Patent Abstract:
A label holder for attachment to, or integrated into, a retail shelf is provided. The label holder includes a deck and an electronic price label holder. The deck has a front deck portion and a back deck portion. The electronic price label holder is supported by the front deck portion. The label holder also has a back wall extending between a top wall and a bottom wall to form a retention channel. The back wall includes a hinge structure such that an entrance opening in the retention channel is expandable and retractable for receipt of electronic price labels.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention generally relates to attachments for shelves and, in particular, to attachments for holding price labels. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the retail industry, the use of electronic price labels to price label a shelf is growing. Much like traditional paper or plastic labels, the electronic price labels convey a variety of information about the products on the shelf to a consumer. Such information includes, for example, the cost of the products, the unit size of the products, and the like. 
         [0003]    The electronic price labels incorporate varying degrees of technology and, therefore, have varying degrees of sophistication. Indeed, some electronic price labels need to be programmed individually at the location of the unit. On the other hand, more advanced electronic price labels having wireless communication capabilities may be programmed from a distant or remote location. For example, a corporate office may update the information displayed on the electronic price labels even though the corporate office is miles and miles away from the location where these advanced electronic prices labels are used. 
         [0004]    As number of electronic price labels increases, the need for holders or attachments capable of supporting these electronic price labels on or in front of a retail shelf will correspondingly increase. Unfortunately, there is presently a lack of suitable holders for this purpose. This is the result of several factors. For one, there is no industry standard or common size for the electronic price labels. As a result, the holders for the electronic price labels must be custom built. This is costly for retailers. 
         [0005]    In addition, because the electronic devices contain sensitive and fragile electronic equipment, the holders designed to support these devices must be able to protect the electronic price labels from the harsh conditions of the retail environment. For example, the holder must be able to protect the electronic price labels from collisions with shopping carts, product spills and other contaminants, and the like. However, currently available holders for electronic shelf labels, such as those commercially available from Fast Industries, are not sufficient in this regard. If the holders cannot adequately protect the electronic price labels, the labels will likely prematurely fail and have to be replaced. Again, this is costly for retailers. 
         [0006]    Also, the holders for electronic price labels are too often subject to intentional removal by parties not associated with the retailer. The presently available holders do not adequately discourage unscrupulous individuals from vandalizing or stealing the electronic price labels. As noted above, the need to replace the electronic price labels is costly. 
         [0007]    There exists, therefore, a need in the art for a roll formed channel configured to be supported by a retail shelf and capable of holding an electronic price label that overcomes one or more of the above-noted problems. The invention provides such an electronic price label holder. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A label holder is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the label holder is roll formed from metal and includes a retention channel configured to support an electronic price label holder. The label holder includes a hinge to permit the retention channel to transition between expanded and relaxed states. 
         [0009]    Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top and front view of an exemplary embodiment of a rolled formed channel in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the roll formed channel of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top and front perspective view of the roll formed channel of  FIG. 1  engaged with a retail shelf. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the roll formed channel of  FIG. 1  engaged with the retail shelf, the roll formed channel in a relaxed state; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the roll formed channel of  FIG. 1  engaged with the retail shelf, the roll formed channel in a flexed state; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a top and front perspective view of a tool used to transition the roll formed channel of  FIG. 1  from the relaxed state of  FIG. 4  to the flexed state of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an embodiment of the roll formed channel of  FIG. 1  with the label holder rotated rearwardly to direct the label holder downwardly toward a consumer; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an embodiment of the roll formed channel of  FIG. 1  with the label holder rotated forwardly to direct the label holder upwardly toward a consumer; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an embodiment of the roll formed channel of  FIG. 1  with the label holder rotated further forwardly to direct the label holder further upwardly toward a consumer; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is an embodiment of the roll formed channel of  FIG. 1  including an insert permitting the label holder to accommodate electronic price labels of varying dimensions; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is an embodiment of the roll formed channel of  FIG. 1  having a protective cover or lens disposed in front of the electronic price label; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is an embodiment of the roll formed channel of  FIG. 1  having a bumper; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is an embodiment of the roll formed channel of  FIG. 1  including dividers; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is an embodiment of the roll formed channel of  FIG. 1  including anchoring structures; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is an embodiment of the roll formed channel of  FIG. 1  with the tabs removed; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is an embodiment of a roll formed channel having an expanded deck to form and function as a retail shelf. 
