Abstract: A pullout support assembly for merchandise display and dispensing modules positioned on a shelf, the pullout support assembly including a guide having two parallel guide walls adapted to attach to an underside of the shelf, the guide walls having two sets of aligned openings; two elongated guide members slidably positioned the aligned guide openings between a first position substantially entirely beneath the shelf and a second position pulled out with respect to the shelf, in which the guide members are adapted to support at least one merchandise display and dispensing module thereon; and a support connected to a front end of the guide members for moving the guide members between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A modular display and dispensing assembly for the sale of items, includes a base adapted to be securely mounted to a substrate at a prescribed display and dispensing location on the substrate; and at least one display and dispensing module for mounting on the base, each display and dispensing module including a housing for mounting on the base, and a drawer for holding the items for sale, the drawer adapted to be removably positioned and secured in the housing for dispensing the items for sale while the drawer is secured in the housing, each drawer including a first lengthwise divider for varying at least one widthwise compartment size in the drawer and a second widthwise divider for varying at least one lengthwise compartment size in the drawer, for holding different size items for sale.

Abstract: Apparatus and method facilitate placement of shelves at selected levels in a merchandise display and dispensing unit. At least one shelf is secured in place in a horizontal, level orientation at a selected level to locate a point-of-purchase at a selected height within the unit. A locking mechanism located adjacent a distal edge of the shelf locks the shelf at the selected level and is operated by an actuator extending essentially from adjacent one to adjacent the other end of the shelf, beneath the shelf, conveniently accessible by an operator from a proximal edge of the shelf while supporting the shelf in an essentially balanced manner so as to enable manual movement for relocating the shelf to the selected level without disturbing items placed on the shelf. A leveling system is coupled to the shelf to maintain the shelf in the horizontal, level orientation during movement, and a damper mechanism impedes accelerated downward movement of the shelf when unlocked for selected relocation.

Abstract: A modular display and dispensing assembly and method distribute low-voltage power to a low-voltage electrical display feature at each of a plurality of display and dispensing modules arranged in a matrix and placed upon a substrate for display of items to be dispensed. A sub-base is secured to the substrate at a desired, prescribed display and dispensing location, while a main base is selectively coupled to and uncoupled from the sub-base. A plurality of electrical contact points in both the sub-base and main base enables the sub-base to remain securely mounted upon the substrate and connected to a source of low-voltage power while allowing selective uncoupling of the main base from the sub-base for ready removal of the matrix from the substrate for safe storage, without disturbing the secure placement of the sub-base at the desired prescribed display and dispensing location or the connection to the source of low-voltage power.

Abstract: Apparatus and method illuminate items of merchandise displayed at a point-of-purchase, wherein the items are suspended from a peg having a distal end placed at a support structure, the peg projecting in a longitudinal direction from the support structure to a proximal end placed adjacent the point-of-purchase. An adjacent bar extends from the support structure to a terminal end adjacent the proximal end of the peg and carries a plate secured to the terminal end, with the terminal end of the bar and the plate spaced from the proximal end of the peg. An elongate beam is provided with a track extending in lateral directions along a rearward surface of the beam.

Abstract: Apparatus and method display articles of merchandise r aligned in a desired stable orientation for viewing and selection at a point-of-purchase. Each article includes a member of predetermined cross-sectional configuration extending between a working head and a terminal end of the article. The member is inserted between a pair of bowed, confronting resiliently deflectable stabilizing fingers coupled to a platform, with the member received within an aperture in each finger. At the same time, the terminal end of the article is inserted into a socket in the platform. The apertures are configured to retain the article between the fingers for displaying the article, thereby maintaining the article aligned in the stable desired orientation for viewing and selective release at the point-of-purchase.

Abstract: A light fixture is placed in an apparatus that displays and dispenses merchandise at a point-of-purchase located adjacent a display shelf. The apparatus includes a retainer plate that secures the apparatus to the display shelf. A light source is located in a receptacle having an arm that is extended beneath the retainer plate, between the retainer plate and the display shelf. A ridge on the arm extends upwardly into a groove in the retainer plate to lock the receptacle and, consequently, the light source in position to illuminate merchandise displayed along the display shelf.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying and dispensing items of merchandise placed in a row suspended from a cantilevered support mounts a track above the support, and couples a slide with the track for sliding movement along the track. An arm is carried by the slide and extends downwardly for engaging the row of items. A grip on the slide enables a purchaser or the merchant to grasp and manually move the slide and the arm from a rearward position, wherein the arm is located behind the row of items, toward a forward position so as to engage and move the row of items toward a forward point-of-purchase, thereby placing a forward-most item at the point-of-purchase. Upon release of the grip, a return spring returns the slide and the arm to the rearward position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying and dispensing merchandise at a point-of-purchase adjacent a display shelf secures at least one divider to a retainer plate affixed to the display shelf. An elongate lock bar extends beneath the divider, along a predominant portion of the length of the divider, and is coupled with the divider for unbiased sliding movement to selectively engage or disengage teeth carried by the lock bar and complementary teeth placed on the retainer plate to secure the divider in a selected location along the retainer plate or release the divider for movement to another selected location.

Abstract: An improvement in an apparatus and a method provide an audible signal for announcing a selection, by a purchaser, of an item of merchandise placed at a dispensing location at a point-of-purchase. An annunciator emits an audible signal of limited duration for announcing the selection. A motion-responsive activator is coupled with the annunciator for activating the annunciator to emit the audible signal in response to imparting an activating motion to the activator. A selection-responsive component is coupled with the activator and is movable in response to the purchaser making a selection at the dispensing location, to impart an activating motion to the activator and, consequently, to activate the annunciator to emit the audible signal of limited duration announcing the selection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method display and dispense merchandise at plural dispensing tiers at a point-of-purchase adjacent a display shelf located at a given level and extending along lateral directions. The merchandise is in the form of packages arranged serially along each of at least lower and upper paths of travel spaced apart attitudinally and extending longitudinally toward corresponding lower and upper forward dispensing locations spaced apart attitudinally and placed at the point-of-purchase. Lower dividers are placed for juxtaposition with the lower serially arranged packages, and upper dividers are coupled with the lower dividers for juxtaposition with the upper serially arranged packages such that the lower and upper forward dispensing locations are placed spaced apart attitudinally to establish the plural dispensing tiers at the point-of-purchase. A pusher-track assembly is secured between lower dividers and between upper dividers for the selective dispensing of packages at the point-of-purchase.

Abstract: A modular apparatus is erected from a kit of component parts to provide for displaying and dispensing selected merchandise at a point-of-purchase placed at a selected site. The merchandise is in the form of packages of selected dimensions to be arranged serially along the apparatus. The kit facilitates transport to the site and erection of the apparatus on-site to accommodate the packages of selected width. Adjustment of the apparatus to the dimensions of the packages is accomplished during erection of the apparatus at the selected site by movement of wall members of the apparatus into guiding juxtaposition with the packages. Rack and pawl arrangements integral with the wall members enable ease of assembly while attaining and maintaining accurate on-site adjustment.

Abstract: A modular apparatus displays and dispenses merchandise at first and second dispensing locations placed at plural dispensing tiers at a point-of-purchase adjacent a display shelf. A first pusher-track assembly extends along a first path of travel of first serially arranged packages, and dividers are spaced apart to straddle the first path of travel and the first serially arranged packages. A second pusher-track assembly is secured to each of the dividers, elevated altitudinally above the first pusher-track assembly, and extends along a second path of travel of second serially arranged packages. A securing arrangement integrates the second pusher-track assembly with the dividers within the apparatus, and a stabilizing arrangement stabilizes the dividers against inadvertent movements relative to the display shelf to complete a stable apparatus. Multiple dividers and counterpart pusher-track assemblies enable the modular apparatus to provide any selected number of display and dispensing bays.

