U.S. patent application number 15/448146 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-07 for multi-facing merchandiser and methods relating to same.
The applicant listed for this patent is DCI Marketing, Inc.. Invention is credited to Craig A. Fluegge, Christopher J. Turner.
Application Number | 20170251835 15/448146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59723136 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170251835 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fluegge; Craig A. ; et
al. |
September 7, 2017 |
MULTI-FACING MERCHANDISER AND METHODS RELATING TO SAME
Abstract
A product display is provided including a tray, a first product
channel located on a first side of the tray, and a second product
channel located on a second side of the tray. In some embodiments
the first product channel is located on top of the tray and the
second product channel is located below the tray.
Inventors: |
Fluegge; Craig A.;
(Menomonee Falls, WI) ; Turner; Christopher J.;
(Pewaukee, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DCI Marketing, Inc. |
Milwaukee |
WI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59723136 |
Appl. No.: |
15/448146 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62302664 |
Mar 2, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/005 20130101;
A47F 5/0043 20130101; A47F 1/125 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/08 20060101
A47F005/08; A47F 7/00 20060101 A47F007/00; A47F 5/00 20060101
A47F005/00 |
Claims
1. A product display comprising: an attachment means; a tray; a
first product channel located on a first side of the tray; and a
second product channel located on a second side of the tray.
2. The product display of claim 1, wherein the second side of the
tray is opposite the first side of the tray.
3. The product display of claim 2, wherein first side of the tray
is a top side and the second side of the tray is a bottom side.
4. The product display of claim 1, wherein the attachment means is
configured to removably attach the product display to one of a
group consisting of a grid, a bar, a shelf, and a wall.
5. The product display of claim 1 further comprising: a third
product channel located on the first side; and a removable divider
separating the first product channel and the third product
channel.
6. The product display of claim 1, wherein the second product
channel comprises a top portion of at least one first product
container removably attached to at least one protrusion extending
downward from the tray.
7. The product display of claim 6, wherein the top portion at least
one second product container is removably attached to a bottom
portion of the at least one first product container.
8. The product display of claim 1, wherein the bottom side of the
tray comprises at least one protrusion configured to interact with
a top portion of a product container.
9. The product display of claim 8, wherein the at least one
protrusion is two sidewalls extending downward and shaped to fit
over a rim of the product container.
10. The product display of claim 1 further comprising a price
channel including a lens and at least one stopper.
11. The product display of claim 10, wherein the at least one
stopper is configured to contact a product container in the second
product channel.
12. A method of displaying products comprising: supporting a first
row of products on a first side of a merchandiser; supporting a
second row of products on a second side of a merchandiser;
advancing the first row of products and the second row of products
toward a front side of the merchandiser.
13. The method of displaying products of claim 12, wherein the
first side of the merchandiser is opposite the second side of the
merchandiser.
14. The method of displaying products of claim 13, wherein the
first side of the merchandiser is a top side, and the second side
of the merchandiser is the bottom side.
15. The method of displaying products of claim 12 further
comprising: supporting a third row of products on a bottom portion
of the second row of products.
16. The method of displaying products of claim 15, wherein a top
portion of the third row of products is configured to detachably
couple to a bottom portion of the second row of products.
17. The method of displaying products of claim 12 further
comprising stopping the advancement of the second row of products
with a projection extending from a price channel.
18. A product support comprising: at least one downward extending
protrusion configured to support a product; an attachment portion
configured to attach to a product display.
19. The product support of claim 18, wherein the at least one
downward extending protrusion comprises two protrusions configured
to support a rim between the two protrusions.
20. The product support of claim 18 further comprising: at least
one upward extending sidewall.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/302,664, filed Mar. 2, 2016, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] This invention relates generally to product displays and,
more particularly, to merchandisers for front-facing product
merchandise for displaying and dispensing product to consumers.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Product displays, such as merchandisers, are frequently used
in retail environments to display products for sale. It is
advantageous for these product display merchandisers to be
configured to provide consumers easy access to the displayed
product as well as facilitate easy reloading by store employees.
Example product display merchandisers are described in U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2010/0107670. In addition to ease of use
considerations, manufacturers of product display merchandisers seek
to minimize materials and manufacturing costs associated with the
product display merchandisers.
[0004] One problem with conventional merchandisers is that an
additional merchandiser is required for each row of products. The
large number of merchandisers are expensive and take up valuable
display space.
[0005] While some conventional merchandisers allow flexibility by
offering removable dividers, such that a single merchandiser can
have two rows of products, conventional merchandisers do not allow
products to be displayed on two opposite sides of the merchandiser,
such as the top and bottom.
