Abstract:
A merchandising system may comprise a first base comprising a horizontal surface and at least one vertical panel and a member configured to couple the merchandising system to a shelf system. The member may be configured to be provided in a first position where the member engages the shelf system and the member may be configured to be provided in a second position where the member is in a stowed position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/051,040, filed Feb. 4, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/996,170, filed Nov. 23, 2004, which is a continuation of co-pending International Application No. PCT/US04/023791, filed on Jul. 23, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/489,676, filed on Jul. 23, 2003, and which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/272,527, filed Oct. 15, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,699, which claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/329,656, filed on Oct. 15, 2001. This Application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/132,662, filed on Apr. 25, 2002, which claims the benefit of the following patent applications: (1) U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/286,892, filed on Apr. 26, 2001, (2) U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/313,894, filed on Aug. 21, 2001, (3) U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/329,656, filed on Oct. 15, 2001, and (4) U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/335,924, filed on Oct. 31, 2001. This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/588,665, filed on Jul. 16, 2004. 
         [0002]    This Application claims the benefit of priority as available under 35 U.S.C. §§ 119-121 and 365 to the following Patent Applications (which are hereby incorporated by reference in the present Application): (1) U.S. application Ser. No. 11/051,040, filed Feb. 4, 2005; (2) U.S. application Ser. No. 10/996,170, filed on Nov. 23, 2004; (3) International Application No. PCT/US04/023791, filed on Jul. 23, 2004; (4) U.S. application Ser. No. 10/272,527, filed Oct. 15, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,699; (5) U.S. application Ser. No. 10/132,662, filed on Apr. 25, 2002; (6) U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/489,676, filed on Jul. 23, 2003; (7) U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/286,892, filed on Apr. 26, 2001; (8) U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/313,894, filed on Aug. 21, 2001; (9) U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/329,656, filed on Oct. 15, 2001; (10) U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/335,924, filed on Oct. 31, 2001; and (11) U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/558,665, filed on Jul. 16, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to merchandising systems and methods. In particular, the present invention relates to a merchandising system providing for orderly presentation, display, storage, arrangement, and dispensing of articles. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    It is known to provide for merchandising systems that may be used for displaying and dispensing an article. Such merchandising systems do not realize certain advantageous features (and/or combinations of features). It is also known to provide for a merchandising system that may be used for displaying products in consumer settings such as grocery stores, retail outlets, shops, etc. Such known merchandising systems may be used to present, display and store products in fixed or limited spaces such as on shelves, in display cases, in cabinets, etc. 
         [0005]    It is beneficial when merchandising an article such as a product to allow potential customers to view or handle it in a convenient and comfortable manner. Known merchandising systems may display products to a consumer by providing the products in inefficient configurations. Products and product containers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and some products may be more difficult to merchandise (e.g., present for potential retail sale) than others. Within fixed or limited spaces, known merchandising systems may not be configured to optimize the presentation of such products to a consumer. Such known merchandising systems also do not always provide convenient ways for dispensing products, especially those with unique or irregular shapes. Ease of use can be an important concern for customers and store personnel. As is sometimes the case, product or container design may be dictated by considerations separate from the ease or difficulty with which the product may be presented. 
