US20050199565A1

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Publication number: US20050199565A1
Application number: US11/078,155
Authority: US
Inventors: Gary Richter; Terrence Berglund
Original assignee: DCI Marketing Inc
Current assignee: DCI Marketing Inc
Priority date: 2004-03-11
Filing date: 2005-03-11
Publication date: 2005-09-15

Abstract

A merchandising system for presenting and storing articles. The merchandising system comprises a plurality of bases including a first base and a second base for supporting the articles and a first connector configured to removably couple the first base to the second base. The plurality of bases comprise side supports for coupling with the first connector. The first connector comprises portions configured to engage the side supports of the plurality of bases. The first connector is adapted to support the first base in an upper position relative to the second base and the second base in a lower position relative to the first base when the portions of the first connector configured to engage the side supports of the plurality of bases are coupled to the apertures of the plurality of bases.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM/CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/552,336 filed on Mar. 11, 2004, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of merchandising systems. In particular, the present invention relates to merchandising systems providing for orderly presentation of articles (such as products) in a display space.

It is known to provide for a merchandising system that may be used for displaying products in consumer settings such as grocery stores, retail outlets, shops, etc. Such known merchandising systems may be used to present, display and store products in fixed or limited spaces such as on shelves, in display cases, in cabinets, etc.

It is beneficial when merchandising an article such as a product to allow potential customers to view or handle it in a convenient and comfortable manner. Known merchandising systems may display products to a consumer by providing the products in inefficient configurations. However, products and product containers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and some products may be more difficult to merchandise (e.g., present for potential retail sale) than others. Within fixed or limited spaces, known merchandising systems may not be configured to optimize the presentation of such products to a consumer. Such known merchandising systems also do not always provide convenient ways for dispensing products, especially those with unique or irregular shapes. Ease of use can be an important concern for customers and store personnel. As is sometimes the case, product or container design may be dictated by considerations separate from the ease or difficulty with which the product may be presented.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that is configured for stocking, orderly presentation, and convenient storage of products with a shape that may not be easily stored, presented, or displayed, such as products with uniquely shaped containers. It would also be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that is configured for selective modularity in the construction and assembly of the merchandising system. It would also be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that allows for the construction and assembly of a merchandising system with any number of product facings, modules, compartments, etc. It would also be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that advances a product and/or allows a product to advance along a defined path. It would also be advantageous to provide a merchandising system having a frame for supporting and selectively retaining a product within the merchandising system. It would also be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that is able to support products in multiple levels without stacking the products on one another. It would also be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that includes connectors for supporting multiple levels of frames.

It would be advantageous to provide a merchandising system or the like of a type disclosed in the present application that provides any one or more of these or other advantageous features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention relates to an merchandising system for presenting and storing articles. The merchandising system comprises a plurality of bases including a first base and a second base for supporting the articles and a first connector configured to removably couple the first base to the second base. The plurality of bases comprise side supports for coupling with the first connector and the first connector comprises portions configured to engage the side supports of the plurality of bases. The first connector is adapted to support the first base in an upper position relative to the second base and the second base in a lower position relative to the first base when the portions of the first connector configured to engage the side supports of the plurality of bases are coupled to the apertures of the plurality of bases.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a merchandising system for presenting and storing products. The merchandising system comprises a first tray for holding products, a second tray for holding products, and a first set of connectors configured to removably couple the first tray to the second tray. The first tray and the second tray comprise side supports for coupling with the first set of connectors. The first set of connectors comprise portions configured to engage the side supports of the first tray and the second tray. The first set of connectors are adapted to support the first tray in an upper position relative to the second tray and the second tray in a lower position relative to the first tray when the portions of the first set of connectors configured to engage the side supports of the first tray and the second tray are coupled to the apertures of the first tray and the second tray.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a connector from the merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an illustrative embodiment of bases from a merchandising system being coupled together;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of bases from a merchandising system coupled together according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an illustrative embodiment of a connector from a merchandising system being coupled to a base;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative embodiment of bases from a merchandising system being coupled together;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of bases from a merchandising system coupled together according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a plurality of bases from a merchandising system coupled together according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a biasing mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a biasing mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the FIGS., various exemplary and alternative embodiments of a merchandising system intended for displaying articles such as products, containers, items, units, etc. in consumer settings such as grocery stores, retail outlets, shops, etc. are shown. According to a preferred embodiment, the merchandising system is intended to dispense, store, merchandise, display, etc. articles to provide for the space-efficient presentation of groups of articles within a given or fixed display area, and/or to allow for convenient and orderly presentation, dispensing, and storage of articles (such as products or product containers) having any of a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and profiles (e.g., wedges, cylinders, rectangular, non-rectangular, etc.). While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and herein are described in detail, certain illustrative embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments as illustrated and described herein. Additionally, features illustrated and described with respect to one embodiment could be used in connection with other embodiments.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a merchandising system10 (e.g., tray system, shelf system, display system, case, divider system, storage system, modular system, etc.) according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in the FIGS.,merchandising system10 may comprise abase20, aconnector40, anassembly50, and aplate60.