       
    
    
       [0027]    While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a channel  10  (a.k.a., label holder) is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the channel  10  is generally roll formed. However, stamping or other known metal working methods or techniques may also be employed to form tabs, apertures, or other features. In  FIG. 1 , the rolled formed channel  10  is fashioned from a metal suitable for use in the roll forming process such as, for example, steel and aluminum. As those skilled in the art know, roll forming is a process that takes metal sheet, usually in coils, and passes it through a series of roller dies that progressively form the metal into the required profile or shape. The roll forming process can save money since some operations, typically considered as secondary, can be combined in the roll forming operation. As shown, the rolled form channel  10  comprises a deck  12 , a plurality of deck apertures  14 , and an electronic price label holder  16 . 
         [0029]    The deck  12  generally includes a front deck portion  18  and a rear deck portion  20 . Except for part of the front deck portion  18 , the deck  12  is generally planar. The deck  12  defines a top surface  22  and a bottom surface  24  on opposing sides of the deck. The deck  12  may have any suitable thickness  26  between the top and bottom surfaces  22 ,  24  to provide the channel  16  with sufficient strength to support the electronic price label holder  16  and the electronic price labels disposed therein. Because the deck  12  is formed from metal, the deck is generally fairly rigid. However, the deck  12  will flex upon the application of sufficient force as will be discussed more fully below. 
         [0030]    Passing through the deck  12  from the top surface  22  to the bottom surface  24  are the deck apertures  14 . The deck apertures  14  are generally disposed between the front deck portion  18  and the rear deck portion  20 . The deck apertures  14  are spaced apart from each other and, as shown in  FIG. 1 , arranged in a row  26 . The row  26  of deck apertures  14  is generally parallel with a top folded rim  28  of the channel  10 . 
         [0031]    Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , the deck apertures  14  may also form several rows instead of a single row  26 . In such cases, each of the additional rows (not shown) is generally parallel with the top folded rim  28  of the channel  10  and the row  26  depicted in  FIG. 1 . Each of these additional rows is progressively further spaced away from the top folded rim  28 . The spacing between adjacent rows of deck apertures  14  need not be the same. 
         [0032]    The rear deck portion  20  supports a plurality of tabs  30 . As shown, the tabs  30  extend horizontally away from the rear deck portion  20 . The portion of the tabs  30  furthest away from the rear deck portion  20  is offset below, but generally parallel with, the top surface  22  of the deck  12 . The tabs  30  are also spaced apart from each other along a length of the rear deck portion  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tabs  30  are unitarily formed with the deck  12 . 
         [0033]    The electronic price label holder  16  is generally supported by the front deck portion  18  of the channel  10 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the label holder  16  includes a back wall  32  interposed between a top wall  34  and a bottom wall  36 . In the embodiment illustrated of  FIG. 2 , the top wall  34  generally follows the contour of the bottom surface  24  of the deck  12  within the front deck portion  18 . In fact, a top surface  38  of the top wall  34  engages the bottom surface  24  of the deck  12 . The top wall  34  is unitarily formed with the front deck portion  18  to form the top folded rim  28 . The top folded rim  28  curls generally downwardly toward the bottom wall  36 . 
         [0034]    The back wall  32  is unitarily formed with and generally transverse to the top wall  34 . The back wall  32  includes a pivoting structure  40  (a.k.a., a hinge structure) for flexing the label holder  16 . The pivoting structure  40  divides the back wall  32  into an upper wall portion  42  and a lower wall portion  44 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the pivoting structure  40  is located about an equal distance from each of the top and bottom walls  34 ,  36 . However, the pivoting structure  40  may be moved either up or down within the back wall  32 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the pivoting structure  40  is a rearwardly-facing or extending rounded projection  46  forming an elongated, forwardly-facing trough  48  in the back wall  32 . The trough  48  generally extends the entire length of the channel  10  due to the roll forming process of manufacture. 
