Merchandising system

• US 7,028,852 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2002
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Retail Space Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: DCI Marketing Inc (IMI PLC)
• Inventors: Johnson, Allen E., Bryson, M. Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): NOVOSAD, JENNIFER ELEANORE
• Application Number:
  US10/132,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20020170866A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,454 Days
• Field of Search: 211/59.3, 211/59.2, 211/175, 211/184, 211/74, 108/60, 108/61, 312/61, 312/71, 312/75, 312/45
• US Class Current: 211/59.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means

Abstract

A system and method for providing a merchandising system. The merchandising system includes a first divider, a second divider, and a third divider. The merchandising system further includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector couples the first divider and the second divider. The first connector provides for selective size adjustability between the first divider and the second divider. The second connector couples the second divider and the third divider. The second connector provides for selective size adjustability between the second divider and the third divider. The connector may be provided in a variety of configurations, including teeth configured to engage with the divider. The connector may alternatively include a flexible member configured to engage and disengage with the divider.

Claims

1. A merchandising system configured to form a compartment comprising:

a first divider comprising at least one projection;

a second divider comprising at least one projection;

a first connector configured to couple the first divider to the second divider;

wherein the first connector comprises at least a first groove, a second groove and a third groove;

so that (a) the compartment is configured to be formed with a first size by pressing the projection of the first divider into engagement with the first groove of the first connector and by pressing the projection of the second divider into engagement with the second groove of the first connector and (b) the compartment is configured to be formed with a second size with the projection of the first divider in engagement with the first groove of the first connector by separating the projection of the second divider from the second groove of the first connector and by pressing the projection of the second divider into engagement with the third groove of the first connector;

wherein pressing a projection into engagement with a groove comprises inserting the projection into the groove from a direction generally transverse a longitudinal axis of the groove.

2. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of grooves comprise exposed grooves.

3. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first connector comprises teeth.

4. The merchandising system of claim 3 wherein the first connector comprises notches.

5. The merchandising system of claim 4 wherein the plurality of grooves comprise channels.

6. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first connector comprises an interface.

7. The merchandising system of claim 6 wherein the interface comprises a connector selected from a set of multi-sized connectors.

8. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the first connector is integrally formed.

9. The merchandising system of claim 8 wherein the first connector is configured to be cut to a desired length.

10. The merchandising system of claim 8 wherein the projection of the first divider is configured to be snapped into at least one of the first groove, the second groove and the third groove of the first connector.

11. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein pressing comprises a snap fit of the projections of the dividers into engagement with the grooves of the first connector.

12. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein pressing comprises a friction fit of the projections of the dividers into engagement with the grooves of the first connector.

13. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein pressing comprises an interference fit of the projection of the first divider into engagement with the first groove of the first connector.

14. A merchandising system configured to form at least a first compartment and a second compartment comprising:

a first divider comprising at least one projection;

a second divider comprising at least a first projection and a second projection;

a third divider comprising at least one projection;

a first connector configured to couple the first divider to the second divider; and

a second connector configured to couple the second divider to the third divider;

wherein the first connector comprises at least a first groove, a second groove and a third groove; and

wherein the second connector comprises at least a first groove, a second groove and a third groove;

so that (a) the first compartment is configured to be formed with a first size by pressing the projection of the first divider into engagement with the first groove of the first connector and by pressing the first projection of the second divider into engagement with the second groove of the first connector and (b) the first compartment is configured to be formed with a second size with the projection of the first divider in engagement with the first groove of the first connector by separating the first projection of the second divider from the second groove of the first connector and by pressing the first projection of the second divider into engagement with the third groove of the first connector; and

so that (a) the second compartment is configured to be formed with a first size by pressing the projection of the third divider into engagement with the first groove of the second connector and by pressing the second projection of the second divider into engagement with the second groove of the second connector and (b) the second compartment is configured to be formed with a second size with the projection of the third divider in engagement with the first groove of the second connector by separating the projection of the second divider from the second groove of the second connector and by pressing the second projection of the second divider into engagement with the third groove of the second connector;

wherein pressing a projection into engagement with a groove comprises inserting the projection into the groove from a direction generally transverse a longitudinal axis of the groove.

15. The merchandising system of claim 14 wherein the grooves comprise straight grooves.

16. The merchandising system of claim 14 wherein the grooves comprise cuts.

17. The merchandising system of claim 14 wherein the plurality of grooves comprise exposed grooves.

18. The merchandising system of claim 17 wherein the dividers and the connectors comprise a plastic polymer.

19. The merchandising system of claim 14 wherein the connectors comprise flat elongated members.

20. The merchandising system of claim 14 wherein the connectors comprise webs.

21. The merchandising system of claim 14 wherein the connectors comprise mats.

22. The merchandising system of claim 14 wherein the plurality of grooves comprise a series of grooves.

23. The merchandising system of claim 22 wherein the plurality of grooves comprise an index of grooves.

24. The merchandising system of claim 14 further comprising a pusher system provided on at least one of the dividers.

25. The merchandising system of claim 24 wherein the pusher system comprises a pusher face.

26. The merchandising system of claim 25 wherein the pusher system is configured to be urged toward a front edge of at least one of the dividers.

27. The merchandising system of claim 26 wherein the pusher system further comprises a biasing element configured to urge the pusher face toward the front edge of the merchandising system.

28. The merchandising system of claim 27 wherein the biasing element comprises a spring.

29. The merchandising system of claim 28 further comprising a slot provided on at least one of the dividers, wherein the pusher face is configured to move along the slot.

30. The merchandising system of claim 29 wherein the dividers further comprise divider panels.

31. The merchandising system of claim 30 wherein the dividers further comprise a product support surface.

32. The merchandising system of claim 31 wherein the product support surface comprises one or more friction reducing ribs.

33. A merchandising system configured to form a compartment comprising:

a first divider comprising at least one projection;

a second divider comprising at least one projection; and

a first interface configured to couple the first divider to the second divider;

wherein the first interface comprises at least a first groove, a second groove and a third groove;

so that (a) the compartment is configured to be formed with a first size by pressing the projection of the first divider into engagement with the first groove of the first interface and by pressing the projection of the second divider into engagement with the second groove of the first interface and (b) the compartment is configured to be formed with a second size with the projection of the first divider in engagement with the first groove of the first interface by separating the projection of the second divider from the second groove of the first interface and by pressing the projection of the second divider into engagement with the third groove of the first interface;

wherein pressing a projection into engagement with a groove comprises inserting the projection into the groove from a direction generally transverse a longitudinal axis of the groove.

34. The merchandising system of claim 33 wherein the grooves comprise exposed grooves.

35. The merchandising system of claim 34 wherein the first interface comprises a connector.

36. The merchandising system of claim 35 wherein the connector is integrally formed.

37. The merchandising system of claim 36 wherein the connector comprises a flat elongated member.

38. The merchandising system of claim 37 wherein the first interface comprises teeth.

39. The merchandising system of claim 38 wherein the grooves are formed between adjacent notches.

40. The merchandising system of claim 33 wherein pressing comprises a snap fit of the projections of the dividers into engagement with the grooves of the first interface.

41. The merchandising system of claim 33 wherein pressing comprises a friction fit of the projections of the dividers into engagement with the grooves of the first interface.

42. The merchandising system of claim 41 wherein pressing comprises an interference fit of the projections of the dividers into engagement with the grooves of the first interface.

43. A merchandising system configured to form at least a first compartment and a second compartment comprising:

a first panel comprising at least one projection;

a second panel comprising at least a first projection and a second projection;

a third panel comprising at least one projection;

a first interface configured to couple the first panel to the second panel; and

a second interface configured to couple the second panel to the third panel;

wherein the first interface comprises at least a first groove, a second groove and a third groove; and

wherein the second interface comprises at least a first groove, a second groove and a third groove;

so that (a) the first compartment is configured to be formed with a first size by pressing the projection of the first panel into engagement with the first groove of the first interface and by pressing the first projection of the second panel into engagement with the second groove of the first interface and (b) the first compartment is configured to be formed with a second size with the projection of the first panel in engagement with the first groove of the first interface by separating the first projection of the second panel from the second groove of the first interface and by pressing the first projection of the second panel into engagement with the third groove of the first interface; and

