Patents by Inventor Thomas O. Nagel

Thomas O. Nagel 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).

  • Publication number: 20150164241
    Abstract: A pusher rack system is provided. The system includes a rack and one or more pusher assemblies removably attached to the rack. The rack includes one or more wire support frames supported by vertical supports. The pusher assembly includes a connection arrangement for removably attaching the pusher assembly to the wire support rack to longitudinally fix the position of the pusher assembly relative to the rack while simultaneously allowing for lateral adjustment of the pusher assembly relative to the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: SOUTHERN IMPERIAL, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas O. Nagel
  • Patent number: 8893901
    Abstract: A merchandise pusher tray is provided. The merchandise pusher tray includes a base structure. The base structure is configurable for bar or shelf mounting. The base structure includes a pair of load bearing members for supporting a floor of the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray also includes at least one divider mounted to and adjustable in a first direction relative to the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray also includes a pusher mounted to and movable in a second direction relative to the base structure. A locking arm is provided for locking the pusher in a locked position and automatically unlocking the pusher from the locked position upon the exertion of an actuation force against the locking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Southern Imperial, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas O. Nagel
  • Publication number: 20140190914
    Abstract: A merchandise pusher tray is provided. The merchandise pusher tray includes a base structure. The base structure is configurable for bar or shelf mounting. The base structure includes a pair of load bearing members for supporting a floor of the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray also includes at least one divider mounted to and adjustable in a first direction relative to the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray also includes a pusher mounted to and movable in a second direction relative to the base structure. A locking arm is provided for locking the pusher in a locked position and automatically unlocking the pusher from the locked position upon the exertion of an actuation force against the locking arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: SOUTHERN IMPERIAL, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas O. Nagel
  • Patent number: 8720702
    Abstract: A merchandise pusher tray is provided. The merchandise pusher tray includes a base structure. The base structure is configurable for bar or shelf mounting. The base structure includes a pair of load bearing members for supporting a floor of the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray also includes at least one divider mounted to and adjustable in a first direction relative to the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray also includes a pusher mounted to and movable in a second direction relative to the base structure. A locking arm is provided for locking the pusher in a locked position and automatically unlocking the pusher from the locked position upon the exertion of an actuation force against the locking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Southern Imperial, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas O. Nagel
  • Patent number: 8561818
    Abstract: A tray for the display and dispensing of products in blister packages. Side guide elements, of wire or sheet material, are provided in forward portions thereof with retaining elements formed integrally and in one piece therewith. The retaining elements engage side margins of a forwardmost package well below the tops of the packages and preferably below the tops of the blisters thereof. A forwardmost package is gripped by its exposed and unobstructed upper portions and pulled forwardly to remove a package. Integral, one-piece construction of the side guide elements and the retaining elements provides for economical manufacture with superior performance. Optionally, space may be provided in front of the retaining portions to accommodate return of packages by a customer who has changed his or her mind. In one embodiment, a wire retaining portion of inverted U-shaped configuration is positioned with wire ends concealed and protected by the tray side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Trion Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Nagel, Joseph F. Kologe
  • Publication number: 20130193095
    Abstract: A merchandise pusher tray is provided. The merchandise pusher tray includes a base structure. The base structure is configurable for bar or shelf mounting. The base structure includes a pair of load bearing members for supporting a floor of the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray also includes at least one divider mounted to and adjustable in a first direction relative to the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray includes an anti-sweeping security structure mounted to the base structure. The anti-sweeping security structure extends along a portion or the entirety of the merchandise channel and is adjustable in at least one of vertical and horizontal and is fixed rotationally over the merchandise channel. The merchandise pusher tray with the anti-sweeping structure includes a locking member pivotally attached to the reinforcement bar for securing the tray to the retail merchandise bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Southern Imperial, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas O. Nagel
  • Patent number: 8468844
