MERCHANDISING SYSTEM
A scoop includes a side member and lower blade that cooperate with each other to secure and hold a row of packages at one time. The packages are stored within a container that has a pivotable front wall to allow access to divided rows of packages within an interior of the container. During transport, the containers are supported on a rack structure that allows access to the pivotable front wall. During delivery, the front wall is pivoted into an open position and the scoop is inserted into the container to remove a row of packages for placement on a display.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/110,979, filed Nov. 3, 2008; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/117,725, filed Nov. 25, 2008; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/119,362, filed Dec. 2, 2008; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/155,689, filed Feb. 26, 2009.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a merchandising system. Stores selling small packages of chips or snacks or other small goods are restocked by delivery drivers. The driver carries one or more boxes of different varieties of packages from the truck into the store. At the appropriate shelf, the driver determines which packages are needed to be restocked, then selects the packages needed from the boxes and places them onto the shelf. This is inconvenient because the driver has carried in more packages than he is restocking and restocking packages one at a time is time consuming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a scoop that includes a side member and lower blade that cooperate with each other to secure and hold a row of packages at one time. The packages could comprise chips, pretzels, cookies, or other types of small packages that are easily grouped together for shipment.
In one example, the packages are stored within a container that has a pivotable front wall to allow access to divided rows of packages. The front wall is pivoted into an open position and the scoop is inserted into the container to remove a row of packages for placement on a display
In one example, the scoop includes a body portion, a lower blade extending outwardly from the body portion to provide a base support surface for the plurality of packages, at least one side member extending outwardly from the body portion and spaced vertically above the lower blade, and a handle. The lower blade and side member cooperate with each other to secure and hold a plurality of packages to be transported by a user holding the handle.
In one example, the scoop includes an activation mechanism associated with at least one of the lower blade and the at least one side member. The activation mechanism is selectively moveable between an open position to allow the plurality of packages to be loaded on the lower blade or unloaded from the lower blade and a retention position to hold the plurality of packages on the lower blade for transport.
In one example, the scoop works in conjunction with stackable containers to provide a merchandise stocking assembly. The container includes a base wall, a pair of side walls, a rear wall, and a front wall that is pivotably mounted to the base wall to selectively open and close a front of the container to provide access to the plurality of packages.
In one example, the container also includes a plurality of dividers extending upwardly from the base wall to define rows for the plurality of packages. The container further includes at least one bottom support rib that protrudes upwardly from the base wall in each row to support the plurality of packages within each row at a spaced distance from the base wall to provide easier access for the scoop.
As such, the present invention allows the driver to deliver these small packages a row at a time on a shelf for display in a store. The driver would be able to carry one or more “rows” of packages into the store and place an entire row of packages onto the appropriate shelf at one time.
In one example, a support structure is included within the delivery truck to support a plurality of containers. In one example, the support structure includes a wall mount fixed to a wall of the truck and which includes a hook that allows the container to be hung on the wall. In another example, the support structure comprises a rack that is used to support a plurality of containers.
In one example, the rack includes at least one rear rail and at least one side rail extending outwardly from one end of the rear rail. The rear and side rails each include an interface structure that cooperates with a corresponding interface structure on a container to hold the container on the rack.
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
The container 12 includes a base wall 16, side walls 18 and a rear wall 20. A front wall 22 is pivotably mounted to the base wall 16 to selectively open and close a front of the container 12 to provide access to the interior of the container 12. A plurality of dividers 24 are formed inside the container 12, extending upwardly from the base wall 16. The dividers 24 define rows of packages (not shown) therebetween. A pair of “false bottom” support ribs 26 protrudes upwardly from the base 16 in each row to support the packages at a distance from the base wall 16. The support ribs 26 may be angled toward the front of the container 12 to facilitate packages sliding forward onto the scoop 14 once the front wall 22 is moved to the open position.
The scoop 14 includes a body portion 36 from which extend a lower blade 38 and a side blade 40. The side blade 40 is substantially perpendicular (or at least substantially transverse) to the lower blade 38 and is spaced apart from the lower blade 38. A generally vertically oriented handle 42 extends rearwardly from the body portion 36 of the scoop 14. The side 40 and lower 38 blades extend outwardly from the body portion 36 in the same direction with the handle 42 extending outwardly from the body portion 36 in an opposite direction.
When using the scoop 14, the foot 50 of the lower blade 38 pulls the last bag out of the container 12. On the shelf, the user pushes the packages from the scoop 14 as the scoop is pulled out from underneath the packages.