so that (a) the second compartment is configured to be formed with a first size by pressing the projection of the third panel into engagement with the first groove of the second interface and by pressing the second projection of the second panel into engagement with the second groove of the second interface and (b) the second compartment is configured to be formed with a second size with the projection of the third panel in engagement with the first groove of the second interface by separating the projection of the second panel from the second groove of the second interface and by pressing the second projection of the second panel into engagement with the third groove of the second interface;

wherein pressing a projection into engagement with a groove comprises inserting the projection into the groove from a direction generally transverse a longitudinal axis of the groove.

44. The merchandising system of claim 43 wherein each interface comprises a connector.

45. The merchandising system of claim 44 wherein the connectors are integrally formed.

46. The merchandising system of claim 45 wherein the plurality of grooves comprise exposed grooves.

47. The merchandising system of claim 45 wherein each groove comprises a cut.

48. The merchandising system of claim 45 wherein each connector comprises a flat elongated member.

49. The merchandising system of claim 48 wherein each groove comprises a channel.

50. The merchandising system of claim 43 wherein pressing comprises a snap fit of the projections of the panels into engagement with the grooves of the interfaces.

51. The merchandising system of claim 43 wherein the plurality of grooves comprise a series of grooves.

52. The merchandising system of claim 43 wherein the plurality of grooves comprise an index of grooves.

53. The merchandising system of claim 43 wherein the first divider has a length greater than a length of the first interface.

54. The merchandising system of claim 53 wherein the first interface is a connector module.

55. A merchandising system configured to form a compartment comprising:

a first divider comprising at least one projection;

a second divider comprising at least one projection; and

a first interface configured to couple the first divider to the second divider;

wherein the first interface comprises at least a first channel, a second channel and a third channel;

so that (a) the compartment is configured to be formed with a first size by pressing the projection of the first divider into engagement with the first channel of the first interface and by pressing the projection of the second divider into engagement with the second channel of the first interface and (b) the compartment is configured to be formed with a second size with the projection of the first divider in engagement with the first channel of the first interface by separating the projection of the second divider from the second channel of the first interface and by pressing the projection of the second divider into engagement with the third channel of the first interface;

wherein pressing a projection into engagement with a groove comprises inserting the projection into the groove from a direction generally transverse a longitudinal axis of the groove.

56. The merchandising system of claim 55 wherein the plurality of exposed channels comprise a plurality of grooves.

57. The merchandising system of claim 56 wherein the plurality of grooves comprise a series of grooves.

58. The merchandising system of claim 56 wherein the plurality of grooves comprise an index of grooves.

59. The merchandising system of claim 55 wherein the first interface comprises a connector module.

60. The merchandising system of claim 55 wherein pressing comprises a friction fit of the projections of the dividers into engagement with the channels of the first interface.

61. The merchandising system of claim 55 wherein pressing comprises an interference fit of the projections of the dividers into engagement with the channels of the first interface.

62. The merchandising system of claim 55 wherein the first interface is a flat elongated member.

63. The merchandising system of claim 55 further comprising a pusher system provided on at least one of the dividers and comprising a biasing member and a pusher, wherein the biasing element is coupled to the pusher and urges the pusher toward a front of the merchandising system.

64. A merchandising system configured to form at least a first compartment and a second compartment comprising:

a first panel comprising at least one projection;

a second panel comprising at least a first projection and a second projection;

a third panel comprising at least one projection;

a first interface configured to couple the first panel to the second panel;

a second interface configured to couple the second panel to the third panel;

wherein the first interface comprises at least a first groove, a second groove and a third groove; and

wherein the second interface comprises at least a first groove, a second groove and a third groove;

so that (a) the first compartment is configured to be formed with a first size by pressing the projection of the first panel into engagement with the first groove of the first interface and by pressing the first projection of the second panel into engagement with the second groove of the first interface and (b) the first compartment is configured to be formed with a second size with the projection of the first panel in engagement with the first groove of the first interface by separating the first projection of the second panel from the second groove of the first interface and by pressing the first projection of the second panel into engagement with the third groove of the first interface; and

