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.

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.

Abstract: A two-piece, adjustable width merchandising tray for the organized display of multiple product containers. Two L-shaped tray sections, formed of plastic material. The bottom portions of the two L-shaped sections are provided with laterally extending, interengaging fingers that enable the width of the tray to be adjusted for different product sizes while maintaining substantial continuity to the surface of the bottom structure for containment of product leakage. An asymmetrical side wall arrangement with a forwardly projecting hand grip at the front of one of the side walls enables individual trays to be removed and replaced from a closely packed array of trays arranged in side-by-side fashion. The trays can be conveniently lifted and carried for product restocking, reorganizing, tray cleaning, etc. A simple pull strip and paddle arrangement enables product to be fronted at all times. Double stacking of product containers is also accommodated.

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.

Abstract: A pull-out display shelf assembly having spaced-apart support structures mounted on gondola uprights, for example, and supporting a display shelf for movement between fully retracted and extended positions, with locking means for securing the shelf structure in any set position. The locking mechanism includes vertically rotatable square locking bars freely movable in a locking track when aligned therewith, and having locking engagement with the track when rotated out of alignment with the track. Simplified and improved support structures are formed of heavy gauge sheet metal, bent into an L-shaped configuration for strength and rigidity and formed to provide elongated locking slots in horizontal bottom panels of the L-shaped supports. Component parts are minimized and rigidity and locking action are improved. Stabilizing tabs at the inner ends of the support brackets minimize lateral flexing of the brackets when the shelf is released for movement relative to the support brackets.

Abstract: A product display device is comprised of a wire base structure with a plurality of spaced-apart, straight parallel wire supports extending in a front-to-back direction, and wire cross bars underlying the wire supports adjacent their front and back ends. Plastic base elements are snap-fitted to the cross bars at the front and back ends of the wire base structure, and a pusher is provided on the base structure for urging displayed product items toward the front. A molded plastic barrier panel is mounted at the front of the front base element by vertical tabs which are received in vertical grooves at the front of the base element. The plastic barrier panel can be made of clear, transparent material for optimum viewing of the product being displayed. The panels can accommodate the presence of product identifying logos, graphics or other special information associated with a particular product.

Abstract: A merchandise locking device for retrofit attachment to a product display hook installed on a merchandise display panel. The locking device attaches without tools to the upper wire arm of the display hook for pivoting movement between “lock” and “open” positions. A laterally opening recess in the locking device receives the lower arm of the display hook and a locking arm, rotatably mounted in the body of the locking device by a rotor element, closes the recess to lock the device to the lower arm and prevent the removal of merchandise therefrom. A simple key carried by store personnel enables the rotor to be released to free the locking device from the lower arm and permit the removal of merchandise. The locking device consists of four elements, including the key, and can be manufactured at very low cost, suitable for mass merchandise applications.

Abstract: A pull strip actuated pusher assembly for up-front merchandise display, wherein a frictionally restrained pusher sled is actuated by a manually operated pull strip element slideably guided in an elongated base member. The pull strip is confined in a longitudinal groove in the base member, and restricted against vertical displacement relative to the base member by confining elements, such as overlying tabs, slideably engaging the pull strip in a limited area adjacent a forward end extremity of the base member. In areas behind such confining elements, the pull strip is relatively vertically unrestricted, except for the presence of the pusher sled, which at all times overlies portions of the pull strip. The pusher sled which is movable on the base independently of the pull strip, is assembled onto the base member after installation of the pull strip by a snap-on assembly procedure, which results in the pusher sled being locked together with base member.

Abstract: A combination label holder and sign, where the label holder component is of extruded construction and the sign component is inexpensively formed of sheet plastic material, printed with text and/or graphics on both sides and removably attached to the label holder component. The label holder component includes a clip, for attachment to a peg hook or shelf front, integrally attached to a label holder by means of a thin, flexible hinge. The label holder has front and back panels, joined at the bottom to form a label-holding pocket. A sign-holding channel is formed on the back panel of the label holder by a pair of horizontally disposed, spaced apart channel-forming flanges. The sign-holding channel slidably receives a mounting tongue portion of the sign component. The main body of the sign component extends outwardly at right angles from the label holder and its graphics are visible from opposite sides to customers walking in either direction in a merchandise aisle.

Abstract: A display assembly for the display of merchandise packages with provisions for moving product packages toward the front as packages are removed by customers. A pusher sled is formed of front and back plastic wall panels, joined at the top and spaced apart at the bottom, with side opening notches near the bottom for sliding engagement with spaced apart, wire-like supports. A coiled strip spring has its coiled body confined between the wall panels and a strip portion thereof extends through an opening in the front wall panel to an anchor point at the front of assembly. Exceptional economies are realized in the manufacture of the display assembly while providing a system which aesthetically attractive, with superior performance. A variety of simple clip-on or snap-on devices may be used for anchoring the front of the coil spring, including a clip-on label holder element which mounts at the front of the assembly and includes a slot for reception of a forward end of the spring.

Abstract: A display rack assembly for the display of product packages, with provisions for pushing packages toward the front of the display as individual packages are removed. The assembly includes a support base for supporting the packages and slidably mounting a spring-urged pusher. The pusher has front and back panels, with the back panel being joined along its upper edge to the back of the front panel, and the respective bottom edges being spaced apart in the front to back direction. A generally flat, front extension panel is removably attached to the front pusher panel to extend its dimensions upwardly or laterally, or both. This enables a standardized display rack to be easily adapted for tall and/or wide packages, as well as packages of smaller sizes. Interchangeable extension panels also can be provided with product advertising, specific to the product being displayed, which can be replaced or interchanged when a new product is displayed.

