Patent Publication Number: US-2010108625-A1

Title: Merchandising system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/110,979, filed Nov. 3, 2008; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/117,725, filed Nov. 25, 2008; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/119,362, filed Dec. 2, 2008; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/155,689, filed Feb. 26, 2009. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a merchandising system. Stores selling small packages of chips or snacks or other small goods are restocked by delivery drivers. The driver carries one or more boxes of different varieties of packages from the truck into the store. At the appropriate shelf, the driver determines which packages are needed to be restocked, then selects the packages needed from the boxes and places them onto the shelf. This is inconvenient because the driver has carried in more packages than he is restocking and restocking packages one at a time is time consuming. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a scoop that includes a side member and lower blade that cooperate with each other to secure and hold a row of packages at one time. The packages could comprise chips, pretzels, cookies, or other types of small packages that are easily grouped together for shipment. 
     In one example, the packages are stored within a container that has a pivotable front wall to allow access to divided rows of packages. The front wall is pivoted into an open position and the scoop is inserted into the container to remove a row of packages for placement on a display 
     In one example, the scoop includes a body portion, a lower blade extending outwardly from the body portion to provide a base support surface for the plurality of packages, at least one side member extending outwardly from the body portion and spaced vertically above the lower blade, and a handle. The lower blade and side member cooperate with each other to secure and hold a plurality of packages to be transported by a user holding the handle. 
     In one example, the scoop includes an activation mechanism associated with at least one of the lower blade and the at least one side member. The activation mechanism is selectively moveable between an open position to allow the plurality of packages to be loaded on the lower blade or unloaded from the lower blade and a retention position to hold the plurality of packages on the lower blade for transport. 
     In one example, the scoop works in conjunction with stackable containers to provide a merchandise stocking assembly. The container includes a base wall, a pair of side walls, a rear wall, and a front wall that is pivotably mounted to the base wall to selectively open and close a front of the container to provide access to the plurality of packages. 
     In one example, the container also includes a plurality of dividers extending upwardly from the base wall to define rows for the plurality of packages. The container further includes at least one bottom support rib that protrudes upwardly from the base wall in each row to support the plurality of packages within each row at a spaced distance from the base wall to provide easier access for the scoop. 
     As such, the present invention allows the driver to deliver these small packages a row at a time on a shelf for display in a store. The driver would be able to carry one or more “rows” of packages into the store and place an entire row of packages onto the appropriate shelf at one time. 
     In one example, a support structure is included within the delivery truck to support a plurality of containers. In one example, the support structure includes a wall mount fixed to a wall of the truck and which includes a hook that allows the container to be hung on the wall. In another example, the support structure comprises a rack that is used to support a plurality of containers. 
     In one example, the rack includes at least one rear rail and at least one side rail extending outwardly from one end of the rear rail. The rear and side rails each include an interface structure that cooperates with a corresponding interface structure on a container to hold the container on the rack. 
     These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a merchandising system including a scoop and a stackable container to hold a plurality of divided packages in rows where a front wall of the container is in an open position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one example of a scoop. 
         FIG. 3  is a front end view of the scoop of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear end view of the scoop of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective front view of the container of  FIG. 1  with a front wall being in a closed position. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view from the rear of the container of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the container of  FIG. 5  in combination with a wall mount. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the wall mount of  FIG. 7   
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the wall mount of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another example of a scoop showing side arms rotated to a retention position. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view from the rear of the scoop of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a front end view of the scoop of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a rear end view of the scoop of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 14  is perspective view of the scoop of  FIG. 10  with side rods arms rotated to an open position. 
         FIG. 15  is a front end view of the scoop of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a rear end view of the scoop of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of another example of a scoop showing an activation mechanism in an open position. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view from the rear of the scoop of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the scoop showing the activation mechanism in a retention position. 
         FIG. 20  is an enlarged exploded view of the activation mechanism. 
         FIG. 21  is an enlarged partial section view of the activation mechanism in the open position. 
