U.S. patent application number 11/578564 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-15 for method and apparatus for displaying articles for sale within a shelf structure.
Invention is credited to Roger John Ramsey.
Application Number | 20080110190 11/578564 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35149712 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080110190 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ramsey; Roger John |
May 15, 2008 |
Method And Apparatus For Displaying Articles For Sale Within A
Shelf Structure
Abstract
A shelf structure is disclosed including multiple module units
that are vertically arranged, where a module unit is adapted to
receive articles at each article's location of manufacture to be
displayed for purchase in a retail store from the module unit. The
module unit includes a main body with at least one hollow section
defining an article storage location, where the hollow section is
enclosed within a number of panels. A top panel vertically engages
and supports an adjacent base panel of another module unit. The
shelf structure includes transfer means to engage a material
handling device to move the module unit. When multiple module units
are stacked in a vertical arrangement, articles displayed within
each module unit are freely accessible by a member of the
purchasing public in the retail store, when at least one of the
panels of the module unit has been removed.
Inventors: |
Ramsey; Roger John;
(Stirling, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OSHA LIANG L.L.P.
1221 MCKINNEY STREET, SUITE 2800
HOUSTON
TX
77010
US
|
Family ID: |
35149712 |
Appl. No.: |
11/578564 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
April 18, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU05/00546 |
371 Date: |
July 30, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/252 ;
186/36 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 87/0276 20130101;
A47F 3/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/252 ;
186/36 |
International
Class: |
A47F 3/04 20060101
A47F003/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 16, 2004 |
AU |
2004901993 |
Claims
1. A shelf structure comprising: a plurality of module units
vertically arranged, said module units being adapted to receive
individual articles at each article's location of manufacture, said
articles ultimately to be displayed for purchase in a retail store
from said module unit, wherein each module unit comprises: a main
body with at least one hollow section defining an article storage
location, said hollow section being enclosed within a plurality of
panels comprising a top panel, a base panel, a pair of opposing
side panels, a front panel and a back panel opposing the front
panel, wherein said top panel is adapted to vertically engage and
support an adjacent base panel of another module unit, and transfer
means adapted to engage a material handling device to move said
module unit; wherein when the plurality of module units are stacked
in a vertical arrangement, articles displayed within each of the
plurality of module units are freely accessible by a member of the
purchasing public in the retail store, when at least one of said
plurality of panels of the module unit has been removed.
2. The shelf structure of claim 1, wherein at least two of the
plurality of module units are vertically arranged in a column.
3. The shelf structure of claim 2, wherein the column is adapted to
laterally engage an adjacent column such that an array of columns
form at least a part of an aisle in the retail store.
4. The shelf structure of claim 3, wherein the transfer means
includes spacing to receive a fork of a fork lift.
5. The shelf structure of claim 4, wherein at least one of the
plurality of module units further comprises: a series of grooves
and ridges, corresponding with similarly defined grooves and ridges
of an adjacent module unit, such that when the module units are
vertically arranged, a mating relationship between the grooves and
ridges of said module units assists in stabilizing the mated module
units from lateral movement.
6. The shelf structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
plurality of side panels of each module unit includes a plurality
of external facing grooves and ridges configured for a mating
relationship with the plurality of external facing grooves and
ridges of the side panel of an adjacent module unit when said
module units are positioned side by side.
7. The shelf structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
plurality of side panels comprises: a mating upper shoulder and a
mating lower shoulder configured for a mating relationship when at
least two of the plurality of module units are stacked in a
vertical arrangement.
8. The shelf structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
panels is configured to be removable individually and independently
to provide access to the hollow section.
9. The shelf structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
plurality of module units is adapted to receive frozen refrigerated
products by having the base panel perforated to allow passage of
refrigerated air flow.
10. The shelf structure of claim 9, wherein a plurality of
ventilation recesses are located on the back panel of at least one
of the plurality of module units.
11. The shelf structure of claim 1, wherein each module unit is
collapsible.
