Low product indicator for self facing merchandiser and related methods

• US 10,588,427 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2017
• Issued: 03/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Retail Space Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Retail Space Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Mercier, Michael William, Davenport, Daniel, Wills, Matthew, Pollpeter, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Khan, Omer S
• Application Number:
  US15/409,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20170273477A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/125 with an article-pushing device
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0018 Display racks with shelves or receptables racks per se A47B; storage devices for warehouses B65G1/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0838 Rails or bars; Article supports therefor, e.g. brackets being slidably attached on the outside thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 90/00 Systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes, not involving significant data processing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/00 Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied

Abstract

A product display merchandiser comprising a tray, a spring biased pusher slidable within the tray, and a visual indicator comprising at least one light activated by a switch, the switch configured to be actuated when the pusher is within a predetermined portion of the tray.

Claims

1. A product display merchandiser comprising:

a tray extending in a longitudinal direction;

a spring-biased pusher slidable in the longitudinal direction within the tray; and

a visual indicator coupled to the tray, the visual indicator comprising at least one light activated by a switch, the switch configured to be actuated when the pusher is within a predetermined portion of the tray;

wherein at least a portion of the pusher is positioned within a channel extending in the tray in the longitudinal direction and at least a portion of the switch is positioned within the channel; and

wherein the switch is slidable in the longitudinal direction within the channel to adjust the predetermined portion of the tray.

2. The product display merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the switch is acted upon by one of the pusher and the spring biasing the pusher.

3. The product display merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the switch is a tact switch.

4. The product display merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the at least one light comprises a first light having a first color and a second light having a second color.

16. The product display merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the tray has first and second ends in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the predetermined portion of the tray extends between the first end of the tray and a predetermined position between the first and second ends of the tray.

17. The product display merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the switch is acted upon by the spring biasing the pusher.

5. A method of displaying products comprising:

providing a product display merchandiser comprising;

a tray extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end;

a spring-biased pusher slidable in the longitudinal direction within the tray; and

a visual indicator coupled to the tray, the visual indicator comprising at least one light activated by a switch, the switch configured to be actuated when the pusher is within a predetermined portion of the tray,

wherein the switch is located within a channel in the tray,

wherein at least one of the pusher and the spring biasing the pusher acts upon the switch,

wherein the at least one light is located near a front of the tray, and

wherein the predetermined portion of the tray extends between the first end of the tray and a predetermined position between the first and second ends of the tray;

sliding the switch in the longitudinal direction within the channel to adjust the predetermined portion of the tray; and

moving the pusher from a first position at which the switch is in a first state and the at least one light is not powered to a second position at which the switch is in a second state and the at least one light is powered.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein moving the pusher comprises:

moving the pusher from the first position wherein the at least one of the pusher and the spring acts upon the switch to the second position at which the switch is not acted upon.

15. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

powering a first light when the switch is in the first state; and

powering a second light when the switch is in the second state.

7. A product display merchandiser comprising:

a body having a surface or structure for mounting the merchandiser to a shelf, bar, grid or wall, and defining a product channel for displaying product for purchase; and

a sensor for identifying product inventory condition and triggering a restocking indicator when a threshold has been reached or surpassed to indicate a need for restocking of the merchandiser,

wherein the restocking indicator is mounted on the body;

wherein the body has a recessed track extending along the product channel; and

wherein the sensor is slidable within the recessed track to adjust the threshold that indicates the need for restocking of the merchandiser.

8. The product display merchandiser of claim 7 further comprising at least one light which illuminates when the threshold has been reached or surpassed to indicate the need for restocking of the merchandiser.

9. The product display merchandiser of claim 7 further comprising a power cable for connecting the sensor and/or at least one light to a power source.

10. The product display merchandiser of claim 9 further comprising a power strip capable of having a plurality of power cables connected thereto and being connected itself to the power source.

11. A low product inventory sensor comprising:

a sensor for determining when a product inventory threshold has been reached or surpassed to indicate a need for restocking;

a visual indicator for signaling a store associate when the threshold has been reached or surpassed to indicate the need for restocking;

a power cable connected to the sensor and/or visual indicator and having an adapter for connecting the cable to a power supply;

a fastener for connecting the visual indicator to a product display merchandiser so the visual indicator can be connected to new or existing product display merchandisers; and

a body that holds the sensor thereupon, the body being configured to slide within a recessed track in the product display merchandiser, the body having a deformable portion that can be deformed to reduce friction between the body and the recessed track so that the body and sensor can be moved relative to the product display merchandiser once installed within the recessed track.

12. The low product inventory sensor of claim 11 wherein the visual indicator is a light and the fastener is configured to connect the light proximate a product stop or lens of the product display merchandiser so that the light is readily visible from a front of the product display merchandiser.

13. The low product inventory sensor of claim 12 wherein the fastener connects the light proximate the lens of the product display merchandiser to at least partially illuminate the lens.

14. The low product inventory sensor of claim 13 wherein the lens has a light channel for illuminating at least a face of the lens and the fastener positions the light proximate the light channel for illuminating the face of the lens.