from
the proximity of the front edge to the proximity of the rear edge;
a second ridge extending from the proximity of the front edge to
the proximity of the rear edge; at least one pull member channel
located between the first ridge and the second ridge, such that
products may be placed in the row and a portion of a pull member
may be placed in the channel under the products, and the product
containers may be pulled toward the front edge of the display shelf
by pulling the pull member which engages the rearmost product and
pulls the row of products forward while the products are laterally
confined within the row by the first ridge and the second ridge; a
plurality of pull members; and a first merchandise item positioned
in a first row and a second merchandise item positioned in a second
row, such that the second row is adjacent to the first row, and
such that the second ridge provides a boundary between the first
row and the second row.
35. The product display system of claim 34 wherein a pull member
comprises an elongated section which rests within the pull member
channel; a rear product engagement section which is connected to
the rear of the elongated section; and a front pull section,
connected to the front of the elongated section, such that the
front pull section may be pulled outwards away from the front edge
of the display shelf, thereby causing the rear product engagement
section to engage the rearmost product in the row.
36. The product display system of claim 34 wherein the first
display base section has a top surface; and a second display base
section overlaps the first side edge of the first display base
section, thereby extending the display base area.
37. The product display system of claim 34 further comprising at
least one front stop positioned in proximity to the front edge of a
row, such that the front stop may engage a portion of the first
product in the row thereby restraining the product in the row.
38. The display base of claim 34 further comprising a plurality of
pre-formed bend markings so that base can be bent along a selected
bend marking.
39. The display base of claim 34 further comprising a spring loaded
rear engagement member positioned in the first row, such that the
rear engagement member pushes the first merchandise item toward the
front of the display shelf.
40. The display base of claim 34 further comprising an active
alignment device positioned in the first row, such that the active
alignment device pushes the first merchandise item toward the front
of the display shelf.
41. The display base of claim 40 wherein the active alignment
device comprises a spring means.
42. The display base of claim 40 wherein the active alignment
device comprises an elastic member.
43. The display base of claim 34 further comprising a first display
shelf section comprising a first snap feature along the first side
edge, and a second snap feature along the second side edge; and a
second display shelf section comprising a first snap feature along
the first side edge, and a second snap feature along the second
side edge, such that the first snap feature of the first base
section may snap over the second snap feature of the second base
section.
44. The display base of claim 34 further comprising a front stop
element which may be positioned in proximity to the front edge of
the display base, the front stop element comprising a front
retention member, such that the front retention member may engage
an item on the display base to prevent the item from inadvertently
being pushed or pulled off of the front of the display base; a base
attached to the front retention member and positioned under the
display base; and a retaining lip integral to the base, such that
the retaining lip engages slots provided in the bottom portions of
a plurality of support ridges on the display base.
45. The display base of claim 34 wherein the first row comprises a
first divider removably positioned between a first ridge and a
second ridge; and a second divider removably positioned between a
third ridge and a fourth ridge.
46. The display base of claim 34 wherein the first divider and the
second divider further comprise a base; and a partition member
integral to the base, such that the partition member is narrower
than the base unit, and such that the partition member is
positioned to one side of the midpoint of the base, and such that
the first divider and second divider may each be positioned with
the partition member closer to the other divider or further from
the other divider, thereby permitting the row width to be adjusted
by the various orientations of the first divider and the second
divider.
47. A product display base section for use in manually aligning
merchandise on a display shelf, the display base section
comprising: a bottom surface, such that the display base may be
placed on the display shelf, and at least a portion of the bottom
surface is in contact with the display shelf; a front edge; a first
side edge; a first snap feature along the first side edge; a second
side edge; a second snap feature along the second side edge; a rear
edge; a plurality of merchandise support ridges, including a first
merchandise support ridge and a second merchandise support ridge,
such that the merchandise support ridges extend from the proximity
of the front edge to the proximity of the rear edge; and at least
one pull member channel located between the first merchandise
support ridge and the second merchandise support ridge, such that a
portion of a pull member may be placed in the channel under
merchandise supported by the first merchandise support ridge and
the second merchandise support ridge
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent
applications No. 10/392,162 filed March 18, 2003 and claims
priority from that application.
[0002] This application is related to U.S. provisional patent
applications No. 60/290,969 filed on May 14, 2002; No. 60/292,441
filed on May 19, 2002; and No. 60/400,976 filed on Jul. 28, 2002;
and claims priority from those applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The invention relates to the display, arrangement and
rotation of products such as those packaged in bottles, jars, cans,
and boxes, and more particularly to an improved product display,
arrangement and rotation system and method in which products
displayed on a display shelf can easily be arranged or rotated to
have the products' expiration dates kept safely up to date and to
conveniently position the products manually near the front edge of
the shelves for improved visual exposure and effortless selection
by consumers.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] Retail stores relying on the consumers to serve themselves
have recognized the importance of displaying products near the
front edge of display shelves so that the products can be readily
seen by consumers and easily reached by the consumers. Customers
typically remove products from the front of a display shelf, and
products remaining toward the rear of display shelves are often
difficult to reach.
