Patent Publication Number: US-9842520-B2

Title: Product display members

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/060,356 filed on Oct. 6, 2014, the entire contents of which being herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to product display members that are configured for attachment to store shelving. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to product display members that are attachable to a proximal or front portion of a store shelf (e.g., a wire shelf) and include a light associated therewith to help illuminate products displayed on the shelf and/or product information. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to a product display member. The product display member includes an attachment portion, an elongated portion, a light source, and an information display portion. The attachment portion is configured to engage a portion of a shelf. The elongated portion is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the attachment portion. The elongated portion defines a lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The light source is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the lumen. The information display portion is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the elongated portion. 
     In disclosed embodiments, at least part of the elongated portion allows light emitted from the light source to pass therethrough. It is further disclosed that at least part of the information display portion allows light emitted from the light source to pass therethrough. Additionally, it is disclosed that a distal back surface of the information display portion allows light emitted from the light source to pass therethrough. 
     In embodiments of the product display member, a base of the product display member defines an angle with respect to the information display portion. The angle may be between about 45° and about 90°. 
     In disclosed embodiments, the lumen extends along an entire length of the elongated portion. It is further disclosed that the light source may be removably disposed within the lumen. 
     It is disclosed that the attachment portion includes an upper arcuate portion and a lower arcuate portion. In embodiments, the upper arcuate portion is configured to engage an upper wire of the shelf, and the lower arcuate portion is configured to engage a lower wire of the shelf. 
     The present disclosure also relates to a method of displaying products. The method includes engaging a product display member with a portion of a shelf. The product display member includes an attachment portion, an elongated portion, a light source, and an information display portion. The attachment portion is configured to engage a portion of a shelf. The elongated portion is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the attachment portion. The elongated portion defines a lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The light source is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the lumen. The information display portion is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the elongated portion. The method also includes illuminating at least one of the information display portion and a product on the shelf with light emitted from the light source. 
     In disclosed embodiments, the method includes adjusting an output of the light source based on a parameter detected by an associated sensor. It is further disclosed that the method includes automatically adjusting an output of the light source based on a time parameter from a controller. Further, disclosed methods include automatically adjusting an output of the light source in response to a sensor detecting an object in proximity to the product display member. The sensor and an associated controller are located on the product display member. 
     In disclosed embodiments, the method includes emitting light from the light source through the elongated portion. It is further disclosed that the method includes emitting light from the light source through the information display portion. Further, disclosed methods include emitting light from the light source through a distal back surface of the information display portion. 
     It is further disclosed that engaging a portion of the product display member with a portion of the shelf includes engaging an upper arcuate portion of the attachment portion with an upper wire of the shelf, and engaging a lower arcuate portion of the attachment portion with a lower wire of the shelf. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a product display member according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear, proximally-facing view the product display member of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the product display member of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of several product display members, each product display member shown engaged with a shelf of a refrigerated display and where each shelf includes a product thereon; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the area of detail indicated in  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the product display member of  FIGS. 1-5  engaged with a shelf having a product thereon. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the presently disclosed product display member are described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. In the descriptions that follow, the term “proximal,” as is traditional, will refer to the portion of the product display member and/or shelves which is closer to the user (e.g., consumer), while the term “distal” will refer to the portion or portions which are farther from the user. 
     With reference to the accompanying figures, product display member  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 . Product display member  10  includes an attachment portion  100 , an elongated portion  200  defining a channel or lumen  210 , and an information display portion  300 . 
     Attachment portion  100  is configured for engagement with a proximal portion of a shelf “S” (see  FIG. 6 ). For instance, attachment portion  100  may be sufficiently flexible such that product display member  10  can releasably engage shelf “S.” Additionally, attachment portion  100  may be configured to slidingly engage shelf “S.” In the illustrated embodiments, attachment portion  100  includes an upper arcuate portion  110  and a lower arcuate portion  120 . It is envisioned that upper arcuate portion  110  is configured to engage an upper wire “UW” of a shelf “S,” and that lower arcuate portion  120  is configured to engage a lower wire “LW” (see  FIG. 6 ). It is envisioned that attachment portion  100  can be configured to engage (e.g., removably engage) any one of a various number of types of shelves. It is further envisioned that upper arcuate portion  110  and/or lower arcuate portion  120  are sufficiently flexible with respect to elongated portion  200  and with respect to each other to allow attachment portion  100  to be attached to and to be removed from shelf “S.” 
