Patent Description:
This invention generally relates to self-facing retail merchandise displays and particularly front stops therefore.

Self-facing retail merchandise displays are generally known in the art. One such display is the pusher system. A conventional pusher system incorporates one or more pusher paddles or pusher bodies that ride along a respective elongated track. A spring is connected between the pusher body and a leading edge of the track. The spring acts to bias the pusher body forward along the track towards the leading edge thereof.

A user can retract the pusher body away from the leading edge of the track and position items of retail merchandise in a linear row on top of the track and between the leading edge of the track and the pusher body. The biasing force provided by the spring and exerted upon the pusher body serves to bias the linear row of retail merchandise forward to ultimately "front face" the merchandise.

That is, when a customer removes the leading most item of merchandise from the linear row of merchandise, the pusher body will be drawn forward by the spring to index the row of merchandise forward so that the next item of merchandise in the row is positioned proximate the leading edge of the track in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Such automatic front facing eliminates the necessity for retail store employees to manually face the merchandise, and thus ultimately reduces the cost of labor of the retailer.

The aforementioned pusher systems have been utilized in various retail display environments. One example is a retail shelf. Typically, a plurality of pusher bodies and their corresponding tracks are arranged in a side by side manner along the shelf. Each pusher body and its corresponding track are separated by dividers to maintain a plurality of generally straight rows of merchandise that run from the front to the back of the shelf. Such a familiar configuration can be found in many retail stores for selling hygiene items such as deodorant, as one example.

In another configuration, the pusher system may be embodied as a stand-alone pusher tray. These trays may include means for mounting the tray as a cantilevered extension from another structure, such as a bar. These trays may also be situated directly on a retail shelf. Further, these trays may include side barriers (also referred to as dividers) which are adjustable so as to accommodate merchandise of differing widths. Examples of these trays may be readily seen at <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT> as well as <CIT>.

To prevent the merchandise from simply being pushed off of the tray, the trays include a front stop against which the front most item of merchandise is biased by the pusher. In some implementations, these fronts tops are removable from the remainder of the tray. The tray includes mounts in the form of pins (also referred to as posts) that extend upward that are received in mounting receivers of the front stop.

These mounting receivers project rearward from the rest of the front stop. For some merchandise that is wider than the spacing of the mounting receivers, the merchandise will push against the rear most portion of these mounting receivers, which is often a curved surface. Thus, two line contacts are formed between the front of the merchandise and the rear most extent of the mounting receivers.

Due to this minimal amount of contact area between the mounting receivers and the front of the merchandise coupled with the force of the biasing spring/pusher, the front of the merchandise (e.g. the packaging and/or the product therein) can become dented. This denting can affect the visual appearance of the product. Often, the dented merchandise is simply discarded. This problem is particularly present in product such as candy and more particularly high end chocolate that can be soft at slightly elevated temperatures exacerbating the denting and deformation of the product.

<CIT> discloses an alarm device configured to monitor retail merchandise on a retail pusher system. The alarm device includes a triggering mechanism that activates an alarm when retail merchandise is removed from the retail pusher system. The alarm makes store personnel aware that retail merchandise has been removed from a particular pusher system. The alarm device is disposed on a front stop of the retail pusher system. A biasing member of the pusher system biases retail merchandise into a switch of the alarm device. In this configuration, the alarm device may include a plunger switch that activates an alarm when retail merchandise is not biased into the plunger switch.

<CIT> discloses a product display tray, which is provided with a spring-actuated pusher paddle for urging a column of products forwardly in a display as items are removed from the front of the tray, includes a manually operated locking element pivotally attached to the pusher paddle and normally held in a "release" position by the action of the pusher spring. When the paddle is in a fully retracted position, for reloading of the tray, the locking element is manually pivoted into a locking position to engage the tray structure and retain the paddle in its retracted position during loading operations. A slight backward push on the paddle, when reloading has been completed, releases the paddle for forward movement by the spring. The device also includes features on the pusher paddle to facilitate and simplify its slideable assembly with, and stable retention on, longitudinal guide rods on which the paddle slides.

