Patent Publication Number: US-8113360-B2

Title: Product shelf divider system and method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/381,587 filed May 4, 2006, now abandoned. This application also claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 61/190,267 filed Aug. 27, 2008. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     The invention described in this patent application was not the subject of federally funded research or development. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to a shelf divider system for product storage and display; more particularly, the present invention enables organization of a wide variety and types of products, e.g. spices, baby food, wine, canned goods, boxed items, gallon sized containers, etc., as well as any size frozen product positionable on product shelves, such as those product shelves typically found in a retail store or in the warehouse of a product distributor. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In retail stores or in product distribution warehouses, freestanding products are often stocked and displayed on a plurality of open product shelves. These open product shelves are positioned by being mounted within a rack. Product shelf stockers must manually arrange, organize, and straighten rows of product on each product shelf in the shelf-mounting rack to cause the product to be readily displayed to the user. Known as “facing, fronting, or zoning,” this organizing process normally occurs during off-peak times and typically requires hours of manual sorting, organization, and placement of individual product on product shelves. 
     Freestanding products on open product shelves are unsightly and also present a problem for shoppers and product shelf stockers. This problem occurs when different types or brands of products become disorganized prior to facing by being pushed to the back portion of the product shelf. When the items on the front of the product shelf are removed from the product shelf by other shoppers or shelf stockers, the remaining items positioned towards the back portion of the product shelf are not easily viewable, nor accessible, by store shoppers and product shelf stockers. This lack of visibility and accessibility often results in both lost product and lost sales for the business. 
     Still other issues arise with moving and facing freestanding product items having different shapes and weights. Heavier items, such as a gallon wine jug or some cleaning products, may be too heavy for a shopper and product shelf stocker to move to the front of the product shelf. Smaller, lighter products, such as baby food and spice jars, or products with a high center of gravity, may also be difficult to slide forward from the back of the product shelf without causing unselected product to topple over. Softer products, such as bread, potato chips, and bags of cut salad greens, can easily be damaged during the facing process by product shelf stockers and by shoppers during the shopping process. 
     A number of prior art product shelf divider systems attempt to solve the problems associated with freestanding products positioned on product shelves. Some prior art product shelf divider systems use clear plastic dividers to separate different types of products; however, these prior art shelf divider systems have no mechanism for moving products on the rear of the product shelf to the front of the product shelf. Thus, products stacked towards the rear portion of the product shelf remain unseen by shoppers and product shelf stockers. 
     Yet other prior art product shelf divider systems include coil springs. The coil springs are sized and positioned to push products forward across the product shelf as the product nearest the front edge of the product shelf is removed. It has been found that many prior art coil springs fail when a product is too heavy to be pushed forward across a product shelf. Other systems disclosed in the prior art include the use of magnetic attraction and/or ribbon springs to move products forward to the front edge of the product shelf. 
     The prior art product shelf divider systems described above present significant drawbacks resulting in limited commercial use and user frustration. Accordingly, a need remains in the art for a product shelf divider system that will effectively separate, organize, and display products on a product shelf as well as easily move products from the back edge of the product shelf across the product shelf to the front edge of the product shelf. It is also important that the product shelf divider system conserve product shelf space by minimizing wasted shelf space between rows of products. Further, the needed product shelf divider system should facilitate quick assembly, easy installation, and rapid removal from a product shelf without the need for multiple tools and fasteners. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosed product shelf divider system organizes, moves, and displays products on product display shelves. Further, the disclosed product shelf divider system facilitates quick assembly, easy installation, and rapid removal from a product shelf without the need for multiple tools and fasteners. 
     According to the disclosed invention, a plurality of product shelf dividers are adjustably mounted in a substantially perpendicular manner to a first and a second base strip. The first base strip is positioned near the front edge of the product shelf and the second base strip is positioned near the back edge of the product shelf. In a first embodiment, the first and second base strips are attached to the product shelf with clips. The substantially perpendicular attachment of the product shelf dividers to each product shelf is accomplished by inserting snap-fit pegs formed on the bottom of each shelf divider into an array of mating holes formed in each base strip. Each pair of product shelf dividers forms a product organizing channel across the product shelf. Each product organizing channel is tailored to the size of the product when a pair of product shelf dividers is adjustably positioned with respect to the base strips. The product organizing channel keeps the products in neat rows on the product shelf. Product paddles slide through the product organizing channel between each adjacent pair of shelf dividers. Attached to the product paddle is a pull strap that allows a shopper and/or product shelf stocker to pull products through the product organizing channel towards the front of the product shelf. 
