Adjustable product display and dispensing unit

• US 5,203,463 A
• Filed: 12/09/1991
• Issued: 04/20/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steven K. Gold
• Original Assignee: Steven K. Gold
• Inventors: Gold, Steven K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Blair M.
• Application Number:
  US07/773,033
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 211/59.3, 211/59.2, 211/184, 211/188
• US Class Current: 211/59.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0043 Show shelves shelves in general A47B96/02; brackets or similar shelf-supporting means A47B96/06; advertising or price indication G09F

Abstract

This invention provides an adjustable system for the storage, organization, display, promotion and dispensing of containerized goods, especially those packaged in boxes, jars, bottles and cans. The system is primarily intended for use on supermarket, convenience store and pharmacy shelves to keep products and labels organized and at the front of the shelf, both appealing and accessible to the consumer. This system is modular and changeable, and is easily rearranged to accomodate rows of products of various shapes and sizes, even within a single system unit. The benefits provided by this system may lead to increased product recognition, lower out-of-stocks and inventorying requirements, improved presentations, optimal real estate utilization, and ultimately, increased profits and sales.

Claims

1. An adjustable assembly for the storage, display, and dispensing of units of containerized products comprising:

A. a generally rectangular base portion having top and bottom facings, front side, rear side, and opposed lateral sides;

A'"'"'. retaining structure comprised of multiple, spaced grooves;

A". one or more selectively positionable and replaceable product repositioning mechanisms, each comprising resilient means for supplying force for product repositioning;

A'"'"'". one or more selectively positionable and replaceable row dividers, said assembly being further characterized by;

B. said retaining structure being capable of receiving and retaining said row dividers and said product repositioning mechanisms, such that said row dividers occupy some said grooves of said retaining structure while said product repositioning mechanisms occupy other said grooves of said retaining structure;

C. each row divider extending approximately from said front side to said rear side of said base portion and being selectively movable and positionable in parallel with other said row dividers to thereby define a selectively adjustable number of product spaces of adjustably variable width between adjacent said row dividers;

D. said assembly base portion including an upstanding rim at said top facing front and rear side edges to maintain said product within said product spaces, and having no said rim at said top facing opposed lateral side edges to thereby permit side-to-side connection of two said assemblies to provide a said product space which may span and exist partly in each of two said connected assemblies;

E. each said assembly product repositioning mechanism residing substantially entirely within said assembly base portion and product space, and having said mechanism resilient means reside substantially entirely within said base portion such that said resilient means resides below any said units of containerized product positioned within said product space, and;

F. each said product repositioning mechanisms being capable of automatically repositioning said product towards said assembly front side without requiring said assembly to be supported in an inclined position.

3. The assembly of claim 1 having said row dividers comprised of elongated, relatively flat strips of material.

4. The assembly of claim 1 having said row dividers comprised of elongated strips of material with a significantly rectangular cross section.

2. An adjustable assembly for the storage, display, and dispensing of units of containerized products comprising:

A. a generally rectangular base portion having top and bottom facings, front side, rear side, and opposed lateral sides;

A'"'"'. retaining structure comprised of multiple, spaced grooves;

A". one or more selectively positionable and replaceable product repositioning mechanisms, each comprising resilient means for supplying force for product repositioning;

A'"'"'". one or more selectively positionable and replaceable row dividers, said assembly being further characterized by;

B. said retaining structure being capable of receiving and retaining said row dividers and said product repositioning mechanisms, such that said row dividers occupy some said grooves of said retaining structure while said product repositioning mechanisms occupy other said grooves of said retaining structure;

C. each said row divider extending approximately from said front side to said rear side of said base portion and being selectively moveable and positionable in parallel with other said row dividers to thereby define a selectively adjustable number of product spaces of adjustably variable width between adjacent said row dividers;

D. said base portion grooves extending approximately from said front side to said rear side of said base portion;

E. said assembly base portion grooves further having means to securely and removeably accept and retain one or more said product repositioning mechanisms;

F. said assembly base portion grooves being further capable of selectively and removably receiving and retaining said product repositioning mechanism resilient means portion substantially entirely within said assembly base portion such that said resilient means resides below any said units of containerized product within said product space, and;

G. said product repositioning mechanisms automatically repositioning said product towards said assembly front side without requiring said assembly to be supported in an inclined position.