Abstract:
A merchandising system is disclosed. The merchandising system provides for the presentation and storage of articles comprising a frame comprising a plurality of generally horizontal members configured for attachment of a holder and at least one frame member provided to rigidify the plurality of horizontal members so that the frame is resistant to deformation when the holder is attached to one or more of the plurality of horizontal members.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of priority as may be available under 35 U.S.C. §§ 119-121 from the following application: U.S. Patent Application No. 60/409,612 (“MERCHANDISING SYSTEM”) filed Sep. 10, 2002 (incorporated herein by reference). 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of merchandising systems. In particular, the present invention relates to merchandising systems providing for support of articles and/or one or more tray systems.  
           [0003]    It is known to provide for a merchandising system that may be used for displaying articles in consumer settings such as grocery stores, retail outlets, shops, etc. Such known merchandising systems may be used to present, display and store articles in fixed or limited spaces such as on shelves, in display cases, cabinets, etc.  
           [0004]    It is beneficial when merchandising articles to allow potential customers to view or handle them in a convenient and comfortable manner. It is also beneficial to be able to provide for relatively neat and orderly presentation of articles. However, within fixed or limited spaces, known merchandising systems may not be configured to allow for relatively neat and orderly presentation of articles. Such known merchandising systems do not always provide articles and/or one or more tray systems in straight, linear, and/or level arrangements. For example, some known merchandising systems do not provide strong and/or rigid support for articles and/or one or more tray systems. This supportive configuration can be an important feature for customers and store personnel because it enables articles to be merchandised with less sagging, deformation, and/or movement of the merchandising system.  
           [0005]    Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that may provide for relatively neat and orderly presentation of articles. It would also be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that may provide a strong and/or rigid support for article and/or one or more tray systems. It would also be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that may provide articles and/or one or more tray systems in straight, linear, or level arrangements. It would also be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that may be configured to resist sagging, deformation, bowing, and/or movement due to article weight. It would also be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that may provide a rigid support for article having relatively high weight and/or density.  
           [0006]    It would be advantageous to provide a merchandising system or the like of a type disclosed in the present application that provides any one or more of these or other advantageous features.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0007]    The present invention relates to a merchandising system for presenting and storing products. The merchandising system comprises a grid comprising a plurality of vertical members and a plurality of horizontal members arranged in a generally planar configuration and oriented so that one or more tray systems may be attached to the grid at select locations. In addition, the merchandising system comprises members coupled to the grid and providing support to the grid to maintain the generally planar configuration of the grid when the one or more tray systems are attached to the grid.  
           [0008]    The present invention also relates to a merchandising system for supporting tray systems comprising a support assembly having vertical members and horizontal members and configured so that the tray systems may be attached at select locations. In addition, the merchandising system includes at least one member fixedly attached to the support assembly and configured to resist deformation of the support assembly.  
           [0009]    The present invention also relates to a merchandising system for storing and presenting products on a shelf or display case comprising a means for supporting a plurality of tray systems at select locations, and a means for providing strength and rigidity to the merchandising system and configured to resist deformation of the means for supporting the plurality of tray systems.  
           [0010]    The present invention also relates to a merchandising system for supporting products comprising a plurality of vertically oriented members, a plurality of horizontally oriented members coupled to the vertically oriented members in a grid formation, and frame members coupled to the vertically oriented members such that the grid formation resists deformation.  
           [0011]    The present invention also relates to a merchandising system for presenting and storing articles comprising a frame comprising a plurality of generally horizontal members configured for attachment of a holder, and at least one frame member provided to rigidify the plurality of horizontal members so that the frame is resistant to deformation when the holder is attached to one or more of the plurality of horizontal members. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the merchandising system.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the merchandising system.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the merchandising system.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a front and side view of merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a top view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a fastener for use with a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, various exemplary and alternative embodiments of a merchandising system intended for displaying articles such as products, containers, items, units, etc. in consumer settings such as grocery stores, retail outlets, shops, etc. are shown. According to a preferred embodiment, the merchandising system is intended to dispense, store, merchandise, display, etc. articles to provide for the space-efficient presentation of groups of articles within a given or fixed display area, and/or to allow for convenient and orderly presentation, dispensing, and storage of articles (such as products or product containers) having any of a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and profiles (e.g., rectangular, non-rectangular, etc.).  
         [0021]    [0021]FIGS. 1 through 8 show a merchandising system  10  according to an exemplary embodiment. System  10  includes a base  22  (e.g., grid, support, frame, framework, backing, etc.) having a frame  30  and a grid  40 . The grid  40  includes vertical members  42 , horizontal members  44 , and frame members  46 .  
         [0022]    According to various exemplary embodiments, one or more tray system  52  (e.g., tray, holder, carrier, container, shelf, platform, etc.) may be provided. The tray system may be provided on an existing merchandising system such as a shelf, grid system, display case, etc. The tray system may be configured to hold, display, retain, store, or otherwise receive articles such as product (e.g., goods, displayed objects, etc.). The tray system may provide for the space division and orderly and convenient presentation of such articles.  