     In a second embodiment, a spring biased elongated pull ring is attached to each product paddle. The spring biased elongated pull ring allows shoppers and product shelf stockers to cause products to move forward toward the front edge of the product display shelf within the product organizing channel. A first and a second product guard are positioned in a substantially perpendicular manner to the first and second base strips to prevent the products positioned near the edges of the product shelf from falling off the product shelf. 
     The second embodiment of the disclosed shelf divider system further includes a carrier system which retracts the elongated pull ring using a retractable cord reel assembly attached by a spring clip to the elongated pull ring. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       A still better understanding of the product shelf divider system and method for organizing products on product shelves may be had by reference to the following Description of the Embodiments when read together with the following drawing figures wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the disclosed shelf divider system; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a base strip of the shelf divider system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a top plan view of a portion of the base strip shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a product shelf divider; 
         FIG. 3B  is an underside or bottom plan view of a portion of the product shelf divider; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the product paddle; 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the elongated pull strap; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a product guard holder; 
         FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of a product guard; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a clip which attaches the first embodiment of the product shelf divider system to the product shelf; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the disclosed product shelf divider system; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of the elongated pull ring; 
         FIG. 8B  is a top plan view of the elongated pull ring shown in  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of the base strip and product guard assembly as shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9B  is a top plan view of the base strip portion of the base strip and product guard assembly shown in  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 9C  is top plan view of an interlocking receiving slot on the base strip; 
         FIG. 9D  is a top plan view of an interlocking extension tab end on the base strip; 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of the shelf divider; 
         FIG. 10B  is a side elevational view of the shelf divider; 
         FIG. 10C  is an enlarged side elevational view showing the snap-fit pegs and a reinforcement on the bottom of the shelf divider; 
         FIG. 10D  is a side elevational view of a variety of different snap-fit peg profiles; 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of the product paddle; 
         FIG. 11B  is a side elevational view of the product paddle; 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the shelf divider system  110  of the present invention. The shelf divider system  110  includes a first base strip  121 F and second base strip  121 S. It is the first and second base strips  121 F,  121 S which are attached to the product shelves by clips  194  and which form the foundation on which the product display system of the present invention is constructed. In the preferred embodiment, both first and second base strips  121 F,  121 S have beveled edges  129 . The base strips  121 F,  121 S include a plurality of spaced mating holes  122 . The spaced mating holes  122  are key to the utility of the present invention as they provide for creating a product organizing channel  112  on the product shelf tailored to the width of the product. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B the plurality of spaced mating holes  122  in the base strips  121 F,  121 S are arranged in six rows. The first base strip  121 F is positioned near the front edge of the product shelf and the second base strip  121 S is positioned near the back edge of the product shelf. To understand the positioning of the mating holes  122 , each base strip  121 F,  121 S has a plurality of longitudinal axes  116  running substantially parallel to the edges of each base strip  121 F,  121 S, as shown in  FIG. 2B . Further shown in  FIG. 2B , each base strip  121 F,  121 S has a plurality of transverse axes  118  positioned at an acute angle of about 45 degrees to about 65 degrees to said longitudinal axis  116 . The mating holes  122  are positioned on the intersections of the longitudinal axes  116  and transverse axes  118 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of mating holes  122  in the base strips  121 F,  121 S are stepped; that is, the holes  122  have two diameters, as shown by dashed lines encircling the mating holes  122  in the base strip  121 F,  121 S in  FIG. 2B . The larger diameter portion of each mating hole  122  provides a target for the snap-fit pegs  146  and guidance for the interference fit with the snap-fit pegs  146  provided by the smaller diameter. In the preferred embodiment, the top of each snap-fit peg  146  is either co-planar with or just below the surface  123 A of the base strips  121 F,  121 S. The top of the snap-fit pegs  146  may also be shaped so as to protrude from the recessed portion  123  of the surface  123 A of the base strip  121 F,  121 S, when pushed through mating holes  122 . 
