U.S. patent application number 13/282031 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-03 for product merchandiser.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fasteners For Retail, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gregory M. Bird, Shane Obitts, James J. Rataiczak, III, Gerald Szpak.
Application Number | 20120103922 13/282031 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45995483 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120103922 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bird; Gregory M. ; et
al. |
May 3, 2012 |
PRODUCT MERCHANDISER
Abstract
A shelf security system in the form of a merchandising shelf
having a support member for supporting at least one associated
object for display and/or dispensing. The support member defines
longitudinal pathway along which the associated at least one object
can travel from a rear position to a front position. A moveable
retainer is operatively connected to the support member. The
retainer is moveable between a first position at least partially
obstructing the pathway thereby restricting forward movement of the
at least one associated object beyond the front position, to a
second position allowing further forward movement of the at least
one associated object for removal of same from the support member.
The retainer extends substantially across a width of the
pathway.
Inventors: |
Bird; Gregory M.; (Solon,
OH) ; Szpak; Gerald; (North Royalton, OH) ;
Obitts; Shane; (Elyria, OH) ; Rataiczak, III; James
J.; (Chesterland, OH) |
Assignee: |
Fasteners For Retail, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
45995483 |
Appl. No.: |
13/282031 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61409237 |
Nov 2, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/59.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 1/126 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/59.3 |
International
Class: |
A47F 1/04 20060101
A47F001/04 |
Claims
1. A merchandising shelf comprising: a support member for
supporting at least one associated object for display and/or
dispensing, said support member defining a longitudinal pathway
along which the associated at least one object can travel from a
rear position to a front position; and a moveable retainer
operatively connected to said support member, said moveable
retainer being moveable between a first position at least partially
obstructing the pathway thereby retarding forward movement of the
at least one associated object beyond the front position of the at
least one associated object, to a second position allowing further
forward movement of the at least one associated object for removal
of same from the support member, wherein the retainer extends
substantially across a width of the pathway.
2. A merchandising shelf as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
support member includes a pair of laterally spaced apart side walls
and a base wall defining a longitudinally extending channel having
a rear end and a front end, and in which the at least one
associated object can be supported.
3. A merchandising shelf as set forth in claim 2, wherein the
moveable retainer is attached to at least one of the side walls or
the base wall adjacent the front end of the channel.
4. A merchandising shelf as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
moveable retainer includes a panel pivotally attached to the
support member, the panel being configured to pivot from an upright
position corresponding to the first position at least partially
obstructing the path, to a position reclined relative to the
upright position corresponding to the second position allowing
further forward movement of the at least one object.
5. A merchandising shelf as set forth in claim 4, wherein the panel
is attached by a hinge to the support member.
6. A merchandising shelf as set forth in claim 5, wherein the hinge
comprises at least one coil spring adapted to secure the panel to
the support structure, and to urge it to the upright position, and
permit deflection of the panel to the reclined position.
7. A merchandising shelf as set forth in claim 4, wherein the panel
is one of generally planar, concave or convex.
8. A merchandising shelf as set forth in claim 4, wherein the panel
includes a base wall, wherein the base wall serves as a stop member
to retard further associated objects held on the support member
from moving towards the front position when the panel is moved from
the first position.
9. A merchandising shelf as set forth in claim 4, wherein the panel
is biased towards the first position, which retards the associated
object from advancing in relation to the support member.
10. A merchandising shelf as set forth in claim 9, wherein a
resilient member biases the panel towards said first position.
11. A merchandising shelf as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
moveable retainer includes a resilient member adapted to be
resiliently deflected between the first and second positions.
12. A merchandising shelf as set forth in claim 11, wherein the
resilient member includes a spring extending transversely across
the longitudinal pathway of the support member, the spring being
fixed at opposite ends thereof to the support member to permit
resilient deflection of the spring in a direction which allows the
associated object to be advanced in relation to the support
member.
