Merchandising system

• US 6,886,699 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2002
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Retail Space Solutions LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: DCI Marketing Inc (IMI PLC)
• Inventors: Richter, Gary Michael, Johnson, Allen E., Bryson, M. Scott, Berglund, Terrence G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOVOSAD, JENNIFER ELEANORE
• Application Number:
  US10/272,527
• Publication Number:
  US 20030085187A1
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 211/175, 211/59.3, 211/59.2, 211/184, 312/61, 312/71, 312/45, 108/60, 108/61
• US Class Current: 211/59.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means

Abstract

Systems and methods for merchandising product. A merchandising system includes a base having a first set of interfaces and a second set of interfaces, a first divider having a first engagement portion, and a second divider having a second engagement portion. The first engagement portion releasably couples to one of the interfaces of the first set of interfaces and the second engagement portion releasably couples to one of the interfaces of the second set of interfaces.

Claims

1. A merchandising system for at least one set of articles including a first set of articles having a first size and a second set of articles having a second size smaller than the first size comprising:

a base;

a first divider coupled to the base; and

a second divider coupled to the base;

wherein a compartment of a first size is provided when the first divider is coupled to a first portion of the base and the second divider is coupled to a third portion of the base;

wherein a compartment of a second size is provided when the first divider is coupled to a second portion of the base and the second divider is coupled to the third portion of the base; and

wherein the compartment is configured to be

initially provided in the first size so that the first divider is coupled to a first portion of the base and the second divider is coupled to a third portion of the base;

provided in the second size after being provided in the first size so that the first divider is coupled to a second portion of the base and the second divider is coupled to the third portion of the base; and

returned to the first size after being provided in the second size so that the first divider is coupled to the first portion of the base and the second divider is coupled to the third portion of the base;

so that the compartment is configured to be provided in the first size for the first set of articles and the compartment is configured to be provided in the second size for the second set of articles.

2. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the compartment of the first size is formed by coupling the first divider to the base with a first interface and the second divider to the base with a third interface.

3. The merchandising system of claim 2 wherein the first interface comprises a portion of the first divider and the third interface comprises a portion of the second divider.

4. The merchandising system of claim 2 wherein the first interface comprises a portion of the base and the third interface comprises a portion of the base.

5. The merchandising system of claim 2 wherein the compartment of the first size comprises a width defined by a distance between the first divider and the second divider.

6. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first divider comprises a generally vertical wall and the second divider comprises a generally vertical wall, and wherein the first divider has a generally horizontal portion for coupling to the base.

7. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first divider is integrally formed and the base is integrally formed and the first divider and the base are configured to directly couple together.

8. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the base further comprises a generally horizontal surface.

9. The merchandising system of claim 8 wherein the horizontal surface further comprises ribs.

10. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the base is directly coupled to the first divider.

11. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the base further comprises a slot.

12. The merchandising system of claim 11 further comprising a pusher assembly configured to be received in the slot.

13. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the base is coupled to the first divider by engagement of a protrusion.

14. The merchandising system of claim 13 wherein the protrusion of the base engages with a channel of the divider.

15. The merchandising system of claim 13 wherein the protrusion of the divider engages with a channel of the base.

16. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first divider and the second divider are separated by a first distance when the first divider is coupled to the first portion of the base and the second divider is coupled to the second portion of the base and wherein the first divider and the second divider are separated by a second distance when the first divider is coupled to the third portion of the base and the second divider is coupled to the second portion of the base.

17. A merchandising system for at least one set of articles including a first set of articles having a first size and a second set of articles having a second size smaller than the first size comprising:

a first member having a first connector;

a second member having a second connector; and

a third member having a first set of portions comprising a first portion and a second portion and a second set of portions comprising a third portion and a fourth portion;

wherein the first connector releasably couples to one of the first portion and the second portion of the first set of portions and wherein the second connector releasably couples to one of the third portion and the fourth portion of the second set of portions; and

wherein a compartment of a first size is provided when the first connector of the first member is coupled to the first portion of the third member and the second connector of the second member is coupled to the second portion of the third member;

wherein a compartment of a second size is provided when the first connector of the first member is coupled to the second portion of the third member and the second connector of the second member is coupled to the third portion of the third member; and

wherein the compartment is configured to be

initially provided in the first size so that the first connector of the first member is coupled to the first portion of the first set of portions and the second connector of the second member is coupled to the third portion of the second set of portions;

provided in the second size after being provided in the first size so that the first divider is coupled to a second portion of the base and the second divider is coupled to the third portion of the base; and

returned to the first size after being provided in the second size so that the first divider is coupled to the first portion of the base and the second divider is coupled to the third portion of the base;

so that the compartment is configured to be provided in the first size for the first set of articles and the compartment is configured to be provided in the second size for the second set of articles.

