Patent Publication Number: US-2023157460-A1

Title: Retail merchandise tray

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This patent application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 17/697,378, filed Mar. 17, 2022, which is now pending, which is a is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 17/173,889, filed Feb. 11, 2021 which is now U.S. Pat. No. 11,350,769, issued Jun. 7, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/888,092, filed May 29, 2020, which is now U.S. Pat. No, 10,952,547, issued Mar. 23, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/803,566, filed Feb. 27, 2020, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 10,709,263, issued Jul. 14, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/582,681, filed Sep. 25, 2019, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 10,617,228, issued Apr. 14, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 15/954,868, filed Apr. 17, 2018, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 10,492,627, issued Dec. 3, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 15/829,623, filed Dec. 1, 2017, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 10,034,557, issued Jul. 31, 2018, the entire teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to retail merchandise displays, and more particularly to self-facing retail merchandise displays used for biasing retail merchandise forward. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Self-facing retail merchandise displays are generally known in the art. Once such display is the pusher system. A conventional pusher system incorporates one or more pusher paddles or pusher bodies that ride along a respective elongated track. A spring is connected between the pusher body and a leading edge of the track. The spring acts to bias the pusher body forward along the track towards the leading edge thereof. 
     A user can retract the pusher body away from the leading edge of the track and position items of retail merchandise in a linear row on top of the track and between the leading edge of the track and the pusher body. The biasing force provided by the spring and exerted upon the pusher body serves to bias the linear row of retail merchandise forward to ultimately “front face” the merchandise. 
     That is, when a customer removes the leading most item of merchandise from the linear row of merchandise, the pusher body will be drawn forward by the spring to index the row of merchandise forward so that the next item of merchandise in the row is positioned proximate the leading edge of the track in an aesthetically pleasing manner. 
     Such automatic front facing eliminates the necessity for retail store employees to manually face the merchandise, and thus ultimately reduces the cost of labor of the retailer. 
     The aforementioned pusher systems have been utilized in various retail display environments. One example is a retail shelf. Typically, a plurality of pusher bodies and their corresponding tracks are arranged in a side by side manner along the shelf. Each pusher body and its corresponding track are separated by dividers to maintain a plurality of generally straight rows of merchandise that run from the front to the back of the shelf. Such a familiar configuration can be found in many retail stores for selling hygiene items such as deodorant, as one example. 
     In another configuration, the pusher system may be embodied as a stand-alone pusher tray. These trays may include means for mounting the tray as a cantilevered extension from another structure, such as a bar. These trays may also be situated directly on a retail shelf. Further, these trays may include side barriers which are adjustable so as to accommodate merchandise of differing widths. Examples of these trays may be readily seen at U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,254,049, 9,241,583, 8,720,702, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     The invention relates to improvements in the above described pusher systems, more particularly, the above described pusher trays. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the invention provides a retail merchandise tray which incorporates an easily installed wire support structure. A retail merchandise tray according to this aspect has the advantage of not requiring any welding process for affixing the wire support structure to the remainder of the tray. An embodiment according to this aspect includes a pair of opposed load bearing members and a front stop mounted to the pair of load bearing members. This embodiment of a retail merchandise tray also includes a wire support structure having opposed first and second ends. The wire support structure is removably attached at the first end to the front stop and removably attached at the second end to the pair of load bearing members. This embodiment of a retail merchandise tray also includes a pusher mounted to the wire support structure and movable along the wire support structure toward and away from the front stop along a first axis. At least one divider assembly is also includes and is movable relative to the pair of opposed load bearing members along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A pair of spacers are aligned along the first axis and interposed between the pair of load bearing members and situated below the wire support frame. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, the at least one divider assembly includes a pair of divider assemblies movable about the second axis and arranged such that the pair of load bearing members are interposed between the pair of divider assemblies. The at least one divider assembly includes a divider wall and a pair of wire supports. The pair of wire supports are removably attached to the divider by a resilient connection. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, the divider wall includes an upright portion having opposed sides. A flange extends from at least one of the opposed sides perpendicular to the upright portion. The at least one divider assembly includes a baffle plate extension connected to the at least one flange by a slidable connection. The baffle plate extension is mounted to each of the pair of spacers by a slidable connection such that the baffle plate extension is slidable relative to the pair of spacers and relative to the divider wall. The slidable connection between the baffle plate extension and the at least one flange comprises a tab depending downwardly from the flange and a slot formed in the baffle plate extension which receives the tab. The slidable connection between the baffle plate extension and the pair of spacers includes a pair of clips formed on the baffle plate extension, with one clip of the pair of clips connected to one spacer of the pair of spacers, and the other clip of the pair of clips connected to the other spacer of the pair of spacers. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, a baffle plate is connected to the pair of spacers. The baffle plate includes a pair of clips, with one clip of the pair of clips connected to one spacer of the pair of spacers, and the other clip of the pair of clips connected to the other spacer of the pair of spacers. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, a shelf mounting arrangement for mounting the retail merchandise tray to a shelf is provided. The shelf mounting arrangement includes one of a mounting plate that is removably attached to one of the pair of spacers. The mounting plate has extensions configured to extend into apertures of the shelf to fix the tray to the shelf, or a mounting rail configured for mounting to the retail shelf and at least one mounting tab, the mounting rail including a plurality of spaced apart teeth arranged to receive the at least one mounting tab in a space between adjacent teeth, the at least one mounting tab being formed on the front stop. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, the front stop includes a mounting portion and an upright portion. The mounting portion is one of integrally formed with the upright portion as a rigid one piece component or formed as a separate piece from the upright portion, with a hinge formed between the upright portion and the mounting portion such that the upright portion is rotatable about the hinge relative to the mounting portion. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, the wire support structure includes a lateral element and at least one longitudinal element extending from the lateral element. The lateral element includes a pair of opposed ends, with a key formed adj acent each one of the opposed ends. Each key is arranged to pass through a keyway formed in each one of the pair of load bearing members, respectively, such that the pair of load bearing members are interposed between the keys formed at each end of the lateral member. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a retail merchandise tray which employs divider assemblies that are assembled by a resilient connection. This has the advantage of avoiding any welding relative to the divider assemblies, and allows for rapidly replacing divider walls of the divider assemblies. An embodiment according to this aspect includes a pair of opposed load bearing members with a front stop mounted to the pair of load bearing members. This embodiment of a retail merchandise tray also includes a wire support structure including a lateral element and at least one longitudinal element extending from the lateral element. The at least one longitudinal element extends parallel to the pair of load bearing members and is interposed between the pair of load bearing members. A pusher is mounted to the wire support structure. The pusher is movable along the wire support structure toward and away from the front stop along a first axis. This embodiment of a retail merchandise tray also includes at least one divider assembly movable relative to the pair of opposed load bearing members along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The at least one divider includes a divider wall and a pair of wire supports, the pair of wire supports are removably attached to the divider by a resilient connection. A pair of spacers are aligned along the first axis and interposed between the pair of load bearing members and situated below the wire support frame. The pair of spacers receiving the wire supports of the at least one divider. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, the at least one divider assembly includes a pair of divider assemblies movable about the second axis and arranged such that the pair of load bearing members are interposed between the pair of divider assemblies. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, the wire support structure has opposed first and second ends. The wire support structure is removably attached at the first end to the front stop and removably attached at the second end to the pair of load bearing members. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, the divider wall includes an upright portion having opposed sides. A flange extends from at least one of the opposed sides perpendicular to the upright portion. The at least one divider assembly includes a baffle plate extension connected to the at least one flange by a slidable connection. The baffle plate extension is mounted to each of the pair of spacers by a slidable connection such that the baffle plate extension is slidable relative to the pair of spacers and relative to the divider wall. The slidable connection between the baffle plate extension and the at least one flange comprises a tab depending downwardly from the flange and a slot formed in the baffle plate extension which receives the tab. The slidable connection between the baffle plate extension and the pair of spacers includes a pair of clips formed on the baffle plate extension, with one clip of the pair of clips connected to one spacer of the pair of spacers, and the other clip of the pair of clips connected to the other spacer of the pair of spacers. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, a baffle plate is connected to the pair of spacers. The baffle plate includes a pair of clips, with one clip of the pair of clips connected to one spacer of the pair of spacers, and the other clip of the pair of clips connected to the other spacer of the pair of spacers. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, a shelf mounting arrangement for mounting the retail merchandise tray to a shelf is provided. The shelf mounting arrangement includes one of a mounting plate that is removably attached to one of the pair of spacers. The mounting plate has extensions configured to extend into apertures of the shelf to fix the tray to the shelf, or a mounting rail configured for mounting to the retail shelf and at least one mounting tab, the mounting rail including a plurality of spaced apart teeth arranged to receive the at least one mounting tab in a space between adjacent teeth, the at least one mounting tab being formed on the front stop. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, the front stop includes a mounting portion and an upright portion. The mounting portion is one of integrally formed with the upright portion as a rigid one piece component or formed as a separate piece from the upright portion, with a hinge formed between the upright portion and the mounting portion such that the upright portion is rotatable about the hinge relative to the mounting portion. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, the wire support structure includes a lateral element and at least one longitudinal element extending from the lateral element. The lateral element includes a pair of opposed ends, with a key formed adj acent each one of the opposed ends. Each key is arranged to pass through a keyway formed in each one of the pair of load bearing members, respectively, such that the pair of load bearing members are interposed between the keys formed at each end of the lateral member. 
     In yet another aspect, the invention provides a retail merchandise tray which advantageously utilizes a keying arrangement for mounting a wire support structure. An embodiment according to this aspect includes a pair of opposed load bearing members with a front stop mounted to the pair of load bearing members. This embodiment of a retail merchandise tray also includes a wire support structure that includes a lateral element and at least one longitudinal element extending from the lateral element. The lateral element includes a pair of opposed ends. A key is formed adj acent each one of the opposed ends. 
     Each key is arranged to pass through a keyway formed in each one of the pair of load bearing members, respectively, such that the pair of load bearing members are interposed between the keys formed at each end of the lateral member. This embodiment of a retail merchandise tray also includes a pusher mounted to the wire support structure. The pusher is movable along the wire support structure toward and away from the front stop along a first axis. At least one divider assembly is movable relative to the pair of opposed load bearing members along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A pair of spacers are aligned along the first axis and interposed between the pair of load bearing members and situated below the wire support frame. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, the at least one divider assembly includes a pair of divider assemblies movable about the second axis and arranged such that the pair of load bearing members are interposed between the pair of divider assemblies. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, the wire support structure has opposed first and second ends. The wire support structure is removably attached at the first end to the front stop and removably attached at the second end to the pair of load bearing members. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, the divider wall includes an upright portion having opposed sides. A flange extends from at least one of the opposed sides perpendicular to the upright portion. The at least one divider assembly includes a baffle plate extension connected to the at least one flange by a slidable connection. The baffle plate extension is mounted to each of the pair of spacers by a slidable connection such that the baffle plate extension is slidable relative to the pair of spacers and relative to the divider wall. The slidable connection between the baffle plate extension and the at least one flange comprises a tab depending downwardly from the flange and a slot formed in the baffle plate extension which receives the tab. The slidable connection between the baffle plate extension and the pair of spacers includes a pair of clips formed on the baffle plate extension, with one clip of the pair of clips connected to one spacer of the pair of spacers, and the other clip of the pair of clips connected to the other spacer of the pair of spacers. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, a baffle plate is connected to the pair of spacers. The baffle plate includes a pair of clips, with one clip of the pair of clips connected to one spacer of the pair of spacers, and the other clip of the pair of clips connected to the other spacer of the pair of spacers. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, a shelf mounting arrangement for mounting the retail merchandise tray to a shelf is provided. The shelf mounting arrangement includes one of a mounting plate that is removably attached to one of the pair of spacers. The mounting plate has extensions configured to extend into apertures of the shelf to fix the tray to the shelf, or a mounting rail configured for mounting to the retail shelf and at least one mounting tab, the mounting rail including a plurality of spaced apart teeth arranged to receive the at least one mounting tab in a space between adjacent teeth, the at least one mounting tab being formed on the front stop. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, the front stop includes a mounting portion and an upright portion. The mounting portion is one of integrally formed with the upright portion as a rigid one piece component or formed as a separate piece from the upright portion, with a hinge formed between the upright portion and the mounting portion such that the upright portion is rotatable about the hinge relative to the mounting portion. 
