MX2007005337A - Modular device for displaying and merchandising retail articles . - Google Patents

Abstract

A device provides for displaying and dispensing retail articles. The device includes a plurality of product support modules that are detachably coupled to one another. Each support module includes a bottom mating portion and a top mating portion, each of which may be operatively coupled to a top mating portion and a bottom mating portion of another support module, respectively. Each support module also include sidewalls that may be operatively coupled to sidewalls of another support module. All of the product support modules of the present invention have a substantially similar profile.

Description

MODULAR DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING AND COMMERCIALIZING ITEMS AT MENUDEO FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a device that exhibits and distributes articles at retail. More particularly, the present invention relates to modular display stands having provisions for displaying and distributing a plurality of different items to the often, such as packages, which may contain confectionery products, such as gum in the form of slabs, bars, granules or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The art has observed a wide variety of devices used to contain, distribute and display various merchandise items. Specifically, the art has observed a variety of devices used to display and distribute confectionery products such as candy that can be located at the point of purchase typically adjacent to the cash register at a retail store. Many of the display devices used at the point of purchase are designed to accommodate a simple product. Said display devices are therefore dedicated to that product and may include advertising information related to the simple product.

Various display devices are designed to contain and distribute a plurality of different products. These display devices may include plural compartments for storing the different products. These display devices are usually annoying and difficult to use. Multi-compartment display devices are shown, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 6,189,710 and U.S. Patent No. 5,255,801.

Still other display devices are appropriate for both the retention and distribution of a series of products. U.S. Patent No. 5,370,220 shows said display device. These products, however, are limited in the number and type of products that can be exhibited and distributed. Therefore, the products themselves hide from view. This tends to diminish any advertising potential of the display device. In addition, additional information and advertising signs should be placed on this display device which may result in the display device being dedicated to one type of product.

Therefore, there is a need for a display and distribution device that can accommodate a varied number and type of products and that can be loaded more easily and display a variety of products in a more attractive and informative manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a device for displaying and distributing items at retail. The device includes a plurality of product support modules that are coupled separately to each other. Each support module includes a lower equalization portion and a higher equalization portion, each of which can be operatively coupled to a superior equalization portion and a lower equalization portion of another support module, respectively. Each support module also includes side walls that can be operatively coupled to the side walls of the other support module. All of the product support modules of the present invention have a substantially similar profile.

A retail item is supported removably by each support module. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coupling of the support modules is designed to accommodate a varied series of products. In some modalities, the support modules become transparent allowing the articles and the indications contained in them to be seen.

For example in accordance with one aspect, the device includes a plurality of product support modules coupled separately from each other. Each of the support modules includes a top equalization portion for insertion into a lower equalization portion of a support module and the side walls being joined to a side wall of a support module. The plurality of support modules has a substantially similar profile.

In some preferred embodiments, each support module is made of a transparent polymeric material to allow observing the articles and indicia contained in the support module. The additional features and advantages will be readily apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings that they accompany it and the demands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a first support module of the product of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the first support module of the product of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top view of the first product support module of Figure 1 Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a plurality of the first product support modules coupled together.

Figure 5 is a rear view of the plurality of the first modules of the product shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a second support module of the product of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a side view of the second product support module of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a top view of the second product support module of the Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a plurality of second product modules coupled together.

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a first and a second product support module coupled together.

Figure 11 is an alternate configuration of a first and a second product support module coupled together.

Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a plurality of first and second product support modules coupled together.

Similar reference symbols in the various drawings indicate similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a modular display shelf for displaying and distributing a plurality of items at retail. The display rack can be used in a retail establishment at the point of purchase such as the cash register. The shelf device includes a plurality of product support modules that can be coupled separately to each other. In a preferred embodiment, each support module is formed to include a lower equalization portion and an upper equalization portion that can be separately coupled to another support module. Each support module also includes side walls that can be separately coupled to the side walls of the other support module.

All product support modules of the present invention have a substantially similar profile and can be positioned to support any number of items at retail.