The invention relates to improvements in the above described pusher systems, more particularly, the above described pusher trays. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.

Examples provide new and improved retail merchandise trays and more particularly new and improved retail merchandise trays that avoid altering or damaging the aesthetic appearance of the products displayed therein.

In one example, a retail merchandise tray including a product support structure, a pusher, first and second mounting pins and a front stop is provided. The product support structure extends between a front end and a rear end. The product support structure provides a first product support surface for supporting merchandise thereon. The pusher operably mounts to the product support structure. The pusher is movable along the product support structure above the first product support surface toward and away from the front end along a first axis. The pusher is biased towards the front end. The first and second mounting pins attach to the product support structure proximate the front end. These pins may be part of the product support structure. The first and second mounting pins have an upright position in which the first and second mounting pins extend upward above the first product support surface. The front stop has a front panel section extending upward above the first product support surface. The front panel section has a front side and a rear side. The front stop has first and second mounting pin receivers that are laterally spaced apart from one another along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The first mounting pin receiver receives the first mounting pin therein and the second mounting pin receiver receives the second mounting pin therein. The front stop has a product support section positioned between the first and second mounting pin receivers. The product support section defines a second product support surface that faces the rear end of the product support structure and the pusher when in the upright orientation. The first and second mounting pin receivers project from the rear side of the front panel section towards the rear end substantially no closer to the rear end than the second product support surface.

In one example, the second product support surface is rearward of the rear side of the front panel section.

In one example, the product support section forms a recess in a front of the front stop, the front panel section extends around the recess.

In one example, a thickness of the front panel section generally parallel to the first axis is equal to a thickness of the portion of the product support section that defines the second product support surface generally parallel to the first axis.

In one example, the front stop includes an offset wall that extends between the front panel section and the product support section, the offset wall bounds the recess.

In one example, a surface area of the second product support surface is at least three, five or <NUM> (<NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>) times greater than a surface area of the first and second mounting pin receivers.

In one example, the front stop is a single, continuous piece of molded plastic.

In one example, the first mounting pin receiver is formed from at least one first sidewall that defines a first mounting slot that receives the first mounting pin (this may be curved around the mounting slot. The at least one first sidewall has a first sidewall thickness. The second mounting pin receiver is formed from at least one second sidewall that defines a second mounting slot that receives the second mounting pin (this may be curved around the mounting slot). The at least one second sidewall has a second sidewall thickness. The front panel section has a front panel section thickness. The product support section has a product support section thickness. A variation between the first sidewall thickness, second sidewall thickness, the front panel section thickness and the product support section thickness is no greater than <NUM>%.

In one example, the first and second mounting pins are pivotable between the upright position and a reclined position.

In one example, a first channel is formed between the product support section and the first mounting pin receiver. A second channel is formed between the product support section and the second mounting pin receiver.

In one example, a height of the product support section is at least twenty five percent (<NUM>%) greater than a height of the first and second mounting pin receivers.

In one example, signage is located within the recess.

In one example, the first and second mounting pin receivers are spaced apart along the second axis a first distance. The second product support surface has a width measured along the second axis, the width is at least <NUM>% of the first distance, more preferably at least <NUM>% of the first distance.

In one example, the second product support extends entirely between the first and second mounting pin receivers.

In one example, each of the first and second channels has a width measured along the second axis of less than ¼ inch and preferably less than <NUM>/<NUM> inch.

In one example, the front panel section defines an outer periphery that bounds a first area and the product support section has an outer periphery rearward of the front panel section that bounds a second area. The second area is at least <NUM>% the first area.

In one example, the mounting pin receivers project forward of the panel section.

In one example, the second product support surface extends an entire width of the panel section.

In one example, a recess is formed in the rear side of the front stop between the mounting pin receivers and below the second product support surface.

In one example, the panel section extends outward along the second axis beyond the first and second mounting pin receivers.