     The product shelf divider system  110  further includes a plurality of product shelf dividers  140 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3A . The product shelf dividers  140  are mounted substantially perpendicular to the base strips  121 F,  121 S. Once mounted to the base strips  121 F,  121 S by the interfitment of the snap-fit pegs  146 , shown in  FIG. 3B , on the bottom of each product shelf divider  140  into the mating holes  122  in each base strip  121 F,  121 S, each adjacent pair of shelf dividers  140  forms a product organizing channel  112 . 
     Within each product organizing channel  112  is a product paddle  152 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4A , the product paddle  152  is positioned to move between each adjacent pair of shelf dividers  140 . Each product paddle  152  is attached to an elongated runner  170 . The elongated runner  170  is attached at its distal end  174  to a product paddle backstop  162 . Attached to the proximal end  172  of the product paddle  152  is a pull strap  154 , as shown in  FIG. 4B . The proximal end  172  of the elongated runner  170  slidably moves over at least one base strip  121 F, as described below. Shown in  FIG. 4A , the elongated runner  170  has beveled edges  178  in the preferred embodiment for a smoother sliding engagement over the first base strip  121 F. 
     The elongated runner  170  has a plurality of spaced snap-fit knobs  176  near the proximal end  172  of the elongated runner  170  as shown in  FIG. 4A . In turn, the pull straps  154  have a plurality of spaced holes  156  designed to mate with the spaced snap-fit knobs  176  on the elongated runner  170 . When the spaced snap-fit knobs  176  mate with spaced holes  156  on the pull straps  154 , the pull strap  154  is attached to the elongated runner  170 , but may be spaced as required. The pull strap  154  allows shoppers and product shelf stockers to pull the product paddle  152  forward, thus causing the products to move through the product organizing channel  112  formed between the spaced shelf dividers  140  to the front edge of the product shelf as described below. 
     Each shelf divider  140  has an elongated base portion  144  and an upstanding wall portion  142 . As shown in  FIG. 3A  the upstanding wall portion  142  extends upwardly from the base  144  of the shelf divider  140 . The cross-sectional shape of the shelf divider  140  may be described as an inverted, or upside-down, “T.” In  FIG. 3B , a plurality of snap-fit pegs  146  are shown extending downwardly from the elongated base portion  144  of the product shelf divider  140 . The snap-fit pegs  146  are arranged in rows and columns, for interfitment with the plurality of spaced holes  122  on the base strips  121 F,  121 S as described above. Through placement of the snap-fit pegs  146  and the mating holes  122 , it has been found that the size of the product organizing channel  112  may be adjusted in increments as small as about 1/16 inch. Accordingly, the arrangement of the snap-fit pegs  146  and the mating holes  122  allows attachment of the shelf dividers  140  to the base strips  121 F,  121 S as closely as possible to the products to prevent wasted shelf space. Upon interfitment of the snap-fit pegs  146  in the mating holes  122 , the shelf dividers  140  are substantially perpendicularly mounted to the base strips  121 F,  121 S. 
     The shelf dividers  140  are sized for attachment to the first and second base strips  121 F,  121 S by an interference fit of the snap-fit pegs  146  within the plurality of mating holes  122  in the base strips  121 F,  121 S. The snap-fit pegs  146  include an expanded portion on top to allow snap interfitment within the plurality of mating holes  122  in the base strips  121 F,  121 S. The snap-fit pegs  146 , to include their expanded portions may be constructed in a variety of different shapes to interfit within a plurality of differently shaped holes  122  in the base strips  121 F,  121 S. 
     A product guard holder  182  is attached to the front ends of the shelf dividers  140 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . An elongated product guard  184  attaches to the product guard holders  182  to prevent the stored products from falling off the front edge of the product shelf. A transparent product guard  184  enables easy viewing of product remaining on the product shelf. 