         [0023]    As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, base  22  comprises a frame  30  (e.g., vertical component/element, frame, stand, member, etc.) and grid  40  (e.g., grid module, wire module, wire frame, support, support element, etc.). Base  22  may be configured to connect or couple adjacent systems into a larger overall merchandising system. According to a preferred embodiment, the base has a “modular” construction and facilitates use with other bases, shelves, or a variety of other existing merchandising systems, including shelving units, support surfaces, grids, brackets, hangers, etc.  
         [0024]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the frame  30  may comprise one or more members  32  (e.g., vertical component, vertical element, etc.). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the frame  30  comprises two vertical members  32 . A number of apertures  34  (e.g., slots, mounting points, etc.) may be provided along members  32  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8. Apertures  34  provide a mounting area for attaching grid  40  to members  32 .  
         [0025]    Frame  30  may be attached to a wall, floor, base, support, stand, etc. to provide stability or overall support to the merchandising system. For example, the frame may be attached to a cooler in a retail or display setting. According to other exemplary embodiments, the frame may be attached to any shelving or display system. According to various alternative embodiments, the frame may be omitted and the one or more grid may be coupled directly to other support structures (e.g., screwed, bolted, etc. directly to a wall, case, frame, etc.).  
         [0026]    According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more grid  40  (e.g., grid module, wire module, wire frame, support, support assembly, etc.) may be coupled to frame  30 . According to a preferred embodiment, the grid has a “modular” construction and facilitates use with many structures, shelves, bases, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, brackets  50  are provided to couple the grid  40  to the frame  30 . As an example, the brackets may be similar to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,248, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0027]    According to an exemplary embodiment, merchandising system  10  may include right and left brackets for use on either the corresponding right or left side of the system  10 . Right and left brackets may be mirror images of one another. FIG. 7 shows a right bracket  50  according to an exemplary embodiment. Bracket  50  includes a generally z-shaped member  68  having a first leg  70 , a second leg  72 , and a center portion  74 . The first leg  70  is generally rectangular and includes a hook portion  76  extending outwardly from the first leg  70  in a direction away from the second leg  72  and away from the center portion  74 . The hook portion  76  is configured to engage with the apertures  34  of the members  32 . The center portion  74  is generally rectangular and is at about a 90 degree angle with respect to the first leg  70 . The center portion  74  has apertures  78  with diameters of about ⅛ to ½ inches, preferably about ¼ inches. The second leg  72  is also generally rectangular and oriented at about a 90 degree angle with respect to the center portion  74  extending outwardly from the center portion  74  in a generally parallel orientation to the first leg  70 . The second leg  72  has three holes  82  spaced so as to correspond to the spacing of horizontal members  44  of the grid  40 . The bracket  50  is preferably integrally formed as one piece and is made from steel.  
         [0028]    According to an exemplary embodiment, a pair of screws  84  and plate  86  may be used to secure grid  40  to brackets  70 . Plate  86  is generally rectangular and has apertures  88  configured to hold screws  84 . Plate  86  is preferably made from steel.  
         [0029]    To secure grid  40  to members  32 , bracket  50  is assembled by threading each screw  84  through an aperture  88  in plate  86  then through center portion  74  through an aperture  78  such that plate  86  is between the head of screw  84  and center portion  74 . The horizontal members  44  are inserted in holes  82  in the second leg  72 . The horizontal members  44  should be positioned between the plate  86  and the center portion  74 . Screws  84  may be tightened such that the plate  86 , screws  84  and bracket  50  cooperate to secure the horizontal members  44  in place. This procedure may be repeated on the left side. The grid  40  with brackets  50  attached can then be secured to the members  32  (or other support assembly) by placing the hook portions  76  of brackets  50  in a respective aperture  34  in members  32 .  
         [0030]    Grid  40  may comprise one or more vertical members  42 , one or more horizontal members  44 , and one or more frame members  46 . As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, and  8 , one or more vertical member  42  (e.g., wire, rod, tube, extended member, etc.) may be provided for the grid  40 . The vertical members  42  add strength and/or rigidity to the grid  40 . According to a particularly preferred embodiment, eight vertical members  42  are provided. According to other alternative embodiments, any number of vertical wires may be provided for the grid. The vertical members  42  prevent the horizontal members  44  from bending, deforming, “drooping”, or otherwise being moved from position.  
         [0031]    The vertical members  42  are spaced apart from each other along a width of the grid  40 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the vertical members  42  are spaced apart about 2.5 inches to 8.5 inches, preferably about 4.875 inches to 6.925 inches. According to an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the vertical members  42  is about 0.1 to 0.5 inches, preferably about 0.375 inches. According to other alternative embodiments, the vertical members may be placed and/or arranged along some or all of the width of the grid according to any suitable configuration.  
         [0032]    According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more horizontal members  44  (e.g., wire, rod, tube, extended member, etc.) may be provided with the grid  40 . The horizontal members  44  may be configured to work with one or more tray systems and provide flexibility in the positioning and placement of the various trays. According to an exemplary embodiment, eighteen horizontal members  44  are provided, each spaced approximately one inch apart. According to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, and  8 , nine horizontal members  44  are be provided. According to other alternative embodiments, any number of members may be provided along the grid. The horizontal members may be spaced apart from each other along any portion or the entire width of the grid. According to an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the horizontal member may be about 0.1 to about 0.5 inches, preferably about 0.306 to 0.312 inches.  
         [0033]    According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more frame members  46  (e.g., member, tube, L-channel, C-channel, U-channel, square tube backer, reinforcement, etc.) may be provided with the grid  40 . According to a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, and  8 , the grid  40  may have two frame members  46  (shown as square tubes) provided on the back side of the grid  40 . According to alternative embodiments, the frame members  46  may have a variety of shapes, including L-channels, C-channels, U-channels, round shapes, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, the frame member may be a square tube made from about 9 to 13 gauge steel having sides measuring about 0.5 to 2.0 inches in length. According to a preferred embodiment, the frame member is about a one inch square tube made from about 11 gauge steel.  
         [0034]    As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 through  6 , and  8 , the frame member  46  may be coupled, fastened or attached to the vertical members  42 . According to a preferred embodiment, the frame member  46  is welded to the vertical members  42 . According to alternative embodiments, any fastening method or technique may be used, including adhesives, mechanical fasteners, etc.  
         [0035]    As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, and  8 , the frame member  46  may extend along the length of the grid  40 . According to a preferred embodiment, a frame member  46  may be provided along the upper and lower portions of the grid  40 . According to alternative embodiments, one or more frame members may be provided on the grid in any variety of locations, including the center, upper and/or lower portion of the grid. According to other embodiments, the frame member may extend in any direction on the grid (e.g., up, down, diagonal, etc.) and may extend across only a portion of the grid (e.g., across half of the grid). According to other embodiments, the frame member may comprise separate parts or elements connected to each other or may be formed integrally as one part.  
         [0036]    According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more tray system (e.g., tray, storage, holder, container, divider system, etc.) may be provided in the merchandising system. One or more tray systems may be provided in the merchandising system to display and/or store articles. According to one exemplary embodiment, the tray system may be of a type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,248. According to various alternative embodiments, any number of suitable trays, dividers, storage bins, holders, etc. may be provided in the merchandising system.  
         [0037]    According to various exemplary embodiments, the assemblies and components of the merchandising system may be constructed from a variety of suitable materials, including metals, alloys, composites, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, the horizontal members of the grid are assembled and constructed from steel wire having a diameter of about 0.25 to about 0.35 inches, preferably about 0.306 to 0.312 inches. According to an exemplary embodiment, the frame member may be a square tube made from about 9 to 13 gauge steel having sides measuring about 0.5 to 2.0 inches in length. According to a preferred embodiment, the frame member is about a one inch square tube made from about 11 gauge steel.  
         [0038]    Conventional arrangements of merchandising systems may allow “sagging” or “drooping” of the tray systems provided on the merchandising system. For example, tray systems may be provided on a grid. The tray systems may be used to display and/or store articles. The articles may have a high weight and/or density. Conventional merchandising systems may not be fully suited to display and/or store heavy weight or high density articles. The weight of the articles may cause deformation and/or movement of the grid. For example, the grid may deform, and/or move in a number of directions, including along axis X-X shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, along axis Y-Y shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, along axis Z-Z shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, and twisting or torsional deformation and/or movement along other axes and directions.  
         [0039]    The exemplary embodiments of disclosed merchandising system have increased strength and/or rigidity. The merchandising system shown in the FIGURES allows for the presentation of articles along straight and/or linear lines. For example, horizontal rows of trays may be presented to a customer in a relatively neat or orderly straight line (e.g., parallel to axis X-X in FIG. 8, generally planar, etc.). The grid also resists deformation or movement in a direction shown along axis Z-Z in FIG. 8 and axis Y-Y in FIG. 8. The resulting displayed articles may be displayed along linear, orderly lines for viewing by a customer.  
         [0040]    The frame members provided on the grid assist in strengthening and/or rigidifying the merchandising system to resist sagging or deformation. The vertical wires, having larger diameters, also help to resist sagging or deformation. Accordingly, the merchandising system shown in the FIGURES reduces movement and/or deformation due to the weight of articles. This results in the display, storage and/or presentation of articles in the trays being relatively more neat, orderly, linear, straight, etc.  
         [0041]    It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the merchandising system as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. It is important to note that any dimensions shown are dimensions of particularly preferred embodiments, and are not intended to be limited to those dimensions. Elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied (e.g., by variations in the number of engagement slots or size of the engagement slots or type of engagement). It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures and combinations. It should also be noted that the system may be used in association with a rotating display, or alternatively other, fixed and non-movable displays or any of a wide variety of other surfaces in any of a wide variety of other applications. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions.