CN108135371B - Product management display system - Google Patents

Abstract

A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes a divider (550) secured to a support structure, an ejector (520) to move product, a barrier (556), and a low product indicator device (1050) including a ledge (1054). The ledge (1054) is configured to extend forward of the flap (556) when the amount of product on the top surface of the divider floor or on the shelf is low.

Description

Product management display system

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This patent application claims priority from U.S. non-provisional patent application No.14/802,549 entitled "product management Display System" filed on 17.7.2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is a partial continuation application of U.S. application No.14/136,029 filed on 20.12.2013, a partial continuation application of U.S. application No.13/839,674 filed on 15.3.3.2012 (now U.S. patent No.8,978,904), a partial continuation application of U.S. application No.13/542,419 filed on 5.2012.7. 8,739,984, a partial continuation application of U.S. application No.12/639,656 filed on 16.2009, a partial continuation application of U.S. application No.8,322,544, a partial continuation application of U.S. application No.12/357,860 filed on 22.1.2009, a partial continuation application of U.S. patent No.8,453,850 filed on 8.6.2007, a partial continuation application of U.S. application No.11/760,196 filed on 8.6.8.2006, a partial continuation application No.11/411,761 filed on 25.4.25.2006, a partial continuation application No.7,823,734, a partial continuation application of U.S. application No. 7325 filed on 12.12.2005 and a provisional application No.60/716,362 filed on 25.4.2005 U.S. provisional application No.60/734,692, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. application No.13/542,419, which is also claimed to benefit from U.S. provisional application No.61/530,736 filed 2011 on 9/2, U.S. provisional application No.61/542,473 filed 2011 on 10/3, and U.S. provisional application No.61/553,545 filed 2011 on 10/31, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. U.S. application No.14/136,029, also claiming U.S. provisional application serial No.61/861,843, filed on 8/2/2013, is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments relate generally to shelf assemblies for use in vending products, and more particularly to shelf assemblies having an improved mechanism for displaying and pushing out products on the shelf.

Background

It is known that retail and wholesale stores, such as convenience stores, drug stores, department stores, discount stores, etc., require a large number of shelves both for storing and displaying products to consumers. When displaying products, it is desirable that the products on the shelves be positioned toward the front of the shelves so that the products are visible and accessible to the consumer. In the case of freezers or refrigerators for storing and displaying products such as soft drinks, energy drinks, bottled water and other bottled or canned beverages, it is desirable that these products also be positioned towards the front of the shelf and be accessible to the consumer.

To achieve this arrangement of products, known systems may include a sloped tray or floor that, by gravity, may cause the products to move forward of the shelf. Many of these systems include a floor or shelf made of a plastic material (such as polypropylene) that, due to its low coefficient of friction, allows the product to slide easily along an inclined floor or surface. However, over time, these surfaces can become obstructed by debris or sticky substances, which prevents proper sliding of the products, sometimes also causing some products to tip over, thereby preventing other products from moving in front of the shelf.

Other systems include the use of an ejector system to push product toward the front of the shelf as it is removed. Known ejector systems are typically mounted to a track and include an ejector plate and a wrap spring for pushing the product forward. Sometimes, as the system is used and time passes, the track becomes obstructed with dirt or sticky material, which prevents proper operation of the ejector system in the track. Additionally, depending on the size, shape, and weight of the products to be vended, known ejector plates may occasionally tip or bend rearward, thereby causing the ejector mechanism to become stuck in the track. In those cases, the ejector mechanism may not be able to properly push the product out of the front of the shelf.

One exemplary embodiment is directed to improving existing merchandising systems by providing a trackless pusher system that works with gravity-fed merchandising systems (i.e., inclined shelves or trays) and non-gravity-fed merchandising systems.

Disclosure of Invention

One exemplary embodiment is directed to a product management display system for selling products on a shelf. This embodiment includes the use of a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which the product is disposed. The trackless system overcomes the existing problems of retaining and guiding existing pusher mechanisms with rails. It should be understood that the teachings of this embodiment may be used with systems that include rails or the like for mounting an ejector mechanism.

The ejector mechanism may include an ejector plate and an ejector base plate extending forward of the ejector plate. A flat coil spring or other biasing element is operatively connected behind the ejector plate and extends across the bottom plate of the ejector mechanism to the front of the shelf. Alternatively, a flat coil spring or biasing element may extend across the divider to the front of the shelf assembly. With this configuration, the ejector plate is prevented from tipping or bending backward during operation.

An exemplary embodiment also includes the use of a pushing mechanism, where the product is sold on a horizontal or non-inclined shelf or surface, and with gravity fed systems, or with systems that use gravity as a mechanism to push the product toward the front of the shelf.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the ejector plate may define a concave pushing surface for pushing a product, such as a soft drink bottle or can, and keeping the plate centered on the track and behind the product. Alternatively, the pusher plate may define a flat pushing surface, which may further comprise a curved rib or similar structure at its upper edge that can also be used to push cylindrical products.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bottom plate of the ejector mechanism may include a recessed portion or cut-out portion to align the ejector mechanism relative to the wrap spring. Also, the base plate of the system may further include a notch or cut-out portion for receiving and mounting the flat end of the wrap spring to the base plate. Spring end pieces may be disposed on the ends of the wrap spring to mount the wrap spring to the base plate of the system. Alternatively, the ends of the wrap spring may be mounted to the divider of the assembly.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, an adapter adapted for a product management display system may be positioned on a floor surface of the display system. The adapter may include a planar surface having at least two ribs extending outwardly from the planar surface in a generally parallel manner across the planar surface. The wrap spring may be positioned between the parallel extending ribs. With this configuration, the product to be vended can rest on the ribs, rather than directly on the wrap spring, to enhance forward movement of certain types of products, such as beverage cans.

In yet another alternative aspect, a mounting member may be used to mount the end of the wrap spring to the base plate of the system. For those systems that include sliding rails that are spaced apart and joined together by connecting ribs, the mounting members may be snap fit or otherwise mounted on the floor and between the sliding rails.

In yet another alternative aspect, the trackless pusher system may be retrofitted to an existing rack assembly. This allows the trackless pusher system to be deployed in existing racking systems as a low cost alternative to purchasing the entire trackless pusher assembly.

In another example embodiment, the wrap spring may be mounted to the retainer. The end of the wrap spring may be mounted directly to the retainer, or alternatively, the end may be mounted to the retainer via an adapter. The adapter may have a curved portion that is received in a correspondingly shaped curved slot in the retainer to secure the end of the spring to the display assembly.

In another example embodiment, the trays may be attached via a joggle connection to form a shelf assembly. In addition, the divider may be adjustable such that the width of the product rows may be adapted to receive products of different sizes.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the product management display system may be arranged in a stackable arrangement. The assembly may be provided with a first tray and a second tray, each having a first wall and a second wall. The first and second trays are each adapted to receive an ejector mechanism and a retainer mechanism. First and second spacers are mounted to the first and second trays for stacking the first and second trays on top of each other. The first and second spacers may be provided with a plurality of locators and the first and second trays may each be provided with a plurality of correspondingly shaped slots to receive the plurality of locators.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a product management display system for merchandising products on a shelf includes the use of a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which the products are disposed and one or more dividers for dividing the products into rows. The one or more dividers may be attachable and releasably engaged to the front rail. When the one or more dividers are not engaged to the front rail and remain in place, the one or more dividers and the products positioned on the display system may move in a lateral direction or may be lifted from the front rail. This allows the products on the shelf to be easily redesigned. The one or more dividers may be releasably engaged to the front rail by use of corresponding teeth, resilient surfaces, locking tabs, locking bars, cams, and/or by friction or press fit.

In one example, a merchandise display system includes a front rail and at least one divider configured to engage the front rail. The at least one divider includes a baffle, and the at least one divider further includes a divider wall. The at least one divider further includes a divider floor perpendicular to the divider walls, wherein the divider floor is configured to hold product. The merchandise display system also includes a cam coupled to the divider, wherein the cam is configured to move between a first position and a second position. When the at least one divider is engaged with the front rail and the cam is in the first position, the at least one divider is (a) movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail. When the at least one divider is engaged with the front rail and the cam is in the second position, the at least one divider is fixed (a) in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and (b) in a direction perpendicular to the front rail.

In one example, a merchandise display system includes a front rail and a plurality of dividers configured to attach to the front rail and divide products into rows. Each of the plurality of dividers includes a divider wall extending in a direction perpendicular to the front rail, a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, wherein the divider floor is configured to hold a product, and a cam coupled to the divider, wherein the cam is configured to move between a first position and a second position. When each of the plurality of dividers is engaged with the front rail and the cam for each of the plurality of dividers is in the first position, each of the plurality of dividers is (a) movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail. In addition, when each of the plurality of dividers is engaged with the front rail and the cam for each of the plurality of dividers is in the second position, each of the plurality of dividers is (a) fixed in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail.

In one example, a merchandise display system includes a front rail and at least one divider configured to be attached to the front rail, the at least one divider including a barrier, a divider wall extending in a direction perpendicular to the front rail, a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, wherein the divider wall divides the divider floor into a first portion and a second portion, each of the first portion and the second portion configured to hold a product. The merchandise display system also includes a first ejector mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the first portion, a second ejector mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the second portion, and a cam coupled to the at least one divider, the cam configured to move between a first position and a second position. The at least one divider is movable therealong in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail when the cam is in the first position, and resists movement in and along the lateral direction parallel to the front rail when the cam is in the second position.

In one example, a merchandise display system includes a front rail and at least one divider configured to be attached to the front rail, the at least one divider including a barrier configured to engage the front rail, a divider wall extending in a direction perpendicular to the front rail, a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, wherein the divider floor is configured to hold a product. The display system may further include a resilient tab coupled to the divider, wherein the resilient tab is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The at least one divider is secured in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail when the resilient tab is in the first position. The at least one divider is movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail when the resilient tab is in the second position.

In one example, a merchandise display system includes a front rail including at least one first protrusion and at least one first recess, and at least one divider configured to attach to the front rail, the at least one divider includes a divider wall and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, the at least one divider further including at least one second recess and at least one second protrusion, the at least one second protrusion of the divider configured to move between a first position and a second position, when the at least one first protrusion of the front rail is engaged with the at least one second recess of the divider and the at least one second protrusion of the divider is in the first position, the at least one divider is (a) movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail. When the at least one first protrusion of the front rail is engaged with the at least one second recess of the divider and the at least one second protrusion of the divider is in the second position, the at least one divider (a) resists movement in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and (b) is fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail.

In an example, the merchandise display system includes a front rail including at least one first tab and at least one second tab, the at least one second tab of the front rail configured to move between a first position and a second position. The merchandise display system also includes at least one divider configured to attach to the front rail, the at least one divider including a divider wall and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, the at least one divider further including at least one recess. When the at least one first protrusion of the front rail is engaged with the at least one recess of the divider and the at least one second protrusion of the front rail is in the first position, the at least one divider is (a) movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail. The at least one divider is secured (a) in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and (b) in a direction perpendicular to the front rail when the at least one first protrusion of the front rail is engaged with the at least one recess of the divider and the at least one second protrusion of the front rail is in the second position.

In one example, a merchandise display system includes a front rail including a first tab and a second tab. The merchandise display system also includes at least one divider configured to attach to the front rail, the at least one divider including a divider wall and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, the at least one divider further including a recess and a third protrusion. At least one of the second protrusion or the third protrusion is a movable protrusion that moves between a first position and a second position. The at least one divider is (a) movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail when the first protrusion of the front rail is engaged with the recess of the divider and the movable protrusion is in the first position. The at least one divider is (a) fixed in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail when the first protrusion of the front rail is engaged with the recess of the divider and the movable protrusion is in the second position.

In one example, a merchandise display system includes a front rail including at least a first engagement member. The merchandise display system also includes at least one divider configured to attach to the front rail, the at least one divider including a divider wall and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, the at least one divider further including at least one second engagement member. The merchandise display system also includes a third engagement member configured to move between a first position and a second position. The at least one divider is (a) movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail when the first engagement member of the front rail is engaged with the second engagement member of the divider and the third engagement member is in the first position. The at least one divider is fixed (a) in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and (b) in a direction perpendicular to the front rail when the first engagement member of the front rail is engaged with the second engagement member of the divider and the third engagement member is in the second position.

In an example, a merchandise display system includes a front rail and at least one divider configured to engage the front rail, the at least one divider including a barrier, the at least one divider further including a divider wall, the at least one divider further including a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, wherein the divider floor is configured to hold a product. The merchandise display system also includes a cam coupled to the divider, wherein the cam is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The at least one divider may be secured in a direction perpendicular to the front rail when the at least one divider is engaged with the front rail. The cam may inhibit movement of the at least one divider in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail when the cam is in the first position and may allow movement of the divider in the lateral direction parallel to the front rail when the cam is in the second position. The merchandise display system may include a handle for rotating the cam between the first position and the second position. The merchandise display system may include a handle for sliding the cam between the first position and the second position.

In another example embodiment, a merchandise display system includes a front rail defining a rail channel and a divider configured to engage the front rail. The divider includes a baffle, a divider wall, and a divider floor extending perpendicular to the divider wall. The divider floor also includes a top surface and a bottom surface that retain the product. The merchandise display system also includes a cam rotatably coupled to the divider. The cam is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position. The cam defines a cam glide that extends below the bottom surface of the divider floor and contacts the front rail when the cam is in the first position. In operation, the divider is movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail when the cam is in the first position and the cam slider is in contact with the front rail, and the divider is fixed in the lateral direction parallel to the front rail when the cam is in the second position and in contact with the rail groove of the front rail. With this embodiment, the cam is always in contact with the front rail, whether the cam is in the first position or the second position, or a position between the first position and the second position.

In an alternative aspect, the cam includes a handle for rotating the cam between the first position and the second position, and the cam may include one or more cam surfaces configured to engage one or more groove walls in the front rail when the cam is in the second position. Additionally, the cam slider may define an elongated planar surface. Also, the merchandise display system may include an ejector mechanism having an ejector surface and an ejector floor extending forward from the ejector surface. A wrap spring having a wrap end may be positioned behind the pusher surface, with a free end of the spring attaching the pusher mechanism to the merchandise display system. Alternatively, the flap may be configured to receive the free end of the wrap spring. In yet another alternative aspect, the front rail may define a ridge configured to engage a groove in the divider.

In another example embodiment, a merchandise display system includes a front rail and at least one divider configured to be attached to the front rail. The at least one divider may include a baffle and a divider wall extending in a direction perpendicular to the front rail. The divider may include a divider floor perpendicular to a divider wall that divides the divider floor into a first portion and a second portion, each of the first portion and the second portion configured to hold a product. Additionally, the merchandise display system includes a first pusher mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the first portion, and a second pusher mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the second portion. The merchandise display system includes a cam coupled to the at least one divider. The cam defines a cam slide and is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In operation, the at least one divider is movable along the front rail in a lateral direction parallel thereto when the cam is in the first position and the cam slide is in contact with the front rail, and resists movement along the lateral direction parallel to the front rail when the cam is in the second position and the cam slide is not in contact with the front rail.

In one aspect, the first and second ejector mechanisms each include an ejector surface, an ejector base plate extending forward from the ejector surface, and a wrap spring having a wrap end and a free end. The winding end is positioned behind the pusher surface and the free end attaches the first and second pusher mechanisms to the merchandise display system.

In an alternative aspect, the at least one divider may define a divider engagement member and the at least one front rail may define a front rail engagement member. The divider engagement member is configured to engage the front rail engagement member. The divider engagement member may define divider teeth on at least one surface of the divider engagement member. The front rail engaging member may define front rail teeth on at least one surface of the front rail engaging member. The divider teeth are configured to engage the front rail teeth.

In another example embodiment, a merchandise display system includes a front rail and at least one divider configured to engage the front rail. The at least one divider includes a baffle, a divider wall, and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall. The divider floor is configured to hold a product. The merchandise display system also includes a cam coupled to the divider. The cam is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The cam defines a cam slide for lifting the divider from the front rail when the cam is in the first position. The at least one divider is secured to the front rail when the cam is in the second position and the cam slide is moved away from the front rail. In one aspect, the at least one divider is movable along the shelf plane only in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail when the at least one divider is engaged with the front rail, the at least one divider being fixed along the shelf plane in all directions except a direction parallel to the front rail. In another aspect, the cam may include a handle for rotating the cam between the first position and the second position. Additionally, the cam slider may define an elongated planar surface having an edge that allows slidable movement of the cam slider relative to the front rail.

In another example embodiment, a merchandise display system may include a front rail and at least one divider configured to engage the front rail. The divider may include a baffle, a divider wall, and a divider floor that is perpendicular to the divider wall configured to hold the product. The front lock may be coupled to the divider. In one aspect, the front lock may be configured to rotate, pivot, or move between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the front lock may allow slidable movement of the divider relative to the front rail. In yet another alternative aspect, the front lock may lift the divider from the front rail. When in the second position, the front lock locks the divider to the front rail and prevents slidable movement between the divider and the front rail.

In another exemplary embodiment, the merchandise display system may include a divider secured to the support structure. The divider may include a divider wall and a divider floor. The divider walls may extend upwardly from the divider floor and the divider floor may include a top surface. The system may further include a flap that is moveable by rotation between a folded position and an upright position without the need to rotate the biasing element. Products located on the top surface of the divider floor may contact the flap as the products move toward the front end of the system and rotate the flap from the folded position to the upright position. The flap may be configured to stop forward movement of the product when the flap is in the upright position. The system may include a rotatably mounted structure to which the movable barrier is connected. The swivel mounting structure may be movably connected to the front end of the divider.

In another exemplary embodiment, the merchandise display system may be used with a product tray for causing the system to restock products. The product tray may include a bottom surface, a right sidewall, a left sidewall, and an alignment tab. The alignment tab may include a proximal end, a distal end, a right edge, and a left edge. The sheet width of the alignment sheet may be defined between the right edge and the left edge. A proximal end of the alignment tab may be connected to a bottom surface of the product tray and the alignment tab may be configured such that at least a portion of the tab width is approximately equal to the width of the products stored in the product tray. The alignment tab may be positioned between opposing separator walls of the merchandise display system, wherein the product container is defined between the opposing separator walls. The alignment tab aligns the product tray and the products stored in the product tray with the product containers such that the products stored in the product tray can slide from the product tray into the product containers of the merchandise display system.

In another exemplary embodiment, the merchandise display system may include a divider configured to be secured to a support structure, wherein the divider includes a front end and a rear end. The divider includes a divider wall and a divider floor, the divider wall extending upwardly from the divider floor. The merchandise display system may also include an ejector mechanism including a biasing device and configured to slide along the divider floor to move products toward the front end; a baffle configured to be positioned proximate the front end of the divider such that product positioned on the top surface of the divider floor contacts the baffle as the product moves toward the front end of the divider; and a low product indicator device comprising a ledge configured to extend forward of the baffle when the amount of product located on the top surface of the divider floor is low.

In another exemplary embodiment, the merchandise display system may include a divider configured to be secured to a support structure, wherein the divider includes a front end and a rear end. The divider includes a divider wall and a divider floor, the divider wall extending upwardly from the divider floor. The merchandise display system may also include an ejector mechanism including a biasing device and configured to slide along the divider floor to move products toward the front end; a baffle configured to be positioned proximate the front end of the divider such that product positioned on the top surface of the divider floor contacts the baffle as the product moves toward the front end of the divider; and a low product indicator device comprising a ledge configured to extend forward of the baffle when the amount of product located on the top surface of the divider floor is low. The low product indicator device may be engaged with the pusher such that the low product indicator is configured to slide relative to the divider. The low product indicator device may include a predetermined stop point, and wherein the low product indicator device may be configured to disengage from the ejector at the predetermined stop point.

In another exemplary embodiment, the merchandise display system may include a divider configured to be secured to a support structure, wherein the divider includes a front end and a rear end. The divider includes a divider wall and a divider floor, the divider wall extending upwardly from the divider floor. The merchandise display system may also include an ejector mechanism including a biasing device and configured to slide along the divider floor to move products toward the front end; and a baffle configured to be positioned proximate the front end of the divider such that product positioned on the top surface of the divider floor contacts the baffle as the product moves toward the front end of the divider. The merchandise display system may also include a low product indicator device having a sidewall with a front edge, a rear edge, and a bottom edge, a rear wall joined to the sidewall at the rear edge; a bottom wall joined to the side wall at a bottom edge; and a protruding portion. The projections are configured to extend forwardly of the baffle when the amount of product on the top surface of the divider floor is low. The low product indicator device may be engaged with the pusher such that the low product indicator is configured to slide relative to the divider. The low product indicator device may include a predetermined stop point, and wherein the low product indicator device may be configured to disengage from the ejector at the predetermined stop point.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a product management display system of the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary ejector mechanism mounted to an exemplary tray or product lane of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows another isometric view of the system of fig. 2 with products disposed therein.

Fig. 4 illustrates another isometric view of the system of fig. 2 with a plurality of products disposed therein.

Fig. 5 illustrates an isometric rear view of the system of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the tray or product lane of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example end piece of an end of a wrap spring that may be used with the product management display system of the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows the example end piece of fig. 7 mounted to a tray or product channel surface.

FIG. 9 shows the example end piece of FIG. 7 mounted to an end of a wrap spring.

FIG. 10 shows the example end piece of FIG. 7 mounted to an end of a wrap spring.

FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a product management display system of the present invention.

Fig. 12 illustrates another isometric view of the system of fig. 11.

Fig. 13 shows a front view of the system of fig. 11.

Fig. 14 shows a top view of the system of fig. 11.

Fig. 15 shows a rear view of the system of fig. 11.

Fig. 16 illustrates an isometric view of an adapter that may be used with the present invention.

Fig. 17 shows a front view of the adapter of fig. 16.

Fig. 18 shows an example presentation of an adapter of the present invention.

Figure 19 shows an isometric view of a mounted adapter of the present invention.

Fig. 20 shows a front view of the mounted adapter of the present invention.

FIG. 21 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a product management display system of the present invention.

Fig. 22 illustrates a bottom isometric view of an exemplary mounting member that may be used to mount a wrap spring end to a display system chassis.

Fig. 23 illustrates an isometric top view of the example mounting member of fig. 22.

Fig. 24 illustrates the example mounting member of fig. 22 mounted to an end of a wrap spring mounted to an example ejector plate.

Fig. 25 illustrates another view of the example mounting member of fig. 22 mounted to an end of a wrap spring mounted to an example ejector plate.

