U.S. patent application number 10/893396 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-19 for four way island merchandiser.
Invention is credited to Matthew W. Farrell, Jeffrey P. Pirro.
Application Number | 20060011565 10/893396 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35598337 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060011565 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pirro; Jeffrey P. ; et
al. |
January 19, 2006 |
Four way island merchandiser
Abstract
A merchandiser comprising at least three display modules. At
least two of the display modules have a substantially similar
horizontal periphery. The display modules each have a front and a
rear. At least two of the display modules have shelves, with at
least a portion of the rear of the at least two display modules
having shelves being open to allow stocking of the shelves from the
rear of the at least two display modules having shelves. The
display modules are releasably connected together to allow the
display modules to be connected and disconnected. The display
modules, when disconnected, can be separated to allow the at least
two display modules having shelves and having the at least a
portion of the rear that is open to be stocked from the rear.
Furthermore, the display modules, when connected, can be moved as a
unit.
Inventors: |
Pirro; Jeffrey P.;
(Marcellus, NY) ; Farrell; Matthew W.; (Camillus,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL C. POPHAL;EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY INC
25225 DETROIT ROAD
P O BOX 450777
WESTLAKE
OH
44145
US
|
Family ID: |
35598337 |
Appl. No.: |
10/893396 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/59.2 ;
211/134; 211/189 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 3/004 20130101;
A47F 5/0018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/059.2 ;
211/134; 211/189 |
International
Class: |
A47F 1/04 20060101
A47F001/04; A47F 5/00 20060101 A47F005/00; A47B 43/00 20060101
A47B043/00 |
Claims
1. A merchandiser comprising: at least three display modules, at
least two of the display modules having a substantially similar
horizontal periphery; the display modules each having a front and a
rear; at least two of the display modules having shelves, with at
least a portion of the rear of the at least two display modules
having shelves being open to allow stocking of the shelves from the
rear of the at least two display modules having shelves; wherein
the display modules are releasably connected together to allow the
display modules to be connected and disconnected, whereby the
display modules, when disconnected, can be separated to allow the
at least two display modules having shelves and having the at least
a portion of the rear that is open to be stocked from the rear and
whereby the display modules, when connected, can be moved as a
unit.
2. The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein said merchandiser comprises
at least four display modules.
3. The merchandiser of claim 2, wherein said four display modules
have a substantially rectangular periphery.
4. The merchandiser of claim 3, wherein the rear of each display
module is adjacent one side of an adjacent display module.
5. The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the shelves have a rear
area and a front area, the shelves including an angled portion,
whereby stock placed on the rear area of the shelves will be moved
to the front area over the angled portion by gravity.
6. The merchandiser of claim 5, wherein the front area of the
shelves comprises a horizontal section.
7. The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein each display module
includes a first connection mechanism and a second connection
mechanism; and each first connection mechanism is configured to be
releasably connected to the second connection mechanism of an
adjacent module to releasably connect the modules together.
8. The merchandiser of claim 7, wherein the first connection
mechanism is a pin; the second connection mechanism is a rotatable
latch with a slot; and the first connection mechanism is connected
to the second connection mechanism by inserting the pin into the
slot of the latch during rotation of the latch.
9. The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein each display module
includes wheels at a bottom thereof for easily moving each
individual display module and for moving the display modules as the
unit.
10. The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein all of the display modules
have the substantially similar horizontal periphery.
11. The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein each display module has
the shelves and the at least a portion of the rear that is open
such that each of the display modules can be stocked from the
rear.
12. A four-way island merchandiser comprising: four display
modules, each display module having a substantially rectangular
horizontal periphery; the display modules each having a front, a
rear, a pair of sides; the rear of each display module being
adjacent one side of an adjacent display module; at least two
display module having shelves, with at least a portion of the rear
of the at least two display modules being open to allow stocking of
the shelves from the rear of the at least two display modules;
wherein the display modules are releasably connected together to
allow the display modules to be connected and disconnected, whereby
the display modules, when disconnected, can be separated to allow
the at least two display modules having the at least a portion of
the rear that is open to be stocked from the rear and whereby the
display modules, when connected, can be moved as a unit.
13. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the shelves have a rear
area and a front area, the shelves including an angled portion,
whereby stock placed on the rear area of the shelves will be moved
to the front area over the angled portion by gravity.
14. The merchandiser of claim 13, wherein the front area of the
shelves comprises a horizontal section.
15. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein each display module
includes a first connection mechanism and a second connection
mechanism; and each first connection mechanism is configured to be
releasably connected to the second connection mechanism of an
adjacent module to releasably connect the modules together.
16. The merchandiser of claim 15, wherein the first connection
mechanism is a pin; the second connection mechanism is a rotatable
latch with a slot; and the first connection mechanism is connected
to the second connection mechanism by inserting the pin into the
slot of the latch during rotation of the latch.
17. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein each display module
includes wheels at a bottom thereof for easily moving each
individual display module and for moving the modules as the
unit.
18. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein each display modules has
the shelves and the at least a portion of the rear that is open
such that each of the display modules can be stocked from the
rear.
19. A method of displaying merchandise comprising providing at
least three display modules, with at least two of the display
modules having a substantially similar horizontal periphery, the
display modules each having a front and a rear, the rear of each
display module being covered when the display modules are connected
together; providing at least two of the display modules with
shelves, with at least a portion of the rear of the at least two
display modules having shelves being open; disconnecting at least
two of the display modules; inserting stock into at least one of
the display modules having shelves through the rear of the display
module; abutting the display modules against each other; and
connecting the display modules to form a unit.
20. The method of displaying merchandise of claim 19, wherein said
merchandiser comprises at least four display modules.
21. The method of displaying merchandise of claim 20, wherein the
four display modules have a substantially rectangular
periphery.
22. The method of displaying merchandise of claim 21, wherein the
rear of each display module is adjacent one side of an adjacent
display module.
23. The method of displaying merchandise of claim 19, further
including providing the shelves with a rear area and a front area,
the shelves including an angled portion; placing the stock on the
rear area of the shelves; and moving the stock to the front area
over the angled portion by gravity.
24. The method of displaying merchandise of claim 23, wherein the
front area of the shelves comprises a horizontal section.
25. The method of displaying merchandise of claim 19, further
including providing each display module with a first connection
mechanism and a second connection mechanism; wherein disconnecting
at least two of the display modules comprises disconnecting the
first connection mechanism of a first one of the display modules
from the second connection mechanism of a second one of the display
modules; and wherein disconnecting at least two of the display
modules comprises connecting the first connection mechanism of the
first one of the display modules to the second connection mechanism
of the second one of the display modules.
26. The method of displaying merchandise of claim 25, wherein the
first connection mechanism is a pin; and the second connection
mechanism is a rotatable latch with a slot, wherein disconnecting
at least two of the display modules comprises rotating the
rotatable latch until the pin is in the slot; and wherein
disconnecting at least two of the display modules comprises
rotating the rotatable latch until the pin is no longer in the
slot.
27. The method of displaying merchandise of claim 19, further
including providing each display module with wheels at a bottom
thereof for easily moving each individual display module and for
moving the display modules as the unit.
28. The method of displaying merchandise of claim 19, wherein all
of the display modules have the substantially similar horizontal
periphery.
29. The method of displaying merchandise of claim 19, wherein each
display module has the shelves and the at least a portion of the
rear that is open such that each of the display modules can be
stocked from the rear.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to merchandisers, and in
particular to a four-way island merchandiser.
[0002] Shelving units are used in stores to display merchandise or
stock sold in the stores. The shelving units include a plurality of
horizontally arranged shelves having the merchandise or stock
thereon. Heretofore, once the merchandise or stock was taken from
the front of the shelves, a person working at the store would have
to move all of the merchandise or stock on the shelves forward to
make the merchandise or stock available to a consumer and to
provide an atheistically pleasing appearance. Alternatively, the
person working at the store could place more stock or merchandise
on the shelves to replace the stock or merchandise taken by the
consumer.
[0003] Any improvement to the stocking system that easily moves
merchandise forward and makes restocking easy is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a
merchandiser comprising at least three display modules. At least
two of the display modules have a substantially similar horizontal
periphery. The display modules each have a front and a rear. At
least two of the display modules have shelves, with the at least a
portion of rear of the at least two display modules having shelves
being open to allow stocking of the shelves from the rear of the at
least two display modules having shelves. The display modules are
releasably connected together to allow the display modules to be
connected and disconnected. The display modules, when disconnected,
can be separated to allow the at least two display modules having
shelves and having the at least a portion of the rear that is open
to be stocked from the rear. Furthermore, the display modules, when
connected, can be moved as a unit.
