US20010010302A1 - Shelf tray system - Google Patents

Abstract

A self-facing, add-on shelf system is made up of universal base, divider, front, and rear sections. Universal in the sense that these sections form basic building sections for constructing shelf systems of various sizes and operational mode. The front and rear track sections are identical and can be combined with various combinations of bases, dividers and end sections to provide systems of different, desired widths. The depth of the self-facing shelf is generally set by the depth of the shelf with which it is to be used. The individual sections can be selected and combined to provide center pusher, side pusher, and gravity feed types of self facing systems. The bases, dividers and end sections are configured such that they can be extruded and interlock in assembly.

Description

• The present application is a continuation of U.S. application No. 09/454,784 filed Dec. 3, 1999, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.[0001]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates to point of purchase marketing and, more particularly, to systems and/or apparatus for displaying product at the point of purchase.[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• A commonly accepted practice in one area of the point of purchase industry, grocery stores and the like, is to display product on shelves for selection by the consumer. In those types of applications it is known to arrange product in add-on, self-facing tray units which are attached to the principal store shelf. Product is displayed in the add-on, self-facing tray units in a manner allowing it to be viewed by the consumer and such that, if a selection is made, the selected item can be readily removed by the consumer. In the past it has also been proposed to construct this type of unit so that product displayed on the shelf is automatically fed to the forward end of the shelf as product is removed. This forward feeding has been accomplished by gravity feed where the add-on unit is pitched forward toward its front end. Another arrangement for forward feeding uses a spring arrangement which continually urges displayed product forward so that when a product is removed the remaining products in the add-on tray are urged forward. A combination of gravity feed and spring movement has also been proposed.[0003]
• These types of trays organize product for display and purchase.[0004]
• Among the considerations in providing an acceptable add-on, self-facing tray construction is the fact that the products to be displayed and dispensed will vary in size. Another problem is that the store shelf space that may be allotted to a product will vary depending on the needs of the store.[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Among the objects of this invention is to provide an add-on, self-facing shelf tray which has universal application with respect to size of product which it displays and in adapting to the amount of store shelf space that can be allocated to the product. A further objective is to provide that product display versatility in a construction which is cost effective to produce, easily put into use on a store shelf, and durable.[0006]
• For the achievement of these and other objects this invention proposes, a self facing shelf tray is made up of basic, interchangeable parts. The parts are extruded and designed so that they can be easily sized to adapt to any number of applications, i.e., shelf space. The parts are also designed so as to reduce the number and complexity of tooling and dies. The parts are further configured so that in assembly they interlock with each other and through the interlock maintain their assembled relationship.[0007]
• The parts are readily adapted for use in conjunction with a center oriented, product pusher. The product pusher is spring biased and urges product toward the front of the tray as product is removed from the tray by the consumer. Additionally, the parts are readily adapted for use in conjunction with a side pusher arrangement. The side pusher is also spring biased and accomplishes the same function as the center pusher, the difference being the pusher plate is supported from a side member of the tray as opposed to a central base member.[0008]
• Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings.[0009]
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective illustrating both a gravity feed embodiment and a center oriented pusher embodiment;[0010]
• FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1;[0011]
• FIG. 3 is an end view of the front and rear track;[0012]
• FIG. 4 is an end view of the front track insert;[0013]
• FIG. 5 is an end view of the end divider;[0014]
• FIG. 6 is an end view of the end pusher plate construction;[0015]
• FIG. 7 is an end view of the center divider track;[0016]
• FIG. 8 is an end view of the center pusher track;[0017]
• FIG. 9 is an exploded, perspective view of the side pusher embodiment of the invention;[0018]
• FIG. 10 is an end view of a single gravity feed embodiment;[0019]
• FIG. 11 is an end view of two, side-by-side gravity feed embodiment;[0020]
• FIG. 12 is an end view of a center, pusher embodiment; and[0021]
• FIG. 13 is an end view of a side, pusher embodiment.[0022]
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• The add-on, self-facing shelf trays of this invention can come in a variety of configurations including (1) a gravity feed arrangement, (2) a base mount version where a pusher track with a suitable biasing means is provided as the base of the unit and (3) a side mount version where a suitable biasing means is supported from a side wall of the unit. In each version the biasing means urges the stored product toward the front of the tray.[0023]
• In a preferred embodiment, the tray includes a[0024]front track10, arear track12, an interior orcenter divider14, andend dividers16 and18.
• Looking at the[0025]front track10 in FIGS.1-3, it has a planar, generally vertical panel orfront panel20 which will extend vertically when in use. Thefront panel20 has outer and inner surfaces. A generally horizontal panel orsupport panel26 extends from the lower end of the inner surface of thefront panel20 and will project rearwardly when in use. The front andsupport panels20,26 are elongated and linear along their respective extensions.
