Abstract:
A product merchandiser which can be adjusted to position the sign based on the size and shape of the particular product being merchandised, and on the space available on the shelf or counter in view of the proximity of the other products, such that the product information, e.g., product name and price, is clearly visible and associated with the product being merchandised.

Description:
[0001]    This invention relates generally to sign arrangements used in connection with merchandising products and, more particularly, to such merchandisers which are situated on a shelf or counter in proximity to a product which display product and price information. Such sign arrangements are referred to herein as “product merchandisers.” 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Product merchandisers which display product and price information constructed to be situated in proximity to products are in widespread use, such as in department stores, specialty stores, warehouse stores, pet stores and grocery stores, among other establishments. One type of product merchandiser comprises a base adapted to rest on a shelf or counter, a vertical post having one end fixed to the base, and a sign connected to the other end of the base having product and pricing information. The prior art product merchandiser is situated on the counter proximate to the product. 
         [0003]    One problem with conventional product merchandisers is that the size and shape of products widely vary and while a product merchandiser may be useful with a small product, it may not be sufficiently tall for use with a larger product. This problem often arises in connection with the use of conventional product merchandisers in deli cases in which meats, such as ham, sausage and cold cuts, cheeses, chicken, salads and other food products are displayed in proximity with each other. A product merchandiser may be effective for use with a large ham but be too tall for use with cold cuts. 
         [0004]    Another problem with conventional product merchandisers occurs when a shelf or counter is crowded with many products in close proximity to each other. First, there may not be space on the counter or shelf to place the bases of a plurality of product merchandisers proximate to closely spaced products. Second, when the sizes and shapes of the products widely vary, it is difficult to situate a product merchandiser proximate to a respective product, and in a location at which the sign can be easily seen by consumers, and in which the sign will not itself obstruct other products and their product merchandisers. These problems are not uncommon in deli cases. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved product merchandiser. 
         [0006]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved merchandiser which is adjustable for use with products having different sizes and shapes, i.e., a “product centric merchandiser.” 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved product centric merchandiser which is adjustable to position a sign in any desired location proximate to a product. 
         [0008]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved product merchandiser which is effective for use in situations in which a shelf or counter is crowded with products in close proximity to each other. 
         [0009]    Briefly, these and other objects are attained by providing a product merchandiser which is “product centric,” i.e., a product merchandiser which can be adjusted to position the sign based on the size and shape of the particular product being merchandised, and on the space available on the shelf or counter in view of the proximity of the other products, such that the product information, e.g., price, is clearly visible and associated with the product being merchandised. 
         [0010]    A product centric merchandiser according to the invention includes a base, a flexible shape-retaining elongate member which is bendable and/or twistable with respect to its longitudinal axis and which retains its shape after bending, and a sign assembly connected to an end portion of the shape-retaining elongate member. The coupling between the flexible, shape-retaining elongate member and base is structured and arranged so that the elongate member is connectable to the base at different selectable positions along the length of the flexible, shape-retaining elongate member. In this manner, a post portion of the elongate member extending between the base and the sign is defined, the length of which is adjustable based on the various positioning factors discussed above. 
         [0011]    In use, the product centric merchandiser rests on a counter or shelf and a product to be merchandised is preferably situated on the base of the merchandiser. The flexible, shape-retaining elongate member is connected to the base at a position selected such that the length of the post portion of the elongate member between the base and the sign assembly is suitable, based on the size and shape of the product, and the proximity of other products, to enable the post portion of the elongate member to be bent and/or twisted into a position in which the sign assembly is situated at a desired location proximate to the product. 
         [0012]    The base of the product centric merchandiser is preferably designed to facilitate situating the product on the base. This is advantageous since the weight of the product on the base helps to prevent the merchandiser from tipping over when the sign assembly is not situated vertically over the base. 
         [0013]    In a preferred embodiment, the shape-retaining elongate member is a strip-shaped member formed of plastic having a pair of beaded side portions extending along its side edges in which metallic wires are situated. 