     In embodiments according to this aspect, the at least one divider assembly includes a divider wall and a pair of wire supports. The pair of wire supports are removably attached to the divider by a resilient connection. 
     Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a retail merchandise tray according to the teachings herein; 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view of the retail merchandise tray of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a cross section of the retail merchandise tray of  FIG.  1   , taken in the region of a spacer; 
         FIG.  4    is a partial perspective view a divider assembly of  FIG.  1   , illustrating a resilient connection thereof; 
         FIG.  5    is a partial perspective of the retail merchandise tray of  FIG.  1   , illustrating a front stop thereof; 
         FIG.  6    is a partial perspective view of the retail merchandise tray of  FIG.  1   , illustrating a pusher thereof; 
         FIG.  7    is another perspective view of the pusher shown in  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a partial perspective view of the retail merchandise tray of  FIG.  1   , illustrating a removable connection between a wire support structure and a load bearing member of the retail merchandise tray; 
         FIG.  9    is partial perspective view of another embodiment the retail merchandise tray of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a side exploded view of the retail merchandise tray of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  11    is partial perspective view of a divider assembly of the retail merchandise tray of  FIG.  9   , illustrating a slidable connection between a divider wall and a baffle plate extension of the divider assembly; 
         FIG.  12    is a partial perspective view of the divider assembly shown in  FIG.  11   , illustrating a slidable connection between the baffle plate extension and a spacer of the retail merchandise tray; 
         FIG.  13    is perspective cross section taken in the region of the slidable connection between the baffle plate extension and the spacer; 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of another embodiment of the retail merchandise tray according to the teachings herein; 
         FIG.  15    is a partial perspective view of a shelf mounting arrangement of the retail merchandise tray of  FIG.  14   , in the form of a mounting plate; 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective exploded view of the mounting plate of  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  17    is a partial side view of the retail merchandise tray of  FIG.  14   , illustrating the mounting plate mounting the retail merchandise tray to a shelf; 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of another embodiment of a shelf mounting arrangement of the retail merchandise tray, illustrating multiple retail merchandise trays such as those as shown in  FIG.  14   , mounted to a mounting rail which receives at least one mounting tab; 
         FIG.  19    is a perspective exploded view, illustrating one of the retail merchandise trays of  FIG.  18    disconnected from the mounting rail to expose at least one mounting tab of the retail merchandise tray which is received between adjacent teeth of the mounting rail; 
         FIG.  20    is a perspective view of the retail merchandise tray of  FIG.  1    utilizing a foldable front stop, illustrating a foldable front stop in its operational position; 
         FIG.  21    is a perspective view of the retail merchandise tray of  FIG.  20   , illustrating the foldable front stop transitioning from its operational position to a loading position; 
         FIG.  22    is a partial perspective view of the foldable front stop shown in  FIGS.  20 - 21   ; and 
         FIG.  23    is a perspective view of the retail merchandise tray of  FIG.  1   , utilizing an alternative embodiment of a divider wall assembly. 
     
    
    
     While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning now the drawings, various embodiments of a retail merchandise tray are illustrated. A retail merchandise tray (hereinafter referred to as a “tray”) according to the teachings herein as the advantage of having a reduced assembly time and cost due in part to the weld-free interconnection of its various components. Further, a tray according to the teachings herein presents a new and improved baffle plate methodology, which heretofore required a separate plate to be positioned under the tray with its own independent mounting. Still further, a tray according to the teachings herein presents a new and improved shelf mounting configuration for those trays which mount directly to a retail shelf. These and other advantages will be understood from the following detailed description. 
     Turning first to  FIG.  1   , the same illustrates a tray  100  having a pair of load bearing members  102 . Load bearing members  102  are identical so a description of one applies equally well to the other. A front stop  104  is connected to the load bearing members at a first end  114  of tray  100 . Front stop  104  may include additional integrated or attached structures such as price channel extrusions, faceplates, etc. 
