PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11877673-B2
Application Number: US-202217705008-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Modular product display unit

Abstract:
A modular product display unit includes a tray and display inserts. The tray includes a magnetic top surface and an apron at least partially surrounding the magnetic top surface and extending above the magnetic top surface. The display inserts are disposed on and magnetically coupled to the magnetic top surface, the display inserts form product-display compartments on the magnetic top surface.

Claims:
What is claimed: 
     
       1. A modular product display unit comprising:
 a tray comprising:
 a magnetic top surface; and 
 an apron at least partially surrounding the magnetic top surface and extending above the magnetic top surface; 
 
 display inserts disposed on and magnetically coupled to the magnetic top surface, the display inserts forming product-display compartments on the magnetic top surface, 
 wherein positions of the display inserts on the magnetic top surface are constrained only by the apron or other display inserts, and 
 wherein upper surfaces of the display inserts are coplanar with an upper surface of the apron. 
 
     
     
       2. The modular product display unit of  claim 1 , wherein the display inserts are reconfigurable on the magnetic top surface. 
     
     
       3. The modular product display unit of  claim 1 , wherein the display inserts are coupled to the magnetic top surface without mechanical fasteners. 
     
     
       4. The modular product display unit of  claim 1 , wherein the display inserts are linear and form rectangular compartments. 
     
     
       5. The modular product display unit of  claim 1 , wherein the display inserts comprise dividers and product stands. 
     
     
       6. The modular product display unit of  claim 1 , comprising product backers magnetically coupled to the magnetic top surface and each disposed within one of the compartments,
 wherein the product backers comprise an upright support member extending away from the magnetic top surface for supporting product disposed within the compartments. 
 
     
     
       7. The modular product display unit of  claim 6 , further comprising products disposed within the compartments,
 wherein the upright support members of the product backers extend above top surfaces of the apron, and 
 wherein the upright support members of the product backers do not extend above top surfaces of the products. 
 
     
     
       8. The modular product display unit of  claim 1 , wherein top surfaces of the display inserts do not extend above top surfaces of the apron. 
     
     
       9. The modular product display unit of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of a length or width of at least one of the compartments is at least 10 times its depth. 
     
     
       10. A retail display fixture comprising the product display unit of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       11. The modular product display unit of  claim 1 , wherein at least one end of at least one of the display inserts abuts the apron. 
     
     
       12. A modular product display drawer, comprising:
 a magnetic surface; 
 display inserts magnetically coupled to the magnetic surface, the display inserts being reconfigurable on the magnetic surface to form product-display compartments; 
 a drawer support having a drawer slide configured to allow the magnetic surface to slide between a retracted position and an extended position; and 
 a product backer magnetically coupled to the magnetic surface within one of the compartments, 
 wherein the drawer support supports the magnetic surface in a cantilevered arrangement in both the retracted position and the extended position, and 
 wherein the product backer is not attached to the display inserts and extends above the display inserts. 
 
     
     
       13. The modular product display drawer of  claim 12 , wherein the product backer comprises an upright support member extending away from the magnetic surface for supporting product disposed within the compartment. 
     
     
       14. The modular product display drawer of  claim 12 , further comprising an apron surrounding and extending above the magnetic surface,
 wherein the display inserts comprise linear dividers, 
 wherein the linear dividers and the apron form the compartments, and 
 wherein top surfaces of the display inserts do not extend above the apron. 
 
     
     
       15. The modular product display drawer of  claim 12 , wherein the product backer is configured to support a displayed product disposed within the product-display compartment in such a manner that the displayed product extends above and out from the product-display compartment. 
     
     
       16. A retail display fixture comprising:
 a mounting surface; 
 display trays mounted to the mounting surface in a cantilevered arrangement, each of the display trays comprising:
 a magnetic horizontal surface; 
 an apron at least partially surrounding the magnetic horizontal surface; and 
 display inserts disposed on and magnetically coupled to the magnetic horizontal surface, the display inserts forming product-display compartments on the magnetic horizontal surface; and 
 
 displayed products disposed within the product-display compartments, the displayed products extending above the display inserts and apron, 
 wherein the display trays are movable toward and away from the mounting surface between a first position and a second position, and 
 wherein each respective one of the display trays is vertically spaced apart from an adjacent display tray by a distance that is greater than a height of the respective display tray. 
 
     
     
       17. The retail display fixture of  claim 16 , wherein the display trays are mounted to the mounting surface in a column configuration. 
     
     
       18. The retail display fixture of  claim 16 , wherein each respective one of the display trays is vertically spaced apart from an adjacent display tray by between 1 and 5 times the height of the respective display tray. 
     
     
       19. The retail display fixture of  claim 16 , wherein each display tray further comprises:
 drawer slides coupling the respective display tray to the mounting surface in the cantilevered arrangement, 
 wherein the display inserts comprise:
 dividers forming the compartments, wherein the dividers do not extend above the apron; 
 a product stand for supporting an unpackaged product for display; and 
 a product backer for supporting packaged product within a compartment, 
 
 wherein the display inserts are coupled to the magnetic horizontal surface without mechanical fasteners, and are reconfigurable on the magnetic horizontal surface. 
 
