LOW PRODUCT INDICATOR FOR SELF FACING MERCHANDISER AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20170273477A1
• Filed: 01/18/2017
• Published: 09/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Retail Space Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: DCI Marketing Inc (IMI PLC), Marmon Retail Store Equipment LLC
• Inventors: Mercier, Michael William, Davenport, Daniel, Wills, Matthew, Pollpeter, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 10,588,427 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/125 with an article-pushing device
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0018 Display racks with shelves or receptables racks per se A47B; storage devices for warehouses B65G1/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0838 Rails or bars; Article supports therefor, e.g. brackets being slidably attached on the outside thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 90/00 Systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes, not involving significant data processing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/00 Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied

Abstract

A product display merchandiser comprising a tray, a spring biased pusher slidable within the tray, and a visual indicator comprising at least one light activated by a switch, the switch configured to be actuated when the pusher is within a predetermined portion of the tray.

Claims

1. A product display merchandiser comprising:

a tray;

a spring biased pusher slidable within the tray; and

a visual indicator comprising at least one light activated by a switch, the switch configured to be actuated when the pusher is within a predetermined portion of the tray.

2. The product display merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the switch is acted upon by one of the pusher and the spring biasing the pusher.

3. The product display merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the switch is a tact switch.

4. The product display merchandiser of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the pusher is positioned within a channel in the tray and at least a portion of the switch is positioned within the channel.

5. The product display merchandiser of claim 4, wherein the switch is slidable within the channel to adjust the predetermined portion of the tray.

6. The product display merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the at least one light comprises a first light having a first color and a second light having a second color.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein moving the pusher comprises:

moving the pusher from the first position wherein at least one of the pusher and the spring act upon the switch to a second position at which the switch is not acted upon.

The method of claim 6, further comprising;

powering a first light when the switch is in the first state; and

powering a second light when the switch is in the second state.

7. A method of displaying products comprising:

providing a product display merchandiser comprising;

a tray;

a spring biased pusher slidable within the tray; and

a visual indicator comprising at least one light activated by a switch, the switch configured to be actuated when the pusher is within a predetermined portion of the tray,

wherein the switch is located within a channel in the tray, and

wherein the at least one light is located near the front of the tray;

moving the pusher from a first position at which the switch is in a first state and the light is not powered to a second position at which the switch is in a second state and the light is powered.

9. A product display merchandiser comprising:

a body having a surface or structure for mounting the merchandiser to a shelf, bar, grid or wall, and defining a product channel for displaying product for purchase; and

a sensor for identifying product inventory condition and triggering a restocking indicator when a threshold has been reached or surpassed to indicate the need for restocking of the merchandiser.

10. The product display merchandiser of claim 10 wherein the sensor is movable with respect to the body to adjust the threshold that indicates the need for restocking of the merchandiser.

11. The product display merchandiser of claim 11 further comprising at least one light which illuminates when the threshold has been reached or surpassed to indicate the need for restocking of the merchandiser.

12. The product display merchandiser of claim 12 further comprising a power cable for connecting the sensor and/or at least one light to a power source.

13. The product display merchandiser of claim 13 further comprising a power strip capable of having a plurality of power cables connected thereto and being connected itself to a low voltage power source.

14. A low product inventory sensor comprising:

a sensor for determining when a product inventory threshold has been reached or surpassed to indicate the need for restocking;

a visual indicator for signaling a store associate when the threshold has been reached or surpassed to indicate the need for restocking; and

a power cable connected to the sensor and/or visual indicator and having an adapter for connecting the cable to a power supply.

15. The low product inventory sensor of claim 15 further comprising a fastener for connecting the sensor and visual indicator to a product display merchandiser so that low product inventory sensor can be connected to new or existing product display merchandisers.

16. The low product inventory sensor of claim 16 wherein the visual indicator is a light and the fastener comprises a first fastener for connecting the light proximate a product stop or lens of the product display merchandiser so that the light is readily visible from the front of the product display merchandiser, and a second fastener for connecting the sensor proximate a pusher passage along which a pusher travels between fully stocked and empty positions.

17. The low product inventory sensor of claim 17 wherein the first fastener connects the light proximate the lens of the product display merchandiser to at least partially illuminate the lens.

18. The low product inventory sensor of claim 18 wherein the lens has a light channel for illuminating at least a face of the lens and the first fastener positions the light proximate the light channel for illuminating the face of the lens.

19. An adapter comprising:

a first mating structure configured to detachably coupled to a product display merchandiser; and

a second mating structure configured to detachably couple to a controller.

20. The adapter of claim 19 further comprising at least one sensor.