Abstract: An adjustable width product display system which includes spaced-apart front and back display supports formed of an engineering plastic material, suitable for food freezer environments. Formed wire side elements, provided with transversely extending mounting portions, are slideably received in transversely disposed recesses in the plastic display supports. Each display support includes a pair of closely adjacent, parallel recesses for receiving the mounting portions in overlapping relation, providing a wide range of width adjustment to accommodate packages of different size. A wire frame, comprising a pair of elongated wire elements extending from front to back of the display system joins the two display supports in spaced relation. These wire elements also function as an underneath support for product packages confined between the side elements.

Abstract: A display rack for the display of merchandise packages with provisions for moving product packages toward the front. A pusher sled is formed of front and back plastic wall panels, spaced apart at the bottom, with side opening notches at the edges and downwardly opening notches at the bottom for sliding engagement with and support by a base comprised of four spaced-apart, parallel wire-like supports. The four support wires are disposed in a flat plane and serve as a sliding support for product items placed on the display rack. The four wires also guide, support and retain the pusher sled for easy sliding movement under the urging of one or more coiled strip springs. The springs are confined between the wall panels of the sled and strip portions thereof extend through openings in the, front wall panel to anchor points at the front of assembly. The four support wires are connected at their ends by welded cross bars, which in turn are supported in small plastic base members.

Abstract: A shelf-front label holder is provided with a specifically improved form of auxiliary sign clip along its upper front edge. The label holder is formed of a relatively rigid plastic material, and the sign clip includes a downwardly extending portion overlying the upper front margin of the label holder to accommodate upward insertion of special sign tags. A thin, flexible tongue-like retaining element extends across a lower portion of the sign clip and is adapted to be easily deflected by upward insertion of a paper sign but thereafter lightly grips the sign to hold it in place. A new process is also disclosed for the continuous extrusion of the new label holder product, enabling the continuous co-extrusion of the soft, flexible tongue-like retaining element together with the main section of the label holder.

Abstract: A display rack assembly for the display of product packages, with provisions for pushing packages toward the front of the display as individual packages are removed. The assembly includes a support base for supporting the packages and slidably mounting a spring-urged pusher. The pusher has front and back panels, with the back panel being joined along its upper edge to the back of the front panel, and the respective bottom edges being spaced apart in the front to back direction. A generally flat, front extension panel is removably attached to the front pusher panel to extend its dimensions upwardly or laterally, or both. This enables a standardized display rack to be easily adapted for tall and/or wide packages, as well as packages of smaller sizes. Interchangeable extension panels also can be provided with product advertising, specific to the product being displayed, which can be replaced or interchanged when a new product is displayed.

Abstract: An adjustable width product display system is comprised of a wire rack for supporting display products. At each end of the rack is a molded plastic base member having and upwardly opening recess for the reception of a cross bar element of the product support rack. Each base element is also provided with a pair of downwardly opening grooves of partially circular cross section, for the adjustable reception of transverse base elements of wire side supports. The side supports can be adjustably positioned to accommodate display product of various width. In many cases, a spring driven pusher sled may be provided on the display rack, and the base members are formed with one or more slots for the reception and anchoring of the free end of one or more pusher springs for driving the sled. The plastic base members are designed to accommodate vertical snap-in assembly of the rack and side supports into their respective grooves, to facilitate assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable width product display system which includes spaced-apart front and back display supports formed of an engineering plastic material, suitable for food freezer environments. Formed wire side elements, provided with transversely extending mounting portions, are slideably received in transversely disposed recesses in the plastic display supports. Each display support includes a pair of closely adjacent, parallel recesses for receiving the mounting portions in overlapping relation, providing a wide range of width adjustment to accommodate packages of different size. A wire frame, comprising a pair of elongated wire elements extending from front to back of the display system joins the two display supports in spaced relation. These wire elements also function as an underneath support for product packages confined between the side elements.

Abstract: A display rack for the display of merchandise packages with provisions for moving product packages toward the front. A pusher sled is formed of front and back plastic wall panels, spaced apart at the bottom, with side opening notches at the edges and downwardly opening notches at the bottom for sliding engagement with and support by a base comprised of four spaced-apart, parallel wire-like supports. The four support wires are disposed in a flat plane and serve as a sliding support for product items placed on the display rack. The four wires also guide, support and retain the pusher sled for easy sliding movement under the urging of one or more coiled strip springs. The springs are confined between the wall panels of the sled and strip portions thereof extend through openings in the, front wall panel to anchor points at the front of assembly. The four support wires are connected at their ends by welded cross bars, which in turn are supported in small plastic base members.

Abstract: A shelf-front label holder is provided with a specifically improved form of auxiliary sign clip along its upper front edge. The label holder is formed of a relatively rigid plastic material, and the sign clip includes a downwardly extending portion overlying the upper front margin of the label holder to accommodate upward insertion of special sign tags. A thin, flexible tongue-like retaining element extends across a lower portion of the sign clip and is adapted to be easily deflected by upward insertion of a paper sign but thereafter lightly grips the sign to hold it in place. A new process is also disclosed for the continuous extrusion of the new label holder product, enabling the continuous co-extrusion of the soft, flexible tongue-like retaining element together with the main section of the label holder.