         [0006]    Some known merchandising systems may not provide effective arrangements for displaying, storing and presenting articles. Some merchandising systems fail to provide adequate support for articles, as well as smooth, efficient sliding of the article along the length of the system. Some merchandising systems do not provide sufficient arrangements of advancing these types of articles along the merchandising system. Some merchandising systems do not provide strong and/or rigid support for articles. Accordingly, many merchandising systems may not provide articles in a straight, linear, or level arrangement due to sagging, deformation, bowing, deflection and/or movement due to the weight of the articles. In addition, some merchandising systems do not provide for a variety of differently sized articles and are not configured to operate with a variety of shelving structures. Some merchandising systems do not retain articles for proper dispensing. Some merchandising systems are not easily repositionable on a shelving structure. Some known merchandising systems are not configured for easy loading or removal of articles or for at least partially restricting movement of the articles along the system. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that is configured for stocking, orderly presentation, and convenient storage of products with various shapes including shapes that may not be easily stored, presented, or displayed, such as products with uniquely shaped containers. It would also be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that is configured for selective modularity in the construction and assembly of the merchandising system. It would further be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that allows for the construction and assembly of a merchandising system with any number of product facings, modules, compartments, etc. It would further be advantageous to provide a merchandising system configured for the selective and/or independent adjustment of width or spacing of a shelf division or divisions without requiring adjustment of adjacent divisions. It would further be advantageous to provide a merchandising system in which the size of one division could be enlarged or reduced without enlarging or reducing the size of adjacent divisions. It would further be advantageous to provide a merchandising system with divisions that are conveniently and selectively adjustable in size and/or shape. It would further be advantageous to provide a merchandising system configured for selective movement of a divider to discrete locations. It would further be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that advances a product and/or allows a product to advance along a defined path. It would further be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that self-faces articles (e.g., allows articles to move to the front of the system after articles are removed). It would be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that is configured to easily move articles along a path for stocking, aligning, and/or facing purposes. It would further be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that can evenly distribute the weight of articles and/or products over the length of the system. It would further be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that allows for smooth, controlled, and efficient gliding of articles and/or products along the length of the system. 
         [0008]    It would be advantageous to provide a system that provides any one or more of these or other advantageous features. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present invention relates to a merchandising system comprising a first base comprising a front, a back, a horizontal surface and at least one vertical panel, a member configured to couple the first base to a shelf system, and an interface coupling the member to the first base. The member is configured to be provided in a first position so that the member engages the shelf system thereby coupling the first base to the shelf system, and the member is configured to be provided in a second position so that the member is in a stowed position. 
         [0010]    The present invention also relates to a merchandising system for articles comprising a first track comprising a horizontal surface having a first interface and a second interface provided on the horizontal surface, a second track comprising a horizontal surface having a third interface and a fourth interface provided on the horizontal surface, a first vertical panel having a first protrusion, and a second vertical panel having a second protrusion. The first track further comprises a connector that releasably couples the first track to the second track. A compartment of a first size is provided when the first protrusion of the first vertical panel is coupled to the first interface of the first track and the second protrusion of the second vertical panel is coupled to the third interface of the second track. A compartment of a second size is provided when the first protrusion of the first vertical panel is coupled to the second interface of the first track and the second protrusion of the second vertical panel is coupled to the third interface of the second track. 
         [0011]    The present invention further relates a merchandising system for articles comprising a first member having a first connector and a horizontal surface that comprises a series of apertures, a second member having a second connector and a horizontal surface that comprises a series of apertures, a first divider comprising a first protrusion configured to engage one of the series of apertures, and a second divider comprising a second protrusion configured to engage one of the series of apertures. The first connector releasably couples the first member to the second member and the first member comprises a pin configured to be inserted into an aperture provided on a shelf system to secure the first member to the shelf system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded front perspective view of a merchandising system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  is an exploded bottom perspective view of a merchandising system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2C  is detailed perspective view of a portion of the merchandising system of  FIG. 2B  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a partial front perspective view of the merchandising system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  is a partially exploded perspective view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4B  is a front perspective view of the merchandising system of  FIG. 4A  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A  is a front perspective view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5B  is a front perspective view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  is a partial front perspective view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  is a partially exploded perspective view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6C  is a partial front perspective view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a partial front perspective view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a partial front perspective view of a merchandising system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9A  is a side view of a divider engaged with a connector according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9B  is a side view of a divider positioned above a shelf and connector according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10A  is a partial top perspective view of a divider comprising an extender to engage a shelf according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10B  is a partial top perspective view of a divider and an extender according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]    It is to be understood that the inventions are not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The inventions are capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0031]    Referring to the FIGURES, exemplary embodiments of a merchandising system are shown. The merchandising system may provide for display, space division, and orderly presentation of products. The merchandising system may provide for a selective size (shown as width) adjustment of a product display, “facing,” cell, compartment, or display area, while not requiring the width adjustment of adjacent product displays, “facings,” cells, compartments, or display areas. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a merchandising system  10  may provide a plurality of facings. Should a single facing need to be adjusted (for example, to accommodate a differently sized product), that single facing may be readily adjusted without the need to resize any (or potentially all) of the remaining facings. 
         [0032]    The merchandising system may further provide for modularity in the construction and assembly of the merchandising system. For example, product displays, “facings,” cells, compartments, or display areas may be added and/or removed to an existing merchandising system by reconfiguring the number and arrangement of dividers and connectors. The merchandising system may be a shelf system, shelf divider system, product facing tray system, product self-facing and organization tray system, divider system, shelf tray system, pusher system, dispensing system, tray system, etc. The merchandising system may be provided for use on a shelf (or any portion of a shelf), shelves, racks, displays, or other merchandising systems, or alternatively may be provided as a separate, independent merchandising system. According to other alternative embodiments, the system may be configured or oriented to provide for vertical size (e.g., height) adjustment. 
         [0033]    According to an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , a merchandising system  10  (e.g., grid system, tray system, shelf system, display system, case, divider system, storage system, modular system, etc.) comprises one or more dividers  12 , located on a shelf system  13 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , shelf system  13  is provided for use with merchandising system  10 . According to an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , shelf system  13  comprises a top portion  14  and a front portion  16 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , shelf system  13  is configured to receive and support one or more dividers  12 . According to an exemplary embodiment, top portion  14  may include one or more apertures  18  or rows of apertures to facilitate securing one or more dividers  12 . The shelf portion may be of any size (e.g., length, width, height, etc.) or shape (e.g., rectangular, circular, octagonal, etc.). Shelf system  13  may be positioned parallel to the ground or sloped. According to various alternative embodiments, the shelf system may be secured to a wall or other means according to any suitable method. 
         [0035]    Dividers  12  are shown in  FIGS. 1 through 8 . Dividers  12  comprise one or more base shown as a product support surface  22 , panel section  24 , pusher assembly  26 , and front portion  28 . Divider  12  (e.g., base, panel, divider, separator, division, partition, track, extrusion, channel, or other member, frame, support, guide, etc.) may be provided in a variety of configurations (e.g., varying size, shape, materials, orientation of parts, etc.). 
         [0036]    Product support surface  22  is shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5B . Product support surface  22  comprises a connector opening  30 , one or more divider slots  32 , and a pusher channel  34 . According to an exemplary embodiment, product support surface  22  is configured to lay (e.g., rest) directly on a shelf (e.g., shelf system  13 ). The product support surface (e.g., tray, divider bottom, etc.) may be provided in a variety of configurations, shapes, and sizes. For example, product support surface  22  may include a variety of friction reducing ribs  23 , friction inducing traction, or other product engaging means). 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 8 , one or more dividers  12  may be provided for use with merchandising system  10 . Dividers  12  provide space division, separation, organization, and merchandise variously sized products. Adjacent dividers  12  are coupled to one another with connectors  20 . According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , merchandising system  10  comprises one or more connectors  20  provided between adjacent dividers  12 . Product support surface  22  utilizes an interface shown as connector opening  30  (e.g., cut-out, indentation, gap, cavity, recess, slot, etc.) to connect, coact, engage, or otherwise interface with connector  20  such that product surface  22  is provided on shelf system  13  in a substantially flat orientation (e.g., support surface  22  is not oriented at an angle relative to shelf system  13 ). According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A through 5B  and  8 , connector  20  is integrally formed with product support surface  22 . According to various exemplary embodiments, connector extensions may be used (e.g., a plurality of connectors may be connected together to form a longer connector thereby producing a wider space between dividers). According to various exemplary embodiments, the connector may be formed separately from the product support surface, the connector may be of various sizes and dimensions, etc. 
         [0038]    Connector  20  (shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5B  and  8 ) may comprise a series of grooves  36  (e.g., notches, cuts, slots, combs, etc.). Grooves  36  (shown in  FIGS. 2A ,  3 ,  5 A and  5 B) may form a series of teeth (e.g., projections, extensions, etc.). According to various alternative embodiments, grooves  36  may be provided at any desired spacing, with connector  20  containing any desired number of grooves  36 . According to the preferred embodiment, connector  20  and grooves  36  are configured to coact (e.g., receive, couple, engage or otherwise connect) with connector opening  30 . To achieve this connection, the length, width, and depth of grooves  36  are configured approximately equal to that of connector opening  30 . According to the preferred embodiment, and displayed in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , connector  20 , comprising grooves  36 , and adjacent divider  12 , comprising connector opening  30 , are further configured to easily snap or press apart (e.g., lock, compress, slide, secure). In this manner, connector  20  and connector opening  30  are intended to provide for a secure yet modular and width-adjustable connection between a dividers  12  and adjacent dividers. As shown in FIG.  1 , a series of two or more such divider connections may operate to create a width adjustable merchandising system  10  containing one or more product facings. 
         [0039]    According to an exemplary embodiment, connector opening  30  (shown in  FIGS. 2B ,  4 A,  4 B,  5 A,  5 B,  10 A and  10 B) comprises a cutout or indentation in the bottom of product support surface  22  that substantially matches the size and shape of connector  20 . In this manner, adjacent divider  12  and connector  20  may form a flat fit together. Referring to  FIGS. 2B ,  10 A and  10 B, connector opening  30  comprises a top edge  76  and side edges  78 . The configuration allows groove  36  (shown in  FIGS. 2A ,  3 ,  5 A,  5 B,  8 ,  10 A and  10 B) to connectively engage cutout top edge  76 .  FIGS. 5B and 10B  illustrate the fit formed when connector  20  is installed into adjacent opening  30  of divider  12 . The fit formed by this configuration advantageously facilitates stable merchandising system  10  as the bottom of divider  12  rests flat against shelf top  14  while engaging connector  20 .  FIGS. 8 and 10A  illustrate divider  12  positioned on shelf top  14 . Merchandising system  10  may be constructed or assembled by pressing, snapping, engaging, placing, etc. the engaging portions of dividers  12  onto or with connectors  20 . Connectors  20  provide for a relatively simple connection between two dividers  12 . Dividers  12  shown in the FIGURES may be readily adjusted. 
         [0040]    According to various exemplary embodiments, one or more connectors may be provided between adjacent dividers. Providing a single connector  20  between adjacent dividers and near the front of divider  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ;  5 A and  5 B, allows connector  20  to be easily accessed from the front of merchandising system  10 , thereby allowing for relatively easy adjustments. According to an alternative embodiment, providing multiple connectors between adjacent dividers may provide for added stability between connected adjacent dividers. According to various exemplary embodiments, the connector may be provided in one or a variety of unit sizes (e.g., length, width, or height) or shapes (e.g., orthogonal, diagonal, triangular, or curved). According to an exemplary embodiment, the connector has a length of approximately 4.0 inches. According to other exemplary embodiments, the connector has a length of 6.0 to 8.0 inches. The connector may be provided in a variety of (or may be “field-cut” to) lengths or sizes which allow for the connectivity and/or interface with a variety of dividers. 
         [0041]    According to an exemplary embodiment, divider slots  32  (as shown in  FIGS. 2A ,  3  and  4 A) may allow for further divider or “facing” width adjustment by selectively receiving one or more panel section  24 . Divider slots  32  allow panel section  24  to snap into the product support surface  22  at varying locations. 
         [0042]    Panel section  24  comprises panel surface  40  (e.g., plane, side, divider, etc.) and one or more tabs  42  (e.g., projection, portion, member, connector, etc.). Panel section  24  may be snapped or pushed in and out of divider slots  32  to install or adjust panel section  24 . When installed, panel section  24  is coupled to product support surface  22  along divider slots  32 , secured by tabs  42 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A ,  3 , and  4 A, in an exemplary embodiment the product support surface  22  comprises multiple divider slots  32 , allowing for width adjustment of the panel surface  40  between dividers  12 .  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show panel section  24  installed into the left-most divider slot  32 . For smaller products (requiring less space between panel sections), the panel section could be detached from the left-most divider slot and installed in a divider slot closer to the center of the product support surface. 
