US20120006771A1 - Product merchandising system for walk-in display coolers and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

A product merchandising unit having a plurality of shelf members adjustably positionable within a framework structure, each shelf member including a plurality of retractable pin members selectively movable for engagement with openings associated with the framework structure, and a plurality of removably attachable divider members engageable with the underneath portion of each shelf member anywhere along substantially their entire width, the divider members extending downwardly from the shelf member located thereabove into the product display space of the shelf member located therebelow forming product channels for guiding products therebetween, each divider member being selectively adjustable relative to another divider member to control and adjust the width of each product channel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application is a non-provisional application claiming the benefit of provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/984,037 filed Oct. 31, 2007 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• The present invention relates generally to product merchandising display racks and, more particularly, to a product merchandising system for use in walk-in type display coolers and the like wherein the divider members associated with each particular shelf member can be selectively positioned and adjusted to accommodate differently sized products, and wherein each individual shelf member is capable of quick and easy vertical and horizontal adjustment relative to its associated frame structure for both flat shelf and gravity feed operations.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
• Walk-in product merchandising display coolers are commonly used in retail outlets such as convenient stores and grocery stores to display a wide variety of different types of products to consumers. A walk-in cooler typically includes one or more consumer access doors that open into the store area to allow a consumer access to products from display racks and associated shelving positioned adjacent the access doors. Such walk-in display coolers also typically include a storage area located behind the display racks which permits both the storage of product to be ultimately placed on the display racks and provides room for employees to fill the display racks from the rear with products stored within the storage area of the cooler.
• A wide variety of different types of shelving systems are typically used for holding and displaying the varied products to consumers from within such coolers. Some of these display systems are movable and some are anchored to the walk-in cooler floor. Some of these units provide a plurality of shelves which are vertically adjustable and positionable within a fixed framework which typically includes four upright support members each including some type of mechanism for vertically adjusting the shelving units positioned therebetween. In some cases, a wire rack is positionable within the upright frame structure associated with each cooler door and additional shelving is positioned on top of this wire rack. Also, importantly, the shelf dividers associated with these systems are typically not adjustable to accommodate differently sized products. Although some of the known shelving systems allow for the initial placement of the shelves within its associated framework structure, once this initial positioning is accomplished, such systems do not allow for easy further adjustability of such individual shelves into other orientations including into other gravity feed orientations or into a horizontal orientation. Still further, such additional repositioning of the individual shelf members typically requires all product from such shelves and, often times, adjacent shelves, to be removed so that the individual shelf member can be repositioned within the associated framework structure. This takes considerable time and typically cannot be accomplished by a single person.
• Thus, there is a need for an improved product merchandising system for use in walk-in type coolers and the like wherein the individual shelf members can be easily repositioned both horizontally and vertically within the associated framework structure while the shelf members are loaded to achieve a plurality of different adjustably positionable orientations including a horizontal orientation as well as a plurality of different angular gravity feed orientations; wherein the individual shelf divider members are infinitesimally adjustable to accommodate any width product; wherein the merchandising system is a free-standing unit which can easily replace existing units, either individual or as a single set up across a plurality of cooler doors; and wherein the merchandising system can be a mobile unit which may be used as part of a shuttle system for quick change out of preferred products as a function of the time of day, or simply to replace sold out product.
• Accordingly, the present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a product merchandising system for use in walk-in display coolers and the like, or other product merchandising areas, wherein the present system includes a framework structure adaptable for adjustably positioning a plurality of individual shelf members therebetween, the framework structure being either non-movable or positioned on a plurality of casters or other wheel means for freely moving the entire system into and/or out of the storage area associated with a cooler space, or from a first location to a second location, when desired for loading and for presenting products to consumers through the cooler door openings. If the framework structure is non-movable, the present product merchandising system can be easily retro-fitted into existing cooler space by replacing existing individual units positioned in front of separate cooler doors with individual respective present systems, or by replacing the entire existing shelving system with the present systems across all of the cooler doors. If individually used, an old unit can be pulled out of the cooler space and a present unit can be moved into that space. If the entire system is replaced, intermediate units of the present system can share common uprights as will be hereinafter explained. When equipped with casters or other wheel means, a plurality of the present product merchandising systems could be used as part of a shuttle system for quickly changing out products within the cooler space wherein one complete system could be fully loaded and held in abeyance until the unit positioned adjacent a particular cooler door is emptied or partially emptied. Change out is easily accomplished by rolling the emptied or partially emptied unit away from the cooler door opening and thereafter immediately positioning the previously restocked unit adjacent that particular cooler door for immediate access by customers.
• The present framework structure includes a plurality of upright support members each including a plurality of openings or slots strategically positioned for cooperatively engaging retractable pin members associated with each individual shelf member for vertically adjustably positioning each individual shelf member within the associated framework structure. The openings and slots associated with the vertical upright members are spaced closer than currently available in the marketplace thereby enabling the individual shelf members to be vertically spaced closer together depending upon the size of products positioned thereon and potentially allowing for additional rows of products to be faced towards the cooler door as well as potentially allowing for more individual shelf members to be vertically positioned within the associated framework structure.
• In this regard, each individual shelf member includes a plurality of spring loaded retractable pin members associated with each side portion thereof, the pin members being insertably positionable within any one of the plurality of openings or slots associated with the upright support members forming the framework structure. The pin members have sufficient travel between their retracted and extended positions such that they will always hold that particular shelf member at a particular intermediate location within the framework structure regardless of the spacing or tolerance differences between two opposed upright members. Each pin member is spring loaded and attached to a cable system easily accessible by a single person from the underneath portion of each individual shelf member. When the cable system is activated, each respective pin member associated with that particular cable is pulled inwardly so as to release such pin member from its corresponding opening/slot associated with the upright support members. This allows a user to disengage a particular shelf member from the framework structure for repositioning therein. Although several embodiments of a cable system are disclosed and explained hereinafter, it is recognized and anticipated that any release mechanism can be utilized to retract and extend the associated pin members for disengagement and engagement with the associated upright support members. In one embodiment of the present invention, a pair of cable systems are associated with each individual shelf member, one associated with the front portion of the shelf member and one associated with the rear portion of the shelf member. This allows a user to reposition the front portion of the shelf member separate and apart from repositioning the rear portion of the unit. Other systems and configurations are disclosed herein and still other systems and configurations can likewise be used.
• The present system also includes a plurality of shelf divider members which are each individually horizontally adjustable across the entire width of each shelf member for changing the width of each product channel to accommodate different sized products. Each of the shelf divider members are removably engageable with the underneath portion of the shelf member positioned thereabove and the divider members will extend downwardly from the shelf member located above into the product display space of the shelf member located therebelow. The underneath side portion of each respective shelf member includes a pair of transverse bar engaging members specifically constructed to receive engagement means associated with the top portion of each respective shelf divider member. Each individual shelf divider member is designed such that a user, standing at the rear of the shelf, can easily position and engage the shelf divider member with the respective transverse bar engaging members associated with the shelf member positioned thereabove. Several embodiments of engagement means for removably attaching and removing each respective shelf divider member along the length of the transverse bar engaging members are disclosed hereinafter. Such mechanisms allow each respective shelf divider member to be positioned and located anywhere along the full length of the width of each shelf member. Any plurality of shelf divider members can be positioned and locked into place along the width of any particular shelf member so as to provide differently spaced product channels with respect to the shelf member positioned therebelow. Also, since the shelf divider members are removably attached to the underneath side portion of the shelf member positioned thereabove, the design and shape of the shelf divider members provides increased stability for taller products while, at the same time, enabling the actual floor surface of each respective shelf member to be a single continuous floor uninterrupted or uninhibited with any type of divider walls or other protrusions or projections which would interfere with product positioning, location, and slidability during gravity feed operations.