         FIG. 22  is an enlarged partial section view of the activation mechanism in the closed position. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of another example of a scoop showing an activation mechanism in an open position. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the scoop of  FIG. 23  in a retention position. 
         FIG. 25  is an enlarged exploded view from the front of the activation mechanism for the scoop of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 26  is an enlarged exploded view from the rear of the activation mechanism for the scoop of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 27  is an enlarged partial section view of the activation mechanism of  FIG. 25  in the open position. 
         FIG. 28  is an enlarged partial section view of the activation mechanism of  FIG. 25  in the closed position. 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of another example of a container showing a front wall in a closed position. 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 29  with the front wall in an open position. 
         FIG. 31  is a rear perspective view of the container of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 32  is a front perspective view of two containers of  FIG. 29  in a stacked relationship. 
         FIG. 33  is a perspective view of on example of a support structure comprising a rack. 
         FIG. 34  is a perspective view of two racks connected to each other. 
         FIG. 35  is a perspective view showing a container being slid into the rack of  FIG. 33 . 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view showing two containers of different sizes supported within a common rack structure with associated front walls in a closed position. 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective view of the containers and rack of  FIG. 26  showing the front walls in an open position. 
         FIG. 38  is an enlarged perspective view of a corner of the container of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 39  is an enlarged perspective view of the corner of  FIG. 38  in combination with a side rail of the rack. 
         FIG. 40  is a perspective view of another example of a rack structure with pivotable side rails. 
         FIG. 41  is a perspective view of another example of a scoop with an activation mechanism in the open position. 
         FIG. 41  is a rear perspective view of the scoop of  FIG. 41 . 
         FIG. 43  is a front end view of the scoop of  FIG. 41 . 
         FIG. 44  is a rear end view of the scoop of  FIG. 41 . 
         FIG. 45  is a perspective view showing a side member of the scoop of  FIG. 41  pivoting from a first position shown in  FIG. 4  toward a second position. 
         FIG. 46  shows the scoop of  41  in the second position. 
         FIG. 47  is a perspective view of another example of a rack structure. 
         FIG. 48  is a perspective view of one rack module from the rack structure of  FIG. 47 . 
         FIG. 49  is a rear perspective view of the rack module of  FIG. 48 . 
         FIG. 50  is a side view of the rack module of  FIG. 48   
         FIG. 51  is a top view of the rack module of  FIG. 48   
         FIG. 52  is a front view of the rack module of  FIG. 48 . 
         FIG. 53  is a top perspective view of another example of a container with a front wall in a closed position. 
         FIG. 54  is a bottom perspective view of the container of  FIG. 53 . 
         FIG. 55  is a breakaway view of the container of  FIG. 53 . 
         FIG. 56  is a perspective view showing the container of  FIG. 53  supported by a rack module of  FIG. 48 . 
         FIG. 57  is a perspective view showing two containers of  FIG. 53  supported by two rack modules of  FIG. 48 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a merchandising system  10  including a container  12  for shipping small packages (such as chips, cookies, snacks, etc.) to a store and a shovel or scoop  14  for transferring a row of packages from the container  12  to a store shelf. 
     The container  12  includes a base wall  16 , side walls  18  and a rear wall  20 . A front wall  22  is pivotably mounted to the base wall  16  to selectively open and close a front of the container  12  to provide access to the interior of the container  12 . A plurality of dividers  24  are formed inside the container  12 , extending upwardly from the base wall  16 . The dividers  24  define rows of packages (not shown) therebetween. A pair of “false bottom” support ribs  26  protrudes upwardly from the base  16  in each row to support the packages at a distance from the base wall  16 . The support ribs  26  may be angled toward the front of the container  12  to facilitate packages sliding forward onto the scoop  14  once the front wall  22  is moved to the open position. 