[0007] Well operated retail stores have clerks move around the
store periodically to check the status of goods and to make
appropriate corrections by moving products toward the front of
display shelves. There is a need to make this alignment process
more efficient.
[0008] The prior art provides some examples of automated or
semi-automated shelf display alignment.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,438 to applicant describes a system and
method for product display, arrangement and rotation. That patent
includes a relatively fixed side frame which is typically held in
place by magnetic attraction, and a pull frame attached to a rear
member that is used to pull product forward on a shelf.
[0010] The '438 patent discusses prior art including U.S. Pat. No.
5,203,463 to Steven K. Gold which teaches the use of springs to
push items to the front position on the display shelf; U.S. Pat.
No. 5,240,126 to Foster which also uses a ribbon spring arrangement
to advance a row of items forward; U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,125 to Kunz,
which is similar to the '126 patent, with the addition of a
protective wire grid to prevent a glass jar from falling out of the
device; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,546 to Crum which also uses a
spring mechanism.
[0011] Pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/918,843 filed
Jul. 31, 2001 by applicant for "System and method for product
display, arrangement and rotation" describes a device, system, and
method for manually arranging products on a display with two slide
rails which fit into the vacant spaces near the bottom of rounded
container sides. In an alternate embodiment, a base is provided to
elevate a row of containers, and the slide rails slide underneath
the containers in the row. The slide rails may be attached to a
rear member which engages the rear of the last product container in
the row, and pushes the containers forward as the front member is
pulled away from the display shelf. The device may be a wire frame
which may include side covers of various shapes and sizes. One
embodiment of that base is a set of overlapping single display
rows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The current invention relates to a device, system and method
for displaying products generally forming a queue on a display
surface such as a display shelf. Several embodiments of the
invention relate to supporting merchandise on a display base.
[0013] In one embodiment, the base has a plurality of closely
spaced product support ridges. The support ridges provide a
strengthening of the base and provide a support surface for
merchandise. The valleys between the support ridges form recesses
for the insertion of row dividers to define rows for the
merchandise; and the valleys permit pull members to be positioned
below merchandise.
[0014] In this invention, the term ridges refers to elevated
elements integral to a display base which support merchandise above
the base. The base typically rests on a shelf such as in a grocery
store. Some of the spaces, or valleys, between adjacent ridges
permit pull members to be placed below the merchandise so that
merchandise will slide on the ridges above the pull member.
[0015] The ridges may have a variety of cross sectional shapes
including triangular, flattened triangular, rounded, rectangular,
or stepped. The ridges may include recesses to accept inserted row
partitions, or a divider partition may be placed between
ridges.
[0016] Row dividers may be provided by the ridges themselves, such
as with a stepped ridge, or may be provided by divider partitions
inserted into recesses in the ridges or between ridges. In some
embodiments, the shape of the ridges is sufficient to separate rows
of merchandise without additional partitions. For many types of
merchandise which have rounded or indented profiles in the lower
portion of the container, a stepped ridge profile can be selected
to fit into the recess formed between adjacent rows of containers,
so that row division may be accomplished without requiring the
additional shelf width of partition inserts. For retailers such as
grocery stores that have precisely defined merchandising plans,
this aspect of the invention permits the display base to be adopted
without modification to the merchandising scheme.
[0017] The display base may be provided as a universal base such as
regularly spaced rows, or the rows may be specifically designed to
accommodate the actual row widths and profiles of particular
merchandise. For example custom bases may be provided for rows of
soup cans or jelly jars; or for rows of stacks of baby food jars.
Merchandise is not limited to cans and jars, but may include a
variety of shapes.
[0018] In one embodiment, the rear portion of the ridges may be
marked or scored at one-inch intervals so that the base may be bent
to a desired shelf depth. The ridges are formed so that every other
ridge has a score line at a particular depth. This alternating
scoring of the ridges IS provides a guide for bending the base to a
desired width while maintaining a strengthened base.
[0019] In one ermbodiment, the base is cut to a desired depth and
the flat rear portion of the removed rear section of the base is
typically bent to a 90-degree angle and positioned below the rear
of the display base. The ridges and valleys of the upturned rear
portion of the base provide vertical support for the rear portion
of the row dividers. In this embodiment, a partition divider
typically rests in a selected valley with the bottom of the divider
positioned in the horizontal portion of the valley, and the rear
portion of the divider positioned in at least a portion of a valley
on the upturned rear section.
