US20120279934A1 - Product Biasing System With Low Inventory Indicator - Google Patents
Product Biasing System With Low Inventory Indicator Download PDFInfo
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- US20120279934A1 US20120279934A1 US13/098,955 US201113098955A US2012279934A1 US 20120279934 A1 US20120279934 A1 US 20120279934A1 US 201113098955 A US201113098955 A US 201113098955A US 2012279934 A1 US2012279934 A1 US 2012279934A1
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- Prior art keywords
- rail
- moveable member
- biasing system
- band
- indicia
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F1/00—Racks for dispensing merchandise; Containers for dispensing merchandise
- A47F1/04—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs
- A47F1/12—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack
- A47F1/125—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack with an article-pushing device
- A47F1/126—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack with an article-pushing device the pushing device being urged by spring means
Definitions
- This application relates to product displays and, more particularly, to systems for forward-biasing products to improve product display.
- Point-of-sale display units are commonly used in retail outlets because they present products in an eye-catching manner. As products are removed from the display, it may become increasingly difficult to access the remaining products, particularly when the remaining products are located at the rear of the display.
- gravity dispensers feed products capable of rolling to a product display area at the front of the dispenser.
- the products roll to the front of the dispenser under the force of gravity.
- biasing apparatus utilize a spring-biased sled to urge products toward the front of the display.
- a low inventory condition may be particularly difficult to detect in a display in which the individual products are housed in a container.
- the disclosed product biasing system may include an elongated rail having a front end and a rear end, a moveable member slidably engaged with the rail, and a biasing element operatively connected to the moveable member to bias the moveable member toward the front end of the rail, the biasing element being marked with indicia indicative of the longitudinal displacement of the moveable member relative to the front end of the rail.
- the disclosed product biasing system may include an elongated rail having a front end and a rear end, a moveable member slidably engaged with the rail, a product positioned on the rail between the front end of the rail and the moveable member, the product longitudinally displacing the moveable member from the front end of the rail, and a biasing element operatively connected to the moveable member to bias the moveable member, and ultimately the product, toward the front end of the rail, the biasing element being marked with indicia indicative of the longitudinal displacement of the moveable member from the front end of the rail.
- the disclosed product biasing system may include an elongated rail having a front end and a rear end, a moveable member slidably engaged with the rail, and a biasing element including a band shaped into a coil, the band having a free end and being marked with indicia, wherein the coil is connected proximate the front end of the rail and the free end is connected to the moveable member to bias the moveable member toward the front end of the rail, and wherein the indicia is indicative of the longitudinal displacement of the moveable member relative to the front end of the rail.
- a method for determining an inventory level of a display may include the steps of (1) providing a biasing system including an elongated rail having a front end and a rear end, the front end defining a window, a moveable member slidably engaged with the rail and a biasing element operatively connected to the moveable member to bias the moveable member toward the front end of the rail, wherein the biasing element includes an elongated band shaped into a coil, the band being marked with indicia that varies along the band; (2) positioning a quantity of products on the rail between the front end of the rail and the moveable member, the moveable member urging the products toward the front end of the rail, wherein a low inventor condition is established when the quantity drops below a predetermined value; and (3) observing the indicia through the window to determine whether the low inventor condition has been established.
- FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one aspect of the disclosed product biasing system with low inventory indicator
- FIG. 2 is a front and side perspective view of the product biasing system of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the product biasing system of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, in section, of the forward portion of the product biasing system of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the moveable member of the product biasing system of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the biasing element of the product biasing system of FIG. 4 , shown in an extended configuration;
- FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the biasing element of FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the biasing element of FIG. 6 , shown in a retracted configuration
- FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the biasing element of FIG. 8 ;
- FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the product biasing system of FIG. 1 , shown in a low inventory condition;
- FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the product biasing system of FIG. 10 .
- one aspect of the disclosed product biasing system may include a rail 12 , a moveable member 14 and a biasing element 16 .
- the biasing element 16 may be connected to the moveable member 14 to urge the moveable member 14 toward the front end 18 of the rail 12 . Therefore, the moveable member 14 may urge products 20 positioned between the front end 18 of the rail 12 and the moveable member 14 toward the front end 18 .