In one example, a first projection extends from the first mounting pin receiver along the second axis and is spaced apart along the first axis from the portion of the panel section that extends outward beyond the first mounting pin receiver along the second axis forming a gap therebetween. A second projection, opposite the first projection, extends from the second mounting pin receiver along the second axis and is spaced apart along the first axis from the portion of the panel section that extends outward beyond the second mounting pin receiver along the second axis forming a gap therebetween.

In one example, a top end of the first and second projections align with a bottom end of the portions of the panel section that extend outward beyond the first and second mounting pin receivers.

In one example, a cavity/recess is formed between the first and second mounting pin receivers and forward of the panel section.

In another example, a front stop for a retail merchandise tray having first and second mounting pins is provided. The front stop includes a front panel section, a product support section and first and second mounting pin receivers. The front panel section has a front side and a rear side. The first and second mounting pin receivers are spaced apart from one another along a first axis. The first mounting pin receiver receives the first mounting pin therein and the second mounting pin receiver receives the second mounting pin therein when mounted. The product support section is positioned between the first and second mounting pin receivers. The product support section defines a product support surface. The first and second mounting pin receivers project from the rear side of the front panel section no further than the product support surface.

In one example, the product support surface is rearward of the rear side of the front panel section.

In one example, a recess is formed in a front of the front stop. The front panel section extends around the recess.

In one example, a thickness of the front panel section is equal to a thickness of the product support section.

In one example, the front stop includes an offset wall that extends between the front panel section and the product support section. The offset wall bounds the recess.

In one example, the first mounting pin receiver is formed from at least one first sidewall that defines a first mounting slot that receives the first mounting pin. The at least one first sidewall has a first sidewall thickness. The second mounting pin receiver is formed from at least one second sidewall that defines a second mounting slot that receives the second mounting pin. The at least one second sidewall has a second sidewall thickness. The front panel section has a front panel section thickness. The product support section has a product support section thickness. A variation between the first sidewall thickness, second sidewall thickness, the front panel section thickness and the product support section thickness is no greater than <NUM>%.

In one example, a first channel is formed between the product support section and the first mounting pin receiver and a second channel is formed between the product support section and the second mounting pin receiver.

In one example, the first and second mounting pin receivers are spaced apart along the first axis a first distance. The second product support surface has a width measured along the first axis. The width is at least <NUM>% of the first distance, more preferably at least <NUM>% of the first distance.

In one example, the front panel section defines an outer periphery that bounds a first area and the product support section has an outer periphery rearward of the front panel section that bounds a second area. The second area being at least <NUM>% the first area.

In one example, the product support surface, extends an entire width of the panel section.

In one example, a recess is formed in the rear side of the front stop between the mounting pin receivers and below the product support surface.

Turning now the drawings, <FIG> illustrate an embodiment of a retail merchandise tray <NUM> for displaying retail merchandise. The retail merchandise tray can take many forms such as those illustrated in <CIT> or <CIT> and/or <CIT>. The retail merchandise tray <NUM> is configured to reduce or completely eliminate the denting problem associated with prior retail merchandise trays.

Turning first to <FIG>, the same illustrates a tray <NUM> a product support structure (also referred to as a merchandise support frame) <NUM> that provides a product support surface that vertically supports retail merchandise thereon. In this example, the product support structure <NUM> has a pair of load bearing members <NUM>. Load bearing members <NUM> are identical so a description of one applies equally well to the other. A front stop <NUM> is connected to the load bearing members at a first end <NUM> of tray <NUM>. Front stop <NUM> may include additional integrated or attached structures such as price channel extrusions, faceplates, etc..

The product support structure <NUM> includes, in this embodiment, a wire support frame <NUM> that is removably to the load bearing members adjacent a second end <NUM> of tray <NUM>. This wire support frame <NUM> is also removably attached to front stop <NUM> adjacent first end <NUM>. Put differently, wire support frame <NUM> has opposed first and second ends which are adjacent first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> of tray <NUM>, respectively.

