PRODUCT DISPLAY MEMBER WITH PUSHER
A product display member for use on a shelf includes a pusher configured to urge products toward a proximal portion of a shelf. The shelf defines a longitudinal axis extending between a proximal end of the shelf and a distal end of the shelf. A portion of the pusher is movable between a first orientation where the portion of the pusher is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second orientation where the portion of the pusher is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.
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The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/105,424 filed on Jan. 20, 2015, the entire contents of which being herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDThe present disclosure relates to a product display member with a pusher, and more particularly, to a product display member including a pusher especially designed for lightweight products.
Various types of product display members and merchandisers are commonly used in retail environments to display different types of products. As opposed to simply positioning products on shelves, product display members are commonly used to position products on a shelf in manner which automatically advances (e.g., via gravity or a pusher) a trailing or distal product (i.e., a product that is behind a lead or proximal-most product) closer to a consumer once the lead product has been removed from the shelf. As can be appreciated, such product display members facilitate the arrangement and upkeep of products, as the trailing products do not have to be manually moved towards the front of the shelf, for instance.
Additionally, in retail environments, for example, floor/shelf space is limited, and retailers typically attempt to maximize the amount of products they can store/display in their retail space.
Accordingly, it is often desirable for retailers to display products in as many viewable and reachable places as possible, while still allowing the products to automatically advance toward the proximal portion of the shelf.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure relates to a product display member for use on a shelf. The product display member includes a pusher configured to urge products toward a proximal portion of a shelf. The shelf defines a longitudinal axis extending between a proximal end of the shelf and a distal end of the shelf. A portion of the pusher is movable between a first orientation where the portion of the pusher is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second orientation where the portion of the pusher is disposed at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.
In disclosed embodiments, the product display member may further include at least two biasing elements disposed in mechanical cooperation with the pusher. In embodiments, the two biasing elements of the at least two biasing elements may be laterally spaced from each other.
In disclosed embodiments, the pusher may be movable between a distal position and a proximal position. It is further disclosed that the pusher may be biased towards the proximal position. It is further disclosed that the second orientation of the pusher may occur when the pusher is located between the proximal position and the distal position.
In disclosed embodiments, the pusher may be configured to simultaneously move at least two rows of products proximally. It is further disclosed that the pusher may include only one biasing element.
In disclosed embodiments, the pusher may include an accordion-like shape.
In disclosed embodiments, a width of the pusher may between about 40 inches and about 60 inches.
The present disclosure also relates to a method of displaying products on a shelf. The method includes positioning a product display member on the shelf where the shelf defines a longitudinal axis extending between a proximal end of the shelf and a distal end of the shelf, positioning a plurality products on the shelf such that at least two products contact a single pusher of the product display member, and tilting the pusher with respect to the longitudinal axis.
In disclosed embodiments, the method may further include biasing the products toward a proximal portion of the shelf.
In disclosed embodiments, tilting the pusher may automatically occur after a product is removed from the shelf.
In disclosed embodiments, the method may further include biasing the pusher toward a proximal portion of the shelf.
In disclosed embodiments, the method may further include moving two rows of products proximally along the shelf using the single pusher.
In disclosed embodiments, the method may further include biasing the pusher proximally using only one biasing element.
In disclosed embodiments, the method may further include biasing the pusher proximally using at least two biasing elements.
In disclosed embodiments, positioning the plurality of products may include the pusher having an accordion-like shape.
In disclosed embodiments, positioning the plurality of products may include the pusher having a width between about 40 inches and about 60 inches.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings wherein:
Embodiments of the presently disclosed product display member are now described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein the term “distal” refers to that portion of the shelving system, or component thereof, farther from a user (e.g., customer), while the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the shelving system, or component thereof, closer to the user.
Various embodiments of a product display member are illustrated in
With particular reference to
Distal support 120 defines a width “W1” (
In the illustrated embodiments, product display member 100 includes two biasing elements 140a, 140b (
Product display member 100 may also include a proximal member 160 associated therewith. Alternatively, the shelf “S” may include an upstanding member supported adjacent its proximal edge. It is envisioned that proximal member 160 may be transparent and/or translucent to maximize the exposure of the products “P” disposed distally thereof. Additionally, it is envisioned that proximal member 160 can display product information thereon, and/or includes a sleeve for housing product information. It is further envisioned that proximal member 160 can mechanically engage the shelf “S” (e.g., snap onto the shelf “S”) and/or engage proximal portions of biasing elements 140.
With particular reference to
In
With particular reference to
With particular reference to
In the illustrated embodiments, biasing element 1400 includes a plurality of folds, bends, or angles, which results in a fan- or accordion-like shape. Biasing element 1400 is configured to move between a first, compressed orientation (
While biasing element 1400 is shown having five segments 1400a-1400e, biasing element 1400 may have more or fewer than five segments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. With particular reference to
Additionally, when biasing element 1400 is in its second, extended orientation, it is envisioned that a first angle α1 between first segment 1400a and second segment 1400b is about 45°, a second angle α2 between second segment 1400b and third segment 1400c is about 90°, a third angle α3 between third segment 1400c and fourth segment 1400d is about 90°, and a fourth angle α4 between fourth segment 1400d and fifth segment 1400e is about 110°.
The combination of these dimensions and angles has been specifically engineered to provide the desired proximal force (similar to a spring constant) on particularly sized/weighted products (e.g., where each product “P” weights between about 0.5 lbs and about 1.5 lbs. It is contemplated that the biasing element 1400 may have a different combination of dimensions and angles that provide different amounts of force depending on the application or usage.