         [0035]    The bottom wall  36  is unitarily formed with the back wall  32  and is, when the pivoting structure  40  is excluded from consideration, generally transverse to the back wall. The bottom wall  36  extends forwardly away from the back wall  32  about the same distance as the top wall  34  extends from the top folded rim  28  back toward the tabs  30 . In other words, the top and bottom walls  32 ,  34  have about the same length. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2 , a portion of the bottom wall  36  is folded upwardly and back toward the back wall  32 . This portion of the bottom wall  36  folded over upon itself forms a bottom folded rim  50 . The bottom folded rim  50  is generally curled upwardly toward the top wall  34  and, in particular, toward the top folded rim  28 . 
         [0036]    Between the top folded rim  28 , the bottom folded rim  50 , and the back wall  32 , an interior area  52  of the label holder  16  is defined. The interior area  52  is sized and dimensioned to receive an electronic price label (E.P.L.)  54 . As shown, the electronic price label  54  is situated within the interior area  52 . The electronic price label  54  may engage or be spaced apart from the top wall  34 , the bottom wall  36 , and the back wall  32 . Because the top folded rim  28  and the bottom folded rim  50  extend toward each other, the electronic price label  54  is securely, yet releasably, held within the interior area  52  of the electronic price label holder  16 . 
         [0037]    The electronic price label  54  depicted in  FIG. 2  may suitably include a variety of electronic components such as, for example, a display device  55 , a battery  57 , a processor  59 , a transmitter and/or receiver  61 , and an input and/or output  63 . Other electronic parts and accessories may also be included to provide the electronic price label  54  with enhanced functionality or features. The display device  55  may be a light-emitting diode (LED) display or a liquid crystal display (LCD). The electronic price label  54  may be any type of electronic label used to convey product information to a consumer, which includes all electronic digital displays and self-illuminating price units that can be altered without having to replace paper or hardware components. In that regard, the electronic price label  54  may be formed from electronic paper, examples of which are described in the following paragraphs. 
         [0038]    Electronic paper, also sometimes called “e-paper” or “electronic ink,” is a display technology designed to mimic the appearance of regular ink on paper. Unlike a conventional flat panel display, which uses a backlight to illuminate its pixels, electronic paper reflects light like ordinary paper and is capable of holding text and images indefinitely without drawing electricity or using processor power, while allowing the paper to be changed. The pixels in electronic paper should be image stable so that the state of each pixel can be maintained without a constant supply of power. 
         [0039]    Electronic paper was first developed in the 1970&#39;s by an inventor associated with the Xerox Corporation, which is presently headquartered in Stamford, Conn. The first electronic paper, called Gyricon, consisted of polyethylene spheres between 20 and 100 micrometers across. Each sphere was composed of negatively charged black plastic on one side and positively charged white plastic on the other (each bead was thus a dipole). The spheres were embedded in a transparent silicone sheet, with each sphere suspended in a bubble of oil so that they can rotate freely. The polarity of the voltage applied to each pair of electrodes then determines whether the white or black side is face-up, thus giving the pixel a white or black appearance. 
         [0040]    In the 1990&#39;s another type of electronic paper was invented. This type of electronic paper used tiny microcapsules filled with electrically charged white particles suspended in a colored oil. In early versions, the underlying circuitry controlled whether the white particles were at the top of the capsule (so it looked white to the viewer) or at the bottom of the capsule (so the viewer saw the color of the oil). This was generally a reintroduction of the well-known electrophoretic display technology, but the use of microcapsules allowed the display to be used on flexible plastic sheets instead of glass. 
         [0041]    One early version of electronic paper consisted of a sheet of very small transparent capsules, each about 40 micrometers across. Each capsule contained an oily solution containing black dye (the electronic ink), with numerous white titanium dioxide particles suspended within. The particles were slightly negatively charged, and each one was naturally white. 
         [0042]    The microcapsules were held in a layer of liquid polymer, sandwiched between two arrays of electrodes, the upper of which is made from indium tin oxide, a transparent conducting material. The two arrays were aligned so that the sheet was divided into pixels, with each pixel corresponding to a pair of electrodes situated on either side of the sheet. The sheet was laminated with transparent plastic for protection, resulting in an overall thickness of 80 micrometers, or twice that of ordinary paper. 