- the product biasing system 10 may be positioned on a store shelf (not shown) such that the front end 18 of the rail 12 is positioned proximate (i.e., at or near) the front edge of the shelf. Therefore, the product biasing system 10 may urge the products 20 toward the front edge of the shelf, thereby improving the accessibility of the products 20 to consumers.
- the rail 12 may be elongated along a longitudinal axis A ( FIG. 2 ), and may include the front end 18 and a rear end 22 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the rail 12 may define a sliding surface 24 and an elongated track 26 formed in the sliding surface 24 . The elongated track 26 may extend from proximate the front end 18 of the rail 12 to proximate the rear end 22 of the rail 12 .
- a stop 28 may be positioned proximate the front end 18 of the rail 12 .
- the stop 28 may prevent (or at least inhibit) forward longitudinal movement of the products 20 beyond the stop 28 .
- the stop 28 may be connected to the rail 12 at a pivot point 30 . Therefore, the stop 28 may pivot from the forward-most configuration (i.e., stopping configuration) shown in FIG. 1 to a collapsed configuration (not shown) when a rearward force F ( FIG. 1 ) is applied to the stop 28 , such as when a product 20 is being loaded onto the product biasing system 10 .
- the products 20 may be positioned on the rail 12 proximate the front end 18 of the rail 12 such that the products 20 extend in a longitudinal row along the rail 12 .
- two or more rows of product 20 may be positioned along the rail 12 .
- the products 20 are shown without a container, use of the disclosed product biasing system 10 to bias products housed in a container is also contemplated. Use of a biasing system to bias products housed in a container is described in greater detail in U.S. Ser. No. 13/049,004.
- the products 20 may be various foodstuffs packaged in boxes, cartons, pouches, cans or bottles.
- the products 20 may be various consumer goods, and may or may not be individually contained in a package, such as a box, carton, clamshell, pouch or the like.
- Other examples of products 20 suitable for being dispensed from the disclosed product biasing system 10 are left to the skilled artisan.
- the moveable member 14 may be slidably engaged with the rail 12 , and may be longitudinally displaceable from the front end 18 of the rail 12 along the longitudinal axis A ( FIG. 2 ) of the rail 12 .
- the moveable member 14 may be a sled or the like.
- the moveable member 14 may include a base 32 and a face panel 34 connected to the base 32 .
- the face panel 34 of the moveable member 14 may extend generally perpendicularly from the base 32 .
- Optional struts 36 , 38 may extend from the face panel 34 to the base 32 to resist pivotal movement of the face panel 34 relative to the base 32 .
- the base 32 of the moveable member 14 may be slidably engaged with the rail 12 such that the moveable member 14 may move longitudinally along the sliding surface 24 of the rail 12 between the front end 18 and the rear end 22 ( FIG. 1 ) of the rail 12 .
- Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various techniques may be used to effect a sliding engagement between the rail 12 and the moveable member 14 , and that variation in the techniques used to effect such a sliding engagement will not result in a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.
- the base 32 of the moveable member 14 may include a T-shaped member 40 connected thereto and engaged with the rail 12 .
- the T-shaped member may include a cross member 42 and a tie member 44 connecting the cross member 42 to the base 32 of the moveable member 14 .
- the tie member 44 may extend through the track 26 in the rail 12 such that a portion of the rail 110 (particularly a portion of the sliding surface. 24 ) is positioned between, the base 32 of the moveable member 14 and the cross member 42 . Therefore, the moveable member 14 (particularly the tie member 44 ) may longitudinally move through the track 26 in the rail 12 , and the cross member 42 may resist separation of the moveable member 14 from the rail 12 .
- the biasing element 16 may be connected to the moveable member 14 to urge the moveable member 14 toward the front end 18 of the rail 12 .
- a first end 48 of the biasing element 16 may be connected to the front end 18 of the rail 12 and a second, free end 50 of the biasing element 16 may be connected to the moveable member 14 . Therefore, the retraction force of the biasing element 16 may urge the moveable member 14 toward the front end 18 of the rail 12 .
- the biasing element 16 may be formed as a coiled tape spring, and may include an elongated band 52 wound into a coil 54 .
- the band 52 may be formed from a resilient material, such as steel, and may be biased to the relaxed, undrawn configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 . Therefore, when the second end 50 of the band 52 is drawn from the coil 54 , as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , a retraction force R ( FIG. 6 ) may be established that urges the band 52 back to the relaxed, undrawn configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 .
- the exterior surface 56 , or at least a portion of the exterior surface 56 , of the band 52 of the biasing element 16 may be marked with inventory level indicating indicia 58 , and the indicia 58 may vary along the longitudinal length of the band 52 .
- the portion of the exterior surface 56 of the band 52 extending from point P toward the second end 50 of the band 52 is marked with cross-hatching (indicia 58 ), while the exterior surface 56 of the band 52 extending from point P toward the first end 48 of the band 52 is free from cross-hatching.
- the indicia 58 may provide an indication of the extent that the band 52 is drawn from the coil 54 by observing the indicia 58 (or lack thereof) at the first end 48 of the biasing element 16 .
- the first end 48 of the biasing element 16 may be free from indicia 58 , as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the absence of indicia 58 at the first end 48 of the biasing element 16 may indicate that the second end 50 of the biasing element 16 is sufficiently drawn away from the coil 54 and, hence, the moveable member 14 is sufficiently longitudinally displaced from the front end 18 of the rail 12 due to the presence of products 20 in the system 10 .
- the indicia 58 may be viewed at the first end 48 of the biasing element 16 , as shown in FIG. 11 .
- the presence of indicia 58 at the first end 48 of the biasing element 16 may indicate that the second end 50 of the biasing element 16 has been sufficiently retracted to the coil 54 and, hence, the moveable member 14 has sufficiently longitudinally approximated the front end 18 of the rail 12 indicating a low inventory condition.
- the indicia 58 may include a color scheme.
- the exterior surface 56 of the band 52 may be marked with the colors green, yellow and red, with the color transitioning from green, to yellow, and then to red along the band 52 toward the second end 50 of the band 52 .
- the indicia 58 may include numbers.
- the exterior surface 56 of the band 52 may be marked with numbers ranging from “0” to “9,” with the numbers consecutively transitioning from “9” to “0” along the band 52 toward the second end 50 of the band 52 .
- the indicia 58 may include text.
- the exterior surface 56 of the band 52 may be marked with “High,” “Medium” and “Low,” with the text transitioning from “High” to “Low” along the band 52 toward the second end 50 of the band 52 .
- the indicia 58 may include images or graphics.
- the exterior surface 56 of the band 52 may be marked with “ ” and “ ,” with the images transitioning from “ ” to “ ” along the band 52 toward the second end 50 of the band 52 .
- biasing element 16 may be marked with various indicia 58 to indicate the presence or absence of a low inventory condition.
- the indicia 58 may be presented as a spectrum extending longitudinally along the band 52 such that a range of conditions between “full” and “low inventory” may be communicated, thereby providing a more precise indication of the inventory level of the system 10 .
- the coil portion 54 of the biasing element 16 may be connected to the rail 12 proximate the front end 18 of the rail 12 .
- the coil portion 54 may be received over a post 60 that transversely extends across the rail 12 proximate the front end 18 of the rail 12 .
- the second end 50 of the biasing element 16 may extend from the coil 54 and may be connected to the moveable member 14 .
- the second end 50 of the biasing element 16 may define an aperture 62 and the base 32 of the moveable member 14 may include a protrusion 64 extending therefrom.
- the protrusion 64 may extend through the aperture 62 to connect the second end 50 of the biasing element 16 to the moveable member 14 .
- the front end 18 of the rail 12 may define a window 66 such that the first end 48 of the biasing element 16 , including any indicia 58 thereon, may be visible at the front end 18 of the rail 12 .
- the biasing element 16 may provide an indication that the product biasing system 10 is filled with products 20 , as shown in FIG. 3 , or that a low inventory condition is present, as shown in FIG. 11 .
Abstract
A product biasing system including an elongated rail having a front end and a rear end, a moveable member slidably engaged with the rail, and a biasing element operatively connected to the moveable member to bias the moveable member toward the front end of the rail, the biasing element being marked with indicia indicative of the longitudinal displacement of the moveable member relative to the front end of the rail.
Description
- This application relates to product displays and, more particularly, to systems for forward-biasing products to improve product display.
- Point-of-sale display units are commonly used in retail outlets because they present products in an eye-catching manner. As products are removed from the display, it may become increasingly difficult to access the remaining products, particularly when the remaining products are located at the rear of the display.
- Thus, various techniques have been developed to move products toward the front of the display, thereby improving product accessibility. As one example, gravity dispensers feed products capable of rolling to a product display area at the front of the dispenser. The products roll to the front of the dispenser under the force of gravity. As another example, biasing apparatus utilize a spring-biased sled to urge products toward the front of the display.
- A specific example of a biasing apparatus that utilizes a spring-biased sled is described in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/049,004 titled “Product Biasing and. Dispensing System with Security Engagement” filed on Mar. 16, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The biasing apparatus disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 13/049,004 is designed to dispense individual products from a container, thereby eliminating the need for transferring the individual products from the container to a display, which can be quite time consuming.
- Unfortunately, it often becomes difficult to determine when a display is empty or sufficiently low in products as to warrant replenishment (i.e., a low inventory condition). A low inventory condition may be particularly difficult to detect in a display in which the individual products are housed in a container.
- Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue with research and development efforts in the field of product display.
- In one aspect, the disclosed product biasing system may include an elongated rail having a front end and a rear end, a moveable member slidably engaged with the rail, and a biasing element operatively connected to the moveable member to bias the moveable member toward the front end of the rail, the biasing element being marked with indicia indicative of the longitudinal displacement of the moveable member relative to the front end of the rail.
- In another aspect, the disclosed product biasing system may include an elongated rail having a front end and a rear end, a moveable member slidably engaged with the rail, a product positioned on the rail between the front end of the rail and the moveable member, the product longitudinally displacing the moveable member from the front end of the rail, and a biasing element operatively connected to the moveable member to bias the moveable member, and ultimately the product, toward the front end of the rail, the biasing element being marked with indicia indicative of the longitudinal displacement of the moveable member from the front end of the rail.
- In another aspect, the disclosed product biasing system may include an elongated rail having a front end and a rear end, a moveable member slidably engaged with the rail, and a biasing element including a band shaped into a coil, the band having a free end and being marked with indicia, wherein the coil is connected proximate the front end of the rail and the free end is connected to the moveable member to bias the moveable member toward the front end of the rail, and wherein the indicia is indicative of the longitudinal displacement of the moveable member relative to the front end of the rail.
- In yet another aspect, disclosed is a method for determining an inventory level of a display. The method may include the steps of (1) providing a biasing system including an elongated rail having a front end and a rear end, the front end defining a window, a moveable member slidably engaged with the rail and a biasing element operatively connected to the moveable member to bias the moveable member toward the front end of the rail, wherein the biasing element includes an elongated band shaped into a coil, the band being marked with indicia that varies along the band; (2) positioning a quantity of products on the rail between the front end of the rail and the moveable member, the moveable member urging the products toward the front end of the rail, wherein a low inventor condition is established when the quantity drops below a predetermined value; and (3) observing the indicia through the window to determine whether the low inventor condition has been established.
- Other aspects of the disclosed product biasing system with low inventory indicator will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one aspect of the disclosed product biasing system with low inventory indicator; -
FIG. 2 is a front and side perspective view of the product biasing system ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the product biasing system ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, in section, of the forward portion of the product biasing system ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the moveable member of the product biasing system ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the biasing element of the product biasing system ofFIG. 4 , shown in an extended configuration; -
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the biasing element ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the biasing element ofFIG. 6 , shown in a retracted configuration; -
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the biasing element ofFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the product biasing system ofFIG. 1 , shown in a low inventory condition; and -
FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the product biasing system ofFIG. 10 . - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 4 , one aspect of the disclosed product biasing system, generally designated 10, may include arail 12, amoveable member 14 and abiasing element 16. Thebiasing element 16 may be connected to themoveable member 14 to urge themoveable member 14 toward thefront end 18 of therail 12. Therefore, themoveable member 14 may urgeproducts 20 positioned between thefront end 18 of therail 12 and themoveable member 14 toward thefront end 18. - In one particular implementation, the
product biasing system 10 may be positioned on a store shelf (not shown) such that thefront end 18 of therail 12 is positioned proximate (i.e., at or near) the front edge of the shelf. Therefore, theproduct biasing system 10 may urge theproducts 20 toward the front edge of the shelf, thereby improving the accessibility of theproducts 20 to consumers. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , therail 12 may be elongated along a longitudinal axis A (FIG. 2 ), and may include thefront end 18 and arear end 22. As shown inFIG. 4 , therail 12 may define asliding surface 24 and anelongated track 26 formed in thesliding surface 24. Theelongated track 26 may extend from proximate thefront end 18 of therail 12 to proximate therear end 22 of therail 12. - A
stop 28 may be positioned proximate thefront end 18 of therail 12. Thestop 28 may prevent (or at least inhibit) forward longitudinal movement of theproducts 20 beyond thestop 28. - Optionally, the
stop 28 may be connected to therail 12 at apivot point 30. Therefore, thestop 28 may pivot from the forward-most configuration (i.e., stopping configuration) shown inFIG. 1 to a collapsed configuration (not shown) when a rearward force F (FIG. 1 ) is applied to thestop 28, such as when aproduct 20 is being loaded onto theproduct biasing system 10. - The
products 20 may be positioned on therail 12 proximate thefront end 18 of therail 12 such that theproducts 20 extend in a longitudinal row along therail 12. Alternatively, two or more rows ofproduct 20 may be positioned along therail 12. While theproducts 20 are shown without a container, use of the disclosedproduct biasing system 10 to bias products housed in a container is also contemplated. Use of a biasing system to bias products housed in a container is described in greater detail in U.S. Ser. No. 13/049,004. - Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a wide variety of
products 20 may be dispensed with the disclosedproduct biasing system 10. As one example, theproducts 20 may be various foodstuffs packaged in boxes, cartons, pouches, cans or bottles. As another example, theproducts 20 may be various consumer goods, and may or may not be individually contained in a package, such as a box, carton, clamshell, pouch or the like. Other examples ofproducts 20 suitable for being dispensed from the disclosedproduct biasing system 10 are left to the skilled artisan. - The
moveable member 14 may be slidably engaged with therail 12, and may be longitudinally displaceable from thefront end 18 of therail 12 along the longitudinal axis A (FIG. 2 ) of therail 12. In one particular implementation, themoveable member 14 may be a sled or the like. - Referring to
FIGS. 4 and 5 , themoveable member 14 may include abase 32 and aface panel 34 connected to thebase 32. Theface panel 34 of themoveable member 14 may extend generally perpendicularly from thebase 32.Optional struts face panel 34 to thebase 32 to resist pivotal movement of theface panel 34 relative to thebase 32. - The
base 32 of themoveable member 14 may be slidably engaged with therail 12 such that themoveable member 14 may move longitudinally along thesliding surface 24 of therail 12 between thefront end 18 and the rear end 22 (FIG. 1 ) of therail 12. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various techniques may be used to effect a sliding engagement between therail 12 and themoveable member 14, and that variation in the techniques used to effect such a sliding engagement will not result in a departure from the scope of the present disclosure. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , in one particular construction, thebase 32 of themoveable member 14 may include a T-shaped member 40 connected thereto and engaged with therail 12. The T-shaped member may include across member 42 and atie member 44 connecting thecross member 42 to thebase 32 of themoveable member 14. Thetie member 44 may extend through thetrack 26 in therail 12 such that a portion of the rail 110 (particularly a portion of the sliding surface. 24) is positioned between, thebase 32 of themoveable member 14 and thecross member 42. Therefore, the moveable member 14 (particularly the tie member 44) may longitudinally move through thetrack 26 in therail 12, and thecross member 42 may resist separation of themoveable member 14 from therail 12. - The biasing
element 16 may be connected to themoveable member 14 to urge themoveable member 14 toward thefront end 18 of therail 12. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 4 , afirst end 48 of the biasingelement 16 may be connected to thefront end 18 of therail 12 and a second,free end 50 of the biasingelement 16 may be connected to themoveable member 14. Therefore, the retraction force of the biasingelement 16 may urge themoveable member 14 toward thefront end 18 of therail 12. - Referring to
FIGS. 6-9 , in one specific construction, the biasingelement 16 may be formed as a coiled tape spring, and may include anelongated band 52 wound into acoil 54. Theband 52 may be formed from a resilient material, such as steel, and may be biased to the relaxed, undrawn configuration shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 . Therefore, when thesecond end 50 of theband 52 is drawn from thecoil 54, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 , a retraction force R (FIG. 6 ) may be established that urges theband 52 back to the relaxed, undrawn configuration shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 . - The
exterior surface 56, or at least a portion of theexterior surface 56, of theband 52 of the biasingelement 16 may be marked with inventorylevel indicating indicia 58, and theindicia 58 may vary along the longitudinal length of theband 52. In the expression shown inFIGS. 6-9 , the portion of theexterior surface 56 of theband 52 extending from point P toward thesecond end 50 of theband 52 is marked with cross-hatching (indicia 58), while theexterior surface 56 of theband 52 extending from point P toward thefirst end 48 of theband 52 is free from cross-hatching. - Thus, the
indicia 58 may provide an indication of the extent that theband 52 is drawn from thecoil 54 by observing the indicia 58 (or lack thereof) at thefirst end 48 of the biasingelement 16. For example, with the biasingelement 16 in the configuration shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 , thefirst end 48 of the biasingelement 16 may be free fromindicia 58, as shown inFIG. 3 . The absence ofindicia 58 at thefirst end 48 of the biasingelement 16 may indicate that thesecond end 50 of the biasingelement 16 is sufficiently drawn away from thecoil 54 and, hence, themoveable member 14 is sufficiently longitudinally displaced from thefront end 18 of therail 12 due to the presence ofproducts 20 in thesystem 10. However, with the biasingelement 16 in the configuration shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 , theindicia 58 may be viewed at thefirst end 48 of the biasingelement 16, as shown inFIG. 11 . The presence ofindicia 58 at thefirst end 48 of the biasingelement 16 may indicate that thesecond end 50 of the biasingelement 16 has been sufficiently retracted to thecoil 54 and, hence, themoveable member 14 has sufficiently longitudinally approximated thefront end 18 of therail 12 indicating a low inventory condition. - In a first alternative expression, the
indicia 58 may include a color scheme. For example, theexterior surface 56 of theband 52 may be marked with the colors green, yellow and red, with the color transitioning from green, to yellow, and then to red along theband 52 toward thesecond end 50 of theband 52. - In a second alternative expression, the
indicia 58 may include numbers. For example, theexterior surface 56 of theband 52 may be marked with numbers ranging from “0” to “9,” with the numbers consecutively transitioning from “9” to “0” along theband 52 toward thesecond end 50 of theband 52. - In a third alternative expression, the
indicia 58 may include text. For example, theexterior surface 56 of theband 52 may be marked with “High,” “Medium” and “Low,” with the text transitioning from “High” to “Low” along theband 52 toward thesecond end 50 of theband 52. -
- At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the biasing
element 16 may be marked withvarious indicia 58 to indicate the presence or absence of a low inventory condition. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that theindicia 58 may be presented as a spectrum extending longitudinally along theband 52 such that a range of conditions between “full” and “low inventory” may be communicated, thereby providing a more precise indication of the inventory level of thesystem 10. - Referring back to
FIG. 4 , thecoil portion 54 of the biasingelement 16 may be connected to therail 12 proximate thefront end 18 of therail 12. For example, thecoil portion 54 may be received over apost 60 that transversely extends across therail 12 proximate thefront end 18 of therail 12. - Referring to
FIGS. 4 and 5 , thesecond end 50 of the biasingelement 16 may extend from thecoil 54 and may be connected to themoveable member 14. For example, thesecond end 50 of the biasingelement 16 may define anaperture 62 and thebase 32 of themoveable member 14 may include aprotrusion 64 extending therefrom. Theprotrusion 64 may extend through theaperture 62 to connect thesecond end 50 of the biasingelement 16 to themoveable member 14. - Referring to
FIGS. 3 and 11 , thefront end 18 of therail 12 may define awindow 66 such that thefirst end 48 of the biasingelement 16, including anyindicia 58 thereon, may be visible at thefront end 18 of therail 12. - Accordingly, depending on whether the
indicia 58 on the biasingelement 16 is visible through thewindow 66 at thefront end 18 of therail 12 and/or depending on the type ofindicia 58 visible through thewindow 66, the biasingelement 16 may provide an indication that theproduct biasing system 10 is filled withproducts 20, as shown inFIG. 3 , or that a low inventory condition is present, as shown inFIG. 11 . - Although various aspects of the disclosed product biasing system with low inventory indicator have been shown and described, modifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.
Claims (20)
1. A product biasing system comprising:
an elongated rail having a front end and a rear end;
a moveable member slidably engaged with said rail; and
a biasing element operatively connected to said moveable member to bias said moveable member toward said front end of said rail, said biasing element being marked with indicia indicative of a longitudinal displacement of said moveable member relative to said front end of said rail.
2. The product biasing system of claim 1 wherein said rail defines an elongated track, and said moveable member is engaged with said track.
3. The product biasing system of claim 2 wherein said moveable member comprises a T-shaped member engaged with said track.
4. The product biasing system of claim 1 wherein said front end of said rail defines a window, and wherein said indicia is viewable through said window.
5. The product biasing system of claim 1 wherein said moveable member comprises a base and a face panel, said face panel being generally perpendicular to said base.
6. The product biasing system of claim 1 wherein said biasing element comprises a band shaped into a coil, said band having a free end.
7. The product biasing system of claim 6 wherein said band is formed from a resilient material.
8. The product biasing system of claim 6 wherein said coil is connected proximate said front end of said rail, and wherein said free end of said band is connected to said moveable member.
9. The product biasing system of claim 6 wherein said front end of said rail defines a window, and wherein at least a portion of said coil is viewable through said window.
10. The product biasing system of claim 6 wherein said indicia longitudinally extends along at least a portion of said band.
11. The product biasing system of claim 1 wherein said indicia comprises at least two different colors.
12. The product biasing system of claim 1 wherein said indicia comprises text or graphics.
13. The product biasing system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of products positioned on said rail between said front end of said rail and said moveable member, said plurality of products longitudinally displacing said moveable member from said front end of said rail.
14. A product biasing system comprising:
an elongated rail having a front end and a rear end;
a moveable member slidably engaged with said rail; and
a biasing element comprising a band shaped into a coil, said band comprising a free end extendable from said coil, said band being marked with indicia,
wherein said coil is connected proximate said front end of said rail and said free end is connected to said moveable member to bias said moveable member toward said front end of said rail, and
wherein said indicia is indicative of a longitudinal displacement of said moveable member relative to said front end of said rail.
15. The product biasing system of claim 14 wherein said front end of said rail defines a window, and wherein at least a portion of said indicia on said band is viewable through said window.
16. The product biasing system of claim 14 wherein said indicia comprises at least a first color and a second color, said first color being different than said second color.
17. The product biasing system of claim 16 wherein said front end of said rail defines a window, and wherein said first color is viewable through said window when said moveable member is displaced a first distance from said front end of said rail, and wherein said second color is viewable through said window when said moveable member is displaced a second distance from said front end of said rail.
18. The product biasing system of claim 14 wherein said indicia longitudinally extends along at least a portion of said band.
19. The product biasing system of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of products positioned on said rail between said front end of said rail and said moveable member, said plurality of products longitudinally displacing said moveable member from said front end of said rail.
20. A method for determining an inventory level of a display, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a biasing system comprising:
an elongated rail having a front end and a rear end, said front end defining a window,
a moveable member slidably engaged with said rail, and
a biasing element operatively connected to said moveable member to bias said moveable member toward said front end of said rail,
wherein said biasing element comprises an elongated band shaped into a coil, said band being marked with indicia, said indicia varying along said band;
positioning a quantity of products on said rail between said front end of said rail and said moveable member, said moveable member urging said products toward said front end of said rail, wherein a low inventor condition is established when said quantity drops below a predetermined value; and
observing said indicia through said window to determine whether said low inventor condition has been established.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/098,955 US20120279934A1 (en) | 2011-05-02 | 2011-05-02 | Product Biasing System With Low Inventory Indicator |
PCT/US2012/031496 WO2012151015A1 (en) | 2011-05-02 | 2012-03-30 | Product biasing system with low inventory indicator |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/098,955 US20120279934A1 (en) | 2011-05-02 | 2011-05-02 | Product Biasing System With Low Inventory Indicator |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20120279934A1 true US20120279934A1 (en) | 2012-11-08 |
Family
ID=45953290
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/098,955 Abandoned US20120279934A1 (en) | 2011-05-02 | 2011-05-02 | Product Biasing System With Low Inventory Indicator |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20120279934A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012151015A1 (en) |
Cited By (9)
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US20140353265A1 (en) * | 2013-05-31 | 2014-12-04 | Vulcan Spring & Mfg. Co. | Illuminated Merchandise Dispenser |
EP2952123A1 (en) * | 2014-06-04 | 2015-12-09 | POS TUNING Udo Voßhenrich GmbH & Co. KG | Dispensing system for the presentation of goods |
EP3329804A1 (en) * | 2014-01-24 | 2018-06-06 | RTC Industries, Inc. | Product management display system |
US10130196B2 (en) | 2014-08-07 | 2018-11-20 | Artform International Limited | Product display shelf, system and method |
US10405674B2 (en) | 2016-03-23 | 2019-09-10 | Retail Space Solutions Llc | Low product indicator for self facing merchandiser and related methods |
US10702076B2 (en) | 2016-01-18 | 2020-07-07 | Atlas Bolt & Screw Company Llc | Sensors, devices, adapters and mating structures for merchandisers and related methods |
US10952548B2 (en) | 2016-10-18 | 2021-03-23 | Retail Space Solutions Llc | Illuminated merchandiser, retrofit kit and related methods |
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US11963625B2 (en) | 2020-01-22 | 2024-04-23 | Fasteners For Retail, Inc. | Retail merchandise tray |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5203463A (en) * | 1991-12-09 | 1993-04-20 | Gold Steven K | Adjustable product display and dispensing unit |
US5649363A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1997-07-22 | Vulcan Spring & Mfg. Co. | Method of manufacturing printed springs |
-
2011
- 2011-05-02 US US13/098,955 patent/US20120279934A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2012
- 2012-03-30 WO PCT/US2012/031496 patent/WO2012151015A1/en active Application Filing
Cited By (14)
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US9167914B2 (en) * | 2013-05-31 | 2015-10-27 | Vulcan Spring & Mfg. Co. | Illuminated merchandise dispenser |
US20140353265A1 (en) * | 2013-05-31 | 2014-12-04 | Vulcan Spring & Mfg. Co. | Illuminated Merchandise Dispenser |
EP3329804A1 (en) * | 2014-01-24 | 2018-06-06 | RTC Industries, Inc. | Product management display system |
AU2017204574B2 (en) * | 2014-01-24 | 2018-11-22 | Rtc Industries, Inc. | Product management display system |
EP2952123A1 (en) * | 2014-06-04 | 2015-12-09 | POS TUNING Udo Voßhenrich GmbH & Co. KG | Dispensing system for the presentation of goods |
US10470594B2 (en) | 2014-08-07 | 2019-11-12 | Artform International Limited | Product display shelf, system and method |
US10130196B2 (en) | 2014-08-07 | 2018-11-20 | Artform International Limited | Product display shelf, system and method |
US10702076B2 (en) | 2016-01-18 | 2020-07-07 | Atlas Bolt & Screw Company Llc | Sensors, devices, adapters and mating structures for merchandisers and related methods |
US10588427B2 (en) | 2016-03-23 | 2020-03-17 | Retail Space Solutions Llc | Low product indicator for self facing merchandiser and related methods |
US10405674B2 (en) | 2016-03-23 | 2019-09-10 | Retail Space Solutions Llc | Low product indicator for self facing merchandiser and related methods |
US11291312B2 (en) | 2016-03-23 | 2022-04-05 | Retail Space Solutions Llc | Low product indicator for self facing merchandiser and related methods |
US10952548B2 (en) | 2016-10-18 | 2021-03-23 | Retail Space Solutions Llc | Illuminated merchandiser, retrofit kit and related methods |
US11963625B2 (en) | 2020-01-22 | 2024-04-23 | Fasteners For Retail, Inc. | Retail merchandise tray |
EP4238455A1 (en) * | 2022-03-03 | 2023-09-06 | Fasteners for Retail, Inc. | Retail merchandise tray |
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