     The scoop  14  includes a body portion  36  from which extend a lower blade  38  and a side blade  40 . The side blade  40  is substantially perpendicular (or at least substantially transverse) to the lower blade  38  and is spaced apart from the lower blade  38 . A generally vertically oriented handle  42  extends rearwardly from the body portion  36  of the scoop  14 . The side  40  and lower  38  blades extend outwardly from the body portion  36  in the same direction with the handle  42  extending outwardly from the body portion  36  in an opposite direction. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the scoop  14 . As shown, the body portion  36  includes a lower portion  46  protruding forwardly and from which the lower blade  38  extends, and a side portion  48  protruding forwardly and from which the side blade  40  extends. The body portion  36 , including the lower portion  46 , side portion  48  and handle  42  are preferably integrally molded as a single plastic piece. The blades  38 ,  40  may be formed of plastic or may be formed from metal, such as aluminum. A rubber or plastic foot  50  may be secured to a forward distal end of the lower blade  38  to facilitate retention of packages on the scoop  14 . The foot  50  includes an upwardly extending lip portion  50   a  that forms a shallow cup portion at the distal end to prevent packages from falling off of the scoop  14 . Further, the foot  50  may include a textured surface  50   b  to further facilitate retention of the packages on the scoop  14 . 
     When using the scoop  14 , the foot  50  of the lower blade  38  pulls the last bag out of the container  12 . On the shelf, the user pushes the packages from the scoop  14  as the scoop is pulled out from underneath the packages. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  are front and end views, respectively, of the scoop  14 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the lower blade  38  has a slight curvature C which further facilitates packages from sliding off of side edges of the lower blade  38 . 
       FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the container  12 , with the front wall  22  being pivoted to a closed position. As can also be seen in  FIG. 5 , elongated rails  54  extend across an uppermost edge of the side walls  18 . Complementary grooves  56  are formed along a lower edge of the side walls  18 , such that the container  12  can be slid on and stacked on a similar container, with the rails  54  of a lower container  12  being received within the grooves  56  of an upper container  12 . 
     The container  12  may also include handles  58  formed within the side walls  18 . The handles  58  are formed by openings extending through the side walls  18  to provide a section of the side walls that can be gripped to move the containers  12  as needed. 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom, rear perspective view of the container  12 . The base wall  16  includes openings  16   a  to reduce the weight of the container  12 . The rear wall  20  includes a bracket  60  at an upper end thereof. The bracket  60  is spaced rearwardly from the rear wall  20  to provide a clearance gap  20   a.    
       FIG. 7  shows the container  12  hanging on a wall mount that includes a hook  62  attached to a plate bracket  64 . The plate bracket  64  could be secured to an interior wall of the delivery truck, for example. The hook  62  extends upwardly into the clearance gap  20   a  provided by the bracket  60 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , the hook  62  is formed as part of the plate bracket  64  and extends to a distal end  66  spaced away from the plate bracket  64 , for hanging containers  12  thereon. Referring back to  FIG. 7 , to hang the container  12  on the hook  62 , the distal end  66  is received within the clearance gap  20   a  between the rear wall  20  and the bracket  60 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a scoop  70  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The scoop  70  includes a body portion  72  having a handle portion  74  and integral side portions  78 . An activating trigger  76  is pivotably mounted in front of the handle portion  74 . 
     Side arms or rods  80  extend forwardly from each of the side portions  78 . The rods  80  are pivotable between a retention position ( FIGS. 10-13 ) and an open position ( FIGS. 14-16 ). Paddles or fingers  82  extend laterally inward toward each other from forward distal ends of the rods  80  when in the retention position. In use, the activation of the trigger  76  causes rotation of approximately ninety degrees of the rods  80  and fingers  82  to the open position shown in  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a filament  86  connecting the trigger  76  around a guide  88  to a lever  90 , which rotates the rod  80 . A spring  92  causes the lever  90  to return to the normal retention position (shown) upon release of the trigger  76 . The other rod  80  is rotated at the same time via another filament  86  extending around a guide  88 . 
     As shown, in the retention position, the fingers  82  are directed generally toward one another ( FIGS. 10-13 ). When the trigger  76  is pulled toward the handle  74 , the rods  80  and fingers  82  are rotated out of the way ( FIGS. 14-16 ). Optionally, this functionality could be reversed. 
