Merchandising system

• US 20020170866A1
• Filed: 04/25/2002
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Retail Space Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: DCI Marketing Inc (IMI PLC)
• Inventors: Johnson, Allen E., Bryson, M. Scott
• Granted Patent: US 7,028,852 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/59.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means

Abstract

A system and method for providing a merchandising system is disclosed. The merchandising system includes a first divider, a second divider, and a third divider. The merchandising system further includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector couples the first divider and the second divider. The first connector provides for selective size adjustability between the first divider and the second divider. The second connector couples the second divider and the third divider. The second connector provides for selective size adjustability between the second divider and the third divider. The connector may be provided in a variety of configurations, including teeth configured to engage with the divider. The connector may alternatively include a flexible member configured to engage and disengage with the divider.

Claims

1. A merchandising system comprising:

a first divider, a second divider, and a third divider;

a first connector and a second connector;

wherein the first connector couples the first divider and the second divider;

wherein the first connector provides for selective size adjustability between the first divider and the second divider;

wherein the second connector couples the second divider and the third divider; and

wherein the second connector provides for selective size adjustability between the second divider and the third divider.

2. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first connector further comprises teeth, the teeth being configured to engage with the first and second dividers.

3. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first connector further comprise grooves, the grooves being configured to engage with the first divider and second divider.

4. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first connector further comprises at least one flexible member configured to selectively coact with the first divider.

5. The merchandising system of claim 4 wherein the first connector further comprises at least one flexible member configured to selectively engage and disengage with the first divider.

6. The merchandising system of claim 4 wherein the first connector further comprises a second flexible member configured to selectively coact with the second divider.

7. The merchandising system of claim 4 wherein each of the dividers further comprise grooves, the grooves being configured to engage with the at least one flexible member.

8. The merchandising system of claim 4 wherein the second connector further comprises at least one flexible member configured to selectively engage and disengage with the second and third dividers.

9. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the second connector further comprises at least one flexible member configured to selectively coact with the second divider.

10. The merchandising system of claim 9 wherein the second connector further comprises a second flexible member configured to selectively coact with the third divider.

11. The merchandising system of claim 9 wherein the first connector further comprises at least one flexible member configured to selectively engage and disengage with at least one of the first divider and second divider.

12. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first divider and second divider each further comprise at least one flexible member configured to selectively engage and disengage with the first connector.

13. The merchandising system of claim 12 wherein the second divider and third divider each further comprise at least one flexible member configured to selectively engage and disengage with the second connector.

14. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first connector provides for selective width adjustability between the first divider and the second divider;

and

wherein the second connector provides for selective width adjustability between the second divider and the third divider.

15. The merchandising system of claim 1 further comprising:

a four divider; and

a third connector;

wherein the third connector couples the third divider and the fourth divider;

wherein the third connector provides for selective size adjustability between the third divider and the fourth divider.

17. The divider system of claim 16 wherein the individual interface further comprises a plurality of teeth configured to selectively interface with an individual member.

18. The divider system of claim 16 wherein the individual interface comprises a comb.

19. The divider system of claim 18 wherein the comb is selected from one of multiple sizes.

20. The divider system of claim 16 wherein the individual interface comprises a connector.

21. The divider system of claim 16 wherein the individual interface comprises a connector selected from a set of multi-sized connectors.

22. The divider system of claim 21 wherein the connector is configured to be replaceable.

23. The divider system of claim 16 further comprising a pusher system provided with an individual divider.

24. The divider system of claim 23 wherein the pusher system comprises a pusher face.

25. The divider system of claim 24 wherein the pusher face is configured to be urged toward a front edge of the divider system.

26. The divider system of claim 25 wherein the pusher system further comprises a biasing element configured to urge the pusher face toward the front edge of the merchandising system.

27. The divider system of claim 26 wherein the biasing element is a spring.

28. The divider system of claim 24 further comprising a slot provided on an individual divider, wherein the pusher face is configured to move along the slot.

29. The divider system of claim 16 wherein the plurality of dividers further comprise divider panels.

30. The divider system of claim 16 wherein the interface further comprise an engagement portion configured to selectively interface with an adjacent divider.

31. The divider system of claim 30 wherein the engagement portion further comprises a cantilevered member.

32. The divider system of claim 16 wherein an individual divider further comprises a product support surface.

33. The divider system of claim 32 wherein the product support surface further comprises one or more friction reducing ribs.

34. The divider system of claim 16 further comprising a friction material provided on a bottom of at least one of the three dividers and the two interfaces.

35. The divider system of claim 34 wherein the friction material further comprises a non-skid material.

36. The divider system of claim 34 wherein the friction material further comprises a low bond adhesive.

37. The divider system of claim 34 wherein friction material is a gummy material.

38. The divider system of claim 34 wherein friction material is a soft PVC.

39. The divider system of claim 16 wherein the individual interface between two adjacent dividers selectively engages the two adjacent dividers with the individual interface.

16. A modular divider system comprising:

at least three dividers configured to be spaced apart relative to each other;

at least two interfaces, wherein an individual interface is provided between two adjacent dividers and wherein the individual interface provides for selective adjustability between two adjacent dividers.

40. The divider system of Clam 39 wherein the two adjacent dividers engage with the individual interface with a friction engagement.

41. The divider system of Clam 39 wherein the two adjacent dividers engage with the individual interface with a “

snap”

engagement.

42. A merchandising system for providing compartments for merchandise or the like comprising:

a plurality of divider members, wherein individual divider members are spaced relative apart relative to each other; and

a plurality of connectors, wherein an individual connector is provided between two adjacent divider members and wherein the individual connector provides for selective adjustment of the spacing of the two adjacent divider members;

so that the size of the compartments is determined by the spacing of the adjacent divider members.

43. The merchandising system of claim 42 wherein the connector comprises a series of teeth and notches configured to selectively engage with an individual divider member.

44. The merchandising system of claim 43 wherein the connector further comprises a comb.

45. The merchandising system of claim 43 wherein the divider member further comprises an engagement portion configured to selectively interface with an adjacent connector.

46. The merchandising system of claim 45 wherein the engagement portion further comprises a cantilevered member.

47. The merchandising system of claim 42 wherein the connector comprises an engagement portion configured to selectively interface with the two adjacent divider members.

48. The merchandising system of claim 47 wherein the engagement portion further comprises a cantilevered member.

49. The merchandising system of claim 42 wherein at least one divider member and one connector is integrally formed.

50. The merchandising system of claim 42 wherein the divider member is a panel.

51. The merchandising system of claim 42 wherein the compartments are cells.

52. A merchandising system for a product, the merchandising system comprising:

at least three divider panels, the three divider panels being spaced apart relative to each other;

a first connector configured to couple a first set of adjacent divider panels; and

a second connector configured to couple a second set of adjacent divider panels;

wherein the first and second connectors further comprise a series of alternating teeth and grooves.

53. The merchandising system of claim 52 wherein the divider panel is configured to interface with at least one groove of the connector.

54. The merchandising system of claim 52 wherein the divider panel is configured to interface with at least one tooth of the connector.

55. The merchandising system of claim 52 wherein at least one tooth of the series of teeth further comprises a projection provided on a side of the tooth, the projection extending into an adjacent groove of the connector.

56. The merchandising system of claim 55 wherein the divider panel further comprises a leg configured to fit into a groove.

57. The merchandising system of claim 56 wherein the leg further comprises a depression configured to coact with the projection to provide a secure but releasable interface between the divider and the connector.

58. The merchandising system of claim 52 wherein the divider panel is configured to coact with the connector via a snap fit engagement.

59. The merchandising system of claim 52 wherein the divider panel is configured to coact with the connector via a friction fit engagement.

60. The merchandising system of claim 52 wherein the first connector provides for selective size adjustment between the first set of adjacent divider panels.

61. The merchandising system of claim 52 wherein the second connector provides for selective size adjustment between the second set of adjacent divider panels.

62. The merchandising system of claim 52 wherein the first connector and the second connector provide for selective width adjustment.

63. The merchandising system of claim 52 further comprising a pusher assembly configured to urge product toward a front of the merchandising system.

64. The merchandising system of claim 63 wherein the pusher assembly further comprises:

a pusher; and

a biasing element;

wherein the biasing element is coupled to the pusher and urges the pusher toward the front of the merchandising system.

65. The merchandising system of claim 52 wherein the connector is a comb.

66. The merchandising system of claim 52 wherein the connector and the adjacent panels are separately formed pieces.

67. The merchandising system of claim 52 wherein the connector and at least one adjacent panel are integrally formed pieces.

69. The divider system of claim 68 wherein the first interface comprises a first flexible member configured to selectively engage and disengage with the first panel.