13. A merchandising shelf as set forth in claim 11, wherein the
resilient member includes an elastomer body extending transversely
across the longitudinal pathway of the support member, the
elastomer body fixed at opposite ends thereof to the support member
to permit resilient deflection of the body in a direction which
allows the associated object to be advanced in relation to the
support member.
14. A merchandising shelf as set forth in claim 13, wherein the
elastomer body has a concave shape for at least partially
surrounding an associated at least one object when in the front
position of the support member.
15. A merchandising shelf module comprising a plurality of
merchandising shelves as set forth in claim 1, the support members
of the merchandising shelves being arranged in a side-by-side
fashion.
16. A merchandising system comprising: a plurality of merchandise
shelves for displaying and/or dispensing one or more associated
objects, said shelves arranged in an array and each shelf
including: a support member for supporting at least one associated
object for display and/or dispensing, said support member defining
a longitudinal path along which the associated at least one object
can travel from a rear position to a front position; and a moveable
retainer operatively connected to the support member, said moveable
retainer being moveable between a first position at least partially
obstructing the path thereby restricting forward movement of the at
least one associated object beyond the front position, to a second
position allowing further forward movement of the at least one
associated object for removal of same from the support member;
wherein the pathway of at least one of the shelves is bounded at
least partially by an adjacent shelf, said adjacent shelf
restricting access to the at least one associated object except
when the corresponding moveable retainer is moved to the second
position, wherein the retainer extends substantially across a width
of the pathway.
17. A merchandising shelf as set forth in claim 16, wherein the
support member includes a pair of laterally spaced apart side walls
and a base wall defining a longitudinally extending channel having
a rear end and a front end, and in which the at least one
associated object can be supported.
18. A merchandising shelf as set forth in claim 17, wherein the
moveable retainer is attached to at least one of the side walls or
the base wall adjacent the front end of the channel.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein the movable retainer includes at
least one of a panel pivotally attached to the support member and a
resilient member which can be deflected from the first position to
the second position.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present development concerns a product dispensing system
employed in point of sale merchandising.
[0002] The present disclosure relates particularly to shelving
systems for feeding containers forward. More specifically, it
relates to modular gravity fed shelving systems for fragile
products, such as individual thin wall containers of a refrigerated
product, such as yogurt. Yogurt is typically sold in individual
cups or containers in supermarkets and the like. Traditionally,
yogurt is sold in refrigerator cases including generally horizontal
shelves upon which the yogurt containers, having planar bases and
planar tops, are stacked.
[0003] Gravity feed systems are known to move products towards the
front of display or storage cases. While it is now known to gravity
feed yogurt towards the front end of a refrigerated display case,
the currently known retainers positioned at the front end of such
yogurt display trays or shelves are not optimal. More specifically,
it is known to provide flexible fingers or tabs attached to each
side wall or divider wall of a channel defined in the tray. These
fingers or tabs are not particularly sturdy and may become damaged.
Replacement of the fingers, tabs or arms may necessitate replacing
the divider wall itself, since these elements are generally
fastened to the dividing wall. Thus, a need exists for a shelving
system which would allow the stocking, display and sale of
individual cup or jar type products, such as yogurt, for sale and
which overcomes the deficiencies of prior shelving systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a
product vending system in the form of a merchandising shelf
comprising a support member for supporting at least one associated
object for display and/or dispensing. The support member defines a
longitudinal pathway along which the associated at least one object
can travel from a rear position to a front position. A moveable
retainer is operatively connected to the support member. The
retainer is moveable between a first position at least partially
obstructing the pathway thereby retarding forward movement of the
at least one associated object beyond the front position of the at
least one associated object, to a second position allowing further
forward movement of the at least one associated object for removal
of same from the support member. The retainer extends substantially
across a width of the pathway.
[0005] The support member can include a pair of laterally spaced
apart side walls and a base wall defining therebetween a
longitudinally extending channel having a rear end and a front end,
and in which the at least one associated object can be supported.
