Modular Shelf System

Abstract

A modular shelf system comprising: at least one shelf board defined between a first side end, a second side end, a front end, and a rear end, and having an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface, and having a space to display products on the upwardly facing surface; and at least one middle side wall which is configured to divide the space to display products between the first and second side end of the shelf board, wherein the middle side wall has at least one slit which is configured to accept the shelf board, and wherein the middle wall is configured to move laterally while accepting the shelf board through the slit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to modular shelf system, more particularly, relates to a modular shelf system for displaying retail products to consumers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Selves for displaying products can be divided into several sections. For example, in selves for displaying retails products to consumers in retail stores, one divided section is used for displaying one brand products or one category products, and another divided section is used for displaying another brand products or another category products. In such selves, it is expected to adjust the width of each section according to sales circumstances. For example, the width of one section of a certain product/brand may be expected to be broadened only for its sales promotion period. In another example, the width of a section for products/brands having larger sales volumes may be expected to be broadened, while the width of a section for products/brands having reduced sales volumes may be expected to be narrowed.

There is a need for such display selves which have an easy configuration to change width of sections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a modular shelf system comprising: at least one shelf board defined between a first side end, a second side end, a front end, and a rear end, and having an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface, and having a space to display products on the upwardly facing surface; and at least one middle side wall which is configured to divide the space to display products between the first and second side end of the shelf board, wherein the middle side wall has at least one slit which is configured to accept the shelf board, and wherein the middle wall is configured to move laterally while accepting the shelf board through the slit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the modular shelf system of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a middle side wall used in the modular shelf system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the product displays, the product display kits, and the methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the product displays, the product display kits, and the methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other exemplary embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Shelf System

The modular shelf system of the present invention comprises: at least one shelf board defined between a first side end, a second side end, a front end, and a rear end, and having an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface, and having a space to display products on the upwardly facing surface; and at least one middle side wall which is configured to divide the space to display products between the first and second side end of the shelf board, wherein the middle side wall has at least one slit which is configured to accept the shelf board, and wherein the middle wall is configured to move laterally while accepting the shelf board through the slit.

The modular shelf system can further comprise at least one of the followings: one or two end side walls; a rear wall; a base shelf board; a signing element; and a lighting element.

Shelf Board

The modular shelf system of the present invention comprises at least one shelf board. The shelf boards of the present invention are those defined between a first side end, a second side end, a front end, and a rear end, and having an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface, and having a space to display products on the upwardly facing surface.

When the modular shelf system comprises two or more shelf boards, each shelf board can have a same or different size, i.e., the width between the first and second side ends, the depth between the front and rear ends, and/or the height between the upwardly facing and downwardly facing surfaces.

The one shelf board can be one piece. Alternatively, the one shelf board can comprise two or more pieces, for example, for at least one of the following purposes:

so that the shelf board can change its size, i.e., the width, the depth, and/or the height; and
so that the shelf board can easily connect with other elements such as signing elements and lighting elements.

The piece can be configured to be detachably connected with at least one another piece, in order to form one shelf board. The connection means can be anything known in the art, for example, tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs can be interlocked with, engaged with, press-fit and/or snap-fit with the tab receivers.

Embodiment Based on Drawing

For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the modular shelf system of the present invention comprises four shelf boards (First shelf board 1.1, Second shelf board 1.2, Third shelf board 1.3, and Fourth shelf board 1.4). Each shelf board is defined between a first side end, a second side end, a front end, and a rear end, and having an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface, and having a space to display products on the upwardly facing surface. As an example, First shelf board's First side end 1.1.1, Second side end 1.1.2, Front end 1.1.3, and Rear end 1.1.4 are specifically shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each shelf board has the same width between the first and second side ends. In this embodiment, while not clearly shown in FIG. 1, First shelf board 1.1 has a slightly lower height between the upwardly facing and downwardly facing surfaces, compared to heights of Second, Third, Fourth shelf boards (1.2, 1.3, and 1.4) which have the same height. In this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each shelf board has different depth between the front and rear ends, such that a lower shelf board has a deeper depth. In this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each shelf board comprises three pieces to change the width between the first and second side ends of the shelf board, while border lines between the pieces are not shown in FIG. 1. While also not shown in FIG. 1, the middle and side pieces are configured such that the middle piece is detachably connected with two side pieces, by connection means of tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs are press-fit with the tab receivers.