70. The divider system of claim 69 wherein the first interface comprises a second flexible member configured to selectively engage and disengage with the second panel.

71. The divider system of claim 69 wherein the first flexible member comprises a cantilever.

72. The divider system of claim 68 wherein the second interface comprises a first flexible member configured to selectively engage and disengage with the second panel.

73. The divider system of claim 72 wherein the second interface comprises a second flexible member configured to selectively engage and disengage with the third panel.

74. The divider system of claim 72 wherein the first flexible member comprises a cantilever.

75. The divider system of claim 74 further comprising an extension provided on a free end of the cantilever, the extension configured to selectively engage and disengage with the second panel.

76. The divider system of claim 75 wherein the second panel further comprises a series of teeth and grooves configured to engage with the extension on the cantilever.

77. The divider system of claim 68 further comprising:

a first frame member configured to be attached to the first panel;

a second frame member configured to be attached to the second panel; and

a third frame member configured to be attached to the third panel.

78. The divider system of claim 77 wherein the first interface is configured to selectively engage and disengage with the first and second frame members.

79. The divider system of claim 77 wherein the second interface is configured to selectively engage and disengage with the second and third frame members.

80. The divider system of claim 68 wherein the first and second interfaces further comprise a guide.

81. The divider system of claim 68 wherein the first interface and the first panel are separate pieces.

82. The divider system of claim 68 wherein the first interface and the second panel are separate pieces.

83. The divider system of claim 68 wherein the first panel comprises a first flexible member configured to selectively engage and disengage with the first interface.

84. The divider system of claim 83 wherein the second panel comprises a second flexible member configured to selectively engage and disengage with the first interface.

85. The divider system of claim 83 wherein the first flexible member comprises a cantilever.

86. The divider system of claim 83 wherein the second panel comprises a third flexible member configured to selectively engage and disengage with the second interface.

87. The divider system of claim 86 wherein the third member comprises a flexible member configured to selectively engage and disengage with the second interface.

88. The divider system of claim 86 wherein the first, second and third flexible members comprise cantilevers.

89. The divider system of claim 88 further comprising extensions provided on a free end of the cantilevers, the extensions configured to selectively engage and disengage with the interfaces.

90. The divider system of claim 89 wherein the connectors further comprise a series of teeth and grooves configured to engage with the extension on the cantilever.

91. The divider system of claim 83 further comprising:

a first frame member configured to be attached to the first panel;

a second frame member configured to be attached to the second panel; and

a third frame member configured to be attached to the third panel.

92. The divider system of claim 91 wherein the first interface is configured to selectively engage and disengage with the first and second frame members.

93. The divider system of claim 91 wherein the second interface is configured to selectively engage and disengage with the second and third frame members.

94. The divider system of claim 83 wherein the first and second interfaces further comprise a guide.

95. The divider system of claim 83 wherein the first interface and the first panel are separate pieces.

96. The divider system of claim 83 wherein the first interface and the second panel are separate pieces.

68. A divider system for providing selective size adjustment of compartments for merchandise or the like comprising:

a first panel;

a first interface coupled to the first panel;

a second panel coupled to the first interface;

a second interface coupled to the second panel; and

a third panel coupled to the second interface;

wherein the first and second panels may be selectively moved relative to each other;

wherein the second and third panels may be selectively moved relative to each other.

97. A merchandising system having a number of dividers, wherein a pair of adjacent dividers forms a facing, and the merchandising system has at least two facings, the merchandising system comprising:

at least one connector provided between each pair of dividers;

wherein the connector provides for the selective width adjustment of a facing without altering the width of an adjacent facing.

98. A method of repairing a divider system, the divider system having sets of adjacent divider panels, the method comprising:

providing a connector between each set of adjacent divider panels;

wherein the connector provides for the selective width adjustability of the set of adjacent divider panels.

99. A merchandising system comprising:

two divider panels, each divider panel having at least one leg provided on a bottom side of the divider panel;

a connector provided between the two divider panels;

wherein the connector further comprises an index of grooves and teeth configured to selectively coact with the at least one leg of the two divider panels.

100. A method for providing selective spacing adjustment for a merchandising system, the merchandising system having a number of panels, the method comprising:

providing a number of connectors, wherein an individual connector is provided between two adjacent panels;

selectively engaging and disengaging the connector with one or more adjacent panels to provide for selective width adjustment of adjacent panels;

wherein adjusting the width of a first set of dividers does not alter the width of a second set of adjacent dividers.