The first end of wire support frame <NUM> is removably attached to front stop <NUM>, while the second end is removably attached to load bearing members <NUM>. As used herein, "removably attached" means an attachment which may be readily undone in a non-destructive manner and subsequently repeated in the same manner. Within this meaning "removably attached" does not include welds, comolding, or other permanent forms of attachment which require component destruction or damage to undo.

While the product support structure <NUM> is illustrated as including the pair of load bearing members <NUM> and wire support frame <NUM>, other product support structures such as one-piece metal structures, one-piece plastic structures as well as other combinations of metal and plastic structures are contemplated. The product support structure <NUM> need only be configured to support the merchandise and allow for self facing thereof.

A pusher <NUM> is mounted to the product support structure <NUM> and is movable in directions <NUM>, <NUM>. Pusher <NUM> is operable to bias a row or rows of retail merchandise situated on top of the product support surface of the product support structure from second end <NUM> of tray <NUM> toward first end <NUM> of tray <NUM>. Pusher <NUM> is biased under the force of a coil spring <NUM> or other biasing element.

A pair of movable divider assemblies <NUM> are positioned on either side of tray <NUM>. Divider assemblies <NUM> are movable in directions <NUM>, <NUM> to modify a width or distance between the divider assemblies <NUM>. This lateral adjustment allows for the accommodating retail merchandise of differing widths. Divider assemblies <NUM> employ a removable attachment between their divider walls and wire supports as well as between the divider assemblies <NUM> and the rest of the product support structure <NUM>.

As may also be seen in <FIG>, each load bearing member <NUM> includes a cut-out <NUM> sized to receive a retail merchandise bar of the type typically found in refrigerated cases or other retail merchandise displays. This allows for a cantilevered mounting of tray <NUM>.

The two divider assemblies <NUM> shown are identical. As such, a description of one applies equally well to the other. It should also be noted that although two dividers assemblies <NUM> are shown, only a single divider assembly <NUM> may be employed in some alternate configurations, while in other alternate configurations, the divider assemblies <NUM> may be entirely omitted.

Divider assembly <NUM> includes a divider wall <NUM> and a pair of wire supports <NUM> which are removably attached to divider wall <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the pusher <NUM> may be mounted to the divider assembly <NUM> (not shown in this embodiment).

With principle reference to <FIG>, wire support structure <NUM> includes a plurality of lateral members <NUM> and a plurality of longitudinal members <NUM> extending generally perpendicular to lateral member <NUM>. As its name implies, wire support structure <NUM> is formed of metal wire, with longitudinal members <NUM> welded to lateral member <NUM>. Fewer or greater longitudinal members <NUM> and lateral members <NUM> may be employed depending on the overall width and length of tray <NUM>.

In this example, the tops of the longitudinal members <NUM> provides the product support surface <NUM> (see <FIG>).

With reference now to <FIG>, the same illustrates a cross section through the spacers <NUM> that extend transversely between load bearing members <NUM>. Spacers <NUM> attach to load bearing members <NUM> via fasteners such as those shown (see <FIG>), or any other mechanical expedient. This view illustrates wire supports <NUM> extending through the spacers <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, the front stop <NUM> is operably mounted to allow for pivoting between an upright orientation shown, for example, in <FIG> and a reclined orientation shown, for example, in <FIG>. In the upright orientation, the front stop <NUM> inhibits removal of merchandise from the tray <NUM>. In the reclined orientation, merchandise may be more easily loaded into the tray <NUM> from the first end <NUM> of tray <NUM>.

However, embodiments need not have this pivoting ability such that the front stop <NUM> always remains in the upright orientation.

The front stop <NUM> is mounted to the product support structure <NUM> and particularly to the wire support structure <NUM> by a pair of front stop hinges <NUM> (see e. g <FIG> and <FIG>). The front stop hinges <NUM> are substantially mirror images of one another in the illustrated embodiment. However, there are some minor differences to accommodate a torsion spring for biasing the front stop <NUM> toward the upright orientation. In some embodiments, the two fronts top hinges <NUM> are mirror images and both are configured for receipt of a torsion spring even though a single spring may be incorporated.