• The present system may likewise include a drip pan or catch pan at the bottom of the framework structure underneath the lowermost shelf to catch spillage and any glass breakage. This will allow for easy clean up of the overall unit and eliminate spillage onto the floor of the cooler itself.
• The present system may likewise include a work tray which can be easily attached to the rear of a particular shelf member for allowing a stock person the ability to place product in easy reach for reloading the individual shelf members.
• Other features include an adjustable front spacer member attachable to the framework structure for adjusting the spacing between the framework structure and the cooler door openings; a front product stop or wall member removably attachable to the front of each shelf member so that front walls of different heights can be interchangeable at the store depending upon the type of products being merchandised from each particular shelf member; and a price channel incorporated into or attachable to the front of the product stop member.
• It is also anticipated that the overall framework structure associated with the present system can likewise be free standing without any casters or other mobility. In this particular application, the present framework structure can be fixedly attached or otherwise secured or positioned with respect to the cooler floor or other product merchandising area.
• These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical walk-in display cooler capable of utilizing the present product merchandising system.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present product merchandising system constructed and assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the framework structure associated with the product merchandising system ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the openings associated with the front upright support members of the framework structure ofFIG. 3.
• FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the slots associated with the rear upright support members of the framework structure ofFIG. 3.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a shelf member constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention for use with the product merchandising system ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a shelf member similar to the shelf member ofFIG. 6 except utilizing a different cable arrangement.
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a shelf member utilizing still another cable arrangement.
• FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the present shelf members showing a wire grid member and a gravity feed floor member constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention for use with the present shelf members.
• FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a shelf divider member constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the divider member ofFIG. 10 attached to a present shelf member.
• FIG. 12 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the front engagement means of the divider member ofFIG. 10 engaged with corresponding means associated with the present shelf members.
• FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the rear engagement means of the divider member ofFIG. 10 engaged with corresponding means associated with the present shelf members.
• FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of the front engagement means associated with the present divider member and shelf member.
• FIG. 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an end divider member constructed in accordance with teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a front spacer member constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a work tray constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the work tray being cooperatively engageable with the rear portion of one of the present shelf members.
• FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a drip pan which can be used with the product merchandising system ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view of the lower portion of the product merchandising system ofFIG. 2 showing installation of the present drip pan.
• FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view of the top portion of the product merchandising system ofFIG. 2 showing the front wall stop member associated with each respective shelf member.
• FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a shelf divider member constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 22 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the front engagement means of the divider member ofFIG. 21 engaged with corresponding means associated with the present shelf members.
• FIG. 23 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the rear engagement means of the divider member ofFIG. 21 engaged with corresponding means associated with the present shelf members.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Although the present product merchandising system will be described with respect to use in a typical walk-in display cooler environment, its use is not so limited and it is recognized and anticipated that the present unit and system will be utilized in a wide variety of different applications as will be hereinafter evident. Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers wherein like numerals refer to like parts, thenumber30 inFIGS. 1 and 2 identifies one embodiment of a product merchandising system constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. A typical walk-in cooler10, as illustrated inFIG. 1, includesside walls12,14,16 and18, afloor20, and aroof22. The cooler10 further includes a plurality of the presentproduct merchandising systems30 positioned at the front of the cooler adjacent to one or morecustomer access doors24 associated with the frontcooler wall14. The cooler10 is also provided with anaccess door26 for ingress and egress of a worker into and out of theinterior space28 for both storing products within the cooler and for stocking and re-stocking thepresent display systems30. The above-described cooler10 is of a type well-known in the art and can be found in a wide variety of retail outlets such as supermarkets, convenient stores, gas stations, grocery stores, and the like. Other embodiments and variations of cooler10 are also well known and available in the marketplace.
• As illustrated inFIG. 1, each of the presentproduct merchandising systems30 is positioned adjacent a correspondingcooler access door24 and eachproduct merchandising system30 includes aframework structure32 having fourupright support members34 and36 connected together at their respective top and bottom portions via opposed pairs of horizontally extendingcross-brace members38 and40 as best illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. Opposedcross-brace members38 are associated with the front and rear portions offramework structure32 and opposedcross-brace members40 are associated with the side portions offramework structure32. Theframework structure32 can be integrally formed as a one-piece unit, orcross-brace members38 and40 may include connecting means associated with each opposite end portion thereof for cooperatively engaging corresponding means associated with the respectiveupright support members34 and36. These cooperatively engageable means may include any well known means for accomplishing this task including one or more projections associated with the respective opposite end portions of thecross-brace members38 and40 which cooperatively engage corresponding openings or slots associated with the respectiveupright support members34 and36; a projection/keyhole slot arrangement; or other suitable engaging means. In this regard, if the upright support members and corresponding cross-brace members are to be removably engageable with each other, such mechanism must provide for a strong, stable joinder between the various members while at the same time being easily assembled by a single person. In the particular embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3,upright support members34 represent the front support members whileupright support members36 represent the rear support members. Eachupright support member34 and36 may likewise include a caster or other wheel means39 for allowing theentire system30 to be freely selectively movable from a first location to a second location.
• When theframework structure32 is positioned adjacent a respectivecooler access door24, the front upright support members such as thesupport members34 include a plurality ofopenings42 positioned in spaced apart relationship along a substantial portion of two opposed side walls forming the frontupright support members34 as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4. Theopenings42 are in the shape of a candy cane as best illustrated inFIG. 4 and the vertical incremental spacing between eachrespective opening42 is much closer than currently available thereby enabling theindividual shelf members46 to be vertically spaced closer together depending upon the size of the products to be positioned on each respective shelf member and potentially allowing for additional rows of products to be faced towards thecooler door24 for merchandising such products to consumers. Eachindividual shelf member46 will include a pair ofretractable pin members57 associated with each front side portion thereof as best illustrated inFIGS. 6-8, therespective pin members57 being insertably positioned within any one of the plurality ofopenings42 associated with the frontupright support members34 for holding the front portion of that particular shelf member at a particular intermediate location within theframework structure32 as will be hereinafter further explained. Since theopenings42 extend through or are located on both opposed side walls of thefront support members34, theupright members34 are interchangeable and can be used on either side of theframework structure32.
• In similar fashion, the rearupright support members36 each include a plurality ofslots44 positioned in spaced apart relationship along a substantial portion of two opposed side portions of therear support members36 as best illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 5. Here again, the incremental vertical spacing between therespective slots44 is much closer together than currently available thereby likewise enabling theindividual shelf members46 to be vertically spaced closer together depending upon the size of the products positioned thereon. Each individual shelf member likewise includes a pair ofretractable pin members59 associated with each rear side portion thereof as best illustrated inFIGS. 6-8, therear pin members59 being insertably positioned within any one of the plurality ofslots44 associated with the rearupright support members36 for holding the rear portion of that particular shelf member at a particular intermediate location within theframework structure32.
• FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the plurality ofindividual shelf members46 utilized within theframework structure32. Eachshelf member46 is substantially rectangular in shape and includes front and reartransverse frame members48 and50 and opposedside frame members52 and54. A pair of retractablepin member assemblies56 are mounted adjacent the front portion of theshelf member46 and a pair of retractablepin member assemblies58 are mounted adjacent the rear portion of theshelf member46 as best illustrated inFIG. 6. Thepin member assemblies56 are mounted to the front portion of theshelf member46 betweenfront frame member48 and atransverse member60 and each assembly includes a spring plunger having apin member57 associated with one end portion that is biased outwardly towards its extended position by aspring member68. Theassemblies56 extend through and are supported by a guide/bracingmember62 which is positioned and located betweenmembers48 and60 as best illustrated inFIG. 6. Each guide/bracingmember62 includes an opening allowing one end portion of theretractable pin assembly56 to extend therethrough for attachment to aconventional cable member64, thecable member64 having its opposite end portions attachable to the opposite end portion of each of the front retractablepin member assemblies56 as illustrated inFIG. 6.Cable member64 likewise extends through a pair of additional guide/bracingmembers66 as illustrated to provide additional support to thecable member64. The terminal end portion of each retractable spring plunger, namely, thepin member57, extends through an opening in the respective opposedside frame members52 and54 as illustrated. Thespring member68 biases thepin member57 to its extended position as illustrated.
• When thecable member64 is pulled in a direction towards the front or rear of theshelf member46, therespective pin members57 are retracted against the compression ofspring member68 to a position within the side perimeter of theshelf member46. When thecable member64 is released, eachspring member68 biases itsrespective pin member57 outwardly through the opening associated with each respectiveside frame member52 and54 such that thepin members57 extend beyond the side perimeter of theshelf member46 for engagement with theopenings42 associated with the frontupright support members34 as will be hereinafter explained. Theshelf member46 is designed so that it can be easily grasped by a user and securely held in hand beforecable member64 is activated and before thepin members57 are released.
• The retractablepin member assemblies58 associated with the rear portion ofshelf member46 are substantially identical in construction to thepin member assemblies56 and are positioned and located betweenrear frame member50 andtransverse member70 as again illustrated inFIG. 6. Eachassembly58 includes a spring plunger having apin member59 associated therewith extending through an opening in the respective opposedside frame members52 and54 as illustrated, thepin member59 being biased towards its extended position byspring member68′ in the same fashion as previously explained with respect toretractable pin assemblies56. Likeassemblies56, theassemblies58 extend through and are supported by guide/bracingmembers72. The bracingmembers72 are positioned and located between themembers50 and70 as previously explained with respect to bracingmembers62. Anadditional cable member74 is attached to the opposite end portions of each of the rearpin member assemblies58 as illustrated inFIG. 6 and extend through openings associated with additional guide/bracingmembers76 for the same reasons as explained above. Whencable member74 is pulled in a forward or rearward direction, thepin members59 are retracted against the compression ofspring members68′ within the side perimeter ofshelf member46 similar to pinmembers57. When thecable member74 is released,pin members59 are again biased outwardly throughspring members68′ so as to extend beyond the respectiveside frame members52 and54 for attachment to theslots44 associated with the rearupright support members36. Here again, theshelf member46 can be easily and securely grasped by a user beforecable member74 is activated and beforepin members59 are released.
• Eachindividual shelf member46 can be easily manipulated and maneuvered for engagement with theframework structure32.Shelf member46 is positioned at the appropriate location within theframework structure32 and a user merely pulls therespective cable members64 and74, either in a forward or a rearward direction, so as to retract therespective pin members57 and59 within the perimeter of theside frame members52 and54. With thepin members57 and59 retracted, the shelf member is positioned adjacent theupright support members34 and36 and therespective cable members64 and74 are released. When thefront cable member64 is released,pin members57 are urged outwardly and extend beyond the perimeter ofside frame members52 and54 so as to engage one of the plurality ofopenings42 associated with the frontupright support members34. In similar fashion, when therear cable member74 is released,pin members59 are urged outwardly and extend beyond the perimeter ofside frame members52 and54 so as to engage one of the plurality ofslots44 associated with the rearupright support members36. In this regard, therear pin members59 can be selectively positioned in any one of a plurality ofslots44 so as to provide a substantially flat horizontal presentation of theshelf member46 to consumers through thecooler door24, or so as to achieve any particular angular orientation for a gravity feed operation. Angular orientations in the range of about ±12° are easily achieved by the present arrangement of theopenings42 andslots44, and other orientations are likewise possible.
• It is important to note that therespective pin members57 and59 have sufficient travel distance between their respective retracted positions and extended positions such thatpin members57 and59 will always engage therespective openings42 andslots44 regardless of any spacing or tolerance differences between the respective pairs of opposedupright support members34 and36 associated with differentproduct merchandising units30 when aparticular shelf members46 is manipulated and maneuvered for engagement with theframework structure32. Due to manufacturing tolerances and differences in the width or spacing between the opposed front and rearupright support members34 and36, the travel of therespective pin members57 and59 is such that regardless of such spacing differences between respectiveproduct merchandising units30, eachrespective shelf member46 will fully engage the respective openings andslots42 and44. In this regard, eachpin member57 and59 may be slightly tapered and may include a shoulder portion (not shown) such that the shoulder portion will always rest against or abut the surface of the respective upright support member adjacent therespective opening42 orslot44 into which such pin member will extend. This travel of the pin members therefore ensures that the pin members are always engaged with the respective openings andslots42 and44 regardless of any spacing differences due to manufacturing tolerances.
• Still further, it is important to note that the candy cane shapedopenings42 provide for twodifferent locations78 and80 for securing thefront pin members57 within arespective opening42. Because of the shape of theopenings42, thepin members57 can be positioned and secured within the slot cavity78 formed at one end portion of theopening42, or it can be positioned inslot cavity80 formed at the opposite end portion of theopening42. Slot cavity78 is positioned and located towards the front portion of the frontupright support members34 and therefore allows theoverall shelf member46 to be located closer to thecooler door24 or other structure. In contrast,slot cavity80 is located towards the rear portion of the frontupright support members34 and allows the front wall portion of theshelf member46 to be positioned farther away from thecooler door24 or other structure as compared to slot cavity78. This enables a user to selectively adjust the spacing of the front portion of eachshelf member46 relative to thecooler door24 or other structure based upon the types of products being merchandised from each individual shelf. This allows a user to better control the shelf set back distance from the cooler door or other structure within thesame opening42. Because of the candy cane shape of theopenings42, thepin members57 will be securely held in either slot cavity78 orslot cavity80 once positioned therein. This small adjustment with respect to eachindividual opening42 provides great flexibility and adjustability to a user when orienting products within theunits30. Also, the shape of theopenings42 also increases the likelihood that thepin members57 will always find, hit or extend into therespective openings42 during installation or re-positioning of theshelf members46.
• It is recognized that initial installation of anyparticular shelf member46 onto a substantiallyempty framework structure32 may require the use of two individuals, one at the front of the unit and one at the back of the unit, to initially position such shelf member. Once theshelf members46 are initially positioned within theframework structure32, additional adjustments and reconfiguration of anyparticular shelf member46 can be easily and quickly accomplished by a single individual. For example, an individual standing at the rear of theoverall system30 can pull therear cable member74 so as to retractpin members59 thereby freeing the rear portion of anyparticular shelf member46 for movement up or down for engagement with another pair ofslots44 associated with the rearupright support members36. In similar fashion, the front of anyparticular shelf member46 can likewise be easily and quickly adjusted by a single person standing at the front of thesystem30 by pulling thecable member64 to retractpin members57 and thereafter reengaging such pin members with another pair ofopenings42 including moving thepin members57 to theunused slot cavity78 or80 associated with thesame opening42. This readjustment can be easily accomplished with a fully loadedshelf member46.
• Still further, it is also recognized and anticipated that other cable configurations can likewise be utilized with eachrespective shelf member46 to retract and extend thepin members57 and59. For example, as best shown inFIG. 7, each individualpin member assembly56 and58 may include its own separate cable member, such ascable members82,84,86 and88, each of which must be individually activated in order to retract its associatedpin member57 and59. In this regard, the structure ofshelf member46′ is substantially identical to the structure ofshelf member46 illustrated inFIG. 6 as previously described, including the structure and operation of thepin member assemblies56 and58, except that one end portion of each of therespective cable members82,84,86 and88 is fixedly attached to one of the respective guide/bracingmembers66 and76 as illustrated inFIG. 7. As withcable members64 and74, eachrespective cable member82,84,86 and88 can be pulled in a forward or rearward direction against the spring loadedpin members57 and59 to retract such pin members within the perimeter ofside frame members52 and54 as previously explained. Obviously, release of any one of theindividual cable members82,84,86 and88 will extend that particular pin member beyond the perimeter of the respectiveside frame member52 and54 for engagement with a respective opening orslot42 and44 as previously explained. Again, proper holding and handling of theshelf member46′ is required before any of thecable members82,84,86 and88 are activated and before therespective pin members57 and59 are released.