The moveable retainer is attached to at least one of the side walls
or the base wall adjacent the front end of the channel. The
moveable retainer can include a panel pivotally attached to the
support member, the panel configured to pivot from an upright
position, corresponding to the first position at least partially
obstructing the path, to a position reclined relative to the
upright position, corresponding to the second position allowing
further forward movement of the at least one object. The panel can
be attached by a hinge to the support member. The hinge can
comprise at least one coil spring adapted to secure the panel to
the support structure and to urge it to the upright position and
permit deflection of the panel to the reclined position. The panel
can be generally planar, convex or concave. The panel can include a
base wall which can serve as a stop member to retard further
associated objects held on the support member from moving towards
the front position when the panel is moved from the first position.
The panel can be biased towards the first position which retards
the associated object from advancing in relation to the support
member, such as by a resilient member. The resilient member can
comprise at least one spring. The spring can permit deflection of
the panel in a direction which allows the associated object to be
advanced in relation to the support member.
[0006] In another embodiment, the moveable retainer can include a
resilient member which is adapted to be resiliently deflected
between the first and second positions. The resilient member can
include a spring extending transversely across the longitudinal
pathway of the support member, the spring being fixed at opposite
ends thereof to permit resilient deflection of the spring in a
direction which allows the associated object to be advanced in
relation to the support member. Alternatively, the resilient member
can include an elastomer body extending transversely across the
longitudinal pathway of the support member, the elastomer body
being fixed at opposite ends thereof to permit resilient deflection
of the body in a direction which allows the associated object to be
advanced in relation to the support member. The elastomer body can
have a concave shape for at least partially surrounding an
associated at least one object when in the front position of the
support member. A merchandising shelf module can comprise a
plurality of merchandising shelves as set forth above, the support
members of the merchandising shelves arranged in a side-by-side
fashion.
[0007] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a
merchandising system comprises a plurality of merchandise shelves
for displaying and/or dispensing one or more associated objects,
said shelves being arranged in an array and each shelf including a
support member for supporting at least one associated object for
display and/or dispensing. The support member defines a
longitudinal path along which the associated at least one object
can travel from a rear position to a front position. A moveable
retainer is operatively connected to the support member and is
moveable between a first position at least partially obstructing
the path, thereby restricting forward movement of the at least one
associated object beyond the front position, to a second position
allowing further forward movement of the at least one associated
object for removal of same from the support member. The pathway of
at least one of the shelves is bounded at least partially by an
adjacent shelf, said adjacent shelf restricting access to the at
least one associated object except when the corresponding moveable
retainer is moved to the second position. The retainer extends
substantially across a width of the pathway.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention may take physical form in certain
parts and arrangements of parts, several embodiments of which will
be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a product merchandiser system
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a reduced side elevational view of the product
merchandiser system of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
product merchandiser system of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of a mounting
channel of the product merchandiser system of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary product
merchandiser according to another embodiment of the disclosure
including elastomer bodies for retaining one or more containers on
a tray or shelf;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary product
merchandiser according to still another embodiment of the
disclosure including a movable retainer, including a hinge formed
by a flexible web, for retaining one or more containers;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary product
merchandiser according to a further embodiment of the present
disclosure including a movable retainer mounted on vertical springs
for retaining one or more containers on a tray or shelf;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary product
merchandiser according to yet another embodiment of the present
disclosure including an exemplary spring element for retaining one
or more containers; and
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a yet further embodiment of
a product merchandiser according to the present disclosure
including a movable retainer having a bottom wall, acting as a stop
member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] It should be understood that the description and drawings
herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and
changes can be made in the structures disclosed, without departing
from the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be
appreciated that the various identified components of the product
merchandising system discussed herein are merely terms of art and
that these may vary from one manufacturer to another. Such terms
should not be deemed to limit the present disclosure.