     A wire support frame  110  (see  FIG.  2   ) is removably to the load bearing members adjacent a second end  116  of tray  100 . This wire support frame is also removably attached to front stop  104  adjacent first end  114 . Put differently, wire support frame has opposed first and second ends which are adjacent first and second ends  114 ,  116  of tray  100 , respectively. 
     The first end of wire support frame  110  is removably attached to front stop  104 , while the second end is removably attached to load bearing members  102 . As used herein, “removably attached” means an attachment which may be readily undone in a non- destructive manner and subsequently repeated in the same manner. Within this meaning “removably attached” does not include welds, comolding, or other permanent forms of attachment which require component destruction or damage to undo. 
     A pusher  106  is mounted to wire support structure  110  and slidable thereon in directions  120 ,  122 . Pusher  106  is operable to bias a row or rows of retail merchandise situated on top of wire support structure  110  and load bearing members  102  from second end  116  of tray  100  to first end  114  of tray  100 . As may be seen from inspection of  FIG.  1   , pusher  106  may employ a honeycomb structure to reduce its overall weight. As will be explained below, pusher  106  is biased under the force of a coil spring or other biasing element. 
     A pair of movable divider assemblies  108  are positioned on either side of tray  100 . Divider assemblies  108  are movable in directions  124 ,  126  to modify a width or distance between the divider assemblies  108 . This lateral adjustment allows for the accommodating retail merchandise of differing widths. As will be explained below, divider assemblies  108  employ a removable attachment between their divider walls and wire supports. This advantageously allows for the connection of the divider walls using a resilient or “snap” connection. As a result, lightweight materials may be utilized for the divider walls themselves, while more robust materials may be utilized for the wire supports. 
     As may also be seen in  FIG.  1   , each load bearing member  102  includes a cut-out  118  sized to receive a retail merchandise bar of the type typically found in refrigerated cases or other retail merchandise displays. This allows for a cantilevered mounting of tray  100 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  2   , divider  100  is illustrated in an exploded view. As may be seen in this view, tray  100  also includes spacers  112  which are used on the one hand to maintain the lateral spacing between load bearing members  102 , and on the other hand to receive wire supports of divider assemblies  108  as discussed below. Spacers  112  are identical so a description of one applies equally well to the other. These spacers may formed of a lightweight material such as plastic or the like, and attach at their side edges to load bearing members  102  such that spacers  112  are interposed between load bearing members  102 . 
     The two divider assemblies  108  shown are identical. As such, a description of one applies equally well to the other. It should also be noted that although two dividers assemblies  108  are shown, only a single divider assembly  108  may be employed in some alternate configurations, while in other alternate configurations, the divider assemblies  108  may be entirely omitted. 
     Divider assembly  108  includes a divider wall  132  and a pair of wire supports  134  which are removably attached to divider wall  132 . Each wire support  134  connects to divider wall  132  with a resilient “snap” style connection to thereby hold it in place during operation. Divider wall also includes a flange  148  depending perpendicular to its remaining generally upright presentation. This flange  148  may be utilized to support merchandise extending laterally beyond load bearing members  102 . 
     Each wire support  134  includes a straight portion  136  and a bent portion  138  generally at a right angle to straight portion  136 . Bent portions  138  are received in corresponding slots  140  formed in divider wall  132 . Each slot has a passage formed therein for receipt of straight portion  136  such that straight portion  136  passes through divider wall  132  until bent portion  138  bottoms out in slot  140 . This configuration allows for divider assembly  108  to be of a multi-material construction, with wire supports  134  formed of a rigid material such as metal, while divider wall  132  may be formed of a lightweight material such as plastic for example. Further, as was the case with pusher  106 , divider wall  132  may also employ a honeycomb structure to reduce its overall weight. 
     Still referring to  FIG.  2   , wire support structure  110  includes a lateral member  154  and a pair of longitudinal members  156  extending generally perpendicular to lateral member  154 . As its name implies, wire support structure  110  is formed of metal wire, with longitudinal members  156  welded to lateral member  154 . Although two longitudinal elements  156  are illustrated, fewer or greater longitudinal members  156  may be employed depending on the overall width of tray  100 . 