• Still further, it is also recognized and anticipated that the cable members associated with each respectivepin member assembly56 and58 can be tied together through a cable system having a single activation mechanism such that when the activation mechanism is pulled or otherwise engaged, all of theindividual pin members57 and59 will be retracted for positioning or repositioning of ashelf member46 within theframework structure32. One embodiment of this mechanism is illustrated inFIG. 8 whereinshelf member46″ is substantially identical in structure toshelf member46 illustrated inFIG. 6 except thatcable members64 and74 are tied together throughcable member75 in a conventional manner such that pullingcable member75 will, in turn, pullcable members64 and74 as previously explained to releasepin members57 and59.Cable member75 may have apull handle89 or other activation member such that when thepull handle89 is pulled or otherwise activated, all of thepin members57 and59 will be simultaneously retracted and released from their corresponding openings andslots42 and44. In similar fashion, when thepull handle89 or other activation mechanism is released, all of the pin members will be extended as previously explained and reengaged with one of the openings orslots42 and44 associated with the front and rearupright support members34 and36. In this particular embodiment, it is preferred that handlemember89 be associated with the rear of theshelf member46” so as to accomplish all maneuvering of the shelf member from the back side ofunit30. Again, proper holding and handling of theshelf member46″ is required as previously explained before the pin members are released.
• A wire grid structure such aswire grid member90 illustrated inFIG. 9 is shaped and dimensioned so as to fit within the recessed area formed by and between the shelf member front, rear andside members48,50,52 and54. Thewire grid member90 is inserted onto the top portion of theshelf member46′ and provides a floor surface for the shelf member. Depending upon the type of products to be merchandised from aparticular shelf member46′, thewire grid member90 may provide a sufficient floor surface for holding and merchandising certain types of products. It should be noted that thewire grid member90 may include cut outportions92 located at the respective corners thereof, thecut outs92 overlaying the spring loadedpin member assemblies56 and58 so as not to interfere with the operation of such assemblies. Depending upon how thepin member assemblies56 and58 are mounted within a particular shelf member, the cut outportions92 may not be necessary. If necessary, thewire grid member90 can be further secured to theshelf member46′ by suitable conventional means.
• In addition, and particularly for gravity feed operations, a gravity feed floor member94 can be positioned on top of thewire grid member90 and secured thereto in a conventional manner as illustrated inFIG. 9. The floor member94 includes a substantially flat base portion having a plurality of ribs orrunners95 extending upwardly therefrom for supporting a wide variety of different types of products. Therunners95 may be triangular in shape and are sufficiently spaced so as to adequately support products positioned thereon while at the same time reducing friction between the floor member94 and the products positioned thereon. The floor member94 may be of unitary construction and formed from a relatively rigid plastic material which is also preferably mixed or impregnated with a silicone resin or other lubricant to improve the slidability of products positioned thereon. It is also recognized and anticipated that the floor member94 may be made from other materials including metallic and non-metallic sheet members. When positioned on top ofgrid member90, the floor member94 provides a smooth continuous surface for both holding and supporting products positioned thereon, and for allowing such products to slide forward in a gravity feed operation. This is particularly important when thepresent shelf members46,46′ and/or46″ are positioned in a gravity feed orientation since products positioned thereon must be able to slide under the force of gravity towards the front portion of the shelf member when the forwardmost products are removed therefrom. It is also important that the spacing between therunners95 associated with the floor member94 be such as to accommodate and support any and all of the various products that are to be positioned thereon regardless of the shape or contour of their bottom walls. Since many articles of merchandise are packaged in containers having unique and unusual shapes, it is usually preferred to have the spacing between the runners substantially uniform and relatively small across the width of the floor member94 so as to accommodate and support products having many different bottom wall configurations. The specific spacing selected may be especially important for some products that have contoured bottom wall portions to properly support such products on the runners to reduce the possibility that they will overturn. In this regard, each individual floor member94 may include any plurality ofrunners95 depending upon the spacing between each pair of runners so selected. It is also recognized that the floor member94 may be substantially flat and may not include any type of runners or ribs depending upon the particular application.
• The presentproduct merchandising system30 includes a plurality ofshelf dividers96 as best illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11 for horizontally adjusting the width of each product channel to accommodate different size products which will be positioned on therespective shelf members46. As will be hereinafter explained, these horizontal adjustment increments will be substantially infinitesimal thereby allowing a user to easily vary and change the individual product channels associated with anyparticular shelf member46. In this regard, except for the outermost shelf dividers96′ as will be hereinafter further explained, each of theshelf dividers96 are selectively removably engageable with the underneath portion of eachrespective shelf member46 positioned thereabove along its entire width and theshelf dividers96 will extend downward from the shelf member located thereabove into the product display space of theshelf member46 located therebelow as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 11. This enables the actual floor surface of eachshelf member46 to be a single continuous floor member uninterrupted or uninhibited with any type of divider walls or other protrusions or projections which would interfere with product positioning and location such as the gravity feed floor member94. Also, importantly, since theshelf divider members96 extend downwardly from the shelf member located thereabove, they provide better stability for taller products which have a tendency to tumble or tip over as they progress forward during a gravity feed operation. As best illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11, thedivider members96 are sized and shaped so as to provide lateral support to the upper portion of products as such products slide to the front portion of eachrespective shelf member46. This is especially true when such products are soft drink type containers which come in various shapes and sizes.
• As best illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 13, the underneath side portion of eachrespective shelf member46 includes a pair of transversely extending shelf framebar engaging members60 and70 specifically constructed to receive the engagement means98 and100 associated with thetop portion102 of each respectiveshelf divider member96. Eachindividual divider member96 is designed such that a user, standing at the rear of thesystem30 andshelf members46, can easily position and engage ashelf divider member96 with the respective front and rearbar engaging members60 and70 as will be hereinafter explained.
• FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate one mechanism for removably attaching and sliding each respectiveshelf divider member96 along the transversely positionedbar engaging members60 and70 so as to position and locate each respectiveshelf divider member96 anywhere along the full length of the width of eachshelf member46. As best illustrated inFIG. 12, the frontbar engaging member60 associated with the underside portion of eachrespective shelf member46 includes acavity104 formed by aflange member106 which is formed with or otherwise attached to thebar member60. Thecavity104 offlange member106 is adapted to receive awedge member108 which is positioned and located on thetop portion102 of thedivider member96.Wedge member108, in this embodiment, constitutes engagement means98 and such wedge member can be attached to thetop flange member102 ofdivider member96 by any suitable means such as through the use of rivets or other fastening means110. Also, it is recognized that theflange member106 andtransverse bar member60 may be integrally formed as a one-piece unit, orflange member106 could be fixedly attached to barmember60 via any suitable joinder means such as by welding.
• As clearly shown inFIG. 12, the upper and lowerflange leg portions112 and114 are angularly oriented so as to correspond to the respective tapers associated with the top andbottom portions109 and111 of thewedge member108. This angular orientation helps to guide thewedge member108 into thecavity104 formed by theflange member106. Since theflange member106 extends the full width of thetransverse bar member60, the front engagement means98 (wedge member108) can be easily and quickly positioned within theflange member106 at any location along the full length oftransverse bar member60. This allows a user to position any plurality ofdivider members96 at any location along the length ofbar member60. The tapers associated withflange leg portions112 and114 and the top andbottom portions109 and111 ofwedge member108 are such that thewedge member108 is frictionally held within theflange member106. This friction fit betweenwedge member108 andflange member106 prevents lateral movement of thedivider members96 along the length offlange member106 at the front portion of the shelf member thereby preventing “walking” of the front portion of thedivider members96 over time. This solves an age old problem and provides a proper merchandising solution.
