Modular merchandising system

• US 20070235264A1
• Filed: 02/26/2007
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mechtronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mechtronics Corporation
• Inventors: Haldin, Kurt, Anderson, Christopher, Matusow, Jay, Hopkins, Simon, Squitieri, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US11/711,261
• Publication Number:
  US 20070235264A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 186/57
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/02 for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets A47F10/06 takes precedence; hand-carts B62B; baskets B65D
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 11/02 Removable walls , scaffolding or the like; Pillars; Special curtains or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/10 Adjustable or foldable or dismountable display stands foldable racks in general A47B43/00; dismountable racks in general A47B47/00; assemblies of elements of the same kind, e.g. stackable A47B87/00; publicity panels G09F15/0068

Abstract

A modular merchandising system includes a base assembly and a termination panel assembly disposed in a retail environment. The base assembly includes tubular posts, and at least a first side panel member, a rear panel member, a horizontal surface member coupled to the tubular posts. The horizontal surface member defines a first merchandise display and service area. The first area has at least one of an inventory of merchandise and components, operable by prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to the inventory of merchandise. The services including one of inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from the inventory, editing the data and outputting the inputted data or the edited data. The base assembly also includes at least one drawer. The drawer defines a second merchandise service area having components for providing complementary services. The termination panel assembly includes a pair of tubular posts and a second side panel.

Claims

1. A modular merchandising system, comprising:

a first base assembly disposed in a retail environment, the first base assembly having;

a plurality of vertically oriented tubular posts;

at least a first side panel member and a rear panel member, each of the panel members extending from and coupled to at least one of the tubular posts;

a horizontal surface member coupled to the tubular posts, the horizontal surface member defining a first merchandise display and service area, the first area having a plurality of components, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to a first inventory of merchandise, the services including at least one of;

inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from the first inventory; and

editing the inputted data and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data; and

at least one drawer removably coupled to the tubular posts below the horizontal surface member, the drawer defining a second merchandise display and service area having a plurality of components, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to the first inventory of merchandise, the services including at least one of inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from the first inventory and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data; and

a termination panel assembly removably coupled to the first base assembly at a second side opposite the first side panel, the termination panel assembly including;

a pair of vertically oriented tubular posts; and

a second side panel extending between and coupled to the pair of tubular posts.

4. The modular merchandising system of claim 1, wherein the components of the first merchandise display and service area include a device for inputting electronic image data provided by a prospective purchaser, a processing unit and a monitor coupled to the input device such that the prospective purchaser may preview and edit the inputted electronic image data, and an output device coupled to the processing unit such that the prospective purchaser may purchase at least one of the inputted and edited image data.

5. The modular merchandising system of claim 4, wherein the input device includes a reader for reading image data from a memory card of digital photographic equipment and a communication link for retrieving image data from a portable computing device.

6. The modular merchandising system of claim 1, wherein the components of the second merchandise display and service area include at least one of a scanner for scanning a previously processed print photograph.

2. The modular merchandising system of claim I, further comprising:

a second drawer removably coupled to the tubular posts below the at least one drawer, the second drawer defining a third merchandise display and service area having a plurality of components, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to the first inventory of merchandise, the services including at least one of inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from the first inventory and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data.

3. The modular merchandising system of claim 2, further comprising:

one or more second base assemblies coupled between the termination panel assembly and the first base assembly, each of the one or more second base assemblies defining one or more of the first merchandise display and service area, the second merchandise display and service area and the third merchandise display and service area, and a fourth merchandise display and service area, the fourth merchandise display and service area having at least one of;

a second inventory of merchandise being offered for sale to prospective purchasers of the merchandise; and

a plurality of components, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to at least one of the first inventory and the second inventory of merchandise, the services including at least one of inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from at least one of the first inventory and the second inventory, editing the inputted data and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data.

7. A modular merchandising system, comprising:

a first base assembly disposed in a retail environment, the first base assembly having;

a plurality of vertically oriented tubular posts;

at least a first side panel member and a rear panel member, each of the panel members extending from and coupled to at least one of the tubular posts;

a horizontal surface member coupled to the tubular posts, the horizontal surface member defining a first merchandise display and service area, the first area having a plurality of components, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to a first inventory of merchandise, the services including at least one of;

inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from the first inventory; and

editing the inputted data and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data; and

at least one drawer removably coupled to the tubular posts below the horizontal surface member, the drawer defining a second merchandise display and service area having a plurality of components, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to the first inventory of merchandise, the services including at least one of inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from the first inventory and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data;

a second base assembly coupled to the first base assembly at a second side opposite the first side panel, the second base assembly defining one or more of the first merchandise display and service area, the second merchandise display and service area and the third merchandise display and service area, and a fourth merchandise display and service area, the fourth merchandise display and service area having at least one of;

a second inventory of merchandise being offered for sale to prospective purchasers of the merchandise; and

a plurality of components, operable by at least one of the prospective purchasers, for providing services complementary to at least one of the first inventory and the second inventory of merchandise, the services including at least one of inputting data retrieved from a previously purchased item from at least one of the first inventory and the second inventory, editing the inputted data and outputting at least one of the inputted data and the edited data; and

a termination panel assembly removably coupled to the second base assembly at a side opposite the first base assembly, the termination panel assembly including;

a pair of vertically oriented tubular posts; and

a second side panel extending between and coupled to the pair of tubular posts.