Fig. 26 illustrates the exemplary mounting member of fig. 22 with the attached wrap spring mounted to the base plate of the system.

Fig. 27 illustrates the example mounting member of fig. 22 mounted on a system backplane.

FIG. 28 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a product management display system of the present invention.

Fig. 29 illustrates an enlarged isometric view of the tray of the exemplary embodiment of fig. 28.

Fig. 29A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of fig. 28, showing a first method of securing.

Fig. 29B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of fig. 28, showing a second method of securing.

FIG. 30 shows an enlarged isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 28 showing rivets attaching the spring to the tray.

Fig. 31 shows an isometric view of the system of fig. 28 assembled on a pre-existing metal shelf.

Fig. 32 shows an isometric view of the system of fig. 28 assembled on a pre-existing metal shelf.

Fig. 33 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.

Fig. 34 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.

Fig. 35 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of an adapter.

Fig. 36 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a retainer.

FIG. 37 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.

Fig. 38 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.

Fig. 39 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.

Fig. 40 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.

Fig. 41A shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a divider.

Fig. 41B illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.

Fig. 41C shows an enlarged view of the cross section of fig. 41B.

Fig. 41D illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a divider.

Fig. 42 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.

Fig. 43 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a display system.

FIG. 44 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a product management display system.

FIG. 45 illustrates another isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a product management display system in which a product is present.

FIG. 46 illustrates a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a product management display system in which a product is present.

FIG. 47 illustrates an isometric rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a product management display system in which a product is present.

Fig. 48 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of an ejector mechanism mounted to a divider.

FIG. 49 illustrates another isometric view of the divider and ejector mechanisms assembled to the product management display system.

FIG. 50 illustrates an isometric view of yet another exemplary embodiment of a product management display system.

FIG. 51 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the product management display system of FIG. 50 without a product.

FIG. 52 illustrates an isometric exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the product management display system of FIG. 50.

FIG. 53 illustrates an isometric view of yet another exemplary embodiment of a product management display system.

FIG. 54 illustrates an isometric view of a shelf with an ejector spring exemplarily attached to the product management display system of FIG. 53.

FIG. 55 shows an isometric view of a shelf with an ejector spring exemplarily attached to the product management display system of FIG. 53.

FIG. 56 illustrates an isometric view of a shelf with an ejector spring exemplarily attached to the product management display system of FIG. 53.

FIG. 57 illustrates an isometric view of a shelf with an ejector spring exemplarily attached to the product management display system of FIG. 53.

FIG. 58 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a product management display system according to one or more aspects of the invention.

FIG. 59 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the product management display system of FIG. 58.

Fig. 60 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary ejector mechanism according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 61 illustrates a partial isometric view of an exemplary divider according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 62 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary divider and ejector mechanism according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 63 illustrates a partial isometric view of an exemplary front portion of a divider according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 64 illustrates a partial isometric view of an exemplary front portion of a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 65 illustrates a partial isometric view of an exemplary connection between a divider and a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 66 illustrates a side view of an exemplary divider and front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 67A-C illustrate side views of an exemplary divider attached to a front rail according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 68A-C illustrate side views of an exemplary divider attached to a front rail according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 69A illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary rail mounting clip for a front rail according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 69B illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary front rail according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 70 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary front rail and rail mounting clip according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 71 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary front rail according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 72 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary divider and ejector mechanism according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 73 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary divider and ejector mechanism according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 74 illustrates a partial isometric view of an exemplary divider according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 75 illustrates a partial isometric view of an exemplary front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 76A and 76B illustrate partial isometric views of an exemplary front rail and cam bar lever according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 77 illustrates an exploded front view of an exemplary product management display system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 78 illustrates an exploded rear view of an exemplary product management display system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 79A-C illustrate side views of an exemplary front rail and divider in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 80 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary product management display system according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 81A-B illustrate partial side views of an exemplary front rail and divider in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 82A-C illustrate partial side views of an exemplary front rail and divider in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

83A-C illustrate partial side views of an exemplary front rail and divider in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

FIGS. 84A-F illustrate isometric views of an exemplary product management display system according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 85 illustrates a side view of an exemplary divider and front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

86A-L illustrate views of components of an exemplary product management display system according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 87A-C illustrate side views of an exemplary divider and front rail according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 88A-B illustrate isometric views of an exemplary divider according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 89A-C illustrate side views of an exemplary divider attached to a front rail according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 90A-F illustrate views of an exemplary divider attached to a front rail according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 91A illustrates a side view of an exemplary divider and rear rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 92 illustrates a side view of an exemplary divider and rail according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 93A-B illustrate views of an exemplary divider mounted to a front rail according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 94A-C illustrate cross-sectional views of the movement of an exemplary cam for use with a front rail and divider in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 95 illustrates a top right perspective view of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 96A and 96B are top right perspective views of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 97 illustrates a top right perspective exploded view of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system.

98A-C are side views of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system.

99A-C are side views of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system.

100A-D are top left perspective views of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 101A is a top right perspective view of some aspects of an exemplary product tray.

Fig. 101B is a top view of some aspects of an exemplary product tray.

101C-F are top left perspective views of some aspects of an exemplary product tray for vending exemplary components of a display system.

Fig. 102A is a top right perspective view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 102B is a top right perspective exploded view of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 102C and 102D are side views of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 103A is a top front right perspective view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a swivel mounting structure of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 103B is a top rear right perspective view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a swivel mounting structure of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 103C is a rear view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a rotational mounting structure of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 103D is a top view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a rotational mounting structure of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 103E is a right side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a rotational mounting structure of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 104A is a top right perspective exploded view of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 104B is a top right perspective view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a rotational mounting structure of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 104C is a bottom right perspective view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a rotational mounting structure of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 104D is a front view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a rotational mounting structure of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 104E is a top view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a rotational mounting structure of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 104F is a left side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a rotational mounting structure of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 104G is a bottom view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a rotational mounting structure of a merchandise display system.

105A-D are side views of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 106A is a top right perspective exploded view of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 106B is a side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system.

Fig. 107A is a perspective view of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 107B is a perspective view of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 107C is a perspective view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a low product indicator system.

Fig. 107D is a perspective view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a low product indicator system.

Fig. 107E is a perspective view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a low product indicator system.

Fig. 107F is a perspective view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a low product indicator system.

Fig. 108A is a perspective view of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 108B is a front view of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 109A is a perspective view of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 109B is a perspective view of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 109C is a perspective view of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 109D is a perspective view of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 110A is a perspective view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 110B is a side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 110C is a side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 110D is a side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 110E is a side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 110F is a side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 110G is a side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 110H is a side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 110I is a side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 110J is a side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 110K is a side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 110L is a side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 110M is a side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 110N is a side view of some aspects of an exemplary component of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Fig. 110O is a side view of some aspects of exemplary components of a merchandise display system including a low product indicator system.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The terms "comprises" and "comprising," as well as variations thereof, are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Moreover, the terms "mounted," "mounted," or "mounting" are intended to broadly encompass any technique or method of mounting, attaching, joining, or coupling one component to another component (whether directly or indirectly).

Detailed Description

The present invention may be embodied in various forms. Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 an isometric exploded view of an exemplary embodiment. The exemplary vending system 10 includes a product dispensing tray 12 in which an exemplary trackless pusher mechanism 14 is mounted. As described below, the ejector mechanism 14 will fit within the tray 12 and slide along the surface of the tray without the use of rails, guides, or guides that are typically used to hold conventional ejector mechanisms to a tray or tray deck. The ejector mechanism may include an ejector plate and an ejector base plate extending forward of the ejector plate. The wrap spring may extend across the pusher floor and be operatively connected to the tray at a forward location on the tray. In one aspect of the invention, the product to be vended may be disposed on the tray in front of the pusher plate and may rest on the pusher floor and the wrap spring. With this configuration, the weight of the product will prevent the ejector plate from tipping over to ensure that the product is pushed correctly. Additionally, problems associated with debris or sticky matter affecting the effectiveness of known ejector systems using rails, or guides have been eliminated. Other aspects, embodiments and features of the present invention and its teachings are set forth in detail below.

The exemplary tray 12 may define a surface 16, and one or more divider panels or dividers 18 to divide the tray into a plurality of rows for placement of products. In alternative aspects, the tray 12 may be a shelf or any other surface upon which products may be placed for sale. The surface 16 may be a solid surface, or a surface defining a plurality of spaced apart holes 20, which are spaced apart by a plurality of support ribs 22. The holes 20 and ribs 22 provide a surface that allows objects disposed on the surface to slidably move and that allows liquids and contaminants to pass through the holes 20 so that they do not collect on the surface 16. Surface 16 may be made of any suitable material that allows for slidable movement of the product on surface 16. Other surface or floor configurations are known and may be used with the principles of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the surface 16 may define a rounded end portion 24 that includes a notch or cut-out portion 26. The end portions 24 may be rounded to match the shape of the products disposed on the tray. For example, the end portion 24 shown is round or defines a semi-circular shape to match the shape of a bottle or jar that may be disposed in the tray and on the end portion 24. Other shaped end portions may be used with the present invention depending on the product to be vended.

The recess 26 may be used to receive and mount an end 29 of a wrap spring 30 or similar biasing element. The notch 26 may define opposing angled edge surfaces 32 joined by an edge 34. The edge 34 is preferably centered across the width of the row of products formed in the tray 12 and extends perpendicular to the length of the tray. This configuration will center the wrap spring 30 relative to the tray 12 and will allow the spring to extend in a generally parallel manner relative to the length of the tray. In other words, the illustrated edges 34 of the recesses 26 will allow the springs 30 to extend along the length of the tray 12 at or near the center of the row of products formed by the tray. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the location and configuration of the notches may vary depending on the desired arrangement of the springs.

The wrap spring 30 may define an end 29 configured to be disposed across the notch 26 onto an edge 34. In one aspect, the end of wrap spring 29 may be V-shaped and act as a hook so that end 29 will wrap around edge 34 with a portion of end 29 of the wrap spring extending below the end portion of surface 16. This configuration allows the wrap spring to be easily mounted on the tray.

In another aspect, referring to fig. 7, a spring end piece 60 may be added to the end 29 of the spring 30 to assist in the mounting of the spring to the system. The spring end piece 60 may define a variety of shapes and configurations depending on the configuration of the tray and the surface to which the spring end needs to be attached. The spring end piece 60 may be permanently attached to the end 29 of the wrap spring 30, or it may be removable to allow for interchange or replacement of the spring end piece 60. The spring end piece 60 may be made of plastic and may define one or more apertures. The hole 61 may be used to receive the end 29 of the wrap spring 30. The second aperture 63 may be used to receive a mating tongue or mounting member 65 extending from the surface 16 of the tray 12, as described below. With this configuration, the end 29 of the wrap spring 30 is operatively connected to the tray 12.

In another aspect, end 29 of wrap spring may be snap fit into a hole formed in surface 16, or may otherwise be inserted and secured into a hole or opening in the tray, thereby securing end 29 of wrap spring 30 in place.

Referring again to fig. 1, the divider 18 may also be used to divide the products into rows. The dividers 18 extend generally upwardly from the surface 16 and, as shown in FIG. 1, may be positioned on opposite sides of the surface 16. Alternatively, the divider 18 may be positioned at any desired location on the tray 12 or to the surface 16. The divider 18 may be formed as an integral structure with the surface 16, or the divider 18 may be removable to provide additional flexibility to the system. Depending on the system, the divider may be attached to the front rail or the rear rail. The divider 18 may define a plurality of configurations and may extend upwardly any desired distance to provide a desired height of the divider between the rows of products to be vended. The height may be adjustable by adding divider extensions or the like.

Positioned at the front of the tray 12 and extending between the dividers 18 may be one or more product retaining members 44. The product retaining member 44 serves as a front retaining wall or bar for retaining the product in the tray 12 and preventing the product from falling off the tray 12. These components are also configured to allow easy removal of the forwardmost product positioned in the tray 12. The product retention member 44 may be one or more curved retention ribs, as shown in fig. 1. These illustrated retaining ribs may extend from one divider to another, thereby linking the dividers. The retaining ribs may also extend partially between the dividers, shown as ribs 46 in fig. 1, and also serve to retain the product in the tray. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 6, the product retention member 44 may be a curvilinear solid retention wall 48 extending between the dividers. The retaining wall 48 may be transparent or translucent to allow the product on the shelf to be visible. In another aspect, the retaining wall 48 may also extend partially between the dividers 18. In yet another embodiment shown in fig. 11-15, the retaining wall 100 may be attached to the tray without being connected to the divider. In this embodiment, the retaining wall 100 may form an opening 102 defined by an upper member 104, opposing curved side walls 106, and a floor member 110, the side walls in turn defining an angled edge 108. Depending on the system, the sidewalls 106 may also be straight and not curved. The ends of the wrap spring may also be snapped into the base plate 110 or otherwise attached to the tray using any of the techniques described herein. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that there are numerous shapes and configurations for product retaining member 44, and that the illustrated configuration is merely an exemplary embodiment of these numerous configurations.

Referring again to fig. 1, the exemplary trackless ejector mechanism 14 defines an ejector plate 50 and an ejector shoe 52. The ejector plate 50 and the ejector retainer plate 52 may be formed as a single unitary structure or may be separate structures that are joined together using known techniques. Additionally, the ejector plate 50 and the ejector retainer plate 52 may be made of any known suitable plastic or metal material. The ejector plate and the ejector retainer plate may be reinforced using any known reinforcement technique.

In one aspect, the pusher plate 50 forms a curvilinear pusher surface or face 54 that is configured to match the shape of a product to be vended, such as a plastic bottle or can containing a beverage, as shown in fig. 3-5. The curvilinear shaped pusher surface 54 allows the pusher to remain centrally aligned with the last product in the tray. This configuration reduces friction and drag between the ejector and the separator wall. In an alternative aspect, the pusher surface or face may be a flat surface. In yet another alternative aspect, the flat pusher surface may be accompanied by curved shaped ribs located near or on the top of the pusher plate and which may be used to center and align the product in the tray in a manner similar to the curved pusher surface 54 shown in FIG. 1. The curvilinear shaped ribs may define other shapes and configurations that allow for a cylindrical or similarly shaped product to be properly pushed into the tray. Advertisements, product identification or other product information may be disposed on the pusher surface 54.

Positioned behind the ejector surface or face 54 may be one or more support members 58, such as ribs, walls, or gussets. The support member 58 is configured to support the ejector surface 54 and also to connect the ejector plate 50 to the ejector retainer plate 52. As seen in fig. 5, positioned between the support members 58 is a wrap spring 30, and more particularly a wrap end 57, which serves to urge the ejector plate 50 forwardly along the tray 12, as is understood in the art. Any technique for operatively connecting the wrap spring to the ejector plate 50 may be used with the present invention.

As shown in fig. 1, the ejector base plate 52 may be positioned below the ejector plate 50 and may extend forward of the ejector surface 54 of the ejector plate. The ejector retainer plate 52 may extend any predetermined distance at any predetermined angle. For example, the ejector base plate 52 may extend generally perpendicular to the ejector surface 54. In an exemplary embodiment, the pusher floor 52 may extend a sufficient distance to allow a product (such as a single bottle or can) to be disposed on the pusher floor. In another aspect, the ejector plate 52 may be configured to allow more than one product to be disposed on the ejector plate. The ejector floor 52 may define any shape, including the circular shape, and may define any product retaining features on the surface of the ejector floor, such as ribs, walls, etc., to further retain the product on the ejector floor.

As seen in fig. 2, the ejector base plate 52 may define an elongated channel, groove, or recessed portion 59 that may be sized, shaped, and configured to receive the wrap spring 30. In an exemplary embodiment, the channel or groove 59 may extend across the bottom plate 52 and extend in a generally perpendicular manner relative to the ejector plate 50. In another aspect, the groove or channel may extend partially or through the entire ejector retainer plate 52, as shown in FIG. 19. Such a configuration allows for proper alignment and positioning of the ejector plate 50 in the tray. The groove 59 may define a depth that matches or exceeds the thickness of the wrap spring 30. With this configuration, the wrap spring 30 is placed at or below the pusher floor surface so that the product is not placed directly on the wrap spring, but rather the product will be placed on the pusher floor surface. As shown in fig. 19, the pusher floor may include holes and openings through which debris or other objects may pass. Alternatively, the base plate may be a solid surface.

In an alternative aspect of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 16-20, an adapter 180 may be positioned on surface 16. Referring to fig. 16 and 17, the adapter 180 may include one or more raised ribs 182 on which a product may be placed. Raised ribs 182 may extend longitudinally along the length of adapter 180. The adapter 180 may be a flat extrusion of plastic material (or any other suitable material) defining a flat surface 184 with one or more ribs 182 extending outwardly from the flat surface 184. The adapter 180 may define a rounded end 185 and include a notch or cut-out 186 through which the wrap spring may extend. The rounded end 185 may be configured to match the shape of the product disposed on the tray. Other shapes of end 185, recess 186 and adapter 180 may be used with the present invention depending on the product to be vended. The adapter 180 may be a separate insertable piece or, alternatively, a component integrally formed with the surface 16.

Referring to fig. 18, the adapter 180 can be easily inserted onto the surface 16 and between the dividers 18. Referring to fig. 19, once the adapter 180 is installed, the ejector mechanism 14 may be positioned on top of the adapter 180 and may slide freely across the ribs 182 of the adapter 180. The wrap spring 30 may extend between the ribs 182 in a parallel fashion and may be seated at or below the top surface of the ribs 182, as more clearly seen in fig. 20. With this configuration, the product to be vended can sit on and slide along the ribs 182 without resting on the wrap spring 30.

In alternative aspects, the ribs 182 may be one or more raised strips, or a series of fingers, that may be used to assist in the movement of the product across the surface 16. In yet another alternative embodiment, the ribs 182 may be product moving members, such as a conveyor or one or more rollers or rolling members, that allow products to roll across the rolling members toward the front of the product display system. An exemplary roller assembly includes U.S. patent application serial No.11/257,718, assigned to RTC Industries, Inc, filed on 25/10/2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, there are many possible techniques that may be used with the ejector mechanism for assisting in the movement of products on a shelf or floor.

The underside of the pusher shoe 52 may be a smooth flat surface that is free to slide along the surface 16. Alternatively, and similar to the above, the ejector retainer plate 52 may include belts, conveyors, rollers, etc., which will allow the ejector plate to slide along the surface while lifting the ejector retainer plate from the surface 16. In another alternative embodiment, the underside of the pusher floor may be configured with rail mounting members to allow the pusher to be mounted to a rail or rail, as is understood in the art.

The ejector base plate also defines a notch or cut-out portion 62 through which the wrap spring 30 will pass. The end 29 of the wrap spring 30 will pass through the notch 62 and through the notch 26 of the surface 16 and will be mounted to the tray using any of the techniques described above.

In use, as the ejector mechanism 14 is pushed rearwardly in the tray 12, the end 29 of the wrap spring 30 will remain in place as described above and the wrap end 57 of the spring 30 will begin to unwind behind the ejector plate 50. If the ejector 14 is allowed to move forward in the tray 14, such as when product is removed from the front of the tray, the coiled end 57 of the spring 30 will coil and push the ejector plate 50 forward in the tray 12, thereby urging the product toward the front of the tray.

In an alternative embodiment, the wrap spring 30 may extend below and below the pusher floor 52 as opposed to above and across the pusher floor, as shown in the figures. With this configuration, the groove 59 and the recess 62 may not be necessary.

The wrap spring 30 may be any biasing element including, but not limited to, a flat spring commonly used with ejector systems. The present invention may use one or more wrap springs to urge the ejector mechanism 14 forward, depending on the desired application. The winding tension of spring 30 may also vary depending on the particular application.

Referring to fig. 2, the trackless pusher mechanism 14 is shown mounted to the tray 12. As shown, the ejector mechanism 14 fits between the dividers 18 in the tray 12. The end 29 of the wrap spring 30 extends through the recess in the pusher floor and is mounted to the tray, as described above. In use, the ejector mechanism 14 will slide along the surface 16 of the tray 12 without the use of rails, tracks, or guides. As shown in fig. 2, the ejector mechanism 14 is shown in a forward position.

Referring to fig. 3, the ejector mechanism 14 is shown vending a product 70 in the vending system 10. The product is prevented from exiting the tray by the product retaining member 44. Product 70 may be any product to be vended, including the soft drink bottle shown. As can be seen in this view, the product 70 rests on the pusher floor 52 and the wrap spring 30, which extends below the product. The weight of the product on the bottom plate 52 and the positioning of the product across the spring 30 prevents the plate 50 from flipping in the tray 12.

Referring to fig. 4, the ejector mechanism 14 is shown vending a plurality of products 70 in the vending system 10. As can be seen in this view, the product adjacent the ejector plate 50 rests on the ejector base plate 52 and the wrap spring 30, which extends below the product. Another product will rest on the wrap spring 30 which extends below the products. Alternatively, the adapter 180 may be positioned in the system, in which case the product may rest on the ribs 182 of the adapter rather than on the coil spring. Again, the weight of the product on the pusher floor 52 and the positioning of the product across the spring 30 prevents the plate 50 from flipping in the tray 12. In use, as one product is removed from the front of the tray adjacent the product retaining member 44, the ejector mechanism 14 (by pushing on the wrap spring 30) will cause the remaining products to be pushed forward in the tray 12 until the forward-most product contacts the product retaining member 44. As additional product is removed, the ejector mechanism 14 will continue to push the remaining product toward the product retaining member 44.

Referring to fig. 5, a rear view of the ejector mechanism 14 illustrates the ejector mechanism 14 vending a plurality of products 70 in the vending system 10. Again, the product adjacent the ejector plate 50 rests on the ejector base plate 52 and the wrap spring 30, which extends below the product. Another product will rest on the wrap spring which extends below the products. Alternatively, the adapter 180 may be positioned in the system, in which case the product may rest on the ribs 182 of the adapter rather than on the coil spring. As one product is removed from the front of the tray adjacent the product retaining member 44, the coiled end of the spring 30 will push the ejector plate 50 of the ejector mechanism 14 forward in the tray 12 until the forward-most product contacts the product retaining member 44. As can be seen in this figure, the winding end 57 may be located between two support members 58. The support members will hold the wrap spring between these members. As can be seen in this figure, the pusher floor 52 may also extend below the support member 58.

Referring to fig. 6, an exemplary embodiment of an ejector tray is shown. With this embodiment, a plurality of trays 12 may be formed into a single multi-tray assembly 30. The multi-tray may have a floor in common with dividers 18 extending upwardly from the floor to create the plurality of trays or rows. In this embodiment, the product retaining member 44 may be a solid member that extends between the two dividers, as described above. One or more multi-tray assemblies 80 may be coupled or joined together in a side-by-side manner using any known technique, including clamps, dowels, fasteners, and the like. With this configuration, multiple rows of products may be provided for vending multiple products.

As mentioned above, the trackless pusher mechanism 14 may be used integral with a gravity feed system, i.e., a system having trays or product channels mounted on a sloped surface to allow gravity to assist the product, as described above. Alternatively, the trackless pusher mechanism 14 may be used with a system that is mounted on a non-sloped surface or in a horizontal manner, where gravity provides little or no assistance for product vending. The trackless pusher mechanism 14 may also be used to push different shaped products.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example end piece 60 of the end 29 of the wrap spring 30 that may be used with a merchandising system. As shown, the end piece 60 defines a hole 61 for receiving the end 29 of the wrap spring, and a hole 63 for mounting to the tray surface 16. As seen in fig. 7, in one aspect of an alternative embodiment, extending below surface 16 may be a tongue or mounting member 65, which may be configured to mate with aperture 63 and snap fit end piece 60 to tongue 65 and thus surface 16.

Referring to fig. 8, the example end piece 60 of fig. 7 is shown mounted to a tongue or mounting member 65. The tongue 65 may include an elongated outwardly extending rib 67 for snapping the end piece 60 to the tongue 65. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other techniques may be used to mount the end piece 60 to the surface 16, and that the illustrated technique is merely one exemplary embodiment of such a technique.

Referring to fig. 9, the exemplary end piece 60 is shown fully mounted to the surface 16, and more specifically, to the end portion 24 of the surface 16 of the tray 12, in a snap-fit manner. And shows the hole 61 mounting the end 29 of the wrap spring 30 to the end piece 60. As shown in fig. 9, the end 29 of the wrap spring may be inserted into the hole 61. The hole 61 is configured to receive the end 29 of the wrap spring and hold the end 29 in place and allow the end 29 of the wrap spring to be removed from the hole 61 in the event that it is desired to disconnect the wrap spring from the end piece to remove the ejector mechanism 14 from the system.

Referring to fig. 10, the end 29 of the wrap spring is shown fully mounted to an exemplary end piece 60. As seen in this figure, wrap spring 30 is now operatively connected to surface 16 of tray 12. Thus, the ejector mechanism 14 is now mounted to the tray 12.

Referring to fig. 21-27, an alternative technique for mounting the end 29 of the wrap spring 30 to the merchandise display system is shown. The mounting member 130 may be used to mount the end 29 of the wrap spring to the bottom plate 131 of the system. For those systems that include spaced apart slide rails 132 that are joined together by connecting ribs 134 (fig. 26-27), the mounting members 130 may be snap fit or otherwise mounted on the base plate 131, between the slide rails 132. The mounting member will hold the end of the wrap spring in place and to the bottom plate of the system.

Referring to fig. 22-23, the mounting member 130 may include one or more legs 136 on one or more sides of the member 130. The legs may be configured to snap fit under the rails 132 to thereby retain the mounting member 130 to the floor of the system. The legs 136 may include leg ends 137 that define an L-shaped or angled surface configured to contact the underside of the guide rail 132 and prevent the mounting member 130 from being lifted from the floor unless intentionally bent out of the underside of the guide rail 132. The legs 136 may contact the connecting ribs 134, which prevents slidable movement of the mounting member 130 relative to the base plate. Referring to fig. 26, the mounting member 130 is shown mounted to the system floor, and more specifically to the rail. Fig. 27 shows the mounting member 130, which remains in place as the ejector plate 141 is pulled away from the front of the system. The mounting member 130 may be attached to this type of system backplane 131 using other techniques. For example, a separate mounting clip, one or more fasteners, adhesive, or other techniques may be used to secure the mounting member 130 to the base plate 131.

Referring to fig. 22-23, the mounting member 130 may further include a hole or opening or slot 138 that will receive the end 29 of the spring. The spring may be mounted using any of the techniques described herein or other techniques. The configuration of the holes 138 and mounting member 130 hold the springs in place on the mounting member 130, similar to the technique described above.

The mounting member 130 may also include a sliding rib 139 on the top surface that allows a product placed thereon to slide more easily across the mounting member after the mounting member is mounted to the floor of the system. The mounting member 130 may further include an elongated flat body 140 that extends forward of the location of the legs 136 to provide stability to the mounting member 130 after mounting to the system floor.

Referring to fig. 24-25 and 27, the ejector plate or ejector mechanism 141 may include an ejector face 143 configured to match the shape of the product it pushes. As shown, the pusher face 143 may be curvilinear in shape to match the shape of a bottle or other cylindrical object. The ejector plate 141 may further include an ejector base plate 145, similar in construction to the ejector base plates described above. The ejector base plate 145 may further include a spring sleeve 147 that receives the wrap spring 30 to cover and protect the spring. The spring sleeve 147 may extend partially or completely across the pusher floor 145 in the direction of the spring 30. The spring sleeve 147 may have a relatively short height and flat surface 149 to allow a product to be placed thereon without significant protrusion or tilting of the product.

The ejector plate 141 may be positioned on top of the bottom plate 131 to slide on top of a surface, as described above. The ejector plate may be positioned between two product separator walls 153, which are joined together by product retaining members 155. Additional product retention members 157 may extend outwardly from the product divider.

Referring to fig. 28 and 29, yet another alternative technique for mounting the end 29 of the wrap spring 30 to a merchandise display system is shown. In this embodiment, end 29 is riveted to tray 216.

28-32, in an alternative embodiment, the trackless pusher system may be retrofitted to an existing shelf assembly 230, which existing shelf assembly 230 may have a product divider already built in. For example, in one embodiment, the trackless pusher system may be retrofitted to existing metal shelving assemblies. Referring to fig. 30-32, the tray or adapter 216 may have a skid plate 222 that may be sized for a single lane of the shelf 234 or may be sized for the entire shelf width. The sliding bottom plate 222 may include a plurality of raised ribs 224 that help reduce friction of the vended products on the tray 216. It should be understood that one or more raised ribs 224 may be used with the sliding baseplate 222. Alternatively, the skid plate 222 may be a flat planar surface without raised ribs. The tray or adapter 216 may be constructed similarly to the adapter 180 of fig. 16.

As shown in fig. 28 and 30, the end 29 of the wrap spring 30 may be riveted to the front end 228 of the tray 216 via rivets 229, or may be attached by any other attachment technique. The tray 216 may be held to the shelf by any attachment technique suitable for the particular shelf. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 29-32, the tray 216 may include one or more outwardly extending fingers or catches 220 that may engage one or more individual bars 232 of a shelf 234 to retain the tray 216 on the shelf 234. The fingers or catches 220 may extend longitudinally along the length of the tray 216, or may be spaced apart along the length of the tray. The clip 220 may be used to clip the tray 216 to an existing metal shelf. As shown in fig. 29A and 29B, the latches 220A and 220B may define a plurality of configurations that allow the tray 216 to be latched to a shelf. The embodiments shown in fig. 28-32 allow the trackless pusher system to be deployed in existing racking systems, such as metal racking systems, as a low cost alternative to the entire trackless pusher assembly. It is to be understood that any of the ejector mechanisms described herein may be used with this embodiment.

As shown in fig. 33 and 44, in another example embodiment, the display management system includes one or more pusher mechanisms 286, one or more dividers 266, one or more trays 306, and one or more holders 250. The ejector mechanism 286 may be formed of an ejector plate 287 and an ejector base plate 288. The products are arranged on the pusher floor 288 and slide to the display management system via the divider 266 and the pusher plate 287. The wrap spring 30 biases the ejector mechanism 286 toward the retainer 250 so that the product moves to the front of the system.

In one example embodiment, as shown in fig. 33, the wrap spring 30 may be mounted to a retainer 250. Alternatively, the wrap spring 30 may be mounted to the divider 266, (also shown in fig. 48 and 49). The wrap spring 30 may be mounted directly to the retainer 250 as shown in fig. 33, or may be mounted to the retainer 250 via a separate adapter 252 as shown in fig. 34.

As shown in fig. 35, the adapter 252 has a wall 254 proximate a first end 256. The first end 256 has a curved portion 262 that curves upward. The intermediate portion of the adapter 252 may be provided with a curved slot 260 adapted to receive a correspondingly shaped spring end (not shown).

The wrap spring 30 may be secured at one end to a middle portion of the adapter 252. In an exemplary embodiment, the curved slot 260 corresponds in shape and size to the first spring end. Additionally, the first spring end of the wrap spring 30 may be crimped or bent to provide additional securement. However, any sufficient fastening method may be used to secure the first spring end of the wrap spring 30 to the adapter 252.

In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 36 and 37, the retainer 250 has a curved cutback 284 that corresponds in shape and size to the curved portion 262 of the adapter 252. The curved slot 284 extends the length of the holder to allow for unrestricted positioning of the adapter 252 along the length of the holder 250.

To secure the first spring end of the wrap spring 30 to the retainer 250, the curved portion 262 of the adapter 252 is disposed into the curved slot 284 of the retainer 250. Curved slot 284 secures adapter 252 and the first spring end of wrap spring 30 to retainer 250 and provides for quick and easy assembly of the display system. The wall 254 provides additional stability to the connection between the holder 250 and the adapter 252. However, other methods may be used to secure the adapter 252 and/or the first spring end of the wrap spring 30 to the retainer 250.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 33 and 44, the wrap spring 30 of the ejector plate 287 may be mounted directly to the front of the tray 306. The first spring end 290 of the wrap spring 30 is provided with a curved portion. The curved portion curves downwardly from the pusher floor 288 and is adapted to be received in a recess 316 (shown in fig. 33) defined by the lip 318 of the front surface of the dispensing tray 306 and the retainer 250. The vertically oriented surface of the retainer 250 and the lip 318 are spaced apart such that a gap is formed between the front edge of the lip 250 and the vertically oriented surface. To secure the wrap spring 30 and the ejector mechanism 286 to the assembly, the first spring end 290 is inserted into a gap formed between the front edge of the lip 318 and the vertically oriented surface of the retainer 250 and is disposed in the recess 316 defined by the lip 318 of the dispensing tray 306 and the retainer 250.

In another exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 38, 39, 48 and 49, the wrap spring 30 may be mounted directly to the divider 266. Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment, wrap spring 30 may be mounted perpendicular to ejector base plate 288 such that the axis about which wrap spring 30 is wrapped is perpendicular to ejector base plate 288. This orientation has the benefit of preventing the ejector plate from backing up. First spring end 290 may be provided with an angled portion 292 and an end piece portion 296. In one example embodiment, the angled portion 292 may be curved perpendicular to the wrap spring body 294. The divider may be provided with a slot 298 adapted to receive the end piece portion 296 of the first spring end 290.

To secure the wrap spring to the divider, the end piece portion 296 is inserted into the slot 298. Once the end piece portion 296 is fully inserted into the slot 298, the angled portion 292 engages the slot 298 to secure the first spring end 290 to the divider 266.

As shown in fig. 33, various ejector mechanism designs may be implemented. The ejector plate 287 may be formed flat to accommodate a correspondingly shaped product. Alternatively, the ejector plate 286 may have a curved first end and a flat second end. This helps to accommodate a variety of cylindrical products having different sized diameters and to facilitate operation of the ejector mechanism 286. During operation, the product in the ejector mechanism 286 and the curved first end integrally urge the ejector mechanism against the divider 266, such that during tensioning or operation, the wrap spring 30 remains flat against the divider 266 holding the first spring end 290. This allows for smoother operation of the ejector mechanism and ensures that the product is more properly dispensed as the user removes the product from the system.

In another exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 40-41D, the distance between dividers 266 can be adjusted to accommodate different sized containers. The divider 266 may be provided with a connecting portion 272. The connecting portion 272 may be provided with a first elongated angled surface 268 and a second elongated angled surface 270. In addition, the connection portion 272 may be provided with a plurality of protrusions 274. As shown in fig. 41B, the guide rail may be formed from teeth 278 having a front surface 280 and a side surface 282.

When assembled, as shown in FIG. 41C, the connecting portion 272 is received between the teeth 278 of the rail. In addition, elongated angled surfaces 268 and 270 and protrusion 274 are wedged between teeth 278. As also shown in fig. 41C, the elongated angled surfaces 268 and 270 engage the front surface 280 and the projections 274 engage the lower surface of the teeth 278. The side surface 282 contacts the connection portion 272.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 42, the tray 306 is provided with a tongue connection. The first side 308 of the tray 306 is provided with a tongue 312 that is adapted to fit within a groove 314 positioned on the second side 310 of the tray 306. To attach the tray, the groove 314 is aligned with the tongue 312 so that the tongue 312 is securely seated within the groove 314.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 43, the tray 306 is configured to receive the holder 250 at the front end. The holder may be provided with a rectangular hole 300, the holder being provided with a correspondingly sized and shaped protrusion 302. To secure the holder 250 to the tray 306, the tabs 302 fit into the holes 300 to lock the holder in place on the tray 306.

As shown in FIGS. 45-47, after the product management display system is assembled, the product is loaded into the system. By adjusting the divider 266, a variety of different product sizes and shapes can be loaded into the system. As shown in fig. 46 and 47, the wrap spring 30 combined with the ejector plate 287 pushes the product toward the holder 250. As the user removes the product from the system, the pusher plate 287 pushes the remaining product so that the product slides along the bottom plate 264 to the holder 250. This ensures that all products remain at the front of the display system.

50-52, the product management display system 400 may be arranged such that the trays 402, 404 may be stacked on top of one another. This embodiment may generally include a first tray 402, a second tray 404, a first spacer 406, and a second spacer 408.

The trays 402, 404 are each configured to hold a product to be dispensed. The first tray 402 and the second tray 404 may each be provided with a free holder 410, an ejector mechanism 412, first and second guide walls, and a wrap spring 414.

The ejector mechanism 414 is arranged in a similar manner to the embodiments described above so that when a product is removed it slides along the surface of the tray 402, 404. Additionally, the pusher arrangement discussed above may be implemented in a stackable tray arrangement.

To provide for easy assembly and disassembly, the stackable product management display system may be provided with a dovetail connection or any other suitable connection, such as a snap-fit connection, a threaded connection, or a rivet connection. The first and second trays are provided with locators 416 for assembling the first and second spacers 406, 408 to the first and second trays 402, 404. Each of the first and second trays 402, 404 may be provided with slots 418 on their respective outer surfaces for receiving correspondingly shaped locators 416 on the first and second spacers 406, 408.

To assemble the stackable product management display system, the locators 416 on the first and second spacers 406, 408 are placed in a locking arrangement into correspondingly shaped slots 418 on the exterior surfaces of the first and second trays 402, 404. This provides a stackable arrangement that can be implemented in conjunction with any of the embodiments described above.

In another exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 53-57, the ejector plate 500 may be mounted directly to the shelf 508 and held to the shelf by the ends of the wrap spring 504. The ejector plate 500 will slide along and over the top of the shelf surface. One or more dividers 502 defining a T-shaped configuration may be positioned proximate to the ejector plate 500. In an alternative aspect, the base of the divider 502 can be positioned on the shelf such that the base is positioned below the ejector plate 500. With this configuration, the ejector plate 500 can slide along the base of the divider. If the divider 502 is positioned far enough from the panel 500, the panel 500 will slide directly on the surface of the shelf 508. The divider 502 can define a variety of configurations including those described herein and can be secured to the shelf using any known technique, including push pins, anchors, fasteners, adhesives, and the like.

In one aspect, end 510 of wrap spring 504 is positioned in an aperture or hole 506 on shelf 508. End 510 may define a spring end piece, which may further define any suitable configuration that allows the spring end to pass into hole 506 and remain secured to the hole. For example, the spring end piece of end 510 may define a hook-like configuration that allows end 510 to wrap around the edge of hole 506. Alternatively, the spring end piece may define one or more detents that hook onto the edge of the hole 506. Other spring end member configurations are possible.

As shown in fig. 54, to secure the spring 504 to the shelf 508, fasteners 512, pins, anchors, etc. may be used. This fastener 512 will provide a second spaced anchor point for the spring, which will maintain the spring in the desired alignment as the plate 500 moves back and forth on the shelf 508 throughout the operation of the spring 504. It will be appreciated that even more anchor points may be provided depending on the type of shelf and the number and spacing of the holes present on the shelf.

Referring to fig. 55-57, an alternative technique for mounting an end 504 of a wrap spring 500 to a merchandise display system is shown. As shown in fig. 55, the end 510 of the wrap spring may be inserted into the aperture 506. End 510 may define a spring end piece as described herein to retain end 510 to the edge of hole 506. As shown in fig. 56, the spring 504, which in this embodiment includes a rivet or post 514, is lowered to the shelf so that the rivet or post 514 fits within another hole 506 on the shelf. The rivet or post provides another anchor point for the spring. As shown in fig. 56 and 57, the spring 504 may define an aperture 516 for receiving yet another rivet or post 518 to even further secure the spring 504 to the shelf. Through these multiple anchor points, the spring 504 will be fixed to the shelf and, thus, the plate will be fixed to the shelf. And, with these multiple anchor points, the springs will maintain the desired alignment as the board moves back and forth on the shelf throughout the operation of the springs. It should be understood that other anchoring techniques may secure the ends of the springs 504 to the shelf, including any of the techniques described herein, or a combination of the techniques described herein. It will be appreciated that if the shelf does not have pre-existing holes to anchor the springs 504, one or more holes may be drilled at desired locations on the shelf.

With the embodiments shown in fig. 53-57, it will be appreciated that the trackless pusher plate may be retrofitted directly onto existing store shelves with minimal effort or additional mounting hardware. In addition, this embodiment is easily removable to allow the pusher plate to be repositioned anywhere on the shelf to accommodate any size and type of product being sold on the shelf. One skilled in the art will also appreciate that any of the ejector plates described herein may be mounted directly to a shelf using the techniques described herein or by any combination of the techniques described herein.

In an alternative embodiment shown in fig. 58, the display management system includes one or more pushers 520, one or more dividers 550, and a front rail 580. The divider 550 and the front rail 580 may be placed on a shelf. The pusher 520 may include a pusher face 522 and a pusher floor 524, as shown in fig. 59. The ejector mechanism 522 may be divided into a non-adjustable portion 526 and an ejector extension 528. Both the non-adjustable portion 526 and the pusher extension 528 may define a surface that may be used to contact product on a shelf. Both the non-adjustable portion 526 and the pusher extension 528 may define similar heights and depths. The ejector extension 528 is adjustable from a position flush with and proximate to the non-adjustable portion 526, as shown in fig. 59. The pusher extension 528 may be directed downward toward the pusher floor 524 as shown in fig. 60. The ejector extension 528 may be adjusted to various positions as shown in fig. 60, including a position parallel to the ejector baseplate 524 and a position pointing upward away from the ejector baseplate 524 and a position pointing downward toward the ejector baseplate 524. In this manner, the width or height of the pusher 520 may effectively extend to wider or taller products.

The pusher extension 528 is rotatable about an axis on the upper portion of the pusher 520. A recessed wheel 532 (see fig. 77) may be positioned behind the pusher extension 528. The ejector extension 528 includes a protrusion (see, e.g., protrusion 530 in fig. 77) that fits in a recess in the recessed wheel 532. As the pusher extension 528 rotates about the axis, the protrusions rotate into respective spaces within the recesses in the recessed wheel 532, similar to a ratchet and pawl mechanism. Each notch represents a separate location for the ejector extension 528. At each individual position, the ejector extension 528 may remain stationary, requiring force to move the ejector extension 528 to a different position. In an exemplary aspect of an embodiment, the pusher extension may be movable from a first position proximate the non-adjustable portion 526 to a plurality of second positions, which may be located within approximately 180 degrees of the first position. The degree of adjustment may depend on the number, size and spacing of the notches on the recessed wheel. The ejector extension may define a lightening hole through a wall of the ejector extension to reduce the weight of the ejector extension and reduce the moment generated about the axis of the ejector extension. The ejector extension may define a smooth or textured ejector face.

Referring again to fig. 59, a biasing element, such as a wrap spring 534, may be retained in the rear portion of the pusher 520. In one embodiment, the wrap spring 534 may be positioned proximate to the non-adjustable portion 526 of the ejector face 522. The wrap spring 534 may extend across the pusher floor 524 as shown in fig. 59. In one embodiment, the ejector base plate 524 may include a channel 536 in which the wrap spring 534 is seated. The channel 536 allows the product to rest on the pusher floor 524 with limited contact with the spring. In this embodiment, the weight of the product rests on the pusher floor 524. The ejector retainer plate 524 may also include a surface without channels.

In an example, the divider 550 can include a divider wall 552, a bottom plate 554, and a baffle 556, as shown in fig. 59. In an example, the divider 550 may not include a baffle. In an example, the divider 550 may not include a floor. The divider wall 552 may divide the divider floor 554 into two portions, 559 and 551 (see fig. 78), one on each side of the divider wall 552. The divider wall 552 may also have a divider floor 554 on only one side of the divider wall 552. As shown in fig. 77, the divider walls 552 may extend perpendicularly from the divider floor 554. The divider floor 554 may be a flat surface. In an embodiment, the divider floor 554 may include a channel on a portion of the divider floor 554. The wrap spring 534 may extend across the divider floor 554. In an embodiment, the wrap spring 534 may extend across the divider floor 554 within a channel in the divider floor 554. In this embodiment, the product will not rest on the wrap spring 534, but instead will rest on the portion of the divider floor 554 proximate the channel in the divider floor 554. In another embodiment, the divider floor 554 does not include channels. In one example, a single pusher 520 may be located on a portion of the divider floor 554 and a second pusher (see fig. 84F) may be located on a second portion of the divider floor 554. Thus, one divider 550 may contain two pushers 520, one for each divider wall 552.

The stop 556 may be configured to restrain the product being pushed by the pusher 520 and the biasing element contained therein. The baffles 556 may be located at a front portion of the divider wall 552, as shown in fig. 59. A stop 556 may also be located at the rear of the divider wall to prevent excessive accumulation of product on the shelf. As shown in fig. 59 and 77, a divider wall 552 may divide the baffle 556 into two portions. The baffles 556 may be perpendicular to the forward end of the divider wall 552. In one embodiment, the baffle 556, the divider wall 552, and the divider floor 554 are a single integrated device. These three elements may also be integral with one another. In one example, the baffle is separate from the divider. In one example, the baffle is not integral with or incorporated into the divider. In another example, the baffle is configured to engage with the divider. In one example, the divider wall and the divider floor are separate devices from each other and are not integral with each other or part of a single integrated device. In one example, the divider walls and the divider floor are configured to engage one another. In another example, the bezel may be coupled to the front rail 580 or comprise a portion of the front rail 580.

As shown in fig. 61, an end 557 of the wrap spring 534 may be positioned within the stop 556. The end 557 of the spring may be folded at an angle to the rest of the spring. The angle may be 90 degrees, or any other suitable angle, which may be less than or greater than 90 degrees. The end 557 of the wrap spring can then be disposed into a slot 558 in the stop 556. Once in the slot 558, the spring end 557 will remain in place and bias the auxiliary pusher 520 toward the stop 556. The end 557 of the wrap spring 534 may include a plurality of portions, each having a bend that disposes a trailing portion of the wrap spring end at an angle to a leading portion of the wrap spring (not shown). The plurality of bends may engage a plurality of slots or holes in baffle 556 or other attachment points on divider 550 or front rail 580. The plurality of slots or holes may conform to the shape of the plurality of bends in the end 557 of the wrap spring 534. The wrap spring 534 may include a pawl (not shown) at one end. The pawl in the wrap spring 534 may be configured to prevent the wrap spring 534 from disengaging the pusher 520, such as, for example, when the wrap spring 534 is extended.

The ejector 520 may be connected to the divider 550 only by the wrap spring 534. The pusher 520 may sit on top of the divider floor 554 and may slide across the divider floor. The ejector 520 may be configured to be positioned entirely above the divider floor 554, as shown in fig. 59, and not below the divider floor 554. In this embodiment, the pusher 520 may be lifted from the divider floor 554 in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 62. The weight and mass of the product resting on the pusher floor 524 holds the pusher 520 to the divider floor 554. The product resting on the wrap spring 534 also retains the ejector 520 on the divider floor 554. The only incorporated connection between the ejector and the divider may be the end of the wrap spring 557 that is retained within the slot 558 in the flapper 556. The divider walls 552 may be used to guide the pusher 520 as the pusher 520 moves back and forth on the divider floor 554, and vice versa.

The divider 550 may define a groove 560 or other recess in an underside portion of the divider. The groove 560 or other recess may be an inverted "U" shape, as shown in fig. 61, or may have another shape. The grooves 560 or other recesses may extend across the entire width of the lower portion of the divider 550. The grooves 560 or other recesses in one example may extend along only a portion of the width of the lower portion of the divider. The channel 560 or other recess may be used to engage a front rail, a front wall of a tray, or other structure. The term recess as used herein may mean a groove, cut-out, channel, dimple, depression, or other inwardly extending recess.

The divider 550 may also define a plurality of teeth 562 or other projections. Teeth 562 or other projection housings are located on a forward portion of shield 556. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 63, the teeth 562 may define a series of outwardly extending angled surfaces that meet or join at an apex. As used herein, the term tooth may mean any uniform, non-uniform, continuous, discontinuous, uniformly spaced, or non-uniformly spaced outwardly extending surfaces, which may or may not be angled, and which may or may not meet or join at an apex. Additionally, the teeth may define pointed, blunt, rounded, flat, or polygonal ends at an apex, or any other suitable shape. Also, the surfaces defining the shape of the teeth may be flat, convex, concave, smooth or textured, or any other suitable configuration. In one embodiment, the teeth 562 are disposed on an extension from the front portion of the shield 556. The divider 550 may also define a resilient tongue or tab 564. The teeth 562 or other protrusions are located on the resilient tabs 564. When a force is applied to the resilient tab 564, the tooth 562 or other protrusion may move in the direction of the force. When the force is removed, the teeth or other projections will move back to their original positions. The term protrusion as used herein may mean a protrusion, a resilient tab, a tongue, a bump, one or more teeth, a ridge, a knob, or other outwardly extending protrusion. The plurality of teeth may include a plurality of projections, wherein the teeth extend outwardly and may include a plurality of recesses extending inwardly between the outwardly extending portions of the plurality of teeth.

The front rail 580 may define a planar surface 582, a ridge or tongue 584 or other projection or engaging member, a channel or groove 586 or other recess or engaging member, and a plurality of teeth 588 or other engaging members. The ridge or tongue 584 or other protrusion or engaging member of the front rail 580 may be configured to engage the groove 560 or other recess or engaging member of the divider. The ridge 584 or other protrusion or other engagement member may fit within the groove 560 or other recess or engagement member and prevent the divider 550 from moving in a direction perpendicular to the ridge 584 or the leading rail 580 or at an angle (i.e., non-perpendicular) to the ridge 584 or the leading rail 580. The teeth 588 or other engaging members of the front rail 580 may be spaced apart. The teeth 588 or other engaging members of the front rail 580 may engage the teeth 562 or other engaging members (the teeth 562 are shown in fig. 63) of the divider 550 to prevent the divider from moving in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580. The teeth 588 or other engagement members of the front rail 580 engage the teeth 562 or other engagement members of the divider 550 and prevent the divider 550 from moving in the lateral direction shown by arrow "a" in fig. 65. The term engagement member as used herein may mean a protrusion, recess, planar surface, near-planar surface, or other another structural component that may engage with a structural component. The front rail may be a separate structure attached or coupled to the shelf. Alternatively, the front rail may be a portion of the tray defining one or more of the front, rear and opposite side walls. In this configuration, a front rail, as described herein, may be formed as part of the front or rear wall of the tray and still achieve the objectives of the present invention. That is, the front rail may be formed as part of (or attached to) the tray wall and receive and engage the divider and ejector mechanisms using any of the various techniques described herein. The front rail also need not be located at the absolute front of the shelf. The front rail may be located near the front of the shelf, or at a distance rearward from the front of the shelf. In one example, the front rail may be located at or near the rear of the shelf, offset from the front of the merchandise display system. In one example, the front of the shelf may not include a rail.

When the resilient tab 564 of the divider 550 is depressed or forced against the resilient tab in a direction away from the teeth 588 in the front rail 580, the teeth 562 of the divider may disengage from the teeth 588 on the front rail. When the teeth 588 on the front rail and the teeth 562 of the resilient tab 564 on the divider 550 are disengaged, the divider 550 may move in a lateral direction (i.e., the direction shown by arrow "a" in fig. 65) of the teeth 588 in the front rail 580. By using the resilient tab 564, the products contained on the merchandising system 10 may be rearranged. When the divider 550 is moved in the lateral direction, the divider need not be rotated. Rather, the divider 550 remains in a plane parallel to the planar surface 582 of the front rail 580. In addition, the divider 550 need not be lifted. The divider 550 may simply be moved in the direction indicated by arrow "a" in fig. 65.

In one example, the merchandise display system includes a front rail 580 and at least one divider 550 configured to engage the front rail 580. The at least one divider 550 includes a baffle 556, and the at least one divider 550 further includes a divider wall 552. The at least one divider further includes a divider floor 554 that is perpendicular to the divider wall 552, wherein the divider floor 554 is configured to hold product. The merchandise display system also includes a cam 720 coupled to the divider 550, wherein the cam 720 is configured to move between a first position and a second position. When the at least one divider 550 is engaged with the front rail 580 and the cam 720 is in the first position, the at least one divider 550 is (a) movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580. When the at least one divider 550 is engaged with the front rail 580 and the cam 720 is in the second position, the at least one divider 550 is fixed (a) in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580.

In one example, the cam 720 includes a handle for rotating the cam 720 between the first position and the second position. In another example, the cam 720 may include a handle that allows the cam 720 to slide between a first position and a second position (not shown). The cam 720 may also include one or more cam walls configured to engage one or more groove walls in the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the second position. The cam 720 may also include a plurality of cam teeth configured to engage a plurality of front rail teeth on a surface of the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the second position. The front rail teeth may be on the inner surface of the front rail 580. The merchandise display system may also include an ejector mechanism having an ejector surface, an ejector floor extending forward from the ejector surface, and a wrap spring having a wrap end and a free end. The coiled end of the spring may be positioned behind the pusher surface, and the pusher mechanism may be attached to the merchandise display system solely by the coiled spring. The flapper may be configured to receive the free end of the wrap spring. The front rail may define a front rail groove and the divider may define a divider ridge configured to engage the front rail groove.

In one example, the merchandise display system includes a front rail 580 and a plurality of dividers 550 configured to attach to the front rail 580 and divide the products into rows. Each of the plurality of dividers 550 includes a divider wall 552 extending in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580, a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall 552, wherein the divider floor 554 is configured to hold product, and a cam 720 coupled to the divider 550, wherein the cam 720 is configured to move between a first position and a second position. When each of the plurality of dividers 550 is engaged with the front rail 580 and the cam 720 for each of the plurality of dividers 550 is in the first position, each of the plurality of dividers 550 is (a) movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580. Additionally, when each of the plurality of dividers 550 is engaged with the front rail 580 and the cam 720 for each of the plurality of dividers 550 is in the second position, each of the plurality of dividers 550 is (a) fixed in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580.

In one example, the plurality of dividers 550 are each configured to move in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 when a product is positioned on the divider floor 554. When the cam 720 for each divider of the plurality of dividers 550 is in the first position, a force on an outermost divider of the plurality of dividers 550 causes each of the plurality of dividers 550 to move in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580, wherein the force is parallel to the direction of the front rail 580 and perpendicular to the divider wall 552 of the outermost divider.

In one example, the merchandise display system includes a front rail 580 and at least one divider 550 configured to be attached to the front rail 580, the at least one divider 550 including a barrier, a divider wall 552 extending in a direction perpendicular to the front rail, a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall 552, wherein the divider wall 552 divides the divider floor 554 into a first portion and a second portion, each of the first portion and the second portion configured to hold a product. The merchandise display system also includes a first ejector mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the first portion, a second ejector mechanism configured to slide along at least a portion of the second portion, and a cam 720 coupled to the at least one divider 550, the cam 720 configured to move between a first position and a second position. The at least one divider 550 is movable therealong in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the first position, and the at least one divider 550 resists movement along and in the lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the second position.

In one example, each of the first and second pusher mechanisms of the merchandise display system includes a pusher surface, a pusher floor extending forward from the pusher surface, and a wrap spring having a wrap end and a free end, wherein the wrap end is positioned behind the pusher surface. The first and second ejector mechanisms are attached to the merchandise display system only by the wrap spring. The at least one divider may define a divider engagement member, the at least one front rail may define a front rail engagement member, and the divider engagement member may be configured to engage the front rail engagement member. The divider engagement member may define a divider tooth on at least one surface of the divider engagement member and the front rail engagement member may define a front rail tooth on at least one surface of the front rail engagement member. The divider teeth may be configured to engage the front rail teeth.

In an example, the merchandise display system includes a front rail 580 and at least one divider 550 configured to be attached to the front rail 580, the at least one divider 550 including a baffle configured to engage the front rail 580, a divider wall 552 extending in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580, a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall 552, wherein the divider floor 554 is configured to hold product. The display system may further comprise a resilient tab coupled to divider 550, wherein the resilient tab is configured to move between a first position and a second position. When the resilient tab is in the first position, the at least one divider 550 is secured in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580. When the resilient tab is in the second position, the at least one divider 550 may move in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580.

In one example, the divider 550 includes a plurality of teeth configured to engage the front rail 580. The divider teeth may be configured to engage corresponding teeth on the front rail 580. The divider teeth of the merchandise display system may be configured to engage a resilient surface on the front rail 580.

In one example, the merchandise display system includes a front rail 580, the front rail 580 including at least one first protrusion and at least one first recess, and at least one divider 550 configured to be attached to the front rail 580, the at least one divider 550 including a divider wall 552 and a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall 552, the at least one divider 550 further including at least one second recess and at least one second protrusion, the at least one second protrusion of the divider 550 configured to move between a first position and a second position, the at least one divider 550(a) being movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 when the at least one first protrusion of the front rail 580 engages the at least one second recess of the divider 550 and the at least one second protrusion of the divider 550 is in the first position, and (b) is fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580. When the at least one first protrusion of the front rail is engaged with the at least one second recess of the divider 550 and the at least one second protrusion of the divider 550 is in the second position, the at least one divider 550(a) resists movement in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580, and (b) is fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580.

In an example, the at least one second protrusion of the divider 550 can include a cam 720. The at least one first recess of the front rail 580 may include a groove. The at least one second protrusion of the divider 550 may include a resilient tab. The at least one first recess of the front rail 580 may include a tongue. The at least one first recess of the front rail 580 may include a plurality of teeth. The at least one second projection of the divider 550 may include a tongue. The at least one second protrusion of the divider 550 may comprise a plurality of teeth. The merchandise display system may further include a plurality of teeth on the at least one first protrusion of the front rail 580 and a plurality of teeth on the at least one second recess of the divider 550.

In one example, the merchandise display system includes a front rail 580, the front rail 580 including at least one first protrusion and at least one second protrusion, the at least one second protrusion of the front rail 580 configured to move between a first position and a second position. The merchandise display system also includes at least one divider 550 configured to be attached to the front rail 580, the at least one divider 550 including a divider wall 552 and a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall 552, the at least one divider 550 also including at least one recess. When the at least one first protrusion of the front rail 580 is engaged with the at least one recess of the divider 550 and the at least one second protrusion of the front rail 580 is in the first position, the at least one divider 550 is (a) movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580. When the at least one first protrusion of the front rail 580 is engaged with the at least one recess of the divider 550 and the at least one second protrusion of the front rail 580 is in the second position, the at least one divider 550 is (a) fixed in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580.

In an example, the at least one first recess of the front rail 580 may comprise a tongue and the at least one recess of the divider 550 may comprise a groove.

In one example, the merchandise display system includes a front rail 580, the front rail 580 including a first tab and a second tab. The merchandise display system also includes at least one divider 550 configured to attach to the front rail 580, the at least one divider 550 including a divider wall 552 and a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall 552, the at least one divider 550 further including a recess and a third protrusion. At least one of the second protrusion or the third protrusion is a movable protrusion that moves between a first position and a second position. When the first protrusion of the front rail 580 is engaged with the recess of the divider 550 and the movable protrusion is in the first position, the at least one divider 550 is (a) movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 550. When the first protrusion of the front rail 580 engages the recess of the divider 550 and the movable protrusion is in the second position, the at least one divider 550 is (a) fixed in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 550.

In one example, the movable tab of the merchandise display system may be a cam 720 or a resilient tab. The first projection of the front rail 580 may be a tongue and the recess of the divider 550 may be a groove.

In one example, the merchandise display system includes a front rail 580, the front rail 580 including at least a first engagement member. The merchandise display system also includes at least one divider 550 configured to be attached to the front rail 580, the at least one divider 550 including a divider wall 552 and a divider floor 554 perpendicular to the divider wall, the at least one divider 550 also including at least a second engagement member. The merchandise display system also includes a third engagement member configured to move between a first position and a second position. When the first engagement member of the front rail 580 is engaged with the second engagement member of the divider 550 and the third engagement member is in the first position, the at least one divider 550 is (a) movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 550. The at least one divider is fixed (a) in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail and (b) in a direction perpendicular to the front rail when the first engagement member of the front rail is engaged with the second engagement member of the divider and the third engagement member is in the second position. In an example, when the first engagement member of the front rail 580 is engaged with the second engagement member of the divider 550 and the third engagement member is in the first position, the at least one divider 550 may only move in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 along a shelf plane (such as the shelf 596 shown in fig. 70 and 71); the at least one divider 550 is secured along the shelf plane in all directions except the direction parallel to the front rail 580; the at least one divider 550 does not twist, tilt, fishtail along the shelf plane; the at least one divider 550 remains perpendicular to the front rail 580.

In an example, the third engagement member can be a portion of the front rail 580 or a portion of the divider 550. In an example, the third engagement member may include a cam 720 or an engagement surface. In one example, the first engagement member of the front rail 580 is a protrusion. The merchandise display system may also include an ejector mechanism 520 having an ejector surface 528, an ejector base plate 524 extending forward from the ejector surface 528, and a wrap spring 534 having a wrap end and a free end. The coiled end may be positioned behind the pusher surface 528, and the pusher mechanism 520 may be attached to the merchandise display system by only the coiled spring 534. The merchandise display system may further include a bezel configured to receive a free end of the wrap spring 534.

In an example, the merchandise display system includes a front rail 580 and at least one divider 550 configured to engage the front rail 580, the at least one divider 550 including a barrier 556, the at least one divider further including a divider wall 554, the at least one divider further including a divider floor 552 perpendicular to the divider wall 554, wherein the divider floor 552 is configured to hold product. The merchandise display system also includes a cam 720 coupled to the divider 550, wherein the cam 720 is configured to move between a first position and a second position. When the at least one divider 550 is engaged with the front rail 580, the at least one divider 550 may be secured in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580. When the cam 720 is in the first position, the cam 720 may inhibit movement of the at least one divider 550 in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580. When the cam 720 is in the second position, the cam 720 may allow movement of the divider 550 in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580. The merchandise display system may include a handle for rotating the cam 720 between the first position and the second position. The merchandise display system may include a handle for sliding the cam 720 between a first position and a second position (not shown).

Fig. 67A-C illustrate an example of a method of arranging dividers into the front rail step by step. Initially, as shown in fig. 67A, the divider 550 is lowered into the channel 586 defined by the front rail 580. The force of lowering the divider 550 into the channel 586 causes the teeth 562 on the divider 550 to contact the top of the front rail 580 and move in a direction toward the divider 550 and away from the front rail 580, as shown in FIG. 67B. The teeth 562 on the divider 550 may be beveled as shown in fig. 63. The front rail 580 includes recesses 589, as shown in fig. 64, that engage the teeth 562 on the divider 550. These recesses 589 are separated by teeth 588 on the front rail 580. As the divider 550 is further lowered into the channel 586 on the front rail 580 (as shown in fig. 67C), the teeth 564 of the divider 550 move beyond the top of the front rail 580 and into the recesses 589 in the front rail 580. When the teeth 564 on the divider 550 are in the recesses 589 in the front rail 580, the divider 550 is in the engaged position and does not move in the lateral direction under normal amounts of force.

In one example, fig. 68A-C illustrate another embodiment of a method of placing dividers step-by-step in a front rail. In an initial step, as shown in fig. 68A, the resilient tongue or tab 564 is manually pushed back, causing the teeth 562 on the tab 564 to move back toward the divider 550. The shaft pivot allows the resilient tongue or tab 564 to remain in a pushed back position and allows the teeth 562 to remain in a position toward the divider 550. The divider 550 is then placed in contact with the front rail 580, as shown in fig. 68B. The groove 560 of the divider 550 engages the ridge or tongue 584 of the front rail 580. At this time, the divider 550 may move in the lateral direction along the front rail, and may allow for easy re-layout design. However, the divider 550 is fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 (i.e., parallel to the divider 550) and cannot move in that direction unless there is a very small amount of play between the groove 560 of the divider 550 and the ridge or tongue 584 of the front rail 580. (the direction perpendicular to the front track is indicated by arrow "B" in fig. 86H). This very small amount of play may not be noticeable to a user of the system. When the divider 550 is in contact with the front rail 580, the groove 560 of the divider 550 engages the ridge or tongue 584 of the front rail 580, as shown in fig. 68B, and the divider 550 is movable along the plane of the shelf (the shelf is represented at 596 in fig. 70 and 71) only in a lateral direction (i.e., the direction represented by arrow "a" in fig. 65) perpendicular to the front rail 580. The dividers are fixed and immovable under normal operating forces along the shelf plane in all other directions except the direction parallel to the front rail 580. The dividers cannot twist, tilt, fishtail, or otherwise move along the shelf plane in directions other than parallel to the front rail 580. However, the divider 550 is able to move in a direction away from the plane of the shelf, such as in the manner indicated by arrow "C" in fig. 87B. The divider 550, with or without product on the divider floor 554, may slide in the direction previously indicated by arrow "a" in fig. 65 without requiring the divider 550 to be lifted. In the final step, as shown in fig. 68C, the resilient tongue or tab 564 is manually pulled forward away from the separator 550. This movement causes the teeth 562 on the front divider 550 to fit in the recesses 589 in the front rail 580. The recesses 589 in the front rail 580 are separated by teeth 588 in the front rail. When the teeth 562 of the divider 550 are in contact with the recesses 589 and teeth 588 in the front rail 580, the divider 550 is engaged and cannot move in the lateral direction under normal magnitude forces.

In another example, the resilient tongue or tab does not include an axial pivot that allows the resilient tongue or tab 564 to remain in the pushed rearward position. Rather, the resilient tongue or tab 564 is biased toward the front rail 580 and away from the divider 550, such that when the force manually pushing the resilient tongue or tab 564 back is removed, the tongue or tab 564 automatically returns to its rest position and may engage the front rail 580.

In one example, the divider 550 is disposed in contact with the front rail 580. The engagement members of the front rail 580 engage the engagement members of the divider 550, which secures the divider in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 (the direction indicated by arrow "B" in fig. 86H) and renders the divider 550 immovable in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580, except for a very small amount of play or space between the engagement members that is not perceptible to a user. The divider 550 is also secured along the shelf plane in all other directions except the direction parallel to the front rail 580 (the direction indicated by arrow "a" in fig. 65). The divider 550 may only move along the shelf plane in a direction parallel to the front rail 580. The divider 550 is secured under normal operating forces and conditions along the plane of the shelf in directions other than parallel to the front rail 580. However, the dividers can move in a direction away from the plane of the shelf, such as the direction indicated by arrow "C" of fig. 87B. When the divider is "fixed" in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580, this means that the divider 550 is not movable in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 under normal operating forces and conditions, except for a very small amount of play or space between the engaging members that is not perceptible to the user. (the direction perpendicular to the front track is indicated by arrow "B" in fig. 86H). The second engagement member of the divider 550 or the front rail 580 is in the first position and the divider moves laterally parallel to the front rail. The second engagement member is then moved to a second position, which secures the divider 550 in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 (in the direction indicated by arrow "a" of fig. 85) under normal operating forces and conditions. When the divider 550 is "fixed" in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580, the divider 550 will not move in the lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 under normal operating forces and conditions.

In one example, the plurality of dividers 550 can move as a group parallel to the front rail 580, while others are secured to the front rail 580 in a perpendicular direction (the direction indicated by arrow "B" in fig. 86H). Each of the plurality of dividers 550 may be disposed in contact 580 with the front rail. The engagement member or members of the front rail 580 engage the engagement members on each of the plurality of dividers 550, which secures each of the plurality of dividers in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 (in the direction indicated by arrow "B" in fig. 86H) and renders each of the plurality of dividers 550 immovable in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580, except for a very small amount of play or space between the engagement members that is not perceptible to a user. Each of the divider 550 or a second engagement member (or second engagement members) of the front rail 580 is in the first position, which allows the plurality of dividers 550 to be moved laterally parallel to the front rail 580. The plurality of dividers 550 can form rows between dividers 550 configured to hold products. The product may be moved between two of the plurality of dividers 550 as shown in fig. 45-47. A force may be applied to the first separator in a direction parallel to the front rail 580. This force may move the first divider in a direction parallel to the front rail 580 and cause the divider 550 to contact product adjacent the first divider 550. (the product is shown in fig. 45-47 as a can or box, and may have other shapes). The divider 550 then moves the product in the same direction as the first divider 550, i.e., parallel to the front rail 580. The force moves the product into contact with the second divider 550 adjacent the product. The product then moves the second divider 550 in the same direction as the first divider 550 and the product, i.e., parallel to the front rail 580. The second divider then moves the second product adjacent the second divider 550 in a direction parallel to the front rail 580. The second product can move the third divider 550 adjacent the second product in a direction parallel to the front rail 580. In this manner, the series of dividers 550 and products can all be moved in a direction parallel to the front rail 580 with one force acting on only one of the dividers 550 or products in a direction parallel to the front rail 580. The movement of one or more second engagement members on the front rail 580 or one of the plurality of dividers 550 to the second position causes the divider 550 to be secured in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 under normal operating conditions and forces, the divider 550 cannot move in a direction parallel to the front rail 580, and the divider 550 does not cause the other dividers 550 or products to move in a direction parallel to the front rail 580.

In an example, when the second engagement member is moved to the second position, the second engagement member inhibits movement of the divider 550 in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580. The second engagement member prevents the divider 550 from moving in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 when a force equal to or less than a predefined magnitude. When a force above a predefined magnitude is applied to the divider 550 in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580, the divider 550 may move in the lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 66, the divider floor 554 varies in thickness. The thickness of the front portion of the divider floor 554, that portion being adjacent the planar surface 582 of the front rail, is less than the thickness of the further rearward portion of the divider floor 554, that portion not being adjacent the planar surface 582 of the front rail. As shown in fig. 67, the portion of the divider floor 554A is thinner than the portion of the divider floor 554B. In one example, the thickness of a front portion of the divider floor 554 proximate the planar surface 582 of the front rail 580 is at least 25% less than the thickness of a rear portion of the divider floor 554 not proximate the planar surface 582 of the front rail.

The embodiment shown in fig. 69A and 69B includes a rail mounting clip 590 for the front rail 580. As shown in fig. 69B, the front rail 580 includes an aperture 592. In a retail environment, the aperture 592 can be coordinated to be disposed over an aperture 595 on the shelf 596, as shown in fig. 70. Rail mounting clip 590 may be curved. Rail mounting clip 590 also receives a narrow portion 594 at one end of rail mounting clip 590. In a retail environment, the rail mounting clip 590 can be inserted into the wider circular portion of the aperture 592 in the front rail 580 and into the aperture 595 on the shelf 596, as shown in fig. 71. The rail mounting clip 590 may then be laterally displaced to a narrower portion within the aperture 592 in the front rail 580. By displacing the rail mounting clip 590, the wider circular portion of the rail mounting clip 590 will engage the narrower portion of the hole 592 in the front rail and will lock into place. Rail mounting clip 590 thereby holds front rail 580 in place and prevents front rail 580 from moving in a lateral direction. If it is known to have holes before shipping to the store shelf, the rail mounting clip 590 can be inserted and locked into the front rail 580 prior to shipping. Inserting rail mounting clip 590 prior to shipping can increase the ease of installing the merchandising system in a store environment.

In at least one embodiment, the height of the divider wall 552 can be greater than the height of the baffles 556, as shown in fig. 72 and 73. Fig. 74 also shows the end 557 of the wrap spring 534 retained within the stop 556. The end 557 of the spring 534 is bent at an angle of approximately 90 degrees from the rest of the spring body 534. The end 557 is disposed within a slot 558 retained within the flap 556.

In one embodiment, divider 550 includes teeth 600, as shown in fig. 72 and 73. These teeth may be molded as one piece with divider 550. As in other embodiments, teeth 600 are not retained in the resilient tabs or tongues. The teeth 600 are spaced apart from each other. A plurality of teeth 600 are disposed on the divider 550 at the bottom of the front portion of the divider 550 and in front of the baffles 556.

As shown in fig. 75, the front rail 610 may include a plurality of teeth 612. Teeth 612 in front rail 610 may be designed to releasably engage teeth 600 of divider 550 through the use of cam bar 622 in front rail 610 and a camming action, as shown in FIG. 76. The front rail 610 also includes a generally flat or planar surface 614 and a tongue or ridge 616 generally perpendicular to the planar surface 614, as shown in fig. 75. The front rail 610 also includes a cam bar lever 618 that moves a cam bar 622 within the front rail 610, as shown in fig. 76A and 76B. In fig. 76A, the cam bar lever 618 is in a first position in which the teeth 612 of the front rail 610 are brought into the front rail 610 away from the divider. In fig. 76B, the cam bar lever 618 is in a second position, wherein the teeth 612 of the front rail 610 extend toward the divider 550.

FIG. 77 illustrates an exploded view of aspects of an embodiment. The front rail 610 is shown to include an extrusion housing 620, a cam bar 622, and a gear rack 624. Rack 624 includes a plurality of teeth 612. The extrusion housing 620 includes a cam region 626 designed to accommodate the cam bar 622 and the rack 624. The cam bar 622 is located near the base of the front rail 610 of the extrusion housing 620. The cam strap 624 is in contact with the cam strap lever 618. The cam bar lever 618 is operable to move the cam bar 622 back and forth in a lateral direction. The cam bar 622 also includes an elongated cam receptacle 628. The cam accommodating portion 628 is diagonal, a front end portion of the cam accommodating portion 628 is closer to the front end portion of the front rail 610, and a rear end portion of the accommodating portion 628 is further rearward from the front end portion of the front rail 610.

Rack 624 may include a cam post 630. The rack cam post 630 is disposed within the cam bar receptacle 628 during operation of the front rail 610. As the cam bar 622 and the cam bar receiving portion 628 move laterally, the rack cam post 630 moves in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the cam bar 622. As the cam bar 622 moves laterally back and forth within the cam region 626, the rack cam post 630 moves toward the front of the front rail 610 (and away from the divider teeth 600) and away from the front of the front rail 610 (and toward the divider teeth 600). As the rack cam post 630 moves, the rack 624 also moves. Thus, as the cam bar lever 618 moves from the first position to the second position, it moves the cam bar 622 laterally along the inner side of the front rail 610. This lateral movement of the cam bar 622 causes the rack 624 and the teeth 612 thereon to move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the cam bar 622; that is, the rack 624 moves in a direction toward or away from the front of the front rail 610 and toward or away from the teeth 600 on the divider 550. FIG. 78 illustrates an exploded rear view of aspects of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 77.

Fig. 79A-C show examples of guides that arrange the divider 550 into the front rail 610 step by step. The divider 550 (including the teeth 600 thereon) descends into the channel 640 of the front rail 610, as shown in fig. 79A. The rack 624 is initially positioned closer to the front of the front rail 610, with the teeth 612 of the rack 624 not engaging the teeth 600 of the divider 550. The cam bar lever 618 is in a first position that keeps the teeth 612 of the rack 624 out of engagement with the divider teeth 600, as shown in fig. 79B. In this position, the divider 550 may move laterally along the ridge or tongue 616 of the front rail 610. The divider 550 may position products on the divider floor 554 as the divider 550 moves laterally along the front rail in the direction indicated by arrow "a" in fig. 77. A ridge 584 or other protrusion in the front rail 580 may engage a groove 560 or other recess in the divider 550 to secure the divider 550 and prevent the divider from moving in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 under normal operating conditions and forces, except for a very small amount of play (e.g., less than 3mm) between the ridge 584 and the groove 560. Cam bar lever 618 then moves from the first position to the second position. Movement of the cam bar lever 618 causes the cam bar 622 to move in a lateral direction within the extrusion housing 620. Movement of cam bar 622 includes movement of diagonal cam bar receptacles 628 in a lateral direction. Movement of the cam bar receiving portion 628 then causes the rack cam post 630 to move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the cam bar 622 and in a direction toward the teeth 600 of the divider 550, as shown in fig. 79C. The rack cam post 630 is coupled to and may be integral with the rack 624. Accordingly, rack cam post 630 movement causes rack 624 and teeth 612 received therein to move toward divider teeth 600. This movement causes the teeth 612 of rack 624 to engage with the teeth 600 of the divider. When the teeth 612 of the rack engage the teeth 600 of the divider, the divider 550 is releasably engaged and does not move in the lateral direction shown by arrow "A" in FIG. 77 under normal operating forces and conditions.

The rack 624 is fixed at its end so that the rack 624 can only move in a direction towards or away from the teeth 600 of the divider. Rack 624 cannot move in the lateral direction shown in fig. 77 by arrow "a". The cam bars 622 operate in an opposing manner. The cam bar 622 is fixed such that the cam bar 622 can only move in the lateral direction indicated by arrow "a" in fig. 77. The cam bar cannot move toward or away from the teeth 600 on the divider.

FIG. 80 provides an isometric view of an aspect of an embodiment. When the teeth 612 of the rack 624 engage the teeth 600 of the divider, the entire merchandising system 10 is locked. The front rail 610 and divider 550 are releasably engaged with one another and will not move relative to one another. In addition, the ejector 520 is engaged with the divider 550. In this position, the entire vending system 10 may be moved. The merchandising system 10 may be set up in a remote location according to a particular layout design and then locked. The vending system 10 may then be shipped to the store location. In the store location, the merchandising system 10 may be removed from the shipping container and placed on a shelf, similar to a mat. The layout design of the dividers 550 will remain intact when the merchandising system 10 is locked.

In one example, the display system is assembled at a remote location from the shelf, and then moved to the shelf and secured to the shelf as a unit. The plurality of dividers 550 engage the front rail 580 in a manner in which they are fixed and will not significantly move in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580. The plurality of dividers 550 are laterally adjusted parallel to the front rail 580 according to a pre-planned layout design or other arrangement. The plurality of dividers 550 includes an engagement member and the front rail 580 includes an engagement member. The engagement members on the plurality of dividers 550 and/or the engagement members on the front rail 580 are adjusted from a first position to a second position to secure the plurality of dividers 550 to the front rail 580 such that the plurality of dividers cannot move in any direction relative to the front rail 580. The front rail 580 and the plurality of dividers 550 are then moved as a unit to the shelf. The front rail 580 is then secured to the shelf.

To change the layout design of the merchandising system at the store location, the dividers 550 and products need not be removed from the shelves. The cam bar lever 618 or other engagement member for each divider 550 may move its initial position. By moving the cam bar lever 618 or other engagement member to its initial position, the teeth 612 of the rack 624 are released from the teeth 600 of the divider (or one engagement member is disengaged from the other). In this position, the divider 550 may be moved laterally in the direction indicated by the arrow "A" in FIG. 80. While the divider 550 is being moved, product may remain in place on the divider floor 554 and the ejector floor 524. Once the dividers 550 have been moved to the new layout design position, the cam bar lever 618 or other engagement member for each divider 550 can be moved to its second position. The teeth 612 of the rack 622 will then engage the teeth 600 of the divider 550 (or one engaging member will engage the other), and again cause the merchandising system 10 to be locked.

In one example, the operation of the camming action will be further illustrated in fig. 81A and 81B. Fig. 81A shows that the teeth 600 of the divider are not engaged with the teeth 612 of the rack 624. Cam bar 622 is adjacent the front wall of front rail 610. In fig. 81B, the cam bar lever 618 has moved to the second position, the cam bar 622 has moved laterally, and the rack cam post 630 has moved toward the divider 550. Teeth 612 of rack 624 have also moved toward divider 550 and have engaged divider teeth 600.

In one embodiment, a soft rubber pad may be used in place of the teeth 612 on the rack 624, and it may be used as an engagement member. In this embodiment, when rack 624 is adjacent to the front portion of front rail 610, the soft rubber pad and divider teeth 600 do not contact each other. When the cam bar lever 618 is moved to its second position and the cam bar 622 moves the rack 624 in the direction of the divider teeth 600, the divider teeth 600 contact and thereby engage the rubber cushion. This contact provides resistance to interference and holds the divider teeth 600 in place and prevents lateral movement of the divider 550 in the direction shown by arrow "a" in fig. 77.

In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 82A-C, the divider 550 is positioned in contact with the front rail 580 through the use of a catch. Fig. 82A-C illustrate the process of inserting the divider 550 into the front rail 580 step by step. Initially, as shown in fig. 82A, the divider 550 is lowered into the channel 640 formed in the front rail 580 (or 610). Additionally, the ridge or tongue 644 in the front rail 580 contacts the channel 645 in the divider 550. The divider 550 includes a ridge 650 that rises or extends outwardly at a front portion of the divider 550. The catch 652 on the front rail 580 rotates to engage the protuberance 650 of the divider 550. The catch 652 catches on the protuberance 650 and locks the protuberance 650 and divider 550 in place. The rack 550 cannot move in the lateral direction shown in fig. 80 by arrow "a". To move the divider 550, the catch 652 must be pulled to uncatch the catch 652 from the divider ridge 650.

In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 83A-C, divider 550 is positioned in contact with front rail 580 using a rotating bar 660 that includes teeth. Fig. 82A-C illustrate the process of inserting the divider 550 into the front rail 580 step by step. Initially, as shown in fig. 83A, the divider 550 is lowered into the channel 640 formed in the front rail 580. The front rail 580 includes a swivel bar 660, which itself includes teeth. When the divider 550 is initially lowered into the channel, as shown in fig. 83B, the teeth of the swivel bar 660 are in the first position, in which they are not engaged with the teeth 600 of the divider 550. The handle 662 is coupled to the rotating rod 660. When the handle is in the first position 664, the teeth of the rotating rod 660 are in the first position in which they are not engaged with the teeth 600 of the divider 500. When handle 662 is moved to a second position 668, as shown in FIG. 83C, handle 662 rotates pivot rod 660 and moves the teeth on pivot rod 662 into engagement with the teeth on divider 550. In this position, the bar teeth are in an interfering condition with the divider teeth 600. When the teeth and divider teeth 600 engage each other, the divider 550 cannot move in the lateral direction shown by arrow "a" in fig. 80. To move divider 550, bar 660 must return to its first position 664, and the teeth of bar 660 do not engage with teeth 600 on divider 550.

In one embodiment, multiple ejectors 520 and dividers 550 may be used with a single front rail 580. Fig. 84A-E illustrate the use of two ejectors 520 and two dividers 550 to push product toward the front of the shelf. The use of multiple pushers 520 may allow for pushing of wide products, as schematically illustrated. In addition, disposing the ejector extension 528 in its upwardly extending position may allow the ejector 520 to push a higher product or more products, as shown in fig. 84D and 84E. The divider 550 may be coupled to two pushers 520. On each side of the divider wall 552, one pusher 520 may be engaged to a portion of the stop plate 556, as shown in fig. 84F. In other examples, the divider may be coupled to one pusher or the divider may not be coupled to the pusher.

The divider 550 is secured to the front rail 580, in part, by operation of the cam 720, as shown in fig. 85. Fig. 85 shows cam 720 coupled to stop 556 in a perspective side view. The cam 720 includes a circular portion 722 configured to rotate within a cavity 740 in the shield 556 (see fig. 86G). Cam 720 also includes a tongue 724 that includes a first cam wall 726, a second cam wall 728, and a third cam wall 730. In fig. 85, the cam is in a position not engaged with the front rail. In this position, first cam wall 726 may be generally vertically disposed. In this position, second cam wall 728 and third cam wall 730 may also be generally horizontally disposed. First cam wall 726 is coupled with second cam wall 728. Second cam wall 728 is coupled to third cam wall 730. The cam also includes a handle 732.

In another embodiment, the tongue 724 has only two cam walls. A first cam wall, such as first cam wall 726, and a second cam wall. The second cam wall is straight and spans the length shown by cam walls 728 and 730. In this embodiment, the second cam wall is not curved. The cam wall may extend for one or more portions of the width of divider 550 or may extend the entire length of divider 550.

In another embodiment shown in fig. 92-94, the cam 720 can define a cam slider surface 733 (hereinafter cam slider) positioned on a bottom side of the cam opposite the handle 732. The cam slide 733 serves as a low-friction slide ridge to improve the stability of the divider with respect to the rail. In operation, the cam slide 733 lifts the divider from the rail to reduce friction between the divider and the rail, thereby improving stability of the divider relative to the rail. As can be seen, the cam slide 733 of the cam 720 extends under or below the bottom surface of the divider and is the contact point between the divider and the rail. In this configuration, when the divider is moved laterally relative to the rail, the only primary contact between the divider and the rail is the cam glide, and significantly no other portions of the divider and rail contact each other. The single contact point thus reduces friction between the divider and the rail.

The cam slider may also define a planar surface that extends outwardly from the rounded portion 722 of the cam 720. The cam slide 733 may be centrally located on the circular portion 722 of the cam to provide stability and balance of the divider relative to the rail. However, it should be understood that the cam slider may be positioned at any other suitable location on the cam. The planar surface of the cam glide may terminate at an elongated edge that is sized and shaped to slide freely in the channel 586 of the rail 580 to thereby allow the divider to easily move laterally relative to the rail. The elongated edges of the planar surface may define a rounded or contoured edge surface to further assist in the free movement of the cam slider relative to the guide rail. It should be understood that the cam glide may define other configurations that allow the cam glide to fit within or along the rail and also allow slidable movement of the divider relative to the rail. For example, the cam slider may define a protuberance or rounded protrusion or a series of protuberances or rounded protrusions that will accomplish the same purpose as the planar surface defining the elongated edge. While the cam 720 defining the cam slide 733 is shown as being used with a divider, the cam and cam slide may be used with an ejector or ejector assembly or other component mounted to a rail.

In another embodiment, the cam 720 defining the cam slide 733 may be mounted to the rear of a divider or pusher and operatively engage a rear rail, which is mounted to the rear of the shelf. In this embodiment, the cam 720 may be used to secure and prevent the divider or pusher from moving laterally relative to the rear rail, if used on a shelf. In other words, the cams and cam slides described herein may be used to secure a divider or an ejector to a front rail or a rear rail, or both, depending on the desired application.

In an exemplary aspect, the cam 720 serves as a lock to lock the divider or pusher to the front rail or the rear rail, or both. The cam 720, when moved to the locked position, locks the divider or pusher to the rail and prevents the divider or pusher from moving laterally relative to the rail. In the unlocked position, the cam 720 allows slidable movement of the divider or pusher relative to the rail. In an exemplary aspect, the cam 720 is rotatable or pivotable between a locked and unlocked position. In yet another exemplary aspect, the cam 720 defining the cam slide 733 serves both functions of locking the divider or ejector to the rail and improving the lateral stability of the divider or ejector relative to the rail when the cam is in the unlocked position.

As shown in fig. 92, the cam 720 may define a circular portion 722 configured to rotate within a chamber 741 forward of the divider. Cam 720 may further define cam surface 725 and cam surface 727 that will engage the groove walls 754 and 756 of the front rail, as described below.

The cam 720 fits within the cavity 740 of the stop 556, as shown in fig. 86G. In one embodiment, chamber 740 is defined by sidewalls 742. The side walls 742 cause the front of the cavity 740 to be slightly narrower than the width of the cam 720. A certain amount of force is required to push the cam 720 past the sidewall 742 and into the cavity 740. After the cam passes through the side wall 742, it snaps into place in the cavity 740. The cam 720 may then rotate in the chamber 740 without falling out of the chamber 740 or disengaging from the chamber 740 during normal use. The cam 720 is rotatably secured within the chamber 740. In an embodiment, the chamber 740 is bounded at a front portion thereof by a front wall (not shown).

In another embodiment, the side walls 742 do not make the front of the cavity 740 narrower than the width of the cam 720. In this embodiment, the cam 720 may be disposed into the cavity 740 and removed from the cavity 740 without overcoming the resistance caused by the side walls 742.

Referring to fig. 92, in another embodiment, the cam 720 defining the cam slide 733 may be fitted within a cavity 741 formed at a front end of the divider 550, and may be bounded by the side wall 743. The side walls 743 make the front of the cavity 741 slightly narrower than the width of the cam 720. A certain amount of force is required to push cam 720 past sidewall 743 and into chamber 741. After the cam passes the side wall 743, it snaps into place within the cavity 741 and rests on a pair of cavity surfaces 747. The cam 720 may then rotate within the chamber without falling out of or disengaging from the chamber during normal use.

As shown in fig. 92-94, cam 720 is rotatably secured within chamber 741. In this embodiment, the cavity 741 also defines an opening or slot 745, which is sized and shaped to allow rotatable movement of the cam slide 733 within the cavity. The slot 745 is sized and shaped to allow the planar surface of the cam slide 733 to fit therein and thereby allow the cam to rotate within the chamber 741. The opening 745 also allows the cam slide 733 to extend beyond the bottom surface of the divider and into the guide rail. Once in the rail, the cam glide lifts the divider off of the rail and out of contact with the rail (as described above) to allow free stability of the divider relative to the rail.

The opening 745 also creates clearance for the cam slider to rotate away from the guide rail. When the handle 732 on the cam is rotated toward the front edge of the rail, the cam slider is thus rotated away from the rail. An opening 745 formed in the chamber 741 allows this rotatable movement.

Referring to fig. 93A and 93B, divider 550 is shown lowered and disposed onto rail 580. More specifically, the front portion of the divider 550 descends into the channel 586 and the groove 560 is disposed on the ridge 584. The cam slide 733 will contact the channel 586 and support the divider off the rail 580, as shown in fig. 93B. In this embodiment, the cam slide 733 supports the divider and allows free slidable movement of the divider relative to the rail. As shown in fig. 93B, there is a gap between the groove 560 and the ridge 584 and between the underside surface of the divider and the top surface of the rail.

Referring to fig. 94A-94C, which illustrate cross-sectional views of the divider, cam, and rail, the cam 720 is always in contact with the rail 580. As shown in fig. 94A, when the divider 550 is initially lowered onto the rail 580, the cam slide 733 contacts the channel 586 of the rail 580 and lifts the divider from the rail. As shown in fig. 94A, cam 720 defines cam surfaces 725, 727 and 729. The cam also defines a cam handle 732, positioned against the cam slide 733. Also shown in fig. 94A is a front rail 580 defining a rail channel 586 that receives a portion of the divider 550 and is a contact surface for the cam slide 733. The guide 580 also defines a guide channel 750, which in turn defines channel walls 752, 754, and 756, which contact the cam surface during cam operation as described below.

Referring to fig. 94B, as the cam rotates, the cam slide 733 remains in contact with the channel 586 and the cam surface 725 contacts the groove wall or surface 756 of the front rail by operation of the handle 732. At this time, the cam 720 contacts the guide rail at two points at the same time.

Referring to fig. 94C, as the cam is rotated even further by operation of the handle, cam surface 725 contacts groove wall or surface 754 while cam surface 727 contacts groove wall or surface 756. Also, cam surface 729 will contact groove wall or surface 752. The groove wall 752 acts as a stop to prevent further rotational movement of the cam 720. The handle 732 extends over and even with the top of, or beyond, the front edge of the front rail. In one example, the front of cam handle 732 is flush with the forward-most portion of the front rail. A human finger gap exists between the handle 732 and the front rail sufficient for a human finger (i.e., thumb or other finger) to reach the handle. At this point, the cam slide 733 has rotated away from the channel 586 of the guide rail 580 and into the opening 745. The divider now rests on and is in direct contact with the rail, while the cam engages and secures the divider to the rail, preventing lateral movement of the divider. In an exemplary aspect, when in the position shown in fig. 94C, the snapping of the cam 720 to the rail is a standard audible notification to a human, indicating that the cam is locked to the rail.

To release the cam from the stuck or locked position, the user simply lifts on handle 732 to release cam surfaces 725 and 727 from groove walls 754 and 756. As the cam is released from the groove wall, the cam glide will rotate back into contact with the rail channel 586 and lift the divider from the rail. The divider will then rest on the rail via the cam glide and may then be moved laterally relative to the rail, which may be repeated. As described above, during locking and releasing of the cam with respect to the track groove, the cam is always in contact with the track and always in contact with the divider.

In an exemplary aspect, the merchandise display system may include a front rail and at least one divider configured to engage the front rail. The divider may include a baffle, a divider wall, and a divider floor that is perpendicular to the divider wall configured to hold product, as described herein. A front lock, such as the example cam 720 described herein, may be coupled to the divider. In one aspect, the front lock is configured to rotate, pivot, or move between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the front lock may allow slidable movement of the divider relative to the front rail. In one embodiment, the lock may lift the divider from the front rail. When in the second position, the lock locks the divider to the front rail and prevents slidable movement between the divider and the front rail. The cam is always in contact with the front rail in both the first position and the second position, and is always positioned between the first position and the second position.

In one example, a lock for the divider, such as a cam 720 or other lock, is positioned at an end of the divider. The lock may be positioned at the front end of the divider (i.e., the end of the divider closest to or in contact with the front rail 580, which is also the end closest to the consumer selecting the product). A lock, such as a cam 720, may be in front of the divider wall 522. A locking member, such as cam 720, may be in front of the flap 556. When located at the front end of the divider and in front of the divider wall 522 and in front of the flap 556, the lock is digitally accessible by individuals who provide maintenance, restock, or reprogram the shelves, even when product is located on the divider floor 554 and even when the divider floor 554 is full of product (i.e., no additional product can fit on the divider floor). When product is on the divider floor 554, the lock (such as cam 720) may be positioned on the divider so that the lock is in front of the product and when product is on the divider floor 554, the product does not interfere with the access of the lock regardless of its position. The cam handle 732 may be flush with the front end of the front rail 580 and may extend beyond the front end of the front rail 580.

In an example, a merchandise display system may include a front rail, at least one divider configured to engage the front rail, and the at least one divider including a barrier. The at least one divider may further include a divider wall and a divider floor perpendicular to the divider wall, wherein the divider floor is configured to hold product. The merchandise display system also includes a front lock coupled to the divider. The front locking member is forward of the bezel and forward of the divider wall. The front lock is configured to be digitally accessible when the product is on the divider floor. The front lock is displaceable between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the front lock lifts the divider from the front rail and out of contact therewith and allows slidable movement of the divider relative to the front rail. When in the second position, the front lock prevents slidable movement of the divider relative to the front rail.

In one example, fig. 86E and 86F show portions of the cam 720 and the front rail 580 enlarged. The cam 720 may include a texture. The cam 720 may include teeth or other engagement members. In one embodiment, first cam wall 726 is textured with teeth 736 and 738. The teeth 736 may form a lower row of teeth. The teeth 738 may form an upper row of teeth. In one embodiment, teeth 736 and teeth 738 are rounded. In at least one embodiment, teeth 736 and teeth 738 form a vertical row of teeth. Removing points on the teeth may provide better operation and longer life for the cam teeth. The cam 720 may also be textured in ways other than teeth, such as by roughening or other texturing.

In one example, the front rail 580 includes a groove 750, as shown in fig. 86F. The trench 750 may include a first trench wall 752, a second trench wall 754, and a third trench wall 756. The first channel wall 752 is connected to the second channel wall 754, which in turn is connected to the third channel wall 756. In another embodiment, trench 750 has only two trench walls. A first trench wall, such as the first trench wall 752, and a second trench wall 754. The second channel wall 754 is straight and spans the length shown by channel walls 754 and 756. In this embodiment, the second groove wall 754 is not curved.

In one embodiment, the grooves 750 may include texturing. The groove 750 may include teeth. In one embodiment, first trench wall 752 includes teeth 766 and teeth 768. Teeth 766 may form a lower row of teeth. Teeth 768 can form an upper row of teeth. In at least one embodiment, teeth 766 and 768 form a vertical row of teeth. Teeth 766 and 768 are rounded. Teeth 766 and 768 may be disposed along the entire length of channel 750. Additionally, teeth 766 and 768 can be disposed along portions of channel 750, with other portions of channel 750 being smooth and devoid of teeth. The grooves 750 may also be textured in ways other than teeth, such as by roughening or other texturing. In one embodiment, the second groove wall 754 is smooth and the third groove wall 756 is smooth. In one embodiment, the second cam wall 728 is smooth and the third cam wall 730 is smooth.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 87A-C, the merchandise display system 10 includes a divider 550 and a front rail 580. The divider 550 includes a divider wall 556, a divider floor 554, and a baffle 554. Cam 720 is rotatably coupled to a front portion of bezel 556. The cam 720 includes a cam tongue 724, wherein the cam tongue 724 includes a first cam wall 726, a second cam wall 728, and a third cam wall 730. Cam 720 also includes a handle 732. The front rail 580 includes a channel 750 that includes a first channel wall 752, a second channel wall 754, and a third channel wall 756. The cam 720 is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position, wherein when the cam 720 is in the second position, the cam tongue 724 is engaged with the front rail groove 750 and the divider wall 5560 is prevented from moving in the lateral direction. The cam 720 is also configured to slide between a first position and a second position.

Fig. 87A-C illustrate the process of coupling the divider 550 to the front rail 580. The cam 720 moves between a first position shown in fig. 87B to a second position shown in fig. 87C. As described below, when the cam 720 is in the first position shown in fig. 87B, the cam 720 allows the divider 550 to move laterally along the front rail 580 or otherwise move parallel to the front rail 580. (in fig. 87B, the divider 550 is fixed in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 and cannot move in the vertical direction, which may not be apparent to a user of the system, except for a negligible play that may exist between the divider and the front rail). When the cam 720 is in the second position shown in fig. 87C, the cam 720 prevents the divider 550 from moving laterally along the front rail 580. In an example, when the cam 720 is in the second position shown in fig. 87C, under normal operating conditions and forces, the cam 720 will prevent the divider 550 from moving laterally along the front rail 580 (and render the divider 550 immovable along the front rail 580). In another example, the cam 720 resists movement of the divider 550 by preventing the divider 550 from moving laterally along the front rail 580 when a force equal to or less than a predefined amount of force is applied to the divider 550 in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580. When a force above a predefined magnitude is applied to the divider 550 in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580, the divider 550 moves in the lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580.

Fig. 87A shows the divider 550 lifted above the front rail 580. In fig. 87B, the divider 550 has been lowered and placed in contact with the front rail 580. The grooves 560 have been arranged on the ridges 584, and the ridges 584 have been arranged with the grooves 560. The groove 560 and the ridge 584 may contact each other at this location. The groove 560 and the ridge 584 may not always contact each other in this position. In some locations, a space may exist with the surfaces of the ridge 584 and the groove 560. The forward portion of baffle 556 has also been disposed within channel or groove 586. In fig. 87B, the tongue 724 of the cam 720 is not engaged with the groove 750 of the front rail 580. In fig. 87B, the divider 550 is movable in a lateral direction as indicated by arrow "a" in fig. 86F and 86H. The divider 550 need not be lifted above the front rail 580 to achieve such movement. The divider 550 may remain in contact with the front rail 580 and move in the direction "a". During movement of the divider 550, product may be disposed on the divider floor 554. The ability to move the divider 550 without separating the divider 550 from the front rail 580 or removing product provides ease of re-layout design. In fig. 87B, the divider 550 is movable along the shelf plane (the shelf is shown as 596 in fig. 70 and 71) only in the lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580, as indicated by arrow "a" in fig. 86F and 86H. In fig. 87B, under normal operating forces and conditions, the divider 550 is not movable in all other directions along the plane of the shelf, such as the directions shown by arrow "B" in fig. 86H. Under normal operating forces and conditions, the divider 550 cannot rock, rotate, tilt, or fishtail along the shelf plane, and the divider 550 remains perpendicular to the front rail 580. In fig. 87B, the divider 550 may be moved in the direction indicated by arrow "C" in fig. 87B and thereby lifted from the front rail 580. The aspect shown by arrow "C" in fig. 87B is not along the plane of the shelf.

In fig. 87C, cam handle 732 has been rotated toward front rail 580. In one embodiment, cam handle 732 is in contact with front rail 580. As the cam 720 rotates from its position in fig. 87B to its position in fig. 87C, the cam tongue 724 becomes in contact with the front rail 580 and slightly deforms the front rail 580 away from the cam tongue 724. As the cam 720 is being rotated from its position in fig. 87B to its position in fig. 87C, the cam first wall 726 may be in contact with the groove third wall 756.

As the cam moves to the position shown in fig. 87C, the tongue 724 may snap into place within the groove 750, and the tongue 724 engages the groove 750. In one embodiment, the tongue 724 is a perfect fit with the groove 750. This perfect fit involves the engagement of the tongue 724 and groove 750. The front rail 580 is not deformed and the cam 720 and the front rail 580 are not tensioned with respect to each other. The first cam wall 726 is adjacent the first groove wall 752. The second cam wall 728 is adjacent the second groove wall 754. Third cam wall 730 is adjacent third groove wall 756. In one embodiment, the cam walls and the groove walls are in contact with each other. For example, first cam wall 726 is in contact with first groove wall 752; the second cam wall 728 is in contact with the second groove wall 754; third cam wall 730 is in contact with third groove wall 756. In at least one embodiment, the cam walls and the groove walls do not have a significant tension between each other, although they contact each other. In another embodiment, a tension force exists between one or more of the cam walls and one or more of the groove walls when the cam walls and the groove walls are in contact with each other.

In embodiments where the first cam wall 726 has been placed in contact with the first groove wall 752, the teeth of the first cam wall 726 engage the teeth of the first groove wall 752. Teeth 736 engage teeth 766 and teeth 738 engage teeth 768. The engagement of the teeth of the first cam wall and the teeth of the first groove wall provides resistance to the divider moving laterally along the front rail in the lateral direction indicated by arrow "a" (as shown in fig. 86H).

When the cam tongue 724 has been placed in full engagement with the groove 750, the lateral movement of the divider 550 along the front rail in the lateral direction indicated by arrow "a" (as shown in fig. 86H) is substantially resisted and the divider 550 does not move laterally under normal forces placed on the divider during operation.

When it is desired to again move the divider 550 along the front rail 580, the cam may be de-jammed from the front rail. Handle 732 is rotatable away from front rail 580. The tongue 724 can disengage from the groove 750 and return to its position in fig. 87B.

In one embodiment, the separator wall 552 has a portion with a width portion (see FIG. 85). A front portion 770 of the separator wall 552 that may be adjacent to the baffle 556 may have a greater width than a rear portion 772 of the separator wall 552 that is adjacent to the baffle 556. The front section 770 may be connected to the rear section 772 by an intermediate section 774. The width of the middle section 774 gradually changes from the width of the divider front section 770 to the width of the divider rear section 772. In an embodiment, the width of the portion of the intermediate section 774 adjacent to section 770 is equal to the width of section 770, and the width of the portion of the intermediate section 774 adjacent to section 772 is equal to the width of section 772. The smaller width of the rear portion 772 of the divider walls 552 creates an air space between the divider walls 552 and helps prevent product from sticking between the two divider walls 552 when pushed, and helps provide for the flow of product along the divider floor 554 as product is removed from the front of the merchandising system 10. In an example, the width of the front portion 770 of the separator wall 552 is at least 25% greater than the width of the rear portion 772 of the separator wall 552.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 85-87C, one or more dividers 550 can be disposed in contact with the front rail 580. When the cam 720 or other engagement member is not engaged with the front rail 580, the divider 550 may move parallel to the length of the front rail 580 in the lateral direction as indicated by arrow "a" (see fig. 86H). The divider 550 may then be secured in place by snapping the cam 720 into the front rail 580 or other engagement member into engagement therewith. The divider 550 will remain secured under normal operating forces until the cam 720 or other engagement member is uncapped or otherwise disengaged from the front rail 580.

In one embodiment, the front wall 561 of the channel 560 is textured, as shown in FIG. 86K. The texturing may be in the form of roughening or serrations. Texturing results in a non-smooth surface of the front wall 561 of the channel 560. In one embodiment, the front wall 585 or other protrusion or engagement member of the ridge 584 is textured, as shown in fig. 86I, 86J, and 86L. This texturing may be in the form of roughening or serrations and results in an unsmooth surface of the front wall 585 of the ridge 584.

In at least one embodiment shown in fig. 86I, the baffles 556 are separate components and are removably attached to the divider 550. In at least one embodiment, the baffles 556 can be snapped onto the front end of the separator walls 550. In at least one embodiment, the baffles 556 are movable. The entire shutter 556 may be movable, or one or more portions of the shutter 556 may be movable. For example, the portion of the barrier 556 positioned in front of the products on the merchandise display system 10 may be movable. In at least one embodiment, the portion of the flap 556 positioned in front of the product can be configured to slide. In an alternative embodiment, the portion of the flap 556 positioned in front of the product can be configured to rotate about an axis to allow the portion of the flap 556 to open and close. In this embodiment, the axis may be a hinged connection. Additionally or alternatively, the portion of the shield 556 may be a spring mounted to the divider 550 such that the portion of the shield 556 requires a certain amount of force to move it away from the divider 550. In this embodiment, upon release of the force, the portion of the flap 556 will approach or return to its original position. An exemplary method for mounting the baffles 556 is further described in U.S. patent No.8,056,734, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In one example, the divider 550 does not include a baffle. Alternatively, one or more baffles may be included in the front rail 580.

In one embodiment, when the divider 550 is placed in contact with the front rail 580, as shown in fig. 87B, the front wall 561 of the channel 560 is not in contact or is not always in contact with the front wall 585 of the ridge 584, while the cam 720 is in the position shown in fig. 87B, with the tongue of the cam 720 not engaged with the channel 750 of the front rail 580. When the cam 720 is moved from the first position shown in fig. 87B to the second position shown in fig. 97C, and the tongue 724 engages the groove 750, the tongue may force the divider 550 rearward. In one embodiment, the tension between the tongue 724 and the groove 750 forces the divider 550 to move in a rearward direction. When the cam moves to the second position shown in fig. 87C, the front wall 561 of the channel 560 becomes in contact with the front wall 585 of the ridge 584. Front wall 561 engages front wall 585. The texturing on the front wall 561 of the channel 560 engages the texturing on the front wall 585 of the ridge 584. The engagement of the front wall 561 of the channel 560 with the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 prevents movement of the divider 550 along the front rail 580 in the direction indicated by arrow "a" in fig. 86H. The engagement of the texturing on the front wall 561 of the channel 560 with the texturing on the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 further inhibits movement of the divider 550 along the front rail 580 in the direction indicated by arrow "a" in fig. 86H.

In one example, an elastic band or band may be included on the top surface of the ridge 584 or other protrusion of the front rail 580. When the cam 720 or other engagement means is in the first position, the elastic band or band is not compressed. In this first position, the divider 550 is movable in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail, but is not movable in a direction perpendicular to the front rail. When the cam 720 or other engagement means is moved to the second position, the resilient strip or band becomes compressed by the groove 560, or other recess, of the divider 550. When the resilient strip or band is compressed by the groove 560 or other recess, the divider 550 becomes secured in a direction parallel to the front rail 580 under normal operating forces. In one example, the portion of the groove 560 or other recess that contacts the resilient strip or band of the front rail 580 may include a roughness or teeth (not shown).

In one embodiment, the baffles 556 are not molded simultaneously with the divider walls 552 and the divider floor 554. The baffle 556 is molded as a separate piece from the divider wall 552 and the divider floor 556, as shown in fig. 88A. The baffles 556 may be molded from a transparent material, while the divider walls 552 and divider floor 554 may be molded from an opaque material.

In one example, the divider 550 includes an engagement member that includes a planar surface. The front rail 580 may include an engagement member that includes a planar surface. The planar surface of the engaging member of the divider and/or the engaging member of the front rail may comprise a smooth or substantially smooth surface. The planar surface may comprise a resilient surface. The planar surface may comprise a rubber or neoprene strip or other compressible material. In an example, when the engagement member of the divider 550 is in the first position, it is not engaged with the engagement member of the front rail 580, and the divider 550 can be laterally moved parallel to the front rail. Under normal operating conditions and forces, when the engaging member of the divider 550 is in the second position, it engages with the engaging member of the front rail 580, and the divider is fixed and cannot move laterally parallel to the front rail. The divider 550 may have other lateral adjustability as well as infinite or nearly infinite lateral adjustability when the engaging members of the front rail 580 and the divider 550 are smooth or substantially smooth surfaces and do not include teeth or other protrusions. The lateral adjustability of the divider 550 is not limited by the physical dimensions (such as width) of the tabs or teeth. The infinite lateral adjustability provides significant benefits to the display system by effectively utilizing lateral space and limiting or minimizing unused or lost space between product rows, thereby potentially increasing the available space on the shelf and the number of lateral product faces.

In one embodiment, the baffles 556 may snap fit or otherwise engage the dividers 550, as shown in fig. 88B. The engagement between the baffle 556 and the divider 550 may be such that the baffle 556 cannot be removed from the divider 550 under normal operating conditions without adversely affecting the structure of the baffle 556 or the divider 550.

Fig. 89A-C illustrate an example of a method of arranging dividers into the front rail step by step. In an initial step, as shown in fig. 89A, the divider 550 may be lowered into contact with the front rail 590. The rotary "T" lock 900 can be rotated to snap onto the front rail 580. A rotating "T" lock 900 may be attached to a front portion of the divider 550. The rotary "T" lock 900 is rotatable about an axis 903. The divider 550 may be lowered and placed in contact with the front rail 580, as shown in fig. 89B. The groove 560 or other recess of the divider 550 engages the ridge or tongue 584 or other protrusion of the front rail 580. At this time, the divider 550 may move parallel to the lateral direction along the front rail, and may allow for easy re-layout design. In one example, the divider 550 may move along the front rail. The divider 550, with or without product on the divider floor 554, may slide in the direction previously indicated by arrow "a" in fig. 65 without requiring the divider 550 to be lifted. In the final step, as shown in fig. 89C, the rotating "T" lock 900 may be pushed forward and backward toward the front rail 580. The rotating "T" lock 900 may engage a lip 901 on the front portion of the front rail 580. In at least one embodiment, the front rail 580 includes a top front surface 902. Top front surface 902 may include texturing or may be a resilient surface, such as rubber. Alternatively, top front surface 902 may include one or more teeth. The top front surface 902 may engage a surface 904 on the rotating "T" lock 900. Surface 904 may also include texturing or may be a resilient surface, such as rubber. Alternatively, surface 904 may include teeth configured to engage teeth on top front surface 902. When the rotating "T" lock 900 engages the lip 901, the divider 550 engages the front rail 580 and cannot move in the lateral direction under a normal amount of force.

Fig. 90A-F illustrate an embodiment of divider 550 and front rail 580. As shown in fig. 90A, divider 550 includes a wall 552, a floor 554, and a baffle 556. The divider wall 552 may divide the divider floor 554 into two portions, 559 and 551, one on each side of the divider wall 552. As shown in fig. 90B, the divider walls 552 may extend perpendicularly from the divider floor 554. The baffles 556 may be located at a front portion of the divider wall 552. As shown in fig. 90C and 90F, the bottom surface of the divider wall 554 may include a groove 560 or other recess, a tongue 941 or other projection, and a front wall 561. In at least one embodiment, the front wall 561 of the channel 560 is textured. The texturing may be in the form of roughening or serrations. Texturing may result in a non-smooth surface of the front wall 561 of the channel 560.

As shown in fig. 90D, the front rail 580 may define a planar surface 582, a ridge or tongue 584 or other projection, a first channel or groove 586 or other recess, and a second channel or groove 950 or other recess. The front wall 561 of the divider 550 may engage the first channel 586 of the front rail 580. The ridge or tongue 584 of the front rail 580 may engage the groove 560 of the divider 550. The tongue 941 of the divider 550 may engage the second groove 950 of the front rail 580. In one embodiment, the front wall 585 of the ridge 584 is textured. This texturing may be in the form of roughening or serrations and results in an unsmooth surface of the front wall 585 of the ridge 584. The ridges 585 of the front wall 584 engage the ridges of the front wall 561 of the channel 560. The engagement of the front wall 561 of the divider 550 to the first channel 586 front rail 580, the engagement of the ridge or tongue 584 of the front rail 580 to the groove 560 of the divider 550, and the engagement of the projection 941 of the divider 550 to the second groove 950 of the front rail 580 may maintain the divider wall 552 perpendicular to the front rail 580 and prevent the rear portion of the divider 550 from tilting. In at least one embodiment, the divider 550 may move laterally parallel to the front rail and/or along the front rail 580 when the divider 550 receives a lateral force.

The front rail 580 may include a hole 951 and an opening 952, as shown in fig. 90E. The holes 951 may be configured to engage with corresponding engagement protrusions (not shown). In one example, the engagement projection may be a flat adapter. Corresponding engagement tabs may connect one or more front rails 580 together in series. The engagement of the holes 951 and the engagement tabs may allow one or more front rails 580 to be connected in series even when the front rails 580 are not perfectly aligned with each other. The opening 952 may be configured to receive a fastener that secures the front rail 580 to the display shelf. The front rail 580 may include any number of openings 952 suitable for securing the front rail 580 to a display shelf. Any type of fastener is contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

In one example, as shown in fig. 91A, the merchandise display system 10 may include a rear rail 810. The rear rail 810 may be positioned at or near the rear of the shelf. The rear rail 810 may be constructed similarly to the front rail 580, and the teachings herein with respect to the front rail 580 apply equally to the rear rail 810. For example, the rear rail 810 may include a recess 804, which may be generally "u" shaped. In this embodiment, the divider 550 may be connected to the divider blocks 802. The spacer blocks 802 may then engage the rear rail 810. The rear rail 810 may be a second rail in the merchandise display system along with the front rail 580. The rear rail 810 may also be the only rail in the merchandise display system. As described above, the front rail 580 may be positioned at the rear of the merchandise display system and thereby serve as the rear rail 810. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of divider blocks 802 each have a cam 710 (not shown in 91A) at a location indicated by the arrow in fig. 91A. The cam 720 is rotatable from a first position to a second position and has the same function as the cam 720 of the divider engaged with the front rail 580. The divider blocks 802 may also include other engagement devices, including the engagement devices described herein for the dividers 550, which engage the rear rail 810. The use of the rear rail 810 may hold the rear of the divider 550 in place and prevent product from moving to a position behind the pusher 520. To unlock the dividers 550 from the rear rail 810, 720 or other engagement devices are rotated away from the rear rail 810 or otherwise disengaged from the rear rail 810.

In an example, the divider 550 may be disposed in contact with the front rail 580. The groove 560 may be disposed on the ridge 584, and the ridge 584 may be disposed within the groove 560. The groove 560 and the ridge 584 may contact each other at this location. The divider 550 may also be disposed in contact with the rear rail 810. The grooves or other recesses in the dividers 550 can be disposed on the ridges or other protrusions of the rear rail 810, and the ridges or other protrusions of the rear rail 810 can be disposed in the grooves or other recesses in the dividers 550. The divider 550 may simultaneously contact the front rail 580 and the rear rail 810. An engagement device in front of the divider, such as a cam 720, may be in a position such that the divider 550 is laterally movable parallel to the front rail 580 and the rear rail 810, but the divider 550 is not movable in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 or the rear rail 810 (the direction between the front rail 580 and the rear rail 810). The spacer blocks 802 may further include engagement devices (not shown), such as cams 720 or other engagement devices described herein with respect to the front rail 810. The engagement means on the divider block 802 may be in a position such that the divider 550 may move laterally parallel to the front rail 580 and the rear rail 810, but the divider 550 is not movable in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 or the rear rail 810 (the direction between the front rail 580 and the rear rail 810).

In an example, the engagement means on the front of the divider 550 may be moved to the second position. In the second position, the divider 550 is secured in a direction parallel to the front rail 580 under normal operating forces. The engagement means on the divider block 802 may also be moved to the second position. In the second position, the engagement means on the divider blocks 802 cause the divider 550 to be secured in a direction parallel to the rear rail 810 under normal operating forces. The front rail 580, divider 550, and rear rail 810 may form a rigid tray that may be moved as a unit from one location to another. The front rail 580, the rear rail 810, and the plurality of dividers 550 can be pre-assembled at a location remote from the shelf and formed as a rigid tray. The front rail 580, the rear rail 810, and the plurality of dividers 550 may then be moved to the shelf and secured to the shelf by one or more fasteners.

In one embodiment, the merchandise display system may include a barrier that is movable by rotation between a folded position and an upright position without the aid of, for example, a rotational biasing element (such as a spring-loaded hinge) dedicated to biasing the barrier to the upright position. Fig. 95-106 illustrate various exemplary aspects of an exemplary system that can include a flapper that can be moved between a collapsed position and an upright position without the aid of a rotating biasing element. In an embodiment, the system may include a divider assembly 550 configured to be secured to a support structure. As used herein, the divider assembly 550 may also be referred to as a divider 550. The support structure may include, for example, a front rail 580. In an embodiment, the divider 550 may include a front end 553 and a rear end 555. Movement in the forward direction as used herein with respect to embodiments including a rotating bezel is defined by movement from the rear end 555 toward the front end 553. For example, the arrow F shown in fig. 99B and 100D points in the forward direction. Movement in the rearward direction as used herein with respect to embodiments including a rotating bezel is defined by movement from the front end 553 toward the rear end 555. For example, the arrow R shown in fig. 99A and 100C points in the backward direction. Movement in the lateral direction as used herein with respect to embodiments including rotating baffles is defined by movement from a direction indicated by arrow a in fig. 65, 100A and 103A, for example. In an embodiment, the divider 550 may include a divider wall 552 having a right side surface 552a and a left side surface 552 b. In an embodiment, the divider wall 552 may extend from the front end 553 to the rear end 555 of the divider 550. In an embodiment, the divider walls 552 may extend upwardly from the divider floor 554. The divider floor may include a top surface 554a and a bottom surface 554 b. In an embodiment, the divider wall 552 divides the divider floor 554 into a first side portion 559 and a second side portion 551 on each side of the divider 550. The first side portion 559 of the divider floor 554 may also be referred to as a right side portion 559 of the divider floor 554, and the second side portion 551 may also be referred to as a left side portion 551 of the divider floor 554.

In one embodiment, the baffles 556 are movable by rotating from a folded position, shown in fig. 96B, for example, for baffle 556A on the right side of the divider, to an upright position, shown in fig. 96A, for example, for both baffles 556A, 556B. In one embodiment, the shield 556 may be attached to the rotational mounting structure 563. In an embodiment, the rotational mounting structure 563 may be directly connected to the divider. In an embodiment, the rotational mounting structure 563 may be removably attached to the divider as discussed above with respect to the example shown in fig. 102 and 103. Referring to fig. 97, in an embodiment, the rotational mounting structure 563 may be an elbow 565 and pin 566 type hinge. In an embodiment, the rotational mounting structure 563 may be a flexible member, such as a flexible polymer or metal component.

In one embodiment, the flap 556 can be considered to be positioned near the front end 553 of the divider 550 when product located on the top surface 554a of the divider floor 554 can contact the flap 556 as the product moves in the forward direction toward the front end 553 of the divider 550. In one embodiment, the rotational mounting structure 563 is adjacent to and coupled to the front end 553 of the divider 550 and/or the divider floor 554. For example, referring to fig. 95, 96A, and 96B, the baffle 556A is shown positioned adjacent and connected to the front end 553 of the divider 550 and the divider floor 554. In an embodiment, the baffles 556 may be positioned adjacent to the front ends 553 of the dividers 550 and/or the divider floor 554 while being spaced apart from and/or not directly connected to one of the divider floor 554 or the front ends 553. For example, in one embodiment, the baffles may be removably connected to the front rail 580 and not to the divider 550, but positioned close enough to the divider such that product located on the top surface 55a of the divider plate bottom plate 554 may contact the baffles 556 when the product is moving in the forward direction (not shown in the figures). In such an example, the baffle 556 can be considered to be positioned adjacent the front end 553 of the divider 550. In an embodiment, the baffle 556 may be positioned adjacent the front end of the divider and connected to the divider wall. In an embodiment, the baffle may be folded towards the divider wall when moved towards the folded position (not shown).

Referring to fig. 98A-C, in one embodiment, the flap 556 is configured to rotate between an upright position and a folded position. An exemplary upright position is shown in fig. 98A and an exemplary folded position is shown in fig. 98C. In one embodiment, the top edge 568 of the flap 556 may rotate along an arc shown as B in FIG. 98A. For example, a force applied to the flap 556 in the upright position in the rearward direction R can cause the flap to rotate toward the folded position, as shown in fig. 98B, to reach the folded position, such as shown in fig. 98C. Further, the flapper 556 can be manually rotated, for example, by pulling or pushing the flapper handle 567 with a finger to correspondingly raise the flapper to the upright position or lower the flapper to the folded position. In an embodiment, the top edge 568 of the flap 556 may be rotated along a full arc of B and C such that the top edge contacts the top surface of the divider floor (not shown).

In an embodiment, in the folded position, the flap 556 defines a fold angle C between the rear surface 569 of the flap and the top surface 554a of the divider floor. In one embodiment, the fold angle C is between about 45 degrees and about 20 degrees. In one embodiment, the fold angle C is between about 30 degrees and 15 degrees. The term "about" as used herein with respect to embodiments including rotating baffles means plus or minus 5% of the stated value. In one embodiment, the fold angle is about 20 degrees.

In an embodiment, the fold stop structure 570 is configured to prevent rotation of the baffle 556 toward the divider floor 554 and to maintain the baffle in a folded position at a desired fold angle C. In one embodiment, the fold stop structure 570 is a protrusion positioned near a lower portion of the rear surface 569 of the bezel. In one embodiment, the fold stop structure is connected to the top surface 554a of the divider floor such that a lower portion 587 of the rear surface of the baffle contacts the fold stop structure 570 when the baffle reaches the fold angle C in the folded position. In one embodiment, the fold stop structure is connected to a lower portion of the rear surface of the baffle plate such that the fold stop structure contacts the top surface of the divider base plate when the baffle plate reaches a desired fold angle (not shown) in the folded position. In one embodiment, the fold stop structure is a plate or platform or extension that is fixed to or integral with the divider base plate 554. In one embodiment, the divider floor prevents the baffles 556 from becoming completely horizontal. The flap 556 is configured such that when the flap 556 is rotated to the folded position, the flap is at an angle from horizontal. The angle may be about 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, or between about 20-45 degrees, or between about 10-35 degrees. In one embodiment, the baffles have horizontal and vertical portions that allow the baffles 556 to be at a predetermined angle to the divider floor 554 when the baffles 556 are in contact with the divider floor 554. In one embodiment, the stop structure 570 is not present and the baffle 556 directly contacts the divider floor 554 on the horizontal top surface 554a of the divider floor.

Referring to fig. 99A-C, in one embodiment, when the flap is in the folded position, a force applied to a product in a forward direction that is in contact with at least a portion of the rear surface 569 of the flap 556 can rotate the flap from the folded position to the upright position. For example, referring to fig. 99A, product can be placed on the top surface 554a of the divider floor 554 with the flaps in the folded position. In an embodiment, a force may be applied to the product to move the product in a forward direction toward the baffle, such as shown in fig. 99B. In one embodiment, the force is gravity. For example, a divider 550 positioned such that the front end 553 is angled downward relative to the rear end may cause a product positioned thereon to move solely toward the front end 553 by gravity. In one embodiment, the force may be applied by an ejector mechanism 520. In an embodiment, the ejector mechanism 520 may be biased in a forward direction and may be configured to slide across the divider floor and move the product in a forward direction. In one embodiment, the top edge 568 of the rear surface 569 of the baffle is rounded or defines a curved or radiused surface. The rounded edge at the top of the rear surface of the flapper assists in the rotation of the flapper, such as by allowing the flapper 556 to slide or slide up the surface of the product as the motion vector of the flapper changes while rotating toward an upright position as the product moves forward. Further, the rounded edge prevents the edge from digging into the surface of the product package, for example, and maintains low friction between the rounded edge and the product as the product moves forward and the rounded edge moves up the surface of the product. In one embodiment, the top of the baffle may include other structures to facilitate the baffle sliding up the product surface, such as roller structures. In one embodiment, when the flap reaches the upright position, the flap stops rotating and movement of the product in the forward direction stops. In one embodiment, the vertical stop structure is configured to stop rotation of the bezel in the forward position and establish an upright position of the bezel. In one embodiment, the vertical stop structure can be a vertical surface 571 on the rotational mounting structure and an opposing vertical surface 572 on the stop 556.

Referring to fig. 100A-D, in one embodiment, the rotating bezel described in the above example may be used in an embodiment of a merchandise display system that includes a pair of dividers 550A, 550b and an ejector mechanism 520, for example. Dividers 550a, 550b may define product reservoir 573 between opposing walls of the dividers. Product container 573 may, for example, have a width that is slightly larger than the product to be displayed in the system. In an embodiment, the baffle may be positioned in the folded position shown in fig. 100B to facilitate placement of the product in the system. Additionally, in an embodiment, manually positioning the product against the front surface 556f of the baffle in the upright position and pushing the product in a rearward direction against the front surface 556f of the baffle may cause the baffle to rotate to the collapsed position and allow the product to be easily inserted into the product container 573, as shown in fig. 100C. In one embodiment, once the product is positioned in the product pocket on the top surface of the divider and against the front surface of the ejector mechanism and then released, the ejector mechanism pushes the product in the forward direction F and causes the product to rotate the flap from the folded position to the upright position, as shown in fig. 100D, wherein forward movement of the product is stopped.

In an embodiment, the rotational mounting structure 563 may be removably connected to the divider 550, the front rail 580, or the shelf 234. In one embodiment, the rotational mounting structure 563 is removably coupled to the front end 553 of the divider 550. With reference to fig. 102A-D and 103A-E, an exemplary removable rotational mounting structure 563 may include a vertical column 591, a horizontal cross-beam 593, and rotational mounts 597a, 597b connected to the horizontal cross-beam 593. In an embodiment, vertical columns 591 may be elongated columns oriented in a vertical direction, and horizontal cross beams 593 may be elongated beams oriented horizontally in a lateral direction. In an embodiment, the post may include a gripping feature adjacent a top portion of the post to facilitate insertion and removal of the rotational mounting structure 563 on the divider 550. In an embodiment, the horizontal cross beam 593 is connected to the vertical column 591 and extends in a cross-like manner from opposite sides of the vertical column such that a left side section 593b of the horizontal cross beam 593 extends in a lateral direction from a left side 591b of the vertical column 591 and a right side section 593a extends in a lateral direction from a right side 591a of the vertical column 591. In an embodiment, the right swivel mount 597a is connected to a right section 593a of the horizontal cross beam 593 and the left swivel mount 597b is connected to a left section 593b of the horizontal cross beam 593. In one embodiment, each segment 593a, 593b of the horizontal cross beam extends to a length approximately equal to the width of the respective side 559, 551 of the divider floor 554.

In an embodiment, the rotational mounting may comprise an elbow and pin type hinge or flexible member. In an embodiment where the rotational mount 597a is an elbow and pin hinge, the rotational mount 597a may include a first elbow member 601 and the bezel may include a second elbow member 602, the first and second elbow members being complementary such that the pin 566 may extend through the first and second elbow members to form a hinge for rotational attachment of the bezel 556a to the rotational mount 597a and the rotational mounting structure 563.

In an embodiment, the rotational mounting structure 597a includes a fold stop structure 570a configured to stop rotation of the baffle 556a toward the divider floor 554a and maintain a desired fold angle C for the folded position. In one embodiment, the fold stop structure 570a is a plate 603 that extends from and is integral with the rotational mount 597 or the horizontal cross member 593a, the plate 603 having a raised or angled portion 615 configured to define a fold angle C. In one embodiment, as described above, the fold stop structure is connected to a lower portion of the rear surface 569 of the baffle such that the fold stop structure contacts the top surface or plate 603 of the divider base plate 554 when the baffle reaches a desired fold angle in the folded position (not shown). In one embodiment, the fold stop mechanism is integral with the divider base plate.

In an embodiment, the rotational mounting structure 597a includes a vertical stop structure configured to stop rotation of the bezel in the forward position and establish an upright position of the bezel. In one embodiment, the vertical stop structure can be a vertical surface 571 on the swivel mount and an opposing vertical surface 572 on the flapper 556. In an embodiment, a vertical surface of the vertical stop structure of the swivel mount can be within a mounting recess 604 defined within the swivel mount 597a, and an opposing vertical surface 572 on the stop 556 can be on a tab 605 formed on a bottom portion of the stop. The mounting recess 604 may be of a complementary shape to the tab 605 such that the tab fits into the mounting recess 604 when the flapper is rotated in the forward direction.

In an embodiment, the post 591 may include a mounting slot 598 defined therein configured to mate with a front ridge 599 of the divider 550 to removably couple the rotational mounting structure 563 to the front end 553 of the divider 550. In one embodiment, the rotational mounting structure is removably attached to the divider using a clip, cam, or other coupling structure.

In an embodiment, referring to fig. 104A-G, an exemplary removable rotational mounting structure 563 may include a horizontal beam 593 and rotational mounts 597a, 597b connected to the horizontal beam 593. In one embodiment, the horizontal cross member 593 extends in a lateral direction and has a length approximately equal to the width of the respective side 559, 551 of the divider floor 554. In an embodiment, the right swivel mount 597a is connected to a right section 593a of the horizontal cross beam 593 and the left swivel mount 597b is connected to a left section 593b of the horizontal cross beam 593. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 104A-104G, the horizontal beam 593 is configured to have a low profile, wherein the beam minimizes the height of the spreader bar 802 at which the girl falls. The low profile horizontal cross member 593 may provide more space for insertion of products from a forward direction into the merchandise display system on the removable rotational mounting structure 563.

In an embodiment, the horizontal cross beam 593 may include a front extension 593c of the horizontal cross beam that extends toward the front of the divider block 802. In an embodiment, the front extension 593c of the horizontal cross beam 593 may extend forward of the front of the divider block 802 and include an extension hook 593e configured to extend downward from the front end of the front extension such that the extension hook is positioned at the front of the divider block 802 when the removable mounting structure is secured in place with the divider. In an embodiment, the rotational mounting structure includes a forward extension 593c and an extension hook 593e extending from a right side segment 593a of the horizontal cross beam 593, and a forward extension 593d and an extension hook 593f extending from a left side segment 593b of the horizontal cross beam 593. The front extensions 593c, 593d and extension hooks 593e, 593f may, for example, assist in stabilizing the removable mounting structure on the divider.

In an embodiment, the removable mounting structure 563 includes a first plate 603a extending from a right side segment 593a of the right swivel mount 597a or the horizontal cross-beam 593 and a second plate 603b extending from a left side segment 593b of the left swivel mount 597b or the horizontal cross-beam 593. In an embodiment, the plates 603a, 603b may extend in a lateral direction from both sides of the rotational mounts 597a, 597 b. In an embodiment, the inner edges of the plates 603a, 693b can be configured to define a mounting slot 598 configured to mate with a removable mounting structure 563 within a front ridge 599 of the divider 550 to removably couple the rotational mounting structure 563 to the front end 553 of the divider 550. In one embodiment, each plate 603a, 603b may include a fold stop structure 570a, 570 b. In an embodiment, the fold stop structure can include raised or angled portions 615a, 615b configured to define a fold angle C.

Referring to fig. 105A-D, in one embodiment, the flapper 556 includes a resilient tab 606 configured to engage a tab recess 604a defined in the swivel mount 597 when the flapper reaches the upright position, as shown in fig. 105B. The resilient tab 606 is configured to retain the flapper in the upright position when it engages the tab recess 604 a. In an embodiment, a tab recess 604a is defined in the mounting recess 604. In an embodiment, when a return force is applied to the flap, the resilient tab 606 flexes and disengages from the tab recess 604a so that the flap can move toward the folded position, as shown in fig. 105D. In one embodiment, the mounting recess 604 includes a fold stop structure 604 b. In one embodiment, the resilient tab 606 engages the fold stop structure to stop rotation of the stop 556a toward the divider floor 554 and maintain the desired fold angle in the folded position. In an embodiment, the fold stop structure 604b is defined in the mounting recess 604, and can be, for example, an angled portion as shown in fig. 105A.

Referring to fig. 106A-B, various exemplary aspects of an exemplary system are illustrated that can include a flapper that can be moved between a collapsed position and an upright position without the aid of a rotating biasing element. In an embodiment, the system may include a divider assembly 550 configured to be secured to a support structure, such as a front rail. In an embodiment, the divider wall 552 may include a divider extension 552a configured to increase the height of the divider wall. In an embodiment, the divider wall extension 552a and the divider wall 552 may include tongue and groove members configured to secure the extensions to the divider wall. In an embodiment, the front edge 552d of the separator wall may be rounded. The rounded edges may, for example, prevent the product package from catching on the edges and tearing. Furthermore, the thickness of the separator wall may be increased to improve the strength of the wall and to accommodate, for example, a tongue and a groove member for the separator wall extension. Examples of systems using separator walls of increased thickness may be useful for heavier products, such as the case of canned soda, than smaller, lighter products, which may require more robust features of the display system. In one such example, the width of the baffle and system may be increased to accommodate, for example, larger products that may require more shelf space. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 106B, a fold stop structure 570 is defined in the divider floor 554.

In one embodiment, an exemplary method of restocking a merchandise display system is described with reference to fig. 100A-100D. As shown in fig. 100A, the merchandise display system may include a first divider 550A and a second divider 550 b. The first and second dividers may also be referred to as a left divider 550a and a right divider 550 b. The first and second dividers may include first and second divider walls that extend from the front end to the rear end of the respective divider. Product container 573 may be defined between opposing first and second separator walls. The first divider may include a first baffle 556c positioned at the front end of the divider 550a and to the right of the first divider. The second divider may include a first baffle 556d positioned at a front end of the second divider and to the left of the second divider. The system may include an ejector 520 positioned between the first and second dividers. The ejector may include a biasing element that urges the ejector in the forward direction F toward the front end of the divider. The dividers 556c, 556d can be in a first upright position as shown in fig. 100A. Referring to fig. 100B, the flaps 556c, 556d may be positioned in the second, folded position by, for example, digitally moving the flaps to the second position or pushing the flaps into the second position using the product while positioning the product in the product container. Alternatively, the product may be placed in the product container by moving the product over the top of the baffle (which is in the first upright position) and directly into the product container. Referring to fig. 100C, the product may be positioned in front of and in contact with the front surface of the product pusher such that when the product is released, the product pusher is in a position to move the product forward. Once the product is released, the pusher 520 moves the product forward so that the product contacts the baffle. When the flap is in the second folded position and the product is in the product container and released, the ejector may push the product forward such that the product contacts and moves the obstruction from the second folded position to the first upright position. When the flap reaches the first upright position, as shown in fig. 100D, the flap stops the forward movement of the ejector and product. In an embodiment, the product may be positioned in the product container by moving the product over the baffle (which is in the first upright position). In such an example, the ejector may move the product forward until the product contacts the stop plate, which is in the first upright position where forward movement of the product will be stopped, as shown in fig. 100D.

Referring to fig. 101A-F, in one embodiment, a merchandise display system including a rotating bezel as described above may be used with a modified product tray to facilitate efficient stocking of products in the merchandise display system. Referring to fig. 101A and 101B, in an embodiment, the improved product tray can include a bottom surface 574, a right side wall 575, a left side wall 576, and an alignment tab 577. In one embodiment, the alignment tab 577 may have a proximal end 579, a distal end 581, a right edge 583, and a left edge 587. A sheet width D of the alignment sheet 577 may be defined between the right edge 583 and the left edge 587 of the alignment sheet 577. In one embodiment, the sheet width D is approximately equal to the width of the product in the product tray 578. In one embodiment, the length of the alignment tab is defined in a direction perpendicular to the width D. In one embodiment, the length of the alignment tab may vary. In one embodiment, the length of the alignment tab may be approximately equal to the height of the baffles 556 or the height of the product. In one embodiment, the proximal end 579 of the alignment tab is configured to attach to the bottom surface 574 of the product tray. In one embodiment, the alignment tabs 577 are configured to be positioned between opposing divider walls of the merchandise display system such that the alignment tabs align the product tray and the products stored therein with the product containers such that the products stored in the product tray may be slid out of the product tray, as shown in fig. 101D, directly into the product containers of the merchandise display system, as shown in fig. 101E. In an embodiment, a portion of the alignment tab may be tapered toward the distal end to aid in insertion of the alignment tab between opposing separator walls of the system. In one embodiment, the alignment tab may be used to move the flap from the upright position to the folded position to facilitate sliding of product from the product tray into the product container of the system. In one embodiment, the alignment tab is positioned within the product container such that the alignment tab moves the flap from the upright position to the folded position (as shown in fig. 101C and 101D), the product can then be slid from the product tray into the product container of the system (as shown in fig. 101E), and the alignment tab is removed from the product container and removed from contact with the flap. In such an embodiment, in an embodiment having an ejector (as shown in fig. 101E), the ejector may then push the product forward such that the forwardmost product contacts the flap and moves the flap from the folded position to the erected position. When the flap reaches the upright position, rotation of the flap stops and forward movement of the product stops so that the front most product is at the front most position in the display system (as shown in FIG. 101F). In such instances, the alignment tab is used to temporarily move the baffle from the upright position to the folded position for stocking of the system. In one embodiment, the baffle may be physically removed from the system so that the system can stock the product. In one embodiment, the baffle may be configured to rotate from the upright position in a forward direction such that, for example, a top portion of the baffle extends in the forward direction beyond the front end of the divider. This positioning may be referred to as the front folded position. In one embodiment, the baffle may be configured to rotate from the folded position to the upright position and beyond the front end of the divider in the forward direction to reach a front folded position (not shown). In one embodiment, the baffle, which is rotatable in a forward direction beyond the front end of the divider, may include a rotational stop and define an angle relative to the divider floor as described above with respect to the baffle rotated only between the upright position and the folded position as described above. In one embodiment, the baffle may be configured to slide in a lateral direction, left or right. In an embodiment, the baffle may be manually positioned in the folded position, the erected position, and/or the pre-folded position.

In one example, an unbiased stop 556 is attached to the divider floor 554. The unbiased stop 556 is configured to be adjustable from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the unbiased stop 556 is configured to inhibit or prevent product on the divider floor 554 from moving beyond the front edge of the divider 550. In the first position, the unbiased stop 556 is configured to inhibit product from being placed onto the divider floor 554. In the first position, the unbiased shutter is configured to be vertical. In the second position, the unbiased stop 556 is configured to allow product to be placed onto the divider floor 554. In the second position, the unbiased stop is horizontal or diagonal with respect to the divider floor 554 or shelf or other structure to which the divider belongs. In some aspects, in the second position, the unbiased stop 556 is configured to be level with the divider floor 554 or shelf or other structure to which the unbiased divider 556 belongs; or in the second position the unbiased stop 556 is configured to be rotated or adjusted at a horizontal angle from the divider floor 554. The horizontal angle from the divider floor 554 may be 20 degrees, may be between about 10 and 30 degrees, or may be between about 20 and 45 degrees. In one embodiment, unbiased stop 556 is configured without a spring or other biasing element urging it between the first and second positions. In one embodiment, unbiased stop 556 is configured to be freely adjustable from the first position to the second position. In one embodiment, the unbiased stop 556 is configured such that it can be moved to and will remain in the first position and can be moved to and will remain in the second position. In one embodiment, the unbiased stop 556 is configured to be unbiased and does not include a biasing mechanism, such as a spring or other device that exerts a force on the unbiased stop to urge the unbiased stop into the first position or the second position.

In various embodiments, including the example embodiments as in the previous paragraph, an external object (such as a product as shown in fig. 99A-99C, or a product tray 578 or alignment tab 577 or a wall of a product tray 578 as shown in fig. 101A-101C, or a human hand or finger) may move unbiased shutter 556 from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position. The product or tray 578 or alignment tab 577 or a human finger may exert a force on the unbiased stop 556 to cause the unbiased stop 556 to move from the first position (which is generally perpendicular to the divider floor 554) to the angled second position or the second position at beijing level. In the second position, the unbiased stop 556 is configured such that products may be placed onto the divider floor 554 and allow the products to be stocked in a convenient manner. After the products have been stocked onto the divider floor 554, the pusher 520 applies a force on the products in a direction toward the front of the divider 550 and the front of the product shelf or other structure on which the divider 550 is located. The pusher may be a spring-actuated pusher in which a spring or other biasing unit exerts a force on the pusher, biasing it toward the front of the divider 550. The spring or other biasing element is not physically connected or in direct contact with the unbiased stop 556. And the product exerts a force on the unbiased flapper 554, which actuates the biased flapper into the first position. In the first position, the unbiased stop prevents product from moving beyond the front edge of the divider or shelf or other structure to which the divider 550 is secured.

In an embodiment, a plurality of products may be positioned in a product container of the system. The consumer may, for example, remove the most recent product. In this case, for example, the ejector may eject the remaining product in the product container forward such that the next product in a row contacts the baffle and forward movement of the product stops. In this case, the product in the forward-most position is replaced by the next product in the row, thereby keeping the product in the forward-most position until the product in the container 573 is used up.

In various embodiments, the merchandise display system may include a low product indicator system 1000 that may indicate to a user that a level of product within the merchandise display system is low or sold out. Various exemplary aspects of a low product indicator system are illustrated in FIGS. 107A-110O. In an embodiment, the system may include a divider assembly 550 configured to be secured to a support structure. As used herein, the divider assembly 550 may also be referred to as a divider 550. The support structure may include, for example, a front rail 580. In an embodiment, the divider 550 may include a front end 553 and a rear end 555. Movement in the forward direction, as used herein with respect to embodiments including a low product indicator system, is defined by movement from the rear end 555 toward the front end 553. For example, an arrow F such as that shown in fig. 99B points in the forward direction. Movement in the rearward direction as used herein with respect to embodiments including a low product indicator system is defined by movement from the front end 553 toward the rear end 555. For example, an arrow R shown in fig. 99A points in the backward direction. Movement in the lateral direction as used herein with respect to embodiments including a low product indicator system is defined by movement from a direction shown, for example, by arrow a in fig. 65, 100A, and 103A. In an embodiment, the divider 550 may include a divider wall 552 having a right side surface 552a and a left side surface 552 b. In an embodiment, the divider wall 552 may extend from the front end 553 to the rear end 555 of the divider 550. In an embodiment, the divider walls 552 may extend upwardly from the divider floor 554. The divider floor 554 may include a top surface 554a and a bottom surface 554 b. In an embodiment, the divider wall 552 divides the divider floor 554 into a first side portion 559 and a second side portion 551 on each side of the divider 550. The first side portion 559 of the divider floor 554 may also be referred to as a right side portion 559 of the divider floor 554, and the second side portion 551 may also be referred to as a left side portion 551 of the divider floor 554. In one embodiment, the merchandise display system may be configured to apply a force in a forward direction to a product within the merchandise display system via the pusher mechanism 520. In an embodiment, the ejector mechanism 520 may be biased in a forward direction and may be configured to slide across the divider floor and move product in a forward direction. In one embodiment, the merchandise display system may include a biasing element 534, such as a coil spring, which may apply a force in a forward direction against the pusher 520. The wrap spring 534 may be retained at the rear of the pusher 520. In another embodiment, the pusher 520 may be moved forward without the use of a biasing element. For example, the pusher 520 may be mounted or mounted in an inclined manner and gravity may allow the pusher to move forward. The pusher 520 may include a pusher face 522 and a pusher floor 524. The stop 556 may be configured to restrain the product being pushed by the pusher 520 and the biasing element contained therein. The baffles 556 may be located at a front portion of the divider wall 552.

In an embodiment, the low product indicator system 1000 may include one or more portions that may engage with one or more portions of the pusher 520 and/or the biasing element 534. Thus, in an embodiment, the low product indicator system 1000 may move in a forward and/or rearward direction when the pusher 520 moves in the forward and/or rearward direction. In some embodiments, the low product indicator system 1000 may be configured to stop forward movement at a predetermined stop point while the pusher 520 may continue to move forward as product is removed. In an embodiment, low product indicator system 1000 may include one or more portions configured to extend forward from front end 553, front rail 580, and/or barrier 556 when the product within the merchandise display system is low. In an embodiment, the low product indicator system 1000 may be adjustable such that a user may adjust the amount of product when the low product indicator system indicates that the amount of product is low.

Referring to fig. 107A-107F, in one embodiment, a low product indicator system 1000 can include a low product indicator device 1001 having a sidewall 1002, the sidewall 1002 including a front edge 1004, a rear edge 1006, a top edge 1008, a bottom edge 1010, a pusher side 1012, and a divider side 1014. The sidewall 1002 may be substantially vertical. The side wall 1002 may also include a projection or flag 1016 that may extend forward from the front edge 1004 when the indicator device 1001 is in the forward position as shown in fig. 107A. The projections 1016 may define a variety of shapes and may have different colors in order to attract store personnel to the low product indicator and thus to the low product volume portion on the shelf. In some embodiments, the side walls 1002 may engage the back wall 1018. The back wall 1018 may be substantially perpendicular to the side walls 1002. In some embodiments, side wall 1002 and rear wall 1018 may be joined with bottom wall 1017. As shown in fig. 107A-107F, the low product indicator device 1001 may be located between the pusher 520 and the divider 550 or the divider wall 552. The low product indicator device 1001 may slide in a front-to-back direction relative to the divider 550. In some embodiments, the low product indicator device 1001 may be slidably and/or releasably engaged with the divider 550.

The low product indicator device 1001 may engage with one or more portions of the merchandise display system such that the low product indicator device 1001 may move in a forward and rearward direction to substantially mimic movement of at least a portion of the distance traveled by the pusher 520. The low product indicator device 1001 may engage one or more portions of the merchandise display system such that the sidewalls may move in a forward and rearward direction to substantially mimic the movement of the pusher 520 through the use of the connection mechanism 1019. In one example, as shown in fig. 107A-107F, the connection mechanism 1019 can be a magnet 1020. The magnet 1020 may be configured to magnetically engage one or more portions of the pusher 520 and/or the biasing element 534. As shown in fig. 107A-107F, magnet 1020 is configured to engage biasing member 534 such that low product indicator device 1001 moves with pusher 520 (including biasing member 534) when pusher 520 (including biasing member 534) moves in a forward or rearward direction. The front edge 1004 may contact the stop plate 556 or other similar device at a predetermined stop point when the low product indicator device 1001 is moved in a forward direction. In this position, the low product indicator device 1001 may be restricted from forward movement, and in this position, the projection or flag 1016 may extend beyond the front end 553, the front rail 580, and/or the bezel 556, indicating that the amount of product within the merchandise of the merchandise display system is low. The biasing force of the biasing element 534 may be greater than the magnetic force exerted by the magnet 1020. This may cause the magnet 1020 to disengage from the biasing element 534, and the biasing element 534 may allow the pusher 520 (including the biasing element 534) to continue to travel forward while the low product indicator device 1001 remains stationary. Once the pusher 520 (including the biasing element 534) is moved rearward, the magnet 1020 may reengage the biasing element 534. It should be understood that embodiments may use other forms of magnets or any device that generates a magnetic field.

Referring to fig. 108A-108B, in another embodiment, the connection mechanism 1019 can include a biasing element 130, such as a tension spring. Similarly, as described above, the low product indicator device 1001 may be engaged with one or more portions of the merchandise display system such that the sidewall 1002 may move in a forward and rearward direction to substantially mimic the movement of the pusher 520 through the use of the connection mechanism 1019. In one example, as shown in fig. 108A-108B, the connection mechanism 1019 can be a tension spring 1030. As shown in fig. 108A-108B, the extension spring 1030 is configured to engage the pusher 520 such that the side wall 1001 moves with the pusher 520 (including the biasing element 534) when the pusher 520 moves in a forward or rearward direction. The front edge 1004 may contact the stop plate 556 or other similar device at a predetermined stop point when the side wall 1001 is moved in a forward direction. The biasing force of the biasing element 534 may be greater than the biasing force exerted by the extension spring 1030. This may allow the pusher 520 to continue to travel forward while the low product indicator device 1001 remains stationary. Once the pusher 520 is moved rearward, the extension spring 1030 may contract and the low product indicator device 1001 may move rearward with the pusher 520. In alternative embodiments, the extension spring 1030 may be a plunger, piston, actuator, or the like that compresses and extends in a manner similar to an extension spring.

Referring to fig. 109A-109D, in one embodiment, low product indicator system 1000 may include an adjustable low product indicator device 1050. The low product indicator device 1050 may be a sidewall 1002, the sidewall 1002 having a front edge 1054, a rear edge 1056, a top edge 1058, a bottom edge 1060, a pusher side 1062, and a divider side 1064. As shown in fig. 109A-109D, the sidewall 1001 may be positioned between the pusher 520 and the divider 550. The side walls 1052 may be adjustably engaged with the pusher 520. The side wall 1001 can slide in the front-rear direction relative to the divider 550.

Referring to fig. 109B-109D, in an embodiment, adjustable low product indicator device 1050 may be adjustably engaged with pusher 520 in a variety of ways. As shown in fig. 109A, the bottom edge 1060 of the side wall 1052 may include a plurality of indexing notches 1070. The pusher 520 may include one or more edges 1072 configured to engage the plurality of notches 1070. A user may manually engage one or more of the plurality of notches 1070 with one or more edges 1072, which may allow the user to select the distance that the leading edge 1054 extends forward of the pusher 520. This may allow the user to select a product level at which the leading edge 1054 extends beyond the leading end 553, the leading rail 580, and/or the stop 556, and thus select a low product indicator system 1000 to alert the user to the product level at which the product in the inventory management system is low. Other mechanisms for adjustably engaging the adjustable low product indicator device 1050 are shown, for example, in fig. 109C and 109D. As shown in fig. 109C, the pusher 520 may include one or more hooks 1080, which may be configured to engage one or more of the plurality of notches 1070. Similarly, as shown in fig. 109D, side wall 1052 may include a plurality of indexing pegs 1090 that may be configured to engage one or more apertures 1092 on pusher 520, thereby allowing a user to adjust adjustable low product indicator device 1050. In other examples, the indexing recess 1070, edge 1072, hook 1080, peg 1090, and aperture 1092 may be reversed such that the peg 1090 or the indexing recess 1070 may be located on the pusher 520 and the edge 1072, hook 1080, or aperture 1092 may be located on the sidewall 1050. In other examples, the low product indicator device 1050 may simply be mounted to the pusher 520. In still other examples, low product indicator 1050 is slidably mounted to the pusher such that when indicator 1050 contacts barrier 556 or other similar device at a predetermined stop point, the pusher will still move forward while the indicator remains stationary.

Referring to fig. 110A-110O, in one embodiment, the low product indicator system 1000 can include a low product indicator device 1101 having a sidewall 1102, the sidewall 1002 including a front edge 1104, a rear edge 1106, a top edge 1108, a bottom edge 1110, a pusher side 1112, and a divider side 1114. The sidewalls 1102 may be substantially vertical. The sidewall 1102 may also include a projection or flag 1116 that may extend forward from the front edge 1104. In some embodiments, the side wall 1102 may engage the rear wall 1118. The back wall 1018 may be substantially perpendicular to the side walls 1102. The rear wall 1118 may include a raised or ribbed portion 1119 that may extend horizontally along the rear wall 1118. In some embodiments, the side wall 1102 and the rear wall 1118 may engage the bottom wall 1117. Bottom wall 1117 may be substantially perpendicular to sidewall 1102 and may have substantially the same length as sidewall 1102. Bottom wall 1117 may have a top side 1117A and a bottom side 1117B. The bottom wall may also include a protrusion or bump 1120, and the protrusion or bump 1120 may extend horizontally along the bottom wall 1117. As shown in fig. 110A-110O, a low product indicator device 1101 may be located between the pusher 520 and the divider 550 or the divider wall 552. The low product indicator device 1001 may slide in a front-to-back direction relative to the divider 550. In some embodiments, the low product indicator device 1001 may be slidably engaged with the divider 550.

The low product indicator device 1101 may be engaged with one or more portions of the merchandise display system such that the low product indicator device 1101 may be moved in a forward and rearward direction to substantially mimic movement of at least a portion of the distance traveled by the pusher 520.

110B-110O depict a cycle of adding and removing products from an inventory management system having a low product indicator device 1101 as described above. Fig. 110B depicts the inventory management system without a product, and in this position both the pusher 520 and the low product indicator device 1101 are in a forward-most position. As shown in fig. 110B, the projection or flag 1116 extends beyond the stop 556, indicating that the product quantity is low. The product (designated by the letter "P") may be inserted into the inventory management system, as shown in FIG. 110C. As the product is inserted into the inventory management system, the pusher 520 moves back as indicated by arrow "R" in FIG. 110D. As shown in fig. 110E, once a predetermined amount of product has been inserted into the inventory management system, the rear edge 524R of the pusher floor 524 encounters the bump 1120 and the pusher 520 may begin to move over the bump 1120, as shown in fig. 110E and indicated by arrow "R" in fig. 110E. As more product is added to the inventory management system, the pusher 520 continues to move over the bump 1120, as shown in FIGS. 110F and 110G and as indicated by arrow "R" in FIGS. 110F and 110G.

As more product is added, the rear edge 524R of the pusher 520 may engage the rear wall 1118 of the low product indicator device 1101. In some embodiments, and as shown in fig. 110H, the rear edge 524R of the pusher 520 may engage under the rib 1119 to releasably secure the pusher to the low product indicator device 1101. In some embodiments, the protuberance 1120 and the rib 1119 may function together to releasably engage the low product indicator device 1101 and the pusher 520. The rib 1119 may serve to hold the rear edge 524R of the pusher down and into engagement with the protuberance 1120, which may prevent the pusher 520 from disengaging from the low product indicator device 1101. Thus, as additional product is added, the pusher 520 and the low product indicator device 1101 move rearward together, as shown in FIG. 110I.

Similarly, when the product is removed as shown in fig. 110J and 110K, the pusher 520 and the low product indicator device 1101 move forward together. Once the front edge 1104 of the low product indicator device 1101 strikes the stop 556 or other stop at a predetermined stop point, the force from the biasing device or coil spring 534 may disengage the pusher 520 from the protuberance 1120. This may cause the pusher to begin moving forward over the bump 1120 as shown in figure 110L. In this position, the projection or flag 1116 extends beyond the stop 556, indicating that the amount of product within the inventory management system is low.

As product continues to be removed from the inventory management system, as shown in FIGS. 110M-110O, the pusher 520 travels forward over the protuberance 1120 until it reaches the stop 556 or other stop point, while the low product indicator device 1101 remains substantially stationary at the predetermined stop point.

Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. For example, one skilled in the art will appreciate that many of the described components can be used in various configurations in a store. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the single system or upright pusher configuration shown in the drawings, as such system is merely illustrative of the features, teachings and principles of the present invention. It will be further understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.

Claims (11)

1. A merchandise display system, comprising:

a divider configured to be secured to a support structure, wherein the divider includes a front end and a rear end;

the divider includes a divider wall and a divider floor, the divider wall extending upwardly from the divider floor;

an ejector mechanism including a biasing device and configured to slide along the divider floor to move product toward the front end;

a baffle configured to be positioned proximate a front end of the divider such that the product positioned on a top surface of the divider floor contacts the baffle as the product moves toward the front end of the divider;

a low product indicator device comprising a ledge and a sidewall, the sidewall having a front edge, a rear edge, and a bottom edge, the ledge configured to extend forward of the baffle when the number of products on the top surface of the divider floor is low;

wherein the low product indicator device is engaged with the pusher such that the low product indicator is configured to slide relative to the divider;

wherein the low product indicator device comprises a predetermined stop point, and wherein the low product indicator device is configured to disengage from the pusher at the predetermined stop point; and is

Wherein the predetermined stop point is a position where a front edge of a sidewall of the low product indicator device contacts the stop plate.

2. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the low product indicator device is adjustably engaged with the pusher.

3. The merchandise display system of claim 2, wherein the low product indicator device comprises a plurality of indexing notches configured to adjustably engage the pusher.

4. The merchandise display system of claim 2, wherein the low product indicator device comprises a plurality of pegs configured to adjustably engage the pusher.

5. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the low product indicator device is movably engaged with the pusher.

6. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the low product indicator device is magnetically engaged with the pusher.

7. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the product indicator device further comprises a magnet, and wherein the magnet is configured to magnetically engage the biasing device of the pusher.

8. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the low product indicator device further comprises an extension spring engaged with the low product indicator at a first end and engaged with the pusher at a second end.

9. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the low product indicator system further comprises:

a rear wall joined to the side walls at the rear edge; and

a bottom wall joined to the side wall at the bottom edge.

10. The merchandise display system of claim 9, wherein the bottom wall further comprises a raised portion and the rear wall further comprises a rib.

11. The merchandise display system of claim 10, wherein the pusher is configured to engage the low product indicator device behind the raised portion and below the rib.

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