• As clearly shown inFIG. 13, the rear divider member attachment means100 is likewise associated with thetop flange member102 ofdivider member96 and, in this embodiment, rear attachment means100 includes a pre-loaded resilient spring-like member116 which includes an angularly orientedrear portion118 having a concavedterminal end portion119 which is shaped and dimensioned so as to engage a wire orrod member120 associated with the rear shelfbar engaging member70. Thewire member120 can be welded or otherwise attached to the rearbar engaging member70 as illustrated, or such member can be integrally formed therewith. Once thewedge member108 associated with the front portion of theshelf divider member96 is positioned within thecavity104 associated with theflange member106, a user simply rotates the rear portion of that particularshelf divider member96 in an upward manner so as to allow the angularrear portion118 of the spring-like member116 to slide along thewire member120 until itsterminal end portion119 engages the wire member as illustrated inFIG. 13. This engagement holds theshelf divider member96 securely in place.
• Theshelf divider member96 should have at least two engagement points to keep eachdivider member96 in parallel relationship to each other and so as to keep such members from “walking over time.” Once thefront wedge member108 is positioned within theflange member106, thedivider member96 can be moved and further adjusted along the length of the frontbar engaging member60 until it is positioned at the proper location wherein, at that time, the rear engagement means100 is raised into engagement with the rearbar engaging member70 as previously explained. This locks and holds that particularshelf divider member96 in position along the width of anyparticular shelf member46. As best illustrated inFIG. 2, any plurality ofshelf divider members96 can be positioned and locked into place so as to provide differently spaced product channels with respect to theshelf member46 positioned therebelow. Likewedge member108, the resilient spring-like member116 can be attached to thetop flange member102 ofdivider member96 by any suitable means such as through the use of rivets or other fastening means122. It is also recognized and anticipated that an optional gasket member (not shown) can be positioned at location103 (FIG. 13) between the topdivider flange member102 and rear shelfbar engaging member70 to increase the friction therebetween to prevent “walking” of the rear portion of thedivider members96 over time.
• FIG. 14 illustrates another engagement mechanism for engaging the front portion of ashelf divider member96 with the frontbar engaging member60. In this particular embodiment, the frontbar engaging member60 includes a flange member124 having a plurality of spacedopenings126 positioned therealong adapted to receive one ormore teeth128 associated with a wedge member orcoupling member130. Wedge member orcoupling member130, likewedge member108, is fixedly attached to thetop flange member102 ofdivider member96 by any suitable means such as through the use of rivets or other fastening means132. In this particular embodiment, engagement of theteeth128 with any of the plurality ofopenings126 serves to lock the front portion of theshelf divider member96 into its proper position. Unlike engagement means98 illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 12, use of cooperativelyengaging members124 and130 does not allow a user to first position thecoupling member130 into engagement with the flange member124 and thereafter move the divider member along the length of the frontbar engaging member60 until it is positioned at its proper location. Instead, a user must strategically select where the divider member is to be positioned along the width of anyparticular shelf member46 before couplingmember130 is engaged with flange member124. However, once the front portion of aparticular divider member96 is properly positioned into engagement with flange member124, the rear engagement means100 previously described above can be utilized to again lock and hold thedivider member96 in proper position. In this regard, as previously explained, a user simply rotates the rear portion of thedivider member96 in an upward manner so as to allow the spring-like member116 to engage thewire member120 as previously explained. Unlike the engagement means98 wherein “walking” of the front portion of thedivider member96 is controlled by the friction fit betweenwedge member108 andflange member106, use of coupling means130 and engagement of theteeth128 with any of the plurality of openings124 prevents “walking” of the front portion of thedivider member96 over time.
• FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of anend divider member96′ which can be removably attached to the opposedside frame members52 and54 of eachrespective shelf member46. Since theend divider members96′ will be located at the same location with respect to eachindividual shelf member46, eachend divider member96′ may include a pair ofpost members134 which are positioned and located on thetop flange member102 so as to cooperatively engagecorresponding keyhole slots136 associated with both the top and bottom surfaces of each respective shelfside frame member52 and54 as best illustrated inFIGS. 6-8 and11. Likedivider members96,end divider members96′ are positioned and located such that the head portion of eachdivider post134 is positioned within the larger opening associated withkeyhole slot136 and, once so positioned, eachend divider member96′ is moved forward towards the front of thecorresponding shelf member46 such that the head portion of eachrespective divider post134 is moved into position within the narrow slot portion associated with eachrespective keyhole slot136. Removal of eachend divider member96′ is accomplished in reverse fashion. Since thekeyhole slots136 are located on the shelfframe side members52 and54, attachment ofend divider members96′ thereto does not interfere with or obstruct the actual floor surface of eachrespective shelf member46 thereby providing more usable space for product delivery. Also, importantly, since thekeyhole slots136 are provided on both opposite sides of theside frame members52 and54, it is recognized and anticipated that theend divider members96′ could be removably attached to either the shelf member located above aparticular shelf member46 being segregated for product distribution, or such end divider members could be attached to thatparticular shelf member46 by inverting theend divider members96′ and attaching such members to thekeyhole slots136 associated with the upper surface of each opposedside frame member52 and54 associated with that particular shelf member. This gives a user some versatility and flexibility depending upon the types of products being merchandised from aparticular shelf member46. In addition, instead of inverting thedivider member96′ as just explained for attachment to thesame shelf member46, theflange member102 associated withend divider member96′ illustrated inFIG. 15 could be repositioned and formed along thebottom edge portion135 ofend divider member96′. In this regard, the shape and size of theend divider member96′ can vary and can take on any shape and size based upon the type of products to be merchandised from theshelf members46,46′, and/or46″.
• It is also recognized and anticipated that theshelf divider members96 with attachment means98 and100 associated therewith can likewise be utilized as end divider members for anyparticular shelf member46 by merely attaching such divider members to the front and rearbar engaging members60 and70 of the shelf member located thereabove at the opposed side ends of the shelf member as previously explained.
• FIGS. 21-23 illustrate still another engagement mechanism for removably attaching and engaging ashelf divider member180 along the transversely positioned front and rearbar engaging members60 and70. In this particular embodiment, theshelf divider member180 includes front engagement means186 and rear engagement means98 associated with thetop flange portion182 of each respectiveshelf divider member180. As best illustrated inFIG. 22, the front engagement means186 is a spring divider guide plunger assembly which includes aguide bracket188, aplunger member190 and a biasing member orload spring192. Theguide bracket188 is substantially U-shaped in configuration havingupstanding wall portions194 and196 each having a slot (not visible) associated therewith for receiving opposite end portions of theplunger member190 therethrough. Theplunger member190 is shaped and dimensioned so as to extend through thespring member192 and may include a lip orflange portion198, or any other suitable holding means, for engaging and holding one end portion of thespring member192 in a substantially fixed position therealong. As best shown inFIG. 22, one end portion of thespring member192 is biased against the flange portion orother means198 located at an intermediate location along theplunger member190, and the opposite end portion of thespring member192 is held and biased againstbracket sidewall portion196. The frontbar engaging member60 associated with the underside portion of each respective shelf member includes aU-shaped flange member200 having a slot or cavity202 associated therewith adapted for receiving thefront end portion204 of theplunger member190. TheU-shaped flange member200 can be formed or otherwise attached to the frontbar engaging member60 by any suitable means and themember200 extends substantially the full length ofmember60. In addition, thefront end portion204 of theplunger member190 may likewise be elongated in shape in a direction along the slot or cavity202 so as to provide additional contact area for holding theplunger190 within the cavity202. In this regard, the cavity202 is shaped and dimensioned so as to receive thefront end portion204 of theplunger member190 and hold such plunger member within the cavity202 when engaged therewith. The rear end portion of theplunger member190 located on the outside portion of thebracket member188 includes a stop member206 positioned and located so as to prevent theplunger member190 from exiting the slot associated withbracket sidewall member196. Thebracket member188 may be integrally formed with thetop portion182 ofshelf divider member180, orbracket member188 could be fixedly attached to thetop flange member182 by any suitable means such as through the use of rivets or other fastening means208.
• As clearly shown inFIG. 22, thefront portion204 ofplunger member190 can be easily and quickly positioned within theflange member200 at any location along the full length of the fronttransverse bar member60. Once thefront end portion204 ofplunger member190 is engaged with the cavity202, further movement of thedivider member180 in a forward direction towards frontbar engaging member60 will allow theplunger member190 to move in a rearward direction thereby compressingspring member192 between thebracket sidewall196 and the flange means orother means198 associated withplunger member190. This biasing force exerted byspring member192 will function to hold thedivider member180 in its proper position between the front and rearbar engaging members60 and70 as will be hereinafter explained with respect to the rear engagement means98 associated withdivider member180.