     With reference now to  FIG.  3   , the same illustrates a cross section through the front most spacer  112  shown in  FIG.  2   . This view illustrates the reception of bent portion  138  in slot  140 . Additionally, this view also illustrates the passageway  144  formed in divider wall  132  within slot  140 . A corresponding passageway  142  is also formed in each load bearing member  102  and is aligned with passageway  144  of divider wall  132 . This alignment allows for straight portions  136  to pass through divider wall  132 , through load bearing member  102 , and into a corresponding passageway  146  of spacer  112 . Each spacer  112  has a pair of passageways  146  which overlap one another as shown. Spacers  112  attach to load bearing members  102  via fasteners such as those shown, or any other mechanical expedient. 
     With reference to  FIG.  4   , each slot  140  includes a number of resilient tabs  148 . These tabs extend within slot  140  such that as bent portion  138  enters slot  140 , these tabs will elastically deform out of the way, and then return to their original position as shown in  FIG.  4   . This holds each wire support  134  in place relative to divider wall  132 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  5   , front stop  104  mounts to load bearing members  102  as shown. In particular, front stop  104  includes a mounting portion  160  which extends generally perpendicular to an upright portion  162  as shown. This mounting portion includes laterally extending tabs  164  which are received in corresponding open slots  166  formed in load bearing members  102 . These tabs  164  and their corresponding slots  166  are U-shaped such that they cannot rotate relative to one another. This has the advantage of preventing unwanted rotation of front stop  104  relative to load bearing members  102 . Additionally, mounting portion  160  may also include protrusions  168  received in corresponding apertures  170  for the same purpose. 
     Mounting portion  160  also includes pockets  158  within which the terminal ends of longitudinal members  156  are received and supported from an underside thereof. As such, wire support structure  110  is supported at either end, as introduced above. 
     With reference to  FIG.  6   , as mentioned above pusher  106  is slidable on wire support structure  110 . To this end, pusher  106  includes wire receiving passageways  178  through which longitudinal members  156  extend. As may be surmised from inspection of  FIG.  6   , pusher  106  is fully supported by wire structure  110 . This results in minimal contact of pusher  106  with the remainder of tray  100 , thereby reducing or eliminating the likelihood of binding or the like. 
     A spring opening  182  is also formed through pusher  106  for feeding an uncoiled portion of a coil spring  180  as shown in  FIG.  7   . This coil spring  180  rests on pusher  106  and its free end passes through opening  180  and connects to front stop  104 , or any other portion of tray  100  sufficient to apply a biasing force to pusher  106  to pull it from second end  116  to first end  114  shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  8   , lateral member  154  includes keys  184  adjacent the ends of lateral member  154 . One end of lateral member  154  and its respective keys  184  are shown in  FIG.  8   . An identical configuration exists for the other end. These keys are formed and sized such that they may pass through a keyway  186  formed in load bearing members  102 . 
     As shown in the illustrated view, the outer most key  184  has passed through keyway  186  to thereby interpose load bearing member  102  between keys  184 . This configuration maintains the lateral positioning of wire support frame  110  relative to load bearing members  102 . It is also possible to omit the inner keys  184  at each end of lateral member  154  and use only the outer most keys  184 , such that the load bearing  102  are interposed between these outer most keys  184 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  9   , an alternate embodiment of tray  100  is shown in the form of tray  200 . This embodiment is identical to the embodiment of tray  100  discussed above, except for the following notable differences. Accordingly, and for purposes of brevity, a redundant description of the same structure discussed above is dispensed with. 
     Indeed, tray  200  also incorporates load bearing members  202 , a front stop  204 , and pusher  206  and spacers  212  which are identical in form and function as those same components discussed above relative to  FIGS.  1 - 8   . However, the divider assemblies  208  have a different construction. These divider assemblies  208  are identical so a description of one applies equally well to the other. Additionally, this embodiment also incorporates a baffle plate  228  along the underside of tray  200 . 
     Turning first to the latter of the above two notable differences, baffle plate  238  is removably attached to tray  200 . In particular, and with reference to  FIG.  10   , baffle plate  238  includes resilient clips  250  which clip against spacers  212  as shown with momentary reference back to  FIG.  9   . This allows baffle plate  238  to be snapped on and off tray  200 . 