     Shown in more detail in  FIG. 5A , each product guard holder  182  includes a base portion  186  with a plurality of spaced holes  188  formed therein. A product guard receptor  190  extends substantially perpendicularly from the base  186  of the product guard holder  182 . The product guard receptor  190  includes an opening  192  for receiving the elongated product guard  184 . The snap-fit pegs  146 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , located on the underside of the shelf dividers  140 , mate with the plurality of spaced holes  188  on the base  186  of product guard holders  182  to attach the product guard holders  182  to the shelf dividers  140 . 
     A clip  194 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , is used to connect the shelf divider system  110  to the store shelf. On one end of the clip  194  are a pair of spaced tabs  198 . The spaced tabs  198  attach the clip  194  to the first base strip  121 F. On the opposite end of the clip  194  are a plurality of spaced holes  196 . The spaced holes  196  extend inwardly for receiving a push-in fastener  199 . The push-in fastener  199  connects the clip  194  and the attached first base strip  121 F to the product shelf. By use of the clip  194 , the shelf divider system  110  is properly secured to the product shelf and will not move when products are caused to move across the surface of the product shelf through the product organizing channel  112 . 
     In the second embodiment  210  of the disclosed invention and as shown in  FIG. 7 , the base strip and product guard are formed together as an assembly  220 F,  220 S. A first base strip  221 F is placed near the front edge of the product display shelf and a second base strip  221 S is placed near the rear edge of the product shelf. A first base strip and product guard assembly  220 F is positioned substantially parallel to the front edge of the product shelf. A second base strip and product guard assembly  220 S is positioned substantially parallel to the rear edge of the product shelf. The first and second base strip and product guard assemblies  220 F,  220 S include first and second base strips  221 F,  221 S and first and second product guards  232 F,  232 S which extend substantially perpendicularly from the first and second base strips  232 F,  232 S respectively. The first and second base strips  221 F,  221 S are mirror images of each other and include beveled edges  229 . As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the first and second base strip and product guard assemblies  220 F,  220 S are preferably made into twelve inch long segments with interlocking members  230 ,  231  formed at each end. The interlocking receiving slot  230  on the end of each base strip  221 F,  221 S is sized to receive the interlocking extension tab  231  on the end of the adjacent base strip  221 F,  221 S. The interlocking members  230 ,  231  on each base strip  221 F,  221 S connect to form a continuous length of base strips  221 F,  221 S along both the front edge and the back edge of each product shelf. 
     In the second embodiment  210 , the first and second base strips  221 F,  221 S include only three rows of a plurality of spaced mating holes  222  to provide incremental spacing for attachment of shelf dividers  247 ,  248 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The plurality of spaced holes mating  222  in the first and second base strips  221 F,  221 S are arranged and staggered in at least three parallel, sequential rows, as shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  9 A,  9 B,  9 C, and  9 D. While three parallel, sequential rows are shown in the illustrated embodiment  210 , those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that any number of rows may be used without detracting from the operability of the disclosed invention. As in the first embodiment, the plurality of spaced mating holes  222  in the base strips  221 F,  221 S are formed into rows substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes  206  of each base strip  221 F,  221 S and into columns formed along transverse axes  208  of each base strip  221 F,  221 S. The transverse axes  218  are formed at a substantially acute angle between about 45° to about 65° to the longitudinal axis  206  of the first and second base strips  221 F,  221 S. 
     A pair of individual upside-down “T” shaped shelf dividers  247  having snap-fit pegs  246  located on the bottom surface of the elongated base portion  244  of the shelf dividers  247 ,  248 , enable a substantially perpendicular mounting of the shelf dividers  247 ,  248  to the base strips  221 F,  221 S, as shown in  FIG. 7 . A shelf divider only half of the upside-down “T” shaped divider  247  is used. A substantially “L” shaped shelf divider  248  is used in place of the substantially upside-down “T” shaped divider  247  at the end of a product shelf to designate the outer edge of the shelf divider system  210 . 