    Abstract: An air baffle structure for refrigerated display cases having an open front and provided with openings at the back for the forwardly directed flow of refrigerated air. The display case has a display bar of non-circular cross section for mounting a plurality of display trays. A baffle support, formed of wire and having a front portion and spaced apart side portions, is mounted on the display bar and extends closely underneath the trays. A flat, plastic baffle plate is carried by the baffle support. The baffle support has rear portions of inverted U-shape engaging the display bar, formed in part by upwardly extending baffle positioning elements. Back edge portions of the baffle plate releasably engage the positioning elements to secure the baffle plate in position while accommodating easy removable and replacement for cleaning. A baffle plate typically will extend under a plurality of display trays positioned on the display bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Trion Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Nagel, Joseph F. Kologe
  • Publication number: 20130112634
    Abstract: A merchandise pusher tray is provided. The merchandise pusher tray includes a base structure. The base structure is configurable for bar or shelf mounting. The base structure includes a pair of load bearing members for supporting a floor of the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray also includes at least one divider mounted to and adjustable in a first direction relative to the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray also includes a pusher mounted to and movable in a second direction relative to the base structure. A locking arm is provided for locking the pusher in a locked position and automatically unlocking the pusher from the locked position upon the exertion of an actuation force against the locking arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: SOUTHERN IMPERIAL, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas O. Nagel
  • Patent number: 8302784
    Abstract: A tray for the display and dispensing of products in blister packages. Side guide elements, of wire or sheet material, are provided in forward portions thereof with retaining elements formed integrally and in one piece therewith. The retaining elements engage side margins of a forwardmost package well below the tops of the packages and preferably below the tops of the blisters thereof. A forwardmost package is gripped by its exposed and unobstructed upper portions and pulled forwardly to remove a package. Integral, one-piece construction of the side guide elements and the retaining elements provides for economical manufacture with superior performance. Optionally, space may be provided in front of the retaining portions to accommodate return of packages by a customer who has changed his or her mind. In one embodiment, a wire retaining portion of inverted U-shaped configuration is positioned with wire ends concealed and protected by the tray side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Trion Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Nagel, Joseph F. Kologe
  • Patent number: 8210367
    Abstract: A display tray with a push-forward means for the display of product items in a back to front column, with the forwardmost item of the column being at all times urged tot the front of the tray. A special mounting arrangement is provided for the tray in which product side guides, preferably width adjustable, also serve to mount the trays on a rectangular bar positioned horizontally at the back of a display gondola or the like, enabling a plurality of such trays to be mounted side by side and movable laterally for desired spacing and appearance. To particular advantage, the side guides are formed of a rigid sheet material, typically sheet metal, provided at front and back portions with transverse mounting rods engageable with base members of the tray to accommodate lateral adjustment of the side guides relative to the central portions of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Trion Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Nagel, Joseph F. Kologe
  • Publication number: 20110017684
    Abstract: A tray for the display and dispensing of products in blister packages. Side guide elements, of wire or sheet material, are provided in forward portions thereof with retaining elements formed integrally and in one piece therewith. The retaining elements engage side margins of a forwardmost package well below the tops of the packages and preferably below the tops of the blisters thereof. A forwardmost package is gripped by its exposed and unobstructed upper portions and pulled forwardly to remove a package. Integral, one-piece construction of the side guide elements and the retaining elements provides for economical manufacture with superior performance. Optionally, space may be provided in front of the retaining portions to accommodate return of packages by a customer who has changed his or her mind. In one embodiment, a wire retaining portion of inverted U-shaped configuration is positioned with wire ends concealed and protected by the tray side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas O. Nagel, Joseph F. Kologe
  • Patent number: 7854334
    Abstract: A standardized or basic product display device is provided with a standard front barrier for identifying and restraining a spring-urged column of displayed products in conjunction with a plurality of secondary barrier elements which can be easily and securely mounted onto the primary barrier to accommodate reconfiguration and enlargement of the display device. The secondary elements have lower portions of inverted U-shaped configuration which can be selectively applied over external edge margins of the primary barrier and secured thereto by locking detents. The secondary barrier element enables the front barrier of the display device to be enlarged, both in width and height to accommodate larger product packages than contemplated for the standard display device in its minimum configuration. In one form, the secondary barrier element has a vertical extension of narrow width, providing effective restraint of tall packages while maximizing visibility of the front of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Trion Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Nagel, Joseph F. Kologe