[0020] A pull member such as a strap, a rod, a spring coil, or an
elastic band may be placed in a channel formed between ridges. The
pull member may be manually pulled outward from the display shelf,
or may automatically keep merchandise moved toward the front of the
display shelf by constant force such as a spring or elastic
band.
[0021] Advantages of the current invention include the low cost of
the display base, such as provided by thermoforming or vacuum
molding the base, efficient packaging, and low shipment cost. The
base is also very easy to cut to desired size and to install on a
shelf without special tools. The base can typically be cut with
scissors or a box knife. The base will work with various display
shelf depths, and with various sizes of merchandise including
product containers such as cans, bottles, and bags.
[0022] In one embodiment, the display base includes a plurality of
display rows which each have a pre-determined width to accommodate
a specific size of product container. For instance, in the case of
soup cans, the base may have a set of rows which are each the same
width. In other cases, adjacent rows may have different widths to
accommodate different sized containers.
[0023] The rows typically have two ridge dividers, one on each side
of the row, such that the dividers engage a portion of the lower
part of the product containers in order to keep the containers in
the row.
[0024] In one embodiment, the center of each row has a single
recess channel which holds a pull member. The pull member may be a
thin plastic strip which is bent upwards at its rear end in order
to engage the rear product container in the row. In one embodiment
the rear of the pull strap includes a pull plate for engaging the
product containers. The front end of pull strap typically protrudes
slightly from the front of the display base so that it may be
grasped and pulled outward to align the product containers in the
row. After alignment, the pull strap is returned to its resting
position with the rear of the strap near the rear of the display
shelf, and the front of the pull strap protruding slightly from the
front of the shelf. In other embodiments, the pull member may be a
rod, bar, or elastic member.
[0025] In another embodiment, two recess channels may be provided
in a row, and the pull device includes two elongated members which
rest in the channel. The rear of the elongated members may be
attached to a pull plate to engage the back of the product
containers, and the front of the members may be attached to a
handle. The product alignment proceeds as in the single channel
embodiment by grasping the handle, pulling the handle outwards from
the display shelf until the containers are aligned, and returning
the handle to its rest position.
[0026] Inventory, such as restocking is assisted by observing the
length of the pull device, which provides a measure of available
display space behind the containers. In this way, the stocker does
not need to visually observe the row depth, and the shelve height
can be lower than what is required for visual inspection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0027] FIG. 1A is a top view of an embodiment of a display base
having one pull channel per display row.
[0028] FIG. 1B is a detailed top view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1A.
[0029] FIG. 1C is a cross sectional view of two rows of the display
base shown in FIG. 1A.
[0030] FIG. 1D is a top perspective view of a pull strap.
[0031] FIG. 1E is a top view of the depth adjustment area of the
display base shown in FIG. 1A.
[0032] FIG. 2A is a top view of an embodiment of a display base
having ridge product container supports in each display row.
[0033] FIG. 2B is a detailed top view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 2A.
[0034] FIG. 2C is a cross sectional view of two rows of the display
base shown in FIG. 2A.
[0035] FIG. 2D is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of
two rows of the display base shown in FIG. 2A.
[0036] FIG. 2E is a cross sectional view of another pull member
embodiment of two rows of the display base shown in FIG. 2A.
[0037] FIG. 3A is a top view of an embodiment of a display base
having slots for placement of divider wall inserts
[0038] FIG. 3B is a detailed top view of the base in FIG. 3A.
[0039] FIG. 3C is a cross section view of the embodiment of FIG.
3A.
[0040] FIG. 4A is a cross section view of an embodiment for baby
food jars.
[0041] FIG. 4B is a detailed cross section view of the embodiment
of FIG. 4A.
[0042] FIG. 4C is a cross section view of an embodiment for baby
food jars including tall row dividers.
[0043] FIG. 4D is a perspective view of stacked containers such as
baby food jars.
[0044] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a pull strap bent
upwards behind a stack of containers.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pusher element attached to
a pull strap.
[0046] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a display section with front
stops.
[0047] FIG. 8 is a detailed cross section view of an end stop
inserted on a display base.
[0048] FIG. 9A is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a
display base having a plurality of support ridges with alternating
scoring in the rear portion of the base.
[0049] FIG. 9B is a detailed cross section view of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 9A further showing insertion of dividers.
[0050] FIG. 9C is a detailed cross sectional view of the rear
portion of the display base shown in FIG. 9A showing scoring and
alternating notching for depth adjustment.
[0051] FIG. 9D is a top perspective view of the display base of
FIG. 9A with a rear portion excess removed and attached to the
base, with dividers inserted, and with a pull member.
[0052] FIG. 9E is a detailed cross section view of the display base
of FIG. 9D showing the attachment of the rear portion to the
base.