The front stop hinges <NUM> are mounted to the front most lateral member <NUM> for rotation about lateral member <NUM> and particularly about a rotational axis defined thereby. The front stop hinges <NUM> rotate between a first angular position that maintains the front stop <NUM> in the upright orientation and a second angular position that maintains the front stop <NUM> in the reclined orientation. As such, the front stop <NUM> rotates about lateral member <NUM> between the upright and reclined orientations.

The main body of the front stop hinge <NUM> includes a mounting cavity that receives a free end of lateral member <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting cavity is in the form of a bore that extends entirely through the main body. In other embodiments, the mounting cavity could be a recess.

In the current embodiment, the adjacent load bearing member <NUM> secures the front stop hinge <NUM> on lateral member <NUM>. In the particular embodiment, the free end of lateral member <NUM> extends into a correspondence cavity of the bearing member <NUM>. As such, the load bearing member <NUM> is positioned laterally to the side of the front stop hinge <NUM> such that it cannot be removed from lateral member <NUM>. This locks the front stop hinge <NUM> to the product support structure <NUM> and particularly, in this embodiment, the wire support structure <NUM> and more particularly lateral member <NUM>.

In some embodiments, in the reclined orientation, the front surface of a front panel section <NUM> of the front stop <NUM> is substantially parallel to the product support surface <NUM> defined by wire support structure <NUM> (e.g. plus or minus <NUM> degrees). In the upright orientation, the front surface of the front panel section <NUM> is substantially orthogonal to the product support surface (e.g. plus or minus <NUM> degrees). At a minimum, when the front stop <NUM> is rotated rearwards, the top edge <NUM> of the front stop <NUM> is closer to the wire support structure <NUM> than when front stop <NUM> is in the upright orientation.

A biasing member <NUM> illustrated in the form of a torsion spring that extends angularly about lateral member <NUM> biases the front stop hinge <NUM> toward the first angular position, e.g. toward the upright orientation. In this orientation, the front stop <NUM> prevents product from being pushed off of the product support surface <NUM> by pusher <NUM>.

The front stop <NUM> is preferably releasably mounted to the front stop hinges <NUM> such that the front stop <NUM> can be removed from the front stop hinges <NUM> without the front stop hinges <NUM> needing to be removed from the product support structure <NUM> and particularly from the wire support structure <NUM> and more particularly from lateral member <NUM>. This allows for simple replacement in the event of damage, reconfiguration, different front stops <NUM>, etc. without requiring disassembly of the system.

With reference to <FIG>, the front stop <NUM> includes a pair of mounting pin receivers <NUM> that provide mounting pin slots <NUM> that receive a corresponding axially extending mounting pin <NUM> of the corresponding front stop hinge <NUM>. Preferably, a friction fit is provided between the mounting slots <NUM> and mounting pins <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or both of the mounting pins <NUM> or mounting slots <NUM> have a taper such that increased insertion of the pin <NUM> into the mounting slot <NUM> increases frictional engagement between the components.

To avoid or reduce the denting problem with prior art front stops, the front stop <NUM> includes a product support section <NUM> that provides a second product support surface <NUM>. The product support surface <NUM> provides increased contact area for supporting a front of self-faced merchandise. For products that could be dented, the increased contact area provided by the product support surface <NUM> reduces localized pressure to inhibit the denting caused by the biasing force of the pusher <NUM>.

The mounting pin receivers <NUM> project rearward from the front panel section <NUM> no further than the product support surface <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, the rear most surface of the mounting pin receivers <NUM> is coplanar with the product support surface <NUM>. In some implementations, the mounting pin receivers <NUM> may be offset from the product support surface <NUM>, preferably, towards the rear side of the front panel section <NUM> such that the product support surface <NUM> is located axially along axis <NUM> (<FIG>) closer to the rear end <NUM> of the tray <NUM>. In other words, the product support surface <NUM> is further from the front <NUM> of the front stop <NUM> than the rear most extent of the mounting pin receivers <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in one embodiment, the product support section <NUM> forms as a recess <NUM> in the front panel section <NUM>. The recess <NUM> is surrounded by the front panel section <NUM>. This arrangement offsets the product support surface <NUM> rearward of a rear side of the front panel section <NUM> that faces the pusher <NUM>/rear end <NUM> of the tray <NUM>. The front stop <NUM> includes an offset wall <NUM> that offsets the product support surface <NUM> rearward from the front panel section <NUM> and that generally defines the depth of recess <NUM> and that surrounds recess <NUM>.

Preferably, the thickness T1 of the front panel section <NUM> is substantially equal to the thickness T2 of the product support section <NUM>. As such, thicknesses T1 and T2 are within <NUM>% of one another and preferably within <NUM>% of one another.

Product support surface <NUM> is illustrated as a planar surface however other shapes and configurations are contemplated that increase the contact area that cooperates with self-faced merchandise.

The product support section <NUM> and product support surface <NUM> are located laterally between the spaced apart mounting pin receivers <NUM>. In this embodiment, channels <NUM> are formed between the mounting pin receivers <NUM> and the product support section. In one embodiment, the width W1 of the product support surface is at <NUM> % the distance D1 that the mounting pin receivers <NUM> are spaced apart (measured between the centerlines thereof) and more preferably at least <NUM>%. The width W1 and distance D1 are generally measured along a second axis <NUM> that is perpendicular to axis <NUM>. Further, preferably, the surface area provided by the product support surface <NUM> is at least, for non-limiting example, three, five or ten (or intervals therebetween) times greater than the surface area of the mounting pin receivers <NUM>.

In one example, the outer periphery of the front panel section <NUM> bounds a first surface area and the outer periphery of the product support section <NUM> bounds a second surface area. Preferably, the second surface area is at least <NUM>% of the first surface area and even more preferably at least <NUM>% of the first surface area.

In an example, the width W2 of the channels <NUM>, at a bottom thereof, is less than ¼ inch and more preferably less than <NUM>/<NUM> inch.

In one example, the height H1 of the product support section <NUM> is taller than the height H2 of the mounting pin receivers <NUM>. Preferably, at least <NUM>% greater. Preferably, the top of the product support section <NUM> is positioned closer to the top <NUM> than the top of the mounting pin receivers <NUM>.

Each mounting pin receivers <NUM> in the illustrated example is formed from an arcuate sidewall <NUM> that extends around and forms the corresponding mounting slot <NUM>. In a preferred implementation, the thickness T3 varies from the thicknesses T1 and T3 by no more than <NUM>%.

With reference to <FIG>, signage <NUM> can be located within recess <NUM>. This signage could be adhesively secured to front stop <NUM> or be mechanically secured therein, such as by tabs engaging slots in the sidewall <NUM> or be sized slightly larger than the inner periphery defined by sidewall <NUM> so as to be secured therein.

<FIG> illustrates a further example of a tray <NUM>. The tray <NUM> is substantially the same as tray <NUM>. In this tray, the front stop <NUM>. In this embodiment, the front stop <NUM> has been changed.

The front stop <NUM> includes a pair of mounting pin receivers <NUM> that provide mounting pin slots <NUM> that, like slots <NUM>, receive a corresponding axially extending mounting pin <NUM> of the corresponding front stop hinge <NUM>. Preferably, a friction fit is provided between the mounting slots <NUM> and mounting pins <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or both of the mounting pins <NUM> or mounting slots <NUM> have a taper such that increased insertion of the pin <NUM> into the mounting slot <NUM> increases frictional engagement between the components. Like front stop <NUM>, front stop <NUM> is removeable from front stop hinges <NUM> for replacement purposes.