The container 12 may also include handles 58 formed within the side walls 18. The handles 58 are formed by openings extending through the side walls 18 to provide a section of the side walls that can be gripped to move the containers 12 as needed.
As shown in
Side arms or rods 80 extend forwardly from each of the side portions 78. The rods 80 are pivotable between a retention position (
As shown, in the retention position, the fingers 82 are directed generally toward one another (
In use, the packages are placed between the dividers 24 on the ribs 26. A user that uses the scoop 70 will insert the lower blade 84 of the scoop 70 between the ribs 26 under the packages in the access space provided just above the base wall 16. The user activates the trigger 76 before pushing the lower blade 84 below the packages. After the lower blade 84 is inserted, the user releases the trigger 76, causing the paddles to return to their normal retention position, which keeps the last package on the scoop 70 so that the package does not fall off during transport.
The user then lifts the scoop 70 from the container 12, with an entire row of packages and places the scoop 70 on the display shelf in the store (the user can carry one more loaded scoops 70). For scoop 70, the user then releases the packages by squeezing the trigger 76 and pulling the scoop 70 out from under the packages. Optionally, the rear wall 20 of the container 12 includes one or more recesses that receive the fingers 82, such that the fingers 82 can rotate between positions inside the recess without interference from the packages.
In the example of
In use, the scoop 170 is inserted under a row of packages in the container 12. When the flap 186 hits the rear wall 20, the flap 186 snaps into the retracted, closed position, thereby retaining the packages on the scoop 170. The scoop 170 and packages can then be carried to the shelf or even into the store. The scoop 170 and packages are inserted onto the shelf, where the flap 186 is then pivoted downward to the extended, open position, such as by hand. The scoop 170 is then removed from the shelf, leaving the packages on the shelf.
In the example of
In use, the scoop 270 is inserted under a row of packages and the lever 275 is squeezed to move the flap 286 into the retracted, closed position, thereby retaining the packages on the scoop 270. The scoop 270 and packages can then be carried to the shelf or even into the store from the delivery truck. The scoop 270 and packages are inserted onto the shelf, where the lever 275 is released to move the flap 286 to the extended, open position. The scoop 270 is then removed from the shelf, leaving the packages on the shelf.
A lower flange 130 projects outwardly in a lateral direction from a periphery of the side walls 118 and rear wall 120. An upper flange 132 is spaced above the lower flange 130 to define a channel 134 therebetween. A cantilevered finger 140 has a latch portion extending into the channel 134. As shown in
A lip 136 extends downward from an outer edge of the lower flange 130 on each side wall 118 to define a groove 138. Elongated rails 142 extend across uppermost edges of the side walls 118. Complementary grooves 138 that are formed along the lower edge of side walls 118 of another container receive the rails 142. This allows a similar container 112′ (
A rack 150 for holding a plurality of the containers 112 is shown in
As shown in
In the example of
One of the rack modules 351 is shown in
Referring to the breakaway view of
Concave ramps 327 are formed at the intersection of the lower wall portion 328 and rear wall 320 in each row. The concave ramp 327 assists in activating the flap 386 of the scoop 370 of
A lower flange 330 projects outwardly in a lateral direction from a periphery of the side walls 318 and rear wall 320. An upper flange 332 is spaced above the lower flange 330 to define a channel 334 therebetween. A groove 338 is defined below the lower flange 330 and outward of the base 316 and positioned and sized to be received on the rails 342 across the uppermost edge of the side walls 318 of a similar container. A cantilevered finger 340 has a latch portion extending into the channel 334.
As shown in
In use, the scoop 370 of
Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
Claims
1. A scoop to simultaneously support a plurality of packages for transport between different locations:
- a body portion;
- a lower blade extending outwardly from the body portion to provide a base support surface for a plurality of packages;
- at least one side member extending outwardly from the body portion and spaced vertically above the lower blade, the at least one side member and lower blade cooperating with each other to secure and hold a plurality of packages to be transported; and
- a handle extending outwardly from the body portion.
2. The scoop according to claim 1 wherein the body portion includes a lower portion protruding from the body portion in a first direction to support the lower blade and a side portion protruding from the body portion in the first direction to support the at least one side member, and wherein the handle protrudes from the body portion in a second direction opposite the first direction
3. The scoop according to claim 2 wherein the body portion including the lower portion, side portion, and handle are integrally formed as single-piece component with the lower blade and at least one side member comprising separate components that are attached to the single-piece component.
