Patent Abstract:
A merchandising system for a displaying a plurality of products is disclosed. The system comprises a base and a pusher member. The base includes a product-supporting surface and a track disposed beneath the product-supporting surface. The base defines a longitudinal axis. The pusher member is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the base and is configured to slide longitudinally with respect to the base. The pusher member includes a base-contacting surface and a plurality of legs downwardly depending from the base-contacting surface. Each of the plurality of legs is configured to mechanically engage the track. The track includes a discontinuity to enable the legs of the pusher member to selectively mechanically engage the track.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/915,134, filed on Jun. 11, 2013, the entire content of which being incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to displaying products on a shelf. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to storing and/or displaying products to provide for the space-efficient presentation of groups of products within a given or fixed display area, and/or allowing for convenient and orderly presentation, dispensing, stocking, and storage of products. 
     Various types of product merchandisers are commonly used in retail environments to display different types of products. As opposed to simply positioning products on shelves, product displays are commonly used to position products on a shelf in manner which automatically advances (e.g., via gravity or a pusher) a trailing or distal product (i.e., a product that is behind a lead or proximal-most product) closer to a user once the lead product has been removed from the shelf. As can be appreciated, such product displays facilitate the arrangement and upkeep of products, as the trailing products don&#39;t have to be manually moved towards the front of the shelf, for instance. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to a merchandising system for a displaying a plurality of products. The system comprises a base and a pusher member. The base includes a product-supporting surface and a track disposed beneath the product-supporting surface. The base defines a longitudinal axis. The pusher member is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the base and is configured to slide longitudinally with respect to the base. The pusher member includes a base-contacting surface and a plurality of legs downwardly depending from the base-contacting surface. Each of the plurality of legs is configured to mechanically engage the track. The track includes a discontinuity to enable the legs of the pusher member to selectively mechanically engage the track. 
     In disclosed embodiments, the discontinuity in the track is between a proximal-most end of the track and a distal-most end of the track. Here, it is disclosed that the track extends proximally of the discontinuity and the track extends distally of the discontinuity. 
     In disclosed embodiments, the track includes a plurality of spaced-apart tabs. 
     In disclosed embodiments, the plurality of legs includes a first leg disposed on a first lateral side of the pusher member and a second leg disposed on a second lateral side of the pusher member. Here, it is disclosed that each of the first leg and the second leg includes a vertical portion disposed in contact with the base-contacting surface of the pusher member and a horizontal portion that extends from the vertical portion toward the second leg. The horizontal portion of the second leg extends from the vertical portion toward the first leg. Here, it is disclosed that each of the first leg and the second leg includes a substantially L-shaped cross-section 
     In disclosed embodiments, at least one of the plurality of legs includes a substantially L-shaped cross-section. 
     In disclosed embodiments, the base includes a lower surface and a gap. The gap is defined between the lower surface and the product-supporting surface. Here, it is disclosed that the track is disposed at least partially within the gap. It is further disclosed that the track is entirely disposed within the gap. Here, it is disclosed that the track includes a plurality of spaced-apart tabs. It is further disclosed that a plurality of the spaced-apart tabs define a first distance between adjacent tabs, the discontinuity includes a space between adjacent tabs defining a second distance, and the second distance is greater than the first distance. 
     In disclosed embodiments, a distal section of the base is configured to be removed to effectively shorten the length of the merchandising system. Here, it is disclosed that the system further comprises a distal portion disposed distally of the distal section of the base. The distal portion is selectively removable from the distal section of the base, and the distal portion is re-installable with another section of the base after the distal section of the base has been removed. It is further disclosed that the distal portion includes a portion of the track. Here, it is disclosed that the pusher member is configured to slide along the entirety of the track both before the distal portion has been removed, and following removal of the distal section of the base and the re-installation of the distal portion. It is further disclosed that the distal portion includes a proximally-extending finger configured to mechanically engage a cut-out of the base. 
     In disclosed embodiments, a plurality of distal sections of the base are configured to be individually removed to effectively shorten the length of the merchandising system. Here, the merchandising system further comprises a distal portion disposed distally of the distal section of the base. The distal portion is selectively removable from a distal-most section of the base, and the distal portion is re-installable with another section of the base after any number of the plurality of distal sections of the base have been removed. 
     In disclosed embodiments, the system further comprises a proximal member disposed adjacent a proximal end of the base, and a biasing member mechanically coupled to both the pusher member and the proximal member. The biasing member is configured to proximally bias the pusher member. 