     As is understood by those of skill in the art, existing baffle plates are typically separate structures from any trays or the like, and typically require their own separate mounting to the back of a retail merchandise display. The instant invention has the advantage of a self contained baffle plate  238  with each tray  200  that is directly mounted thereto. 
     As is also generally understood in the art, baffle plates are employed to prevent denser cold air in a refrigerated environment from rapidly passing past the upper most trays in a refrigerated case or the like. Such baffle plates typically slow this flow of cold air such that the upper trays and the lower trays are generally exposed to the same amount of cold air. Maintaining this principle in the instant invention, divider assemblies  208  also employ their own baffle plate extension such that when divider assemblies  208  are extended, a continuous baffle plate surface is presented across the width of tray  200 . This configuration provides the same advantage of slowing or preventing the undesirable flow of cold air past tray  200 , but has the advantage of a self-contained baffle arrangement as mentioned above. 
     To this end, and turning now to  FIG.  11   , each divider assembly  208  includes a divider wall  232  attached to wire supports  234  in the same manner as discussed above. 
     However, divider assembly also includes a baffle plate extension  230 . A slidable connection is formed between baffle plate extension  230  and flange  248  of divider wall  232 . This slidable connection is in the form of a tab  272  on flange  248  which depends downwardly into a corresponding slot  274  formed into the baffle plate extension. As a result, flange  248  and baffle plate extension  230  form a continuous baffle plate surface as shown. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  12   , baffle plate extension connects to spacers  212  via slidable connection as well. As a result, pulling divider wall  232  away from tray  200  causes tab  272  to slide within slot  274  until it reaches the position shown in  FIG.  11   . Thereafter, continued movement of divider wall  232  laterally away from tray  200  then causes baffle plate extension  230  to slide along spacers  212  to allow baffle plate extension  230  to move laterally outward as well to the position shown in  FIG.  11   . 
     Still referring to  FIG.  12   , this slidable connection of baffle plate extension  230  relative to spacers  212  is formed by slidable clips  276 . These clips  276  include rounded portions  278  which clip partially around corresponding rounded portions of spacers  212 . As such, the baffle plate extensions are affixed to but slidable along spacers  212 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  13   , laterally outward movement of each baffle plate extension  230  continues until a downwardly depending extension portion  288  of baffle plate extension  230  which depends generally perpendicular from a support portion  290  of baffle plate extension  230  abuts load bearing member  202  as shown. 
     With reference to  FIG.  14   , the same illustrates a tray  300  which is identical to tray  100  except that it utilizes load bearing members  302  of a different design, and a shelf mounting arrangement for situating tray  300  directly on the surface of a retail shelf. Each of these features will be discussed in turn. 
     As stated above, the remainder of tray  300  is identical to tray  100  discussed previously, and as such, a redundant detailed description of identical features is dispensed with for purposes of brevity. Indeed, tray  300  also includes, a front stop  304 , a pusher  306 , divider assemblies  308 , a wire support structure  310 , and a pair of spacers  312  (see  FIG.  15   ) each of which is identical to those same structures discussed above relative to tray  100 . 
     Load bearing members  302 , however, no longer utilize a cut-out such as cut-out  118  shown in  FIG.  1   . Instead, load bearing members  302  have generally flat bottoms so that they may sit directly on a shelf. As previously mentioned, tray  300  also incorporates a shelf mounting arrangement for fixing tray  300  on to a retail shelf. 
     One embodiment of such a shelf mounting arrangement is shown in  FIG.  15   . This embodiment includes a mounting plate  392  which clips onto the front most spacer  312  of tray  300 . Mounting plate  392  includes a pair of extensions  394  which have a general hook shape and are configured to extend into apertures formed in a retail shelf. 
     With reference to  FIG.  16   , mounting plate  392  employs a clip  396  similar to those clips described above for removably attaching mounting plate  392  to spacer  312 . Although two extensions  394  are illustrated fewer or greater extensions may be employed.  FIG.  17    illustrates tray  300  mounted to a shelf  398 . As may be seen in this view, extensions  394  extend through apertures in the shelf to fix tray  300  to shelf  398 . 
       FIG.  18    illustrates another embodiment of a shelf mounting arrangement. In this embodiment, multiple trays  300  are mounted to a mounting rail  500 , which is in turn mounted directly to shelf  398 . As explained below, each tray  300  snaps into mounting rail  500  to fix the tray  300  to shelf  398 . Although two trays  300  are shown, mounting rail  500  may be of any length to accommodate a greater number of trays  300 . 
       FIG.  19    illustrates one of the trays  300  exploded away from mounting rail  500 . As can be seen in this view, mounting rail  500  includes a plurality of teeth  502 , with a space formed between each adjacent set of teeth. These spaces  504  are configured to receive a tab  506  formed on front stop  304 . In the illustrated embodiment, two tabs  506  are utilized, but fewer or greater tabs  506  may be employed. The width of each tab  506  is such that it will tightly fit in each space  504 . As a result, tray  300  may be removably attached to mounting rail  500 . 
       FIG.  20    illustrates tray  100  from  FIGS.  1 - 8    utilizing a different embodiment of a front stop  604 . This front stop  604  is foldable from an operational position shown in  FIG.  20    to a loading position shown in  FIG.  21   . As can be seen in  FIG.  21   , in the loading position, front stop  604  is rotated to a generally flat presentation to allow retail merchandise to be loaded onto tray  100  from the front end  114  (see  FIG.  1   ) thereof. This presents a significant advantage over other designs with non-folding front stops, because in those designs merchandise is typically loaded from the rear of the tray, or is difficult to load from the front due to the non-folding front stop obscuring the loading path. 
       FIG.  22    illustrates the rear side of front stop  604 . Front stop  604  includes a mounting portion  660  and an upright portion  662 . However, unlike front stop  104 , these portions  660 ,  662  are not integrally formed. Instead, mounting portion  660  is separate from upright portion  662  and a hinge is formed between these components. Indeed, a hinge pin  704  extends through mounting portion  660  and is received by hinge lugs  708  on upright portion  662 . Upright portion  662  may rotate about hinge pin  704  relative to mounting portion  660 . A spring  706  is also associated with hinge pin  704 , and exerts a biasing force against upright portion  662  to maintain it in its upright position. This biasing force may be overcome by pushing against the front face of upright portion  662 , causing the same to rotate about hinge pin  704 . This configuration has the advantage of allowing high speed loading of tray  100 . It should be noted that although front stop  604  is illustrated with tray  100 , front stop  604  may be utilized with any of the trays described herein. 
       FIG.  23    illustrates another embodiment of a tray  800 . This tray is identical to those trays described above in that it includes a pair of load bearing members  802 , a front stop  804 , a pusher  806 , a wire support structure  810 , and a divider assembly  808 . The key difference with tray  800  over those described above is that it utilizes only a single divider assembly  808 . This divider assembly  808  is substantially the same as those described above in that it includes a divider wall  832  removably attached to wire supports  834  as shown. 
     However, because only a single divider assembly  808  is used, it is configured to be shared with an adjacent tray (not shown) having only a single divider as well. Put differently, divider wall  832  is shared between two adjacent trays  800 . To this end, divider wall  832  has flanges  848  extending from both sides thereof. This allows divider wall  832  to support merchandise on tray  800  shown, as well as the adjacent tray  800  (not shown). 
     Furthermore, although not illustrated, it is also conceivable that this single divider wall may be connected to two baffle plate extensions such as those described above relative to tray  200 . In such a configuration, flanges  848  would also include tabs such as those described above to achieve a slidable connection with baffle plate extensions. More generally, this single divider assembly configuration may be employed on any of the trays described herein. 
     As discussed in the preceding, trays according to the teachings herein present various advantages over existing configurations, for example, a lighter and less labor intensive assembly process, an integrated baffle plate configuration which may readily adapt to movement of the divider walls of the trays, an intuitive shelf mounting arrangement, a foldable front stop arrangement, and a single divider assembly arrangement which may be shared between trays, to name only a few. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non- claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.