         [0014]    In another preferred embodiment, the base and flexible shape-retaining elongate member are coupled to each other by a slot structure formed in the base in which the shape-retaining elongate member is received in a sliding friction fit. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily understood by reference to the following drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a top right perspective view of one embodiment a product centric merchandiser according to the present invention in which the flexible shape-retaining elongate member is shaped (e.g., bent and/or twisted) to position the sign assembly in front of a product (not shown); 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a top front perspective view of the base of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is top right perspective view of the base of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a front edge perspective view of the base of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5   a  is a top plan view of the base of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5   b  is a section view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 5   a;    
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7   a  is a bottom plan view of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7   b  is a section view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the bracket of the sign assembly coupled to an end portion of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a bottom plan view of the bracket of the sign assembly coupled to an end portion of the flexible shape-retaining member of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  are top and bottom perspective views of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member (with the bracket of the sign assembly attached) and base of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  coupled to each other; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view illustrating the assembly of the sign member to the bracket of the sign assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of the sign member assembled to the bracket of the sign assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of signs to the sign member of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of the signs assembled to the sign member of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a sign assembly of a second embodiment of a product centric merchandiser according to the present invention in which two sign members are assembled to the bracket; 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of signs assembled to the two sign members of the second embodiment of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 17  is a rear perspective view of a third embodiment of a product centric merchandiser according to the present invention in which three sign members are assembled to a bracket of the sign assembly; 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view illustrating a step in associating a food product with the embodiment of the product centric merchandiser of  FIG. 1  oriented so that the flexible shape-retaining elongate member can be shaped to position the sign assembly in front of the product; 
           [0036]      FIG. 19  is a side elevation view illustrating another step in associating a food product with the embodiment of the product centric merchandiser of  FIG. 1  in which the flexible shape-retaining elongate member has been shaped to position the sign assembly in front of the product; 
           [0037]      FIG. 20  is a front view of a food product associated with the embodiment of a product centric merchandiser of  FIG. 1  in which the flexible elongate shape-retaining member is shaped to position the sign assembly in front of the product; 
           [0038]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a food product associated with the embodiment of a product centric merchandiser of  FIG. 1  in which the flexible elongate shape-retaining member is shaped to position the sign assembly in front of the product; 
           [0039]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a food product associated with the embodiment of the product centric merchandiser of  FIG. 1  oriented so that the flexible elongate shape-retaining member is shaped to position the sign assembly in back of and above the product; 
           [0040]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a food product associated with the embodiment of the product centric merchandiser of  FIG. 1  oriented so that the flexible elongate shape-retaining member is shaped to position the sign assembly at a side of and above the product; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a food product associated with the embodiment of the product centric merchandiser of  FIG. 1  oriented so that the flexible elongate shape-retaining member is shaped to wrap around a side of the product and position the sign assembly in front of the product, and wherein the sign assembly is rotated to align with the elongate member. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0042]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a product centric merchandiser in accordance with the invention is designated  10 . The product centric merchandiser  10  includes a flexible shape-retaining elongated member  12  having a longitudinal axis  14  (shown in dotted lines) and a pair of longitudinal end portions  16   a  (not shown),  16   b.  A sign assembly  18  is coupled to end portion  16   a  of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12 . A base  20  is connected to the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  at a connection region  22 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 1  in conjunction with  FIG. 18 , the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  and base  20  are connected to each other at the connection region  22  of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  by a connection arrangement  24  such that a post portion  26  of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  extends from the base  20  and has a certain length L defined between the base  20  and the sign assembly  18 . 
         [0044]    As described in greater detail below, the connection arrangement  24  is configured such that the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  and base  20  are connectable to each other at any one of a plurality of possible connection regions  22  along the length of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12 . Each of the post portions  27  defined by a respective connection region  22  has a certain length L between the base  20  and sign assembly  18  which is different from the length L of a post portion  26  defined by a different connection region  22 . In other words, the length L of the post portion  26  can be increased or decreased by adjusting the position of the connection region  22  of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  to the base  20 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 ,  5   a  and  5   b , the base  20  of the embodiment of the product centric merchandiser of  FIG. 1  is molded of plastic and comprises a substantially square (see  FIG. 5   a ) body  28  having an upper substantially planar support surface  30  from which a front wall  32 , a rear wall  34 , and side walls  36 ,  38  depend perpendicularly to the plane of the upper support surface  30 . The walls  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  have the same relatively short height. For example, the body  28  of base  20  may be 3.750 inches square and the walls  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  may be 0.368 inches high. The corners  40  of the base body  28  are rounded. 