According to an exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 and 2,system10 includes a base20 (e.g., tray, floor, support, support system, panel, member, platform, etc.) having a rear end22 (e.g., rear) and a front end28 (e.g., front). Therear end22 may comprise a rear wall23 (e.g., member, element, etc.) and the front end may comprise a front wall27 (e.g., member, element, etc.).Base20 may also includesides18 and19 (e.g., walls, panels, members, elements, etc.), a surface21 (e.g., inner surface, floor, bottom, shelf, etc.), and a surface24 (e.g., outer bottom surface, exterior surface, base, floor, etc.). Thefront wall27,rear wall23,

side walls

18 and19, andsurface21 may be coupled together to provide aspace29. Thebase20 may have anoutside perimeter30 defined by the

sides

18 and19 andsurface24. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 3 through5,base20 may be provided in a substantially horizontal orientation. The base20 may be configured to support articles such as product (e.g., merchandise, foodstuffs, boxes, containers, food products, bottles, cans, etc.) inspace29. The base20 may also be provided with one or more apertures26 (e.g., holes, cutouts, voids, slots, grooves, etc.) in thebase20. The base20 may also include one or more side supports25 (e.g., members, frames, bars, walls, elements, panels) for providing support when multiple bases are interconnected.FIG. 1 shows a base20 having four side supports25 onside18. Although not shown,side19 may also comprise four side supports25 corresponding in position to those onside18. According to alternative embodiments, any number of side supports may be used. For example, a base may include three side supports, two side supports, etc.Base20 may includeconnectors31 for attaching to other objects such as other bases.

According to various exemplary embodiments, one or more base (e.g., tray system) may be provided. The base may be provided on an existing merchandising system such as a shelf, grid system, display case, etc. The base may be configured to hold, display, retain, store, or otherwise receive articles (e.g., goods, displayed objects, etc.). The base provides for the space division and orderly and convenient presentation of such articles.Base20 may be configured to connect or couple adjacent systems into a larger overall merchandising system. According to a preferred embodiment, thebase20 has a “modular” construction and facilitates use with other bases, shelves, or a variety of other existing merchandising systems, including shelving units, support surfaces, grids, brackets, hangers, etc.

The base20 may also be provided with at least one track70 (e.g. guide, notch, groove, recess, slot, etc.). Thetrack70 may extend substantially along the length of thebase20. When coupled withbase20,connector40 provides support fortrack70 as shown in the FIGS. For example,grooves48 may be configured to “snap” onto portions ofbase20 to help preventtrack70 from being spread apart asmember52 moves alongbase20. According to alternative embodiments,base20 may include a support34 (e.g., bar, clip, fastener, etc.) that adheres to the bottom of the base on both sides of thetrack70. Thesupport34 may be permanently coupled tobase20 to provide support to track70. For example, thesupport34 may include tabs which “clip” into apertures located onbase20 and an adhesive bond may be applied to keep thesupport34 “locked” in place. According to alternative embodiments, asupport34 may be removably coupled tobase20.

According to various alternative embodiments, the configuration of the base may be altered to better accommodate the shape of the articles (e.g., the base may have a circular, rectangular, triangular or polygonal cross-section, the base may have a non-uniform configuration throughout, etc.). For example, the

sides

18 and19 may comprise multiple members positioned in multiple orientations or positions.