     
     
       20. A modular product display unit, comprising:
 a tray having a top surface; 
 an apron surrounding and extending above the top surface; 
 display inserts movably disposed on the top surface, the display inserts forming product-display compartments on the top surface, wherein the display inserts protrude away from the top surface to form walls of the product-display compartments; and 
 a retention mechanism that couples the display inserts to the top surface and holds the display inserts in position relative to the top surface, 
 wherein the retention mechanism can be overcome by lifting the display inserts away from the top surface, 
 wherein the retention mechanism can be engaged by placing the display inserts on the top surface, 
 wherein the display inserts do not extend above the apron, and 
 wherein the walls of the product-display compartments form a low profile that allows product disposed within the product-display compartments to extend above the compartments for display. 
 
     
     
       21. The modular product display unit of  claim 20 , wherein the retention mechanism includes magnetic attraction of the display inserts toward the top surface. 
     
     
       22. The modular product display unit of  claim 20 , wherein the retention mechanism comprises:
 a first magnetic element at or below the top surface; and 
 second magnetic elements forming at least a portion of each of the display inserts, 
 wherein at least one of the first magnetic element and the second magnetic elements is a magnet. 
 
     
     
       23. The modular product display unit of  claim 20 , wherein the retention mechanism comprises:
 a first magnetic element at or below the top surface; and 
 second magnetic elements forming at least a portion of each of the display inserts, 
 wherein the first magnetic element is a ferromagnetic panel, and the second magnetic elements are permanent magnets. 
 
     
     
       24. The modular product display unit of  claim 20 , wherein the retention mechanism does not include mechanical fasteners. 
     
     
       25. The modular product display unit of  claim 20 , wherein the retention mechanism can couple the display inserts to the top surface and hold the display inserts in position relative to the top surface at any position on the top surface. 
     
     
       26. The modular product display unit of  claim 20 , wherein the display inserts are not attached to each other. 
     
     
       27. The modular product display unit of  claim 20 , wherein at least some of the display inserts are in contact with the apron. 
     