         [0046]    In use, as described in greater detail below, a product is associated with the product centric merchandiser, by first situating the base  20  on a counter or the like, with the plane of the upper support surface  20  being substantially horizontal. The product being merchandised is situated on the upper surface  30  of base  20  at least in part. Ribs  42  ( FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b ) are formed on the underside of the upper surface  30  which are of a height equal to the height of the walls of the base to provide additional support for the upper support surface  20  when a product to be merchandised is associated with the product centric merchandiser  10 . 
         [0047]    As also discussed in greater detail below, a slot structure  44  formed on the base  20  defining a slot  46  constitutes a part of the connection arrangement  24  by which the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  is connected to the base  20 . 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6 ,  7   a  and  7   b , the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  of the embodiment of the product centric merchandiser  10  shown in  FIG. 1  comprises a strip-shaped body  48  formed of low density polyethylene. The body  48  includes a web portion  49  having a pair of longitudinal elongated beaded side edge portions  50 . A flexible metal wire  52  is situated within and extends longitudinally through each of the elongated beaded side edge portions  50  along the length of the body  48  of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12 . Referring to  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  of the embodiment of the product centric merchandiser  10  shown in  FIG. 1  has a length of 13.125 inches, a width of 1.00 inch and a thickness of 0.060 inches. The web portion  49  has a width of 0.635 inches. Each beaded side edge portion  50  has a diameter of 0.188 inches and each wire  52  has a diameter of 0.0625 inches. The flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  is bendable and/or twistable about its longitudinal axis  14  and retains its shape after being so bent and/or twisted. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the sign assembly  18  of the embodiment of the product centric merchandiser  10  of  FIG. 1  comprises a bracket member  54  which is rotatably connected to end portion  16   a  of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12 . The bracket member  54  has a rectangular shape and includes a central body portion  56  surrounded by upper and lower flanges  58  and  60  and side edge portions  62  and  64 . The body portion has a central recessed portion  66  which is connected to the web portion  49  of the longitudinal end portion  16   a  of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  by a cylindrical metallic ferrule  68  having a body extending through aligned openings  69   a  and  69   b  formed in the central recessed portion  66  of bracket member  54  and the web portion  49  of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12 . The ferrule  68  has front outwardly turned upset end  70  ( FIG. 8 ) and a rear outwardly directed flange  72  ( FIG. 9 ) to fix the cylindrical ferrule  68  in the aligned openings  69   a,    69   b.  The ferrule  68  constitutes a shaft around which the bracket member  54  can rotate with respect to the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12 . The opening  69   b  in the web portion  49  is formed by a cylindrical wall  74  flanked by a pair of reinforcing ribs  76 . The bracket member  54  has a friction relationship with the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  so that when the bracket member  54  is rotated to a particular position with respect to the elongate member  12 , it will stay in that position until it is rotated to a different position. 
         [0050]    The connection of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  and the base  20  will now be described in greater detail. The flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  has a transverse cross-sectional shape (see  FIG. 7   b ) configured such that the elongate member  12  is slidingly received in the slot  46  in base  20  for movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis  14  ( FIG. 1 ) of the elongate member  12 . In particular, the transverse cross-section of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  has a shape defined by the thin planar web portion  49  and the pair of enlarged beaded transverse side edge portions  50 . The slot  46  in the base  20  is formed to extend below and parallel to plane of the upper support surface  30  of the base  20  and open onto the front and rear walls  32  and  34  of base  20 . In this manner, the upper support surface  30  of base  20  remains planar without any obstructions which might otherwise hinder the placement of the product to be merchandised on the upper support surface  30 . 
