Abstract:
An attachment structure for a label holder for removably securing the label holder to a supporting surface of a shelf or case. The attachment structure includes a J-strip member fixedly secured to the supporting surface to define a channel for receiving a locking strip that is integral with the label holder. The J-strip includes a flexible bead that engages the upper planar surface of the locking strip and includes an elongated slot that receives a flexible bead integral with the locking strip. The flexible bead of the locking strip engages the elongated slot within the J-strip to secure the locking strip, and its integral label holder, within the J-strip.

Description:
[0001]     This is a complete application claiming benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/547,879 filed Feb. 27, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to merchandising aids, and relates more particularly to the manner and means by which a label holder including, in particular, an electronic shelf label (ESL) carrier, is easily and removably secured to a merchandising shelf, particularly a merchandising shelf associated with displays of meat, fish and egg products that are subject to frequent washing operations. For simplicity, the terms “label holder”, “label/sign holder” and “label carrier” are used interchangeably to include label holders with or without one or more means to also carry a sign or flag and to also include ESL carriers that include an ESL holder (with or without a cover) and an ESL attachment member, as discussed below.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Consumer-oriented product information labels are commonly found in supermarkets, drug stores, and the like and provide purchasers with the unit price, promotional and nutritional information, and the like and, also, commonly include bar codes or other inventory control information for the use of the store personnel. Such information may be carried on paper or plastic labels secured directly to the side of a shelf unit or the front edge of a merchandise shelf, but the use of adhesively-backed labels has obvious disadvantages in the constantly changing commercial environment found in today&#39;s marketplace. More often, plastic label holders are provided which are adapted to removably receive and display the labels in a well known manner.  
         [0006]     Such label holders are generally provided in elongated sections, perhaps 4′ or more in width, and may be secured by adhesive strips or the like to any supporting surface such as the side of a shelving or warehouse unit. However, most applications for such label holders are directly on the front flange or in the C-channel of the front edge of a product display shelf. Various prior art embodiments of such label holders can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,713,899, 5,458,307, 5,488,793, 5,515,632, 5,682,698, 5,899,011 and 6,105,295, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.  
         [0007]     Oftentimes, in addition to the information provided by the product labels, it is desired to highlight certain information about a particular product or group of products by displaying an enlarged “flag” or sign on the shelf, depending from the portion of the shelf carrying such products, or extending into the aisle at such a location. Different forms of “sign holders” are also well known in the merchandising art, examples of which can be seen in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,793, as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,485,575, 4,531,313, 4,625,441, 4,704,813, 4,917,342, 4,995,182, 5,682,698, and 6,163,996, the disclosures of which are also incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.  
         [0008]     Still further, combined label and sign holders are available, such as are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,112, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, and the OMNI™ channel system of Fast Industries which is available in embodiments that attach to C-channels or directly to a supporting surface by double-sided tape or similar adhesive.  
         [0009]     More recently, in place of, or in addition to, such paper or plastic information containing labels, electronic information carriers have been employed. Electronic shelf labels (ESLs) are generally integrated with the in-store processor (ISP) or a free-standing controller that communicates with file information supporting the store&#39;s point-of-sale system. The ESL system may include low-voltage communication electronics or communication base stations (CBS) located in store ceilings away from the store operations. The ESLs are positioned throughout the store to identify an item&#39;s retail price and other information of interest to the consumer or for use by the store&#39;s inventory system. These ESL units, however, much like paper labels, require a carrier device to facilitate supporting them at selected locations, usually on the front of a store merchandise shelf. The ESL carrier may be of three components, the ESL holder, a cover for the holder (optional), and an attachment member that supports the ESL holder and attaches directly to a support surface of the merchandise shelf. See U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/448,049 filed May 30, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.  
         [0010]     Each of the above label holders, sign holders, combined label and sign holders, and ESL carriers may be attached or affixed to a supporting surface of a merchandising shelf through various arrangements. Generally, these arrangements might include a C-channel with which the attachment member of the label holder or carrier may be releasably secured. In situations where a C-channel is lacking, generally the attachment is made directly to a supporting surface of the merchandising shelf in a fixed manner, such as by adhesive or double-sided tape.  