• With reference to FIG. 3, the upper end of the[0026]front panel20 includes aslot28. That is, ahorizontal web30 extends from the inner surface of thefront panel20. In the illustrated embodiment, theweb30 is generally parallel to thesupport panel26 and is at a right angle to inner surface of thefront panel20, but of limited rearward extension as compared to thesupport panel26. Avertical leg32 extends upwardly from theweb30 and terminates in a forwardly turnednose34 above theweb30. Similarly, the upper end of thefront panel20 terminates in a rearwardly turnednose36 that is opposed to but spaced from thenose34. That structure definesslot28 which extends the length of thefront track10 but has a restricted entrance to its interior. The purpose for thisslot28 will be explained hereinafter.
• Still referring to FIG. 3, the upper end of the[0027]front panel20 includes alip37 that extends rearwardly of and partially below theweb30 and extends along the length of thefront track10. Thislip37 is spaced from the inner surface of thefront panel20, and together with theweb30 and the inner surface of thefront panel20, defines a downwardly facingrecess38. The use of thisrecess38 also will be explained hereinafter.
• Still referring to FIG. 3, a[0028]holding rib40 is provided on thesupport panel26. Theholding rib40 is spaced rearwardly of therecess38 and extends upwardly from thesupport panel26.
• Completing the structure of the[0029]front track10 is anelongated slot44 recessed downwardly from the upper surface of thesupport panel26 and extending the length of thefront track10 and parallel tofront panel20. Two upward projectingribs46 and48 are provided, one on either side of theslot44. These are of a different material than thefront track10 itself. Thefront track10 is extruded and made of a conventional polyvinyl chloride except for theribs46 and48 which are made of a softer polyvinylchloride and are coextruded with the remainder of thefront track10.
• The[0030]rear track12 is identical to thefront track10. Therefore, therear track12 is not separately illustrated except as it is part of the overall assembly. Where reference is necessary to therear track12, portions corresponding to the already-describedfront track10 are identified by the same number but with the addition of the letter “r” (see for example, FIG. 2).
• Referring again to FIG. 3, an[0031]insert50 is carried on the front track. Theinsert50 helps retain the product behind thefront track10 but is made of a clear acrylic so that it does not interfere with viewing the product. Theinsert50 is basically a planar, elongated strip but with a specially configuredbottom end52 which is complementary to the upper end of thefront panel20. More particularly, thebottom end52 is generally “I” shaped in cross-section havinghorizontal tabs54 and56 projecting laterally from both sides of theinsert50 and dimensioned to fit into theslot28 in the upper end of thefront panel20. To stabilize theinsert50 on thefront track10 two additionalhorizontal tabs58 and60 are spaced vertically abovetabs54 and56. Thetabs58 and60 will rest on the top of theopposed noses34 and36. It will be noted thattabs58 and60 are generally arcuate and concave in cross section to nest on top of thefront panel noses34 and36.
• All of the surfaces, ribs, slots and recesses are straight, linear projections extending the full length of the[0032]front track10 andinsert50.
• The end and the[0033]interior dividers14,16,18, which are used in some applications, will now be described. In some aspects the end and the interior dividers have the same construction as each other. Before specifically describing theend dividers16,18, it will be noted that in accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention thesame end divider16 or18 can be used to close both ends of the add-on, self-facing unit.
• The end dividers[0034]16,18 are substantially identical to each other and are arranged opposite each other as mirror images. Further discussion will relate only to enddivider16 unless specifically stated otherwise, it being understood that the discussion relates equally to enddivider18. The same reference numerals are used to identify aspects ofend divider18 asend divider16, and where an aspect is only seen on one of theend dividers16,18 in the drawings, it will be understood that the feature is also present on theother end divider18,16. Theend divider16 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and5 includes avertical panel72, ahorizontal section74, and a second vertical,shorter panel76 spaced from and generally parallel to the longer,vertical panel72. The top surface of thehorizontal section74 forms asupport ledge78 extending the length of theend divider16. With specific reference to FIGS. 1 and 2,slots80 are provided at both ends of thedivider16 in the lower edge of thevertical panel72 and shortervertical panel76. Theseslots80 are aligned and sized to fit over therib40 on thefront track10 and the rib40ron therear track12. Through the interengagement of theribs40 and40rand theslots80, theend dividers16,18 are held in place between the front andrear tracks10,12.
• To prevent the[0035]end dividers16,18 from moving vertically relative to front andrear tracks10,12 the front and rear ends of thehorizontal section74 are positioned beneath therecess38 on thefront track10 and recess38ron therear track12 and thereby held in place by thewebs30 and30rand thelips37,37r(FIG. 2). It will be noted that to close the right and left ends of the add-on, self-facing tray thesame end pieces16,18 are used with one being reversed or turned end for end with respect to the other.
• When the tray is assembled, product is supported on the[0036]ledges78 and between the front andrear tracks10,12. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.1-5 therear track12 will be suitably elevated with respect to thefront track10 so that product displayed in the unit will be fed by gravity toward the front of the unit as one or more products are removed. To facilitate this gravity feed a plurality of pointed, relatively spaced ribs90 (FIG. 5) are provided on the upper surface ofledges78. FIG. 10 provides an example of how theend dividers16,18 would be positioned to provide a gravity feed of product, where the product would span the space between theend dividers16,18 and slide on theprojections90.
