Patent Publication Number: US-2011068069-A1

Title: Rolling merchandizing device and method of manufacture

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/276,952, filed Sep. 19, 2009, the contents of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Presently, the delivery of beverages to retail establishments has been a tedious, time-consuming and labor intensive process. Typically, a delivery truck is loaded with various packages of beverages (i.e. 12 packs of 12 ounce cans, cases of 12 ounces cans, etc.) at distributors. Thereafter, a delivery driver proceeds to the desired retail store. Once at the delivery location, the delivery driver proceeds to manually load a hand truck with the appropriate package containers and transports the packages to a desired display location within the retail store. Once at the display location, the delivery driver manually unloads the hand truck thereby building the product display. This process repeats itself until the construction of the display is completed. Often, this process may take hours to complete. Moreover, very large product displays typically require the delivery driver to repeatedly load and unload the hand truck. In addition, displays are largely immovable once constructed. As such, any desire to reposition or reconfigure the display requires substantial effort in load/unload a hand truck, and reconstruction of the display. This process is exasperated when the products are positioned within a walk-in cooler. Generally, these coolers utilize largely immovable rack systems. As such, reconfiguring product displays or product advertising is challenging if not impossible. 
     Thus, in light of the foregoing, there is an ongoing need for a rolling merchandizing device capable of transporting and displaying product packages. Ideally, a single rolling merchandizing device would be capable of acting as a hand truck when needed, while being capable of acting as a selectively movable merchandizing stage. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application is direct to various embodiments of a rolling merchandizing device useful in the effective transport and display of common retail packages in retail settings. In one embodiment, the present application discloses a rolling merchandizing device particularly useful in the transport and display of commonly available beverage packages. More specifically, the present application enables the user quickly and easily to load, transport, and display commonly available beverage packages 
     In one embodiment, the present application is directed to a rolling merchandizing device and includes at least one vertical support member having at least a rear surface, at least one handling member coupled to the vertical support member, the handling member not extending beyond the rear surface of the vertical support member, and at least one horizontal support member coupled to the vertical support member, the horizontal support member having a first wheel set and at least a second wheel set, wherein the transverse dimension of the first wheel set is less than the transverse dimension of the second wheel set. 
     In another embodiment, the present application is directed to a rolling merchandizing device and includes at least one vertical support member having at least a rear surface, the vertical support member having a frame member defining a frame region, at least one handling member coupled to the frame member and positioned within the frame region, the handling member co-aligned with the frame member, and at least one horizontal support member coupled to the vertical support member, the horizontal support member having a first wheel set and at least a second wheel set, wherein the transverse dimension of the first wheel set is less than the transverse dimension of the second wheel set. 
     In still another embodiment, the present application is directed to a rolling merchandizing device and includes at least one vertical support member having at least a rear surface, the vertical support member having a oval shaped frame member defining a frame region, at least one handling member coupled to the frame member and positioned within the frame region, the handling member co-aligned with the frame member, and at least one horizontal support member coupled to the vertical support member, the horizontal support member having a first wheel set and at least a second wheel set, wherein the transverse dimension of the first wheel set is less than the transverse dimension of the second wheel set, wherein the first wheel set comprises at least two wheel systems, and the second wheel set comprises at least two wheel systems, the distance between the wheel systems forming the first wheel set is greater than the distance between the wheel systems forming the second wheel set. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a rolling merchandizing device; 
         FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of a rolling merchandizing device; 
         FIG. 3  shows a front planar view of an embodiment of a rolling merchandizing device; 
         FIG. 4  shows a side planar view of an embodiment of a rolling merchandizing device; 
         FIG. 5  shows a rear planar view of an embodiment of a rolling merchandizing device; 
         FIG. 6  shows a bottom planar view of an embodiment of a base member of a rolling merchandizing device; 
         FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of frame member used in an embodiment of a rolling merchandizing device; 
         FIG. 8  shows various views of an embodiment of a rolling merchandizing device transporting and displaying 42 twelve packs of canned beverages; 
         FIG. 9  shows various views of an embodiment of a rolling merchandizing device transporting and displaying 21 twenty four packs of canned beverages; 
         FIG. 10  shows various views of an embodiment of a rolling merchandizing device transporting and displaying 15 thirty packs of canned beverages; 
         FIG. 11  shows various views of an embodiment of a rolling merchandizing device transporting and displaying 28 eighteen packs of canned beverages; 
         FIG. 12  shows various views of an embodiment of a rolling merchandizing device transporting and displaying 24 twelve packs of bottled beverages; 
         FIG. 13  shows various views of an embodiment of a rolling merchandizing device transporting and displaying 12 twenty four packs of bottled beverages; 
         FIG. 14  shows a top planar view of an embodiment of a rolling merchandizing device; 
         FIG. 15  shows a schematic view of a layout plan of an end display for use with a six foot aisle in a retail setting; 