[0019] With reference now to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the
disclosure includes a plurality of merchandising shelves or trays
10 arranged in a two-dimensional array. Each merchandising shelf 10
includes a support member 14 for supporting one or more containers,
such as jars or cup-shaped objects, for example, yogurt containers
16 (FIG. 2), for display and/or dispensing. In the illustrated
embodiment, the support member 14 generally includes a bottom panel
18 and a pair of laterally spaced apart sidewalls 22 defining
therebetween a longitudinally extending channel that generally
defines a longitudinal pathway P along which the associated objects
can travel from a rear position R to a front position F of the
shelf, as by a gravity feed. In another embodiment (not shown), a
pusher fed design can be employed. At a leading end or front end of
each support member 14, a movable retainer 24 is supported or
mounted for retaining the objects within the channel. While yogurt
containers are discussed specifically herein, it should be
appreciated that other types of cup-shaped or jar-shaped containers
such as soup, cereal, oatmeal, baby food or other food containers
or other types of containers such as paint or stain containers
could be merchandised in the same manner.
[0020] With further reference to FIG. 2, it will be appreciated
that the movable retainer 24 of each merchandising shelf 10 is
movable between a first position, or rest position, at least
partially obstructing the pathway thereby restricting forward
movement of a yogurt container 16 beyond the front position F of
the shelf 10 to a second position, or dispensing position, allowing
further forward movement of the yogurt container 16 for removal of
the yogurt container. The movable retainer 24, therefore, functions
both to retain yogurt containers 16 on the merchandising shelf 10
as well as to permit selective removal of the forward-most
container from a column of such containers held on the shelf, while
generally restricting access to other yogurt containers on the
shelf.
[0021] The merchandising shelves 10 or trays of FIGS. 1 and 2 are
angled downwardly from rear to front such that the yogurt
containers are fed by gravity to the front position F of the
support member 14. Although not illustrated, a suitable pusher
assembly, which may be spring loaded, can alternatively be provided
for advancing the cup-shaped containers toward the front of the
merchandising shelf 10. Such pusher assemblies are well known in
the art. The merchandising shelves can be made of a suitable known
material (such as a thermoplastic) and, in one embodiment, are
provided in sets of three elongated side-by-side support members
forming a tray that is secured to a common rack member 28 for
mounting to rails (not shown) in a conventional manner.
[0022] Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, the movable retainer 24 includes a
panel 32 pivotally attached to the support member 14. The panel 32
is configured to pivot from an upright position (left and center
merchandising shelves) corresponding to the first position at least
partially obstructing the path along which the yogurt containers
can travel, to a position reclined or tilted relative to the
upright position (right merchandising shelf) corresponding to the
second position allowing further forward movement of the yogurt
containers along the pathway. In other words, the panel 32 is
resiliently mounted to the support member 14. The withdrawal of the
forwardmost container may involve tilting out the top portion or
bottom portion of the container once the panel is moved away from
its upright position. In other words, the container is rotated
somewhat before it is removed. It is apparent that, in the
embodiment shown, a separate panel 32 is provided for each column
of containers meant to be merchandised.
[0023] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the panel 32 is
secured to the bottom panel 18 of the support member 14 by a hinge
36 comprised of a pair of pins 38 (only one of which is visible)
retained in corresponding slots 40 in the bottom panel 18. The
panel 32 of the movable retainer 24 is biased towards the upright
position by a spring 42, such as a torsion spring installed between
the panel 32 and the support member 14. The spring 42 generally
maintains the panel in the upright position to prevent the product
containers from spilling off the front edge of the shelf. While a
particular type of spring is shown in FIG. 3, it should be
appreciated that any type of spring could be employed, such as flat
springs, leaf springs, and a variety of coil springs such as
tension, compression, or torsion springs depending on the
particular construction of the associated panel and support
member.
[0024] To dispense a product container 16 from the merchandising
shelf 10, a consumer will typically grasp the forward-most
container and pull the container away from the shelf. As shown in
FIG. 2, the additional force applied to the panel 32 by the
consumer as the container is being moved away from the
merchandising shelf will result in the panel deflecting to a tilted
or reclined position that allows further forward movement of the
container such that it clears the end of the support member 14
and/or panel 32 at which time the panel 32 returns to the upright
position in order to retain the remaining containers on the support
member 14 of the merchandising shelf 10. While a downward tilted or
reclined position is shown in FIG. 3, the panel could be pivoted at
its upper end so as to allow withdrawal of containers when the
panel is tilted upwardly. Put another way, a pivotable barrier or
"door" is disclosed in this embodiment, with the pivot axis being
aligned with the base or bottom panel 18 of the support member
14.