4. The scoop according to claim 1 wherein the at least one side member comprises a side blade that is orientated transverse to the lower blade, the side blade providing a side support surface for the plurality of packages.
5. The scoop according to claim 4 wherein the at least one side member comprises a single side blade that is perpendicular to the lower blade, the side blade providing a side support surface for the plurality of packages.
6. The scoop according to claim 1 wherein the at least one side member comprises a single blade that provides a side support surface for the plurality of packages, the single blade being selectively movable between a first position extending along one side of the lower blade, and a second position extending along an opposite side of the lower blade.
7. The scoop according to claim 1 wherein the at least one side member comprises a pair of side rods that each extend to a distal end comprising a transversely extending finger, the pair of side rods being rotatable between an open position where the transversely extending fingers extend downwardly to allow the plurality of packages to be loaded on the lower blade or unloaded from the lower blade and a retention position where the transversely extending fingers extend inwardly toward each other to hold the plurality of packages on the lower blade for transport.
8. The scoop according to claim 7 including an activating trigger that is selectively actuatable to rotate the pair of side rods between the open position and the retention position.
9. The scoop according to claim 8 wherein the activating trigger is pivotally mounted to the handle.
10. The scoop according to claim 1 including an actuation mechanism that moves one of the at least one side member and at least a portion of the lower blade between an open position to allow the plurality of packages to be loaded on the lower blade or unloaded from the lower blade and a retention position to hold the plurality of packages on the lower blade for transport.
11. The scoop according to claim 1 wherein the lower blade comprises a rigid member extending from the body portion to a distal end, and including a retention foot associated with the distal end to facilitate retention of the plurality of packages on the lower blade.
12. The scoop according to claim 11 wherein the retention foot includes a lip extending upwardly from the distal end of the lower blade to form a shallow cup-portion.
13. The scoop according to claim 1 wherein the lower blade extends from the body portion to a distal end, and including a flap activation mechanism associated with the distal end, the flap activation mechanism being selectively moveable between an open position to allow the plurality of packages to be loaded on the lower blade or unloaded from the lower blade and a retention position to hold the plurality of packages on the lower blade for transport.
14. The scoop according to claim 13 wherein the flap activation mechanism includes a lower member mounted for sliding movement relative to the lower blade, a flap member pivotally mounted to the lower member, and an upper member positioned over the lower member.
15. The scoop according to claim 14 including a spring reacting between the lower portion and the upper portion to bias the lower portion rearwardly toward the handle.
16. The scoop according to claim 13 wherein the flap activation mechanism includes a flap member that is selectively movable between the open position where the flap member is generally parallel to the lower blade and the retention position where the flap member extends upwardly from the lower blade in a transverse orientation.
17. The scoop according to claim 16 wherein the flap member is selectively movable to the retention position due to contact of an end of the flapper member against an abutment surface and a subsequent increase in compression force exerted at the handle.
18. The scoop according to claim 16 including a lever mounted to the handle, wherein the lever is selectively actuatable to move the flap member between the open and retention positions.
19. The scoop according to claim 1 including a wrist support platform extending rearwardly of the handle.
20. A scoop to simultaneously support a plurality of packages for transport comprising:
- a body portion;
- a lower blade extending outwardly from the body portion to provide a base support surface for a plurality of packages;
- at least one side member extending outwardly from the body portion and spaced vertically above the lower blade, the at least one side member and lower blade cooperating with each other to secure and hold a plurality of packages to be transported between two locations;
- a handle extending outwardly from the body portion; and
- an activation mechanism associated with at least one of the lower blade and the at least one side member, the activation mechanism being selectively moveable between an open position to allow the plurality of packages to be loaded on the lower blade or unloaded from the lower blade and a retention position to hold the plurality of packages on the lower blade for transport.
21. The scoop according to claim 20 wherein the activation mechanism includes a flap.
22. The scoop according to claim 20 wherein the activation mechanism includes one of a trigger or lever that selectively moves the activation mechanism between the open and retention positions.
23. A merchandise stocking assembly comprising:
- at least one container including a base wall, a pair of side walls, a rear wall, and a front wall that is pivotably mounted to the base wall to selectively open and close a front of the container to provide access to a plurality of packages within an interior of the container; and
- a scoop including a body portion, a lower blade extending outwardly from the body portion to provide a base support surface for a plurality of packages to be removed from the container, at least one side member extending outwardly from the body portion and spaced vertically above the lower blade, and a handle extending outwardly from the body portion, and wherein the at least one side member and lower blade cooperate with each other to secure and hold the plurality of packages to be removed from the container for transport to another location.