         [0043]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4A , product support surface  22  may further comprise a pusher channel  34  (which may be a slot, track, guide, pusher track, etc.) for receiving a pusher  44  or other product biasing mechanism. It should be noted that the various embodiments of the merchandising system shown may be used with any type of panel or divider sections (or partitions), including merchandising systems that do not employ pushers or product biasing mechanisms. According to another exemplary embodiment, the pusher channel may be omitted. According to yet other exemplary embodiments, the pusher channel may be provided in locations other than the product support surface, such as the panel section or another member not displayed. The pusher channel may be “pinched off,” otherwise reduced down in size, stopped, or terminated toward the back of the divider in order to prevent the pusher from being pushed too far back or out of the channel. 
         [0044]    According to an exemplary embodiment (shown in  FIG. 1 through 2B ), pusher channel  34  is provided along the length of product support surface  22  of divider  12 . Channel  34  is used to provide for the movement and guidance of pusher  44 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5B ,  7  and  8 , pusher  44  (e.g., pusher paddle, pusher face, etc.) may comprise a face  45  and flange  46 . Pusher  44  may be used for pressing, pushing, moving, or urging product forward toward front portion  28  of divider  12 . Flanges  46  (e.g., flange, guide, rails, tracks, etc.) are configured to fit in pusher channel  34  to facilitate stable sliding or moving of pusher  44  along pusher channel  34 . The pusher may be provided with indicia (e.g., on the face) and may be provided in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors (e.g., clear), and materials to suit the application (e.g., product size). 
         [0045]    As further shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , pusher assembly  26  may include a biasing element  48 . According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , biasing element  48  comprises a coil spring. Pusher  44  is configured, through the use of biasing element  48 , to automatically advance or urge forward product which is to be displayed. The coiled portion of biasing element  48  is provided on the back side of pusher  44  so that when pusher  44  is retracted (e.g., pulled toward the back of divider  12 ) biasing element  48  will bias pusher  44  in a forward direction. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 1 through 5B ,  7  and  8  show front portion  28 . Front portion  28  acts to provide a face (e.g., wall, plate, lens, retainer, stop, display, etc.) against which product (not shown) may rest and settle against the force provided by biasing element  48 . In this manner, front portion  28  resists pusher  44  from pushing product out of merchandising system  10 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , front portion  28  may include one or more clips  52  (e.g., tab, extrusion, hook, members, etc.) or protrusions which fit into openings  54  on product support surface  22 . Front portion  28  may be generally a flat panel (as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5B ). Alternative embodiments may include front portions of differing sizes, shapes, and configurations. For example, the dimensions of upper portion of the front portion may be increased or decreased to accommodate products of differing size. The divider may be further adjusted to accommodate new products by detaching some front portions and attaching new front portions. According to an alternative embodiment, the front portion may be configured to be attached to a shelf rather than a product support surface. According to other alternative embodiments, the front portion may be configured to interface with the divider at a variety of locations. According to an exemplary embodiment, the front portion is constructed from a transparent (clear) material. According to various exemplary embodiments, the front portion may be constructed from a variety of materials having different colors and opacity. According to various exemplary embodiments, the front portion may act as a product stop at the front of the dividers and merchandising system and may also act as a graphic panel, pricing guide, and/or other display. 
         [0048]    According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , and  6 A through  8 , divider  12  is configured to attach or secure to shelf top portion  14  using a member shown as a pin  56  (e.g., member, projection, tab, hook, peg, clip, lock, latch, etc.) which is coupled to divider  12  by an interface shown as a pin sleeve  58  (e.g., interface, connector, groove, slot, channel, etc.). Pin sleeve  58  extends from product support surface  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , and  6 A through  8 . According to an exemplary embodiment, pin sleeve  58  comprises a U-shaped extension configured to receive pin  56 . According to an exemplary embodiment, pin  56  comprises an L-shaped rod or peg. As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , and  6 A through  8 , pin  56  comprises a portion  60  that is slidably received within sleeve  58  and a portion  62  that is inserted into and/or received in apertures  18  provided on shelf system  13 . Divider  12  may be secured to shelf portion  14  by snapping and/or sliding portion  60  into pin sleeve  58  and inserting portion  62  into a shelf aperture  18 . According to an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6A through 6C , portion  60  is snapped into engagement with sleeve  58 . Once portion  60  has been snapped into sleeve  58 , pin  56  is free to rotate about its longitudinal axis (e.g., along the length of sleeve  58 ). As shown in  FIG. 6B , pin  56  comprises tabs or projections  102 . Projections  102  allow pin  56  to rotate freely within sleeve  58 , but provide resistance against removal of pin  56  from sleeve  58  by sliding pin  56  in a direction along the longitudinal axis of pin  56  (e.g., lengthwise along portion  60 ). As shown in  FIGS. 6A through 6C , pin  56  is configured to rotate between a plurality of positions when inserted in sleeve  58 .  FIG. 6C  illustrates pin  56  inserted into aperture or opening  104  formed in divider  12 . Pin  56  may be positioned within opening  104  when divider  12  is placed on a shelf system that does not include apertures or does not provide apertures of an appropriate size or location for insertion of pin  56 . According to various exemplary embodiments, the pins may rest within apertures on shelves, may be inserted into apertures (of varying sizes), may snap-fit into apertures, may engage apertures, etc. According to various exemplary embodiments, any number of suitable fasteners may be used to couple the dividers to a shelf (e.g., bolts, nails, Christmas tree fasteners, screws, etc.). 
         [0049]    According to an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , divider  12  comprises an extension  70  (e.g., spacer, guide, backing, member, frame extension, divider extension, base extension, slide, sizing mechanism, connector, positioning device, etc.). Extension  70  is configured to provide additional support to the divider and merchandising system. Extension  70 , as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , comprises a back portion  72 . Pusher channel  34  of product support surface  22  may receive extension  70 . Extension  70  and channel are configured to allow extension  70  to slidably (e.g., movably) connect to channel  34 . Extension  70  may be slid (e.g. adjusted) to match the length of shelf system  13 . According to an exemplary embodiment, extension  70  is configured to temporarily lock (e.g., secure) into channel  34 . According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , back portion  72  (e.g., support, member, stop, etc.) is configured to engage a back edge  82  of shelf  13 . The slidable nature of extension  70  and the capability of back portion  72  to engage shelf  13  allows extension  70  to provide additional support to the divider  12  and merchandising system  10 . 
         [0050]    According to an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , back portion  72  comprises a lower portion  74  and upper portion  76 . Lower portion  74  is configured to contact (e.g., engage) back edge  82  of shelf  13 . Extension  70  is preferably moved backward toward back edge  82  of shelf  13  until lower portion  74  of extension  70  engages back edge  82  of shelf  13  according to a suitable configuration. Divider  12  and/or merchandising system  10  are prevented from moving in various undesired directions when lower portion  74  is positioned securely along back edge  82  of shelf  13 . According to an exemplary embodiment, back portion  72  may also be configured to engage a wall or other structure to prevent movement of divider  12  and system  10 . When force is applied to divider  12  toward the back of system  10 , back portion  72  provides resistance against a wall or other structure. 
         [0051]    According to an exemplary embodiment, and shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , extension  70  may further comprise one or more protrusions  88  to effectuate temporary locking of extension  70  in channel  34 . According to an exemplary embodiment, channel  34  comprises indentions or apertures  90 . Protrusions  88  of extension  70  may fit apertures  90  of product support surface  22 . Extension  70  may slide into channel  34  until a desired protrusion  88  aligns within a desired aperture  90  of channel  34 . Protrusions  88  may be flexible and snap into aperture  90  when properly aligned. Once protrusion  88  is snapped into aperture  90 , extension  70  may be temporarily locked in place. The temporary locking of protrusion  88  allows extension  70  to extend a certain set distance from the back of divider  12 . According to various exemplary embodiments, the extension may be adjustable according to any suitable shelf size and/or distance between the divider and a back shelf edge or other support structure (e.g., a back wall). 