     
       28. The modular product display unit of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a product stand disposed within one of the product-display compartments, wherein the product stand is spaced apart from the display inserts that define the one product-display compartment, and 
 wherein the product stand extends above the apron.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/281,571, filed Nov. 19, 2021, titled “Modular Product Display Drawer,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to product displays. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to retail product display units (e.g., display trays or drawers). 
     BACKGROUND 
     Custom product displays can be costly and product-specific. Further, some custom displays may have diminished continued value after the products they were custom-built to display are no longer sold, or it may be complex to convert them to accommodate and display different products for which they were not originally designed. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments of a modular product display unit include a tray and display inserts. The tray includes a magnetic top surface and an apron at least partially surrounding the magnetic top surface and extending above the magnetic top surface. The display inserts are disposed on and magnetically coupled to the magnetic top surface. The display inserts form product-display compartments on the magnetic top surface. 
     In some embodiments, the display inserts are reconfigurable on the magnetic top surface. In some embodiments, the display inserts are coupled to the magnetic top surface without mechanical fasteners. In some embodiments, the positions of the display inserts on the magnetic top surface are constrained only by the apron or other display inserts. In some embodiments, the display inserts are linear and form rectangular compartments. In some embodiments, the display inserts include dividers and product stands. 
     In some embodiments, the modular product display unit includes product backers magnetically coupled to the magnetic top surface and each disposed within one of the compartments. In some embodiments, the product backers comprise an upright support member extending away from the magnetic top surface for supporting product disposed within the cavies. 
     In some embodiments, the modular product display unit includes products disposed within the compartments. In some embodiments, the upright support members of the product backers extend above top surfaces of the apron. In some embodiments, the upright support members of the product backers do not extend above top surfaces of the products. 
     In some embodiments, the top surfaces of the display inserts do not extend above top surfaces of the apron. 
     In some embodiments, at least one of a length or width of at least one of the compartments is at least 10 times its depth. 
     Some embodiments of a modular product display drawer include a magnetic surface and display inserts magnetically coupled to the magnetic surface, the display inserts being reconfigurable on the magnetic surface to form product-display compartments. The product display drawer includes a drawer support having a drawer slide configured to allow the magnetic surface to slide between a first position and a second position. 
     In some embodiments, the drawer support is coupled to a mounting surface in a cantilevered arrangement. 
     In some embodiments, the modular product display drawer includes product backers magnetically coupled to the magnetic surface and each disposed within one of the compartments. In some embodiments, the product backers include an upright support member extending away from the magnetic surface for supporting product disposed within the compartments. 
     In some embodiments, the modular product display drawer includes an apron surrounding and extending above the magnetic surface, and the display inserts include linear dividers. In some embodiments, top surfaces of the display inserts do not extend above the apron. 
     In some embodiments, the modular product display drawer includes product backers, each magnetically coupled to the magnetic surface within one of the compartments, where the product backers extend above the top surfaces of the apron. 
     Some embodiments of a retail display fixture include a mounting surface and display trays mounted to the mounting surface in a cantilevered arrangement. The display trays include a magnetic horizontal surface and display inserts disposed on and magnetically coupled to the magnetic horizontal surface, the display inserts forming product-display compartments on the magnetic horizontal surface. The display trays are movable toward and away from the mounting surface between a first position and a second position. 
     In some embodiments, the retail display fixture includes a plurality of the display trays mounted to the mounting surface in a column configuration. In some embodiments each display tray in the column of the display trays is vertically spaced apart from an adjacent one of the display trays by between 1 and 5 times a height of the display tray. 
     In some embodiments, each display tray of the retail display fixture further includes an apron at least partially surrounding the magnetic horizontal surface, and drawer slides coupling the respective display tray to the mounting surface in the cantilevered arrangement. The display inserts include dividers forming the compartments where the dividers do not extend above the apron, a product stand for supporting an unpackaged product for display, and a product backer for supporting packaged product within a compartment, where the display inserts are coupled to the magnetic horizontal surface without mechanical fasteners, and are reconfigurable on the magnetic horizontal surface. 
     Some embodiments of a modular product display unit include a tray having a top surface, display inserts movably disposed on the top surface, and a retention mechanism that couples the display inserts to the top surface and holds the display inserts in position relative to the top surface. The display inserts form product-display compartments on the top surface, and the display inserts protrude away from the top surface to form walls of the product-display compartments. The retention mechanism can be overcome by lifting the display inserts away from the top surface, and the retention mechanism can be engaged by placing the display inserts on the top surface. 
     In some embodiments, the retention mechanism includes magnetic attraction of the display inserts toward the top surface. In some embodiments the retention mechanism includes a first magnetic element at or below the top surface and second magnetic elements forming at least a portion of each of the display inserts, where at least one of the first magnetic element and the second magnetic elements is a magnet. In some embodiments the retention mechanism includes a first magnetic element at or below the top surface and second magnetic elements forming at least a portion of each of the display inserts, where the first magnetic element is a ferromagnetic panel, and the second magnetic elements are permanent magnets. 
     In some embodiments the retention mechanism does not include mechanical fasteners. In some embodiments the retention mechanism can couple the display inserts to the top surface and hold the display inserts in position relative to the top surface at any position on the top surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    shows a top view of a retail display tray. 
         FIG.  2    shows an isometric view of the retail display tray of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    shows a top view of the retail display tray of  FIG.  1    in a different configuration. 