12. The shelf structure of claim 1, wherein an external framework
forms a skeleton support arrangement within an aisle of the retail
store to slidably receive at least one of the plurality of module
units.
13. The shelf structure of claim 1, wherein each module unit
includes a coding means for identifying and quantifying the
articles within said module unit.
14. A method for managing display of articles for sale in a retail
store, within a module unit, comprising: packing of the articles
for display in the retail store into the module unit at the
article's original complete manufacturing or processing location;
arranging said module units vertically to form a column;
transporting the column to a storage location within the retail
store or a waiting location at a suitable warehouse of the retail
store; and placing the column within an aisle of the retail store
to display said articles for sale.
Description
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for
managing the display of articles for sale in a supermarket or the
like with the aid of a modular shelving arrangement.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Presently there are a great many steps and large quantities
of packaging material required in order to make available to the
purchasing public articles for consumption or alternative uses.
[0003] Take for example the current management of having a packet
of biscuits made available for sale on a supermarket shelf or the
like from its point of manufacture within a factory or the
like.
[0004] Generally such a management system requires that once the
individual biscuits are wrapped into a sealed package, each of
these packs are then re-handled to be stored in most commonly a
cardboard container or box.
[0005] Therefore at least the first step in handling the processed
article, in this example, of a packet of biscuits, will involve the
packing of a series of these biscuits packets into a carton or box.
This box needs to be sealed which can be achieved by passing it
through an appropriately designed machine to carry out that task or
alternatively have an individual or robot available with the means
to apply tape or the like to secure the carton or box closed.
[0006] Once the box has been sealed the box itself will require
further handling by then being stacked on a pallet or the like,
where it will wait until the pallet itself has received enough
boxes for a complete load. The pallet with the series of boxes
thereon is then wrapped and then sealed and placed in storage for
on forwarding to a warehouse or the like of a supermarket that has
ordered a particular quantity of these biscuits.
[0007] The pallet full of boxes containing the individual packets
of biscuits remains at the warehouse or some kind of storage
facility of the supermarket until it is required to be stacked on
the shelf or the like within the aisles of the supermarket. When
the individual packets of biscuits are required, the individual
boxes will have to be opened and then brought to that place along
the aisle of the supermarket, and each individually hand-packed or
the like into the existing shelf structure making up the aisle.
[0008] Problems with such an arrangement are numerous.
[0009] The individual biscuits require not only the packaging to
secure them together as the one item "i.e. as a packet of biscuits"
but also the further requirement of at least the carton or box to
which the packet is placed into, the pallet in order to transport
the cardboard boxes, as well as a shelf structure within the
supermarket in order to display the packet of biscuits thereon.
[0010] Therefore beyond the package of biscuits itself, there still
is a requirement for a carton box, pallet or the like, as well as
an existing shelf structure within the aisle of a supermarket or
the like, in order to display this article to the relevant
purchasing public for sale.
[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a method and apparatus for managing the display of articles
for sale in a supermarket or the like without the need of packing
individual items for sale within a container or the like that then
has to be re-opened before the said items can be made available to
the purchasing public for sale.
[0012] A further object of this invention is to overcome or least
substantially ameliorate some of the disadvantages and shortcomings
of the conventional management of the material handling of articles
for sale from the location of manufacture to their display for
purchase in a supermarket or the like, or alternatively, at least
provide the public with an improved method and apparatus adapted to
minimize or at least make more convenient the method, means and
apparatus required to bring an article to display for sale from its
point of manufacture to the supermarket or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Accordingly, in one form of the invention there is provided
a shelf structure having two or more module units vertically
arranged,
said module units adapted to receive individual articles at said
articles location of manufacture or completion for usability, said
articles ultimately to be displayed for purchase in a supermarket
or the like from said module unit, said module unit having: a main
body with at least one hollow section that defines an article
storage location, at least one of an under side surface and/or an
upper side load support surface, said upper load support surface
adapted to vertically engage and support an adjacent underside
module unit, such that when the or each module unit is stacked in a
vertical arrangement, said arrangement forms a self-shelf structure
of which individual items displayed within the or each module unit
are freely accessible by members of the purchasing public.
[0014] In preference each shelf structure includes five module
units that are vertically arranged in a column.
[0015] Preferably the or each column is adapted to laterally engage
an adjacent column, such that, the or each column is adapted to
form an array of columns within an aisle of a supermarket or the
like.
[0016] An advantage of such an arrangement is that the individual
module units by becoming available at the location of manufacture
of an article, that will ultimately be displayed for purchase in a
supermarket or the like, means that intermediate packaging and
material handling arrangements can be avoided to more conveniently
and cost effectively make products available within a supermarket
or the like.
[0017] Advantageously the module unit replaces the need for a
carton box or the like as the individual articles are now handled
directly into the module unit which itself will form part of the
shelf structure.
[0018] Advantageously as the or each module unit is adapted to
vertically engage an adjacent module unit, consecutively stacked
module units can form a column which will be similar in
functionality to a conventional shelf structure existing within a
supermarket or the like.
[0019] Preferably the module unit is adapted to engage a transfer
means, for example the forks of a fork list truck.
[0020] Advantageously this feature means that a pallet or the like
is now no longer required.
[0021] The stack of vertically aligned module units are therefore
easily transportable directly to the supermarket or alternatively
for temporary storage in the supermarket's warehouse or the like.
Once the item for sale needs to be displayed for sale in the
supermarket, the module units can then be simply brought directly
out into the aisle of the supermarket so as to form part of the
overall shelving arrangement in the aisle.
[0022] Advantageously the individual module units vertically
aligned to form the column provide for their own inherent shelving
arrangement. Hence there needs to be no existing shelving
arrangement that currently exists in the supermarket or the
like.
[0023] For example, presently individual packets of biscuits would
need to be removed from a box or the like and then placed on a
shelf in the aisle of the supermarket. Advantageously in this
invention it is the module unit themselves that forms this shelf
structure.
[0024] Hence the module unit of this invention has accepted the
packet of biscuits from the location of manufacture and has handled
the same packets of biscuits all the way up and including the
display thereof in the supermarket or the like, for their ultimate
purchase by members of the public.
[0025] In a further form of the invention, the shelf structure
created by the module units includes an external framework, which
forms a skeleton or the like arrangement within an aisle of a
supermarket.
[0026] This external arrangement is characterized by being divided
up into individual ribs or grooves where each rib or groove is
adapted to slideably receive individual module units or columns of
module units.
[0027] An advantage of this further form of the invention is that
the external casing or skeleton arrangement of the framework for
the shelf allows for the slidable withdrawal of one module unit
with respect to an adjacent or another module unit for the
reshuffling of modules units within the column.
[0028] For example, the bottom module unit could be replaced by
that module unit at the top or alternatively a module unit in the
third position within the vertical column could be replaced by the
bottom module or vice versa.
[0029] In this form of the invention the same essential theme
remains whereby it is the module unit which receives from the point
of manufacture that article which needs to be displayed for sale in
the supermarket, with the said module unit forming the shelf
structure of which this particular item for sale will ultimately be
displayed.
[0030] Preferably in one further embodiment of the invention the
individual module units are characterized by a series of grooves
and ridges which correspond with similar defining grooves and
ridges in an adjacent module unit so that when such module units
are vertically arranged the mating relationship between the grooves
and ridges of said module units assists in stabilizing the unit
from lateral or horizontal movement.
[0031] Still further, preferably the side panels of each module
unit include substantially along at least part of its external
facing grooves and ridges which are defined for a matching mating
relationship with an adjacent unit when said module units are
positioned side by side.
[0032] Preferably still further, each module unit has the side
panels characterized by mating upper and lower shoulders that
provide for a mating relationship when module units are vertically
stacked one upon the other.