[0053] FIG. 9F is a detailed cross section view of the display base
showing a hinge line.
[0054] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a display base with
pull members, a pusher element, and spring pushers.
[0055] FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a pusher element with a
spring pull member inserted and engaging the pusher element.
[0056] FIG. 11B is a cross section view of a pusher element with a
spring pull member inserted and engaging the pusher element.
[0057] FIG. 11C is a perspective view of a pusher element with a
pull member inserted and pushed away from the pusher element.
[0058] FIG. 12 is a cross section view of an elastic pull
member.
[0059] FIG. 13A is a top perspective view of the bottom surface of
an embodiment of the invention.
[0060] FIG. 13B is a detailed top perspective view of a snap
feature of a first base unit of the embodiment of FIG. 13A.
[0061] FIG. 13C is a detailed top perspective view of a snap
feature of a second base unit of the embodiment of FIG. 13A.
[0062] FIG. 14A is rear perspective view of a front stop
element.
[0063] FIG. 14B is side view of a front stop element and base unit
on a display shelf.
[0064] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of various types of pull
devices used with the base unit.
[0065] FIG. 16A is a front perspective view of an active alignment
device with a spring loaded rear engagement member.
[0066] FIG. 16B is a detailed rear perspective view of the rear
engagement member of FIG. 16a.
[0067] FIG. 16C is a detailed side view of the rear engagement
member in the device of FIG. 16A.
[0068] FIG. 16D is a detailed rear perspective view of the front
stop.
[0069] FIG. 17A is a front perspective view of an active alignment
device with an elastic member.
[0070] FIG. 18A is a front view of sidewall dividers in a base in a
first configuration.
[0071] FIG. 18B is a front view of sidewall dividers in a base in a
second configuration.
[0072] FIG. 18C is a front view of sidewall dividers in a base in a
third configuration.
[0073] FIG. 18D is a detailed view of a sidewall divider showing
an-offset.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT
Display Base and Pull Straps for Grocery Display
[0074] Referring now to FIG. 1A which is a top view of an
embodiment of the current invention, several containers 80a-80i,
such as soup cans are placed in one row 50 of a display base 10.
Alternate embodiments support other sizes of cans, boxes, bags, and
loose merchandise.
[0075] In this embodiment, the base may be a plastic sheet which
may be bent or scored along one of several depth adjustment lines
91-97 at the rear of the base. This permits the base to be sized
for standard grocery store shelve depths of 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23,
or 24 inches. The rear of the base may be either bent up or may be
bent and scored or cut to remove the excess material. The bending
is typically performed by laying the base upside down and backwards
on a shelf so that the base may be bent at an appropriate bend
line. After bending, the extra base material may be left in a bent
position or may be removed such as by cutting it off with a box
blade.
[0076] The channel 40 is defined by the lower portion of the
portion of the base 10 which lies between the support ridges 30.
Each row 50 of the base 10 is defined by a row ridge divider 20 on
either side the rows. The divider may be separated from the support
ridge as shown in FIG. 1B, or the divider may be integral to the
support ridge.
[0077] Referring now to FIG. 1B, which is a detailed top view of
one side of a row and an adjacent row, the ridge divider 20 may be
pyramidal in shape, and the support ridges 30 are raised from the
floor of the base.
[0078] Referring now to FIG. 1C, which is a cross sectional view of
two rows of the base, the ridge dividers 20 are shown as triangular
cross sections having a angle of approximately 25.degree. from the
vertical line bisecting the ridge divider, so that the top angle of
the ridge dividers is about 50.degree.. The ridges 30 are typically
raised about 1/8" above the top of the channel 40. The ridge
dividers have an additional height of about {fraction (5/16)}"
above the ridge height, for a total height of about {fraction
(9/16)}". In this case the rows are sized for soup can containers
80a and 80b and have a distance between the ridge divider peaks of
25/8". In this embodiment, each row further comprises a ridge 30 on
each side of the row. The ridges 30 form a channel 40 which is used
to support a pull strap 200. The channel 40 permits a pull member
such as a pull strap to rest underneath the product containers
80a-80b until the front of the pull member is grasped and pulled
away from the shelf in order to bring the rearmost containers
forward and align the containers toward the front of the shelf on
the display base 10.
[0079] Referring now to FIG. 1D, which is a top perspective view of
a pull strap 200, the pull strap is typically about 26 inches long,
and may be cut to a shorter length. It is typically fabricated of a
plastic material in a color similar or complimentary to the color
of the base. The front end 201 of the pull strap may be bent upward
to provide a grasping point in order to pull the strap forward.
Typically, the rear of the pull strap maybe bent upward in order to
engage the rear of the product containers. In other embodiments,
the rear of a pull member may be connected to a larger rear
container engagement member.