The present invention allows the retail items contained within each module to serve as a means of advertising as articles can be observed as they are placed on the shelf. In addition, the support modules allow a plurality of different items to be displayed and distributed in a configurable structure.

In the present illustrative embodiment, the shelf can be configured to support a plurality of packages containing confectionery products such as gum which can take the form of granules and strips or the like. In addition, the display and distribution shelf of the present invention can be configured in any number of configurations that support the packages such as a package pack that supports the rubber granules, a rubber package that supports the rubber strips and the non-durable items. miscellaneous packed such as loose candies.

Figures 1 and 2 show a first support module 10 of the present invention. The support module 10 includes a structure 12 having a support surface 16, a back support wall 46 and a plurality of lower walls 28A, 28B. The support module 10 can be made from a variety of processes and materials, such as for example molded transparent polymeric material, stamped materials or combinations thereof.

The support surface 16 of the structure 12 provides support for packages containing confectionery products. In a preferred embodiment, now with reference to Figures 1 and 3, the support surface 16 is generally planar and can include a plurality of rectangular apertures 18A, 18B. The plurality of openings 18A, 18B can provide material savings in the formation of the support surface 16, as well as providing easy molding in the formation of the support surfaces.

Again with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the back wall 46 of the structure 16 joins perpendicular to the support surface 16 and extends in a downward direction away from the support surface 16. In some preferred embodiments, the wall Subsequent 46 provides additional support for the product packages. For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the rear wall 46 includes a plurality of support grooves 48A, 48B extending upwardly of the back wall and on the support surface 16. The support slots 48A, 48B they can be used to further secure a package of products to a back portion of the support surface 16.

As shown in Figures 1-3, a plurality of lower walls 28A, 28B are provided so that they are perpendicular to the support surface 16 and extend in a downward direction away from the support surface 16 to form a portion. of lower equalization, such as a cavity 20. In a preferred embodiment, the cavity 20 is formed of appropriate dimensions to securely receive a higher equalization portion of another support module. In a preferred embodiment, one of the lower walls 28B includes a flexible closure mechanism 30, such as a tongue, which is preferably slightly thicker than the side wall 28B. The flexible closure mechanism 30 is used to separately couple the upper equalization portion of another support module to the module 10. The details of coupling and separation of the upper equalization portion of a support module to another support module are described in FIG. greater detail later in connection with Figures 4 and 5.

The support module 10 of the present invention includes side walls 14A, 14B which can be made from a variety of processes and materials, such as molded transparent plastic. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the side walls 14A, 14B support the structure 12 of the module 10 and can be formed as part of the structure 12 or can be made separately and attached to the structure 12. In a preferred embodiment, for example , the side walls 14A, 14B are attached to the structure 12, such as, the structure 12 is supported at approximately a thirty degree angle (30) in the support module 10. The side walls, however, are not limited to supporting the structure at an angle of thirty (30) degrees and can support the structure 12 at other advantageous angles in the support module 10.

The side walls 14A, 14B of the present invention include a rear portion 31 A, 31 B having detents 46A, 46B that can be used to support the coupled modules and a front portion 32A, 32B that is attached to a front wall 29. In a preferred embodiment, the front wall 29 is formed of transparent plastic to allow clear observation of the packages supported on the module 10. In another preferred embodiment, the front wall 29 allows indications concerning the packages being supported to be displayed.

As shown in Figure 1, in a preferred embodiment, the rear portion 31 A, 31 B of the side walls 14A, 14B includes one or more of an oval apertures 34A, 34B that can be adapted to receive a fastener capable of securing the side walls 14A, 4B for a top equalizing portion of another support module.

The support module 10 includes a top equalizing portion 36 that can be separately coupled to other product support modules. The upper equalization portion 36 includes an upper wall 40 which engages the perpendicular upper side walls 38A, 38B which extend in a downward direction away from the upper wall 40. In a preferred embodiment, the upper side walls 38A, 38B are they join an upper portion 46A, 46B of the side walls 14A, 14B of the structure 12 using fasteners. In another preferred embodiment, the upper walls 14A, 14B are molded on an inner side of the upper portion 46A, 46B of the side walls 14A, 14B. The upper equalization portion 36 of the support module 10 can be inserted into a cavity of another support module and is therefore coupled separately to another support module.