         [0011]     In grocery and warehouse stores that have packaged and prepared meat departments, FDA guidelines require a “hosing down” and cleaning of the meat cases on a periodic and frequent basis, such as weekly. Thus, all labels and signs have to be removed or run the risk of being damaged by water. Thus, a need exists to provide a system for protecting damage to the label holder, particularly where the label holder is an ESL carrier system where the electronic components can be damaged by water, in an efficient and inexpensive manner.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a means for facilitating attachment and detachment of a label holder, such as seen, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,632, and/or a combination label/sign holder, such as seen in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,112 and/or an ESL carrier, such as is shown in pending patent application Ser. No. 10/448,049, to a merchandising shelf or case particularly cases of the type used for carrying meat, fish, and egg products that are subject to frequent and periodic washing operations and which require removal of the labels and signs quickly and reliably.  
         [0013]     Another object of the invention is to provide a label/sign holder or ESL carrier that includes an integrally-formed locking strip that is easily insertable and removable from a support surface mounted J-strip that includes a receiving channel to receive and secure the locking strip therewithin.  
         [0014]     Still further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a quick and easy locking structure for removing and reattaching the label holder to the casing supporting surface without requiring separate attachment elements or assembly/disassembly steps.  
         [0015]     Other and further objects, features, and advantages in the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description taken in conjunction with the attached drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including the J-strip affixed to the top of a meat display case and the interlocking locking strip associated with an ESL attachment member;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a side or edge view of an attachment member for an ESL carrier depicting the novel locking strip associated with the attachment member;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side or edge view of a combined label and sign holder with the locking strip of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side or edge view of a label holder with the novel locking strip of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side or edge view of the J-strip that is secured to the supporting surface of a case or shelf; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side or edge view showing the locking strip engaged with the J-strip that is affixed to a case or shelf. 
     
    
       [0022]     Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]     In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.  
         [0024]     Referring generally to the drawings, the novel arrangement for mounting or securing a label holder to a merchandising shelf associated with the top of a meat case includes a J-strip support surface mounting element  2  affixed to the support surface and a locking strip  4  that is integral with a label holder.  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict the locking strip  4  integral with an attachment member  6   a  of an ESL carrier  6 .  FIG. 3  depicts the locking strip associated with a combined label/sign holder  10  and  FIG. 4  depicts the locking strip integrally associated with a label holder  12 . As will be discussed, the locking strip  4  that is integral with each of these “label holders” is inserted into and interlocks within the J-strip  2 , which J-strip is shown in side or edge view in  FIG. 5 . The interengagement between the J-strip  2  and the locking strip  4 , with the J-strip affixed to the top of the shelf or case  8 , i.e., support surface, is shown in  FIG. 6  where the label holder  10  is of the combined label and sign holder embodiment of  FIG. 3 . It should be apparent that the locking strip  4  can be affixed to any type of label holder, or label/sign holder, or ESL carrier and is engageable with the J-strip  2  in the same manner regardless of the type of label holder utilized.  
         [0025]     With respect to  FIGS. 1, 5  and  6 , the J-strip  2  is preferably an elongated strip or section, which may be up to 4′ or more in length and includes a base member  20  of, preferably rigid PVC material. The base member  20  is substantially flat at its exterior surface  21  to receive a two-sided tape  22  that secures the J-strip to a support surface  24 . The tape can be substituted with glue or adhesive or any other similar attachment arrangement that enables the J-strip  2  to be securely retained to the support surface  24  even under conditions where water, at significant pressure, is applied thereto. The base member  20  includes an interior surface  26  that includes three notches or slots  28 ,  30 ,  32  that extend preferably along the full length of the base member  20  and receives a flexible PVC bead or edge portion mounted to the locking strip  4  in a manner to be described. The thickness between the base member exterior  21  and its interior surface  26  is relatively thin, for example, approximately 0.028″, in a typical embodiment.  