According to an exemplary embodiment,system10 includes anassembly50 for advancing articles toward thefront end28 of thebase20.Assembly50 may include biasing mechanism51 (e.g., spring, coil spring, helical spring, elastic, etc.) to urge or bias themember52. Member52 (e.g., paddle, movable panel, scoop, pusher, plate, follower, etc.) is preferably slidably engaged to thebase20. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 3 through5, themember52 is slidably engaged to thetrack70 of thebase20. According to an exemplary embodiment, themember52 may be constructed as a single unit. In an alternative embodiment, themember52 may be provided as an assembly of two or more elements.

As shown inFIGS. 1 through 5, thebiasing mechanism51 may be a coil spring with a first end attached to thefront end28 of thebase20 and a second end coacting with themember52. When themember52 is near thefront end28 of thebase20, the spring is at least partially relaxed. As themember52 is moved away from thefront end28 of thebase20, the tension in the spring is increased.

According to an alternative embodiment, the coil spring shown inFIGS. 1 through 5 can be replaced with any other suitable biasing mechanism. In alternative embodiments, the biasing mechanism may be, but is not limited to, a spring, helical spring, elastic, etc.

As shown inFIG. 13, themember52 includes aback portion54 that is provided in a substantially vertical orientation. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 3 through5, theback portion54 is positioned perpendicular to thebase20. Theback portion54, as shown inFIG. 13, may be rectangular in shape. According to alternative embodiments, the back portion may be circular, scoop-shaped, triangular, trapezoidal, fork-shaped, etc. Themember52 may be configured to slidably engage with thebase20. For example, themember52 may be configured to slidably engage with thetrack70 extending substantially the length of thebase20. Themember52 may be configured to support articles such as product. Themember52 may also be configured to interact with abiasing mechanism51. In some embodiments, the shape of the member may be fork-shaped. In other embodiments, the shape of the member may be rectangular, scoop-shaped, circular, triangular, trapezoidal, etc.

Member

52 may be provided with tabs (e.g., projections, pegs, etc.) which may be configured to coact or engage with thetrack70 of thebase20. Themember52 may also be configured with a platform (tab, ledge, member, shelf, etc.) that may provide support for thebiasing mechanism51. The platform may also guide thebiasing mechanism51 during the movement of themember52.

According to various alternative embodiments, the member (e.g., pusher) may have a wide variety of shapes and/or configurations. As shown inFIG. 14, themember152 may have a curved shape (e.g., curved, scoop, shovel-like, cup-like, bucket-like, etc.). Providing a member with a curved shape may better accommodate certain shapes of articles. For example, the curved shape may better accommodate a bag of articles (such as chips, salty-snacks, etc.) while a member of another shape (e.g., rectangular) may better accommodate a more fixed or rigid article (such as boxed products, etc.). According to an alternative embodiment, the member located on a base may be provided with one or more apertures (e.g., cut-outs, reliefs, holes, etc.). The one or more apertures may advantageously reduce the amount of material needed to build and/or construct the member, or alternatively reduce the weight of the member.

As shown in the FIGS., a front wall27 (e.g., panel, member, plate, lens, window, etc.) may be provided along thefront end28 of abase20. Thefront wall27 may be provided in a substantially vertical orientation. According to one exemplary embodiment, thefront wall27 may be a configured to couple withplate60. As shown in the FIGS., thefront wall27 is configured to selectively engage with a portion of theplate60. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, thefront wall27 engages with the corresponding portions of theplate60 by a “snap-fit.” Theplate60 may be rectangular, circular, octagonal, trapezoidal, etc. in shape and may be of any size or configuration sufficient to retain the article as a force is being applied to the article by the member. According to alternative embodiments, theplate60 may be an integral piece with the base and/or sides.

Theplate60 may be configured to receive or display indicia (e.g. text, graphics, display placards, signage, etc.). For example, indicia may be applied directly to theplate60. Alternatively, theplate60 comprises one or more channels configured to hold and display indicia. Additionally, the plate may be clear to increase visibility of the merchandising articles. This configuration allows the articles to be readily visible by minimizing the potential obstruction that could be created by a front wall. According to an exemplary embodiment, the visibility of the articles may be maximized by providing a clear or transparent plate.

According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more fasteners (e.g., mechanical fasteners, adhesives, suction cups, rubber feet, bolts, hook and loop fastner, brackets, etc.) may be provided on the bottom ofmerchandising system10 to hold, retain, etc. themerchandising system10 in place. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the fasteners may be non-skid rubber feet provided on the underside of the merchandising system10 (e.g., provided on supports34). Slots may be provided on the underside of themerchandising system10 to receive the non-skid rubber feet. The non-skid rubber feet may adhere or otherwise coact with a surface (such as a display shelf). According to alternative embodiments, fasteners may be omitted.

As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the

sides

18 and19 ofbase20 may be configured to selectively engage with the

sides

18 and19 ofother bases20. According to an exemplary embodiment, sides19 may be configured with a plurality of connectors31 (e.g. portions, portions for coupling, fingers, male connectors, members for coupling, hooks, base connectors, tray connectors, platform connectors, etc.) that correspond with apertures26 (e.g. slots, female connectors, etc.) ofsides18 on other bases to couple a plurality of bases together. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8,multiple bases20 may be coupled next to one another (e.g., side-by-side). In a preferred embodiment, theconnector31 may be coupled toaperture26 by way of a “snap” fit.Connector31 may be released by pullingconnector31 away fromaperture26. According to an alternative embodiment, theconnector31 may be replaced with any element (e.g., latch, hook, etc.) configured to selectively release the base20 from another base. According to various alternative embodiments,apertures26 may be located onside19 andconnectors31 may be located onside18, theapertures26 andconnectors31 may be on both

sides

18 and19, etc. Any number of suitable configurations are contemplated that allow a plurality of bases to be interconnected.

Referring toFIGS. 7 and 8, the assembly of a merchandising system comprising multiple bases will now be described.FIG. 7 shows the process of couplingfirst base120 to asecond base122.Connectors31 onfirst base120 are inserted intoapertures26 onsecond base122.FIG. 7 shows threeconnectors31 offirst base120 being inserted into threerespective apertures26 on second base122 (as indicated by the arrows).FIG. 8 shows thefirst base120 andsecond base122 coupled together after theconnectors31 have been inserted into theapertures26. The resultant system includes two bases side-by-side for additional storage of articles.

FIG. 9 shows how aconnector40 may be attached to a base in order to provide support for a second level of one or more base positioned above the lower level (e.g., a multi-level arrangement). Thefront end28 offirst base120 is moved throughspace45 ofconnector40. Theconnector40 is then moved along the length of the base and rotated upon reaching aside support25. Theconnector40 is rotated so thatbase44 of the connector is resting against the bottom of the base. The connector is further positioned so that twogrooves48 are available to couple with a second base.FIG. 10 shows how thesecond base122 is positioned above the connectors and first base so that it may be coupled to the connectors as shown inFIG. 11.FIG. 12 shows four

bases

120,122,124, and126 coupled side-by-side in a first and second level with respect to the vertical axis.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the assemblies and components of themerchandising system10 may be constructed from extruded or injection molded plastic. A variety of plastics may be used for construction or assembly. For example, the connector(s) may be constructed or assembled from high-impact plastics, polymers, etc. Using plastic offers several advantages including that the pieces may be constructed in a variety of different colors, surface finishes, textures, opacity, etc. According to various alternative embodiments, a variety of other known or suitable materials may be used, including metals, alloys, composites, etc.

According to the various exemplary embodiments shown in the FIGS., a merchandising system may be provided on a substantially horizontal surface such as a display shelf or may be provided as the substantially horizontal surface of a display shelf merchandising system. According to alternative embodiments, the elements and the assemblies of the various exemplary embodiments may be applied to a merchandising system provided at any orientation and are not limited to a substantially horizontal surface. The exemplary embodiments shown in the FIGS. may be dimensioned to fit any applicable merchandising system (e.g. shelf, display, grid, etc.). For example, the exemplary embodiments advantageously allow a single merchandising system to be used interchangeably with display shelf merchandising systems of different depths without limiting the storage capacity of the merchandising system to the storage capacity of the smallest merchandising shelf system by providing an enlargeable storage space.

The merchandising system may be incorporated into a display shelf system so that thefront end28 of themerchandising system10 is near the front edge of the display shelf system. Articles may be placed in the space29 (e.g., storage space, compartment, bin, holder, etc.) of themerchandising system10 defined by thesurface21, the two

sides

18 and19, thefront wall27 and therear wall23.