Now with reference to Figures 4 and 5, two support modules 10, 10B are shown capable of being coupled separately together. An upper equalization portion 36A of a support module 10B is inserted into the cavity 20 of the module 10. As the equalizing portion 36A moves in the cavity 20 and towards the closing mechanism 30, the closing mechanism 30 of the Support module 10 is flexed out of an upper wall 40A of module 10B. Once the upper wall 40A further moves in the cavity 20 and over the closing mechanism 30, the closing mechanism 30 flexes out of a rear eye 17 attached to the upper wall 40A and engages a slot 19 positioned in the rear eyebrow 17, therefore closing and coupling separately the support modules 10, 10B vertically together. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the upper portions 46C, 46D of the side walls 14C, 14D can prevent further insertion of the upper equalization portion 36A into the cavity 20 and also provide support for the support 10. To separate the support modules 10, 10B, the closure mechanism 30 flexes out of the rear flange 17 and the upper equalization portion 36 is removed from the cavity 20.

Again with reference to Figure 1, in a preferred embodiment, the upper side walls 38A, 38B include upper equalizing openings 44A, 44B that can be used to additionally secure the module 10 to a lower equalizing portion of another support module. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the upper insertion of the upper equalizing portion 36 in a cavity of another supporting module, the upper equalizing openings 44A, 44B can be aligned with coupling openings 34A, 34B in a lower portion of walls. side 14A, 14B of another support module. A fastener can subsequently be inserted into the upper equalization openings to further secure the module 10 to another product support module.

The side walls 14A, 14B of the present invention allow the support modules to be separately coupled one on the other side per side. In a preferred embodiment, the side walls 14A, 14B include one or more raised collars 26A, 26B that can be inserted into aligned mating openings of other sidewalls of the product support module. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, in a preferred embodiment, the raised collars 26A, 26B extend from one of the side walls 14B and are located at an elevation approximately equal to one-half (1/2) of the height of the side wall 14, however, other locations and the number of collars could be worked too. For example, the exact location and number of collars 26A, 26B may vary, depending on the location of the coupling openings in the side walls of other support modules. Therefore, the raised collars 26A, 26B and are not limited to placement in a particular side wall. Those skilled in the art will understand that the term "collars" as used herein are structures that can be inserted into an opening of another support module to allow a support module to be separately coupled to another support module.

The side walls 14A, 14B and the collars 26A, 26B can be constructed using a molded polymer or stamped metal material. Preferably, the collars 26A, 26B can be formed integrally with the manufacture of the side walls 14A, 14B. Alternatively, the collars 26A, 26B can be mounted with a bore provided in the side walls 14A, 14B and pressed in the same or include an eyebrow having mounting holes for receiving the mounting screws. Other joining methods such as adhesives, suction-type mounting devices and other fastening systems known in the art are contemplated and fall within the scope of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, one side wall 14A is configured to include receiving openings 24A, 24B and the other side wall 14B is configured to include the raised collars 26A, 26B. In other preferred embodiments, both a receiving opening and the raised collar are provided in the same side wall. Preferably, each opening is adapted to receive and secure a collar from a side wall of another support module. For example, in a preferred embodiment, at least one opening included in a side wall is adapted to receive a collar from another module, so that, by aligning and pressing the collar in the opening, two support modules become separately coupled. one on the other side per side. Preferably, one or more collars of the support module 10 are pressed to fit in one or more apertures, respectively.

Now with reference to Figure 6, a second product support module 50 is described in accordance with the present invention. Figure 7 is a side view of the second product support module 50. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the product support module 50 includes a structure 52 having a front portion 56, a front wall 56, a surface of support 60, a rear wall 86 and first and second bottom walls 58A, 58B. The first and second bottom walls 58A, 58B are connected together via an upper wall 62 and form a lower leveling portion, such as a cavity 88, which can be used to operatively couple other support modules to the product support module 50. second product support module 52 can be made from a variety of processes and materials, such as molded transparent plastic, printed materials or combinations thereof and has a profile substantially similar to that of the first product support module 10.