• As clearly shown inFIGS. 21 and 23, the rear divider member attachment means98 is substantially identical to the front engagement means98 discussed above with respect todivider member96 except that it is positioned in a rearward direction as clearly illustrated. As best illustrated inFIG. 23, the rearbar engaging member70 associated with the underside portion of each respective shelf member includes acavity104 formed by aflange member106 which is formed with or otherwise attached to therear bar member70. Thecavity104 offlange member106 is again adapted to receive thewedge member108 which is positioned and located on thetop flange portion182 of thedivider member180 towards the rear portion thereof as illustrated. The engagement of thewedge member108 with theflange member106 is identical to that previously described with respect toFIGS. 10 and 12 except that such engagement occurs after the front engagement means186 is engaged with the cavity202 associated withflange member200. As previously explained, the angular orientation of the top andbottom wedge portions109 and111 helps to guide thewedge member108 into thecavity104 and the engagement ofwedge portions109 and111 with the tapers associated with theflange leg portions112 and114 likewise serve to frictionally hold thewedge member108 within theflange member106. In addition, the biasing force generated byspring member192 likewise serves to push and hold thewedge member108 withinflange member106 as will be hereinafter explained.
• Once thefront portion204 ofplunger member190 is positioned within theflange member200, thedivider member180 can be moved and further adjusted along the length of the frontbar engaging member60 until it is positioned at the proper location wherein, at that time, thespring member192 can be fully or sufficiently compressed by further forward movement of the divider member relative to thefront bar member60 to allow thewedge member108 to be received withinflange member106. Once thespring member192 is sufficiently compressed, the rear engagement means98 is then raised into engagement with the rearbar engaging member70 as previously explained. Fully or sufficiently compressing thespring member192 allows thewedge member108 to be positioned in alignment withflange member106 and relieving the forward force or pressure of theplunger member190 againstflange member200 will allow thespring member192 to exert a biasing force in the rearward direction thereby exerting a force onwedge member108 so as to drive and holdwedge member108 withinflange member106. This biasing force exerted byspring member192 serves to lock and hold that particularshelf divider member180 in position along the width of any particular shelf member. In essence, thespring member192 exerts a biasing force in both the rearward and forward directions thereby holding both thewedge member108 and theplunger member190 within theirrespective flange members106 and200. As withdivider member96, since theflange members106 and200 extend substantially the full length of the front and rearbar engaging members60 and70, any plurality ofshelf divider members180 can be positioned and locked into place so as to provide differently spaced product channels with respect to the particular shelf member positioned therebelow. Also,divider member180 includes a plurality ofopenings184 which serve as means for allowing cool circulated air generated inside a typical walk-in cooler to be more easily distributed and circulated between the respective shelf divider members as such cool air can easily pass through any plurality ofdivider members180 so as to cool the respective products positioned therebetween.
• Although several embodiments of the front and rear engagement means98,100 and186 associated with a particular shelf divider member has been disclosed herein, it is recognized and anticipated that a wide variety of different types of front and rear divider attachment means can be utilized so as to removably position each individualshelf divider member96 and/or180 at its proper location along the width of aparticular shelf member46 positioned thereabove.
• FIG. 16 illustrates an exploded view of a front spacer member which may be optionally used in association with thepresent system30 to selectively adjustably control the position of theframework structure32 and theshelf members46 relative to thecooler doors24 when the presentproduct merchandising system30 is positioned adjacent thereto. Eachspacer member138 includes an elongated member140 integrally formed with or otherwise attached to an inverted J-shapedflange member142, anelongated telescoping member144, and apin member146. Elongated member140 includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough such as theopenings148 for selectively adjustably positioningelongated member144 in telescopic relationship thereto. In this regard,member144 includes anopening150 extending therethrough such that when themember144 is insertably positioned over member140, opening150 can be aligned with any one of theopenings148 to control the overall length ofmembers140 and144 relative toflange member142. Once opening150 is placed in registration with one of theopenings148,pin member146 is inserted therethrough to lock and hold themember144 in telescopic relationship with member140. Thechannel opening152 formed by the inverted J-shapedflange member142 is sized and shaped so as to cooperatively receivecross-brace members38 when positioned thereover.
• As best illustrated inFIG. 2, any plurality offront spacer members138 can be positioned in cooperative engagement with the top and bottomcross-brace members38 associated with the front portion of themerchandising system30 andelongated member144 can be telescopically position relative to member140 to achieve a predetermined distance such that when theoverall system30 is positioned adjacent acooler door24, theterminal end portion154 of eachrespective spacer member138 will engage the interiorfront wall surface14 of cooler10 (FIG. 1) so as to control the distance between both the frontupright support members34 and front wall portion of eachrespective shelf member46 relative to a closedcooler door24. In this regard, depending upon the angular orientation of eachrespective shelf member46 as well as the type of products being positioned thereon, a user can selectively adjust and control the set back distance of eachrespective shelf member46 relative to a correspondingcooler door24.Flange member142 can be positioned anywhere along the length of thecross-brace members38 and the size of thechannel opening152 relative to the size and shape of thecross-brace members38 should be such that a substantially type friction fit is achieved so as to prevent movement of each respectivefront spacer member138 along the length ofcross-brace member38 when in use. Although any plurality of front spacer members may be used in any particular application, as illustrated inFIG. 2, it is contemplated that a pair offront spacer members138 positioned on the top and bottomcross-brace members38 respectively as illustrated inFIG. 2 will achieve the stated purpose.
• It is also recognized that attachment means can be provided for holding and attaching eachunit30 in proper position to the interiorfront wall14 of cooler10 to further secure such units adjacent a respectivecooler door24. This attachment means can take the form of a tether or other member (not shown) attached both to the interior of the coolerfront wall14 and theunit30. Other attachment means are also envisioned.
• FIG. 17 illustrates an optional work tray orstock shelf member156 which is cooperatively engageable with the rear end portion of eachrespective shelf member46 for allowing a stock person the ability to place new product or cases of products on thework tray156 in close proximity to aparticular shelf member46 for loading or restocking that particular shelf member or adjacent shelf members.Work tray156 includes a pair of opposedside frame members158 each including anextension member160 which is shaped and dimensioned for being cooperatively inserted and received within theopenings162 associated with each opposedside frame member52 and54 associated with eachrespective shelf member46.Extension members160 are of sufficient length such that when themembers160 are inserted within the rear portion of shelfside frame members52 and54 through theopenings162, thework tray156, with product positioned thereon, is adequately supported. As can be seen inFIG. 17, theextension members160 are vertically offset from theside frame members158 such that when thework tray156 is engaged with aparticular shelf member46, themain support surface164 is positioned below the product support surface or floor of thatparticular shelf member46 to be loaded so as to allow a user to stock product onwork tray156 and still have clear access to the rear portion ofshelf member46 for loading and restocking such shelf member. Although themain support surface164 ofwork tray156 is illustrated as a wire grid support surface, it is recognized and anticipated that thesupport surface164 can take on a wide variety of different sizes and shapes including a continuous flat supporting floor surface. Once aparticular shelf member46 has been restocked, thework tray156 can be easily and quickly disengaged and removed from theopenings162 associated with aparticular shelf member46 and thework tray156 can then be reengaged with adifferent shelf member46 for accomplishing the same task. Other structures and configurations forwork tray156 are likewise contemplated and anticipated so long aswork tray156 is selectively removably engageable with the rear portion of eachshelf member46.
• As best shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, thework tray156 can be easily stored in an out-of-the-way position towards the top of theproduct merchandising system30 through the use of engagement means associated with the upper portion of each respective rearupright support member36. In the particular embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, this engagement means includes a respectivetubular member166 positioned and located on the inside portion of each respectiveupright support member36, theextension members160 associated with thework tray156 being cooperatively receivable and engageable within the openings associated withtubular members166. With thework tray156 stored at the top of theunit30,additional shelf dividers96 and96′ and other system components such as additionalfront spacer members138 can be easily and conveniently stored on thework tray156. Also, in this regard, such additional system components can likewise be stored on the top portion of theuppermost shelf member46 associated with any particular system orunit30. It is also recognized and anticipated that atubular member166 could likewise be positioned and located on the inside portion of each respectiveupright support member34 as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3.
• FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate the construction and use of an optional drip pan orcatch pan168 which can be conveniently positioned at the bottom of theframe work structure32 underneath thelowermost shelf member46 to catch spillage and any glass breakage during normal use of thepresent system30. Thedrip pan168 can take on a wide variety of different shapes (FIG. 18) but it should be able to fit between thelowermost shelf member46 and the front and rearcross-brace members38 as illustrated inFIG. 19. In this regard, thedrip pan168 merely rests upon thecross-brace members38 and can be slidably positioned fore and aft relative to theframework structure32 depending upon the orientation and inclination of theshelf members46. Thedrip pan168 can be easily and quickly slidably positioned and removed from its resting position on top ofcross-brace members38 from the rear of theunit30. Use of thedrip pan168 will allow for easy and quick clean-up of any spillage or breakage of product containers during normal use and will eliminate spillage onto theinterior floor surface20 of the cooler10 itself. It is also recognized and anticipated that thedrip pan168 could merely sit on the floor or other support surface underneath theentire unit30 such as on thecooler floor20.
• As best illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 20, the front portion of eachrespective shelf member46 includes an L-shapedflange member170 having anupstanding wall portion172 associated therewith which can function as a front wall stop member depending upon the size of the particular products being merchandised from aparticular shelf member46. Theflange member170 can be attached to the underside portion of fronttransverse shelf member48 and its correspondingside frame members52 and54 by any suitable means, the upstandingfront wall portion172 being spaced from the front edge portion offrame member48 by a predetermined distance. This spacing allows a removably attachable product stop orfront wall member174 as best illustrated inFIG. 20 to be removably attachable to the front portion of eachrespective shelf member46 so that front walls of different heights can be made interchangeable at the store depending upon the type of products being merchandised from eachparticular shelf member46. In this regard, the size and thickness of thefront wall member174 is such that it can be frictionally engaged with the slot or space formed between thefront wall portion172 and the front edge portion ofshelf frame member48. The front product stop orwall member174 can be provided in varying heights so that a user can easily and quickly selectively interchange a frontproduct stop member174 of the appropriate height based upon the type of products being merchandised from thatparticular shelf member46. The frontproduct stop members174 can also be provided as a see-through or clear wall member so as not to obstruct or obscure the view of the various products positioned therebehind. Also, as clearly illustrated inFIG. 20, aconventional price channel176 is attached to or otherwise integrally formed with theupstanding wall portion172 offlange member170 to provide for quick and easy change out of product and pricing information associated with eachindividual shelf member46. Still further, it is also recognized and anticipated that the shape of the frontproduct stop member174 can take on a wide variety of different shapes such as a curved design that curves back into the products positioned therebehind as illustrated at179 inFIG. 20. In addition, the upper end portion of thefront wall member174 may include a barb orother projection177 projecting back towards the rear of the shelf member and towards the products positioned therebehind, thisprojection177 serving as an additional stop means and preventing the upfront product from toppling over thefront wall member174. Use of the barb orprojection177 also allows for the entire height of theproduct stop member174 to be reduced since thebarb177 functions to prevent the upfront product, when sliding down the full length of an empty product channel, from toppling over thefront wall member174. Still further, theproduct stop member174 could be tinted, etched, routed or otherwise made to match the color or packaging associated with the products positioned there behind.
• It is also recognized and anticipated that the frontproduct stop member174 may likewise include achannel member175 located adjacent the top portion and extending along the full length thereof as best illustrated inFIGS. 19 and 20. Thisadditional channel member175 provides additional flexibility to a user in that it allows for a larger product and/or pricing information panel to be associated with the front portion of each respective shelf member. For example, product indicia or pricing information can be associated with a panel member which would be engageable on one end portion thereof with the lower channel associated with theconventional price channel176 and on its opposite end portion with thechannel member175. This allows the indicia panel member to be larger than the panel member used with theconventional price channel176. In addition, a product and/or pricing information panel member could have its lower edge portion engageable with the space or slot formed between the upper channel associated withmember176 and the frontproduct stop member174 and it could have its upper edge portion engageable with thechannel member175. This allows for an indicia panel member larger than the panel member used with theprice channel176 but smaller than the previously described panel member attached between the lower channel ofmember176 andchannel member175. This, in effect, gives a user three different options as to the size of any product and/or price indicia panel member that a user wants to display in front of eachrespective shelf member46 when the frontproduct stop member174 is being utilized.
• It is further recognized and anticipated that the overallframe work structure32 illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3 can likewise be free standing without any casters and without any mobility. In this regard, the bottom end portions of theupright support members34 and36 can merely rest upon a supporting floor surface, or such members can include traditional feet members, including adjustable feet members, such as thefeet members178 illustrated inFIG. 19, which would be cooperatively engageable or otherwise associated with the bottom end portions of the respectiveupright support members34 and36.
• Although the presentproduct merchandising system30 has been described with respect to use in a walk-in type cooler environment, it is recognized and anticipated that thepresent system30 could be utilized in any product merchandising application where products are being displayed and offered for sale to the general public. The present system also has utility and other applications such as storing applications where products are stored and held for re-stocking purposes or for other use at a later date and the present system has utility in providing easy access to a wide variety of different types of goods other than food and beverage products.
• Although it is recognized that various acceptable materials of construction are available and could equally be employed to fabricate the various components of thepresent system30, it is usually preferred that such components such as theframework structure32, theshelf members46, and thedivider members96,96′ and180 be fabricated from certain metals or other durable materials such as certain other metal alloys which are able to withstand moderate impact and mishandling and supply the necessary strength and rigidity depending upon the particular application and the load carrying capacity desired. It is also recognized that certain relatively strong plastic materials as well as other types of materials may likewise be used in fabricating some, if not all, of the components of thepresent system30 so long as such materials are able to withstand the desired load carrying capacity of such units.
• It is also important to note that the overall dimensions of thepresent system30 as well as the configuration of many of the individual components associated therewith includingshelf members46,46′ and46″ anddivider members96,96′ and180 are subject to wide variations and may be sized and shaped into a variety of different sizes and shapes and configurations so as to be compatible with the size and shape of the particular product merchandising area into which thepresent system30 may be employed, or to conform with any other space limitations, without impairing the teachings and practice of the present invention.
• Thepresent system30 thus provides for a product merchandising system having a plurality of individually adjustable shelf members which can be quickly and easily maneuvered and adjusted to achieve any particular product orientation including a substantially flat horizontal shelf orientation as well as gravity feed orientations, and which system provides for a plurality of shelf divider members which can be selectively adjustable to accommodate differently sized products, and which are attachable to the shelf member located thereabove thereby enabling the actual floor space associated with each individual shelf member to be a single continuous floor uninterrupted or uninhibited with any type of divider walls or other protrusions or projections which would interfere with product positioning and location. Still further, when thecasters39 or other wheel means are associated with themerchandising unit30, thepresent units30 can be used as part of a shuttle system for quickly changing out products within the cooler space, or within any other product merchandising area, once product depletion occurs. In this regard, one or morecomplete systems30 could be fully loaded and held in abeyance untilother units30 positioned adjacent a particular cooler door, or in other product merchandising areas, are emptied or partially emptied. Change-out is easily accomplished by rolling the empty or partially emptied unit(s) away from the cooler door(s), or away from the other product merchandising area(s), and thereafter immediately positioning a previously restocked unit(s)30 in the appropriate product merchandising area(s) for immediate access by customers. When mobile, theproduct merchandising units30 are freely movable into and out of any product merchandising storage area such as the storage area associated with a cooler space, or from one location to a second location, when desired for loading and for presenting products to customers. Loading or restocking can take place in the interior storage space of a particular cooler, if desired, or such loading and restocking can take place in other back door areas. As a direct result of its mobility, the present system allows for a quick change-out of preferred products as a function of the time of day, or simply to replace sold out product.
• Still further, it is also recognized and anticipated that since the plurality ofopenings42 and plurality ofslots44 extend through or are located on both opposite side walls of the front and rearupright support members34 and36, a single stand-alone system comprising a plurality of theunits30 can be constructed within a cooler10, or elsewhere, so as to be fixedly attached or otherwise secured or positioned with respect to the cooler floor and cooler doors without any mobility. In this particular embodiment, eachadjacent unit30 would share a front and rearupright support member34 and36 with anadjacent unit30. In other words, the framework structure associated with a free-standing version of the present system without any casters or other mobility across a plurality of five cooler doors could be constructed with a total of six frontupright support members34 and six rearupright support members36. Other configurations, if necessary, depending upon the spacing between each respective cooler door, is likewise anticipated.
• Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a product merchandising system for use in association with walk-in type coolers and with other existing product merchandising areas, which system fulfills all of the objects and advantages sought therefore. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present constructions will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims (14)

1-41. (canceled)

42. A shelf member for use in a product merchandising unit comprising:

a frame structure having front and rear edge portions and opposed side edge portions;

a flange member spaced from said front edge portion by a predetermined distance and having an upstanding wall portion associated therewith, said upstanding wall portion including a price channel having a pair of spaced apart channel members associated therewith, said pair of spaced apart channel members adapted to receive a panel member therebetween;

a removably attachable front wall portion taller in height than the upstanding wall portion associated with said flange member, said removably attachable front wall portion being engageable with said predetermined space between the upstanding wall portion of said flange member and said front edge portion, said removably attachable front wall portion including a channel member located adjacent the top portion thereof.

43. The shelf member defined in claim1 including a panel member extending between the lowermost channel member associated with the price channel of said flange member and the channel member associated with said removably attachable front wall portion.

44. The shelf member defined in claim1 including a panel member extending between a space formed between the uppermost channel member associated with the price channel of said flange member and said removably attachable front wall portion, and the channel member associated with said removably attachable front wall portion.

45. The shelf member defined in claim1 wherein said removably attachable front wall portion includes a projection located against the top portion thereof projecting away from said channel member towards the rear edge portion thereof.

46. In a product merchandising unit having a plurality of upright support members, each upright support member having a plurality of openings associated therewith, the improvement comprising:

at least one shelf member adjustably positionable along the length of said plurality of upright support members, said at least one shelf member having engagement means associated therewith for cooperatively engaging corresponding openings associated with said plurality of upright support members for adjustably positioning said at least one shelf member along the length of said upright support members;

said at least one shelf member including a front transverse member and a rear transverse member associated with the underneath portion thereof; and

at least one removably attachable shelf divider member for selectively attaching to the front and rear transverse members of said at least one shelf member anywhere along substantially their entire length, said at least one divider member extending downwardly from said at least one shelf member into the product display space of a shelf member located therebelow and having a plunger member and a wedge member associated therewith;

said front and rear transverse members each including a cavity extending substantially the full length thereof for removably attaching said divider member to said shelf member;

said plunger member being adapted to cooperatively engage the cavity associated with said front transverse member anywhere along the length thereof and said wedge member being adapted to cooperatively engage the cavity associated with said rear transverse member anywhere along the length thereof.

47-55. (canceled)

56. The improvement defined inclaim 46 wherein said plunger member is biased by a biasing means.

57. The improvement defined inclaim 56 wherein said biasing means includes a spring member.

58. (canceled)

59. The improvement defined inclaim 46 wherein said shelf member includes a flange member spaced from the front edge portion thereof by a predetermined distance, said flange member having an upstanding wall portion associated therewith which functions as a front wall stop member for products positioned on said shelf member.

60. The improvement defined inclaim 59 wherein said upstanding wall portion includes a price channel adapted for receiving a panel member having indicia thereon.

61. The improvement defined inclaim 59 including a removably attachable front wall portion taller in height than the upstanding wall portion associated with said flange member, said removably attachable front wall portion being engageable with the predetermined space between the upstanding wall portion of said flange member and the front edge portion of said shelf member.

62. In a product merchandising unit having a plurality of upright support members, each upright support member having a plurality of openings associated therewith, the improvement comprising:

at least one shelf member adjustably positionable along the length of said plurality of upright support members, said at least one shelf member having engagement means associated therewith for cooperatively engaging corresponding openings associated with said plurality of upright support members for adjustably positioning said at least one shelf member along the length of said upright support members;

said at least one shelf member including a front transverse member and a rear transverse member associated with the underneath portion thereof; and

at least one removably attachable shelf divider member for selectively attaching to the front and rear transverse members of said at least one shelf member anywhere along substantially their entire length, said at least one divider member extending downwardly from said at least one shelf member into the product display space of a shelf member located therebelow and having a plunger member and a wedge member associated therewith;

said front and rear transverse members each including a cavity extending substantially the full length thereof; for removably attaching said divider member to said shelf member;

said plunger member being adapted to cooperatively engage the cavity associated with said rear transverse member anywhere along the length thereof and said wedge member being adapted to cooperatively engage the cavity associated with said front transverse member anywhere along the length thereof.

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