PRODUCT MANAGEMENT DISPLAY SYSTEM WITH TRACKLESS PUSHER MECHANISM

• US 20140151313A1
• Filed: 12/11/2013
• Published: 06/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Breslow, David, DiPaolo, Tony, Hearn, Barry
• Granted Patent: US 9,259,102 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/59.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/04 Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles , e.g. by means of gravity or springs
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/12 dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack A47F1/087 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/005 Partitions therefore horizontally adjustable A47B57/58; constructional details of drawers A47B88/90
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/05 with separate containers rotatable around the pillar
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/28 for containers, e.g. flasks, bottles , tins, milk packs racks or containers with dispensing arrangements A47F1/04; for lipsticks or markers A47F7/0021; for audio/video cassettes or booklike articles A47F7/14

Abstract

A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes at least one tray having a front rounded portion and defining a plurality of apertures and having two sides. A lip may extend upward from the front rounded portion of the at least one tray. A front shelf may extend forward from the lip. The at least one tray may include one divider extending upwardly from each of the two sides and a front wall. The front wall may include a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side legs. The front wall, bottom wall, and two side legs may form a wall aperture and the front wall may include a plurality of projections configured to engage with the plurality of apertures on the tray.

Claims

1. A pusher mechanism comprising:

a first spring configured to bias the pusher mechanism;

a pusher paddle comprising a guide panel defining a guide panel plane, a first folding panel defining a first folding panel plane, a second folding panel defining a second folding panel plane, and a second spring configured to bias the first folding panel and the second folding panel such that the first folding panel plane and the second folding panel plane are parallel to the guide panel plane;

wherein the first folding panel and the second folding panel are configured to pivot on the pusher mechanism.

2. The pusher mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first folding panel and the second folding panel are configured to move in a rearward direction of the pusher mechanism.

3. The pusher mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first folding panel and the second folding panel pivot on a first living hinge and a second living hinge respectively.

4. The pusher mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first folding panel and the second folding panel each include a pair of guide members configured to guide a first end and a second end of the second spring.

5. The pusher mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a post for receiving the second spring.

6. The pusher mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a notch configured to receive a plate insert.

7. The pusher mechanism of claim 6 wherein the plate insert is configured to be secured to a shelf configured to receive the packages.

8. A merchandise display system comprising:

a tray configured to receive packages, the tray having a perforated portion configured to provide an opening;

a pusher mechanism comprising;

a first spring configured to bias the pusher mechanism;

a pusher paddle comprising a guide panel defining a guide panel plane, a first folding panel defining a first folding panel plane, a second folding panel defining a second folding panel plane, and a second spring configured to bias the first folding panel and the second folding panel such that the first folding panel plane and the second folding panel plane are parallel to the guide panel plane;

wherein the first folding panel and the second folding panel are configured to pivot on the pusher mechanism; and

wherein the first folding panel and the second folding panel of the pusher mechanism permit the pusher mechanism to be placed into the opening in the tray and the first folding panel, the second folding panel and the guide panel forming the pusher paddle are configured to provide for a surface for biasing the packages.

9. The merchandise display system of claim 8 wherein the first folding panel and the second folding panel are configured to move in a rearward direction of the pusher mechanism.

10. The merchandise display system of claim 8 wherein the first folding panel and the second folding panel pivot on a first living hinge and a second living hinge respectively.

11. The merchandise display system of claim 8 wherein the first folding panel and the second folding panel each include a pair of guide members configured to guide a first end and a second end of the second spring.

12. The merchandise display system of claim 8 further comprising a post for receiving the second spring.

13. The merchandise display system of claim 8 wherein the tray comprises a vertically extending wall and a horizontally extending wall and wherein the opening is located on the vertically extending wall.

14. The merchandise display system of claim 13 wherein the horizontally extending wall comprises a second opening configured to receive a bottom plate of the pusher mechanism.

15. A method for displaying merchandise comprising:

providing a tray configured to receive packages, the tray having a perforated portion configured to provide an opening;

providing a pusher mechanism comprising;

a first spring configured to bias the pusher mechanism;

a pusher paddle comprising a guide panel defining a guide panel plane, a first folding panel defining a first folding panel plane, a second folding panel defining a second folding panel plane, and a second spring configured to bias the first folding panel and the second folding panel such that the first folding panel plane and the second folding panel plane are parallel to the guide panel plane;

wherein the first folding panel and the second folding panel are configured to pivot on the pusher mechanism;

configuring the first folding panel and the second folding panel of the pusher mechanism to pivot relative to the guide panel to permit the pusher mechanism to be placed into the opening in the tray and the first folding panel; and

configuring the second folding panel and the guide panel forming the pusher paddle to provide for a surface for biasing the packages.

16. The method claim 15 further comprising configuring the first folding panel and the second folding panel to move in a rearward direction of the pusher mechanism.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising configuring the first folding panel and the second folding panel to pivot on a first living hinge and a second living hinge respectively.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing the first folding panel and the second folding panel with a pair of guide members configured to guide a first end and a second end of the second spring.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing a post for receiving the second spring.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the tray further comprises a vertically extending wall and a horizontally extending wall and wherein the opening is located on the vertically extending wall.

21. A merchandise display system comprising:

a first pusher mechanism comprising a first pusher paddle, a first spring, and a first guide rail, wherein the first pusher mechanism is configured to be biased by the first spring along a plane defined by the first guide rail;

a second pusher mechanism comprising a second pusher paddle, a second spring, and a second guide rail, wherein the second pusher mechanism is configured to be biased by the second spring along a plane defined by the second guide rail; and

wherein the first guide rail and the second guide rail are configured to mount on a horizontally orientated shelf, wherein each plane of the first guide rail and the second guide rail extends perpendicular to a plane defined by the shelf, and wherein the first pusher mechanism and the second pusher mechanism extend a predetermined distance from the shelf.

22. A merchandise display system comprising:

a plurality of pusher mechanisms each comprising a guide, a spring, a pusher paddle, and wherein the guides of the pusher mechanisms include a pair of guide openings;

a pair of adjustable side portions, the adjustable side portions including alignment tubes providing for an adjustable length between the adjustable side portions; and

wherein the alignment tubes are received in the pair of guide openings.

23. A merchandise display system comprising:

a pusher mechanism comprising;

a pusher paddle, a pusher guide, and a spring;

a front rail and a rear rail;

wherein the pusher guide is configured to slide on the rear rail and is configured to extend over the products and wherein the pusher paddle is configured to bias products toward the front rail.