    
    
     
       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 merchandising system including one guide assembly for displaying items on a shelf according to embodiments of the present disclosure, and illustrated including one bottle thereon; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the merchandising system of  FIG. 1  including five guide assemblies with a plurality of bottles thereon; 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the merchandising system of  FIGS. 1 and 2  including two guide assemblies with no bottles thereon; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective, assembly view of one guide assembly of the merchandising system; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view, viewed from the rear, of one guide assembly of the merchandising system; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one guide assembly of the merchandising system showing a pusher assembly separated from the remainder of the guide assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a portion of one guide assembly illustrating the pusher assembly in an intermediate position; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view, viewed from the rear, of the portion of the guide assembly of  FIG. 6  showing a biasing member separated from the remainder of the guide assembly; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view, viewed from the bottom, of a portion of the guide assembly showing the biasing member separated from a proximal member; 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view, viewed from the bottom, of the portion of the guide assembly of  FIG. 8A  showing the biasing member engaged with the proximal member; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the pusher assembly engaged with a base of the guide assembly; 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  are perspective views of the pusher assembly of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the pusher assembly of  FIGS. 10 and 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the pusher assembly of  FIGS. 10-12 ; 
         FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of a portion of the guide assembly illustrating a distal portion separated from the remainder of the guide assembly; and 
         FIG. 14B  is a perspective view of the portion of the guide assembly shown in  FIG. 14A  illustrating the distal portion engaged with the remainder of the guide assembly. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the presently disclosed merchandising system are described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As is common in the art, the term “proximal” refers to that part or component closer to the user, e.g., customer, while the term “distal” refers to that part or component farther away from the user. 
     Generally, with particular reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , a merchandising system  10  is disclosed that includes a plurality of guide assemblies  100 . Each guide assembly  100  includes a base  200 , a pusher assembly  300 , a pair of lateral guides  400 , a distal section  450 , and a proximal member  500 . The base  200 , which is designed to be placed on a horizontal or included store shelf, is configured to support a plurality of products “P” thereon. The pusher assembly  300  is configured to urge product(s) “P” on the base  200  toward the proximal member  500 . The lateral guides  400  are disposed in mechanical cooperation with base  200  (e.g., are integrally formed therewith, connectable thereto, etc.) and help maintain the products “P” on the base  200 . A distal rail  452  of the distal section  450  and the proximal member  500  are also configured to help maintain the products “P” on the base  200 . 
     One merchandising system  10  includes a plurality guide assemblies  100 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2A , merchandising system  10  includes five guide assemblies  100 , which, as shown, includes six lateral guides  400 . In disclosed embodiments, merchandising system  10  includes more or fewer than five guide assemblies  100  and that the number of lateral guides  400  equals one more than the number of guide assemblies  100 . As can be appreciated, several merchandising systems  10  are able to be positioned adjacent one another on a shelf. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4-9 , the base  200  includes a product-supporting surface  210 , a lower surface  220 , a gap  230 , a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs  240 , and a track  250 . The product-supporting surface  210  is the portion of the base on which products “P” are positioned. The lower surface  220  is the underside of the base  200 . The gap  230  is the space between the product-supporting surface  210  and the lower surface  220 . The ribs  240  extend along at least a portion of the base  200  between a proximal end  202  of the base  200  and a distal end  204  of the base  200  (see  FIG. 3 ), and are configured to provide stability to base  200  and to reduce friction when a product “P” slides along the product-supporting surface  210 , for example. The track  250  includes a plurality of spaced-apart tabs  252  that are positioned within the gap  230 . The track  250  is configured to guide legs  340  of the pusher assembly  300  (as discussed in further detail below). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-13 , the pusher assembly  300  includes a pusher member  310  and a biasing member  360  (e.g., a coiled spring). Pusher member  310  includes a horizontal member  320  and a substantially vertical member  321 . In the illustrated embodiment, the vertical member  321  has an arcuate shape, which is configured to correspond to the contour of the product “P” (e.g., bottle) supported thereagainst. The horizontal member  320  includes an upper surface  322  (e.g., for supporting a product “P”), and a lower surface (or base-contacting surface)  324  that is configured to longitudinally slide along the product-supporting surface  210  of the base  200 . The horizontal member  320  also includes a proximal portion  326 , and a distal portion  328 . The proximal portion  326  is configured to support a distal-most product “P” thereon, and the distal portion  328  supports at least a portion of the biasing member  360  thereon ( FIG. 4 ). The horizontal member  320  also includes a track  330  ( FIGS. 5 and 11 ) within its lower surface  324 , and an opening  332  ( FIGS. 5, 7 and 11 ) extending between the upper surface  322  and the lower surface  324 . A portion of the biasing member  360  extends through the opening  332  and along the track  330 . 
     The pusher member  310  also includes a plurality of legs  340  ( FIGS. 5, 8A, 8B, 9 and 11-13 ) that extend below the lower surface  324  of the horizontal member  320 . With particular reference to  FIG. 11 , the pusher assembly  300  includes a first leg  340   a , a second leg  340   b , a third leg  340   c  and a fourth leg  340   d . In the illustrated embodiments, each leg  340  includes a vertical portion  342 , and a horizontal portion  344  ( FIG. 12 ) extending inwardly from the vertical portion  342 , such that each leg  340  includes a substantially L-shaped cross-section. When the pusher assembly  300  is engaged with the base  200 , the legs  340  of the pusher assembly  300  extend below the product-supporting surface  210  of the base  200  and mechanically engage the tabs  252  of the track  250 , and are longitudinally slidable along the track  250 . More particularly, and with particular reference to  FIG. 9 , when the pusher assembly  300  and the base  200  are mechanically engaged, the vertical portion  342  of each leg  340  abuts or is adjacent a lateral wall  254  of the tab  252 , and the horizontal portion  344  of each leg  340  abuts or is adjacent a lower wall  256  of the tab  252 . 