[0080] Referring now to FIG. 1E, which is a top view of the depth
adjustment area of the display base, from the rear 90 of the
product base there are a series of lines, preferably at 1"
intervals. These lines 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 permit the base unit to
be bent or cut to a desired width. These depth adjustment lines
91-95 are formed by interrupting the ridge 30 and the divider 20 so
that the base may be folded or cut in a straight line across at the
desired depth. The lines 91-95 permit the appropriate depth, such
as grocery to be selected. Typically the base unit is laid on the
shelf backwards, bent at the front edge in a downward motion and
then the excess material may be cut such as with a box blade knife.
In other embodiments, the depth adjustment lines may be alternated
between ridges in order to strengthen the base. In other
embodiments, a flat portion of the base is provided at the rear of
base so that the removed portion may be bent and inserted so that
the flat portion rests beneath the display base.
Alternate Ridge Arrangement
[0081] Referring now to FIG. 2A, another embodiment provides a base
12 with a plurality of rows 52 defined by row ridge dividers 20a
and 20b as shown in more detail in FIG. 2C.
[0082] Referring now to FIG. 2B, which is a detailed view of a row
divider ridge and support ridges, the outer ridge 32 and the inner
ridge 34 define a recess 33.
[0083] Referring now to FIG. 2C, which is a detailed cross
sectional view of two rows, each row of this embodiment is defined
by a first row ridge divider 20a and a second row ridge divider
20b. Each row includes a pair of outer ridges 32a and 32b, and a
pair of inner ridges 34a and 34b. A center channel 35 is formed
between the inner ridges 34a and 34b.
[0084] One advantage of multiple ridges is a rib strengthening
effect. A second advantage of a center channel 35 is that the
center channel may typically be 7/8" wide to provide room for a
3/4" wide pull strap to reside in the channel. As in the previous
embodiment, the containers 80a and 80b reside on the ridges 32a-b
and 34a-b which support the containers off the base so that the
pull strap may be placed in the center recessed channel 35. The
ridge dividers 20a-b keep the containers in the row, and prevent
the containers from moving laterally. In this embodiment, the first
ridge 32a has a preferred width of about 0.5 inches.
[0085] In many cases, row divider ridges 20a and 20b may be
designed to fit into the recesses between adjacent rows of
merchandise. This type of row division is often desirable in order
to conserve valuable shelf space.
[0086] In some embodiments these channels between the inner and
outer ridge support two-rail pull devices. Referring now to FIG.
2D, which is a cross section view of a two-rail pull device
positioned in a row of a base, channel 33a is located between the
left outside ridge 32a and the left inner ridge 34a. The left rail
205a of a two-rail pull member is positioned in the left channel
33a. Channel 33b is located between the right outside ridge 32b and
the right inner ridge 34b. The right rail 205b of a two-rail pull
member is positioned in the right channel 33b. The two-rail pull
member typically includes a rear engagement section such as a plate
or bent rails, and a front pull handle connecting the rails.
[0087] Referring now to FIG. 2E, which is a cross section view of
an alternate two-rail pull device positioned in a row of a base,
channel 36a is located between the left outside ridge 32a and the
left ridge 20a. The left rail 205a of a two-rail pull member is
positioned in the left channel 36a. Channel 36b is located between
the right outside ridge 32b and the right ridge divider 20b. The
right rail 205b of a two-rail pull member is positioned in the
right channel 36b.
Divider Wall Inserts
[0088] Referring now to FIG. 3A, another embodiment of the base
unit provides for placement of divider wall inserts 23 into the
divider recesses. Multiple rows 54 are provided in the base unit
14. As shown in FIG. 3B, each row includes ridges 32a and 32b on
either side of the row dividers 22, and includes a recess 24 for
the placement of a divider wall insert 23. This arrangement enables
the base unit to be fabricated and the inserts to be chosen
depending upon the anticipated product container height or stacked
height. In other embodiments, the divider may be flattened and
serve as a support ridge, so that additional ridges are not
required for the container support.
[0089] Referring now to FIG. 3C which is a cross section of the
embodiment of FIG. 3A, the row 54 includes a center channel 40
defined by ridges 32a and 32b on either side of the channel. The
containers 80 also reside on a flat portion of the ridge dividers
22. The ridge dividers 22 include a recess 24 for receiving a
divider wall insert 23. In one embodiment, the distance between the
divider wall inserts 23 is 23/8" to accommodate soup cans. The
divider wall inserts for soup cans are preferably 3/8" tall with
1/8" residing in the gap 24, and an additional 1/4" extending above
the top of the ridge divider 22. The top width of the ridges 32a
and 32b is typically 1/4" with a 1/4" gap between the ridge
dividers 22 and the ridges 32. Eight rows of soup cans may be
provided in a base having an overall width of approximately 21.94"
inches, which leaves a small base area on either side for placement
of an overlapping unit in order to extend the overall width of the
display bases.