         [0052]    According to an exemplary embodiment, in order to move extension  70  relative to divider  12  and channel  34 , a protrusion  88  that is positioned within aperture  90  of channel  34  may be depressed (e.g., pushed downward toward the slot) so that the upper surface of protrusion  88  fits within the hollow opening of channel  34 . Extension  70  may then be moved to a new location as desired until another protrusion  88  snaps up into aperture  90 . This process may be repeated as necessary to effectively secure divider  12  and/or merchandising system  10  to shelf  13 . According to other exemplary embodiments, any suitable means or method of temporarily locking the extension portion may be used. 
         [0053]    According to an exemplary embodiment, upper portion  76  of back portion  72  may restrict the movement of articles and/or prevent pusher  44  from moving beyond the back of divider  12 . Upper portion  76  may stop articles or products and/or biasing element  48  from further movement as they are urged backwards along channel  34 . Because extension  70  is preferably “locked” in place by aperture  90  in channel  34  and protrusion  88  on extension  70 , extension  70  may effectively stop articles and/or products with little movement of extension  70  or divider  12 . According to various alternative embodiments, any suitable configuration for the extension may be used. According to various alternative embodiments, the merchandising system may be used without an extension member. 
         [0054]    As shown in the FIGURES, merchandising system  10  is intended to provide dividers  12  that may be selectively adjusted. Products or merchandise may be placed between adjacent dividers  12 . Pusher  44  may be positioned to the rear of divider  12  when fully stocked with products. As products are removed from merchandising system  10 , pusher  44  pushes the remaining product toward the front of divider  12  and shelf  13 . The pusher assembly is not required for use in various exemplary embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with other shelving divider arrangements (such as basic wall dividers). 
         [0055]    Merchandising system  10  shown in the FIGURES allows dividers  12  to be reconfigured and resized for different sized divisions without the need to reconfigure or resize adjacent dividers  12 . A “facing” or cell may be resized or have its width changed without needing to resize adjacent areas. This is an advantageous feature for a situation where one facing or cell needs to be resized for a different product size, but adjacent facings do not need to be so resized. 
         [0056]    According to various exemplary embodiments, the assemblies and components of the merchandising system may be constructed from a variety of suitable materials, including metals, metal alloys, aluminum, polymers, composites, plastics (including high impact plastics, injection molded plastic, extruded plastic, etc.), ceramics, etc. Using plastic offers several advantages including that the pieces may be constructed in a variety of different colors, surface finishes, textures, etc. 
         [0057]    Merchandising system  10  may be placed on top of shelves  13  or shelving units. Merchandising system  10  may simply rest on the top of a surface (e.g., shelf top portion  14 ). According to exemplary embodiments, low-bond adhesives, soft-tack adhesives, plastics, polymers, elastomers, rubber (including craton rubber), other friction enhancing materials, etc. may be applied to restrict the motion of the merchandising system in addition to the use of the pins. 
         [0058]    It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the merchandising system as shown in the detailed description is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the merchandising system 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, tolerances, 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 of the present merchandising systems. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrally formed. For example, the connector may be formed separately from the divider according to various exemplary embodiments. The operation of the connection between elements of the merchandising system may be reversed or otherwise varied, the shape or size (e.g., length or width) of the elements of the system (e.g., shelf divider or interface of the divider members) may be varied, the nature or number of discrete adjustment positions provided on the connectors may be varied (e.g., by variations in the number of engagement points or size of the engagement points or type of engagement), etc. 
         [0059]    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, including any of a wide variety of moldable or extrudable plastic materials (such as high-impact plastic) in any of a wide variety of colors, textures and combinations. The merchandising system may be used in association with a shelf (e.g., of a shelving unit or the like) 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. 
         [0060]    The merchandising system may be configured to display and merchandise a variety of products, including containers, packages, bags, boxes, tubes, etc. The products may be food products, foodstuffs, snacks, prepared food packages, etc. According to various exemplary embodiments, other products of a variety of sizes and weights may be displayed and merchandised, such as consumer products, parts, batteries, automotive batteries, tissue boxes, etc. 
         [0061]    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.