18. The merchandising system of claim 17 wherein the first member comprises a first divider and the second member comprises a second divider.

19. The merchandising system of claim 18 wherein the compartment of the first size is formed by coupling the first divider to the third member with a first interface and the second divider to the third member with a second interface.

20. The merchandising system of claim 18 wherein the first divider comprises a generally vertical wall and the second divider comprises a generally vertical wall, and wherein the first divider has a generally horizontal portion for coupling to the third member.

21. The merchandising system of claim 17 wherein the first set of portions comprise at least two protrusions.

22. The merchandising system of claim 17 wherein the first member comprises a track, the second member comprises a track, and the third member comprises a track.

23. The merchandising system of claim 17, further comprising a pusher assembly provided on the third member.

24. The merchandising system of claim 17 wherein the third member comprises a generally horizontal base.

25. The merchandising system of claim 17 wherein the first member is integrally formed and the third member is integrally formed and the first member and the third member are configured to directly couple together.

26. A merchandising system for at least one set of articles including a first set of articles having a first size and a second set of articles having a second size smaller than the first size comprising:

a first track comprising a horizontal surface having a first set of protrusions comprising a first protrusion and a second protrusion extending from the horizontal surface and a second set of protrusions comprising a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion extending from the horizontal surface;

a second track comprising a vertical panel and a horizontal surface having a first portion;

a third track comprising a generally vertical panel and a generally horizontal surface having a second portion;

wherein the first portion releasably couples to the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the first set of protrusions and the second portion releasably couples to the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion of the second set of protrusions;

wherein a compartment of a first size is provided when the first portion of the second track is coupled to the first protrusion and the second portion of the third track is coupled to the third protrusion;

wherein a compartment of a second size is provided when the first portion of the second track is coupled to the second protrusion and the second portion of the third track is coupled to the third protrusion;

so that the compartment can be provided in the first size for the first set of articles and the compartment can be provided in the second size for the second set of articles;

wherein the compartment can be returned to the first size after being provided in the second size.

27. The merchandising system of claim 26, wherein the compartment of the first size is formed by coupling the second track to the first track with a first interface and the third track to the first track with a second interface.

28. The merchandising system of claim 26 wherein the first track is integrally formed and the second track is integrally formed and the first track and the second track are configured to directly couple together.

29. The merchandising system of claim 26 further comprising a pusher slidable along the first track and a biasing means urging the pusher towards the front of the first track.

34. The merchandising system of claim 29 wherein the biasing means comprises a spring.

35. The merchandising system of claim 34 wherein the spring comprises a coil spring.

36. The merchandising system of claim 26 wherein the protrusions are integrally formed with the first track.

37. The merchandising system of claim 26 wherein the portions of the second and third tracks comprise openings.

38. The merchandising system of claim 37 wherein the protrusions fit into the openings of the portions.

39. The merchandising system of claim 26 wherein the tracks comprise a plastic material.

40. The merchandising system of claim 39 wherein the plastic material is an extruded plastic.

41. The merchandising system of claim 26 wherein the first track comprises a generally flat member.

42. The merchandising system of claim 26 further comprising a front plate coupled to at least one of the tracks.

43. The merchandising system of claim 26 wherein the tracks further comprise a product support surface.

44. The merchandising system of claim 43 wherein the product support surface comprises one or more friction reducing ribs.

45. The merchandising system of claim 26 wherein the portions of the second and third tracks are integrally formed with the second and third tracks.

30. The merchandising system of claim 30 wherein the pusher is slidable along a channel formed in the first track.

31. The merchandising system of claim 30 wherein the pusher comprises a pusher plate.

32. The merchandising system of claim 31 wherein the pusher plate comprises a curved panel.

33. The merchandising system of claim 30 wherein the channel comprises a slot.