         [0026]     At the rearward end of the base member  20  is an upstanding portion  34  lying preferably perpendicular to the base member  20 . Extending from this upstanding portion  34  is an overlying substantially planar plate-like member  36  that extends angularly downward in a direction toward the base member  20 . The base member  20 , upstanding member  34  and overlying plate member  36  are preferably integrally formed of rigid PVC material, although other materials that are substantially rigid may be used. It should also be noted that the overlying plate member  36 , at its junction with the upstanding member  34 , may provide some flexure.  
         [0027]     Forwardly, near the tip of the overlying plate member  36 , is a flexible PVC bead or strip  40  that is less rigid than the material that forms the base member, upstanding member and overlying plate member  20 ,  34 ,  36 , respectively. This flexible PVC bead element  40  is shown as hemispherical in its edge view and this bead grips and assists retention of the locking strip  4  that is inserted into the mouth  41  of the channel  42  that is defined by the base member  20 , upstanding member  34  and overlying plate member  36 .  
         [0028]     At the forward end of the base member  20  is a guide bar  44  that is designed to accommodate itself to the cross-sectional shape of the support surface or shelf, as best shown in  FIG. 6 . This guide bar  44  is also formed, preferably, of rigid PVC and is extruded to be integral with the base member  20 . It is apparent that the shape of the guide bar  44  is especially designed for a specific type of shelf and its configuration may need to change to accommodate different shelf configurations. Alternatively, the guide bar or nose portion  44  of the J-strip  4  may be eliminated entirely.  
         [0029]     The J-strip  4  is called a “J-strip” because the base member  20  is slightly longer than the leg or plate member  36 , particularly where a guide bar or nose  44  is included. However, the J-strip  2  may be formed where the base member ends to coincide with the tip of its upper member  36 , thus being more U-shaped. However, as is defined herein, the J-strip  2  can have substantially equal “legs”  20  and  36 . Still further in the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , the upper leg or plate is angled downwardly from the upstanding member  34  to provide the overall appearance of a biased clip. However, it should be appreciated that the upper leg or plate  36  can be parallel to the base member  20 , in which case the upstanding member  34  would be shorter. This would also result in a more U-shaped locking strip, but this arrangement is still defined herein as a J-strip. The principal characteristics or features of the J-strip  2  are the base member  20  with at least one slot or notch, such as notch  32 , and an overlying spaced plate member  36  that includes a flexible bead  40 , wherein the mouth  41  receives a locking strip or plate  4  to be releasably secured therewithin.  
         [0030]     The J-strip  2  of the present invention is intended to receive the locking strip  4  associated with the label holder  6 ,  10 ,  12 . The locking strip  4  is a substantially planar strip formed preferably of rigid PVC material, preferably of the same material as the J-strip, and of substantially the same thickness as the thickness of the base member  20  or plate member  36 . The locking strip  4  is of similar overall length to the length of the section of J-strip  2 , as best shown in  FIG. 1 . The locking strip  4  includes an upper surface  50  and a lower surface  52 . The locking strip  4  is hingedly connected to and integral with, the label holder at its end  54 . The hinge portion  56  is of a flexible PVC material which allows the label holder  6 ,  10 ,  12  to hang relative to the locking strip  4  at various angles depending upon the orientation of the upper surface  60  of the support surface  24  relative to the front surface  64 . For example, in  FIG. 6 , it is seen that the top or upper surface  60  of the support surface  24  is substantially horizontal, whereas the front surface  64  is angled a few degrees off of vertical. This enables the locking strip  4  to be angled at its flexible hinge  56  with respect to the backing surface  70  of the combined label/sign holder  10 . It should be appreciated that the upper surface  60  of the support surface  24  may be angled with respect to the horizontal and the front surface  64  could be in a vertical position. Other orientations are possible and the flexible hinge  56  between the locking strip  4  and the attached label holder  10  enables the components to be oriented in various angular arrangements.  
