Spring driven method and apparatus for in-carton display and fronting of merchandise items

• US 20070194037A1
• Filed: 01/16/2007
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Close
• Original Assignee: James Close
• Inventors: Close, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,038,017 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/100
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/5213 Internal elements supporting the contents and movable for displaying them, e.g. movable bottoms or trays
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/817 Follower

Abstract

A spring alignment mechanism utilizes a guide inserted into a display carton below merchandise items. A spring-driven rear pull member travels on the guide so that as items are removed from the carton, remaining items are pulled forward. Merchandise items with rounded edges may rest on the directly on the carton, so that the guide may be inserted beneath the items. Other items may be supported on cardboard support ribs built into the bottom of the carton or provide on a carton insert.

Claims

1. A spring driven alignment mechanism for pulling forward items in a display carton, the carton having a length, a front, and a rear the spring driven alignment mechanism comprising

a guide comprising

a front end, and

a rear end;

and

a spring comprising

a first end secured to the guide in proximity to the front end of the guide, and

a coiled portion positioned between the pull plate and the rear end of the guide, such that coiled portion engages the rearmost item in the carton and forces the item toward the front of the display carton.

2. The spring alignment mechanism of claim 1 wherein

the guide further comprises at least one bend mark such that the guide can be cut or bent to a desired length along the mark.

3. The spring alignment mechanism of claim 1 wherein

the guide further comprises a spring leaf.

4. The spring alignment mechanism of claim 1 wherein

the guide further comprises a notched front end such that first end of the spring is secured to the notched front end.

5. The spring alignment mechanism of claim 1 wherein

the guide further comprises a first side rail, and

a second side rail.

6. The spring alignment mechanism of claim 5 further comprising

a rear pull member comprising

a base positioned between the first side rail and the second side rail, and

a pull plate, such that the coiled portion of the spring engages the pull plate, and the pull plate engages the rearmost item in the carton and forces the item toward the front of the display carton.

7. The spring alignment mechanism of claim 6 wherein the rear pull member further comprises

a first side extension;

and

a second side extension.

8. The spring alignment mechanism of claim 6 wherein the guide further comprises a stop, such that the base of the rear pull member is restrained by the stop.

9. A spring driven alignment system comprising

a carton comprising

a plurality of merchandise items.

a bottom,

a front,

a rear,

a first side, and

a second side;

a guide comprising

a front end,

a rear end; and

a spring comprising

a first end secured to the guide in proximity to the front end of the guide, and

a coiled portion positioned between the pull plate and the rear end of the guide, such that coiled portion engages the rearmost item in the carton and forces the item toward the front of the display carton.

10. The spring driven alignment system of claim 9 further comprising

a first merchandise item support rail in proximity to the first side of the carton, and

a second merchandise item support rail in proximity to the second side of the carton.

11. The spring driven alignment system of claim 10 wherein

a carton insert comprises the first merchandise item support rail and the second merchandise item support rail.

12. The spring driven alignment system of claim 10 wherein

the carton bottom comprises the first merchandise item support rail and the second merchandise item support rail.

13. The spring driven alignment system of claim 9 wherein the carton further comprises a removable perforated section on the carton rear.

14. The spring driven alignment system of claim 9 wherein the removable perforated section remains attached to the bottom of the carton, and the removable perforated section comprises a guide stop.

15. The spring driven alignment system of claim 9 wherein the carton further comprises

a removable perforated section on the carton bottom.

16. The spring driven alignment system of claim 9 further comprising

a display shelf, such that the guide is removable attached to the display shelf.

17. The spring driven alignment system of claim 9 wherein

the guide further comprises a first side rail, and

a second side rail.

18. The spring alignment mechanism of claim 17 further comprising

a rear pull member comprising

a base positioned between the first side rail and the second side rail, and

a pull plate, such that the coiled portion of the spring engages the pull plate, and the pull plate engages the rearmost item in the carton and forces the item toward the front of the display carton.

19. A method of aligning merchandise items in a display carton, the method comprising

providing a plurality of merchandise items in a partially opened display carton, the carton having a front, a first side, a second side, and a length;

providing a spring alignment mechanism comprising

a guide comprising

a front end,

a rear end; and

a spring comprising

a first end secured to the guide in proximity to the front end of the guide, and

a coiled portion positioned between the pull plate and the rear end of the guide, such that coiled portion engages the rearmost item in the carton and forces the item toward the front of the display carton;

placing the spring alignment mechanism in the partially opened display carton so that the rear pull member is positioned to the rear of the merchandise items, such that as a merchandise item is removed, the spring alignment mechanism pulls the rear pull member toward the front of the display carton, thereby aligning the remaining merchandise items toward the front of the display carton.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein providing a spring alignment mechanism further comprises

providing the guide comprising

a front end,

a rear end,

a first side rail, and

a second side rail;

and

providing a rear pull member comprising

a base positioned between the first side rail and the second side rail, and a pull plate, such that the coiled portion of the spring engages the pull plate, and the pull plate engages the rearmost item in the carton and forces the item toward the front of the display carton.