     Each shelf divider  247 , shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  10 A, and  10 B, is flat piece with a thin perpendicular divider shaped as a substantially upside-down “T”  247 . The elongated base portion  244  of the substantially upside-down “T”  247 , attaches in a substantially perpendicular manner to each base strip  221 F,  221 S when snap-fit pegs  246  interfit with the plurality of spaced mating holes  222  on the base strips  221 F,  221 S. The use of a mating array of snap-fit pegs  246  with the plurality of spaced mating holes  222  enables customization of the width of each product organizing channel  212  between the shelf dividers  247 ,  248 . Such customization is very important to provide multiple spacings of various widths to accommodate the many different sizes of the product that will be able to move between the shelf dividers  247 ,  248 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10A , each end of the shelf divider  247 ,  248  includes a plurality of snap-fit pegs  246  on the bottom of the elongated base portion  244  of the shelf divider  247 ,  248 . The snap-fit pegs  246  illustrated in the second embodiment are formed in a substantially perpendicular manner to the shelf divider  247 ,  248 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that different numbers of snap-fit pegs  246  may be used. Notches  245  formed on the edges of each shelf divider  247 ,  248  show the user where the snap-fit pegs  246  are located on the underside of the elongated base portion  244  of the shelf divider  247 ,  248  for easier alignment with the plurality of mating holes  222  in the base strips  221 F,  221 S. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the shelf dividers  247 ,  248  are sized for attachment to the first and second base strips  221 F,  221 S by an interference fit of the snap-fit pegs  246  within the plurality of mating holes  222  in the base strips  221 F,  221 S. As shown in  FIGS. 10B and 10C , the snap-fit pegs  246  include an expanded portion on top to allow snap interfitment within the plurality of mating holes  222  in the base strips  221 F,  221 S. As shown in  FIG. 10D , the snap-fit pegs  246  and its expanded portion may be constructed in a variety of different shapes to interfit within a plurality of differently shaped mating holes  222  in the base strips  221 F,  221 S. The variety of shapes for the pegs  246  expanded portion may include, but are not limited to: mushroom-shaped  213 , cardioid cusp-shaped  214 , rounded  215 , tapered  216 , triangular  217 , and squared  218 . While substantially circular pegs are shown in the illustrated embodiment  210 , those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that flat-sided pegs may be used without detracting from the operability of the disclosed invention. 
     As described with respect to the first embodiment, the plurality of mating holes  222  are stepped; that is, they have a large diameter portion and a reduced diameter portion. The reduced diameter portion enables the interference fit with the snap-fit pegs  246 . The two diameters are shown by dashed lines encircling the mating holes  222  in the base strip  221 F,  221 S, as shown in  FIGS. 9B ,  9 C, and  9 D. In the preferred embodiment, the top of each snap-fit peg  246  is either co-planar with or just below the surface  223 A of the base strips  221 F,  221 S. The top of the snap-fit pegs  246  may also be shaped so as to protrude from the recessed portion  223  of the surface  223 A of the base strip  221 F,  221 S, when pushed through mating holes  222 . 
     The snap fit feature of the pegs  246  facilitates assembly by providing the user with a sound or feel that the shelf divider  247 ,  248  is properly attached to the base strips  221 F,  221 S. Snap-fitting the pegs  246  also provides a break-away feature should the shelf divider  247 ,  248  be pushed or jolted out of place by a shopper or product shelf stocker while products are stacked within the product organizing channel  212 . The snap-fit pegs  246  allow the shelf divider  247 ,  248  to dislodge itself from the base strips  221 F,  221 S if jolted out of place and then serve as a cushion for any products which may fall over. The snap-fit feature of the pegs  246  also prevents the pegs  246  from shearing off the bottom of the shelf divider  247 ,  248  should the shelf divider  247 ,  248  be jolted out of place. Sizing the pegs  246  to form an interference fit with the plurality of mating holes  222  in the base strips  221 F,  221 S, while preventing the pegs from shearing off the bottom of the shelf divider if knocked out of place, creates a reusable system for a product shelf. 
     The base strip and product guard assemblies  220 F,  220 S have unique assembly instructions. The spacing required between the first and second base strips  221 F,  221 S that allows the disclosed shelf divider system  210  to function properly is critical. As shown in  FIGS. 9C and 9D , this critical distance must be from the middle row  226  of offset mating holes  222  on the first base strip  221 F to the middle row  226  of offset mating holes  222  on the second base strip  221 S. The offset holes in the middle row  226  are marked by “X&#39;s” to designate these holes  222 . 