         [0031]     At free end  80  of the locking strip  4  is a bead  61  of flexible PVC, similar to the material and shape of bead  40  on the J-strip. Preferably, this bead  61  is at the very end  80  of the locking strip or plate  4  and is intended to be accommodated within one of the slots or channels  28 ,  30  and  32  of the J-strip  2 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 6 , the flexible PVC bead  61  fits in and is accommodated within the slot or channel  32 . It should be appreciated that this bead  61  could be inserted into the J-strip such that it lies within channels  28  or  30  in which case the locking strip  4  is oriented further forward from the support surface, as may be desired.  
         [0032]     Regardless of how far the locking strip  4  is inserted within the channel  42  defined by the J-strip  2 , the locking strip is additionally retained in the J-strip  2  by the action of the flexible bead  40  acting on the upper surface  50  of the locking strip  4 . Thus, the locking strip  4  is retained within the J-strip  2  by the coaction between the J-strip bead  40  in contact with or exerting pressure on the upper surface  50  and the flexible bead  61  of the locking strip  4  engaged within one of the slots or channels  28 ,  30 ,  32 .  
         [0033]     The mouth  41  of the J-strip  2  is sized substantially greater than the thickness of the locking strip  4 . Indeed, as best shown in  FIG. 6 , width or opening between the outermost point of the hemispherical bead  40  to the top surface  26  of the J-strip is substantially equal to or just greater than the width of the locking strip  4  between the surfaces  50  and  52 . When the locking strip is inserted into the J-strip channel, there is some give or flexure between the two flexible PVC beads  40  and  60 , as well as some flexure at the junction between the overlying plate-like member  36  and the upstanding member  34  of the J-strip.  
         [0034]     As is depicted in the drawings, label holders of various types and configurations may be utilized with the novel interlocking J-strip/locking strip arrangement. The combined label and sign holder of  FIGS. 3 and 6  is of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,112, incorporated herein by reference. This combined label/sign holder includes a back panel  100  and a transparent cover member  102  each having front and rear surfaces and which are flexibly secured to each other at lower edges. The locking strip  4  is hingedly connected with the topmost portion of the rear surface of the back panel  100 .  
         [0035]     The label holder of  FIG. 4  is of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,632, incorporated herein by reference. This label holder includes a back member which, at its topmost end, is hingedly connected at  56  to the plate  4  in the same manner as previously described.  
         [0036]     The ESL carrier  6  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and is of a configuration as described in pending patent application Ser. No. 10/448,049, also incorporated herein by reference. As is best shown in  FIG. 2 , the label carrier includes an attachment member  6 A which includes an arcuate element  202  with a multiplicity of spaced T-shaped protrusions  200 . The arcuate element  202  is affixed to a backing member  204 , the upper portion of which is hinged to the locking strip  4  in a manner similar to the other embodiments. The cross bars  200  of the T-shaped protrusions may be flexible PVC and of non-uniform lengths. The attachment member  6 A is engaged with the ESL holder  6 B, as shown in  FIG. 1  which slides within the slots defined by the T-shaped elements, and is engaged to the T-shaped protrusions at various angular orientations as is described in the copending application. The ESL holder  6 B includes retaining elements  300  for retaining the ESL (not shown). Further, the ESL holder  6 B may include a cover (not shown), but is described in the copending application.  
         [0037]     It is thus seen that the novel interlocking arrangement of the J-strip  2  with the locking strip  4  enables the locking strip  4  to be readily and easily detachable from the J-strip  2  with the label holder, including an ESL carrier  6 , to be removed without removing the holder  6 B from the attachment member  6 A. This provides a quick and reliable disconnect to enable the meat case to be washed or hosed down without adversely affecting the electronics of the ESL. Similarly, labels and label sign holders can be easily removed and only the J-strip  2  remains in the region subject to cleaning.  
         [0038]     The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. As noted, the invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not limited by the dimensions of the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the preferred embodiments or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.