         [0051]    The slot structure  44  includes a pair of facing hook-shaped wall sections  80   a,    80   b  depending downwardly from the upper surface  30  of the base  20  opening onto the front base wall  32  and extending inwardly from the front wall  32  towards the center of the base for a short distance, e.g., for about 0.310 inches. Similarly, a pair of facing hook-shaped wall sections  80   c ,  80   d  depend downwardly from the upper support surface  30  of the base  20  and open onto the rear base wall  34 . Longitudinal slot spaces  82 ,  84  are defined between respective pairs of front and rear hook-shaped wall sections  80   a,    80   c  and  80   b  and  80   d.  A lower slot wall  86  extends from the front base wall  32  to the rear base wall  34  from the inner ends of the hook-shaped wall sections  80  in a plane below the level of the upper support surface  30  of base  20 . The upper surface  30  base  20  includes a pair of longitudinally extending upper slot flanges  88 ,  90  that project over the longitudinal slot spaces  82 ,  84  between the pairs of forward and rearward hook-shaped wall sections  80   a,    80   c  and  80   b,    80   d.  A pair of transverse raised ribs  92  are formed on the upper surface of the lower slot wall  86 . 
         [0052]    The connection of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  and the base  20  is described with particular reference to  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b . Preferably, prior to connecting the elongate element  12  to the base  20 , the bracket member  54  of the sign assembly  18  is coupled to the end portion  16   a  of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  in the manner described above. 
         [0053]    The free end portion  16   b  of the flexible, shape-retaining elongate member  12  is aligned with and longitudinally slidingly inserted into the end of slot  46  that opens onto the front wall  32  of base  20  so that each of the beaded side edge portions  50  of the elongate member  12  is aligned with a respective hook-shaped wall section  80   a,    80   c  in the front wall  32  of base  20 . Each of the beaded side edge portions  50  are bounded, guided and supported on its bottom and side by respective ones of the hook-shaped wall sections  80   a,    80   b.  As insertion of the elongate member  12  into slot  46  continues, each of the beaded side edge portions  50  becomes bounded on the top and guided by the upper slot flanges  88 ,  90 . As insertion continues, each of the beaded side edge portions  50  of the elongate element  12  becomes aligned with, bounded and guided on its bottom and side by a respective one of the hook-shaped walls  80   c,    80   d  in the rear wall  34  of base  20 . Finally, insertion is completed as the end portion  16   b  of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  projects past the rear wall  34 . The width of the slot  46 , e.g., the distance between the vertical portions of the hook-shaped walls  80   a,    80   b  in the front wall  32  of base  20  and the width of the flexible shape-retaining elongated member (including the beaded side edge portions  50 ) are chosen to provide a close fit in the width direction. The height of the slot  46 , e.g., the distance between the bottom portion of the hook-shaped walls  80   a,    80   b  in the front wall of base  20  and the lower surface of the upper slot flanges  88 ,  90 , and the height of the beaded side portions  50  of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  are chosen to provide a close fit in the height direction, effectively capturing the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  in the slot  46 . 
         [0054]    The dimensions are also chosen so that the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  will slide in its longitudinal direction in the slot when pulled from one side. At the same time, the dimensions are chosen to provide a sliding friction fit of the elongate member  12  in slot  46 . In this connection, the height of the transverse ribs  92  formed on the lower slot wall  86  may be chosen to achieve a desired sliding friction fit, generally at least sufficient to prevent the elongate member  12  from falling out of the slot in a longitudinal direction (under gravity forces) and preferably from undesired longitudinal movement in the slot such as might be caused by placement of the product in association with the product centric merchandiser. 
         [0055]    In advance of associating the product centric merchandiser with a product to be merchandised, the sign assembly  18  is completed. Referring to  FIGS. 11-14  a frame member  96  is connected to the bracket member  54  by sliding upper and lower opposed channels  98 ,  100  on the rear of the frame member  96  over the upper and lower flanges  58 ,  60  of the bracket  54 . A pricing sign  101  is slidingly received between a pair of upper and lower opposed sign channels  102 ,  104  on the front of the frame member  96  which capture the edges of the pricing sign. The lower edge of a product card  106  bearing information on the product is fixed in a card slot  108  to mount the product card to the product centric merchandiser. 
         [0056]    In another embodiment ( FIGS. 15 and 16 ), a pair of frame members  96   a,    96   b  are mounted to respective left and right portions of the bracket member  54  (not shown) to enable mounting two pricing signs  101   a ,  101   b  and product cards  106   a,    106   b  to the product centric merchandiser. 
         [0057]    In another embodiment ( FIG. 17 ), a longer frame member  96   c  is connected to the bracket member  54  which has a length sufficient to receive three product cards  106   c,    106   d  and  106   e.    
         [0058]    Referring to  FIGS. 18-21 , one manner of using the embodiment of the product centric merchandiser  10  of  FIG. 1  is illustrated in which the product being merchandised is a ham  110  and in which the sign assembly  18  is positioned in front and at about the mid-height of the ham. As seen in  FIG. 18 , the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  in its rectilinear shape (i.e., prior to any bending or twisting) is positioned in the slot  46  of the base  20  along a connection region  22  which provides a post portion  26  with a length L which is sufficient such that when the post portion  26  is bent upwardly, the sign assembly  18  will be positioned in front of and at the mid-height of the ham  110 . Prior to bending the elongate member  12 , the ham  110  is situated on the upper surface  30  of base  20  as designated by arrows  112  and  114  in  FIGS. 18  and  19 . The post portion  26  is then bent at  116  to position the sign assembly in its desired position. When the ham  110  rests on the upper surface  30  of base  20  as shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , its weight holds the product centric merchandiser  10  in place and helps to prevent it from tipping over. Since the connection region  22  of the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  is situated below the plane of the upper surface  30  of base  20  and projects from the front and rear walls  32 ,  34  of the base, it does not interfere with the positioning of the ham  110  on the base, or with any additional sliding of the elongate member  12  in the slot  46  if further adjustment of the length L of post portion  26  is desired. 
         [0059]      FIG. 22  shows the product centric merchandiser  10  of  FIG. 1  associated with a ham  110  in which the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  12  is oriented upside-down compared to the previously described embodiments so that the pricing sign  101  and the product card  106  of the sign assembly  18  face forwardly. Indeed, the slot structure  44  and elongate member  12  are designed in symmetrical fashion such that the elongate member can be slidingly received in the slot  46  either right side up or upside-down depending on the configuration of the product centric merchandiser relative to the product being merchandised. The length L of the post portion  26  is maximized (in this case) by suitably positioning the elongate member  12  in the slot  46 . 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 23 , the embodiment of the product centric merchandiser  10  of  FIG. 1  is associated with a ham  110  in a manner such that the post portion  26  of the elongate member  12  is shaped to position the sign assembly  18  at a side and at the top of the ham  110 . In this embodiment, the base  20  is situated so that the front wall  32  of the base faces the side to which the sign assembly  18  is to be located. The post portion  26  is vertical and the length L of the post problem  26  is maximized and bent at  118  and twisted at  120  (see arrow  122 ) around its longitudinal axis  14 . 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 24 , the embodiment of the product centric merchandiser  10  of  FIG. 1  is associated with a ham  110  in a manner such that the post portion  26  of the elongate member  12  is shaped to position the sign assembly  18  in front and at the mid-height of the ham  110 . In this case, the post portion  26  is horizontal and is bent and twisted around the side of the ham  110 . The post portion is twisted in back of the ham (not shown). Unlike the embodiments described above, the bracket member  54  and frame member  96  are rotated so as to extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member  12 . 
         [0062]    It is understood that the ways of bending and/or twisting the flexible shape-retaining elongate member  20  and the particular choice of the length L of the post portion  26  are not limited to those shown. The particular choice depends on parameters including how crowded the product display area may be, and the size of the product, among other things. In each case, the product being merchandised rests on the base  20  and its weight functions to prevent the merchandiser from tipping over in the case that the sign assembly is not situated vertically over the base. 
         [0063]    Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. For example, other configurations are possible for the elongate member than are specifically shown. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the claims appended hereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically shown herein.