         FIG. 16  shows a schematic view of a layout plan of an end display for use with a four foot aisle in a retail setting; and 
         FIG. 17  shows a schematic view of a layout plan of stand-alone display for use in a retail setting. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show various views of an embodiment of a rolling merchandizing device. As shown, the rolling merchandizing device  10  includes at least one vertical support body  12  coupled to or otherwise in communication with at least one horizontal support body  14  configured to cooperatively support one or more products or items  16 . In the illustrated embodiment, a single vertical support body  12  is coupled to a single support body  14 . Optionally multiple vertically support members  12  may be coupled to the horizontal support member  14 . Similarly, multiple horizontal support members  14  may be coupled to a vertical support member  12 . Additionally, multiple vertical support members  12  may be coupled to multiple horizontal support members  14 . Optionally, at least one movable display device  18  may be coupled to the vertical support body  12 , the horizontal support body  14 , or both. In the illustrated embodiment, the movable display device  18  comprises a tray configured to engage and detachably couple to at least one vertical support body  12 , thereby permitting the user to easily add any number of additional product supports to the rolling merchandizing device  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the vertical support body  12  may include at least one vertical support frame  20  formed from at least one frame member  22 . In one embodiment, the frame members  22  further include at least one handling device  24  defining a gripping region  26  within the frame region  28  formed by the frame members  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the handling device  24  is positioned within the frame region  28 , thereby permitting the rear surface  30  of the rolling merchandizing device  10  to be positioned proximate to a wall or other vertical impingement. As such, if desired, multiple rolling merchandizing devices  10  may be positioned with the rear surfaces  30  of each adjacent thereto. In one embodiment, the handling device  24  is integral to the frame member  22  and/or the vertical support member  12 . In an alternate embodiment, the handling device  24  is configured to be detachably coupled to at least a portion of the frame member  22  and/or the vertical support member  12 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3-5 , one or more frame supports  32  may be positioned within or proximate to the frame region  28  formed by the frame members  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the frame supports  32  are oriented vertically and horizontally. Optionally, the frame supports  32  may be vertically oriented, horizontally oriented, or both. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the frame supports  32  are welded to the frame members  22 . Optionally, the frame supports  32  may be coupled to the frame members  22  using any variety of methods, including, without limitations, mechanically coupled with fasteners, adhesively coupled, and the like. In another embodiment, the frame supports  32  may be integrally formed with the frame members  22 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the rolling merchandizing device  10  further includes at least one display member  34  formed thereon. In the illustrate embodiment, the display member  34  is formed within the frame region  28  formed by the frame members  22 . Optionally, the display member  34  may be positioned outside the frame region  28 . For example, the display member  34  may be configured to be detachably coupled to at least a portion of the rolling merchandizing device  10 . In an alternate embodiment, a display member  34  may be positioned proximate to the strut support  36  and the frame member  22 . For example, the strut support  36  may be welded or otherwise secured to the frame member  22  and at least one display member  34  may be positioned between the strut support  36  and the frame member  22 . The display member  34  may be configured to receive one or more display fixtures (not shown) thereon. Exemplary display fixtures include, without limitations, signage, printed advertisements, inflatable devices, illuminated devices, and similar products. Further, the display fixtures (not shown) may be positioned on any surface of the display member  34 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , the horizontal support member  14  may be coupled to the vertical support member  12 . In one embodiment, the horizontal support member  14  is non-detachably coupled the vertical support member  12 . For example, the horizontal support member  14  may be welded to the vertical support member  12 . In an alternate embodiment, the horizontal support member  14  may be coupled to the vertical support member  12  in any variety of ways, including, without limitations, mechanically coupled, adhesively coupled, integrally formed, and the like. In another embodiment, the vertical support member  12  may be detachably coupled to the horizontal support member using any variety of methods or devices known in the art. In one embodiment, the horizontal support member  14  includes horizontal support frame  40  comprising a base member or plate  42  having at least one wheel set or movement device secured thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, at least one wall member  44  is coupled to the base member  42 . Optionally, at least one base support  46  may be coupled to at least one of the base member  42  and/or the wall member  44 . In the illustrated embodiment, the base member  42 , wall member  44 , and base support  46  forms a merchandize display area  48  configured to receive and support merchandise at a desired height. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the merchandise display area  48  may be configured to support and display various products or items  16  in various orientations. For example, in one embodiment, the merchandise display area  48  may be configured to support and display numerous six packs, twelve packs, eighteen packs, and/or cases of beverages in presently available packages. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3-6 , the base member  42  includes one or more movement devices thereon. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the movement device  50  comprises a first wheel set  52  and a second wheel set  54 . More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the first wheel set  52  comprises two selectively lockable, swiveling casters having a first diameter D 1 . Similarly, the second wheel set  54  comprises two fixed position casters having a second diameter D 2 . In another embodiment, first diameter D 1  of the first wheel set  52  is greater than the second diameter D 2  of the second wheel set  54 . In one embodiment, first diameter D 1  of the first wheel set  52  is less than the second diameter D 2  of the second wheel set  54 . For example, in one embodiment, the first diameter D 1  of the first wheel set  52  is about 3 inches while the second diameter D 2  of the second wheel set  54  is about 5 inches. In still another embodiment, first diameter D 1  of the first wheel set  52  is equal to the second diameter D 2  of the second wheel set  54 . Optionally, the first wheel set  52 , the second wheel set  54 , or both sets comprise selectively lockable, swiveling casters. In the alternative, the first wheel set  52 , the second wheel set  54 , or both sets comprise fixed position casters. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the first wheel set  52  comprises a wheel system  52 A and a wheel system  52 B separated by a distance l 1 . Similarly, the second wheel set  54  comprises a wheel system  54 A and a wheel system  54 B separated by a distance l 2 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the distance l 1  is greater than the distance l 2 . In the alternative, the distance l 1  may be less than the distance l 2 . In an alternate embodiment, the distance l 1  is equal to the distance l 2 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3-6 , the rolling merchandizing device  10  may include one or more support brackets  56  positioned proximate to the rear surface  30  thereof. In one embodiment, the support brackets  56  are configured to support the second wheels set  54  proximate to but not extending beyond the rear surface  30  of the rolling merchandizing device  10 . As such, as stated above, the rolling merchandizing device  10  may be positioned adjacent to a vertical impingement. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the rolling merchandizing device  10 , and the various components thereof, may be manufactured from any variety of materials. For example, in one embodiment, the rolling merchandizing device  10  may be constructed from steel. In an alternate embodiment, the rolling merchandizing device  10  may be constructed from aluminum. Optionally, the rolling merchandizing device  10  may be constructed from any variety of materials, including, without limitations, various alloys, steel, titanium, aluminum, polymers, composite materials, fiberglass-impregnated polymers, natural fibers, rubber, silicon, and the like. For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the frame member  22  comprises an oval shaped member having a transverse dimension of about 1 inch by 1.75 inches (as shown in  FIG. 7 ), the handle member comprising a steel wire having a transverse dimension of about 0.5 inch, and the support members  32  comprising a wire grid, the individual wires having a transverse dimension of about 0.25 inch. Optionally, the rolling merchandizing device  10  may be coated, painted, anodized, or may otherwise receive a surface treatment configured to protector vary the appearance thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the rolling merchandizing device  10  may be manufactured in any variety of size, widths, heights, depths, and the like. For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the rolling merchandizing device  10  has a height H of about 68 inches, a width W of about 23 inches, and a depth D of about 17.75 inches. As such, the rolling merchandizing device  10  shown in  FIGS. 8-13  described above may be used to transport and display a wide assortment of beverage containers in presently available packaging configurations in a floor area of less than about 3 square feet. For example, the afore-described rolling merchandizing device  10  may easily be configured to transport and display approximately 42 twelve packs of canned beverages (see  FIG. 8 ), approximately 21 twenty four packs of canned beverages (see  FIG. 9 ), approximately 15 thirty packs of canned beverages (see  FIG. 10 ), approximately 28 eighteen packs of canned beverages (see  FIG. 9 ), approximately 24 twelve packs of bottled beverages (see  FIG. 9 ), or  12  twenty four packs of bottled beverages (assuming the each can contained approximately 8 and 18 fluid ounces, and each bottle contained approximately between 12 and 20 fluid ounces). 
       FIGS. 14-16  show various views of an embodiment of a rolling merchandizing device  10  during use. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the rolling merchandizing device  10  is configured to enable the efficient transport of packaged products, typically beverages, and the display thereof without the tedious and time-consuming prior art process of loading a hand truck or similar device, transporting the merchandise to a desired location, unloading the hand truck, and constructing a largely immovable display. In one embodiment, the transport driver need only load the rolling merchandizing device  10  with the appropriate packaging, transport and position the rolling merchandizing device  10  to a desired location, and engage at least one locking wheel set  52 A (See  FIG. 2 ) located on the base member  42  thereby quickly and efficiently forming an easily movable product display. Multiple rolling merchandizing devices  10  may be used to transport a large quantity of products to a desired location and provide a variety of product display architectures for a wide variety of applications. For example, at shown in  FIG. 14 , a single rolling merchandizing device  10  occupying approximately 3 square feet may be configured to transport and display approximately 42 twelve packs of canned beverages. As shown in  FIG. 15 , five rolling merchandizing devices  10  may be cooperatively used to provide and end display for a six foot aisle commonly found in the retail industry. In contrast,  FIG. 16  shows four rolling merchandizing devices  10  configured to provide an end display for a four foot aisle commonly found in the retail industry. Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 17 , the rolling merchandizing device  10  is substantially free from impingements proximate to the rear surface  30  (See  FIG. 4 ), thereby permitting multiple rolling merchandizing devices  10  may be positioned with adjacent rear surfaces  30 . 
     With regard to the above detailed description, like reference numerals used therein refer to like elements that may have the same or similar dimensions, materials and configurations. While particular forms of embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited by the forgoing detailed description.