• The[0037]interior divider14 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7, and includes similar aspects as theend dividers16,18 with some modifications. For example, thevertical panel72 is centrally-located on theinterior divider14, and theinterior divider14 includes a shortervertical panel76 on each side. Thehorizontal section74 of theinterior divider14 also includessupport ledges78 andribs90 on both sides of thevertical panel72. The interior divider includesslots80 similar to those of theend dividers16,18. FIG. 11 illustrates a gravity feed arrangement includingend dividers16,18 on either side of theinterior divider14. Product would span the space between theend dividers16,18 and theinterior divider14 on either side of the interior divider'svertical panel72, such that two columns of product would be slidable on theprojections90 of thedividers14,16,18.
• Again it will be noted that all surfaces, panels, ledges and ribs are straight linear projections extending the full length of the interior and end[0038]dividers14,16,18, except thevertical panels72, which are truncated to permit the ends of thedividers14,16,18 to be inserted under therecesses38,38ras described above.
• The basic self-facing unit described to this point can be adapted for a spring feed of the displayed product toward the front of the unit in one of two variations: a center pusher and a side pusher.[0039]
• In the center pusher variation, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and[0040]12, apusher track100 is positioned between theend dividers16,18. Apusher track100 may also be positioned on either side of theinterior divider14 illustrated in FIG. 11, between theinterior divider14 and theend dividers16,18. Thepusher track100 includes alignedslots102 in the front and rear end that fit ontoribs40 and40R. In addition, thepusher track100 is provided with two relatively spacedhorizontal ledges110 and112 which extend beneath therecesses38,38rto be held in place by thewebs30,30randlips37,37rin the same fashion as thedividers14,16,18.Ledges110 and112 are provided with a plurality of relatively spaced, pointed ribs114 (see FIG. 12) for the same purpose asribs90 on thedividers14,16,18.
• A centrally located, U-shaped in[0041]configuration recess118 extends down the center of thepusher track100 and betweenledges110 and112.Ledges110 and112 provide overhanginglips119 on either side of therecess118. Therecess118 and thelips119 extend the length of thepusher track100. Theledges110,112,recess118,ribs114, andlips119 of thepusher track100 are substantially straight and linear and extend the full length ofpusher track100.
• [0042]Pusher plate120 is positioned in and extends above the recess118 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). More specifically,pusher plate120 includes a base which is made up of two oppositely facing C-shaped incross section members124 and126. These C-shapedmembers124,126 define slots which engage thelips119 of thepusher track100. Aplanar panel132 is positioned above the C-shapedmembers124 and126 and is integrally molded therewith.
• A coil spring[0043]134 (FIG. 1) has one end fastened to thefront track10. Thecoil spring134 extends through the space defined byrecess118 and the coiled portion of thespring134 rests in achannel137 defined on the back face ofplanar panel132. Thechannel137 is defined between twoangular ribs136 and138 molded to the rear face ofpanel132 and to ahorizontal portion140, from which the C-shapedmembers124,126 depend.
• With this arrangement, the[0044]pusher plate120 can be slid in therecess118 toward therear track12 with product being filled between thepusher plate120 and thefront track10. When the desired number of products are loaded into the tray, the product holds thepusher plate120 in spaced relationship from thefront track10 against the biasing force of thecoil spring134. As product is removed from the front of the unit, thepusher plate120 under the influence of thespring134 urges the product toward thefront track10. It will also be noted that thehorizontal portion140 extends over and is supported on theledges110,112 of thepusher track100 and theledges78 of theend dividers16,18.
• A second version of the mechanically fed unit is illustrated in FIGS. 6, 9, and[0045]13. This side-mounted pusher assembly includes an adaptedend divider200 in combination with an above-described end orinterior divider14,16,18. Because the adaptedend divider200 includes many of the same structural aspects as thedividers14,16,18 described above, the same reference numerals are used in FIGS. 6, 9, and13 where appropriate.
• The pusher assembly includes a[0046]pusher plate204 which is attached to and movable on the modifiedend divider200. More particularly, in this modification, thevertical panel208 of the modifiedend divider200 is provided with aslot212. Thisslot212 includes aback wall216 which is substantially parallel to and non-coplanar with the rest of thepanel208. Theslot212 also includes two L-shapedprojections220 which project from the opposite side ofpanel208. The L-shapedmembers220 terminate in spaced relationship defining anopening224 to theslot212.
• Turning to FIG. 9, the[0047]pusher204 includes a T-shaped incross section tab228 which fits into theslot212 to hold thepusher204 in but movable relative to slot212. Theside pusher204 includes afront panel232, and two ribs236 (one of which is visible in FIG. 9) which define a channel on the rear ofpanel232. Acoil spring240 fits into the channel. Theend244 of thecoil spring240 is U-shaped and fits over the front edge of theback wall216 to an anchor thecoil spring240. With this arrangement, thepusher204 can be moved along the length of thepanel208 to allow product to be loaded into the unit and then, in the same manner as the previously describedpusher120, thespring240 will urge the product forward as product is removed. The surfaces, ribs, slots of the modifiedend divider200 are all straight, linear projections extending the full length of the end divider.
• To add to the versatility of this unit, it will be noted that an[0048]interior divider14 can be modified to have thevertical panel208, and may be used with anend divider16,18 with or without theslots212 to accommodate the side pusher. With this arrangement, two or more side-by-side gravity feed units can be provided. Therefore, the basic parts can be assembled with two spaced end dividers to receive product therebetween. With this configuration, the units can be set up to accommodate a single row of product or multiple adjacent rows of products, and with different configurations. As mentioned above, some arrangements of thedividers14,16,18,200 are shown in FIGS.10-13.