[0033] An advantage of such an arrangement of including
corresponding ridges and grooves throughout various parts of the
module unit is that such features provide an inherent adaptability
for the module units to be placed in close proximity and remain
fixed in place from both vertical and lateral perspective.
[0034] The mating between the grooves and ridges establishes a
comfortable type friction or snap fit which only becomes
disengagable when the module units are deliberately separated by a
user.
[0035] Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated by a person skilled in
the art that grooves and ridges are just one way of establishing a
corresponding mating type fit between adjacent and side by side
module units.
[0036] The characterization of this particular feature of the
invention is the fact that there is some type of interaction
between the various panels of the module unit so as to provide a
nesting or the like stacking arrangement with one module unit with
respect to the other to provide for greater stability.
[0037] In a further form of the invention the panels making up said
module unit are each removable individually and independently so as
to provide access to the hollow section that defines the article
storage location.
[0038] An advantage of such an arrangement is the various panels
that make up the main body of the module unit can be independently
extracted or drawn from the module unit allowing access to the
hollow section that defines where the articles are stored.
[0039] Advantageously, for example in some instances the top panel
could be removed whereby access to the hollow section allows an
article to be loaded in by this direction. Once loading has been
completed and the products are ready to be stored in the module
unit the top panel can then be replaced and retracted back into the
module unit.
[0040] Again, advantageously when the module unit becomes
vertically arranged in a shelf type structure within the
supermarket instead of the top panel being removed, the front panel
or even the side panel can be removed allowing access to the
articles stored therein the module unit via these particular
phases.
[0041] In a further form of the invention the module units are
adapted to receive frozen refrigerated products by having the
underside surface perforated so as to allow the refrigerated air
flow to pass there through.
[0042] Preferably, additional ventilation recesses are located on
the back panel of the module unit.
[0043] Preferably the modular unit is collapsible.
[0044] In preference, the or each module unit includes a coding
means in order to identify the product and quantity within said
module unit.
[0045] Presently when a supermarket or the like makes an order, for
example, 10,000 packets of biscuits, it only knows that this order
is being satisfied once the 10,000 biscuits have been delivered to
a particular location, more than likely to the supermarket's
warehouse or other storage area.
[0046] The problem with this arrangement is that in order to verify
that the order has been fulfilled it is not possible to have parts
of these 10,000 biscuits going directly to several locations, for
example two or more supermarket retail outlets.
[0047] If a major supermarket having outlets across the country
were to order 10,000 biscuits it would not know if the order has
been fulfilled if 3,000 went directly to two locations and 4,000 to
one final location.
[0048] However, by having a coding means on each module unit and
acknowledging this code once the module unit is received at a
specific outlet of the supermarket, central communication means
will be able to store the information so as to confirm that the
overall order has been completed.
[0049] For example, if 5,000 packets of biscuits were handled into
the module units and then sent to one particular supermarket outlet
while the remaining 5,000 were put in a separate series of module
units for delivery to another outlet, the coding means on each
module unit once acknowledged by the particular supermarket outlet
could then communicate with the one central processing means to
confirm that delivery and fulfillment of the overall order by the
supermarket had been achieved.
[0050] Advantageously under this management of the articles for
display in the supermarket, bulk orders can be made by supermarkets
without the need of first having to send the order to the essential
distribution point for on-forwarding to individual outlets. Under
the coding means provided with the module units, no central
delivery point is required as each individual supermarket can
acknowledge that delivery has been made.
[0051] In a further form of the invention there is a method for
managing the display of articles for sale in a supermarket or the
like with the aid of individual module units,
said method including the following steps: packing of those
articles for display in the supermarket or the like into the module
unit at the location of said articles original complete
manufacturing or processing, arranging said module units vertically
so as to form a single column or the like, transporting vertically
arranged module units to a storage or waiting location, either
within a supermarket or the like, or at a suitable warehouse or the
like, placing said vertically arranged module units within an aisle
of a supermarket so as to display said articles for sale to the
purchasing public.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0052] For a better understanding of the invention it will now be
described in relation to preferred embodiments, which shall be
described with the assistance of drawings wherein:
[0053] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the prior art management
system for the display of articles for sale in a supermarket or
like from the point of manufacture to making the article available
in the shelf of a supermarket,
[0054] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of the module unit making up
the shelf structure in one preferred embodiment,
[0055] FIG. 2b is FIG. 2a with individual packets of biscuits
stored therein,
[0056] FIG. 2c is FIG. 2a with a divider member separating
different storage compartments within the module unit,
[0057] FIG. 3 shows a column of module units vertically
arranged,
[0058] FIG. 4 shows the module units having a cover over the
exposed hollow section and including a coding means of identifying
the quantity and the like of the articles stored within the module
unit,
[0059] FIG. 5 shows two columns of module units back-to-back and
wrapped together and ready for transport from the location of
manufacture of the articles contained within the module units ready
for display in a supermarket or the like,
[0060] FIG. 6 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention
whereby a skeletal shelf arrangement is included as part of the
module system that is able to slideably receive a column of module
units and individually, if required, support independent module
units,
[0061] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the series of steps required
to make available an article for sale in a supermarket or the like
from its location of manufacture to the supermarket shelf or the
like.
[0062] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further preferred
embodiment of a particular module unit making up the invention.
[0063] FIG. 9 shows a further preferred embodiment of a module unit
which is adapted to receive frozen and refrigerated articles for
storage therein.
[0064] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view showing a further
preferred embodiment of the invention whereby the module units of
FIG. 8 are vertically stacked one with respect to the other to form
a column.
[0065] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the
module units in FIG. 8 vertically stacked as in FIG. 8 and then in
arrangement with columns both side by side and end to end.
[0066] Referring to the drawing now in greater detail, FIG. 1
outlines schematically the conventional way in which articles for
sale in a supermarket or the like are handled from the location of
manufacturing to being placed or packed within the shelf of an
aisle within a supermarket.
[0067] By way of example, in this preferred embodiment the articles
to be managed for display for sale in a supermarket or the like are
a pack of biscuits. However, the person skilled in the art
appreciates that any article could be displayed using this
arrangement. Further, the articles need not be necessarily grocery
orientated and could include non-consumable items, for example
household utensils and the like.
[0068] Packets of biscuits 10 travel along a conveyer 12 having
been individually sealed as a package. A handler 14 is responsible
for placing these individual packages of biscuits 10 into a carton
box 16, which then continues along the conveyer 12 to a machine 18
that is responsible for sealing the carton 16 closed.
[0069] This carton containing the packets of biscuits 10 is then
placed on a pallet 20, which is supported on a material handling
lift 22 so as to receive a set amount of cartons 16 as represented
at 24. The pallet 20 once filled with cartons 16 as shown at 25 is
then normally sent to a central warehouse 26 where it is stacked to
await on-forward delivery to a particular supermarket outlet.
Normally a truck 28 is loaded with the use of a forklift 30 and
sends the filled pallet 20 to the storage area 32 of an individual
supermarket outlet 34.
[0070] When the packets of biscuits 10 need to be displayed in the
supermarket 34 the carton 16 is removed by a handler 36 who then
unpacks the carton 16 and individually loads the packs of biscuits
10 into existing shelving 38 that make up an aisle 40 at the
supermarket outlet 34.
[0071] Referring now to the apparatus of a preferred embodiments of
the invention, FIG. 2a shows module unit 50. Module unit includes
an upper load support surface 52 which is adapted to accept and
engage an under side surface 54 of an adjacent module unit 50 in
vertical arrangement. The under side 54 of the module unit 50 also
includes engagement means 56 so as to be able to communicate with
the transport means, for example forks of a forklift, so as to be
able to move the module unit 50 or a plurality thereof to a
separate location.