     The two other rows of holes are shown in  FIGS. 9C and 9D . When the base strips  221 F,  221 S are oriented so a user can read the instructions “Match Pegs on Dividers with the Same Letter on Both Bases” printed on each base strip  221 F,  221 S, the row of offset mating holes  222  closest to the base strip supports  235  has “W&#39;s” marked on that row  228 . The row of offset mating holes  222  furthest from the supports  235  has “M&#39;s” marked on that row  224 . The letters may be perceived as either an “M” or a “W” depending on the orientation from which either base strip  221 F,  221 S is viewed. These two letters, “W” and “M,” facilitate the assembly of the disclosed shelf divider system  210 . When the first base strip  221 F is rotated 180° to become the second base strip  221 S, the “W&#39;s” and “M&#39;s” are reversed. Thus, the notches  245  on the edge of the substantially upside-down “T”-shaped shelf dividers  247  in line with the bottom snap-fit pegs  246  should be matched with the same lettered row on the first and second base strips  221 F,  221 S. Each base strip and product guard assembly  220 F,  220 S bears the instructions, “Match Pegs on Dividers with the Same Letter on Both Bases,” as shown in  FIG. 9B . The matching letters are “W&#39;s, X&#39;s, or M&#39;s.” Therefore, the substantially upside-down “T” shaped shelf dividers  247  are staggered, or offset, against the product guard  232 F,  232 S on the base strips and product guard assemblies  220 F,  220 S. But the offset distance is not great enough to allow even the smallest of products to leave the designated product organizing channel  212  formed between the shelf dividers  247 ,  248 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9A , the base strip support  235  connects the first and second base strips  221 F,  221 S to the first and second product guards  232 F,  232 S. First and second product guards  232 F,  232 S are constructed and arranged substantially perpendicular to the first and second base strips  221 F,  221 S, respectively. At that connection between the first and second base strips  221 F,  221 S and the first and second product guards  232 F,  232 S, rectangular slots  236 , sized to receive the perpendicular to the first and second base strips  221 F,  221 S, respectively. At that connection between the first and second base strips  221 F,  221 S and the first and second product guards  232 F,  232 S, rectangular slots  236 , sized to receive the elongated pull ring  254 , are formed. These rectangular slots  236  allow the elongated pull ring  254  to pass under the first product guard  232 F and over the first base strip portion  221 F of the base strip and product guard assembly  220 F positioned near the front edge of the product shelf. When the elongated pull ring  254  passes through the rectangular slot  236  formed between the first product guard  232 F and the first base strip  221 F, the ring portion  260  of the elongated pull ring  254  can be positioned close to the front edge of the product shelf, as seen in  FIG. 7 . 
     Shown on top of the product guard  232 F,  232 S is a narrow extension channel  238 . This narrow extension channel  238  has two purposes. The narrow extension channel  238  on the first product guard  232 F allows for the insertion of a product guard extension piece (not shown) to accommodate taller products. The product guard extension piece is simply a flat piece similar to the product guard  184  shown in  FIG. 5B , sized to fit within the narrow extension channel  238 . The narrow extension channel  238  on the top of the second product guard  232 S also serves as a receiver for the reel portion  259  of the biased retractable cord assembly  258  whose use is explained below. 
     Shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 A,  8 B,  11 A and  11 B, the carrier system  250  of the shelf divider system  210  for causing products to move across the product shelf between the shelf dividers  247 ,  248  towards the front edge of the product shelf, has between the shelf dividers  247 ,  248 . When the pair of individual shelf dividers  247 ,  248  form a product organizing channel  212  through which the “L” shaped product paddle  252  passes, the product paddle  252  causes the product aligned within each product organizing channel  212  to move toward the front edge of the product shelf when a pull force is placed on the elongated pull ring  254  after having been moved to the back edge of the product shelf by the reel portion  259  of the biased retractable cord assembly  258 . The product paddle  252  has an enclosed feeder channel  264  underneath the substantially horizontal side  253  of the product paddle  252 . The enclosed feeder channel  264  is positioned substantially adjacent to the store shelf to allow the elongated pull ring  254  to slide freely across the product display shelf. 