The support surface 60 of the structure 52 provides support for both packaged confectionery products and mislaid miscellaneous items, such as loose candies. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, the support surface 60 forms a bottom of the module 50 and is generally flat and continuous in shape.

Now with reference to Figures 6 and 7, the front portion 54 of the structure 52 is a distribution area that facilitates the removal of the retail products from the support module 50. As shown in Figure 7, the front portion 54 extends in an upward direction away from the support surface 60. In a preferred embodiment, the front portion 54 of the structure 52 extends out of the support surface 60 at an angle of approximately one hundred twenty-five degrees (125). The front portion 54, however, is not limited to extend at an angle of one hundred twenty-five degrees (125) and can be placed at other advantageous angles in the support module 50.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, extending from the top portion of the front portion 54 of the structure 52 in approximately ninety (90) degree angle to the support surface 60 is the front wall 56 The front wall 56, however, is not limited to extend downwardly at a ninety (90) degree angle to the support surface and may extend downward at other advantageous angles to the support surface 60. In some preferred embodiments, the front wall 29 is formed of transparent plastic to allow clear view of the product supported in the module. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the front wall 56 and the front portion 54 of the structure 52 form a cavity 57 in which the indicia for the product are displayed.

Preferably, the first and second rear walls 58A, 58B of the structure 52 are attached to the support surface 60 at an angle substantially parallel to the front portion 54 of the structure 52 and extending up and out of the support surface 60. As previously described, the first and second rear walls 58A, 58B are connected via a perpendicular top wall 62 to form a second cavity 88. In a preferred embodiment, the second cavity 88 formed is of appropriate dimensions to securely receive a higher equalization portion of another support module. As shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, in a preferred embodiment, the second bottom wall 58B also includes a flexible closure mechanism 64 which is attached to an inner side of the second bottom wall 58B and is preferably of a thickness slightly larger than the bottom wall 58B. In some preferred embodiments, reinforcements (not shown) are attached perpendicular to the lower walls 58A, 58B to facilitate flexing of the closure mechanism 64. The flexible closure mechanism 64 is used to operatively couple and separate the upper equalization portion from another product support module for the support module 50. The techniques used to separately couple the upper equalization portion of the support modules to the support module 50 are similar to those described in connection with the first product support module 10 and they are described in connection with Figures 9, 10 and 11.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the support module 50 includes side walls 66A, 66B that are joined perpendicular to the structure 52 and extend upward of the support surface 60. In a preferred embodiment, the side walls 66A 66B are made of transparent plastic and adapted to form side walls in each cavity 57, 88 of the module 50. In a preferred embodiment, the side walls 66A, 66B are formed as part of the structure 12. In other preferred embodiments, the side walls 66A, 66B are made separately and attached to the structure 12 using an adhesive or a weld.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, a rear portion 81 A, 81 B of the side walls 66A, 66B includes one or more oval openings 82A, 82B that can be adapted to receive a fastener capable of securing the side walls 14A, 14B to a top equalizing portion of another support module.

The support module 50 includes a top equalization portion 74 that can be operatively coupled to other product support modules. The upper equalization portion 74 includes an upper wall 78 which engages the perpendicular upper side walls 76A, 76B which extend in a downward direction away from the upper wall 78 and an upper front surface 87 which attaches to the rear wall 86. of the structure 52. In a preferred embodiment, the upper side walls 76A, 76B are attached to an upper portion 84A, 84B of the side walls 66A, 66B of the structure 52 using fasteners. In another embodiment, the upper side walls 76A, 76B are molded on an inner side of the upper portion 84A, 84B of the side walls 76A, 76B. The upper portion 74 of the support module 50 can be inserted into a cavity of another support module and in accordance with the present invention, are coupled separately to another support module.

