Patents by Inventor James Garth Close

James Garth Close has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8997997
    Abstract: A device, system, and method system for manually aligning merchandise items in a display box. The merchandise is supported above the base of the container with product support rails. A pull member is positioned between the support rails. Merchandise is pulled forward by pulling the pull member forward. The pull member may be positioned before or after merchandise is placed in the box or carton. Multiple rows of merchandise may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Close-In Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: James Garth Close, Scott B. Duff
  • Publication number: 20130037562
    Abstract: A spring alignment mechanism utilizes a guide inserted into the rear of a retail-ready display carton. The guide is inserted below merchandise items, so that a spring-driven rear pull member engages the rear-most merchandise item. The pull member travels on the guide so that as items are removed from the carton, remaining items are pulled forward in the display carton. This system facilitates the use of retail-ready packaging, so that cartons of merchandise items may be placed on a shelf without removing the individual items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: James Garth Close
  • Patent number: 8038017
    Abstract: A spring alignment mechanism utilizes a guide inserted into a display carton below merchandise items. A spring-driven rear pull member travels on the guide so that as items are removed from the carton, remaining items are pulled forward. In one example, the guide is inserted between the bottom of merchandise items and the carton bottom. In another example, merchandise items are supported on cardboard support rails built into the bottom of the carton, or provided on a carton insert; and the guide is inserted between the cardboard support rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Close in Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: James Garth Close
  • Publication number: 20040178158
    Abstract: A device, system, and method system for manually arranging products on a display shelf without requiring additional shelf width. The product containers, such as jars, cans, and bottles, may be pulled forward toward the front of the display shelf by pulling a front member which is attached to two slide rails which fit into the vacant spaces near the bottom of rounded container sides. In an alternate embodiment, a base is provided to elevate the containers, and the slide rails slide underneath the container. The slide rails are attached to a rear member which engages the rear of the last product container in the row, and pushes the containers forward as the front member is pulled away from the display shelf. The device may be a wire frame which may include side covers of various shapes and sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: James Garth Close
  • Patent number: 6719151
    Abstract: A device, system, and method system for manually arranging products on a display shelf without requiring additional shelf width. The product containers, such as jars, cans, and bottles, may be pulled forward toward the front of the display shelf by pulling a front member which is attached to two slide rails which fit into the vacant spaces near the bottom of rounded container sides. In an alternate embodiment, a base is provided to elevate the containers, and the slide rails slide underneath the container. The slide rails are attached to a rear member which engages the rear of the last product container in the row, and pushes the containers forward as the front member is pulled away from the display shelf. The device may be a wire frame which may include side covers of various shapes and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: James Garth Close
  • Publication number: 20040020879
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for manually arranging products on a display shelf. A plastic ridged base may be cut to a desired display shelf width along preformed notches and then be placed on the display shelf. Excess base width may serve as a rear backing element to support row partitions. The ridges support merchandise and permit a pull member to rest between ridges. The pull member may be manually pulled to bring merchandise to the front of a row. The ridges may be universal, or may be of specific dimensions for items such as soup cans or baby food jars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: James Garth Close
  • Publication number: 20020170197
    Abstract: A device, system, and method system for manually arranging products on a display shelf without requiring additional shelf width. The product containers, such as jars, cans, and bottles, may be pulled forward toward the front of the display shelf by pulling a front member which is attached to two slide rails which fit into the vacant spaces near the bottom of rounded container sides. In an alternate embodiment, a base is provided to elevate the containers, and the slide rails slide underneath the container. The slide rails are attached to a rear member which engages the rear of the last product container in the row, and pushes the containers forward as the front member is pulled away from the display shelf. The device may be a wire frame which may include side covers of various shapes and sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: James Garth Close
  • Patent number: 6227386
    Abstract: A system for displaying products generally forming a queue having a rear product on a display surface having a rear portion and a front portion, comprising an arranging mechanism operable for moving the products selectively and manually from the rear portion of the display surface towards the front portion of the display surface. The arranging mechanism comprises a positioning element having a vertical portion adapted to engage the rear product in the queue from a rear side of the rear product towards the front portion of the display surface and having a horizontal portion extending generally parallel to the display surface. The system further has a supporting mechanism on each of the products that defines an open pathway from one side of one of the products to a substantially opposite side of the one of the products. The open pathway is adapted to receive the horizontal portion of the arranging mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: James Garth Close
  • Patent number: 6155438
    Abstract: A system for displaying products generally forming a queue on a display surface comprising a receiving apparatus operable for receiving products to be displayed. The receiving apparatus includes a surface for receiving the products in a queue. The surface has front and rear portions and is magnetically attracted to a magnet. The system also has an arranging mechanism operable for moving the products selectively and manually from the rear portion of the surface towards the front portion of the surface. The arranging mechanism comprises a positioning element having a vertical portion adapted to engage the rear product in the queue from the rear side of the product and has a horizontal portion extending parallel to the surface towards the front portion of the surface. The first and second elements each have a base with an upper and lower portion. The first and second elements are spaced apart and define a channel to receive and to support the products on the upper portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: James Garth Close