Claims (9)

1. A shelving system comprising:

an extruded shelf divider including a generally vertical panel having a longitudinal extension and defining a horizontally-extending slot, and a generally horizontal panel having a longitudinal extension and defining a horizontal support surface, said vertical and horizontal panels being co-extruded and substantially co-extensive;

a pusher element having a tab positioned within and slidable along said slot on said vertical panel, and also having a pusher face cantilevered with respect to said vertical panel and extending over said horizontal support surface; and

a biasing element biasing said pusher element toward a first end of said shelf divider such that products supported on said horizontal support surface are urged toward said first end of said shelf divider by said pusher element.

2. The shelving system of

claim 1

, further comprising a plurality of low-friction ribs co-extruded and integrally formed with said horizontal panel and extending along said longitudinal extent of said horizontal panel, said ribs defining said horizontal support surface.

3. The shelving system of

claim 1

, wherein said slot is defined by a back wall and two L-shaped projections extending away from said back wall.

4. The shelving system of

claim 1

, wherein said vertical panel includes only one said slot.

5. The shelving system of

claim 1

, wherein said tab of said pusher element is substantially T-shaped, and wherein said slot is substantially T-shaped and corresponds to the shape of said tab.

6. The shelving system of

claim 1

, wherein said biasing element includes a coil spring having a first end anchored at said first end of said shelf divider and a coil portion positioned adjacent the side of said pusher element facing away from said first end of said shelf divider.

7. The shelving system of

claim 1

, further comprising a track adapted to be mounted to a shelf, said track being extruded along a longitudinal extension that is perpendicular to said longitudinal extensions of said vertical and horizontal panels of said divider, wherein said divider is releasably interconnectable with said track.

8. The shelving system of

claim 7

, wherein said track includes a mounting structure formed integrally therewith, and wherein said divider includes mounting structure that is releasably secured to said mounting structure of said track.

9. The shelving system of

claim 8

, wherein said mounting structure of said track includes a holding rib and a lip, and wherein said mounting structure of said divider includes a slot receiving said rib and a portion received under said lip.

Images