     This engagement between the legs  340  of the pusher member  310  and the track  250  of the base  200  helps ensure the pusher member  310  remains on the base  200  during use of the merchandising system  10 . More particularly, when torque is applied to the merchandising system (e.g., during loading of the merchandising system  10  with products “P,” when a consumer&#39;s shopping cart bumps into the merchandising system  10  or the shelf that the merchandising system  10  is positioned on, etc.) the engagement between the pusher member  310  (e.g., the legs  340 ) and the base  200  (e.g., the track  250 ) helps prevent the pusher member  310  from toppling over. For instance, when a downward force is applied to right side of the pusher member  310  (e.g., during torquing of the merchandising system  10 ), the legs  340   a  and  340   b  on the left side of the pusher member  310  are forced upward. There engagement between the horizontal portions  344  of these legs  340   a  and  340   b  and the lower wall  256  ( FIG. 9 ) of a tab  252  of the track  250  helps prevent the pusher member  310  from becoming separated from the base  200  at that location. Additionally, the engagement between the legs  340  and the track  250  helps prevent the pusher member  310  from intentionally being separated from the base  200  (e.g., by vandals). 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 4 , to install the pusher member  310  onto the base  200 , a user positions each leg  340  adjacent a shortened tab  253  (i.e., a discontinuity in the track  250 ), and moves the pusher member  310  proximally or distally such that the horizontal portion  344  of each leg is under a tab  252  or a shortened tab  253  of the track  250 . It is envisioned that in lieu of, or in addition to shortened tabs  253 , track  250  includes a space between adjacent tabs  252  that is large enough to accommodate the legs  340  of the pusher member  310 . It is further envisioned that shortened tabs  253  (and/or the large space) are located at one or a plurality of locations between the proximal end  202  and the distal end  204  of the base  200  (e.g., not the proximal-most portion of the base  200  and not the distal-most portion of the base  200 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the proximal member  500  of the merchandising system  10  is configured to attach to a proximal end of the base  200  via a snap-fit connection, for example. It is envisioned that at least a portion of the proximal member  500  is transparent or translucent to allow a consumer to view a portion of the proximal-most product “P 1 ” on the merchandising system  10  therethrough. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the proximal member  500  has an arcuate shape, which is configured to correspond to the contour of the product “P” (e.g., bottle) supported thereagainst. It is also envisioned that the proximal member  500  includes a scooped portion  510 . The scooped portion  510  allows the proximal-most product “P 1 ” to be better viewed by a consumer, allows the proximal-most product “P 1 ” to be tipped down by a consumer to facilitate shopping of the products “P,” and/or facilitates the loading of the products “P” onto the merchandising system  10 , e.g., by a store employee. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , a lower surface  522  of a base  520  of the proximal member  500  includes a pin  530  extending downwardly therefrom. The pin  530  is configured to mechanically engage a hole  362  disposed on a proximal portion  364  of the biasing member  360  (see also  FIG. 3 ). Therefore, when the hole  362  is engaged with the pin  530  ( FIG. 7B ), the biasing member  360 , and thus the pusher assembly  300 , is mechanically coupled to the proximal member  500 . 
     Additionally, the merchandising system  10  is configured to be used on shelves of various depths (i.e., the distance the shelf extends from the wall/support). Specifically, portions of the guide assemblies  100  are able to be broken-off or otherwise removed to effectively shorten the length of the guide assemblies  100 . More particularly, and with reference to  FIGS. 3, 4, 14A and 14B , the base  200  includes breakaway features  260 , and the lateral guides  400  include breakaway features  410 , that each allow for selective removal of portions of the base  200  and the lateral guides  400  to shorten the length of the guide assemblies  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 14A and 14B , the distal section  450  includes the distal rail  452 , a distal base  460 , and distal lateral walls  470 . The distal base  460  includes a proximally-extending finger  462  that is configured to engage and interlock with a corresponding cut-out  262  disposed at a distal end of the base  200 . Accordingly, the distal section  450  is able to be removed ( FIG. 14A ), and re-installed ( FIG. 14B ) after one or more portions of the base  200  and lateral guides  400  have been removed. 
     Further, the pusher assembly  300  of the merchandising system  10  is still able to properly function across the breakaway features  260  and  410 , the proximally-extending finger  462  and the cut-out  262 , after some or all of the portions of the base  200  and the lateral guides  400  have been removed, and after the distal section  450  has been removed and re-installed. 
     The present disclosure also includes a method of displaying items using the merchandising system  10  described above, and a method of engaging the pusher assembly  300  with the base  200 , as discussed above. 
     While several 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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0