     In use, the packages are placed between the dividers  24  on the ribs  26 . A user that uses the scoop  70  will insert the lower blade  84  of the scoop  70  between the ribs  26  under the packages in the access space provided just above the base wall  16 . The user activates the trigger  76  before pushing the lower blade  84  below the packages. After the lower blade  84  is inserted, the user releases the trigger  76 , causing the paddles to return to their normal retention position, which keeps the last package on the scoop  70  so that the package does not fall off during transport. 
     The user then lifts the scoop  70  from the container  12 , with an entire row of packages and places the scoop  70  on the display shelf in the store (the user can carry one more loaded scoops  70 ). For scoop  70 , the user then releases the packages by squeezing the trigger  76  and pulling the scoop  70  out from under the packages. Optionally, the rear wall  20  of the container  12  includes one or more recesses that receive the fingers  82 , such that the fingers  82  can rotate between positions inside the recess without interference from the packages. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a scoop  170  according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the scoop  170  includes a body portion  172  having a handle portion  174 , an integral side portion  178  and an integral lower portion  179 . A side blade  182  extends from the side portion  178  and a lower blade  184  extends from the lower portion  179 . An activation mechanism  188  is associated with a distal end of the lower blade  184 . Optionally, the activation mechanism  188  could be associated with the side blade  182  instead of the lower blade  184 . 
     In the example of  FIGS. 17-22 , the activation mechanism includes a flap  186  that projects forwardly from the activation mechanism  188  on the lower blade  184 . In  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the flap  186  is shown in the extended, open position such that packages can be loaded or unloaded from the lower blade  184 . 
       FIG. 19  shows the flap  186  in the retracted, closed position, generally perpendicular to the lower blade  184 . In this position, the flap  186  holds the last package in place to prevent the package from falling off of the scoop  170 . 
       FIG. 20  is an exploded view of the activation mechanism  188  at the distal end of the lower blade  184 . The activation mechanism  188  includes the flap  186 , a lower portion  193 , and an upper portion  198  that overlaps the lower portion  193  when assembled. Apertures  190  on the flap  186  and apertures  192  on the lower portion  193  receive a hinge pin  194  therethrough to hingeably connect the flap  186  to the lower portion  193 . The lower portion  193  is slidable relative to the lower blade  184  on a track portion  170   a  and is biased rearwardly (i.e. toward the handle  174 ) by a spring  195  reacting between the lower portion  193  and the upper portion  198 . The flap  186  includes a first contact surface  196  and a second contact surface  197  that is orientated to be generally perpendicular to the first contact surface  196 . 
       FIGS. 21 and 22  are section views through the lower blade  184 .  FIG. 21  shows the flap  186  in the extended, open position in which the lower portion  193  is drawn forward, compressing the spring  195 . In this position, the second contact surface  197  of the flap  186  is drawn into contact with a forward end of the upper portion  198  of the flap activation mechanism  188 . By rotating the flap  186  upward to the retracted, closed position shown in  FIG. 22 , the spring  195  first offers resistance as the flap  186  contacts the rear wall  20  ( FIG. 1 ) of the container  12 ., and then in response to further exerted compression, the flap  186  snaps into the retracted, closed retention position with the first surface  196  contacting the forward end of the upper portion  198 . The flap  186  can be rotated back to the extended, open position of  FIG. 21 , and again, the spring  195  first offers resistance and then snaps the flap  186  into the retention position of  FIG. 22 . 
     In use, the scoop  170  is inserted under a row of packages in the container  12 . When the flap  186  hits the rear wall  20 , the flap  186  snaps into the retracted, closed position, thereby retaining the packages on the scoop  170 . The scoop  170  and packages can then be carried to the shelf or even into the store. The scoop  170  and packages are inserted onto the shelf, where the flap  186  is then pivoted downward to the extended, open position, such as by hand. The scoop  170  is then removed from the shelf, leaving the packages on the shelf. 