         [0043]    The network of electrodes was connected to display circuitry, which turns the electronic ink “on” and “off” at specific pixels by applying a voltage to specific pairs of electrodes. Applying a negative charge to the surface electrode repels the particles to the bottom of local capsules, forcing the black dye to the surface and giving the pixel a black appearance. Reversing the voltage has the opposite effect—the particles are forced from the surface, giving the pixel a white appearance. A more recent incarnation of this concept requires only one layer of electrodes beneath the microcapsules. Other research efforts into e-paper have involved using organic transistors embedded into flexible substrates, including attempts to build them into conventional paper. 
         [0044]    Simple color e-paper usually includes a thin colored optical filter added to the monochrome technology described above. The array of pixels is divided into triads, typically comprising the standard red, green and blue, in the same way as in cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors. The display is then controlled like any other electronic color display. In addition to those types of electronic paper noted above, it is contemplated that other types of electronic paper may be received and held by embodiments of the channel  10  disclosed herein. 
         [0045]    In  FIGS. 3-4 , the channel  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown mounted to a retail shelf  56  with one of the electronic price labels  54  disposed in the interior area  52  of the channel. The retail shelf  56  includes a forward-facing C-channel  58  and a plurality of shelf apertures  60  extending from a top surface  62  of the shelf  56  to a bottom surface  64 . Like the deck apertures  14 , the shelf apertures are generally organized in spaced-apart rows  66  that run parallel to a front rim  68  of the retail shelf  56 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the vertical height of the label holder  16  portion of the channel  10 , when generally measured from the front deck portion  18  to the bottom wall  36 , is greater than the vertical height of the forward-facing C-channel  58 , which is an existing C-channel of standard size. Even so, as technology advances, if the electronic price label  54  decreases in size, the vertical height of the label holder  16  may be smaller than the vertical height of the forward-facing C-channel. In the illustrated embodiment, the vertical height of the label holder  16  is between about one half of an inch to about four inches. 
         [0047]    To ensure that the retail shelf  56  adequately supports the channel  10 , the channel is laid over the retail shelf until one row  26  of the deck apertures  14  is aligned with one row  66  of the shelf apertures  60 . Thereafter, the lower portion of a securement device  70  such as, for example, a rivet or a push pin is placed in the apertures  14 ,  60  to secure the channel  10  to the retail shelf  56 . The securement device  70  generally keeps the bottom surface  24  of the deck  12  engaged with the top surface  62  of the retail shelf  62 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4 , a bottom lip  72  of the C-channel  58  from the retail shelf  56  engages the back wall  32  of the label holder  16 . However, in other embodiments the bottom lip  72  of the C-channel  58  is spaced apart from the back wall  32  of the label holder  16 . 
         [0048]    In order to insert the electronic price label  54  into, or remove the electronic price label from, the interior area  52  of the label holder  16 , the label holder is transitioned into a flexed state  74  as shown in  FIG. 5 . To place the label holder  16  the flexed state  74 , a bottom portion  76  of the label holder  16  is rotated about the pivoting structure  40  due to an application of a force  78 . When the force  78  is sufficient, the bottom portion  76  of the label holder  16  pivots rearwardly (toward the tabs  30 ). In this position, the upper wall portion  42  of the back wall  32  is no longer planar with the lower wall portion  44 , the trough  48  is expanded, and the bottom folded rim  50  is pulled further away from the top folded rim  28 . With the bottom and top folded rims  28 ,  50  further distanced from each other, the electronic label  54  may be inserted into the interior area  16 . 
         [0049]    To secure the electronic price label  54  within the interior area  52  of the label holder  16 , the label holder is transitioned into a relaxed state  80  as shown in  FIG. 4 . To do so, the application of force noted above is slowly released. As this occurs, the bottom portion  76  of the back wall  32  pivots about the pivoting structure  40  in a manner opposite that described above. Therefore, the top folded rim  28  and the bottom folded rim  50  are drawn closer to each other and the trough  48  is generally allowed to resiliently return back to its original size and orientation as shown in  FIG. 4 . Also, the upper and lower wall portions  42 ,  44  of the back wall  32  position themselves such that they form about a ninety degree angle with the deck  12 . Eventually, the top folded rim  28  and the bottom folded rim  50  are able to capture the electronic price label  54  within the interior area  52  of the label holder  16 . 