Middle Side Wall

The modular shelf system of the present invention comprises at least one middle side wall. The middle side wall is configured to divide the space to display products between the first and second side end of the shelf board. The middle side wall has at least one slit which is configured to accept the shelf board. The middle wall is configured to move laterally while accepting the shelf board through the slit.

The middle side wall is defined by a top end, a bottom end, front end, rear end, first side surface and second side surface. One of such ends can smoothly connect to another end.

The slit is formed between the front end and the rear end. The slit can be formed as follows:

so that the middle side wall can have a closed front end and an open rear end, wherein the slit has an opening edge at the rear end which is preferred for easiness to assemble and/or move;
so that the middle side wall can have a open front end and a closed rear end, wherein the slit has an opening edge at the front end; or
so that the middle side wall can have a closed front end and a closed rear end, wherein the slit has no opening edge.

It is preferred for the middle side wall to have slits such that the number of the slits corresponding to the number of the shelf broads. Each slit can have a same or different size, i.e., height which approximately corresponds to the height of the shelf board, width which approximately corresponds to the width of the middle side wall, and/or depth which approximately correspond to the depth of the shelf board.

When the modular shelf system comprises two or more middle side wall, each middle side wall can have a same or different size, i.e., the height between the top and bottom ends, the width between the first and second side surface, and/or the depth between the front and rear ends.

The one middle side wall can be one piece. Alternatively, the one middle side wall can comprise two or more pieces, for example, for at least one of the following purposes:

so that the slit can be formed by these pieces in an assembled configuration;
so that the middle side wall can change its size such as height, width, and/or depth;
so that the middle side wall can change the number of slits; and
so that the middle side wall can change the size of slits such as height, width, and/or depth.

The piece can be configured to be detachably connected with at least one another piece, in order to form one middle side wall. The connection means can be anything known in the art.

The middle side and the shelf board can be configured to be detachably connected each other. The connection means can be anything known in the art.

Embodiment Based on Drawing

For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the modular shelf system of the present invention comprises five Middle side walls 2. The middle side wall is configured to move laterally while accepting the shelf boards through the slit. The slits can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, each Middle side wall 2 is configured to divide the space to display products between the first and second side end of the shelf board. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the display space is divided into six sections by five Middle side walls 2. The Middle side wall is defined by a top end, a bottom end, front end, rear end, first side surface and second side surface. As an example, Middle side wall's Top end 2.1, Bottom end 2.2, Front end 2.3, Rear end 2.4 are specifically shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, Front end 2.3 smoothly connects to Top end 2.1. In this embodiment, all middle side walls have the same size.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, each middle side wall has four slits corresponding to four shelf boards, and the slit being configured to accept the shelf board. Such four slits are shown in FIG. 2 as First slit 2.5.1, Second slit 2.5.2, Third slit 2.5.3, Fourth slit 2.5.4. In this embodiment, each Middle side wall 2 has the closed front end and the open rear end wherein the slit has an opening edge at the rear end. In this embodiment, First slit 2.5.1 has a slightly lower height, and has an enlarged front end portion for accepting a signing element which is explained later, while Second, Third and Fourth slits (2.5.2, 2.5.3, and 2.5.4) have a same height which is higher than that of First slit 2.5.1. In this embodiment, the slits have different depth, i.e., lower slits have deeper depths, corresponding to shelf board's depths. In this embodiment, the width of all slits is same. Further, in this embodiment, each middle side wall comprises one piece.

Base Shelf Board

The modular shelf system of the present invention preferably further comprises a base shelf board. The base shelf board is defined by a first side end, a second side end, a front end, and a rear end, and having an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface, and preferably having a space to display products on the upwardly facing surface. The base shelf board is preferably that can stably accept the weights of all other parts of the modular shelf system, including the weights of products displayed on the shelf board.

The base shelf board can have a variety of sizes, i.e., the width between the first and second side ends, the depth between the front and rear ends, and/or the height between the upwardly facing surface and either of downwardly facing surface or floor on which the modular shelf system is placed.

The base shelf board can be one piece. Alternatively, the base shelf board can comprise two or more pieces, for example, for at least one of the following purposes:

so that the base shelf board can change its size, i.e., the width, the depth, and/or the height;
so that the base shelf board can further comprises other elements such as signing elements and lighting elements.

The piece can be configured to be detachably connected with at least one another piece, in order to form one base shelf board. The connection means can be anything known in the art, for example, tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs can be interlocked with, engaged with, press-fit and/or snap-fit with the tab receivers.

The base shelf board and the middle side wall can be configured to detachably connect each other. By this connection, the middle side wall can be located in an approximately fixed position and/or can be supported by, at least partially, the base shelf board. The connection means can be anything known in the art, for example, tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs can be interlocked with, engaged with, press-fit and/or snap-fit with the tab receivers.

Embodiment Based on Drawing

For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the modular shelf system of the present invention comprises Base shelf board 3. The Base shelf board 3 is defined by a first side end, a second side end, a front end, and a rear end, and having an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface, and having a space to display products on the upwardly facing surface. In this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the Base shelf board 3 has the same width as that of the shelf boards, and a deeper depth than those of the shelf boards. In this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the Base shelf board 3 comprises three pieces to change the width between the first and second side ends of the base shelf board, while border lines between the pieces are not shown in FIG. 1. While also not shown in FIG. 1, the middle and side pieces are configured such that the middle piece is detachably connected with two side pieces, by connection means of tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs are press-fit with the tab receivers. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the base shelf board and each middle side wall are connected each other by the connection means of tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs are press-fit with the tab receivers.

End Side Wall

The modular shelf system of the present invention preferably further comprises one or two end side walls. Preferably, the end side walls do not have any slit, the slit allowing the walls to move laterally while accepting the shelf board through.

The end side wall is defined by a top end, a bottom end, front end, rear end, first side surface and second side surface. One of such ends can smoothly connect to another end.

When the modular shelf system comprises two end side walls, each end side wall can have a same or different size, i.e., the height between the top and bottom ends, the width between the first and second side surface, and/or the depth between the front and rear ends.

The end side wall can be one piece. The end side wall can comprise two or more pieces, for example, for at least one of the following purposes:

so that the middle side wall can change the size of slits such as height, width, and/or depth.

The piece can be configured to be detachably connected with at least one another piece, in order to form one end side wall. The connection means can be anything known in the art, for example, tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs can be interlocked with, engaged with, press-fit and/or snap-fit with the tab receivers.

The end side wall and the shelf board can be configured to be detachably connected each other. The connection means can be anything known in the art, for example, tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs can be interlocked with, engaged with, press-fit and/or snap-fit with the tab receivers. By this connection, the shelf board can be supported by, at least partially, the end side wall.

The end side wall and the base shelf board, if present, can be configured to be detachably connected each other. The connection means can be anything known in the art, for example, tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs can be interlocked with, engaged with, press-fit and/or snap-fit with the tab receivers. By this connection, the end side wall can be supported by, at least partially, the base shelf board.

Embodiment Based on Drawing

For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the modular shelf system of the present invention comprises two End side walls 4. The End side wall 4 is defined by a top end, a bottom end, front end, rear end, first side surface and second side surface. In this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the front end smoothly connects to the top end.

In the embodiment, the two End side walls 4 have the same size, and also have approximately same sizes as those of the Middle side walls 2. In this embodiment, each End side wall 4 comprises one piece.

In this embodiment, the End side walls 4 are not connected with the Shelf boards (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4) or with the Base shelf board 3.

Rear Wall

The modular shelf system of the present invention preferably further comprises a rear wall.

The rear wall is defined by a first end, a second end, a top end, a bottom end, a front side surface and a rear side surface.

The rear wall can have any size as long as meeting the purpose of the present invention, i.e., width between the first and second ends, height between the top and bottom ends, and/or depth between the front and rear side surfaces.

The rear wall can be one piece. Alternatively, the rear wall can comprise two or more pieces, for example, for at least one of the following purposes:

so that the rear wall can change the size of slits such as height, width, and/or depth.

The piece can be configured to be detachably connected with at least one another piece, in order to form one rear wall. The connection means can be anything known in the art.

The rear wall and the shelf board can be configured to be detachably connected each other. The connection means can be anything known in the art, for example, brackets and screws wherein the bracket can be screwed to the shelf board and to the rear all. By this connection, the shelf board can be supported by, at least partially, the rear wall.