Baby Food Jar Display
[0090] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which is an embodiment
specifically for baby food jars 81a-81c, rows 50 are provided
having a width of 2{fraction (5/16)}". The rows include pull strap
channels 40 to permit a pull strap 200 to be placed under rows of
product container 81b. The baby food jars are supported above the
pull strap channel 40 with raised support ridges 30 which have a
preferred height of about 1/8". The pull strap is preferably 3/4"
wide and 0.050" thick, and is made of a plastic such as PVC. The
support ridges have a width of 1/4" and the recessed channel 40 has
a width of 7/8" to accommodate a 3/4" wide pull strap. The ridge
dividers 20 have a peak angle of 50.degree., which represents
25.degree. on either side of a vertical through the apex of the
peak. The height of the ridge divider 20 is preferably {fraction
(7/16)}". In this embodiment, the ridge dividers are positioned in
the space created by the rounded bottom of the baby food jars. In
one embodiment, ten rows of baby food containers are provided on a
base having an overall width of 231/8". The edges of this display
base are flat, so that additional base units may be placed in an
overlapping manner over the end ridge divider in order to extend
the overall width of the display base.
[0091] Referring now to FIG. 4C, an alternate arrangement for baby
food jars is shown. The center channel 40 and pull strap 200 are
defined as before. The ridge dividers in this embodiment include a
recess 24 which may receive a tall divider 23 which may be
approximately 6" high in order to prevent a stack of three baby
jars from collapsing to one side. Alternate tall divider partition
heights may be used for alternate container stack heights.
[0092] Referring now to FIG. 4D, which is a perspective view of
stacked containers such as baby food jars, the tall dividers 23 are
shown placed in the divider recess 24. Stacks of product containers
82a-82c here are shown at the rear of the display rows 50 and may
be pulled forward. In one embodiment, the pull strap is simply bent
upwards to form a rear product engagement member 202 (as detailed
in FIG. 5). In another embodiment, the rear section of the pull
strap is connected to a pusher element 260 in order to engage the
stack of containers (as detailed in FIG. 6). The containers may be
placed within rows with or without divider inserts 23.
Pull Strap
[0093] Referring now to FIG. 5A, which is a cross sectional view of
a stack of containers such as baby food jars, the rear of the pull
strap unit 202 may be bent upward in order to engage the stack of
containers. Alternately, a separate pusher element 260 may be
attached to the pull strap. The front of the pull strap 201 is bent
upward slightly in order to provide a grasping point to pull the
product container rows forward. After the units have been pulled to
the front of the shelf, the pull strap may be pushed back into the
position so that the rear is near the rear of the shelf and the
front bend 201 is near the front edge of the display base.
Pull Strap with Pusher Element
[0094] Referring now to FIG. 6, which is a perspective view of the
attachment of a pusher element 260 to a pull strap 200, the strap
may be placed through notch 262 (not shown) on the back stop and
then the pull strap may be bent forward.
Overlapping Base Sections
[0095] The display base may be provided in a length which will
accommodate several rows of merchandise. Display base sections may
be partially overlapped to extend the base length on a shelf. In
other embodiments, display sections may be arranged side-by-side
without overlapping.
Front Stops
[0096] Referring now to FIG. 7, which is a perspective view of a
section of a baby food jar display, a front stop 300 is provided in
order to restrain product containers from being accidentally pulled
out of their display row.
[0097] Referring now to FIG. 8, which is a cross section view of a
section of a front stop inserted on a display shelf, the stop 300
may clip onto the front portion of the shelf 9.
[0098] In one embodiment, the front stop is molded with the base as
a hollow wall section. This double wall arrangement provides
additional strength to the stop. A slot 302 (not shown) is cut in
the rear wall of the stop, and a larger opening 304 is cut in the
front of the stop. A pull strap 200 is placed through the front and
rear openings.
[0099] In another embodiment, the front stop may be a single wall
which is molded with the base unit.
[0100] In another embodiment, the front stop may be fabricated
separately and then attached to the base unit as a single stop or
as a row of stops.
Display Base
[0101] Referring now to FIG. 9A which is a top perspective view of
an embodiment of a display base 16 having a plurality of support
ridges 38 with alternating scoring in the rear portion 17b of the
base, the display base has a plurality of ridges 38. The ridges
reinforce the base, which may be a relatively thin plastic molded
or thermoformed sheet. The ridges also support merchandise to be
displayed such as grocery cans, boxes, bottles, or sacks.
[0102] Referring now to FIG. 9B, which is a detailed cross section
view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A, dividers 26 may be
inserted between base ridges 38 in order to create desired product
display rows. In this figure a display row is defined as the area
between the first divider 26a and the second divider 26b.