         FIG.  4    shows a top view of the retail display tray of  FIG.  1    in a different configuration. 
         FIG.  5    shows a perspective view of a retail display fixture including the retail display tray of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    shows a front view of the retail display fixture of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    shows an exploded view of the retail display fixture of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  8    shows an isometric view of the retail display tray. 
         FIG.  9    shows a top view of the retail display tray without inserts. 
         FIG.  10    shows an isometric view of the retail display tray with some inserts removed. 
         FIG.  11    shows an isometric underside view of a display insert. 
         FIG.  12    shows an exploded view of the retail display tray. 
         FIG.  13    shows a section view of the retail display tray taken at line XIII-XIII in  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  14    shows a section view of the retail display tray taken at line XIV-XIV in  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  15    shows the section view of  FIG.  14    with the retail display tray in an extended configuration. 
         FIG.  16    shows an isometric underside view of the retail display tray. 
         FIG.  17    shows an isometric view of the retail display tray with product. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the claims. 
     The following disclosure relates to a modular product display unit, for example a tray, which in some embodiments may be configured as a drawer, and which in some implementations may be used in a retail store to display product available for customer evaluation or purchase. 
     For example, in some embodiments a display tray includes display inserts that can be rearranged to accommodate differently sized and shaped products or packaging, and to accommodate for diminishing supply of product in the display tray. The customizable display tray helps to reduce cost since it can be easily reconfigured to accommodate as new products as they are developed, irrespective of differences in the new product&#39;s packaging dimensions and shape. 
     Instead of replacing the display tray when a new product is developed, the display inserts can be moved or replaced to accommodate the size(s) and shape(s) of the new product. Further, the display tray increases the aesthetics of the product display by allowing for the display inserts to be rearranged as the stock of the products begin to diminish, to maintain the remaining stock in a consistent and desired arrangement. 
     The display tray can include a top surface having a cavity to store products, an apron extending around the cavity, and inserts within the cavity defining compartments within which products can be positioned for display and sale. The inserts can be reconfigurable to account for diminishing product stock or to accommodate different products. The inserts are removably coupled to the top surface via a retention mechanism without any visible or fixed connections. In some embodiments, the inserts are coupled to the top surface magnetically. For example the inserts may include magnets, and the tray may include magnetic materials beneath the top surface that will attract the magnets of the inserts. In other embodiments the inserts may be coupled to the top surface in other ways, for example, by friction or pressure created between the inserts and the apron. 
     In some embodiments, the top surface of the display tray is magnetic. Magnetic display inserts can be arranged on the top surface to form internal walls that define compartments within the cavity. The magnetic display inserts may include magnets, and may thereby couple to the display surface magnetically and maintain their position within the cavity. Each compartment can store one or more products. Depending on the dimensions of the products, the magnetic display inserts can be arranged to help maintain the products in a desired position (e.g., an upright position to prevent the products from falling). After one or more products are removed from the display tray (e.g., by a customer taking them for purchase), the display inserts can be rearranged to accommodate the smaller product inventory within the display tray. And in the case where the display tray is to be used to display new or different product from that which it was used to display previously, the display inserts can be rearranged to accommodate the different product as desired. 
     The magnetic characteristics of the top surface of the display tray may be effected in a number of different ways. For example, the top surface may be formed by a panel that is itself formed of a magnetic material (i.e., a material that is attracted to a magnetic field, such as, for example, a magnet or a ferromagnetic material such as iron or steel). Also for example, the tray may include a magnetic system positioned beneath the top surface, and thereby hidden from view. 
     The magnetic system may include magnetic structures such as panels or bars formed of magnetic material extending beneath the top surface. The magnetic structures of the magnetic system may be varied widely in position and configuration to create individual magnetic nodes or zones on the top surface (e.g., in a pattern), or an entirely magnetic surface, to interact with magnetic inserts as desired. In this way, in some embodiments the display tray can be configured to allow magnetic inserts to be positioned anywhere on the top surface (e.g., by using a magnetic plate beneath the entirety of the top surface). In this way, in other embodiments the display tray can be configured to help control the position of the magnetic inserts into predetermined positions aligning with magnetic bars or magnetic plates positioned only under certain portions of the top surface. This can help in recreating repeated or regularly-incremented positioning of the magnetic inserts, which can help make them more visually appealing especially in the case where there are several display trays that are intended to have the same or a similar configuration of display inserts. 
     The strength of coupling (e.g., magnetic coupling) between the display inserts and the display tray top surface can be tuned to achieve a desired strength that is strong enough to hold the product in place but weak enough to allow a user to reposition the display inserts by hand without the need for tools or other aids. The strength can be tuned, for example, by the selection of magnets (e.g., size and strength) and the position of the magnet and magnetic features relative to the top surface of the display tray. 
     In some embodiments, as described above and elsewhere herein, the magnetic display inserts include magnets (e.g., permanent magnets or electromagnets) and the display tray includes a magnetic system or other structures that are formed of a magnetic material for magnetically coupling with the magnetic display inserts. It is to be understood that in any of the embodiments described herein this configuration could be reversed (i.e., the magnetic display inserts may be formed of a magnetic material and the display tray may include magnets forming the magnetic system or other structures for magnetically coupling with the magnetic display inserts), or both features can include magnets (i.e., the magnetic display inserts may include magnets and the display tray may include magnets forming the magnetic system or other structures for magnetically coupling with the magnetic display inserts). 
     The display trays described herein can be used in a variety of contexts. For example, it may be a self-contained unit that can be carried around (e.g., by a retail clerk) and placed in different locations as desired (e.g., on a table in a retail store to showcase displayed products to a customer). Also for example, the display tray may be mounted to or otherwise integrated in a surface, such as a vertical surface like wall or horizontal surface like a table top. 
     In some embodiments, a retail display fixture includes an array of modular product display trays that are slidably connected to a mounting surface. If a user wants to select a specific product, they can slide the product&#39;s display tray towards them, extending past the array of display trays and revealing the contents of the selected display tray. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 16   . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIGS.  1  and  2    illustrate a product display unit: modular product display tray  100 .  FIG.  1    shows a top view,  FIG.  2    shows an isometric view. As shown, display tray  100  has a top surface  110  surrounded by an apron  120  forming walls around top surface  110 . As shown, top surface  110  may be arranged horizontally. Together top surface  110  and apron  120  define a cavity  112 , within which display inserts  200  are positioned to define compartments  114  (e.g., product-display compartments for displaying products). Compartments  114  include portions of cavity  112 , and are defined by display inserts  200  either alone or in combination with walls of apron  120 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , display inserts  200  can be positioned at in different directions to create compartments  114  (e.g., row dividers  220  extending left-right in  FIG.  1    and column divider  210  extending up-down in  FIG.  1   ). Display inserts  200  can have different lengths and widths (compare wider and longer column divider  210  with narrower and shorter row dividers  220 ). Display inserts  200  can have different shapes, and display inserts  200  having different shapes (or all the same shape) can be used together to create a desired arrangement of product-display compartments  114 . To effect a desired arrangement, display inserts  200  can be positioned with their sides parallel or transverse to each other, or even at oblique angles to each other. 
     Display inserts  200  can have additional features, such as a product stands or sign. For example, groove  232  in product stand insert  230  can be used for receiving a display-model product  5  (e.g., an unpackaged product), such as is shown in  FIG.  17   .  FIG.  17    shows an example of how display tray  100  may be used, with product  5  being positioned within compartments  114  that fit the bottom portions of products  5  closely so as to give them a clear position to be consistently stocked in. This also helps to maintain stocked products  5  in such position during use. If differently-shaped products  5  are to be stocked in display tray  100 , display inserts  200  can be reconfigured to similarly closely fit around the new product shapes. 
     Display inserts  200  can be reconfigured including by being repositioned within cavity  112 , removed from cavity  112 , replaced by other display inserts, or any combination of these.  FIGS.  3  and  4    show example alternative arrangements of display inserts  200  for accommodating different sizes and shapes of products  5 . In some embodiments, as shown for example in  FIG.  3   , display tray  100  may include only column dividers  210 . In some embodiments display tray  100  may include only row dividers. In some embodiments, as shown for example in  FIGS.  2  and  4   , display tray  100  may include a combination of column dividers  210 , row dividers  220 , and product stand inserts  230  to create custom compartments  114 . The configurations shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4    show example ways that display inserts  200  can be reconfigured within the same display tray  100 . It is to be understood that the modular nature of display tray  100  and display inserts  200  could be used to create many different other configurations to suit particular purposes. 
     As will be explained in greater detail, display inserts  200  may be removably coupled to top surface  110  to facilitate their easy reconfiguration (e.g., by a store clerk to account for changes in stock or different products to be displayed). 
     Embodiments of display tray  100  can be used in a variety of contexts. For example, display tray  100  may be a mobile, self-contained unit that can be carried around (e.g., by a retail clerk) and used or placed in different locations as desired (e.g., on a table in a retail store to showcase displayed products to a customer). Also for example, display tray  100  may be mounted to or integrated in a surface, such as a vertical surface like wall or horizontal surface like a table top. 
     In the case of a horizontal surface such as a table top, for example, display tray  100  may be integrated into the table top (e.g., built into and forming part of the table top, or otherwise fixed to the table top) for ready view and access by a customer. In some embodiments display tray  100  may be removably attached to the table top, e.g., via magnets or mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts, or latches, for example. 
     In the case of a vertical surface such as wall, for example, the wall may be part of a larger display unit, such as, for example, retail display fixture  10  shown in  FIGS.  5 - 7   .  FIG.  5    shows a perspective view of retail display fixture  10  incorporating an array of product display trays  100  (e.g., in a column-and-row configuration as shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , or in a column configuration as in one of the columns (e.g., column  30 ) of product display trays shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   ).  FIG.  6    shows a front view of retail display fixture  10  including product  5  displayed on product display trays  100 . Product  5  may be a packaged product that a customer may take and purchase.  FIG.  17    shows an isometric view of a single product display tray  100  including packaged product  5  and displayed product  5 . From these images, it can be appreciated how cavities  112  can help maintain and present product  5  in a regular, desired arrangement, which can create a clean, organized visual appearance that gives the viewer a positive impression. 
     In some embodiments, such as is shown in  FIGS.  5 - 7   , a display tray  100  may be mounted to a support structure such as a wall (e.g., support structure/wall  20  of retail display fixture  10 ) in a cantilevered configuration.  FIG.  7    shows the arrangement of display trays  100  relative to support structures/walls  20  of retail display fixture  100  in an exploded configuration. In some embodiments, to make efficient use of space, multiple display trays  100  may be arranged together in this way, creating an array of cantilevered display trays  100 , such as is shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   . To further enhance spatial efficiency, display trays  100  may have a low profile. 
     Display trays  100  in a column (e.g., column  30  as shown in  FIG.  6   ) may be spaced apart from one another to allow for efficient usage of space while still enabling access to products  5 . For example, each display tray  100  in column  30  may be vertically spaced apart from an adjacent display tray  100  in column  30  such that a height h 5  of the vertical space between the adjacent display trays  100  is between 1 and 5 times (e.g., 3 times) a height h 4  of the display tray  100 . 
     To promote easier access to such display trays  100 , they may be mounted to support structure  20  and slidable away from and toward support structure  20  (e.g., configured as a product display drawer  100 ), which may increase the visibility and accessibility of displayed products  5  to a customer. If a user wants to select a specific product  5 , they can slide that product  5 &#39;s display tray  100  towards them, extending past the other display trays  100  in the array and revealing the contents of the selected display tray  100 . In some such embodiments, product display tray  100  may include a movable (e.g., slidable) support connecting to the wall, such as one or more drawer slides, for example. This configuration can allow display tray  100  to be pulled outward away from support structure  20  (e.g., wall  20  of product display fixture  10 ) by a customer or other user while the customer is examining or accessing displayed products  5 , and then to be pushed back toward support structure  20  to stow display tray  100  until the next user wants to access it. 
       FIG.  8    shows modular product display tray  100  with a further type of display insert  200 : product backer  240 . Product backers  240  may couple to product display tray  100  in the same manner as other display inserts  200 . Display inserts  200  may be coupled to top surface  110  via a retention mechanism without any visible attachment mechanism or hardware. Display inserts  200  will appear to a viewer to simply be positioned at their locations with no visible slots, screws, latches, adhesive, or other attachment features. In some embodiments, display inserts  200  are coupled to top surface  110  via a magnetic connection. For example display inserts  200  may include magnets, and display tray  100  may include magnetic materials beneath top surface  110  (or top surface  110  may be formed of a magnetic material) that will attract the magnets of display inserts  200 . The magnetic connection between display inserts  200  and top surface  110  may be strong enough to keep display inserts  200  in place during use, but weak enough that a user can overcome the connection by hand to reconfigure display inserts as desired. In other embodiments display inserts  200  may be coupled to top surface  110  in other ways, for example, by friction or pressure created between inserts  200  and the apron  120 . Some embodiments may use a combination of magnetic and non-magnetic retention mechanisms. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , top surface  110  of display tray  100  may be magnetic, and may include a cavity  112  to store products within display tray  100 . Cavity  112  (and compartments  114  within cavity  112 ) has a depth d 1  (labeled in  FIG.  13   ) that allows display tray  100  to store products partially within the compartments  114 , while maintaining a low profile view for display tray  100  and allowing the products to extend up above compartments  114  (i.e., above a height of display inserts  200  or a height of apron  120  above top surface  110 ), for display to a customer. In some embodiments, the length and width of the compartments can range from 5 to 40 times the size of the depth d 1 . In some embodiments, at least one of a length or width of at least one of compartments  114  is at least 10 times its depth d 1 . In some embodiments, at least one of a length or width of at least one of compartments  114  is at least 20 times its depth d 1 . 
       FIG.  9    shows a top view of display tray  100  without display inserts  200 . As shown, cavity  112  is surrounded by apron  120 . In some embodiments, apron  120  extends around the entire perimeter  116  of cavity  112 . In some embodiments, apron  120  extends partially around perimeter  116  of cavity  112 . In some embodiments apron  120  forms a raised lip that extends around top surface  110 . In some embodiments, apron  120  has a depression or handle  142  disposed on its bottom surface  140  (see e.g.,  FIGS.  14 - 16   ), which can provide an ergonomic grip for a user to pull or extend display tray  100  out from a stowed position (e.g., as described above). In some embodiments, apron  120  is not magnetic. In other embodiments apron  120  is magnetic forming magnetic inner walls around the periphery of top surface  110  to which display inserts  200  may magnetically couple. Some embodiments do not include an apron. In such embodiments display inserts  200  may be used to perform the functions of an apron. 
     In some embodiments, display tray  100  includes a magnetic structure (e.g., magnetic layer  130  described in more detail below). The magnetic structure may form top surface  110 , or may be positioned just below top surface  110  to make top surface  110  act magnetic such that magnets are attracted toward it. In some embodiments, the magnetic structure may be positioned underneath top surface  110 . The magnetic structure is attractable to magnets (e.g., made of a ferrous material such as iron, iron alloys, or steel). In some embodiments, display tray  100  includes a laminate cover (e.g., laminate cover  150  described in more detail below) to conceal magnetic layer  130 . 
       FIG.  10    shows display tray  100  with some display inserts  200  installed, and some separated from cavity  112  above where they may be installed. As discussed above, in some embodiments, display tray  100  may include one or more display inserts  200 . As shown for example, in  FIG.  10   , display inserts  200  may be disposed within cavity  112  to form compartments  114  within cavity  112 . In this way, display inserts  200  and apron  120  form walls of compartments  114  and top surface  110  forms floors of compartments  114 . 
     In some embodiments, display inserts  200  include column dividers  210 , row dividers  220 , product stand inserts  230 , and product backers  240 . Display inserts  200  may magnetically couple with top surface  110  of display tray  100 . Such magnetic connection can allow display inserts  200  to be securely attached to top surface  110  so that they can define compartments  114  and help maintain the positions of products within those compartments  114 , while still allowing display inserts  200  to be easily reconfigured. Display inserts  200  can magnetically couple with top surface  110  without mechanical fasteners such as latches, screws, or other mechanical mechanisms, thus further simplifying their installation and reconfiguration. In some embodiments, positions of display inserts  200  are constrained only by apron  120  or other display inserts  200 . 
     In some embodiments, column and row dividers  210 ,  220  are thin members configured to separate cavity  112  into one or more compartments  114 . In some embodiments, dividers  210 ,  220  may be rectangular, square, triangular, circular, or polygonal to accommodate for a wide array of product dimensions. As shown in  FIG.  11   , which depicts an example display insert  200  in isolation seen from its bottom side, in some embodiments, display inserts  200  include a depression  222  on a bottom surface  226  thereof. Depression  222  may house a magnet  224 , which is how display inserts  200  magnetically couple to top surface  110  as described. In some embodiments, display inserts  200  include a plurality of depressions  222 , each housing a magnet  224 . In some embodiments, magnet  224  is a permanent magnet (e.g. a rare earth magnet, such as a neodymium magnet). In some embodiments, magnet  224  is display insert  200  itself. 
     Display inserts  200  have a height h 1 . In some embodiments, height h 1  is less than or equal to depth d 1  of cavity  112 . This configuration creates a clean profile view of the display tray  100 . In some embodiments, however, height h 1  can be greater than depth d 1 , which can provide for greater stability or a more separated appearance for compartments  114 . 
     In some embodiments, product stand inserts  230  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  10   ) include a thin member having a groove  232  configured to position a product in an upright or display position. In some embodiments, groove  232  may be a slot or depression. In some embodiments, product stand inserts  230  have a height h 2  (labeled in  FIG.  14   ). In some embodiments, height h 2  is less than or equal to the depth d 1  of cavity  112 . This configuration creates a clean profile view of the display tray  100 . In some embodiments, however, height h 2  can be greater than depth d 1 , which can provide for greater stability or a more defined appearance for product stand insert or compartments  114 . 
       FIGS.  13 - 15    show sectional views of display tray  100 . The view of  FIG.  13    is taken along line XIII-XIII in  FIG.  8   . The view of  FIG.  14    is taken along line XIV-XIV in  FIG.  8   .  FIG.  15    shows the view of  FIG.  14    with display tray  100  in an extended position. 
     In some embodiments, for example, as shown in  FIGS.  13  and  14   , product backers  240  include an upright support member  242  and base support member  244 . Upright support member  242  is configured to retain products  5  (e.g., packaged product  5 ) in an upright position within a compartment  114 . For example, when a user removes one of products  5 , which product backer  240  is supporting, a user can reposition product backer  240  closer to the remaining products  5  to provide adequate support for products  5  to remain in the upright position (e.g., an upright position as shown, for example, in  FIG.  14 ,  15   , or  17 , where a height of the product, such as packaged product  5 , is greater than its depth, such as more than two times greater, more than four times greater, or between three and six times greater). For example, due to the magnetic connection between product backer  240  and top surface  110 , product backer  240  may be slidable within its compartment  114  without decoupling from top surface  110 . A user may thus slide product backer  240  to a new position to maintain adequate support for products  5  when stock levels of product  5  change within the compartment. This process can be repeated each time a product  5  is removed from (or added to) the display tray  100 . Just as with other display inserts  200 , product backers  240  may be magnetically coupled to top surface  110 . In some embodiments the strength of magnetic connection between product backers  240  and top surface  110  is weaker than the magnetic connection of other types of display inserts  200  that are used to form compartments  114  (e.g., column dividers  210 , row dividers  220 , product stand inserts  230 ) and top surface  110  because product backers  240  may be more routinely re-positioned to account for diminished or replenished stock within a compartment  114 . 
     In some embodiments product backer  240  may have multiple upright support members  242  coupled to base support member  244 . In such embodiments the multiple upright support members  242  may be parallel to each other and spaced apart by a gap distance. The gap distance may be, for example, the same as a depth of product  5  that is to be held by product backer  240  in the gap between adjacent upright support members. In this way, multiple products  5  can be held in a row by product backer  240 , each between adjacent upright support members  242 . For example, product backer  240  may include six upright support members  242  extending upward from base support member  244 , thereby creating five gaps between upright support members  242  for holding five products  5 . In some embodiments two outer upright support members  242  may extend upwardly from opposing edges of base support member  244 , such that base support member  244  extends between the two outer upright support members  242 , and additional upright support members  242  may be evenly spaced between outer support members  242 , each extending upward from base support member  244 . A product backer  240  including multiple upright support members  242  as described may have a comb-like side profile. A product backer  240  including multiple upright support members  242  as described may be useful to help maintain consistent and repeatable positioning of products  5  and provide a clear indication of the appropriate position for product  5 . A product backer  240  including multiple upright support members  242  as described may also allow reduction and replenishment of product  5  stock in upright positions without the need to reposition product backer  240 . 
     In some embodiments, upright support member  242  has a height h 3  (as shown in  FIG.  14   ) that is less than or equal to a height of its respective retained product (including any retail product packaging). This configuration (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  14    with respect to product  5 ) allows the product to conceal product backers  240  from the view of the customer, which increases the aesthetics of the display tray  100 . In some embodiments, however, height h 3  can be greater than the height of retained product  5 , which can provide for greater separation between compartments  114  or an increased labeling opportunity (e.g., in the event that a label or other graphic of interest is included on upright support member  242 ). In some embodiments, base support member  244  is magnetic to couple to the top surface  110  of display tray  100 . 
     In some embodiments, display tray  100  may include one or more types of display inserts  200  in any desired combination (e.g., column dividers  210 , row dividers  220 , product stand inserts  230 , and product backers  240 ). Although column dividers  210  and row dividers  220  are shown and described as being oriented in a specific way, because of the modular design of the display tray  100 , dividers  210  and  220  can be oriented in different directions (e.g., in the column direction, row direction, or diagonally). 
     Display inserts  200  are removably coupled to top surface  110  and can be rearranged within cavity  112  as desired. For example, display tray  100  may be initially configured as shown in  FIG.  9   , where cavity  112  does not include any display inserts  200 . This configuration allows products to be placed freely within cavity  112 , where the products are unsecured and capable of sliding around during movement of display tray  100 . As shown, for example, in  FIG.  10   , a user can place display inserts  200  within cavity  112  to define compartments  114 . In this example two columns and three rows of long, rectangular compartments  114  are formed, with product stand inserts  230  in front of each column. Such an arrangement may be useful for, for example, displaying a product (e.g., a watch band) on product stand insert  230 , and storing and displaying boxes containing similar watch bands in each row for a customer to access and take for purchase, such as is shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , for example. 
     To effect such magnetic coupling and repositioning, top surface  110  may be magnetic, as discussed. As shown in  FIGS.  13  and  14   , for example, top surface may be a surface of magnetic structure  130 , which may itself be formed of a magnetic material. In some embodiments, top surface  110  is formed by a laminate cover  150  disposed over magnetic structure  130 . Laminate cover  150  may or may not itself be formed of a magnetic material (e.g., it may be a wood veneer for appearance), but will act with magnetic properties due to underlying magnetic structure  130 . Magnetic structure  130  may be a uniform panel extending under all of top surface  110  to create a uniform magnetic area within which display inserts  200  can be positioned. In some embodiments, magnetic structure  130  may be formed of distinct magnetic elements, such as panels or bars formed of magnetic material extending beneath top surface  110  (e.g., beneath laminate cover  150 ). Such magnetic elements of magnetic structure  130  may be varied widely in position and configuration to create individual magnetic nodes or zones on the top surface (e.g., in a pattern), or an entirely magnetic surface (e.g., in the case of a uniform panel), to interact with display inserts  200  as desired. In this way, in some embodiments display tray  100  can be configured to allow display inserts  200  to be positioned and magnetically coupled anywhere on top surface  110  (e.g., by using a magnetic panel beneath the entirety of the top surface). In this way, in other embodiments display tray  100  can be configured to help control the position of display inserts  200  into predetermined positions aligning with magnetic bars or magnetic plates positioned only under certain portions of top surface  110 . This can help in recreating repeated or regularly-incremented positioning of the magnetic inserts, which can help make them more visually appealing especially in the case where there are several display trays  100  that are intended to have the same or a similar configuration of display inserts  200 . 
     To accommodate different types of product or different desired retail display scenarios, display inserts  200  can be easily reconfigured. Being magnetically coupled to top surface  110 , they can be removed and re-attached in different positions without tools. Further, if new products call for new different shapes or types of display inserts  200 , the old display inserts  200  can be removed and replaced with the new display inserts. In this way a product display tray  100  (and retail display fixture  10 ) can be easily and inexpensively reconfigured without the need to remove or replace significant hardware or structural features. 
     The strength of coupling (e.g., magnetic coupling) between display inserts  200  and display tray top surface  110  can be tuned to achieve a desired strength that is strong enough to hold display insert  200  and displayed products in place but weak enough to allow a user to reposition display inserts  200  by hand without the need for tools or other aids. The strength can be tuned, for example, by the selection of magnets (e.g., size and strength) and the position of the magnet and magnetic features relative to top surface  110  of the display tray  100 . 
     As mentioned, in some embodiments display tray  100  is slidably coupled to a support structure (e.g., support structure  20  shown in  FIGS.  5 - 7   ). As shown in  FIGS.  12 - 15   , drawer support  300  can allow an individual display tray  100  to be pulled out (e.g., from an array of similar display drawers, see  FIGS.  5  and  6   ) by a user for ease of access. Drawer support  300  includes support member  310 , slide connection members  320 , and housing  330 . 
     In some embodiments, support member  310  includes a cantilevered support  312  (see  FIG.  15   ) that is removably attached to a mounting surface  20  (see e.g.  FIG.  5   ). Support member  310  provides stability for display tray  100  to extend outwardly along drawer slides  400  while minimizing shaking, wobbling, or deflection of display tray  100  as it extends from a first position (e.g., a retracted position  160 , see  FIG.  14   ) to a second position (e.g., an extended position  170 , see  FIG.  15   ). In some embodiments, cantilevered support  312  is a rigid member (e.g. wood or aluminum plate). Cantilevered support may be fixed to a support structure (e.g., support structure/wall  20 ) to hold display tray  100  in a cantilevered position ready for access by a user. 
     In some embodiments, drawer support  300  includes a slide connection member  320 . Slide connection member  320  includes a cavity  322  (see e.g.  FIG.  12   ) to house drawer slides  400 . In some embodiments the depth of cavity  322  is less than or equal to a height of drawer slides  400  such that display tray  100  can minimize its thickness and maintain a low profile. 
     In some embodiments, drawer support  300  includes housing  330  to enclose support member  310  and slide connection member  320 . In some embodiments, drawer support  300  includes a laminate cover  350  to provide a uniform aesthetic look for the drawer support  300 . In some embodiments, display tray  100  has a uniform aesthetic look (e.g., a wood finish). In some embodiments, top surface  110 , apron  120 , and drawer support  300  are formed from wood or veneered to appear as wood. In some embodiments, display inserts  200  are formed from wood or veneered to appear as wood. As such, the display tray  100  provides a clean and uniform appearance. In some embodiments, laminate cover  350  is a wood veneer. In other embodiments, these elements can have appearances other than wood in order to have a desired appearance. For example, a composite or upholstered appearance. 
     Drawer support  300  may be slidably coupled to display tray  100  through drawer slides  400 . Drawer slides  400  include track  410  and guides  420 . In some embodiments, to achieve a low profile for display tray  100 , track  410  may be oriented horizontally, as shown in  FIGS.  12  and  15   . This differs from upright drawer tracks and provides a more compact slider setup that can be concealed in a compact arrangement. In some embodiments, track  410  may be a telescopic track. In some embodiments, track  410  may be a glide track. Track  410  is positioned along guides  420  (see e.g.  FIG.  12   ). In some embodiments, guides  420  are disposed within cavity  322  of drawer support  300  and disposed within a bottom surface  140  of display tray  100 . 
     As evident by comparing  FIGS.  14  and  15   , display tray  100  can be moved from a retracted, stowed position  160  in  FIG.  14   , to an extended position  170  in  FIG.  15   , sliding on drawer slides  400 . A user may operate display tray  100  by pulling display tray  100  via depression or handle  142  positioned on the underside of display tray  100  (e.g., as a depression in apron  120 , see  FIG.  16   ), which shows an underside of display tray  100 . When the user is done with display tray  100 , they may push it back toward its retracted, stowed position  160 . 
     Display tray  100  may be formed of a variety of materials to effect the structure and purposes described herein. For some portions magnetic materials such as metal or magnets are used to effect the magnetic coupling described. Other portions may be formed of a desired finished material to effect a desired appearance, such as wood or plastic. And portions that are formed of metal or magnets to effect their function may be covered by the finished material (e.g., wood veneer) to give them a desired finished appearance while still maintaining their magnetic effectiveness. 
     It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20220325
Publication Date: 20240123
Grant Date: 20240123
Priority Date: 20211119
Inventors: GADY, JEAN-MARC
LAMB, GABRIEL J.
SZABADOS, SIMONA M.
KIM, HYUN JIN
KANG, SEUNG CHAE
SOLAYAPPAN, INDHU V.
EDWARDS, JOSHUA ROBERT
BRUGGER, ALICE MARLIN
NELSON, Jake A.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "A47F5/0018", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47B88/975", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F5/005", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F5/005", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F5/0018", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F2005/0075", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47B88/40", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F5/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F5/005", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47B88/975", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 86384736