     Lumen  210  is defined at least partially within elongated portion  200  and is configured to house a light source  500 . Light source  500  may be a single light bulb or a plurality of light bulbs. Lumen  210  may extend the entire length “L” or a portion of the length “L” of elongated portion  200 . Further, light source  500  may extend the entire length “L” or a portion of the length “L” of elongated portion  200  and/or of lumen  210 . Alternatively, multiple light sources  500  may be disposed within lumen  210 . It is envisioned that in instances where multiple light sources  500  are employed, one light source may produce an output of a first color and a second light source produce an output of a second, different color. Additional light sources may complement these with additional colors and/or color temperatures. It is further contemplated that when multiple light sources  500  are employed, that the light sources may be of differing types (e.g., fluorescent and incandescent, fluorescent and LED, etc.) The present disclosure also envisions the length “L” of elongated portion  200  and/or the length of the entirety or other portions of product display member  10  being adjustable (e.g., telescopically). Further, at least part of elongated portion  200  may be transparent or translucent to allow light emitted from light source  500  to pass therethrough. For instance, any portion of the length “L” or elongated portion, and any portion of the cross-section of elongated portion  210  may be transparent or translucent. In embodiments, the entirety of elongated portion  200  is transparent or translucent. 
     Additionally, lumen  210  may include any shape or cross-section, and is thus not limited to the embodiment shown. For example, the cross-section of lumen  210  may be or include a rectangular portion, a square portion, a circular portion, a semi-circular portion, a triangular portion, etc. or any combination thereof. For example, the cross-section of lumen  210  may be rectangular within one, two, three or four arcuate sides. 
     Light source  500  may include one or more light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”), incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, etc. and may be battery-powered or electrically connected to a source of electricity. Further, light source  500  may include a light-bar, a series of individual lights, tape lights, strip lights, ribbon lights, or the like, and may provide illumination in any color or series of colors. Moreover, light source  500  may be integrally-formed with product display member  10 , or light source  500  may be insertable into and/or removable from lumen  210  (e.g., to replace light source  500  and/or a battery or bulb therein). It is envisioned that light source  500  provides illumination in the form of light beams “B” in any number of degrees θ. For instance, with reference to  FIG. 6 , it is envisioned that light source  500  provides illumination in an area of between about 180° and about 360°. It is further envisioned that light source  500  provides illumination in an area of between about 280° and about 320°, or equal to about 300°. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , light source  500  is configured to illuminate at least one product “P” displayed on shelf “S,” and/or information display portion  300 . It is envisioned that all or part (e.g., information display portion  300 ) of product display member  10  is made from a translucent and/or transparent material (e.g., plastic) to enable at least part of the light beams “B” emitted from light source  500  to pass therethrough. In embodiments where information display portion  300  is made from a transparent or translucent material, the information displayed therein or thereon is back-lit through a distal back surface  315  (see  FIG. 3 ; i.e., illuminated from behind). It is further envisioned that the distal back surface  315  of information display portion  300  could be made of a reflective material to further enhance the lighting directed upward towards the product “P”. 
     Information display portion  300  is configured to display product-related information thereon/therein. For instance, it is envisioned that information display portion  300  includes indicia thereon, and/or is configured to releasably accept a product information card therein (e.g., a translucent or transparent information card). 
     Additionally, while an angle α of information display portion  300  with respect to a base  310  of product display member  10  is shown as a particular angle, the angle α may be any reasonable angle, including an adjustable angle, to help maximize optimal viewing area. Base  310  may be parallel to shelf “S.” For example, it is envisioned that angle α is between about 45° and about 90°, and may be equal to about 70°. It is also envisioned that the angle α is different on each vertically-spaced shelf “S.” For instance, the angle α may be toward a lower end of the range (e.g., about 45°) when engaged with a shelf “S” that is positioned near the floor (e.g., a lower shelf “LS”), while the angle α may be toward a higher end of the range (e.g., about 90°) when engaged with a shelf “S” that is positioned closer to an average eye-level of a customer (e.g., a higher shelf “HS”). In such embodiments, the angles α of information display portion  300  with respect to base  310  of product display members  10  may gradually increase when engaged with lower shelf “LS” and when engaged with higher shelf “HS,” for example. 