[0103] Referring now to FIG. 9C, which is a detailed cross
sectional view of the rear portion of the display base shown in
FIG. 9A, the ridges are notched to facilitate cutting the base to a
desired shelf depth. In one embodiment, the base includes lateral
scoring at the base of the notches so that the base may be more
easily bent or cut to a desired depth.
[0104] In this embodiment, the notches are made on every other
ridge in an alternating fashion. For instance, the first ridge, and
other odd-numbered ridges, may be notched at intervals of 18", 20
and 22" from the front edge, notches 39a, 39b, and 39c
respectively; while the ridge and even-numbered ridges may be
notched at 19", 21", and 23" from the front edge of the base,
notches 39f, 39e, and 39c respectively. For instance, if the base
were to be cut, 20" from the front edge, the base would be bent
along the 20" notches 39b and corresponding score line and then
cut. The notches provide a cutting guide across the base. In this
embodiment, the base includes a flat rear portion 17b which may be
removed along with the extra ridge length when the base is cut to
the desired depth. The removed portion of the base may be bent and
positioned at the rear of the remaining base so that the flat
portion rests under the rear of the remaining base.
[0105] Referring now to FIG. 9D, which is a top perspective view of
the display base of FIG. 9A with a rear portion excess of the base
removed and attached to the base, with dividers inserted, and with
a pull member. The rear support section 60 is formed by attaching
the cut off portion of the base to rear edge of the shortened base.
The rear section includes ridges such as 61a, 61b which support the
divider.
[0106] Referring now to FIG. 9F, which is a detailed cross section
view of a portion of the rear of the display base, a hinge line 17c
may be included to facilitate bending the rear portion 17b with
respect to the front section 17a of the base.
[0107] Referring now to FIG. 10, which shows a variety of pull
schemes for the display base 16, the base may include pull members
such as pull straps 200, springs 270, or elastic bands. FIGS. 11A
and 11B shows a pull member including a pull strap 200 which pulls
a rear engagement member 260 forward as the pull strap is pulled
forward. FIG. 11C shows a spring 270 coiled behind a rear
engagement member. FIG. 12 shows an elastic band 280 with a rear
engagement member 260. The band may be secured by tie points 282b
at the rear of the shelf and 282a on the pusher element.
Extruded Display Base
[0108] FIG. 13A is a top perspective view of the bottom surface of
an embodiment of an extruded plastic display base 16 having a
plurality of support ridges 38. In one embodiment the width of the
extruded base sections is 4-5 inches. In other embodiments, various
section widths narrower or wider than the 4-5 inches may be used as
desired. These embodiments are not limited to extrusion
manufacturing, but extrusion is typically a low cost method of
manufacturing such units in high volume. A manufactured width is
typically selected as a tradeoff between extrusion mold costs and
the desired application.
[0109] Several of the units are typically arranged in an
overlapping fashion on a display shelf. The base units may include
a lock joint on one or both end rows such that the offset allows
one base section to snap onto another base section. FIG. 13B is a
detail of one embodiment of a lock joint 400 which snaps over a
corresponding lock joint 401 in FIG. 13C. A plurality of these
modules may be overlapped in this manner in order to cover a wide
display shelf.
[0110] The base unit may further include dado or similar cuts 405
in the bottom of the front portion to accept a front stop that can
snap into position on the base.
[0111] Referring now to FIG. 14A, which is a detail of a front stop
410, and FIG. 14B which is a side view detail, the front stop may
include a vertical retaining member 411 which may include a
vertical cutout section 412 to accept a pull member (not shown), a
horizontal leg section 413 which may include a cutout section 414
to accept the pull member and a rear base engagement lip 416 which
nests in the cutout portion of the bottom base ridges 405.
[0112] The base unit may also include cuts 420 at intervals along
the in the bottom rear of the base to facilitate cutting the base
to a desired shelf depth as discussed in the examples above.
[0113] Referring now to FIG. 15, various types of pull devices as
illustrated by 430 and 440 may be employed in cooperation with the
base. The pull units typically include a handle or front section
431, 441 that may be grasped by a user, at least one elongated
member 432, 442 which may be positioned within or substantially
within a trough of the base section, and a rear engagement member
433, 443. The rear engagement member may be a bent-upwards portion
of the elongated member 443, or may include a plate 433 or
additional element affixed to the rear of the elongated member.
Spring Tensioned Rear Member
[0114] In some embodiments, a spring or elastic member may be used
to provide a force to assist in drawing items toward the front of a
display row.
