MULTI-FACING MERCHANDISER AND METHODS RELATING TO SAME

Abstract

A product display is provided including a tray, a first product channel located on a first side of the tray, and a second product channel located on a second side of the tray. In some embodiments the first product channel is located on top of the tray and the second product channel is located below the tray.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/302,664, filed Mar. 2, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This invention relates generally to product displays and, more particularly, to merchandisers for front-facing product merchandise for displaying and dispensing product to consumers.

BACKGROUND

Product displays, such as merchandisers, are frequently used in retail environments to display products for sale. It is advantageous for these product display merchandisers to be configured to provide consumers easy access to the displayed product as well as facilitate easy reloading by store employees. Example product display merchandisers are described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0107670. In addition to ease of use considerations, manufacturers of product display merchandisers seek to minimize materials and manufacturing costs associated with the product display merchandisers.

One problem with conventional merchandisers is that an additional merchandiser is required for each row of products. The large number of merchandisers are expensive and take up valuable display space.

While some conventional merchandisers allow flexibility by offering removable dividers, such that a single merchandiser can have two rows of products, conventional merchandisers do not allow products to be displayed on two opposite sides of the merchandiser, such as the top and bottom.

Accordingly, it has been determined that a need exists for improved product display merchandiser that are not only easy to use, for both consumers and store associates, but also minimally expensive to produce and that offer improved features and functions over conventional merchandisers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a store display featuring three versions of product display merchandisers including a product display merchandiser according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a product display merchandiser according to an embodiment of the present invention taken along line A-A in FIG. 2E.

FIG. 2B is a front elevation view of the product display merchandiser of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the product display merchandiser of FIGS. 2A-B.

FIG. 2D is a top view of the product display merchandiser of FIGS. 2A-C.

FIG. 2E is a side elevation view of the product display merchandiser of FIGS. 2A-D.

FIG. 2F is a cross-sectional view of the product display merchandiser of FIGS. 2A-E taken along line F-F in FIG. 2D.

Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale or to include all features, options or attachments. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. Certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Many variations of product displays are discussed herein and even further are contemplated in view of this disclosure. The product display merchandisers discussed herein are configured, and designed, to hold and display product that is for sale and to front face this product so that the next item in the display is moved to the front of the display as the product in front of it is removed from the merchandiser. The product display merchandisers include a first channel for products located on a first side of the product display merchandiser and a second channel for products located on a second side of the display. Specifically, the product display merchandisers include channels on the top and bottom sides. While many variations of product display merchandisers are herein described and contemplated herein, FIGS. 1 and 2A-2F, and the associated text, generally depict and describe a first embodiment of a product display merchandiser wherein a first product channel is located on the top side of the display, and a second product channel is located on the bottom side of the display.

FIG. 1 illustrates a store display 1 featuring three versions of product display merchandisers or front facing merchandisers 100, 200, and 300. Product display merchandisers 200 are single product trays that have a single product channel similar to those discussed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0107670, published May 6, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In a preferred form, these are pull-out trays that allow the tray to pull out for stocking and re-stocking purposes. The product display merchandisers 200 hold a single row 20 of products which are faced against a front lens 210.

Product display merchandiser 300 are dual-product channel merchandisers that are capable of front facing one or two separate product containers similar to those discussed in U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/195847, filed Jul. 23, 2015, from which PCT application no. PCT/U.S.16/43354, filed Jul. 21, 2016, depends both of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The product display merchandiser 300 includes either a single channel configuration 300B or a double channel configuration 300A. The single channel configuration 300A allows for the displaying of a row of large products 31. The double channel configuration 300A allows for the display of multiple rows 30 of smaller products. In the double channel configuration 300A a removable divider is attached to separate the product channel into two product channels. This divider can be removed to convert to the single channel configuration.

Product display merchandiser 300 comprises a tray 302, holding a channel of products 30, which is slidably mounted on a base 305 (e.g., a pull-out front facing tray type merchandiser). In order to assist in the stocking of the product display merchandiser 300, the tray 302 can be slid forward along the base 305 so that it can more easily be reached. The tray 302 is connected to the base 305 by connectors 308, which prevent the tray 302 from completely detaching from the base 305, while still allowing it to slide along the longitudinal axis.

Both merchandisers 200 and 300 preferably include pull-out tray type operation and adjustable width capabilities where the sidewalls of the tray are adjustable to change the width of the product channel to accommodate products of different size and in a manner that allows the merchandiser to only take-up as much space as needed in order to allow retailers to maximize their display space (e.g., maximize horizontal pack-out by not wasting space).

Product display merchandiser 100 is a new merchandiser that allows for a single or multi-product channel on the upper side of the merchandiser and a separate product channel below the merchandiser (or on the side opposite the first product channel). While we will discuss and illustrate the merchandiser 100 only having a single product channel on the upper side of the merchandiser further herein, it should be understood that in alternate forms a dual product channel could be provided on the upper side of the merchandiser like the above mentioned merchandiser 300.

The product display merchandiser 100 is better shown in FIGS. 2A-2F. As seen in FIG. 2A, product display merchandiser 100 includes a tray 102 which defines a first channel 130 and a second channel 132. The first channel 130 or top channel contains a first product row 10 on the top side of the tray 102, the first channel 130 is defined by a pair of sidewalls 112/114. As discussed above, the first channel 130 may be split into multiple channels in alternative embodiments. In further alternatives, one or both sidewalls 112/114 are adjustable and/or removable in order to accommodate product rows 10 of varying widths. The second channel 132 or bottom channel contains a second product row 11 on the bottom side of the tray 102. The second channel 132 is defined by a first protrusion 121 and a second protrusion 122. The product display merchandiser 100 includes a base 105. In some embodiments, the tray 102 is slidably mounted on the base 105, similar to product display merchandiser 300 above. In some embodiments, the tray 102 is baseless and instead slides out along one or more arms. In alternative embodiments, the tray 102 is rigidly attached to the base 105, or the base 105 is a portion of the tray 102.

As shown in FIG. 1, product display merchandiser 100 includes an attachment member 104 for mounting the product display merchandiser 100 to a grid 106. In alternative embodiments, the attachment member 104 is configured to attach the product display merchandiser 100 in other ways, including mounting on a bar, mounting on a shelf, fitting into one or more horizontal tracks, or others.

In operation, the product display 100 retains the rows of products 10/11/12 in neat rows and advances them toward the front end 101 of the tray 102. Turning to the cross-sectional view in FIG. 2A, the bottom side of the tray 102 includes the first protrusion 121 and the second protrusion 122. The two protrusions 121/122 extend downward from the tray 102 and are configured to removably attach to the top portion of the packaging of product 11. In the embodiment shown, the two protrusions form a channel 132 into which a rim around the product 11 slides. The protrusions 121/122 prevent the products 11 from falling or from being removed from either side. However, they permit the sliding of the products 11 toward and away from the front end 101 of the tray 102. The protrusions 121/122 each have a shoulder or lip facing each other configured to support the rim of a product 11 there-between.

FIG. 2A further shows a third row 12 of products attached to the bottom of the second row 11 of products. The top portion of the packaging of the products 11/12 include a recess 13 defined by a ring 14. The bottom portion of the packaging of the products 11/12 include a projection 15 configured to fit into the recess 13. The projection 15 is flared outward and sized such that it is held into the recess 13 by friction with enough force to support the weight of the third row of products 12, such that the third product 12 is detachably coupled to the second product 11. In this embodiment, the amount of force necessary to remove a product 11 from the product display 100 should be greater than the force necessary to remove a product 12 from the bottom of the product 11. Thus, a consumer can remove the products one at a time. In alternative embodiments, the recess 13 is a channel. In this embodiment, the protrusions 121/122 can comprise a single protrusion 121 configured to fit within the recess 13 of the products in row 11 in order to support them.

In FIG. 1, the product display 100 is angled downward. When a product is removed from the first or second rows of products 10/11, gravity causes the remaining products to slide toward the front end 101 of the tray 102, thus self-facing the merchandise. In alternative embodiments, other means of self-facing can be employed. The top row 11 of products include a pusher 108 (see FIG. 2C). In some embodiments, the pusher is springedly attached to the tray 102 such that it is biased toward the front end 101. In other embodiments, the pusher is merely weighted such that it slides forward from gravity in order to self-face lighter products. A second pusher 108 can be included in the bottom channel 132 in order to self-face the second row of products 11. Still in other embodiments, the pushers 108 are attached to a pull tab located near the front end. A store employee can pull on the pull tab in order to face the products quickly. In some embodiments, a single pull tab can be attached to a plurality of pushers 108. As shown in FIG. 2D, the pushers 108 travel along tracks 103 that are built into the tray 102 or the base 105.

The product display 100 further comprises a price channel 110. The price channel 110 (shown in FIG. 2B), includes a lens 113 and at least one stopper 111. The lens 113 is configured to hold a price tag and or product label. In some embodiments the lens 113 is made of a transparent material, such that the tag or label can be placed under the lens 113. In other embodiments, the lens 113 is a channel into which a price tag or label can slide in or be placed. The stopper 111 is a protrusion extending from the price channel 110 into the second channel 132. The stopper 111 contacts the front product 11, so as to restrict the product 11 from sliding out of the tray 102. The stopper 111 allows the product 11 to be removed if sufficient force is applied by a customer. In some embodiments the stopper 111 contacts a surface of the product parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tray 102, and merely hold the product 11 in position with friction. In a second embodiment, the stopper 111 contacts the front of the product 11. In the second embodiment, the stopper 111 and/or the product 11 are deformable, such that they can deform to allow the removal of the product 11 and then return to the proper shape so that the next product 11 in line is stopped.

As shown in FIG. 2E, the back surface of the price channel 110 contacts the front most product 10 so as to prevent it from sliding out of the tray 102. A consumer can remove the product 10 by lifting it above the price channel 110. In alternative embodiments, the price channel 110 includes a second stopper 111 extending into the top channel 130.

In some embodiments, the sidewalls 112/114 are adjustable. The sidewalls 112/114 are attached to the base 105 such that they can slide apart in order to adjust the width of the first channel 130. This permits a single product display 100 to be capable of holding a wide variety of products. In alternative embodiments, one or both of the sidewalls 112/114 are removable. By removing the sidewalls 112/114, very wide products can be supported by two adjacent product displays 100.

Similarly, in some embodiments the first protrusion 121 and second protrusion 122 are adjustable. The protrusions 121/122 are slidably attached to the base 105 so that the width of the second channel 132 can be adjusted. In this manner, they can be adjusted to fit over the rim of a variety of products.

The product display 100 can include any of the features included in the prior art product displays 200/300 or any of the features disclosed in the references incorporated herein. This includes, but is not limited to, a removable divider permitting the first channel 130 to be divided into two channels, sliding sidewalls 112/114, removable sidewalls 112/114, and a slide-out tray 102. The product display 100 can further include the features disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/409,396, filed Jan. 18, 2017, which claims priority to provisional applications 62/440,993, filed Dec. 30, 2016, and 62/279,931, filed Jan. 18, 2016, all of which are fully incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. This includes, but is not limited to, a sensor for monitoring the quantity of products contained in the product display 100 and a means of alerting a store employee when the product display 100 needs restocked.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the first and second protrusions 121/122 that define the channel 132 are configured to be removable from the tray 102. The removable protrusions 121/122 can be added to existing product displays 200/300 in order to support an additional row of products on the bottom side of the trays 202/302. Alternatively, the protrusions 121/122 and the sidewalls 112/114 form a single removable piece. This piece can be attached to existing bases in order to achieve the same result. As shown in FIG. 2A, the piece comprising the sidewalls 112/114 and the protrusions 121/122 include an attachment portion 123 configured to slide over the base 105. Alternatively, each sidewall 112/114 and protrusion 121/122 can be individually attachable to the base 105 or an existing tray. This can be achieved by each sidewall 112/114 and protrusion 121/122 having at least one sideward extending projection configured to fit in a recess or channel in the base 105 or tray 102. This can also be achieved by each sidewall 112/114 and protrusion 121/122 having at least one sideward facing recess or channel configured to fit onto a projection extending from the base 105 or tray 102. In still further embodiments, a single protrusion 121 or a member comprising a single protrusion 121 and sidewall 112 is configured to be permanently fixed to a base 105 or tray 102. This can be achieved by any means, including adhesive, welding, screws, rivets, or bolts. Both protrusions 121/122 can alternatively form a single member configured to be permanently attached to the bottom of a base 105 or tray 102 by any of the same means described above. Any of these embodiments can be combined with the alternative protrusions 121/122 described elsewhere in this application, including where the protrusions 121/122 are replaced with a single protrusion or recess.

This allows for existing product display merchandisers to be retrofitted with the present invention. It further allows for the removal of the protrusions 121/122 so that the same product display merchandisers 100 can be used for the bottom row of a store display 1 or in cases where a second row of products 11 is not desired.

In view of the above, it should be understood that numerous new concepts and features are disclosed herein that are intended to be covered by the instant application. For example, disclosed herein is a product display merchandiser having at least one sidewall formed from an extrusion. In a preferred form, the extrusion defines two side walls positioned opposite one another. In one form, the extrusion further includes a protrusion, such as a product retention tab, that allows an additional facing of product to be suspended from the product display merchandiser. In some embodiments, the protrusions extend from both side walls and are positioned opposite one another to retain the products of the second facing between the protrusions. As mentioned above, one form of this design has the product retention tabs configured to engage a surface of the product being displayed in the second facing, such as a lip or shoulder of the product, and in a manner that still allows the product of the second facing to remain movable with respect to the product display merchandiser so that the product of the second facing can continue to slide or advance/self-face when the product display merchandiser is suspended at an angle to allow for gravity feeding of the product (e.g., so that product advances to remain at the front of the merchandiser as product is removed from same).

While the immediate paragraph above discusses an entire product display merchandiser having a product retention mechanism for suspending an additional facing from the merchandiser, it should be understood that in alternate embodiments the concepts contained herein may further include a merchandiser accessory capable of being attached to existing merchandisers to configure the existing merchandisers to suspend additional facings therefrom. For example, in one form, an accessory attachment is disclosed having a product retention tab or protrusion that can be connected to a side of an existing merchandiser and suspended below to suspend an additional facing of product below the merchandiser. In some forms, two or more of such accessory attachments may be connected or coupled to opposing sides of an existing merchandiser to allow for product to be retained and suspended below the merchandiser while still allowing the product to move with respect to the merchandiser (e.g., so as to slide or advance/self-face when product is removed from the merchandiser). In some forms, the merchandiser may advance or auto-face the product due to an angular positioning of the merchandiser to utilize gravity feeding. In other forms, the merchandiser may include a product advancement mechanism, such as a manually movable product advancement lever or strip or, alternatively, a spring driven pusher mechanism. With respect to the former (i.e., the manual configuration), the manual pull strip or tab/lever may be integrated into a wall of the product display merchandiser (e.g., left side wall, right side wall or bottom side wall), may be integrated into a base of the merchandiser, or may be extend above, below or to the side of the products and be operable in a first direction to advance the product so that the next available product is positioned conveniently at the front of the merchandiser. With respect to the latter (i.e., the automatic advancing mechanism), the spring biased pusher may be positioned within the merchandiser (e.g., between the side walls or atop a base or bottom wall) or extended from a side of the displayed product (e.g., suspended from below a base or bottom wall of the merchandiser to advance and face the product suspended below the merchandiser.

In addition to the product display merchandisers discussed herein, it should also be understood that product packaging is also disclosed herein that allows for additional facings of product to be connected to or presented from a merchandiser. For example, in one form a nested product packaging is disclosed that allows one product to be suspended from another so that both products can be suspended from the product retention mechanism (e.g., channel, tab, chute, etc.) of a merchandiser. In a preferred form, the products are friction fit with one another and designed in such a way that the force required to remove one product from another that it is connected to (e.g., a second or base product) is smaller than the amount of force required to remove the second or base product from the merchandiser. In this way, the product display system or assembly is configured to ensure that a suspended or connected product is always removed before its base product is removed from the product retention mechanism. This allows for second and third facings of product to be suspended from the product display merchandiser in a new and novel manner. Hence, a multi-product facing merchandiser is disclosed herein as well as unique product packaging for use with same.