         [0050]    Transitioning the label holder  16  between flexed and relaxed states  74 ,  80  as described above and shown in  FIGS. 5 and 4 , respectively, may be repeated as desired. As such, the electronic price label  54  is generally considered releasably secured within the label holder  16  of the channel  10  and may, at times, be removed, repositioned, repaired, and the like as needed. Additional electronic price labels  54  may also be added as needed. 
         [0051]    In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 6 , a tool  82  is employed to provide the requisite force  78  to move the label holder  16  into the flexed position of  FIG. 5 . The tool  82  includes a handle portion  84  and a working end  86 . The working end  86  has a tip  88  sized and dimensioned to fit within the trough  48 . The working end  86  further includes a downwardly depending leg  90  configured to engage the bottom wall  36 , the back wall  32 , or a combination thereof. When a downward force is applied to the handle portion  84  of the tool  82 , the bottom portion  76  of the back wall  32  is pivoted backwardly about the pivoting structure  40  as noted above. 
         [0052]    To secure the electronic price labels  54  within the price label holder  16 , end caps  92  are used. The end caps  92  (a.k.a., end mounting brackets) are disposed on either side  94 ,  96  of the channel  10  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The end caps  92  may be supported by either the retail shelf  56  or the channel  10 . When the end caps  92  are employed, the electronic price labels  54  cannot be slid out of the ends  98 ,  100  of the label holder  16 . The end caps  92  also protect the otherwise exposed ends  98 ,  100  of the channel  10  from damage. Even so, the end caps  92  need not extend over or cover the exposed ends  98 ,  100  entirely. The end caps  92  are manufactured from a variety of suitable materials such as, for example, metal or plastic. If, however, the end caps  92  are omitted, the electronic price labels  54  may be slid into position within the label holder  16 . 
         [0053]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7-9 , the label holders  102 ,  104 ,  106  are swung rearwardly or forwardly relative to the label holder  16  in  FIG. 4 . In  FIG. 7 , the label holder  16  is generally rotated clockwise about the front deck portion  18 , which now slopes downwardly, such that the interior area  52  of the label holder  102  opens downwardly. As a result, the label holder  102  of  FIG. 7  may be better suited for mounting on a retail shelf  56  generally above the eye level of a consumer. In other words, the label holder of  FIG. 7  would normally be secured to a retail shelf far above the floor in a retail establishment. 
         [0054]    In contrast to the label holder of  FIG. 7 , the label holder  104  of  FIG. 8  is generally rotated counterclockwise about the front deck portion  18 . Therefore, some of the top surface  38  of the top wall  34  is spaced apart from the bottom surface  24  of the deck  12 . Also, the back wall  32  is disengaged from the bottom lip  72  of the C-channel  58  on the retail shelf  56  and the interior area  52  of the label holder  104  opens upwardly. As a result, the label holder  104  of  FIG. 8  may be better suited for mounting on a retail shelf  56  generally below the eye level of a consumer. In other words, the label holder of  FIG. 8  would normally be secured to a retail shelf somewhat close to the floor in a retail establishment. 
         [0055]    Like the label holder of  FIG. 8 , the label holder  106  of  FIG. 9  is rotated further counterclockwise about the front deck portion  18 . Therefore, the back wall  32  is even further spaced apart from the front rim  68  of the C-channel  58  on the retail shelf and the interior area  52  of the label holder  106  is even further upwardly directed. As a result, the label holder  106  of  FIG. 9  may be better suited for mounting on a retail shelf  56  far below the eye level of a consumer. In other words, the label holder of  FIG. 8  would normally be secured to a retail shelf  56  very close to, or just off, the floor in a retail establishment. In  FIGS. 7-9 , the back wall  32  of the label holder  102 ,  104 ,  106  generally forms an angle with the deck  12  that is less than eighty degrees or more than one hundred degrees in an effort to direct the label holder toward the direct line of sight for a consumer. 
         [0056]    In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 10 , an insert  108  (a.k.a., a liner) is used with the label holder  16  (or the label holders  102 - 106  of  FIGS. 7-9 , which will be collectively referred to as label holder  16 ). When placed within the label holder  16 , the insert  108  effectively reduces or alters the size of the interior area  52 . Therefore, the label holder  16  is able to accommodate electronic price labels  54  having a variety of different sizes and dimensions. In addition, the insert  108  may be configured to support components other than the electronic price label  54  such as, for example, shelf talkers and coupon displays. 