Abstract: An improvement in a gravity-feed display and dispensing apparatus and method in which rolling articles are advanced by gravity along an upper chute from a loading location to a transition chute where the rolling articles are transferred to a lower chute located vertically below the upper chute, with a concomitant reversal of the direction of travel of the rolling articles, and then along the lower chute to a dispensing location. A plurality of retarding members are placed in position serially along the transition chute to engage a rolling article and bump the rolling article so as to gradually retard the speed of movement of the rolling article as the article traverses the transition chute, thereby limiting the magnitude of forces generated by the reversal of the direction of movement of the rolling article as the rolling article traverses the transition chute and avoiding excessive speed of movement of the rolling article upon arrival of the rolling article adjacent the dispensing location.

Abstract: A modular apparatus displays and dispenses merchandise at first and second dispensing locations placed at plural dispensing tiers at a point-of-purchase adjacent a display shelf. A first pusher-track assembly extends along a first path of travel of first serially arranged packages, and dividers are spaced apart to straddle the first path of travel and the first serially arranged packages. A second pusher-track assembly is secured to each of the dividers, elevated altitudinally above the first pusher-track assembly, and extends along a second path of travel of second serially arranged packages. A securing arrangement integrates the second pusher-track assembly with the dividers within the apparatus, with the first and second forward dispensing locations spaced apart altitudinally to establish the plural dispensing tiers at the point-of-purchase. A stabilizing arrangement stabilizes the dividers against inadvertent movements relative to the display shelf to complete a stable apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying and dispensing merchandise in the form of packages arranged serially along a path of travel leading to a dispensing location at a point-of-purchase is selectively adjustable to accommodate packages of different dimensions. A pusher track assembly and dividers, each having a near end and a far end, readily are placed at selected relative locations along a display shelf and are secured in place adjacent the near ends to guide and move the packages along the path of travel to the dispensing location. Stabilizing arrangements located adjacent the near ends stabilize and maintain the pusher track assembly and the dividers in alignment with the path of travel without the necessity for securing the far ends independent of the near end securement in order to maintain the desired alignment of the pusher track assembly and the dividers.

Abstract: A merchandise display is shipped in a compact package of limited longitudinal length complete with merchandise items pre-loaded in place, and selectively expanded for displaying the merchandise items at a point-of-purchase location wherein there is a shelf which makes available at the point-of-purchase location a predetermined longitudinal shelf length exceeding considerably the limited longitudinal length of the compact package.

Abstract: An improvement in an apparatus for displaying and dispensing merchandise in the form of packages arranged serially along a path of travel leading to a dispensing location at a point-of-purchase, the improvement utilizing a single spring member to establish a forward-directed biasing force urging the packages forward against a gate at the dispensing location, and to establish a rearward-directed biasing force on a pivotal connection for biasing the gate into the path of travel canted rearwardly at a steep acute angle to retain a forward-most package at the dispensing location. The gate can be pivoted selectively into a rearwardly canted position at a shallow acute angle to the path of travel for enabling restocking of serially arranged merchandise packages from the front of the apparatus by inserting packages through the dispensing location in a rearward direction.

Abstract: A merchandise display is capable of being shipped in a compact package of limited longitudinal length complete with merchandise items pre-loaded in place, and selectively expanded for displaying the merchandise items at a point-of-purchase location wherein there is a shelf which makes available at the point-of-purchase location a predetermined longitudinal shelf length exceeding considerably the limited longitudinal length of the compact package. The merchandise display includes a case and at least one display tray for carrying merchandise items arranged for display and dispensing at the point-of-purchase location. The display tray is coupled with the case for telescoping movement into and out of the case between a retracted position telescoped within the case such that merchandise items carried by the display tray are housed within the case, and an advanced position extended longitudinally out of the case for displaying the merchandise items at the point-of-purchase location.