       FIGS. 23-28  illustrate a scoop  270  according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the scoop  270  includes a body portion  272  having a handle portion  274  with a pivotable lever  275 . The body portion  272  further includes an integral side portion  278  and an integral lower portion  279 . A side blade  282  extends from the side portion  278  and a lower blade  284  extends from the lower portion  279 . An activation mechanism  288  is associated with a distal end of the lower blade  284 . Optionally, the activation mechanism  288  could be associated with the side blade  282  instead of the lower blade  284 . 
     In the example of  FIGS. 23-28 , the activation mechanism  288  includes a flap  286  that projects forwardly from the activation mechanism  288  on the lower blade  284 . In  FIG. 23 , the flap  286  is shown in the extended, open position, while in  FIG. 24  the flap  286  is shown in the retracted, closed retention position. 
       FIGS. 25 and 26  are exploded views of the outer end of the lower blade  284 . The activation mechanism  288  includes the flap  286 , a lower portion  293 , and an upper portion  298  that overlaps the lower portion  293  when assembled. The flap  286  includes lower apertures  290  and upper apertures  291  for receiving hinge pins  294  therethrough. One hinge pin  294  hingeably connects the flap  286  to apertures  292  on the lower portion  293  of the activation mechanism  288 . The other hinge pin  294  hingeably connects the flap  286  to apertures  296  on the upper portion  298  of the activation mechanism  288 . The lower portion  293  is slidable relative to the lower blade  284  along a track portion  284   a  and is biased rearwardly (i.e. toward the handle  274 ) by a spring  295  reacting between the lower portion  293  and the upper portion  298  of the activation mechanism  288 . The lower portion  293  is connected by an activation rod  289  to the lever  275  on the handle  274  ( FIGS. 23 and 24 ). The upper portion  298  is secured to the lower blade  284  and retains the lower portion  293  slidably between a forward and rearward position. 
       FIGS. 27 and 28  are section views through the lower blade  284 .  FIG. 27  shows the flap  286  in the extended, open position in which the lower portion  293  is drawn rearward by expansion of the spring  295 . By moving the lever  275  toward the handle  274 , the lever  275  contacts an enlarged end  289   a  of the activation rod  289  which in turn pushes the lower portion  293  of the flap activation mechanism  288  forward, compressing the spring  295 . This also moves the lower one of the hinge pins  294  forward, thereby rotating the flap  286  upwardly. By rotating the flap  286  upward to the retracted, closed position shown in  FIG. 28 , the spring  295  is compressed and subsequently returns the flap  286  to the open extended position when the lever  275  is released. 
     In use, the scoop  270  is inserted under a row of packages and the lever  275  is squeezed to move the flap  286  into the retracted, closed position, thereby retaining the packages on the scoop  270 . The scoop  270  and packages can then be carried to the shelf or even into the store from the delivery truck. The scoop  270  and packages are inserted onto the shelf, where the lever  275  is released to move the flap  286  to the extended, open position. The scoop  270  is then removed from the shelf, leaving the packages on the shelf. 
       FIGS. 29-39  illustrate another container  112  that could be used with any the scoops described in the subject application and generally in the same manner as described in the subject application. Referring to  FIGS. 29-30 , the container  112  includes a base wall  116 , side walls  118  and a rear wall  120 . A front wall  122  is pivotably mounted to the base wall  116  to selectively open and close a front of the container  112  to provide access to the interior of the container  112 . A plurality of dividers  124  are formed inside the container  112 , extending upwardly from the base wall  116 . The dividers  124  define rows of packages (not shown) therebetween. A pair of “false bottom” support ribs  126  protrudes upwardly from the base  116  in each row to support the packages at a spaced distance from the base wall  116  to facilitate scoop insertion. The support ribs  126  may be angled toward the front of the container  112  to further facilitate removal of the packages once the front wall  122  is opened. Concave ramps  127  are formed at an intersection of the base wall  116  and rear wall  120  in each row. The concave ramps  127  assist in activating the flaps  186 ,  286  of the scoops  170 ,  270 , for example, such that the flaps  186 ,  286  will move toward the closed retention position behind the row of packages. 
