ES2620757T3 - Merchandise Display System - Google Patents

Abstract

A merchandise display system comprising: a front lane (580); and at least one splitter (550) configured to engage with the front rail (580), the at least one splitter (550) including a barrier (556), further including the at least one splitter (550) a dividing wall (552) , further including the at least one divider (550) a dividing floor (554) perpendicular to the dividing wall (552), wherein the dividing floor (554) is configured to retain a product, wherein the merchandise display system comprises furthermore a pushing mechanism (520) for pushing the product placed on the dividing floor (554) and the at least one divider (550) comprises a cam (720) coupled to the divider (550), the cam (720) can move between a first position and a second position and (i) when the at least one splitter (550) is engaged with the front rail (580) and the cam (720) is in the first position, the at least one splitter (550) ( a) can move in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail (580) and (b) is held in a direction perpendicular to the front rail (580), and (ii) when the at least one splitter (550) is engaged with the front rail (580) and the cam (720) is in the second position, the at least one splitter ( 550) (a) is fixed in the lateral direction parallel to the front rail (580) and (b) is fixed in the direction perpendicular to the front rail (580).

Description

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Figures 81AB represent partial side views of a front rail and an example divider.

Figures 82AC represent partial side views of a front rail and a divider as an example.

Figures 83AC represent partial side views of a front rail and an example divider.

Figures 84AF represent isometric views of an example product management display system.

Figure 85 depicts a side view of a divider and an exemplary front rail according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

15 Figures 86AL represent views of some components of an example product management display system according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

Figures 87AC represent side views of dividers and front rails by way of example according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

Figures 88AB represent isometric views of an exemplary divider according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

Figures 89AC represent side views of an exemplary divider joining a front rail in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.

Figures 90AF represent views of an exemplary divider joining a front rail according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

Figure 91A depicts a view of a divider and a rear rail by way of example according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not

35 limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. In addition, it should be understood that the wording and terminology used in this document are for the purpose of description and should not be considered limiting. The use of "including" and "comprising" and its variations is intended to cover the items listed below and their equivalents, as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. In addition, the use of the term "assemble," "assembled," or "assembled" is intended to include widely any technique or method of mounting, fixing, joining

or coupling from one part to another, directly or indirectly.

Detailed description

The invention can be carried out in various ways. Referring to the figures in which the equal numbers indicate similar elements, an exploded isometric view of an exemplary embodiment is shown in Figure 1. The exemplary merchandising system 10 includes a product dispensing tray 12 on which an exemplary runner-free thrust mechanism is mounted 14. As described in more detail below, the thrust mechanism 14 will fit into tray 12 and will slide along the surface of the tray without the use of tracks, rails or guides normally used to retain a conventional pushing mechanism in the tray or the floor of the tray. The pushing mechanism defines a pushing paddle and a pushing floor that extends forward of the pushing paddle. A spiral spring can extend through the push floor and be operatively connected to the tray in a forward position on the tray. In

One aspect of the invention, the product to be marketed can be placed in the front tray of the pushing vane and can be seated on the pushing floor as well as on the spiral spring. With this configuration, the weight of the product will prevent the thrust vane from tilting to ensure proper product thrust. In addition, the problems associated with debris or sticky materials that hinder the effectiveness of known thrust systems that use tracks, rails or guides have been eliminated. Other aspects, embodiments and features of the invention and its teachings are set forth in more detail below.

The exemplary tray 12 may define a surface 16 and one or more dividing panels 18 to separate the tray into numerous rows for product placement. In an alternative aspect, tray 12 can be a shelf or any other surface on which products can be placed for marketing.

65 The surface 16 may be a solid surface or a surface defining a plurality of separate openings 20 separated by a plurality of support ribs 22. The openings 20 and the ribs 22 provide

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operatively to the surface 16 of the tray 12. As a result, the pushing mechanism 14 is now mounted on the tray 12.

Referring to Figures 2127, an alternative technique for mounting the end 29 of the spring is shown in

5 spiral 30 in the merchandise display system. A mounting member 130 can be used to mount the end 29 of the spiral spring on the floor 131 of the system. For systems that include separate slide rails 132 that are joined together by connecting ribs 134 (Figures 2627), the mounting member 130 can be snapped or otherwise mounted on the floor 131, and between the rails of sliding 132. Therefore, the mounting member will retain the spiral spring end in position and on the floor of the system.

Referring to FIGS. 2223, 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 into the bottom of the rails 132 to thereby retain the mounting member 130 on the floor of the system. The legs 136 can

15 include leg ends 137 defining angled or L-shaped surfaces that are configured to contact the lower part of the rail 132 and prevent the mounting member 130 from rising from the ground, except for intentional bending of the legs out of the bottom of the rail 132. The legs 136 can be brought into contact with the connecting ribs 134 that will prevent the sliding movement of the mounting member 130 relative to the ground. Referring to Figure 26, the mounting member 130 is shown mounting on the floor of the system and more specifically on the rails. Figure 27 illustrates that the mounting member 130 remains in position when the thrust vane 141 is separated from the front of the system. The mounting member 130 can be connected to this type of system floor 131 using other techniques. For example, an individual mounting clip, one or more fasteners, adhesives, or other techniques can be used to attach the mounting member 130 to the floor 131.

25 Referring to Figures 2223, the mounting member 130 may also include an opening or recess or slot 138 that will receive the end 29 of the spring. The spring can be mounted using any of the techniques described herein, or other techniques. The configuration of the opening 138 and the mounting member 130 will retain the spring in position in the mounting member 130, similar to the technique described above.

The mounting member 130 may also include sliding ribs 139 on an upper surface that allow the product placed thereon to slide more easily through the mounting member after the mounting member is installed on the floor of the system. The mounting member 130 may also include an elongated flat body 140 extending forward of the location of the legs 136 for

35 provide stability to mounting member 130 after it is mounted on the floor of the system.

Referring to Figures 2425 and 27, the pushing paddle or pushing mechanism 141 may include a pushing face 143 configured to match the shape of the product against which it is pushed. As illustrated, the thrust face 143 may be curved to match the shape of a bottle or other cylindrical object. The pushing vane 141 can also include a pushing floor 145 similar to the pushing floor configurations described above. The thrust floor 145 may further include a spring sleeve 147 that receives the spiral spring 30 to shield and protect the spring. The spring sleeve 147 may extend partially or completely through the thrust floor 145 and in the direction of the spring 30. The spring sleeve 147 may have a relatively short height and a flat surface 149 to allow the product to settle in he

45 without significant inflection or inclination of the product.

The thrust vane 141 may be located at the top of the floor 131 to slide on the top of the surface, as described above. The thrust vane may be placed between two product divider walls 153 that are joined together by a product retaining member 155. Additional product retention members 157 may extend outwardly from the product dividers.

Referring to Figures 28 and 29, another alternative technique is shown for mounting the end 29 of the spiral spring 30 for the merchandise display system. In this embodiment, the end 29 is

55 riveted to tray 216.

Referring to FIGS. 2832 in an alternative embodiment, the trackless thrust system can be retrofitted to an existing shelf assembly 230, which may have splitters of products already constructed. For example, in one embodiment, the trackless thrust system can be retrofitted to an existing rack rack assembly. Referring to Figures 3032, a tray or adapter 216 may have a sliding floor 222 that can be sized for a single shelf rail 234 or sized to the entire width of the shelf. The sliding floor 222 may include several raised ribs 224, which help reduce the friction of the products marketed in the tray 216. It should be understood that one or more raised ribs 224 can be used with the sliding floor 222. Alternatively, the floor slip 222

65 can be a flat smooth surface without elevated ribs. The tray or adapter 216 can be configured similarly to adapter 180 of Figure 16.

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it can be mounted perpendicular to the thrust floor 288 such that the axis, around which the spiral spring 30 is wound, is perpendicular to the thrust ground 288. This orientation has the benefit of preventing the thrust vane from falling backwards. . The first spring end 290 may be provided with an angled portion 292 and a pointed portion 296. In an exemplary embodiment, the angled portion 292 may be bent.

5 perpendicular to the spiral spring body 294. The divider may be provided with a groove 298, which is adapted to receive the tip portion 296 of the first spring end 290.

To attach the spiral spring to the divider, the tip portion 296 is inserted into the slot 298. Once the tip portion 296 is fully inserted into the slot 298, the angled portion 292 engages the slot 298 with the in order to hold the first spring end 290 to the divider 266.

As shown in Figure 33, various designs of the thrust mechanism can be implemented. The thrust vane 287 can be formed flat to correspondingly accommodate the formed product. Alternatively, the thrust vane 286 may have a first curved end and a second flat end. This serves to

15 accommodate several cylindrical products having various diameters of different sizes and to facilitate the operation of the thrust mechanism 286. During operation, the product in the thrust mechanism 286 and the first curved end together force the thrust mechanism against the divider 266 , such that the spiral spring 30 remains flat against the divider 266 that retains the first spring end 290, while in tension or in operation. This allows smoother operation of the thrust mechanism and ensures that the product is dispensed correctly when users remove the product from the system.

In another exemplary embodiment depicted in Figures 4041D, the distance between dividers 266 can be adjusted to accommodate containers of different sizes. The dividers 266 may be provided with connecting parts 272. The connecting parts 272 may be provided with a first angled surface

25 elongated 268 and a second elongated angle surface 270. In addition, the connecting parts 272 may be provided with a plurality of projections 274. As shown in Figure 41B, the rails may be formed of teeth 278 having surfaces of face 280 and flank surfaces 282.

When assembled, as shown in Figure 41C, the connecting parts 272 are received between the teeth 278 of the rails. In addition, the elongated angled surfaces 268 and 270 and the projections 274 fit between the teeth 278. Also as shown in Figure 41C, the elongated angled surfaces 268 and 270 are engaged with the face surfaces 280, and the projections 274 are engaged with the lower surfaces of the teeth 278. The flank surfaces 282 make contact with the connecting part 272.

In an exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 42, the trays 306 are provided with dovetail connections. A first side 308 of the trays 306 is provided with tabs 312 adapted to fit inside the recesses 314 located on a second side 310 of the trays 306. To connect the trays, the recesses 314 align with the tabs 312 in such a way that the tabs 312 are firmly secured within the recesses 314.

In an exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 43, the trays 306 are configured to receive the retention device 250 at a leading end. The retention device may be provided with rectangular holes 300, and the retention device is provided with protrusions formed and sized correspondingly 302. To secure the retention device 250 to the tray 306, the protrusions 302 adjust

45 in holes 300 to lock the retention device in place in tray 306.

As depicted in Figures 4547, after the product management display system is mounted, the product is loaded into the system. By adjusting the dividers 266, a wide variety of product sizes and shapes can be loaded into the system. As shown in Figures 46 and 47, the spiral spring 30 together with the pushing vane 287, pushes the product towards the retention device 250. When a user removes the product from the system, the pushing vane 287 pushes the product remaining so that the product slides along the floor 264 to the retention device 250. This ensures that the entire product remains at the front of the display system.

As depicted in Figures 5052, the product management display system 400 can be arranged such that trays 402, 404 can be stacked on top of each other. This embodiment may, in general, consist of a first tray 402, a second tray 404, a first separator 406, and a second separator

408

The trays of 402, 404 are each arranged to accommodate the product to be dispensed. The first tray 402 and the second tray 404 can each be provided with a transparent retention device 410, a pushing mechanism 412, first and second guide walls, and a spiral spring 414.

The pushing mechanism 414 is arranged in a manner similar to the embodiments discussed above, such

65 so that the product slides along the surface of the trays 402, 404, while the product is removed. In addition, any of the alternative arrangements of the thrust mechanism discussed above may

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Additional examples, a barrier can be connected to the front rail 580 or comprise a part of the front rail 580.

As illustrated in Figure 61, one end 557 of a spiral spring 534 can be placed inside the barrier

5 556. The end 557 of the spring can be folded at an angle to the rest of the spring. This angle may be 90 degrees or any other suitable angle that may be less than or greater than 90 degrees. The end 557 of the spiral spring can then be placed in a groove 558 within the barrier 556. Once in the groove 558, the end of the spring 557 will remain in place and assist in the pressure of the pushing device 520 towards the barrier 556. An end 557 of the spiral spring 534 may include a plurality of parts, each with folds that place a rear part of the end of the spiral spring at an angle to an anterior part of the spiral spring (not shown). The plurality of folds can be coupled to a plurality of slots or openings in the barrier 556 or to another connection point in the divider 550 or in the front rail 580. The plurality of slots or openings can be adapted to the shape of the plurality of folds in the end 557 of the spiral spring 534. The spiral spring 534 may include a grip (not shown) at one end. The grip on the spiral spring 534

15 can be configured to prevent the spiral spring 534 from disengaging from the pushing device 520, such as, for example, when the spiral spring 534 extends.

The pushing device 520 can be connected to the divider 550 by only the spiral spring 534. The pushing device 520 can be seated on top of the dividing floor 554 and can slide through the dividing floor. The pushing device 520 can be configured to rest completely on the dividing floor 554 as shown in Figure 59 and not going below the dividing floor 554. In this embodiment, the pushing device 520 can be collected from the dividing floor 554 as shown. in Fig. 62. The gravity and weight of the product that sits on the thrust floor 524 keep the thrust device 520 in the partition floor 554. The product seated in the spiral spring 534 also keeps the thrust device 520 in soil

25 dividing 554. The only integrated connection between the pushing device and the splitter may be the end of the spiral spring 557 that is held within a groove 558 in the barrier 556. The dividing wall 552 can be used to guide the pushing device 520 as the pushing device 520 moves from front to back, and vice versa, on the dividing floor 554.

The splitter 550 may define a slit 560 or other recess in a lower part of the splitter. This slit 560 or other recess may be in the form of an "u" upside down as shown in Figure 61 or may have another shape. The slit 560 or other recess may extend across the entire width of the lower part of the divider 550. The slit 560, or another recess in an example, may extend along only a portion of the width of the bottom of the divider. The slit 560 or other recess can be used to engage with a front rail, a

35 front wall of a tray, or other structure. The term "recess" as used herein may mean a slit, groove, channel, slit, depression or other recess that extends inwards.

The divider 550 can also define a plurality of teeth 562 or other protrusion. The teeth 562 or other projection may be located at the front of the barrier 556. As illustrated in an exemplary embodiment in Figure 63, the teeth 562 may define a series of angled surfaces extending outwardly, that meet or join at a vertex. As used herein, the term "teeth" may mean any surface, uniform, non-uniform, continuous and discontinuous, uniformly spaced, or not uniformly spaced outwardly extending that may or may not be angled and that may or not meet or join at a vertex. In addition, the teeth can be defined in a pointed, blunt, rounded, flat, or polygonal, or any other suitable way. In addition, the surfaces that define the shape of the teeth can be flat, convex, concave, smooth or textured, or any other suitable configuration. In one embodiment, the teeth 562 are positioned at an extension from the front of the barrier 556. The divider 550 can also define an elastic tongue or tab 564. The teeth 562 or other projection can be located on the elastic tab 564. When A force is applied to the elastic flange 564, the teeth or other projection can move in the direction of the force. When the force is removed, the teeth or other projection will move back to their original position. The term "protrusion" as used herein, may mean a protuberance, elastic flange, tongue, bulge, tooth or a plurality of teeth, flange, knot or other protrusion extending outward. A plurality of teeth may include a plurality of projections where the teeth extend outwardly and may include a plurality of recesses extending inwardly.

55 between the parts of the plurality of teeth extending outward.

A front rail 580 may define a flat surface 582, a flange or tongue 584 or other projection or gear member, a channel or groove 586 or other recess or gear member and a plurality of teeth 588 or other gear member. The flange or tongue 584 or other projection or gear member of the front rail 580 can be configured to engage with the groove 560 or other recess or gear member of the splitter. The flange 584 or other protrusion or other gear member may fit into the groove 560 or other recess or gear member and inhibit the divider 550 from moving in a direction perpendicular to the flange 584 or the front rail 580 or at an angle ( that is, outside the perpendicular) to the flange 584 or the front rail 580. The teeth 588 or other gear member of the front rail 580 can be separated. Teeth 588 or another 65 front rail gear member may engage teeth 562 or another gear member of splitter 550, whose teeth 562 are illustrated in Figure 63, in order to prevent the splitter from moving in a lateral direction.

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front 580 and cam 720 of each of the plurality of dividers 550 is in the second position.

In one example, each of the plurality of dividers 550 is configured to move in the lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 when the product is placed on the dividing floor 554. A force on the

5 outermost divider of the plurality of dividers 550 may cause each of the plurality of dividers 550 to move in the lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 when the cams 720 of each of the plurality of dividers 550 are in the first position , and in which the force is applied in a direction parallel to the front rail 580 and perpendicular to the dividing wall 552 of the outermost divider.

In one example, a merchandise display system includes a front lane 580 and at least one divider 550 configured to join the front lane 580, the at least one divider 550 including a barrier, a dividing wall 552 extending in a perpendicular direction. to the front rail, a dividing floor 554 perpendicular to the dividing wall 552, in which the dividing wall 552 separates the dividing floor 554 into a first part and a second part and each of the first part and the second part are configured to retain a product. He

The merchandise display system also includes a first push mechanism configured to slide along at least part of the first part, a second push mechanism configured to slide along at least part of the second part, and a cam 720 coupled to the at least one divider 550, the cam 720 being configured to move between a first position and a second position. The at least one divider 550 can move in a lateral direction parallel to, and along the front rail 580 when the cam 720 is in the first position, and the at least one divider 550 resists movement in the lateral direction parallel to, and along the front rail 580 when the cam is in the second position.

In one example, each of the first and second thrust mechanisms of the merchandise display system includes a thrust surface, a thrust floor that extends forward from the thrust surface,

25 and a spiral spring having a spiral end and a free end, in which the spiral end is placed behind the thrust surface. The first and second thrust mechanisms are connected to the merchandise display system only by the spiral spring. The at least one splitter can define a splitter gear member and the at least one front rail can define a front rail gear member, and the splitter gear member can be configured to engage with the front rail gear member. The splitter gear member can define a splitter teeth on at least one surface of the splitter gear member and the front rail gear member can define a front rail teeth on at least one surface of the front rail gear member . The splitter teeth can be configured to engage with the front rail teeth.

In one example, a merchandise display system includes a front lane 580 and at least one divider 550 configured to join the front lane 580, the at least one divider 550 including a barrier configured to engage with the front lane 580, a wall dividing 552 extending in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580, a dividing floor 554 perpendicular to the dividing wall 552, in which the dividing floor 554 is configured to retain product. The display system may also include an elastic flange coupled to the divider 550, the elastic flange being configured to move between a first position and a second position. The at least one divider 550 is fixed in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 when the elastic flange is in the first position. The at least one divider 550 can move in the lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 when the elastic flange is in the second position.

In one example, the splitter 550 includes a plurality of teeth configured to engage the front rail 580. The splitter teeth can be configured to engage with the corresponding teeth in the front rail.

580. The splitter teeth of the merchandise display system can be configured to engage with an elastic surface in the front rail 580.

In one example, a merchandise display system includes a front lane 580, the front lane 580 comprising at least one first projection and at least one first recess, and at least one divider 550 configured to join the front lane 580, the al at least one divider 550 a dividing wall 552 and a dividing floor 554 perpendicular to the dividing wall 552, the at least one divider 550 also comprising at least one second recess and at least one second projection, the at least one second projection of the divider 550 configured for

55 move between a first position and a second position. The at least one splitter 550 (a) can move in a lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) is held in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 when the at least one first projection of the front rail 580 is engaged with the at least a second recess of the divider 550 and the at least a second projection of the divider 550 is in the first position. The at least one splitter 550 (a) resists movement in the lateral direction parallel to the front rail 580 and (b) is held in a direction perpendicular to the front rail 580 when the at least a first projection of the front rail is engaged with the at least a second recess of the divider 550 and the at least a second projection of the divider 550 is in the second position.

In one example, the at least one second projection of the divider 550 may comprise a cam 720. The at least one

The first recess of the front rail 580 may comprise a groove. The at least one second projection of the divider 550 may include an elastic flange. The at least one first projection of the front rail 580 may comprise

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Claims (1)

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