The rear wall and the middle side wall can configured to be detachably connected each other. The connection means can be anything known in the art. By this connection, the middle side wall can be supported by, at least partially, the rear wall.

The rear wall and the base shelf board, if present, can be configured to be detachably connected each other. The connection means can be anything known in the art, for example, tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs can be interlocked with, engaged with, press-fit and/or snap-fit with the tab receivers. By this connection, the rear wall can be supported by, at least partially, the base shelf board.

The rear wall and the end side wall, if present, can be configured to be detachably connected each other. The connection means can be anything known in the art, for example, brackets and screws wherein the bracket can be screwed to the end side wall and to the rear all, or screws only. By this connection, the rear wall and end side wall can be supported, at least partially, each other.

Embodiment Based on Drawing

For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the modular shelf system of the present invention comprises Rear wall 5. The Rear wall is defined by a first end, a second end, a top end, a bottom end, a front side surface and a rear side surface.

The Rear wall 5 has an approximately same width as those of the Shelf boards (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4) and Base shelf board 3, and an approximately same height as those of the Middle side walls 2 and End walls 4.

The Rear wall 5 comprises three pieces to change the width between the first and second side ends of the rear wall, such that the rear wall has an approximately same width as that of the shelf boards, while border lines between the pieces are not shown in FIG. 1. While also not shown in FIG. 1, the middle and side pieces are configured such that the middle piece is detachably connected with two side pieces, by connection means of tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs are press-fit with the tab receivers. In this embodiment, while not shown in FIG. 1, the Rear wall 5 is detachably connected with each Shelf board (1.1, 1.2. 1.3, and 1.4) by the connection means of brackets and screws wherein the brackets are screwed to the shelf board and to the rear all, and with the Base shelf board 3 by the connection means of tabs and tab receivers wherein the tabs are press-fit with the tab receivers. In this embodiment, while not shown in FIG. 1, the Rear wall 5 is also detachably connected with the two End side walls 4 by the connection means of brackets and screws wherein the brackets are screwed to the end side wall and to the rear all.

Signing Element/Lighting Element

The modular shelf system of the present invention may further contain a singing element. Such signing elements can be figured to display any information relating to the displayed products, for example, product's brand, source, logo and/or price. The signing elements can contain a monitor to air advertisements and/or demonstrate benefits of the product.

The singing element can be configured to detachably or non-detachably connect with other parts of the modular shelf system, for example, the shelf board and rear wall, by any known connection means.

The modular shelf system of the present invention may further contain a lighting element. Such lighting elements can be figured to illuminate any parts of the modular shelf system including the displayed products.

The lighting element can be configured to detachably or non-detachably connect with other parts of the modular shelf system, for example, the shelf board and rear wall, by any known connection means.

Embodiment Based on Drawing

For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the modular shelf system of the present invention comprises First signing element 6.1, Second signing element 6.2, and Third signing element 6.3, and First Lighting element 7.1.

In this embodiment, the First signing element 6.1 is, for example, that for showing a brand name and accommodating the First lighting element 7.1 inside, and they are connected with the Rear wall 5 by any known connection means.

In this embodiment, the Second singing element 6.2 is, for example, that for showing brand image and/or equity, and it is connected with the Rear wall 5 by any known connection means.

In this embodiment, the Third signing element 6.3 is, for example, that for showing product prices and/or product benefits.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”.

Any documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A modular shelf system comprising:

at least one shelf board defined between a first side end, a second side end, a front end, and a rear end, and having an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface, and having a space to display products on the upwardly facing surface; and

at least one middle side wall which is configured to divide the space to display products between the first and second side end of the shelf board, wherein the middle side wall has at least one slit which is configured to accept the shelf board, and wherein the middle wall is configured to move laterally while accepting the shelf board through the slit.

2. The modular shelf system of claim 1, wherein the modular shelf comprises two or more shelf boards, wherein the middle side wall has two or more slits, and wherein the number of the slits corresponding to the number of the shelf broads.

3. The modular shelf system of claim 1, further comprising a base shelf board.

4. The modular shelf system of claim 1, further comprising one or two end side walls.

5. The modular shelf system of claim 1, further comprising a rear wall.

6. The modular shelf system of claim 3, wherein the middle side wall and the base shelf board are configured to detachably connect each other.

7. The modular system of claim 1, further comprising a signing element.

8. The modular system of claim 1, further comprising a lighting element.