     A lower flange  130  projects outwardly in a lateral direction from a periphery of the side walls  118  and rear wall  120 . An upper flange  132  is spaced above the lower flange  130  to define a channel  134  therebetween. A cantilevered finger  140  has a latch portion extending into the channel  134 . As shown in  FIG. 31 , the channel  134  extends entirely around the side  118  and rear  120  walls. 
     A lip  136  extends downward from an outer edge of the lower flange  130  on each side wall  118  to define a groove  138 . Elongated rails  142  extend across uppermost edges of the side walls  118 . Complementary grooves  138  that are formed along the lower edge of side walls  118  of another container receive the rails  142 . This allows a similar container  112 ′ ( FIG. 32 ) to be slid on and stacked on the container  112 , with the rails  142  of the lower container being received within the grooves  138 ′ along both side edges of the upper container  112 ′, as shown in  FIG. 32 . 
     A rack  150  for holding a plurality of the containers  112  is shown in  FIG. 33 . The rack  150  includes a plurality of vertical supports  152  (which could be panels or walls) supporting U-shaped rails each including a pair of side rails  154  and a rear rail  156 . The rails  154 ,  156  may be formed of plastic or metal for example. The side rails  154  include interlocking portions, such as a notch  158  formed along the side rails  154 . As shown in  FIG. 34 , multiple racks  150  can be mounted together within a truck (not shown) to facilitate delivery of the packages in the containers  112 . Any type of mounting interface can be used to attach adjoining racks  150  together, such as fasteners or clips for example. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 35 and 36 , each container  112  is slid into the rack  150  by sliding the side rails  154  into the channels  134  on the sides of the container  152  until the rear rail  156  is received in the channel  134  that extends along the rear wall  120  of the container  112 .  FIG. 36  illustrates that the container  112  as well as a similar, but larger container  112 A can be stored on the same rack  150 . As shown in  FIG. 37 , the front walls  122 ,  122 A of the containers  112 ,  112 A, can be opened to access the contents of the containers  112 ,  112 A independently of one another while the containers  112 ,  112 A are still on the rack  150 . 
       FIGS. 38-39  illustrate the cantilevered finger  140  of the container  112  more clearly. As shown in  FIG. 39 , when the container  112  is slid into the rack  150 , a latch portion of the finger  140  snaps into the notch  158  on the side rail  154 . The side rail  154  can include a curved surface  154   a  to facilitate insertion. 
       FIG. 40  illustrates another example of a rack  250  that includes side rails  254  that pivot to an upper position (shown) and a lower position. Allowing alternate positions of the side rails  254  more efficiently accommodates containers  112 ,  112 A of different sizes with less unused space. Vertical members  252  include bosses  252   a  that receive pivot portions  258  of the side rails  254 . 
       FIGS. 41-46  illustrate a scoop  370  according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 41 , the scoop  370  includes a body portion  372  having a handle portion  374  with a wrist support platform  373  extending rearwardly from a lower portion thereof. The body portion  372  further includes a connector  376  including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced snap-fit fingers  376   a  to which a side blade bracket  378  is rotatably connected. The body portion  372  includes an integral lower portion  379 . A side blade  382  extends from the side blade bracket  378  and a lower blade  384  extends from the lower portion  379 . An activation mechanism  388  is associated with a distal end of the lower blade  384 . Optionally, the activation mechanism  388  could be associated with the side blade  382  instead of the lower blade  384 . 
     In the example of  FIGS. 41-46 , the activation mechanism  388  includes a flap  386  that projects forwardly from the activation mechanism  388  on the lower blade  384 . In  FIG. 41 , the flap  386  is shown in the extended, open position. In the embodiment shown, the flap activation mechanism  388  is similar to that of the third embodiment ( FIGS. 17-22 ), but alternatively the activation mechanism could be of the type shown in the fourth embodiment, with the activation handle. The flap  386  moves between open and retention positions as described above. 
