Abstract:
A merchandise display system includes a base and divider assembly, wherein the base and divider assembly includes a base portion adapted for operative coupling to a front rail and a divider portion for dividing displayed merchandise into rows, wherein the divider portion protrudes from the base portion. A pusher track is defined on one of the base portion and the divider portion and accommodates a spring urged pusher. A flange protrudes away from the divider such that the flange extends in a direction away from the track.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/348,306 which was filed on Jan. 21, 2003 and is still pending. This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 61/538,321 filed Sep. 23, 2011. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure pertains to an adjustable merchandising system. More specifically, the disclosure relates to an adjustable forward feeding display merchandising system for storing and displaying merchandise of a variety of shapes and sizes and automatically delivering the merchandise to the front of a shelf. The merchandising system can be removably attached to an associated shelf and is configured to organize merchandise on the shelf. 
         [0003]    Shelving is used extensively for stocking and storing products or merchandise in a variety of stores. Most consumer product stores contain immovable shelving which is arranged back to back between aisle ways. The nature of the fixed shelves makes difficult the rotation of the products on the shelf, which involves moving older stock to the front of the shelf and positioning newer stock behind the older stock. For a number of important merchandising considerations, it is desirable that merchandise be displayed at the front of the shelf so that a customer is induced to purchase the forward most such article. For example, if the goods are perishable or subject to becoming stale (e.g., cigarettes, fruit juices, dairy products or any item with an expiration date or a freshness date), it is important that the articles be removed following a first in, first out system to maintain freshness. Moreover, if merchandise is not displayed at the front of the shelf, it may not catch the shopper&#39;s eye which may cost the merchant sales. 
         [0004]    In order to automatically move an item forward as the one before it is removed from the shelf, numerous forward feed devices have been devised. These devices generally fall into three categories. The first category is inclined tracks which rely on gravity to feed, slide or roll products forward. Gravity feeding may be unpredictable in that various materials slide easier than others because of different weights and frictional interfaces between the products and the track. The second category employs conveyor belts which still use gravity to effect forward movement. These devices are typically cumbersome, expensive and complicated due to the need to properly tension the track and conveyor belts. The third category uses spring biased pusher paddles to feed the product forward. Such paddle based forward feed devices have been found useful for certain types of merchandise. 
         [0005]    In the third category, generally speaking, separate dividers and tracks containing pusher paddles are employed, along with end dividers. It is sometimes advantageous to provide an integrated track and divider system because an integrated track and divider makes assembly of the system easier for store personnel, as there are less components to handle. However, in the known integrated track and divider, the portion of the base supporting the divider—which portion is on the opposite side of the divider from the track—can comprise a significant amount of material which may not be necessary, as that portion of the base only has the function of supporting the opposite side of a column of packages from the side which is supported by the track and is urged forward by the pusher. Also, if there are rails on which the pusher rides which rails extend above the surface of the track, the base second side also needs to include such rails or be thicker so that the product packages do not become canted as they are urged forward by the pusher. 
         [0006]    In other embodiments, it is advantageous to provide a track and divider system in which the divider can be selectively detached from the track. Such a two-piece assembly provides for better manufacturability. It also allows the manufacturer to mold the divider and the base from dissimilar materials. This can be done to minimize unit cost. It is also advantageous to be able to produce the divider from a transparent material or from colored materials, as may be required by the merchant using the base and divider assembly. Further, it is advantageous to be able to detach the divider from the track under certain circumstances, such as for wider products. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, it has been considered desirable to develop a new and improved base and divider assembly which would overcome the foregoing difficulties and others, while providing better and more advantageous overall results. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0008]    In accordance with the present disclosure, a new and improved merchandise display system is provided. In one embodiment, the display system includes a base and divider assembly for supporting displayed merchandise, wherein the base and divider assembly includes a base portion adapted for operative coupling to a shelf and a divider portion for dividing displayed merchandise into rows. The divider portion protrudes from the base such that the divider portion is located adjacent one side edge of the base. Defined on one of the base portion and the divider portion is a pusher track. A spring urged pusher is connected to the pusher track for pushing merchandise along the base towards the front of the shelf. A flange protrudes away from an opposite face of the divider for supporting one side edge of a column of merchandise being held between two base and divider assemblies. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the divider portion is integral with the base portion. In another embodiment, the divider portion is selectively detachable from the base portion. The flange can extend in a plane which is located above a bottom surface of the base portion. A top surface of the flange can extend in a plane which is coincident with a top surface of the pusher track. The top surface of the pusher track can be defined by at least one rail. A bottom surface of the flange can be located above the bottom surface of the base portion. In one embodiment, the divider portion and the base portion are made of different materials. In an embodiment, the divider portion can be transparent. The system can further comprise a front rail to which the base and divider assembly can be selectively secured. The system can further comprise an end member which includes a base and a divider protruding from the base. In one embodiment, the track is defined on the base portion. In another embodiment, the track is defined on the divider portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The present disclosure may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, several embodiments of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a shelving system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a greatly enlarged front elevational view of an integrated base and divider according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the integrated base and divider of  FIG. 1  from below; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged top plan view of the base and divider of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the base and divider of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the base and divider of  FIG. 1  on an enlarged scale; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a shelving system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a greatly enlarged perspective view from below of an integrated base and divider of the second embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in  FIG. 7 ; and, 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a shelving system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating several embodiments of the disclosure only and not for purposes of limiting same,  FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of a shelving system A. The shelving system of this embodiment includes an integrated base and divider  10  which includes a base  12  and a divider  18 . Located on the base is a track  20 . With reference now also to  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that the divider  18  protrudes from a side edge of the base. The track  20  includes a top surface  22 . Extending upwardly from the top surface are spaced first and second rails  26  and  28 . These define a slot  30  between them. Extending towards each other from facing side edges of the tracks  26  and  28  are a pair of flanges  31  and  32 . A top surface of a respective track is identified by the numerals  34  and  36 . The divider  18  can be planar and includes a first side  40  which faces the track  20  and a second side  42  which faces away from the track. 
         [0021]    A flange  44  protrudes from the divider second side  42 . It can be seen that the flange  44  in this embodiment is located above the top surface  22  of the track. Moreover, a top surface  46  of the flange can be located above the top surfaces  34  and  36  of the rails  26  and  28  to some extent. Moreover, a bottom surface  50  of the flange  44  is, in this embodiment, located above the top surface  22  of the track. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a plane passing along the bottom surface  50  of the flange would intersect the flanges  31  and  32  of the tracks  26  and  28 . Put another way, the flange can be relatively thin in comparison to the thickness of the base  12 . In this way, a significant savings can be had on the material necessary for constructing an integrated or one piece base and divider according to this embodiment of the present disclosure. The width of the flange  44  is designed to be adequate to support the opposing sides of a column of packages or product being held on an adjacent track so that the products do not cant or tilt as they are supported on a track. It is for this reason that there is a general alignment of the top surface  46  of the flange and the top surfaces  34  and  36  of the two rails along a plane  48 . The flange top surface can, however, be located above the rail top surfaces by one or more hundredths of an inch, if so desired. 
         [0022]    The flange  44  can be collinear with the length of the track  20 . It can be oriented in a direction which is generally transverse to the second side or face  42  of the divider  18 . The flange  44  can be continuous along the length of the divider  18 . However, it should be appreciated that a flange with one or more slots or openings could be provided instead. Moreover, while the flange is illustrated as being generally planar so that it has a constant thickness along its length, other flange designs or forms are also contemplated, such as a flange having a generally triangular cross section with a thickened area near the divider and a thinner, tapered area near its distal end. 
         [0023]    With reference now also to  FIG. 4 , the pusher includes a pusher wall  56  having a front face  58  ( FIG. 2 ), as well as a pair of gussets  60  and  62 . These are generally angled from the top of the pusher wall  56  to a base  70  of the pusher. Defined on the base  70  is a spring carrier surface  72 . Also defined in the base are a pair of slots  74  and  76  which accommodate the flanges  31  and  32  of the rails. In this way, the pusher  54  is constrained to ride in the track  20  defined on the base  12 . Extending beneath the slots are respective legs  80  and  82  of the pusher. With reference now also to  FIG. 6 , a coil spring  86  is supported on the spring carrier surface  72 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , a front end  90  of the coil spring can be fastened to the base  12  with most of the remaining portion mounted on the spring carrier surface, as is known in the art. The coil spring can extend through a slot  92  ( FIG. 2 ) in the base  70  of the pusher  54 . 
         [0024]    With reference now to  FIG. 5 , the base includes a bottom surface  98  which can rest upon an associated shelf. Located on the bottom face  98  is a transversely extending slot  104 . The slot is defined by a front face  106 , a roof  108  and a rear face  110 . The front face is defined by a rear edge of a flange  112 . The flange  112  extends transversely along the bottom face  104 . The flange  112  is meant to be accommodated in a suitable slot of a front rail  120 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The front rail includes a slot  122  which accommodates the flange. The front rail also includes a raised area or plateau  124  which accommodates the slot  104  of the integrated base and divider  10 . The cooperation of these two members is discussed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,784,623 which is owned by the assignee of the instant application. The subject matter of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,784,623 is incorporated hereinto by reference in its entirety. 