In addition to the various embodiments disclosed herein for product display merchandisers and product packaging, there are also disclosed numerous methods as well. For example, a method for adding one or more of additional product facings to a merchandiser is disclosed herein. Similarly, a method for connecting product to a merchandiser is disclosed herein including without limitation a method of suspending product form the merchandiser. A method of forming one or more merchandiser walls is disclosed herein as is a method of modifying a merchandiser to connect additional product to same. Likewise, methods for advancing product in a product display merchandiser are disclosed as are methods for connected product to one another for display in a product display merchandiser. Additionally, a method for retrofitting existing merchandisers to display one or more additional facings of product is also disclosed herein.

This detailed description described specific examples of product display merchandisers. A person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that these descriptions are sufficient to understand how to build and/or operate any of the product display merchandisers disclosed herein. Therefor this description covers the methods of making or using the product display merchandisers and/or individual components of the product display merchandisers described.

This detailed description refers to specific examples in the drawings and illustrations. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the inventive subject matter. These examples also serve to illustrate how the inventive subject matter can be applied to various purposes or embodiments. Other embodiments are included within the inventive subject matter, as logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes can be made to the example embodiments described herein. Features of various embodiments described herein, however essential to the example embodiments in which they are incorporated, do not limit the inventive subject matter as a whole, and any reference to the invention, its elements, operation, and application are not limiting as a whole, but serve only to define these example embodiments. This detailed description does not, therefore, limit embodiments of the invention, which are defined only by the appended claims. Each of the embodiments described herein are contemplated as falling within the inventive subject matter, which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A product display comprising:

an attachment means;

a tray;

a first product channel located on a first side of the tray; and

a second product channel located on a second side of the tray.

2. The product display of claim 1, wherein the second side of the tray is opposite the first side of the tray.

3. The product display of claim 2, wherein first side of the tray is a top side and the second side of the tray is a bottom side.

4. The product display of claim 1, wherein the attachment means is configured to removably attach the product display to one of a group consisting of a grid, a bar, a shelf, and a wall.

5. The product display of claim 1 further comprising:

a third product channel located on the first side; and

a removable divider separating the first product channel and the third product channel.

6. The product display of claim 1, wherein the second product channel comprises a top portion of at least one first product container removably attached to at least one protrusion extending downward from the tray.

7. The product display of claim 6, wherein the top portion at least one second product container is removably attached to a bottom portion of the at least one first product container.

8. The product display of claim 1, wherein the bottom side of the tray comprises at least one protrusion configured to interact with a top portion of a product container.

9. The product display of claim 8, wherein the at least one protrusion is two sidewalls extending downward and shaped to fit over a rim of the product container.

10. The product display of claim 1 further comprising a price channel including a lens and at least one stopper.

11. The product display of claim 10, wherein the at least one stopper is configured to contact a product container in the second product channel.

12. A method of displaying products comprising:

supporting a first row of products on a first side of a merchandiser;

supporting a second row of products on a second side of a merchandiser;

advancing the first row of products and the second row of products toward a front side of the merchandiser.

13. The method of displaying products of claim 12, wherein the first side of the merchandiser is opposite the second side of the merchandiser.

14. The method of displaying products of claim 13, wherein the first side of the merchandiser is a top side, and the second side of the merchandiser is the bottom side.

15. The method of displaying products of claim 12 further comprising:

supporting a third row of products on a bottom portion of the second row of products.

16. The method of displaying products of claim 15, wherein a top portion of the third row of products is configured to detachably couple to a bottom portion of the second row of products.

17. The method of displaying products of claim 12 further comprising stopping the advancement of the second row of products with a projection extending from a price channel.

18. A product support comprising:

at least one downward extending protrusion configured to support a product;

an attachment portion configured to attach to a product display.

19. The product support of claim 18, wherein the at least one downward extending protrusion comprises two protrusions configured to support a rim between the two protrusions.

20. The product support of claim 18 further comprising:

at least one upward extending sidewall.