[0005] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
four-way island merchandiser comprising four display modules. Each
display module has a substantially rectangular horizontal
periphery. The display modules each having a front, a rear and a
pair of sides. The rear of each display module is adjacent one side
of an adjacent display module. At least two of the display module
have shelves, with at least a portion of the rear of the at least
two display modules being open to allow stocking of the shelves
from the rear of the at least two display modules. The display
modules are releasably connected together to allow the display
modules to be connected and disconnected. The display modules, when
disconnected, can be separated to allow the at least two display
modules having the at least a portion of the rear that is open to
be stocked from the rear. Furthermore, the display modules, when
connected, can be moved as a unit.
[0006] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
method of displaying merchandise. The method includes providing at
least three display modules, with at least two of the display
modules having a substantially similar horizontal periphery. The
display modules each have a front and a rear. The rear of each
display module is covered when the display modules are connected
together. The method also includes providing at least two of the
display modules with shelves, with at least a portion of the rear
of the at least two display modules having shelves being open. The
method further includes disconnecting at least two of the display
modules and inserting stock into at least one of the display
modules having shelves through the rear of the display module. The
method also includes abutting the display modules against each
other and connecting the display modules to form a unit.
[0007] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the
present invention will be further understood and appreciated by
those skilled in the art by reference to the following
specification, claims and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a merchandiser of the
present invention is an island position.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the merchandiser of the
present invention in a loading position.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a module of the merchandiser
of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front view of the module of the merchandiser of
the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the module of the merchandiser of
the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a connection mechanism of
adjacent modules of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a front view of a second embodiment of the module
of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a front view of a third embodiment of the module
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper,"
"lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical,"
"horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention
as orientated in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the
invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where
expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood
that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached
drawings, and described in the following specification are simply
exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the
appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical
characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are
not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state
otherwise.
[0017] The reference number 10 (FIG. 1) generally designates a
merchandiser of the present invention. The merchandiser 10
comprises at least three display modules 12. At least two of the
display modules 12 have a substantially similar horizontal
periphery. The display modules 12 each have a front 14 and a rear
16. At least two of the display modules 12 have shelves 18, with at
least a portion of the rear 16 of the at least two display modules
12 having shelves 18 being open to allow stocking of the shelves 18
from the rear 16 of the at least two display modules 12 having
shelves 18. The display modules 12 are releasably connected
together to allow the display modules 12 to be connected (FIG. 1)
and disconnected (FIG. 2). The display modules 12, when
disconnected, can be separated to allow the at least two display
modules 12 having shelves 18 and having the at least a portion of
the rear 16 that is open to be stocked from the rear 16.
Furthermore; the display modules 12, when connected, can be moved
as a unit.
[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the display modules 12 (FIGS.
3-5) are configured to display merchandise or stock. The display
modules 12 include the front 14 and the rear 16. The display
modules 12 are configured to display the merchandise or stock such
that the merchandise or stock is obtainable from a purchaser
through the front 14 of the display modules 12. In the illustrated
example, the display modules 12 are all identical and include a
rectangular horizontal periphery. The display modules 12 with the
rectangular horizontal periphery include a first side 20 and a
second side 22. When the merchandiser 10 is in the connected
configuration, the first side 20 of each display module 12 abuts
against a portion of a rear 16 of a second display module 12 (see
FIGS. 1, 2 and 4). However, it is contemplated that the display
modules 12 could have other configurations. For example, all of the
display modules 12 could be square. Furthermore, it is contemplated
that the display modules 12 could be triangular, with three display
modules 12 combining to make the merchandiser 10 or the display
modules 12 could be trapezoidal, with four display modules 12
combining to make the merchandiser. If three triangular display
modules 12 are used, the rear of the display modules includes at
least a portion of the two sides facing inwardly when the display
modules are connected to form the merchandiser. Moreover, it is
contemplated that the merchandiser 10 could be formed of any number
of display modules 12 of and could have any geometric shape as a
periphery. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the merchandiser 10
could include display modules 12 having more than one geometric
horizontal periphery. For example, the merchandiser 10 could
include two display modules 12 having a square periphery and two
display modules having a rectangular periphery.