[0072] The module unit 50 includes an open hollow section 58 that
is defined by opposed side panels 60, 62 back panel 64 and the
respective inner surfaces 66, 68 of the upper load support surface
52 and under side 54.
[0073] FIG. 2b shows the packets of biscuits 10 being positioned
within the hollow section 58 of the module unit 50. The packets of
biscuits positioned within the hollow section 58 of the module 50
are readily accessible by members of the purchasing public wanting
to buy such items when placed in the supermarket.
[0074] FIG. 2c provides a further preferred item that includes a
divider panel 70, which segregates the hollow section 58 up into
separate compartments 72, 74.
[0075] The advantage of having the divider panel 70 dividing the
module unit 50 up into separate storage compartments 72, 74 is that
a variety of articles, for example in this preferred embodiment
packets of biscuits, can be stored within the one module unit
50.
[0076] It is to be appreciated by the person skilled in the art
that a variety of divider type panels can be included into the
module unit so as to create a series of separate compartments
allowing independent articles to be stored and displayed there in
the module unit 50.
[0077] FIG. 3 shows the module units 50 vertically arranged as a
single column 76.
[0078] In some preferred forms of the invention this single column
76 forms the same column, which can be introduced within a shopping
aisle at a supermarket outlet 34 for the immediate display of
items, held there within the respective individual module
units.
[0079] In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 4 covers 78 are
attached to the module unit 50. The module unit also includes
coding means 80 which identify the article and the quantity thereof
to be displayed within the supermarket.
[0080] FIG. 5 shows the column of module units 76 placed
back-to-back with an adjacent column 76. In this preferred
embodiment the back-to-back column 76 are wrapped with a suitable
type flexible sheet for improved transport handling. The under side
54 and additional means 56 of the module unit 50 on the respective
column 76 enables the module unit 50 to be engaged so as to move
the column 76 from the location of manufacturing of the packets of
biscuits 10 either directly to a supermarket outlet or to another
storage location for on-forwarding ultimately to the
supermarket.
[0081] FIG. 6 shows a further preferred embodiment whereby in
addition to the column of module units 50, a skeletal arrangement
or framework 82 is included in the shelf structure. This skeletal
shelf framework structure 82 is adapted to slideably receive either
a full column 76 of individual module units but also by having the
shelf skeletal framework 82 including a series of grooves or ridges
84, allows it to individually receive and/or support individual
module units 50.
[0082] Referring now to FIG. 7 and the method of managing the
display of the packets of biscuits 10 to the aisle of the
supermarket outlet 34 from the location of manufacture of the
biscuits 10, there is a conveyor 90 that makes available packs of
biscuits 92 according to conventional means. A handler 94 also
using conventional methods then packs these packets biscuits 92
directly into the module unit 96. Each module unit 96 forms a
column 98 to which covers 100 are then all proceedingly fixed
thereto.
[0083] Each column 98 is then placed back-to-back with an adjacent
column 98 where it is then wrapped with flexible material and able
to be then handled by a fork lift or the like 102 for delivery by a
truck or the like 104 to a supermarket outlet 106. Once at the
supermarket outlet 34 the columns 98 may then be separated and when
required by a handler 108 brought out so as to be slideably
inserted within an aisle of the supermarket 106.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 8 where a particular further embodiment of
a module unit making up the shelf structure is detailed. The module
unit 119 includes two side panels 120, 122 a base and front panel
124, 126 and top and base panels 128, 130.
[0085] The module unit shown in FIG. 8 is such that panels 122 to
130 are each retractable or are able to be withdrawn from the
module unit so as to expose the hollow storage section 132.
[0086] For example, it is possible to slide away the top panel 128
so as to allow access to the storage area 132. At the point of
manufacturing or processing product can be packaged or loaded into
the storage area 132 through the top of the module unit 119 by
simply removing the top panel 128. When the product has been packed
into the module unit, the top panel 128 can then be returned to its
position in the module unit 119.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 10 the module unit 119 can be vertically
stacked one on top of the other to complete a shelf structure that
includes in this particular embodiment a column made up of 5
vertically stacked module units 119.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 10 once product 134 is stored within the
module unit 119 there is still spacing 136 available for more
traditional material handling equipment to access the modular unit
119 in order to lift or separate one module unit 119 from an
adjacent or proceeding module unit 119.
[0089] Nonetheless, as shown in FIG. 10 the side panels 120, 122 in
this embodiment include apertures that extend along the breadth of
each module unit 119 to which material handling devices could
access in order to engage the module unit 119 and transport it to a
separate location.
[0090] Referring also to FIG. 8 the various panels 120 to 130 may
also include a series of ridges and grooves 138 and 140 which allow
for a slideable type inter engagement with an adjacent or a side by
side connecting module unit 119 so as to fixably hold one module
unit 119 with respect to the other module unit 119.
[0091] Advantageously, the characteristic of having the mating
grooves and ridges 138, 140 on the external surfaces of the panels
120-130 provides for an inherent means of fastening one module unit
119 with respect to another either vertically in a column array or
side by side in a series of vertical columns making up an aisle or
the like within a supermarket.
[0092] FIG. 8 also includes ventilation slits 142 which in this
particular embodiment are placed on the front panel 124 of the
modular unit 119.
[0093] Nonetheless, as the person skilled in the art would
appreciate such ventilation slits 142, apertures or the like could
be inserted or defined on any of panels 120 to 130 of the module
unit 119.
[0094] The side panels 120, 122 also include an upper edge or
shoulder which allows an adjacent or upper module unit 119 to have
part of its corresponding lower portion of the side panel 120, 122
to nest or snug fit between respective module units 119.
[0095] FIG. 10 best illustrates where the upper shoulder 144 of the
module unit 119 can support the lower edge 146 of an adjacent
module unit 119 stacked there upon.
[0096] In addition to shoulder 144 to support an adjacent lower
edge 146, there may also be a groove and recess present on such
edges and shoulders to provide for a mating relationship thereby
securing the individual module units 119 in a more fixed and
fastened position with respect to the other, both laterally and
horizontally.
[0097] In relation to FIG. 9 this particular preferred embodiment
of the modular unit 150 includes a perforated base panel 152 so as
to support and allow refrigerated air flow to pass there through
with the assistance of ventilation slits 144 on the back panel of
this particular module unit 150.
[0098] FIG. 11 shows how the individual module units 119 of FIG. 8
can be vertically stacked one upon the other so as to form columns
160 with said columns 160 forming an aisle 162. Columns 164 can
then be arranged at the opposed ends of columns 160.
[0099] Advantageously, as the module units 119 making up the end
columns 164 can have the side panels removed when required access
to articles stored in the module units 119 of column 164 can still
be accessed from the same aisle 162.
[0100] Still further, the various grooves and recesses that
characterize the various panels 120 to 130 of the module units 119
allow for the fixing together of the separate module units 119 into
a shelf structure that can be defined as shown in FIG. 11 to
include both columns 160 stacked side to side and columns 164
positioned end to end with respect to columns 160.
[0101] It is to be appreciated by the person skilled in the art,
that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to this
invention as shown in the specific preferred embodiments without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as
described.
[0102] Therefore, the present embodiments described above are to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive,
particularly it can be appreciated that there are a variety of
intermediate steps, apparatus and material handling ways in which
the module unit can ultimately end up as a shelving structure in
the supermarket or the like.
[0103] What is important to this invention is that at the location
of manufacture articles or items that are to be displayed for sale
in a supermarket are packed directly into a modular unit that will
ultimately be the same unit that will be used in the supermarket
outlet itself to displaying the article.
[0104] It is therefore the intention of this description to
incorporate all such arrangements that can affect this direct
packing of the articles into a module unit which will ultimately be
used in the display of this same item within the supermarket or the
like within a shelf structure.
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