To avoid or reduce the denting problem with prior art front stops, the front stop <NUM> includes a product support section <NUM> that provides a product support surface <NUM>. The product support surface <NUM> provides increased contact area for supporting a front of self-faced merchandise. For products that could be dented, the increased contact area provided by the product support surface <NUM> reduces localized pressure to inhibit the denting caused by the biasing force of the pusher <NUM>.

In this example, product support surface <NUM> is the rear most portion of the front stop <NUM> except for mounting projections <NUM>. However, mounting projections <NUM>, in operation, are below the product support surface defined by the product support structure <NUM> when front stop <NUM> is upright and has product biased thereagainst. This is because the mounting projections <NUM> include an abutment <NUM> that engages the lateral member <NUM> of the wire support structure <NUM> to secure the front stop <NUM> on the mounting pins <NUM>. When the front stop <NUM> is an upright orientation, abutment and the rest of mounting projection <NUM> is vertically below lateral member <NUM>. Thus, because the projections <NUM> are below the product support surface of the product support structure <NUM>, these projections <NUM> will not interact with any product supported by the product support structure <NUM>. Thus, mounting projections <NUM> do not form part of the product support surface <NUM> of the front stop <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the mounting pin receivers <NUM> project forward of panel section <NUM> that generally defines product support surface <NUM>. This is opposite of front stop <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in this example, the panel section <NUM> extends laterally outward beyond the mounting pin receivers <NUM>. Lateral projections <NUM> extend laterally outward from the mounting pin receivers <NUM>. Lateral projections <NUM> are spaced forward of panel section <NUM> such that slots <NUM> are formed between the lateral projections <NUM> and the portion of the panel section <NUM> that extends laterally outward beyond the mounting pin receivers <NUM>.

Front stop <NUM> includes front panel region <NUM> that is generally planar and that provides a forward most portion of the front stop <NUM>. In this example, the mounting pin receivers <NUM> extend upward further than the front panel region <NUM> forming a recessed region <NUM> above the front panel region <NUM> and between the laterally spaced apart mounting pin receivers <NUM>.

In this embodiment, a recess <NUM> is formed between the spaced apart projections <NUM> and below product support region <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the entire width W1 of the product support section <NUM> above recess <NUM> is planar.

Claim 1:
A front stop (<NUM>, <NUM>) for a retail merchandise tray (<NUM>) having first and second mounting pins (<NUM>), the front stop (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a panel section (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a front side and a rear side;
first and second mounting pin receivers (<NUM>, <NUM>) being spaced apart from one another along a first axis, the first mounting pin receiver (<NUM>, <NUM>) receiving the first mounting pin (<NUM>) therein and the second mounting pin receiver (<NUM>, <NUM>) receiving the second mounting pin (<NUM>) therein when mounted;
a product support section (<NUM>, <NUM>) positioned between the first and second mounting pin receivers (<NUM>, <NUM>), the product support section (<NUM>, <NUM>) defining a product support surface (<NUM>, <NUM>), the first and second mounting pin receivers (<NUM>, <NUM>) positioned relative to the rear side of the panel section no further than the product support surface (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein:
the front stop (<NUM>, <NUM>) is a single, continuous piece of molded plastic;
the first mounting pin receiver (<NUM>, <NUM>) is formed from at least one first sidewall that defines a first mounting slot (<NUM>, <NUM>) that receives the first mounting pin (<NUM>), the at least one first sidewall has a first sidewall thickness;
the second mounting pin receiver (<NUM>, <NUM>) is formed from at least one second sidewall that defines a second mounting slot (<NUM>, <NUM>) that receives the second mounting pin (<NUM>), the at least one second sidewall has a second sidewall thickness;
the panel section (<NUM>, <NUM>) has a panel section thickness;
the product support section (<NUM>, <NUM>) has a product support section thickness; and
a variation between the first sidewall thickness, second sidewall thickness, the panel section thickness and the product support section thickness is no greater than <NUM>%.