         [0057]    The insert  108  is formed from a variety of suitable materials such as, for example, rubber, plastic, and metal. In the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the insert  108  includes an aperture or slot  110  generally aligned with the trough  48 . Therefore, the tip  88  of the tool  82  depicted in  FIG. 6  may be inserted into, and received by, the trough  48 . 
         [0058]    In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 11 , a cover  112  is disposed in front of the electronic price label  54  in the interior area  52 . As shown, the cover  112  is generally held in place by the top and bottom folded rims  28 ,  50 , the top and bottom walls  34 ,  36 , or some combination thereof. The cover  112  is generally transparent or translucent and formed from plastic. The cover  112  may also be a lens, which magnifies the information displayed by the electronic price label  54 . Despite the illustrated embodiment having the cover  112  disposed within the interior area  52 , the cover may also be mounted over the label holder  16  in other embodiments. The cover  112  may include an integral slot or channel for the purpose of holding a temporary sign. 
         [0059]    To further protect the electronic price label  54 , the label holder  114  of  FIG. 12  includes a bumper  116 . Other label holders  16 ,  102 - 106  may also include and incorporate the bumper  116 . The bumper  116  is generally supported by a forward portion  118  of the bottom wall  36  of the label holder  114 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bumper  116  is unitarily formed with the bottom wall  36 . However, the bumper  116  may also be a separate piece that is attachable to, for example, the bottom wall  36 . A top portion  120  of the bumper  116  is disposed above and folded rearwardly onto a top surface  122  of the bottom wall  36 . A bottom portion  124  of the bumper  116  is disposed below the bottom wall  36 . As shown, a distal end  126  of the bottom portion  124  is curled rearwardly toward the deck  12 . 
         [0060]    Like the cover  112  of  FIG. 11 , the bumper  116  of  FIG. 12  is employed to protect the electronic price label  54 . In that regard, an outside surface  128  of the bumper  116  is expected to engage objects such as, for example, a shopping cart prior to those objects impacting the electronic price label  54 . The bumper  116  and cover  112 , which may be used in combination, provide an extra measure of security to ensure that the electronic label  54  is not damaged. 
         [0061]    In one embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the channel  10  includes a plurality of dividers  130 . The dividers  130  are supported by, and generally transverse to, the deck  12 . The dividers  130  are oriented to extend from proximate the front deck portion  18  to the rear deck portion  20 . In other words, the dividers  130  are generally transverse to the top folded rim  28  of the channel  10 . The dividers  130  are used to separate one row of products from adjacent rows of products. The dividers  130  may extend vertically above the top surface  22  of the deck  12  to a variety of heights depending on numerous factors such as, for example, the height of the product and the space between stacked shelves. 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , the channel  10  also includes a plurality of anchoring structures  132  proximate the rear deck portion  20 . The anchoring structures  132  are used to anchor other well known and typical retail product features to the channel  10 . For example, the anchoring structures  132  are suitably employed to secure, for example, product pusher systems or the dividers  130  of  FIG. 13 . In the illustrated embodiment, the anchoring structures  132  are depicted as vertically-extending flanges. However, in other embodiments the anchoring structures  132  are grooves, slots, apertures, and the like. 
         [0063]    Moving to  FIG. 15 , the channel  10  may be formed without the tabs  30  shown in several of the figures including  FIG. 1 . In such cases, the channel  10  is secured to the retail shelf  56  via the securement device  70  (e.g., rivet) alone. If need be, additional securement devices  70  may be employed to replace the support provided by the tabs  30  in other embodiments. Also, if the deck  12  is expanded to a sufficient width as shown in  FIG. 16 , the channel  10  may form and function as a retail shelf configured to accommodate electronic price labels  54 . 
         [0064]    The roll formed channel  10  may include a coating such as, for example, paint in one of a variety of different colors, to match the color of the retail shelf  56  and to enhance the aesthetic quality of the channel  10 . The coating may also be TEFLON® or other friction-reducing substance to permit consumer products (not shown) to more easily slide over or upon the channel  10 . 
         [0065]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0066]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0067]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6