[0006] Accordingly, it has been determined that a need exists for
improved product display merchandiser that are not only easy to
use, for both consumers and store associates, but also minimally
expensive to produce and that offer improved features and functions
over conventional merchandisers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0007] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures
of the accompanying drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a store display featuring
three versions of product display merchandisers including a product
display merchandiser according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a product display
merchandiser according to an embodiment of the present invention
taken along line A-A in FIG. 2E.
[0010] FIG. 2B is a front elevation view of the product display
merchandiser of FIG. 2A.
[0011] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the product display
merchandiser of FIGS. 2A-B.
[0012] FIG. 2D is a top view of the product display merchandiser of
FIGS. 2A-C.
[0013] FIG. 2E is a side elevation view of the product display
merchandiser of FIGS. 2A-D.
[0014] FIG. 2F is a cross-sectional view of the product display
merchandiser of FIGS. 2A-E taken along line F-F in FIG. 2D.
[0015] Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and
clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale or to include
all features, options or attachments. For example, the dimensions
and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures
may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve
understanding of various embodiments of the present invention.
Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or
necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not
depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these
various embodiments of the present invention. Certain actions
and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of
occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such
specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The
terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical
meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons
skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where
different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth
herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Many variations of product displays are discussed herein and
even further are contemplated in view of this disclosure. The
product display merchandisers discussed herein are configured, and
designed, to hold and display product that is for sale and to front
face this product so that the next item in the display is moved to
the front of the display as the product in front of it is removed
from the merchandiser. The product display merchandisers include a
first channel for products located on a first side of the product
display merchandiser and a second channel for products located on a
second side of the display. Specifically, the product display
merchandisers include channels on the top and bottom sides. While
many variations of product display merchandisers are herein
described and contemplated herein, FIGS. 1 and 2A-2F, and the
associated text, generally depict and describe a first embodiment
of a product display merchandiser wherein a first product channel
is located on the top side of the display, and a second product
channel is located on the bottom side of the display.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a store display 1 featuring three
versions of product display merchandisers or front facing
merchandisers 100, 200, and 300. Product display merchandisers 200
are single product trays that have a single product channel similar
to those discussed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0107670,
published May 6, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety. In a preferred form, these are pull-out trays that
allow the tray to pull out for stocking and re-stocking purposes.
The product display merchandisers 200 hold a single row 20 of
products which are faced against a front lens 210.
[0018] Product display merchandiser 300 are dual-product channel
merchandisers that are capable of front facing one or two separate
product containers similar to those discussed in U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 62/195847, filed Jul. 23, 2015, from
which PCT application no. PCT/U.S.16/43354, filed Jul. 21, 2016,
depends both of which is incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety. The product display merchandiser 300 includes either a
single channel configuration 300B or a double channel configuration
300A. The single channel configuration 300A allows for the
displaying of a row of large products 31. The double channel
configuration 300A allows for the display of multiple rows 30 of
smaller products. In the double channel configuration 300A a
removable divider is attached to separate the product channel into
two product channels. This divider can be removed to convert to the
single channel configuration.
[0019] Product display merchandiser 300 comprises a tray 302,
holding a channel of products 30, which is slidably mounted on a
base 305 (e.g., a pull-out front facing tray type merchandiser). In
order to assist in the stocking of the product display merchandiser
300, the tray 302 can be slid forward along the base 305 so that it
can more easily be reached. The tray 302 is connected to the base
305 by connectors 308, which prevent the tray 302 from completely
detaching from the base 305, while still allowing it to slide along
the longitudinal axis.
[0020] Both merchandisers 200 and 300 preferably include pull-out
tray type operation and adjustable width capabilities where the
sidewalls of the tray are adjustable to change the width of the
product channel to accommodate products of different size and in a
manner that allows the merchandiser to only take-up as much space
as needed in order to allow retailers to maximize their display
space (e.g., maximize horizontal pack-out by not wasting
space).
[0021] Product display merchandiser 100 is a new merchandiser that
allows for a single or multi-product channel on the upper side of
the merchandiser and a separate product channel below the
merchandiser (or on the side opposite the first product channel).
While we will discuss and illustrate the merchandiser 100 only
having a single product channel on the upper side of the
merchandiser further herein, it should be understood that in
alternate forms a dual product channel could be provided on the
upper side of the merchandiser like the above mentioned
merchandiser 300.
[0022] The product display merchandiser 100 is better shown in
FIGS. 2A-2F. As seen in FIG. 2A, product display merchandiser 100
includes a tray 102 which defines a first channel 130 and a second
channel 132. The first channel 130 or top channel contains a first
product row 10 on the top side of the tray 102, the first channel
130 is defined by a pair of sidewalls 112/114. As discussed above,
the first channel 130 may be split into multiple channels in
alternative embodiments. In further alternatives, one or both
sidewalls 112/114 are adjustable and/or removable in order to
accommodate product rows 10 of varying widths. The second channel
132 or bottom channel contains a second product row 11 on the
bottom side of the tray 102. The second channel 132 is defined by a
first protrusion 121 and a second protrusion 122. The product
display merchandiser 100 includes a base 105. In some embodiments,
the tray 102 is slidably mounted on the base 105, similar to
product display merchandiser 300 above. In some embodiments, the
tray 102 is baseless and instead slides out along one or more arms.
In alternative embodiments, the tray 102 is rigidly attached to the
base 105, or the base 105 is a portion of the tray 102.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, product display merchandiser 100
includes an attachment member 104 for mounting the product display
merchandiser 100 to a grid 106. In alternative embodiments, the
attachment member 104 is configured to attach the product display
merchandiser 100 in other ways, including mounting on a bar,
mounting on a shelf, fitting into one or more horizontal tracks, or
others.
[0024] In operation, the product display 100 retains the rows of
products 10/11/12 in neat rows and advances them toward the front
end 101 of the tray 102. Turning to the cross-sectional view in
FIG. 2A, the bottom side of the tray 102 includes the first
protrusion 121 and the second protrusion 122. The two protrusions
121/122 extend downward from the tray 102 and are configured to
removably attach to the top portion of the packaging of product 11.
In the embodiment shown, the two protrusions form a channel 132
into which a rim around the product 11 slides. The protrusions
121/122 prevent the products 11 from falling or from being removed
from either side. However, they permit the sliding of the products
11 toward and away from the front end 101 of the tray 102. The
protrusions 121/122 each have a shoulder or lip facing each other
configured to support the rim of a product 11 there-between.
[0025] FIG. 2A further shows a third row 12 of products attached to
the bottom of the second row 11 of products. The top portion of the
packaging of the products 11/12 include a recess 13 defined by a
ring 14. The bottom portion of the packaging of the products 11/12
include a projection 15 configured to fit into the recess 13. The
projection 15 is flared outward and sized such that it is held into
the recess 13 by friction with enough force to support the weight
of the third row of products 12, such that the third product 12 is
detachably coupled to the second product 11. In this embodiment,
the amount of force necessary to remove a product 11 from the
product display 100 should be greater than the force necessary to
remove a product 12 from the bottom of the product 11. Thus, a
consumer can remove the products one at a time. In alternative
embodiments, the recess 13 is a channel. In this embodiment, the
protrusions 121/122 can comprise a single protrusion 121 configured
to fit within the recess 13 of the products in row 11 in order to
support them.
[0026] In FIG. 1, the product display 100 is angled downward. When
a product is removed from the first or second rows of products
10/11, gravity causes the remaining products to slide toward the
front end 101 of the tray 102, thus self-facing the merchandise. In
alternative embodiments, other means of self-facing can be
employed. The top row 11 of products include a pusher 108 (see FIG.
2C). In some embodiments, the pusher is springedly attached to the
tray 102 such that it is biased toward the front end 101. In other
embodiments, the pusher is merely weighted such that it slides
forward from gravity in order to self-face lighter products. A
second pusher 108 can be included in the bottom channel 132 in
order to self-face the second row of products 11. Still in other
embodiments, the pushers 108 are attached to a pull tab located
near the front end. A store employee can pull on the pull tab in
order to face the products quickly. In some embodiments, a single
pull tab can be attached to a plurality of pushers 108. As shown in
FIG. 2D, the pushers 108 travel along tracks 103 that are built
into the tray 102 or the base 105.
[0027] The product display 100 further comprises a price channel
110. The price channel 110 (shown in FIG. 2B), includes a lens 113
and at least one stopper 111. The lens 113 is configured to hold a
price tag and or product label. In some embodiments the lens 113 is
made of a transparent material, such that the tag or label can be
placed under the lens 113. In other embodiments, the lens 113 is a
channel into which a price tag or label can slide in or be placed.
The stopper 111 is a protrusion extending from the price channel
110 into the second channel 132. The stopper 111 contacts the front
product 11, so as to restrict the product 11 from sliding out of
the tray 102. The stopper 111 allows the product 11 to be removed
if sufficient force is applied by a customer. In some embodiments
the stopper 111 contacts a surface of the product parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the tray 102, and merely hold the product 11
in position with friction. In a second embodiment, the stopper 111
contacts the front of the product 11. In the second embodiment, the
stopper 111 and/or the product 11 are deformable, such that they
can deform to allow the removal of the product 11 and then return
to the proper shape so that the next product 11 in line is
stopped.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2E, the back surface of the price channel
110 contacts the front most product 10 so as to prevent it from
sliding out of the tray 102. A consumer can remove the product 10
by lifting it above the price channel 110. In alternative
embodiments, the price channel 110 includes a second stopper 111
extending into the top channel 130.
[0029] In some embodiments, the sidewalls 112/114 are adjustable.
The sidewalls 112/114 are attached to the base 105 such that they
can slide apart in order to adjust the width of the first channel
130. This permits a single product display 100 to be capable of
holding a wide variety of products. In alternative embodiments, one
or both of the sidewalls 112/114 are removable. By removing the
sidewalls 112/114, very wide products can be supported by two
adjacent product displays 100.
[0030] Similarly, in some embodiments the first protrusion 121 and
second protrusion 122 are adjustable. The protrusions 121/122 are
slidably attached to the base 105 so that the width of the second
channel 132 can be adjusted. In this manner, they can be adjusted
to fit over the rim of a variety of products.
[0031] The product display 100 can include any of the features
included in the prior art product displays 200/300 or any of the
features disclosed in the references incorporated herein. This
includes, but is not limited to, a removable divider permitting the
first channel 130 to be divided into two channels, sliding
sidewalls 112/114, removable sidewalls 112/114, and a slide-out
tray 102. The product display 100 can further include the features
disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/409,396, filed
Jan. 18, 2017, which claims priority to provisional applications
62/440,993, filed Dec. 30, 2016, and 62/279,931, filed Jan. 18,
2016, all of which are fully incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties. This includes, but is not limited to, a sensor
for monitoring the quantity of products contained in the product
display 100 and a means of alerting a store employee when the
product display 100 needs restocked.
[0032] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first and
second protrusions 121/122 that define the channel 132 are
configured to be removable from the tray 102. The removable
protrusions 121/122 can be added to existing product displays
200/300 in order to support an additional row of products on the
bottom side of the trays 202/302. Alternatively, the protrusions
121/122 and the sidewalls 112/114 form a single removable piece.
This piece can be attached to existing bases in order to achieve
the same result. As shown in FIG. 2A, the piece comprising the
sidewalls 112/114 and the protrusions 121/122 include an attachment
portion 123 configured to slide over the base 105. Alternatively,
each sidewall 112/114 and protrusion 121/122 can be individually
attachable to the base 105 or an existing tray. This can be
achieved by each sidewall 112/114 and protrusion 121/122 having at
least one sideward extending projection configured to fit in a
recess or channel in the base 105 or tray 102. This can also be
achieved by each sidewall 112/114 and protrusion 121/122 having at
least one sideward facing recess or channel configured to fit onto
a projection extending from the base 105 or tray 102. In still
further embodiments, a single protrusion 121 or a member comprising
a single protrusion 121 and sidewall 112 is configured to be
permanently fixed to a base 105 or tray 102. This can be achieved
by any means, including adhesive, welding, screws, rivets, or
bolts. Both protrusions 121/122 can alternatively form a single
member configured to be permanently attached to the bottom of a
base 105 or tray 102 by any of the same means described above. Any
of these embodiments can be combined with the alternative
protrusions 121/122 described elsewhere in this application,
including where the protrusions 121/122 are replaced with a single
protrusion or recess.
[0033] This allows for existing product display merchandisers to be
retrofitted with the present invention. It further allows for the
removal of the protrusions 121/122 so that the same product display
merchandisers 100 can be used for the bottom row of a store display
1 or in cases where a second row of products 11 is not desired.
[0034] In view of the above, it should be understood that numerous
new concepts and features are disclosed herein that are intended to
be covered by the instant application. For example, disclosed
herein is a product display merchandiser having at least one
sidewall formed from an extrusion. In a preferred form, the
extrusion defines two side walls positioned opposite one another.
In one form, the extrusion further includes a protrusion, such as a
product retention tab, that allows an additional facing of product
to be suspended from the product display merchandiser. In some
embodiments, the protrusions extend from both side walls and are
positioned opposite one another to retain the products of the
second facing between the protrusions. As mentioned above, one form
of this design has the product retention tabs configured to engage
a surface of the product being displayed in the second facing, such
as a lip or shoulder of the product, and in a manner that still
allows the product of the second facing to remain movable with
respect to the product display merchandiser so that the product of
the second facing can continue to slide or advance/self-face when
the product display merchandiser is suspended at an angle to allow
for gravity feeding of the product (e.g., so that product advances
to remain at the front of the merchandiser as product is removed
from same).
[0035] While the immediate paragraph above discusses an entire
product display merchandiser having a product retention mechanism
for suspending an additional facing from the merchandiser, it
should be understood that in alternate embodiments the concepts
contained herein may further include a merchandiser accessory
capable of being attached to existing merchandisers to configure
the existing merchandisers to suspend additional facings therefrom.
For example, in one form, an accessory attachment is disclosed
having a product retention tab or protrusion that can be connected
to a side of an existing merchandiser and suspended below to
suspend an additional facing of product below the merchandiser. In
some forms, two or more of such accessory attachments may be
connected or coupled to opposing sides of an existing merchandiser
to allow for product to be retained and suspended below the
merchandiser while still allowing the product to move with respect
to the merchandiser (e.g., so as to slide or advance/self-face when
product is removed from the merchandiser). In some forms, the
merchandiser may advance or auto-face the product due to an angular
positioning of the merchandiser to utilize gravity feeding. In
other forms, the merchandiser may include a product advancement
mechanism, such as a manually movable product advancement lever or
strip or, alternatively, a spring driven pusher mechanism. With
respect to the former (i.e., the manual configuration), the manual
pull strip or tab/lever may be integrated into a wall of the
product display merchandiser (e.g., left side wall, right side wall
or bottom side wall), may be integrated into a base of the
merchandiser, or may be extend above, below or to the side of the
products and be operable in a first direction to advance the
product so that the next available product is positioned
conveniently at the front of the merchandiser. With respect to the
latter (i.e., the automatic advancing mechanism), the spring biased
pusher may be positioned within the merchandiser (e.g., between the
side walls or atop a base or bottom wall) or extended from a side
of the displayed product (e.g., suspended from below a base or
bottom wall of the merchandiser to advance and face the product
suspended below the merchandiser.
[0036] In addition to the product display merchandisers discussed
herein, it should also be understood that product packaging is also
disclosed herein that allows for additional facings of product to
be connected to or presented from a merchandiser. For example, in
one form a nested product packaging is disclosed that allows one
product to be suspended from another so that both products can be
suspended from the product retention mechanism (e.g., channel, tab,
chute, etc.) of a merchandiser. In a preferred form, the products
are friction fit with one another and designed in such a way that
the force required to remove one product from another that it is
connected to (e.g., a second or base product) is smaller than the
amount of force required to remove the second or base product from
the merchandiser. In this way, the product display system or
assembly is configured to ensure that a suspended or connected
product is always removed before its base product is removed from
the product retention mechanism. This allows for second and third
facings of product to be suspended from the product display
merchandiser in a new and novel manner. Hence, a multi-product
facing merchandiser is disclosed herein as well as unique product
packaging for use with same.
[0037] In addition to the various embodiments disclosed herein for
product display merchandisers and product packaging, there are also
disclosed numerous methods as well. For example, a method for
adding one or more of additional product facings to a merchandiser
is disclosed herein. Similarly, a method for connecting product to
a merchandiser is disclosed herein including without limitation a
method of suspending product form the merchandiser. A method of
forming one or more merchandiser walls is disclosed herein as is a
method of modifying a merchandiser to connect additional product to
same. Likewise, methods for advancing product in a product display
merchandiser are disclosed as are methods for connected product to
one another for display in a product display merchandiser.
Additionally, a method for retrofitting existing merchandisers to
display one or more additional facings of product is also disclosed
herein.
[0038] This detailed description described specific examples of
product display merchandisers. A person of ordinary skill in the
art would recognize that these descriptions are sufficient to
understand how to build and/or operate any of the product display
merchandisers disclosed herein. Therefor this description covers
the methods of making or using the product display merchandisers
and/or individual components of the product display merchandisers
described.
[0039] This detailed description refers to specific examples in the
drawings and illustrations. These examples are described in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the inventive subject matter. These examples also serve to
illustrate how the inventive subject matter can be applied to
various purposes or embodiments. Other embodiments are included
within the inventive subject matter, as logical, mechanical,
electrical, and other changes can be made to the example
embodiments described herein. Features of various embodiments
described herein, however essential to the example embodiments in
which they are incorporated, do not limit the inventive subject
matter as a whole, and any reference to the invention, its
elements, operation, and application are not limiting as a whole,
but serve only to define these example embodiments. This detailed
description does not, therefore, limit embodiments of the
invention, which are defined only by the appended claims. Each of
the embodiments described herein are contemplated as falling within
the inventive subject matter, which is set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *