System and method for product display, arrangement and rotation

• US 6,155,438 A
• Filed: 05/14/1999
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Close, James Garth
• Original Assignee: Close, James Garth
• Inventors: Close, James Garth
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROBERT W
• Application Number:
  US09/312,118
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 211/59.2, 211/59.3, 211/119.003, 211/90.02, 211/DIG. 1, 211/184, 211/175, 312/61, 312/71
• US Class Current: 211/59.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/125 with an article-pushing device
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/005 Partitions therefore horizontally adjustable A47B57/58; constructional details of drawers A47B88/90
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 211/01 Magnetic article holder

Abstract

A system for displaying products generally forming a queue on a display surface comprising a receiving apparatus operable for receiving products to be displayed. The receiving apparatus includes a surface for receiving the products in a queue. The surface has front and rear portions and is magnetically attracted to a magnet. The system also has an arranging mechanism operable for moving the products selectively and manually from the rear portion of the surface towards the front portion of the surface. The arranging mechanism comprises a positioning element having a vertical portion adapted to engage the rear product in the queue from the rear side of the product and has a horizontal portion extending parallel to the surface towards the front portion of the surface. The first and second elements each have a base with an upper and lower portion. The first and second elements are spaced apart and define a channel to receive and to support the products on the upper portions. The first and second elements are maintained in predetermined positions on the surface magnetically. The horizontal portion is positioned between said first and second elements in said channel and extends under the products so that the vertical portion is positioned to engage the rear product in the vicinity of its geometric center generally corresponding to the center of gravity of the rear product, thereby allowing the rear product to be engaged by the vertical portion for movement from a position in the rear portion to a predetermined position closer to the front portion of the surface with a minimum of forces tending to move the rear product towards one of the first and second elements.

Claims

1. A system for displaying products generally forming a queue on a display surface, comprising:

receiving means operable for receiving products to be displayed;

said receiving means including a surface for receiving the products in a queue;

said surface having front and rear portions and said surface being magnetically attracted to a magnet;

arranging means operable for moving the products selectively and manually from the rear portion of the surface towards the front portion of the surface;

said arranging means comprising a positioning element having a vertical portion adapted to engage the rear product in the queue from the rear side of said product and having a horizontal portion extending parallel to said surface towards said front portion;

first and second elements each having a base with an upper and lower portion;

said first and second elements being spaced apart and defining a channel to receive and to support said products on said upper portions;

said first and second elements being maintained in predetermined positions on said surface magnetically;

said horizontal portion being positioned between said first and second elements in said channel and extending under said products so that said vertical portion is positioned to engage the rear product in the vicinity of its geometric center generally corresponding to the center of gravity of said rear product, thereby allowing said rear product to be engaged by said vertical portion for movement from a position in the rear portion to a predetermined position closer to the front portion of said surface with a minimum of forces tending to move said rear product towards one of said first and second elements.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said positioning element includes indicia identifying the number of the products in the queue when said positioning element is moved so that the products are substantially aligned with the front portion of the surface.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said positioning element includes indicia corresponding to the products in the queue.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, where said indicia identifies the number of products in the queue when said positioning element is moved so that the products are substantially aligned with the front portion of the surface.

5. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said indicia is a bar code.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a temporary shelf extending means for extending the receiving means and receiving products from the surface to facilitate the rotation of older products from the rear portion of the surface to the front portion and newer products to the rear portion of the surface;

said shelf extending means comprising means to engage said receiving means for maintaining said shelf extending means in a predetermined position.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second elements each comprise a horizontal base and a planar vertical element extending from said base.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an enhancing means for enhancing the distribution of a force on the rear surface of the rear product in said queue so that the force is distributed over a predetermined larger area.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said enhancing means has sufficient height to distribute said force against a plurality of rear products arranged vertically.

10. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said enhancing means has sufficient height to distribute said force over a plurality of products stacked one on top the other.

11. A method for arranging products to be displayed, comprising the steps of:

providing a shelf with first products arranged in a queue, said shelf having a front and rear portion;

providing second products to be displayed on said shelf in said queue;

providing a movable shelf capable of being positioned to the height of said shelf so that said first products can be moved onto said movable shelf with a smooth transition;

positioning said movable shelf so that it is positioned to receive said first products;

moving said first products from said shelf onto said movable shelf;

moving said second products onto said movable shelf;

positioning said second products towards the rear portion of said shelf; and

moving said first products from said movable shelf onto said shelf generally in front of said second products.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the number of second products and the number of first products positioned in said queue substantially fill said queue.

13. A system for displaying products generally forming a queue on a display surface, comprising:

receiving means operable for receiving products to be displayed;

said receiving means including a surface for receiving the products in a queue;

said surface having front and rear portions;

arranging means operable for moving the products selectively and manually from the rear portion of the surface towards the front portion of the surface;

said arranging means comprising a positioning element having a vertical portion adapted to engage the rear product in the queue from the rear side of said product and having a horizontal portion extending parallel to said surface towards said front portion;

first and second elements each having a base with an upper and lower portion and a vertical member extending upward from said upper portion;

said first and second elements being spaced apart and defining a channel to receive and to support said products on said upper portions;

attaching means operable for maintaining said first and second elements in predetermined positions on said surface;

said horizontal portion being positioned between said first and second elements in said channel and extending under said products so that said vertical portion is positioned to engage the rear product in the vicinity of its geometric center generally corresponding to the center of gravity of said rear product, thereby allowing said rear product to be engaged by said vertical portion for movement from a position in the rear portion to a predetermined position closer to the front portion of said surface with a minimum of forces tending to move said rear product towards one of said first and second elements; and

a temporary shelf extending means for extending the receiving means and receiving products from the surface to facilitate the rotation of older products from the rear portion of the surface to the front portion and newer products to the rear portion of the surface;

said shelf extending means comprising means to engage said receiving means for maintaining said shelf extending means in a predetermined position.