so that (a) the second compartment is configured to be formed with a first size by pressing the projection of the third panel into engagement with the first groove of the second interface and by pressing the second projection of the second panel into engagement with the second groove of the second interface and (b) the second compartment is configured to be formed with a second size with the projection of the third panel in engagement with the first groove of the second interface by separating the projection of the second panel from the second groove of the second interface and by pressing the second projection of the second panel into engagement with the third groove of the second interface;

wherein pressing a projection into engagement with a groove comprises inserting the projection into the groove from a direction generally transverse a longitudinal axis of the groove.

65. The merchandising system of claim 64 wherein the plurality of grooves comprise exposed grooves.

66. The merchandising system of claim 64 wherein the first interface comprises teeth.

67. The merchandising system of claim 64 wherein the first interface comprises notches.

68. The merchandising system of claim 64 wherein the plurality of grooves comprise channels.

69. The merchandising system of claim 64 wherein the first interface comprises a connector.

70. The merchandising system of claim 69 wherein the first interface comprises a connector selected from a set of multi-sized connectors.

71. The merchandising system of claim 64 wherein the first interface is integrally formed.

72. The merchandising system of claim 64 wherein the first interface is configured to be cut to a desired length.

73. The merchandising system of claim 64 wherein the at least one projection of the first panel is configured to be snapped into the plurality of grooves of the first interface.

74. The merchandising system of claim 64 wherein pressing comprises a snap fit of the projections of the panels into engagement with the grooves of at least one of the interfaces.

75. The merchandising system of claim 64 wherein pressing comprises a friction fit of the projections of the panels into engagement with the grooves of at least one of the interfaces.

76. The merchandising system of claim 64 wherein pressing comprises an interference fit of the projections of the panels into engagement with the grooves of at least one of the interfaces.

77. A merchandising system configured to form at least a first compartment and a second compartment comprising:

a first panel comprising at least one projection;

a second panel comprising at least a first projection and a second projection;

a third panel comprising at least one projection;

a first connector configured to couple the first panel to the second panel;

a second connector configured to couple the second panel to the third panel;

wherein the first connector comprises at least a first groove, a second groove and a third groove; and

wherein the second connector comprises at least a first groove, a second groove and a third groove;

so that (a) the first compartment is configured to be formed with a first size by pressing the projection of the first panel into engagement with the first groove of the first connector and by pressing the first projection of the second panel into engagement with the second groove of the first connector and (b) the first compartment is configured to be formed with a second size with the projection of the first panel in engagement with the first groove of the first connector by separating the first projection of the second panel from the second groove of the first connector and by pressing the first projection of the second panel into engagement with the third groove of the first connector; and

so that (a) the second compartment is configured to be formed with a first size by pressing the projection of the third panel into engagement with the first groove of the second connector and by pressing the second projection of the second panel into engagement with the second groove of the second connector and (b) the second compartment is configured to be formed with a second size with the projection of the third panel in engagement with the first groove of the second connector by separating the projection of the second panel from the second groove of the second connector and by pressing the second projection of the second panel into engagement with the third groove of the second connector;

wherein pressing a projection into engagement with a groove comprises inserting the projection into the groove from a direction generally transverse a longitudinal axis of the groove.

78. The merchandising system of claim 77 wherein each of the panels comprise dividers.

79. The merchandising system of claim 78 wherein the connectors comprise interfaces.

80. The merchandising system of claim 78 wherein the connectors comprise teeth.

81. The merchandising system of claim 78 wherein the grooves are formed between adjacent notches.

82. The merchandising system of claim 78 wherein the first connector is integrally formed.

83. The merchandising system of claim 78 wherein pressing comprises a snap fit of the projections of the panels into engagement with the grooves of the connectors.

84. The merchandising system of claim 78 wherein the grooves comprise straight grooves.

85. The merchandising system of claim 78 further comprising a pusher system provided on at least one of the panels and comprising a biasing member and a pusher, wherein the biasing element is coupled to the pusher and urges the pusher toward a front of the merchandising system.