         [0025]    With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , also provided in the shelving system A is an end member  130  which may be fastened to a subjacent shelf near the left hand side of the shelf. A mirror image end component would be provided on the right hand side of the shelf. The end member can include a base portion  132 , as well as a divider portion  134 . A suitable fastener  136  can be employed to secure the end member to the shelf. 
         [0026]    The front rail  120  can be mounted to a subjacent shelf via suitable mounting members  126 . 
         [0027]    With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the base bottom surface  98  can define a chamber  148 . Selectively mounted in the chamber is an engaging member  150 . In the embodiment illustrated, the engaging member is resilient and comprises a face  152  on which are defined a plurality of spaced protrusions  154 , these can cooperate with suitable protrusions or teeth (not visible) located on a rear surface of the raised area  124  of the front rail  20 . Such cooperation is discussed in detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/809,862 which was published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0017598. That application is owned by the assignee of the instant application and is incorporated hereinto by reference in its entirety. 
         [0028]    Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, an elongate mounting member or front rail  120  cooperates with a cooperating member which, in this embodiment, is the integrated base and divider  10 , such that the cooperating member is received on the mounting member and extends rearwardly past the mounting member over the associated shelf. In this embodiment, the engaging element or engaging member  150  is movably mounted to the cooperating member (although it could alternatively be mounted to the mounting member) with the engaging element being movable to selectively contact the mounting member in order to selectively retard relative movement between the cooperating member and the mounting member. Put another way, the face  152  of the engaging member  150  can move back and forth in the chamber  148 . 
         [0029]    With reference now to  FIG. 7 , a second embodiment of a shelving system B is there illustrated. In this embodiment, the shelving system includes an integrated base and divider  210  which includes a base  212  and a divider  218 . Defined on the base is a track  220  to which is mounted a pusher  254 . Also provided in the system is a front rail  320  which cooperates with the integrated base and divider  210 . Further provided is an end member  330 . 
         [0030]    With reference now to  FIG. 8 , in this embodiment, the integrated base and divider  210  does not include an engaging member such as the engaging member  150  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Rather, a chamber  348  is left empty. A rear face  310  of a transverse slot  304  in a base bottom surface  298  includes a plurality of teeth  352  which are rigidly mounted to the base and divider  210 . In other respects, the base and divider is very similar to the first embodiment illustrated in that it contains a flange  312  which helps define a front face  306  of a slot  304 . 
         [0031]    As with the first embodiment, a flange  244  protrudes from a second face  242  of the divider  218 . The flange  244  is spaced upwardly from a bottom surface  298  of the base  212 . In fact, the flange  244  has a top surface which is generally aligned with top surfaces of a pair of rails  226  and  228  comprising a track  220  located on the base  212 . 
         [0032]    With reference now to  FIG. 9 , a base and divider assembly in which the divider is selectively removable or separable from the base is disclosed. In this embodiment, there is provided a base and divider assembly including a base  400  and a divider  402 . Defined on an upper face of the base are a pair of spaced rails  410  and  412 . The rails extend along a longitudinal axis of the base and define a channel between them. The pair of spaced rails and the channel disposed between them define a track on the base. The track accommodates a pusher assembly  420 . 
         [0033]    Selectively connected to the base is the divider  402  which can be in the form of a generally planar wall  430  that includes a top edge  432  and a bottom edge defined by a plurality of spaced fins  434 . Each pair of fins can be separated by a slot or gap  436 . The divider includes a first side wall  440  and a second side wall  442  from which protrudes a flange  446 . The flange may extend at a generally 90° angle from the divider second side wall. The relationship between a top side of the flange  446  and the upper surfaces of the two rails  410  and  412  is such that they are generally coplanar. The connection joint between the divider  402  and the base  400  can be such that the one or more fins  434  are accommodated in one or more slots (not visible) located in the base so as to selectively connect the divider to the base. The number of fins and slots can be varied to suit the particular requirements of the merchandising installation in which the base and divider assembly are meant to be used. While cooperating fins and slots are illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , it should be appreciated that other means for selectively securing the divider to the base are also contemplated herein. 
         [0034]    Disclosed has been a base and divider assembly which locates a divider portion along a side edge of a base portion, such that only a flange extends from the opposite side of the divider. One benefit of the disclosed designs is that the amount of material necessary to construct the base and divider assembly is reduced, since only a flange needs to be provided on the opposite face of the divider in order to hold an edge of each product in a column of merchandise which is disposed on a track located between a pair of dividers. 
         [0035]    The disclosure has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.