     The elongated pull ring  254  is a narrow strip with a ring  260  on one end, as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . The elongated pull ring  254  attaches to the bottom of the substantially “L” shaped product paddle  252  to traverse the first base strip and first product guard assembly  220 F and enable movement of the substantially “L” shaped product paddle  252  to the front edge of the first base strip  221 F. Numbers located on the elongated pull ring  254  assist users in aligning the bottom of the product paddle  252  on the pull ring  254 , as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . A user can pull product forward by simply grasping the ring  260  attached to the front of the elongated pull ring  254  and pulling. The ring  260  on the end of the elongated pull ring  254  not only functions as a way to grasp the elongated pull ring  254  to bring product forward; but its design also “teaches” shoppers and product shelf stockers the function of the ring  260  itself. In effect, the ring  260  appeals to the curiosity of a first-time user to demonstrate what will happen when the ring  260  is pulled. 
     As seen in  FIG. 7 , the carrier system  250  is assembled as follows: First, that portion of the end of the elongated pull ring  254  opposite the ring  260  is fed through a slot  236  in the base strip and product guard assembly  220 F near the front edge of the product shelf. Second, the elongated pull ring  254  is fed through the feeder channel  264  located on the underside of the substantially “L” shaped product paddle  252 . Third, one end of a spring clip  266  is attached to the spaced holes  256  on the elongated pull ring  254 . The other end of the spring clip  266  is attached to a cord  268  extending from the reel portion  259  of the biased retractable cord assembly  258 . The reel portion  259  of the biased retractable cord assembly  258  is attached to the second product guard  232 S by clipping the reel portion  259  into the extension channel  238  formed on top of the second product guard  232 S extending upwardly from the second base strip  221 S. 
     When the elongated pull ring  254  is manually pulled forward, the spring clip  266  engages the feeder channel  264  on the bottom of the horizontal side  253  of the product paddle  252  to bring products forward through the product organizing channel  212  formed between the shelf dividers  247 ,  248 . When the ring  260  is released, the reel portion  259  of the biased retractable cord assembly  258  causes the elongated pull ring  254  to move back to its starting position, while the product paddle  252  remains in place behind the products stacked in the product organizing channel  212 . When the shopper or product shelf stocker needs to again move products forward through the product organizing channel  212 , the elongated pull ring  254  is pulled thus causing the product paddle  252  to move forward which in turn brings stated product across the product shelf to the front edge of the product shelf. The shopper or product shelf stocker now has easy access to the product, enabling its selection. The product just behind the product removed from the front edge of the product shelf is now in close proximity to the front edge of the product shelf. 
     Finally, it should be noted that any product positioned in the product organizing channel  212  formed by the shelf dividers  247 ,  248  and placed in front of the product paddle  252  will be caused to move forward by the force exerted on the elongated pull ring  254 . Also, with the elongated pull ring  254  passing through the slot  236  near the first base strip  221 F, the carrier assemblies  250  become an integral part of the shelf divider system  210 . No components of the shelf divider system  210  can be removed from the product shelf. Thus, the disclosed product organization and presentation system  210  is a “closed” system. 
     Shoppers and product shelf stockers will appreciate the disclosed shelf divider systems  110 ,  210  for the following reasons: maximum use of available shelf space; less product shrinkage or loss; more efficient use of employees; and, improved product accessibility. The disclosed shelf divider systems  110 ,  210  work regardless of the size and the weight of displayed products. Because the disclosed embodiments of the invention have fewer parts and are much simpler in construction than prior art shelf divider systems, the disclosed product shelf divider system has fewer breakdowns. An added feature of the disclosed invention is that it can be assembled in a workroom or storage location away from the product display shelf on which it is to be used. Once assembled, the completed shelf divider system can be moved as a whole unit to the product shelf, thereby reducing the time that a product display is taken away from the view of potential shoppers. Multiple shelf divider systems provide a product organization and presentation system that can be combined with multiple individual product shelves which are mounted to wall or floor support rack. 
     While the foregoing invention has been described according to its preferred and alternate embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that still other embodiments have been enabled by the foregoing disclosure. Such other embodiments shall fall within the scope and meaning of the appended claims.