       FIG. 42  is a rear perspective view of the scoop  370 .  FIG. 43  is a front view, and  FIG. 44  is a rear view, of the scoop  370 . As shown in  FIG. 45 , the side blade bracket  378  can be rotated relative to the body portion  372  via the rotatable connection between the side blade bracket  378  and the connector  376 . This way, the side blade  382  can be rotated from the right-side position of  FIG. 45  to the left-side position of  FIG. 46 , based upon the preference of the user. Optionally, the connector  376  could be offset from the center, so that the side blade  382  could accommodate larger items and larger width trays. 
       FIG. 47  shows a rack  350  including a plurality of rack modules  351  mounted on a wall  349 , such as an interior wall  349  of a truck. 
     One of the rack modules  351  is shown in  FIG. 48 . The rack module  351  includes a rear bracket  355  having a rear rail  356  mounted parallel to the bracket  355  and protruding therefrom. A side rail  354  extends generally perpendicularly from one end of the bracket  355 . The side rail  354  has a head  357  mounted at its outer end. The head  357  includes a notch  358  on either side of the outer end for interacting with a container (described herein) to secure the container to the rail  354 . Alternatively, the rail  354  could include a flexible finger that interacts with a notch in the container.  FIG. 49  is a rear perspective view of the rack module  351 .  FIGS. 50 ,  51  and  52  are side, top and front views of the rack module  351 . 
       FIGS. 53-57  illustrate another container  312  that could be used with the scoops described above generally in the same manner described above. The container  312  includes a base wall  316 , side walls  318  and a rear wall  320 . A front wall  322  is pivotably mounted to the base wall  316  to selectively open and close a front of the container  312  to provide access to the interior of the container  312 . A plurality of dividers  324  are formed inside the container  312 , extending upwardly from the base wall  316 . The dividers  324  define rows of packages (not shown) therebetween. 
     Referring to the breakaway view of  FIG. 70 , the base wall  316  is corrugated, i.e. is formed to have alternating lower wall portions  328  and upper wall portions  329  connected by generally vertical wall portions  326 . The lower wall portions  328  and vertical wall portions  326  define channels below the packages (not shown), which rest on the vertical wall portions  326  and upper wall portions  329  between the dividers  324 , which extend upwardly from the upper walls  329 . The upper wall portions  329  may be angled and vertical wall portions  326  may be tapered toward the front of the container  312 , as shown, to facilitate removal of the packages once the front wall  322  is moved to the open position. 
     Concave ramps  327  are formed at the intersection of the lower wall portion  328  and rear wall  320  in each row. The concave ramp  327  assists in activating the flap  386  of the scoop  370  of  FIG. 68 , for example, such that the flap  386  will move toward the closed position behind the row of packages. 
     A lower flange  330  projects outwardly in a lateral direction from a periphery of the side walls  318  and rear wall  320 . An upper flange  332  is spaced above the lower flange  330  to define a channel  334  therebetween. A groove  338  is defined below the lower flange  330  and outward of the base  316  and positioned and sized to be received on the rails  342  across the uppermost edge of the side walls  318  of a similar container. A cantilevered finger  340  has a latch portion extending into the channel  334 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 56 , the container  312  is mountable to the rack modules  351  of the rack  350  (rack  350  shown in  FIG. 47 ; only one module  351  shown in  FIG. 56 ). The side rail  354  slides into the channel  334  of the container  312  until the cantilevered finger  340  snaps into the notch  358  of the side rail  354  to secure it in place. Although only one rack module  351  is shown, the container  312  would be simultaneously slide onto two side rails  354  to secure it in the rack. As shown in  FIG. 57 , each side rail  354  would be received within the adjacent channels  334  of two adjacent containers  312 . This maximizes the number of containers  312  that can be stored in a given volume (e.g. the interior of a truck). 
     In use, the scoop  370  of  FIGS. 41-46  (or any of the other scoops) would be used to remove an entire row of the packages (not shown) from the container  312 , and would be used to carry the entire row of packages into the store and delivered onto a shelf in the store. 
     Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.