[0019] The illustrated display modules 12 have a bottom section 24,
a first wall 26 defining the first side 20 of the display module
12, a second wall 28 defining the second side 22 of the display
module 12, a top section 30, the shelves 18 and a support system 32
for supporting the shelves 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the
first wall 26 extends upwardly from the bottom section 24 and is
L-shaped, having a first portion 34 and a second portion 36. The
first portion 34 extends the depth of the display module 12 and the
second portion 36 extends outwardly from the first portion 34 at a
perpendicular angle. The second wall 28 extends upwardly from the
bottom section 24 and is parallel to the first portion 34 of the
first wall 26. The second wall 28 includes a front edge 38 that
curves rearwardly as it moves upward. The top section 30 of the
display module 12 extends between the first wall 26 and the second
wall 28. A curved border member 40 extends along the front edge 38
of the second wall 28, the top of the top section 30 and a side of
the top section 30 spaced from the second wall 28 and adjacent the
first wall 26.
[0020] In the illustrated example, the display modules 12 include
the shelves 18 for holding the merchandise or stock. The support
system 32 of the display modules 12 supports the shelves 18. The
support system 32 comprises a U-shaped cage 42 including a first
leg 44 connected to the outside of the first wall 26 and a second
leg 46 connected to the inside of the second wall 28. As
illustrated in FIG. 3, the first leg 44 of the U-shaped cage 42 is
hidden by the second portion 36 of the first wall 26 and the second
leg 46 is hidden by the curved border member 40 as the display
module 12 is viewed from the front 14. The U-shaped cage 42 is
comprised of a plurality of horizontal rods 48 and vertical rods
50. The U-shaped cage 42 includes at least one horizontal rod 48
extending across the rear 16 of the display module 12 for each
shelf 18. The support system 32 also include a horizontal support
bar 52 extending between the first wall 26 and the second wall 28
of the display module 12.
[0021] The illustrated shelves 18 are configured to support the
merchandise or stock and present the merchandise or stock. The
shelves 18 include a front area 54 and a rear area 56. The shelves
18 include a plurality of hooks 58 on a rear end thereof configured
to hook over one of the horizontal rods 48 of the U-shaped cage 42
to support the rear area 56 of the shelf 18. Each shelf 18 is also
positioned over one of the horizontal support bars 52 to support
the front area 54 of the shelf 18. The shelves 18 include an angled
portion 60 whereby the rear area 56 of the shelves is higher that
the front area 54. Therefore, when the merchandise or stock is
placed on the rear area 56 of the shelf 18, the merchandise or
stock will slide down the angled portion 60 because of gravity and
move the merchandise or stock to the front area 54 of the shelf 18.
Accordingly, the display modules 12 can be stocked with the
merchandise or stock by placing the merchandise or stock onto the
rear area 56 of the shelves 18 through the open rear 16 of the
display modules 12 and the merchandise or stock will move to the
front area 54 of the shelves 18 for easy access from the front of
the display module 12 by a purchaser of the merchandise or stock.
Preferably, the front area 54 of the shelves 18 include a
horizontal section 59. In the illustrated example, the merchandise
or stock comprise battery packages 62. Furthermore, the shelves 18
include divider walls 64 for maintaining the battery packages 62 in
a lane 66 on the shelves 18. Preferably, the shelves 18 include a
front face having a conventional price tag channel 70 similar to
those used on the front of shelves holding merchandise in retail
stores. The price tag channel 70 includes an upper retaining flange
72 and a lower retaining flange 74 for holding price tags,
merchandise identification cards, etc. For example, the price tag
channel 70 of the present invention could be used to hold
identification cards identifying the type of battery (e.g., AA,
AAA, etc.) located in the battery package 62 in the lane 66 behind
the identification card. Although a specific system for supporting
the shelves 18 is disclosed herein, it is contemplated that any
system could be used to support the shelves 18 such that the
merchandise or stock on the shelves 18 is accessible from the front
of the display modules 12.
[0022] In the illustrated example, the merchandiser 10 can be moved
from the connection configuration to the unconnected configuration
to allow the display modules 12 of the merchandiser 10 to be filled
with the stock or merchandise from the open rear 16 of the display
modules 12. Each illustrated display module 12 includes a first
connection mechanism 100 and a second connection mechanism 102,
with each first connection mechanism 100 being configured to be
releasably connected to the second connection mechanism 102 of an
adjacent display module 12 to releasably connect the display
modules 12 together (FIG. 6). Therefore, the first connection
mechanism 100 can be disconnected from the second connection
mechanism 102 to allow the merchandiser 10 to be moved to the
unconnected configuration. In the unconnected configuration, the
open rear 16 of the display modules 12 is accessible for placing
the stock or merchandise on the rear area 56 of the shelves for
stocking the display modules 12. The merchandiser 10 is moved to
the unconnected configuration by disconnecting the first connection
mechanism 100 from the second connection mechanism 102 and moving
at least one of the display modules 12 (e.g., by rolling the
display modules 12 on wheels 90 or by sliding the display modules
12) such that the open rear 16 is accessible (see FIG. 2).
[0023] The illustrated display modules 12 of the merchandiser 10
each include the first connection mechanism 100 and the second
connection mechanism 102 whereby the display modules 12, when
disconnected, can be separated to allow the display modules 12 to
be stocked from the rear and whereby the display modules 12, when
connected, can be moved as a unit. In the illustrated example, the
first connection mechanism 100 is a pin 110 extending from the
second wall 28 of the display module 12 and the second connection
mechanism 102 is a rotatable latch 120 extending from the bottom
section 24 of the display modules 12 in a direction perpendicular
to the second portion 36 of the first wall 26. The rotatable latch
120 is configured to rotate and includes a downwardly facing slot
122. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a first one of the display modules
12 is connected to a second one of the display modules 12 by
placing the rear 16 of the first one of the display modules 12
against the first wall 26 of the second one of the display modules
12, with the rear 16 of the first one of the display modules 12
being hidden by the second portion 36 of the first wall 26.
Thereafter, the latch 120 is rotated until the pin 110 is accepted
into the slot 122 of the latch 120. After all of the display
modules 12 are connected together, the merchandiser 10 can be moved
as a unit.
[0024] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a closed shelf display module 12a
and a peg board display module 12b, respectively, that can be
substituted for one of the display modules 12. The closed shelf
display module 12a includes a plurality of horizontal shelves 200
having dividers 202 thereon. The closed shelf display module 12a
includes a rear wall 204, whereby the closed shelf display module
12a cannot be stocked through the rear of the closed shelf display
module 12a. The horizontal shelves 200 are configured to be
connected to a support system and/or the first wall 26 and the
second wall 28 of the closed shelf display module 12a. The peg
board display module 12b includes a peg board 300 along a rear face
thereof. The peg board 300 includes a plurality of openings 302
therein. The openings 302 are configured to accept hanger rods 304.
Battery packages and other merchandise can be hung from the hanger
rods 304 by inserting the rods 304 into slots in the top of the
battery packages as is well known to those skilled in the art.
[0025] In the illustrated merchandiser 10, the merchandise placed
thereon can be displayed in every direction and the merchandise can
easily be stocked onto the shelves 18 by moving the merchandiser 10
to the unconnected configuration and placing the stock on the
shelves 18 such that they are moved into a displayed position at
the front of the shelves 18 by gravity. Therefore, the shelves 18
can be easily stocked and the merchandise will always be positioned
on the front of the shelves 18 for easy accessibility and display.
Likewise, by placing the stock on the rear of the shelves 18, the
older stock will be taken from the merchandiser 10 and purchased by
the consumer. Therefore, the merchandiser 10 can provide that the
stock placed on the shelves 18 first is the first stock purchased
(i.e., first in, first out). However, it is contemplated that the
shelves could be stocked from the front by pushing the stock
currently on the shelves 18 backward and inserting new stock in the
front area of the shelves. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the
top section 30 and the outside of the second wall 28 of the display
modules 12 could include advertising thereon for notifying shoppers
of the merchandise sold on the merchandiser 10.
[0026] The above description is considered that of the preferred
embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to
those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the
invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown
in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative
purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
* * * * *