24. The merchandise stocking assembly according to claim 23 wherein the container includes a plurality of dividers formed inside the container and extending upwardly from the base wall to define rows for the plurality of packages, and wherein the container includes at least one bottom support rib that protrudes upwardly from the base wall in each row to support the plurality of packages within each row at a spaced distance from the base wall.
25. The merchandise stocking assembly according to claim 23 including a mount interface associated with the container, the mount interface adapted to support the container on one of a wall or rack.
26. The merchandise stocking assembly according to claim 23 including at least one concave ramp formed at an intersection of the base wall and rear wall in each row wherein the lower blade contacts the concave ramp to facilitate loading of the plurality of packages on the scoop for transport.
27. The merchandise stocking assembly according to claim 23 wherein the scoop includes an activation mechanism associated with at least one of the lower blade and the at least one side member, the activation mechanism being selectively moveable between an open position to allow the plurality of packages to be loaded on the lower blade or unloaded from the lower blade and a retention position to hold the plurality of packages on the lower blade for transport.
28. The merchandise stocking assembly according to claim 23 including a support structure adapted to be positioned within a delivery truck, the support structure to support a plurality of containers.
29. The merchandise stocking assembly according to claim 28 wherein the support structure comprises a rack including a plurality of vertical supports, a plurality of side rails supported opposite of each other on the vertical supports, and a rear rail extending between each pair of side rails, wherein each of the side and rear rails includes an interlocking feature that cooperates with a corresponding interlocking feature on the container to hold the containers on the rack.
30. The merchandise stocking assembly according to claim 29 wherein the side rails are pivotable relative to the vertical supports.
31. The merchandise stocking assembly according to claim 28 wherein the support structure comprises a rack including a plurality of rack modules, each rack module comprising a rear bracket with a rear rail and a side rail that extends outwardly from one end of the rear bracket with the rear and side rails cooperating with each other to support a container.
32. A container for storing a plurality of packages comprising:
- a base wall;
- a pair of side walls extending upwardly from the base wall,
- a rear wall extending upwardly from the base wall and extending between rear edges of the side walls;
- a front wall that is pivotably mounted to the base wall to selectively open and close a front of the container to provide access to a plurality of packages within an interior of the container;
- a plurality of dividers extending upwardly from the base wall to define rows for the plurality of packages; and
- at least one bottom support rib that protrudes upwardly from the base wall in each row to support the plurality of packages within each row at a spaced distance from the base wall.
33. The container according to claim 32 wherein the at least one bottom support rib comprises a pair of support ribs that define a false bottom within each row, with each pair of support ribs being spaced apart from each other to provide an access gap between the base wall and a bottom of the packages stored within each row.
34. The container according to claim 32 including a mount interface associated with the container, the mount interface adapted to support the container on one of a wall or rack.
35. The container according to claim 32 including at least one concave ramp formed at an intersection of the base wall and rear wall in each row.
36. The container according to claim 32 including a first interface formed at least along upper edges of the side walls and a second interface formed at least one along lower edges of the side walls, the first and second interfaces to cooperate with corresponding attachment interfaces on upper and lower stacked containers to provide a stacked set of containers.
37. The container according to claim 32 including a connection interface formed along the side walls to cooperate with corresponding connection interfaces on adjacent containers to provide a row of containers that are secured to each other.
38. A rack assembly for supporting a plurality of containers comprising:
- at least one rear rail; and
- at least one side rail extending outwardly from one end of the rear rail, the rear and side rails each including an interface structure that cooperates with a corresponding interface structure on a container to hold the container on the rack assembly.
39. The rack assembly according to claim 38 including a plurality of vertical supports wherein the side rails and rear rail are supported on the vertical supports.
40. The rack assembly according to claim 38 wherein the at least one rear rail comprises a plurality of rear rails and the at least one side rail comprises a plurality of side rails, with one side rail and one rear rail being associated with each other to form a rack module, and wherein a plurality of rack modules are associated with each other to form the rack assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 2, 2009
Publication Date: May 6, 2010
Inventors: Ryan C. Meers (Santa Monica, CA), Kyle L. Baltz (Redondo Beach, CA)
Application Number: 12/610,426
International Classification: A47F 7/00 (20060101); B65D 6/00 (20060101); B65D 25/04 (20060101);