Additionally, biasing element 1400 includes a width “W2” (
In disclosed embodiments, biasing element 1400 may have shape-memory qualities, which help cause the biasing element 1400 to be urged to its second, extended orientation, as shown in
Product display member 1000 may also include a proximal member 1600 associated therewith. Alternatively, the shelf “S” may include an upstanding member supported adjacent its proximal edge. It is envisioned that proximal member 1600 may be transparent and/or translucent to maximize the exposure of the products “P” disposed distally thereof. Additionally, it is envisioned that proximal member 1600 display product information thereon, and/or includes a sleeve for housing product information.
With particular reference to
In
With particular reference to
Referring now to
More particularly, and in contrast to the embodiment of product display member 1000 discussed above, biasing element 1400′ is configured to support at least one product “P” at least partially thereon. More particularly, and with reference to
It is envisioned that proximal-most segment 1400e′ of biasing element 1400′ contacts the shelf “S” without a product “P” thereon, or the entirety of biasing element 1400′ is free from contact with the shelf “S” in the absence of a product “P” on biasing element 1400′. It is further envisioned that products “P” may be supported on other portions of biasing element 1400′ in addition to the portion shown.
As can be appreciated, product display member 1000′ functions similarly to product display member 1000.
The present disclosure also relates to shelving systems that utilize one or more product display members 100, 1000, 1000′. In a particular example, only the lower-most shelf/shelves include product display member(s) 100, 1000, 1000′ thereon, as products “P” on lower shelves, especially when the products “P” are not in a proximal-most position, are typically the most difficult to view/reach.
The present disclosure also relates to method of displaying products (e.g., chips or pretzels), and to methods of proximally advancing the products on a shelf.
Additionally, while the accompanying figures show product display members 100, 1000, 1000′ on horizontal shelves, the present disclosure also contemplates the use of product display members 100, 1000, 1000′ on inclined shelves. Here, the products would be advanced via product display member 100, 1000, 1000′, and gravity.
Further, while the accompanying figures illustrate a particular number of product display members 100, 1000, 1000′ disposed adjacent each other, it is envisioned and within the scope of the present disclosure to include more or fewer amounts of product display members 100, 1000, 1000′, and to include product display members 100, 1000, 1000′ of other sizes, and shapes than those illustrated.
It is further envisioned that the spring constant of biasing elements 140, 1400, 1400′ is selected at least in part by the products “P” that will be displayed thereon. For example, for product display members 100, 1000, 1000′ configured to advance lighter products, the spring constants may be lower than product display members 100, 1000, 1000′ that are configured to advance heavier products.
Further, it is envisioned that distal members 120, 1200, 1200′ and/or biasing elements 140, 1400, 1400′ can be integrated with other types of shelves or tracks in addition to the shelves “S” and shelf supports “SS” illustrated in the accompanying figures.
It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.
Claims
1. A product display member for use on a shelf, the product display member comprising:
- a pusher configured to urge products toward a proximal portion of a shelf, the shelf defining a longitudinal axis extending between a proximal end of the shelf and a distal end of the shelf, a portion of the pusher being movable between a first orientation where the portion of the pusher is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a second orientation where the portion of the pusher is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.
2. The product display member according to claim 1, further including at least two biasing elements disposed in mechanical cooperation with the pusher.
3. The product display member according to claim 2, wherein a first biasing element of the at least two biasing elements is laterally spaced from a second biasing element of the at least two biasing elements.
4. The product display member according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the pusher is movable between a distal position and a proximal position.
5. The product display member according to claim 4, wherein the pusher is biased towards the proximal position.
6. The product display member according to claim 4, wherein the second orientation of the pusher occurs when the pusher is located between a proximal-most position and a distal-most position.
7. The product display member according to claim 1, wherein the pusher is configured to simultaneously move at least two rows of products proximally.
8. The product display member according to claim 7, wherein the pusher includes only one biasing element.
9. The product display member according to claim 1, wherein the pusher includes an accordion-like shape.
10. The product display member according to claim 1, wherein a width of the pusher is between about 40 inches and about 60 inches.
11. A method of displaying products on a shelf, the method comprising:
- positioning a product display member on the shelf, the shelf defining a longitudinal axis extending between a proximal end of the shelf and a distal end of the shelf;
- positioning a plurality of products on the shelf such that at least two products of the plurality of products contact a pusher of the product display member; and
- tilting the pusher with respect to the longitudinal axis.
12. The method according to claim 11, further including biasing the plurality of products towards the proximal end of the shelf.
13. The method according to claim 11, wherein tilting the pusher occurs after one product of the plurality of products is removed from the shelf.
14. The method according to claim 11, further including biasing the pusher towards the proximal end of the shelf.
15. The method according to claim 11, further including moving two rows of products proximally along the shelf using the pusher.
16. The method according to claim 11, further including biasing the pusher proximally using only one biasing element.
17. The method according to claim 11, further including biasing the pusher proximally using at least two biasing elements.
18. The method according to claim 11, wherein positioning the plurality of products includes the pusher having an accordion-like shape.
19. The method according to claim 11, wherein positioning the plurality of products includes the pusher having a width that is between about 40 inches and about 60 inches.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 20, 2016
Publication Date: Jul 21, 2016
Applicant: Display Technologies, LLC (Lake Success, NY)
Inventor: Andrew Howard (Larchmont, NY)
Application Number: 15/001,496