[0115] Referring now to FIG. 16A which is a front perspective view
of an active alignment device comprising a housing spring and rear
engagement embodiment, the rear engagement section 450 may permit a
pull spring 460 to push the display row forward relative to the
base unit 16. In one embodiment, one end of a coiled spring 460a is
held relative to the front stop 480, and the other coiled end 460b
of the spring is placed behind the rear pull member 450. The rear
engagement section may travel in a channel housing 470 which has a
first leg 473 inserted in a first groove and a second leg 474
inserted in a second groove of the base 16.
[0116] Referring now to FIG. 16B which is a detailed rear
perspective view of the rear engagement member and FIG. 16C which
is a detailed side view, in one embodiment, the rear engagement
member 450 includes a first slide member 451 and a second slide
member 452 which travel in channel 471 and 472 of the housing. The
rear engagement member may include an engagement member 455 and a
spring retention member 456. The spring retention member may
include a slot 457 for affixing an alternate elastic pull
member.
[0117] Referring now to FIG. 16D which is a detailed rear
perspective view of the front stop 480, the front stop may include
projections 482 which can be inserted into grooves of the base 16,
a projection 483 which may be inserted into the housing channels
471 and 472, and a front cover plate 481. The front stop may also
include a slot 484 for attaching the first end of a coiled spring
or elastic member.
[0118] In this example, the active alignment device may have a
first slide rail 473 which travels in a first trough in the base
unit, and a second slide rail 474 which travels in a second trough
in the base unit. The pull unit may include a product engagement
member 450 spaced apart from a spring engagement member 456. This
spaced-apart arrangement provides stability for the rear engagement
member. As described above, spring or elastic elements may be
provided with a display device to pull forward products arranged in
a display row.
Elastic Tensioned Rear Member
[0119] In some cases, more force may be required to pull product
forward than can be practically provided with a coil spring and
rear sled assembly. Referring now to FIG. 17A which is a front
perspective view of an active alignment device with an elastic
member an active alignment device 500 may be positioned in troughs
on the base. In one embodiment the active alignment device 500
includes a slide support frame 470, a front stop 480, a rear band
anchor 495, an elastic strip 492 or band and a rear engagement
member 450 which slides in the slide support frame 470. The active
alignment device may also include an idler sheave 490 or other
device for permitting the elastic band to pull around the front
stop. In one embodiment, the first end 493 of an elastic strip 492
is fixed relative to the rear band anchor 495. The elastic strip is
wrapped partially around the sheave 490, and the second end of the
strip is affixed to the rear engagement member 495 so that as the
elastic strip contracts the rear engagement member 450 is pulled
toward the front stop. The slide support frame includes a first
lower rail section 473 which is positioned in a first trough in the
base unit and a second lower rail section 474 which is positioned
in a second trough in the base unit. In this embodiment, the first
lower rail section and the second lower rail section may be snapped
into the base section. In this embodiment, the elastic strip forces
the rear engagement member forward toward the front stop, thereby
aligning items in the display row.
[0120] Referring now to FIG. 18 sidewall divider sections such as
501 and 511 may be included with the base. In one embodiment, these
dividers have a base portion 502 and 512 which is preferably
slightly wider that the trough width in a base section, such that
the base portion may be snapped into place in a trough. In one
embodiment, the dividers include a wall section 503 and 513 that is
thinner than the width of the base portion of the divider, and
where the wall is attached to the base portion asymmetrically with
respect to the center line of the base portion. This asymmetry
permits a divider to be positioned in a first position which is
narrower than a second position as indicated by FIGS. 18B and 18C.
By selecting either the first orientation or the second orientation
for the sidewall divider sections on both sides of a display
channel 520, the width of the channel can be adjusted to a desired
distance.
[0121] For instance, in one embodiment, the base unit has a nominal
inside trough diameter of 1/8" and trough depth of about 1/4 inch,
and the sidewall divider section has a base section width of about
1/8" to create press fit, and a wall thickness of about {fraction
(1/16)}". As illustrated in FIG. 18D, a first wall surface 505 of
the sidewall divider section 503 is substantially flush with the
first base section wall 504, so that there is an offset distance of
about {fraction (1/16)}" from the second wall surface 506 to the
second base section wall 507. Therefore when the wall is reinserted
into the slot in the second orientation, the width of the display
channel 520 is increased by this offset distance. For example in
FIG. 18A, the display channel has a first width which corresponds
to both dividers being inserted in the same orientation. In FIG.
18B, the display channel has a second narrower width which
corresponds to both dividers being inserted where the offsets are
oriented outwards. In FIG. 18C, the display channel has a third
wider width which corresponds to both dividers being inserted where
the offsets are oriented inwards.
[0122] These embodiments are examples of the invention and its is
evident that those skilled in the art can make variations without
departing from the inventive concepts, and the invention should be
limited solely by the spirit and scope of the claims.
* * * * *