Now with reference to Figure 9, two second support modules 50, 50B vertically coupled to each other are shown. As shown in Figure 9, an upper portion 74A of the support module 10B is inserted into the cavity 88 of the module 50. As the upper portion 74A moves in the cavity 88 and towards the closing mechanism 64, the mechanism of closure 64 of the support module 50 flexes out of an upper wall 78A of the module 50B. Once the top wall 78A moves further into the cavity 88 and over the closing mechanism 64, the closing mechanism 64 flexes out of a rear eyebrow 89 attached to the top wall 78A and engages a slot 91 positioned in the rear eyebrow 89, thereby closing and operatively engaging the support modules 50, 50B. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, the upper portions 84A, 84B of the side walls 66C, 66D can further prevent the insertion of the upper portion 74A into the cavity 88 and can provide support for the support module 50. .

Various product support modules of the present invention can be vertically coupled together. For example, Figure 10 shows an example of the first support module 10 vertically coupled to the second support module 50. The techniques used to vertically couple various product support modules are substantially the same as described in connection with Figures 5 and 9. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the upper equalization portion 74 of the second support module 50 can be inserted into the cavity 20 of the first support module 50. As the upper equalization portion 74 moves in the cavity 20 of the first support module 10 and towards the closing mechanism 30, the closing mechanism 30 of the support module 10 flexes outwards from the upper wall 78 of the module 50. In the movement of the upper wall 78 further in the cavity 20 and on the closing mechanism 30, the closing mechanism 30 flexes out of the rear eye 17 attached to the upper wall 78 and engages the slot 19 positioned in the eyebrow p osterior 17, therefore closing and operatively coupling the support modules 10, 50 together. The upper portions 84A, 84B of the side walls 66A, 66B can further prevent the insertion of the upper equalization portion 74 into the cavity 20 and can provide support for the support module 10. Figure 1 1 shows an alternate vertical coupling of the second product support module to the first product support module in accordance with another preferred embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, the upper equalization portion 36 of the first support module 10 is inserted into the lower equalization portion, i.e., the cavity 88 in a closing relationship.

Again with reference to Figures 6 and 7, in a preferred embodiment, the upper side walls 76A, 76B include upper engagement openings 86A, 86B that can be used to further secure the upper equalization portion 74 of the module 50 to a portion of Lower equalization of another support module. For example, in a preferred embodiment, in the insertion of the upper equalization portion 74 in a cavity of another support module, the upper engagement openings 86A, 86B in the side walls 76A, 76B can be aligned with openings 82A, 82B in a lower portion of the side walls 66A, 66B of the other support module. The fasteners can then be inserted between the openings to further fasten and couple a product support module separately to another product support module.

The side walls 66A, 66B of the product support module 50 also allow the support modules to be coupled separately to each other on each side. As shown in Figures 6 and 8, in a preferred embodiment, the side walls 66A, 66B include one or more raised collars 72A, 72B that can be inserted into the corresponding openings of the other side walls of the product support module and allowing that the support modules are operatively coupled side by side. Similar to the first product support module 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, in a preferred embodiment, the raised collars 66A, 66B extend from one of the side walls 66B and are located at an elevation approximately equal to one half (1/2) of the height of the side wall 66B, however, the other locations and the number of collars could work well. For example, the exact location and number of collars 66A, 66B may vary depending on the location of the reception openings in the side walls of the other support modules. Therefore, the raised collars 66A, 66B and are not limited by the displacement in a particular side wall.

Similar to the collars 26A, 26B described in connection with the first support module 10, the collars 72A, 72B of the second support module 50 can be integrally formed as part of one or both of the side walls 66A, 66B or are joined to one or more of side walls 66A, 66B of the module 50. Preferably, the side walls 66A, 66B and the collars 72A, 72B are constructed using a molded transparent polymer material and are integrally formed with the manufacture of the side walls 66A, 66B. In some embodiment, the collars 72A, 72B are driven with a bore provided in the side walls 66A, 66B and are pressed snugly therein or include an eyebrow having mounting holes for receiving the mounting screws. Other bonding methods such as adhesives, suction-type mounting devices and other adjustment systems known in the art are contemplated and fall within the scope of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, in a preferred embodiment, one of the side walls 66A is configured to include receiving openings 68A, 68B and another side wall 66B is configured to include raised collars 72A, 72B. In other preferred embodiments, both a receiving opening and the raised collar are provided in the same side wall. Preferably, each opening is adapted to receive and secure a collar from a side wall of another support module.