  • Patent number: 7802389
    Abstract: A label holder for displaying information labels at the front of merchandise display hooks, and method for making the label holder. The label holder is of inexpensive continuously extruded construction, which is inexpensively processed after extrusion to eliminate the typical shortcomings of conventional extruded label holders. The extruded body form is cut to usable length and subjected to a plurality of die cutting operations on the back or mounting portion of the label holder, to form positioning and retention features. The label holder is thus provided with many if not most of the beneficial features of specially molded label holders, without incurring the greater expense involved in the molding process. The label holder is designed to accommodate mounting on label holders of several wire sizes commonly found in use in merchandise displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Trion Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Nagel, Marc D. Huntington
  • Publication number: 20100199696
    Abstract: An air baffle structure for refrigerated display cases having an open front and provided with openings at the back for the forwardly directed flow of refrigerated air. The display case has a display bar of non-circular cross section for mounting a plurality of display trays. A baffle support, formed of wire and comprising a front portion and spaced apart side portions, is mounted on the display bar and extends closely underneath the trays. A flat, plastic baffle plate is carried by the baffle support. The baffle support has rear portions of inverted U-shape engaging the display bar, formed in part by upwardly extending baffle positioning elements. Back edge portions of the baffle plate releasably engage the positioning elements to secure the baffle plate in position while accommodating easy removable and replacement for cleaning. A baffle plate typically will extend under a plurality of display trays positioned on the display bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas O. Nagel, Joseph F. Kologe
  • Publication number: 20100181273
    Abstract: A standardized or basic product display device is provided with a standard front barrier for identifying and restraining a spring-urged column of displayed products in conjunction with a plurality of secondary barrier elements which can be easily and securely mounted onto the primary barrier to accommodate reconfiguration and enlargement of the display device. The secondary elements have lower portions of inverted U-shaped configuration which can be selectively applied over external edge margins of the primary barrier and secured thereto by locking detents. The secondary barrier element enables the front barrier of the display device to be enlarged, both in width and height to accommodate larger product packages than contemplated for the standard display device in its minimum configuration. In one form, the secondary barrier element has a vertical extension of narrow width, providing effective restraint of tall packages while maximizing visibility of the front of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas O. Nagel, Joseph F. Kologe
  • Publication number: 20100176077
    Abstract: A display tray with a push-forward means for the display of product items in a back to front column, with the forwardmost item of the column being at all times urged tot the front of the tray. A special mounting arrangement is provided for the tray in which product side guides, preferably width adjustable, also serve to mount the trays on a rectangular bar positioned horizontally at the back of a display gondola or the like, enabling a plurality of such trays to be mounted side by side and movable laterally for desired spacing and appearance. To particular advantage, the side guides are formed of a rigid sheet material, typically sheet metal, provided at front and back portions with transverse mounting rods engageable with base members of the tray to accommodate lateral adjustment of the side guides relative to the central portions of the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas O. Nagel, Joseph F. Kologe
  • Publication number: 20100176075
    Abstract: A display tray for specially shaped packages (e.g., sliced meat products), having flat, flexible bases and a forwardly projecting housings for the product, typically, typically with recesses in the base to accommodate nesting. A vertical frame at the front, permitting the product housing to project through while normally retaining the base and while also allowing the base to be pulled through by a customer, is known. The new tray positions this frame a sufficient distance behind a front stop of the tray to enable a customer to replace a pulled-through product into the tray, in front of the frame and a product projecting through the frame. To particular advantage, the thus-positioned frame is incorporated into a special tray insert, easily installed in a general purpose tray to accommodate the described, specially shaped packages, and easily removed from the tray to render it more suitable for the display of general merchandise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas O. Nagel, Joseph F. Kologe
  • Patent number: D728257
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Southern Imperial, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas O. Nagel
  • Patent number: D733538
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Southern Imperial, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas O. Nagel
  • Patent number: D738248
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Southern Imperial, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas O. Nagel