     The present disclosure also includes a product display member  10  having elongated portion  200  with light source  500  integrally formed therein; a product display member  10  having an elongated portion  200 , lumen  210 , and no attachment portion  100  (here, product display member  10  can be integrally formed with a shelf “S” or other product display device); and a product display member  10  lacking information display portion  300 . Any combination of these features and other disclosed features are also contemplated. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , at least one sensor  650  and an associated controller  600  may also be included on product display member  10 . Sensor  650  may be positioned on any portion of the product display member  10 , and may be either fixedly positioned or movably positioned thereon. It is envisioned that multiple sensors  650  may be used in cooperation with product display member  10 . It is envisioned that sensor  650  (e.g., an infrared motion detector) is configured to detect if one or more products “P” are moved onto or removed from the associated shelf “S.” The sensor  650  may also be positioned to detect whether a shopper is approaching the shelf “S.” It is further envisioned that sensor  650  communicates (e.g., electrically communicates, wirelessly communicates, etc.) with light source  500  via controller  600  such that light source  500  can provide illumination based on what is detected by sensor  650 . 
     Moreover, the present disclosure also includes adjusting (e.g., manually, automatically, via remote-control, etc.) aspects (e.g., color, intensity, duration, and/or power) of light source  500  based on various shopping parameters or conditions, and/or based on feedback from sensor(s)  650  including, for example, time of day, type of shoppers, presence of nearby shoppers, type of product being displayed of the associated shelf “S,” amount of products being displayed on the associated shelf “S,” location in store, height of product, health of product, etc. It is envisioned that at least one ultrasonic sensor  650  (e.g., with a separate controller  600 ) is used for such active monitoring of products “P,” for example. It is further envisioned for light source  500  to include a plurality of independently controlled light sources  500 . Ultrasonic sensor  650 , in combination with a suitable controller  600 , periodically emits high frequency sonic pulses away from display member  10  and towards a rear surface of a cabinet housing shelf “S”. As the distance between the display member  10  and the rear surface is a fixed and known value, controller  600  is able to determine the elapsed time between the emitted sonic pulses and the return echo. The elapsed time is used to calculate the distance between the sensor  650  and the rear surface of the cabinet. If one or more products are positioned on the shelf “S” associated with the display member  10 , then the calculated distance will be less than the known distance to the rear surface. In this instance, the controller  600  will recognize that one or more products are on the associated shelf “S”. If all of the products are removed from the shelf “S” associated with the display member  10 , then the calculated distance will be the same as the known distance to the rear surface. In this instance, the controller  600  will recognize that there are no products on the associated shelf “S”. 
     Regardless of whether the sensor  650  is an ultrasonic sensor or an infrared sensor, the associated controller  600  is electrically coupled to the light source  500  for controlling the output of the light source  500 . Further, the controller  600  may have an internal clock that may be used to control an output of the light source  500  depending on the time of day, day of the week, special holidays, etc. 
     For example, the combination of light  500  and/or sensor(s)  650  (e.g., at least one infrared motion detector) may be configured to illuminate products “P” on sale and/or the associated information display portion  300  in a particular color, to only illuminate products when a shopper is nearby, to illuminate the shelf “S” in the absence of products thereon (e.g., after shopping hours to notify clerks that products need to be restocked), to illuminate predetermined products (e.g., part of a particular diet) in a certain color (e.g., green), to flash light on product(s) when inventory is limited, to flash red light upon the rapid removal of several products on the shelf “S” (e.g., to deter theft), to illuminate products (e.g., with purple light) that are gluten-free, to illuminate products (e.g., with pink light) that pertain to a certain holiday or theme (e.g., Valentine&#39;s Day), etc. As can be appreciated, the uses of light(s)  500  and/or sensor(s)  650  are not limited to the examples above, as countless possibilities are envisioned. 
     The present disclosure also includes methods of displaying and/or illuminating products and/or product information using product display member  10  and/or light source  500 . Methods include securing (e.g., removably securing) product display member  10  to a shelf “S,” inserting light source  500  at least partially within lumen  210  of product display member  10 , using light  500  to illuminate products “P” on shelf “S,” using light source  500  to illuminate information display portion  300 , etc. 
     While embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the figures, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.