For example, in a preferred embodiment, at least one opening included in a side wall is adapted to receive a collar from another module, such as by aligning and pressing the collar adjustment in the opening, two support modules operatively engage one on the other side. Preferably, a plurality of collars located in a side wall are pressed to fit into the receiving openings of other support modules to secure the modules together side by side. ous types of configurations can be assembled using the support modules 10, 50 of the present invention. For example, now with reference to Figure 12, there are described four support modules 10, 10B, 50 and 50B coupled vertically and side by side. As shown in Figure 12, the support modules 10B and 50B can be operatively coupled by snapping the collars 72A, 72B into the receiving openings 26A, 296B respectively. The support modules 50 and 10 can also be operatively coupled side by side using each respective module to the collars and openings. As shown in Figure 12, the support modules 50 and 10 can also be vertically coupled to the support modules 10B and 50B, respectively, by inserting the upper equalization portions of each module 10B, 50b in the lower equalization portions 88. , 20 of the modules 50 and 10, respectively and activating each module 50, 10 closing the mechanism 64, 30 as previously described. Although only four support modules are shown in Figure 12, any number of support modules can be configured side by side or vertically coupled.

Furthermore, it can be appreciated that the display and distribution modules of the present invention provide the ability to place and distribute several different product configurations. On the other hand, the transparency of the product support modules of the present invention allow the shelf to include advertising cues to thereby obviate the need for additional advertising on the display shelf and allowing a fully configurable display shelf to be used universally. Within different types of products.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and that ous other changes and modifications may be affected herein by an expert. in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention and which is intended to claim all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (17)

1. A modular display rack for displaying and distributing retail items comprising: a plurality of product support modules coupled separately to each other, each of the support modules including a top equalization portion for insertion into a lower equalization portion of each support module and side walls being joined to an adjacent side wall of each support module, wherein the plurality of the product support modules have a substantially similar profile.

2. The modular display rack according to claim 1, wherein the lower equalization portion includes a closing mechanism to secure the upper equalization portion.

3. The modular display shelf according to claim 2, wherein the closing mechanism is a tab.

4. The modular display rack according to claim 3, wherein the tab is joined to a plurality of lower walls forming the lower equalizing portion.

5. The modular display shelf according to claim 1, wherein the lower equalizing portion includes a cavity having appropriate dimensions for the insertion of the upper equalizing portion.

6. The modular display shelf according to claim 1, wherein the upper equalization portion is joined to the side walls.

7. The modular display rack according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the side walls includes a collar adapted for insertion into an opening of an adjacent side wall of each support module for separately coupling the support modules.

8. The modular display shelf according to claim 1, wherein each of the side walls includes detentions that support the coupled modules.

9. The modular display shelf according to claim 1, wherein each module is formed of a transparent polymeric material.

10. The modular display rack according to claim 1, further including a front wall for displaying indicia of a product that is distributed from the support module.

11. The modular display shelf according to claim 1, which includes the plurality of the product support modules vertically coupled separately.

12. The modular display shelf according to claim 1, including the plurality of product support modules coupled separately side by side.

13. The modular display rack according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of product support modules are separately coupled vertically and side by side. ?

14. The modular display rack according to claim 1, wherein the side walls are made of a transparent polymeric material.

15. The modular display rack according to claim 1, wherein each support module including a support surface supports a product.

16. The modular display shelf according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of support modules are of different configurations to accommodate a plurality of different articles.

17. A modular display rack comprising: a plurality of support modules coupled separately to each other, each of the modules including a support structure having opposite side walls inclined from a raised rear portion of the structure downward to a front position of the structure, each of the side walls being joined to an adjacent side wall of a module, the support structure further including a lower equalization portion configured to include a cavity to receive a top equalizing portion of a module, the cavity having a diameter that is at least as large as a diameter of the upper equalization portion to allow coupling of the upper equalization portion to the module, wherein the plurality of modules has a substantially similar profile.