[0025] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the product facing
side of the panel 32 is generally concave such that it can at least
partially surround the forward most cup-shaped container. This can
prevent the container 10 from rolling side to side when the panel
32 is in the tilted position (e.g., second shelf from top in FIG.
2). With reference now also to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the
generally concave shape of the panel 32 is formed by a pair of
opposed arms 46 that extend rearwardly from the panel. Other
configurations of the panel could be provided, as will be
appreciated. Each panel can further include a tag holder 50 that
can be affixed to a front facing surface of the panel for
displaying pricing information and other product information. A
pair of tabs 52 are provided for securing the tag holder 50 to the
panel 32.
[0026] Other configurations of the movable retainer are also
contemplated. For example, turning to FIG. 5, merchandising shelves
10' are shown with a movable retainer in the form of an elastomer
body 60 secured at opposing ends thereof to respective side
sections or anchor elements 62 of the support member 14' of each
shelf 10'. In the embodiment shown, the elastomer body 60 can be
tubular. Of course, other designs are also contemplated. However
shaped, the body is flexible and is designed to be resiliently
deformed between a first position, at least partially obstructing
the pathway along which the product containers can travel to
restrict forward movement of the product containers to a second
position allowing further forward movement of the product
containers beyond the first position.
[0027] For example, a consumer may grasp the forward-most product
container and apply a force to the elastomer body through the
container tending to stretch the elastomer body 60 in relation to
the shelf 10'. As will be appreciated, such deflection of the
elastomer body 60 results from further forward movement of the
container and allows the container to be removed from its shelf.
Once the container is no longer in contact with the elastomer body
60, the elastomer body 60, which retains memory, will return to its
configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 whereat it will at least
partially obstruct the pathway along which the remaining containers
can travel to restrict forward movement of the remaining product
containers along the pathway.
[0028] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a movable retainer
24'' is in the form of a panel 70 that is hingedly secured to a
support member 14'' via a flexible web 72 that is connected to a
base 74. The flexible web 72 acts as a hinge to allow the panel 70
to flex between an upright position and a tilted position, similar
to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. In this embodiment, the panel 70
can be formed integrally with the hinge portion/flexible web such
that the panel 70, hinge 72 and base 74 can be mounted as a single
unit to a base portion 18'' of the support member 14'' without the
need to assemble a hinge separately. The hinge or flexible web 72
can be resilient such that the panel 70 is biased to the upright
position as shown. In one embodiment, the retainer 24'' can be made
of a suitable coextruded thermoplastic material in which the hinge
portion 72 is made of a softer, more resilient thermoplastic than
is either the panel 70 or the base 74. It should be appreciated
that the base 74 can be secured to the base portion 18'' of the
support member 14'' by suitable fasteners 76.
[0029] Turning to FIG. 7, yet another exemplary embodiment is
illustrated wherein a movable retainer 24'' is in the form of a
panel 80 that is mounted to the support member 14'' by a pair of
spring elements 82 extending between the panel 80 and a bottom 18''
of a support member 14''. The spring elements 82 in the illustrated
embodiment are coil springs and generally bias the panel 80 towards
the upright position, but also permit deflection of the panel to a
reclined position, thus serving as both a hinge connection and as a
biasing mechanism. It should be appreciated that the springs 82
will resiliently bias the panel 80 to the position illustrated in
FIG. 7, i.e., a position perpendicular to the bottom 18'' of the
support member 14'', when the panel is moved away from that
position, such as by the removal of a cup, jar or other container
of product from the display tray or shelf. It should be appreciated
that other types of resilient members, such as rubber tendons, can
be used instead of the springs illustrated in this embodiment.
[0030] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7, the
respective moveable retainer 24, 70 and 80 is pivotally attached
along its lower end to a portion of the respective channel. Thus,
the retainer pivots forwardly and allows access to the food item
held in the channel.
[0031] Restocking of the tray can be accomplished by providing a
tray system which can slide outwardly from the shelf, as is known
in the art. Alternatively, restocking could take place by simply
pivoting the barrier downwardly away from its blocking position,
although this would appear to be a less desirable alternative.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 8, still another exemplary embodiment
of a shelf 100 including a movable retainer in accordance with the
disclosure is illustrated. In this embodiment, a movable retainer
124 is in the form of a spring 126 extending transversely across
the longitudinal pathway defined by a support member 114. The
spring 126 is fixed at opposite ends thereof to the opposing
sidewalls of the support member 114 and is configured to
resiliently deflect in relation to the support member between the
position illustrated in FIG. 8 for restricting forward movement of
the product containers to a second position (not shown) allowing
further forward movement of the front product container beyond the
position illustrated for removal from the shelf 10 in a manner
similar to that described in connection with previous embodiments.
When pressure is no longer exerted on the spring 126, it will
return to its configuration as illustrated in FIG. 8, thus
preventing any other product containers from falling away from the
tray or shelf 100.
[0033] FIG. 8 also illustrates an embodiment in which three columns
of product, i.e., yogurt or the like, can be displayed on an
integrally formed tray. It should be appreciated that the tray can
display any desired number of columns of product from 1 to 10, if
so desired. It should also be appreciated that the disclosed
product merchandiser can be employed with multi-packs of products,
such as pudding, apple sauce, Jell-O and the like.
[0034] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8, the
respective movable retainers 60 and 124 are designed to flex or
extend from a first position which prevents forward movement of a
merchandise item located in the channel to a second extended
position which allows such further movement of the merchandise
product. In this way, products can be withdrawn from the
channel.
[0035] With reference now to FIG. 9, a further embodiment of a
product merchandiser 200 is there illustrated. In this embodiment,
a movable retainer 210 includes a front wall or panel 212, a pair
of side walls 214 and 216, and a bottom wall 218. When the retainer
210 is moved from its rest position to a dispensing position, all
of the walls move. In the dispensing position, which is illustrated
in FIG. 9, the bottom wall 218 acts as a stop which prevents
additional products from advancing forwardly in the column from
which product is being dispensed. Such a stop is particularly
important if the containers are sold in glass jars, such as is baby
food. The stop is designed to prevent additional products from
falling out of the shelf when one product is removed. However, when
the retainer is returned to its original rest position, the
containers are allowed to move forwardly on the shelf. In the
embodiment disclosed, the retainer is movable between its rest
position and its dispensing position via a suitable hinge (not
visible). The retainer can be biased to its rest position by a
biasing element (not visible). In the embodiment illustrated, the
base wall 218 is fastened to the pair of side walls 214, 216 of the
retainer 210. However, it should be appreciated that other
constructions are also contemplated.
[0036] The product merchandiser illustrated herein allows shelving
to be stacked closely together as withdrawal of the containers does
not involve much upward movement of the containers to clear a
barrier. Instead, the containers can be simply tilted and then
withdrawn in a generally horizontal direction. This allows the
product density for the merchant to be increased, which is very
desirable, as shelves can be stacked more closely together.
[0037] In the embodiments disclosed herein, the several versions of
the movable retainer each extend substantially across a width of a
channel defined in the support member between a pair of facing side
walls. In several embodiments, the retainer is pivotally attached
to front portions of the channel. In other embodiments, the
retainer can flex outwardly to allow product to be withdrawn from
the shelf by a consumer. Both versions allow the retainer to move
from a first position retarding forward movement of merchandise in
a channel to a second position allowing such movement. The movement
of the retainer allows food containers and like merchandise to be
withdrawn from a front end of a channel.
[0038] The present disclosure has been described with reference to
several embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will
occur to others upon the reading and understanding of the preceding
detailed description. It is intended that the present disclosure be
construed as including all such modifications and alterations
insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *