WO2009087606A1

WO2009087606A1 - Pricing management system

Info

Publication number: WO2009087606A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/050085
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gavin Milton Steer
Original assignee: Gavin Milton Steer
Priority date: 2008-01-09
Filing date: 2009-01-09
Publication date: 2009-07-16

Abstract

The invention relates to a pricing management system for a retail consumable product display and particularly with a retail beverage refrigerator. The system comprises an indicator to which inserts are removably securable, with separate inserts for depicting details of product brand and for indicating product price, a sheet perforated to provide the inserts and for the inserts to be duplicated on the perforated sheet. A variation of the system for use with display having at least one shelf, comprises a product indicator securable to a shelf to which inserts depicting details of product brand are removably securable and a corresponding price indicator to which inserts depicting details of product brand and pack size together with pricing means to indicate the appropriate product price are removably securable for a sheet to be perforated to provide the inserts and for the inserts to be duplicated on the perforated sheet. The inserts are flexibly resilient and securable in lipped channels provided by the indicators. Price indicating inserts will include details of product pack size. The perforated insert sheets are be bound together in a file. The invention extends to pricing means comprising inner and outer superimposed sheets, the inner sheet being a first colour and the outer sheet being a second colour, with a digital 8 depicted on the outer sheet having segments that are removable to expose the inner sheet.

Description

PRICING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a pricing management system for use with a variety of retail applications and, in particular, for use with soft drinks in retail refrigerators. The invention extends to a kit for implementing the system and to a price indicator component of the kit.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Soft drinks and other beverages, such as beers, are usually presented in refrigerators designed for that purpose. This is particularly so where the drinks are to be sold individually. The same cans or bottles are arranged in lines on shelves. A drink can be chosen and in doing so, its price should be seen by the consumer. Pricing has been indicated in a number of ways. This usually involves some sort of sign on the shelves and/or on a fridge door.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a system which will at least partially facilitate the pricing of beverages and other retail products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a pricing management system for a retail consumable product display, the system comprising an indicator to which inserts are removably securable, with separate inserts for depicting details of product brand and for indicating product price, for a sheet to be perforated to provide the inserts and for the inserts to be duplicated on the perforated sheet.

The invention further provides for the separate inserts to be provided duplicated on separate perforated sheets respectively; for there to be inserts which indicate product pack size; for the price indicating inserts to include details of product pack size; and for the inserts to be flexibly resilient and securable in a lipped channel provided by the indicator.

Further features of the invention provided for the system to be for use with a product display that includes at least one shelf and to have an elongate shelf mountable indicator securable along the length of a shelf and configured to receive inserts in a row and a display mountable indicator having two adjacent columns each of which is configured to receive inserts; for the shelf indicator to provide an operatively horizontal channel and the display indicator a pair of adjacent operatively vertical channels with each channel to removably receive the resilient inserts; and for the inserts to be the same size for interchangeable use on the shelf indicator and display indicator. Further features of the invention provide for the perforated insert sheets to be configured to be bound in a file; and for the system to be for use with a retail beverage refrigerator with the display indicator mountable on a refrigerator door.

A further feature of the system provides for the inserts for indicating product price to include pricing means as defined below.

In accordance with this invention there is further provided a pricing management system for a retail consumable product display having at least one shelf, the system comprising a product indicator securable to a shelf to which inserts depicting details of product brand are removably securable, and a corresponding price indicator to which inserts depicting details of product brand and pack size together with pricing means to indicate the appropriate product price are removably securable, for a sheet to be perforated to provide the inserts and for the inserts to be duplicated on the perforated sheet.

The invention further provides for different inserts to be provided duplicated on separate perforated sheets respectively; for the inserts to be the same size for interchangeable use on the product indicator and price indicator; and for the pricing management system to be for use with a retail consumable product refrigerator having at least one shelf.

The invention further provides for the product indicator to be used with inserts that also depict details of product package size to demarcate product packing channels for a shelf to which it is secured; and for the refrigerator to have a glass door and for the price indicator to be securable to a door.

In accordance with yet another aspect of this invention, there is provided pricing means comprising inner and outer superimposed sheets, the inner sheet being a first colour and the outer sheet being a second colour, with a digital 8 depicted on the outer sheet having segments that are removable to expose the inner sheet.

The digital 8 segments of the outer sheet will either be peelable film or scratchable coating. This aspect of the invention will also extend to digital letters in addition to numbers.

In accordance with a further aspect of this invention there is provided a kit for use with a pricing management system for a retail consumable product display as defined above, the kit having perforated sheets of inserts which are bound together and including instructions for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows perspective views of a shelf mountable product indicator and a door mountable price indicator; Figure 2 & 3 show further views of the shelf mounted product indicator and a mounting clip;

Figures 4 & 5 show further views of the door mounted price indicator;

Figure 6 shows inserts for use with the indicators; and

Figure 7 shows a refrigerator fitted with the components from the other drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to Figures 1 and 7, a pricing management system (1 ) is provided for a retail consumable product refrigerator (2). The system (1 ) will be described as it is used with soft drinks (3); however, it is also suited for use with other beverages such as fruit juices, beers, and bottled water or with dairy products, for example. The drinks (3) referred to are usually displayed in refrigerators having a number of shelves (4) and, preferably, also a glass door (5).

It must also be noted that the invention is not limited to use with refrigerators. It can be used with any retail products arranged on a display means that includes at least one shelve.

A shelf mounted product indicator (6), shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 3, includes an elongate support (7) securable at the front edge of a shelf (4). The support is a plastic channel (7) that is curved outwardly towards the operative front side. Alternatively, the channel (7) will be made of aluminium. This component (7) is extruded to form with engaging formations (8) extending to the rear side. Mounting clips (9), securable to the shelves (4), have cooperating engaging formations (10). Once the clips (9) are fitted to a shelf (4), the support (7) can be secured in place or released when necessary. Another example of suitable clip (9) is disclosed as "an attachment member" in SA patent number 99/0712.

These "clips" are suited for use with refrigerator shelves (4). Alternative means to secure the product indicator (6) to different kinds of shelves will be within the design competence of a suitably skilled person. Where a shelf has a flange at its outer edge, double sided adhesive tape can be used, for example.

Referring now also to Figures 4, 5 and 7, a door mounted price indicator (1 1 ) is provided to for use in combination with the shelf mounted product indicator (6).

An aluminium extrusion (12) provides a backing plate. The extrusion (12) is in the form of two adjacent channels (30) arranged side by side along their length. A ridge (31 ) between the channels (30) supports a centrally located web with a pair of oppositely extending lips (32) - one for each channel (30). Each channel (30) also has a second web and opposing lip (33) at its outer edge. The extrusion (12) is also provided generally with an outwardly curved form, like the support (7). Two end caps (12.1 ) are fitted to the extrusion. The end caps (12.1 ) each have locating guides (12.2) which are arranged to match the profile of the extrusion (12). A pair of screws (12.3) are used to secure the end caps (12.1 ) in place. The screws (12.3) extend through holes in the end caps (12.1 ) and are engaged into channels (12.4) formed by adjacent, inwardly curved flanges (12.5) which extend along the rear side of the extrusion (12).

The extrusion (12) will be conveniently mounted to the door (5) using a double sided adhesive tape. Any other adhesive means may also be used.

Replacement inserts (14.1 ) and (14.2) are also provided as part of the system (1 ). These are shown separately in Figure 6. The inserts (14) will conveniently be supplied as perforated sheets (not shown) which can be bound in a book or held together in a file.

A first type of insert (14.1 ) is for both the shelf-mounted product indicator (7) and the door mounted price indicator (1 1 ). This insert (14.1 ) depicts information to identify a specific product (3); that is, the brand (15) and optionally also the volume or pack sizeof the product (3) container.

A second type of insert (14.2) includes information of product volume or pack size (16) and also has means (18) to indicate the relevant price.

Each of these inserts (14.1 ) and (14.2) is printed on a resilient plastic sheets. The sheets are perforated after printing to provide the inserts (14) that are sized to clip into the respective extrusions (7) and (12). The perforated sheet is preferably punched for convenient filing in a lever-arch file. In the case of the second type of insert (14.2), a currency symbol [in this case "R" for South African Rand], the pack volumes (16) and appropriate "digital 8" figures are printed in a dark tone first. Each digital 8 is made up of individual segments (22) as shown. A scratchable film of material (such as latex) coated with light color tone is then printed over the digital 8 segments (22), but exposing the dark undertone in the form of an outline around each segment of the digital 8. This enables the user to see where each segment (22) is in the digital 8 (21 ). (Alternatively, a border may be printed to mark the outline of the digits making up the digital 8.) A background color, which is the same color as the scratchable film, is then printed around the digital 8 lines and dark type.

The scratchable film in the respective digital 8 segment (22) can be scratched away to reveal the dark tone beneath it. It will be appreciated that the two layers may be used in any suitably distinct colors and are not limited to a dark layer beneath a light layer.

The logo indicators (14.1 ) and scratch card price indicators (14.2) are all the same size. This allows for the option of using the same cards (including price card) on the shelf strip (6) as well as the door panel (11 ). The product prices can thus be included on the shelf mounted indicator (6) if use of a door mounted indicator (1 1 ) is not desired.

As an alternative, the inserts (14.2) with pricing means (18) can be printed on a self-adhesive layer of vinyl (19). The vinyl (19) is in turn adhered to a sheet of plastics material (20). The vinyl (19) and plastic (20) will be different colours, for example black and white. The pricing means (18) in this case is provided by cutting appropriate "digital 8" figures (21 ) into the layer of vinyl. The individual segments (22) of the digital 8 can then be peeled off the sheet plastic. In use, the vinyl (19) will preferably be black and each segment removed exposes the white plastic (20) underneath. In this way, a selected price (18) for a particular product can be indicated. The price indicator (1 1 ) illustrated holds six replaceable inserts (14.2) - in a column, one on top of the other - each with a brand (15), pack volume (16) and digital 8 pricing means (18).

The extrusion (12) of the price indicator (1 1 ) will be provided in various lengths to accommodate different numbers of inserts (14). The extrusions (12) can furthermore be connected end to end by a suitable overlapping insert which will be fixed at the rear of two connected extrusions (12). The end caps (12.1 ) will only be used at the two free ends where the extrusions (12) are used as modules in this way to construct a larger price indicator (1 1 ).

The product indicator (6) receives inserts (14.1 ) and possibly also inserts (14.2) side by side in a row. The number of inserts (14.1 ) will depend on the width of the shelf (4). Each insert will be used to designate packing channels, from the front to the back of each shelf. The product (3) identified on an insert will also be packed in line with that particular insert (14.1 ). In this manner, divisions of the shelves are provided according to the correct pack-out channel. This classification and separation of the products (3) is followed instead of a more random packing system.

A merchandiser will first insert the appropriate logo card into the left channel of the door panel extrusion of the price indicator (1 1 ). The appropriate price is completed on each insert (14.2) using the digital 8 they are then also clipped it into the channel (12) of the price indicator (1 1 ). Once complete, all the inserts (14.2) are covered by a transparent screen (23) of clear plastics material which clips into the side rails (13) to protect the inserts and prevent against tampering. The screen (23) is dimensioned to clip into the lipped channel flanges of the extrusion. To remove this protective sheet, the extrusion has an elongated cavity in its form that allows the operator to press the sheet inward, thus causing the edges of the sheet to pop out of the said lipped flanges. As per the door mounted price indicator (1 1 ), the merchandiser can carry perforated sheets of the respective brands, with pack volumes cards that are simply torn out and clipped into the extrusion (7) according to the correct pack- out configuration or channel.

As and alternative to the screen (23), a larger transparent sheet, the same size as those which provide the inserts (14), will be perforated. This will provide individual screens dimensioned to be fitted over each insert (14).

Merchandiser's can be provided with insert files (not shown) which hold sheets of respective brands. The perforated inserts (14), which are correctly sized for use with product (6) and price (1 1 ) indicators, are simple and easy to remove. New sheets can be ordered to whenever necessary. These sheets will be supplied with punched holes to simply place into the file. This controlled storage and management of the graphics will deter against damage.

The system (1 ) will also be supplied with packing instructions illustrating how each refrigerator (2) must be packed. This will encourage and enable proper use of the system (1 ) to its full potential. The system also in this manner provides a manual or procedure to be followed in a retail outlet. This provides a standard against which existing employees can be tested and also gives suitable guidance to new or inexperienced employees who are to be responsible for packing a fridge.

The modular nature of the system (1 ) allows for flexibility and variety in use. The merchandiser's packing tasks are simplified by permanently indicating the correct pack-out channel. This also secures specific portions of fridge space for particular products in proportions which are predetermined at the time of fitting the inserts to the product indicator. The system makes it obvious where one brand of beverage has been packed in the space designated for another brand. The product indicator inserts can remain in place for as long as their design is contemporary and they properly indicate desired packing channels (brand and volume). The price indicator inserts will be changed whenever there is a fluctuation in a products price.

The system described will be implemented as a kit, which includes all the necessary components. The kit will also include instructions to implement the system and also for ongoing maintenance of the system.

The digital 8 pricing means has removable segments which may either be scratchable or peelable. While the system (1 ) could include conventional digital 8 pricing means, the means (18) described avoids the use of marker pens to fill in segments, which is by comparison untidy.

The system (1 ) is suited to the management of the various brands, pack sizes and prices of the products in a cooler. The invention serves to provide for overall cooler management in the trade. Furthermore, it also simplifies the re- merchandising of a cooler by showing the merchandiser where to place the respective brands and packs according to a predetermined strategy.

The system serves to maximize a merchandiser's time and efficiency in the trade. It has a convenient and manageable method of implementation. Once the product and price indicators are in place, the ordering of replacement insert sheets is simple and efficient and ensures consistent use of the system. It is suitable for premium and alternative beverage pricing and also serves to enhance the appearance of the cooler. The latter is largely achieved by replacing random packing techniques and neatly identifying and pricing the products.

Another important benefit of the system is to simplify a customer's efforts to properly price a product intended for purchase. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of variations may be made to the described example without departing from the scope of the current invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A pricing management system for a retail consumable product display, the system comprising an indicator to which inserts are removably securable, with separate inserts for depicting details of product brand and for indicating product price, a sheet perforated to provide the inserts and for the inserts to be duplicated on the perforated sheet.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the separate inserts are provided duplicated on separate perforated sheets respectively.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the inserts indicate product pack size.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the price indicating inserts include details of product pack size.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the inserts are flexibly resilient and securable in a lipped channel provided by the indicator.

6. A system as claimed in claim 1 for use with a product display that includes at least one shelf and having an elongate shelf mountable indicator securable along the length of a shelf and configured to receive inserts in a row and a display mountable indicator having two adjacent columns each of which is configured to receive inserts.

7. A system as claimed in claim 5 in which the shelf indicator provides an operatively horizontal channel and the display indicator a pair of adjacent operatively vertical channels with each channel to removably receive the resilient inserts.

8. A system as claimed in claim 6 in which the inserts are the same size for interchangeable use on the shelf indicator and display indicator.

9. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the perforated insert sheets are configured to be bound in a file.

10. A system as claimed in claim 6 for use with a retail beverage refrigerator with the display indicator mountable on a refrigerator door.

1 1. A pricing management system for a retail consumable product display having at least one shelf, the system comprising a product indicator securable to a shelf to which inserts depicting details of product brand are removably securable and a corresponding price indicator to which inserts depicting details of product brand and pack size together with pricing means to indicate the appropriate product price are removably securable, a sheet perforated to provide the inserts and for the inserts to be duplicated on the perforated sheet.

12. A system as claimed in claim 11 in which different inserts are provided duplicated on separate perforated sheets respectively.

13. A system as claimed in claim 1 1 in which the inserts are the same size for interchangeable use on the product indicator and price indicator.

14. A system as claimed in claim 1 1 for use with a retail consumable product refrigerator having at least one shelf.

15. A system as claimed in claim 11 in which the product indicator is used with inserts that also depict details of product package size to demarcate product packing channels for a shelf to which it is secured.

16. A system as claimed in claim 14 in which the refrigerator has a glass door and for the price indicator to be securable to a door.

17. Pricing means comprising inner and outer superimposed sheets, the inner sheet being a first colour and the outer sheet being a second colour, with a digital 8 depicted on the outer sheet having segments that are removable to expose the inner sheet.

18. Pricing means as claimed in claim 17 in which the digital 8 segments of the outer sheet will either be peelable film or scratchable coating.

19. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 1 1 in which inserts for indicating product price include pricing means as claimed in claim 17.

20. A kit for a pricing management system as claimed in claim 1 or claim

10 for use with a retail consumable product display, the kit having perforated sheets of inserts which are bound together and including instructions for use.