The parts defining the space configured to store or display articles may be constructed and assembled as a single integrally formed piece or may be constructed and assembled from multiple parts. The parts may be arranged to form a storage space. Before an article is placed in the space of the merchandising system, the member may be positioned near the front wall. With the member positioned near the front of the wall, the size of the space available to accept articles is minimal. The biasing mechanism positions the member near the front wall of the merchandising system when no articles are loaded in the merchandising system.

Themerchandising system10 may be initially loaded with articles by either manually positioning themember52 toward the back of thebase20 and then loading the articles into the expanded space, or by loading the articles through the front and having the articles move themember52 towards the back of the base20 as more articles are added to the space. As articles are loaded and themember52 is moved further from thefront end28, the tension force in thebiasing mechanism51 may increase. The tension developed in thebiasing mechanism51 may cause themember52 to apply a force to the articles in themerchandising system10. The force applied by themember52 may securably contain the articles withinspace29. Additionally, the force applied to the articles positions or urges the articles toward thefront end28 of themerchandising system10. Thebiasing mechanism51 may be adjusted or configured so that the force applied to the articles by themember52 does not damage the articles.

Once loaded with articles, themerchandising system10 advantageously allows for the forward movement of the articles after an article is removed. When an article is removed from the front of themerchandising system10, the remaining articles are positioned forward by themember52 to fill the void left by the removed article. Moving the remaining articles to the front of themerchandising system10 maximizes the visibility of the articles by eliminating the possibility that adjacent articles positioned near the edge of the display shelf system could obstruct the view of an article set back from the edge of the display shelf system. Additionally, the movement of the article to the front of the merchandising system reduces the difficulty of trying to reach an article positioned away from the front edge of a display shelf system. Furthermore, the forward movement also eliminates the need to manually reposition all of the remaining articles in the merchandising system after an article has been removed.

The

sides

18 and19 of the merchandising system may retain the articles when the articles are stored or presented in the merchandising system. The

sides

18 and19 may guide the article as the article is positioned or urged in the merchandising system by themember52. Thefront wall27 orplate60 may prevent the articles from being urged off the front of the merchandising system. When themember52 positions or urges the articles toward the front of the merchandising system, thefront wall27 orplate60 may retain the articles in the merchandising system. According to an alternative embodiment, the merchandising system may be configured so that afront wall27 or aplate60 is not needed to retain the urged article (e.g., an additional member may be added, the configuration of the base and/or side wall may sufficiently retain the article, the angle of the merchandising system, etc.).

According to a preferred embodiment in which the biasing mechanism is a coil spring, the member may provide at least one platform to support the coil spring. When the member is positioned near the front wall of the merchandising system, the portion of the coil spring that is uncoiled may be minimal. The platform may support the coiled portion of the spring and may further act as a guide for the coiled spring by preventing the coiled spring from interfering with the merchandising system during the movement of the member.

The same technique used to initially load the merchandising system may be used to reload the merchandising system as articles are removed. In a particularly preferred mode of operation, the new article is reloaded from the front of the merchandising system as it remains incorporated with the display shelf system.

The various embodiments of the merchandising system shown in the FIGURES may advantageously allow for individual merchandising systems to be positioned adjacently or stacked vertically, providing for selective modularity in the construction and assembly of the merchandising system. According to alternative embodiments, adjacent systems may be coupled to each other with a variety of fasteners, including dovetails, screws, bolts, adhesives, joints, etc.

It is important to note that the above-described preferred embodiments are illustrative only. Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, these and all other such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangements of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A merchandising system for presenting and storing articles comprising:

a plurality of bases including a first base and a second base for supporting the articles;

a first connector configured to removably couple the first base to the second base;

wherein the plurality of bases comprise side supports for coupling with the first connector;

wherein the first connector comprises portions configured to engage the side supports of the plurality of bases; and

wherein the first connector is adapted to support the first base in an upper position relative to the second base and the second base in a lower position relative to the first base when the portions of the first connector configured to engage the side supports of the plurality of bases are coupled to the apertures of the plurality of bases.

2. The merchandising system ofclaim 1 wherein the first connector couples to the first base and the second base at interfaces.

3. The merchandising system ofclaim 2 wherein the first connector comprises the interfaces.

4. The merchandising system ofclaim 3 wherein the interfaces are grooves that engage portions of at least one of the first base and the second base.

5. The merchandising system ofclaim 2 wherein the at least one connector comprises a base, a frame, and two sides.

6. The merchandising system ofclaim 5 wherein the first connector engages the second base along the base and the two sides of the first connector.

7. The merchandising system ofclaim 6 wherein the first connector engages the first base along the two sides and the frame.

8. The merchandising system ofclaim 2 wherein each of the plurality of bases comprise an assembly for advancing the articles from a back end to a front end of each of the plurality of bases.

9. The merchandising system ofclaim 8 wherein the assembly for advancing the articles comprises a pusher device that provides a biasing force against the articles.

10. The merchandising system ofclaim 9 wherein the assembly for advancing the articles provides a biasing force from the back end of each of the plurality of bases toward the front end of each of the plurality of bases along a slot located on each of the plurality of bases.

11. The merchandising system ofclaim 1 wherein the first base and the second base further comprise apertures and base connectors.

12. The merchandising system ofclaim 11 wherein the first and second base may be coupled together by inserting the base connectors of one of the first base and the second base into the apertures of the other of the first base and the second base.

13. The merchandising system ofclaim 12 wherein the first base and the second base are positioned side-by-side when the base connectors of one of the first base and the second base are inserted into the apertures of the other of the first base and the second base.

14. The merchandising system ofclaim 1 further comprising:

a third base and a fourth base;

a second connector;

wherein the third and fourth base comprise side supports for coupling with the second connector;

wherein the second connector comprises portions configured to engage the side supports of the third and fourth base; and

wherein the second connector is adapted to support the third base in an upper position relative to the fourth base and the fourth base in a lower position relative to the third base when the portions of the second connector configured to engage the side supports of the third base and the fourth base are coupled to the side supports of the third base and the fourth base.

15. A merchandising system for presenting and storing products comprising:

a first tray for holding products;

a second tray for holding products;

a first set of connectors configured to removably couple the first tray to the second tray;

wherein the first tray and the second tray comprise side supports for coupling with the first set of connectors;

wherein the first set of connectors comprise portions configured to engage the side supports of the first tray and the second tray; and

wherein the first set of connectors are adapted to support the first tray in an upper position relative to the second tray and the second tray in a lower position relative to the first tray when the portions of the first set of connectors configured to engage the side supports of the first tray and the second tray are coupled to the apertures of the first tray and the second tray.

16. The merchandising system ofclaim 15 further comprising a third tray, a fourth tray, and a second set of connectors;

wherein the first tray, second tray, third tray and fourth tray comprise apertures and tray connectors.

17. The merchandising system ofclaim 16 wherein the first tray is coupled to the third tray by way of the tray connectors of one of the first tray and the third tray being inserted into the apertures of the other of the first tray and the third tray so that the first tray and the third tray are positioned side-by-side.

18. The merchandising system ofclaim 17 wherein the second tray is coupled to the first tray by way of the first set of connectors so that the second tray is positioned above the first tray.

19. The merchandising system ofclaim 18 wherein the third tray is coupled to the fourth tray by way of the second set of connectors so that the fourth tray is positioned above the third tray.

20. The merchandising system ofclaim 19 wherein the second tray is coupled to the fourth tray by way of the tray connectors of one of the first tray and the third tray being inserted into the apertures of the other of the second tray and the fourth tray so that the second tray and the fourth tray are side-by-side.

21. The merchandising system ofclaim 15 wherein each of the connectors of the first set of connectors is configured to couple with at least one of the first tray and the second tray by way of snap-fit.

22. A merchandising system for articles comprising:

a first set of platforms for holding articles including a first platform and a second platform;

a first set of connectors configured to couple the first platform to the second platform in a multi-level arrangement wherein one of the first platform and the second platform is positioned above the other of the first platform and the second platform;

wherein the first platform and the second platform comprise apertures and connectors for coupling the first platform and the second platform together side-by-side;

wherein the first platform and the second platform comprise side supports for coupling to the first set of connectors;

wherein the first platform and the second platform are adapted to either be coupled in the multi-level arrangement by way of the first set of connectors, or side-by-side by way of apertures and platform connectors; and

wherein the first platform and the second platform further comprise an assembly for advancing the articles from a back end to a front end of the first platform and the second platform.