BEVERAGE TRAY ASSEMBLY WITH INCREASED CAPACITY

Abstract

A beverage tray assembly configured to display product includes a beverage tray including a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a tray surface defined between the front end, rear end, first side, and second side, the tray surface defining a midplane extending through the front end and the rear end. A plurality of dividers extends between the front and rear ends of the beverage tray, the plurality of dividers defining channels between adjacent dividers for the product, at least one of the dividers having a varying cross-section that is configured to be received in a gap formed between adjacent products in adjacent channels.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/760,363, filed February 19, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a beverage tray assembly for use in merchandising products, such as bottled beverages.

BACKGROUND

Many retail stores, such as convenience stores, drug stores, grocery stores, wholesale stores, and the like, have coolers to store, chill, and display beverages for sale. The space inside these coolers is limited. Selling out of one or more types of beverages in a cooler before restocking can occur may result in a loss of additional sales. However, restocking such coolers can be time consuming and labor intensive, as beverages are often loaded into coolers individually.

SUMMARY

Merchandising trays for beverage containers used in retail displays typically employ parallel dividers that define product channels sized to the nominal container diameter, which results in unused lateral space between adjacent containers and limits the number of channels that can be accommodated within a constrained shelf width. In particular, conventional dividers are generally planar or of constant thickness and do not conform to the natural interstitial geometry formed when adjacent cylindrical containers are placed in contact, thereby preventing efficient packing density in displays having fixed maximum widths, such as refrigerated coolers. Conventional tray assemblies further require increased overall width at outer dividers, retaining structures, or pusher mechanisms, which exacerbates space inefficiency and restricts achievable product capacity.

The present disclosure may address these limitations by providing, among other things, a beverage tray assembly in which one or more dividers have a varying cross-section shaped to be received within the gap formed between adjacent products in neighboring channels, thereby reducing required lateral spacing while maintaining structural integrity. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more outer dividers may include inwardly offset portions positioned within the perimeter of the tray surface, reducing the effective operating width of the assembly. Such features and aspects, along with others described or illustrated herein, may independently—and also in combination—allow for an increased number of channels to be arranged within a predetermined shelf width compared to conventional tray assemblies.

For example, in some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a beverage tray assembly configured to display product, the beverage tray assembly including: a beverage tray including a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a tray surface defined between the front end, rear end, first side, and second side, the tray surface defining a midplane extending through the front end and the rear end; and a plurality of dividers extending between the front and rear ends of the beverage tray, the plurality of dividers defining channels between adjacent dividers for the product, at least one of the dividers having a varying cross-section that is configured to be received in a gap formed between adjacent products in adjacent channels.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a beverage tray assembly including: a beverage tray including a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a tray surface defined between the front end, rear end, first side, and second side, the tray surface defining a midplane extending through the front end and the rear end; and a plurality of dividers extending between the rear end and the front end, the plurality of dividers defining channels between adjacent dividers, the plurality of dividers including outer dividers adjacent the first or second sides and inner dividers between the outer dividers, the outer dividers including an offset portion that is offset towards the midplane and within a perimeter defined by the tray surface.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a beverage tray assembly configured to display product, the beverage tray assembly including: a beverage tray including a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a tray surface defined between the front end, rear end, first side, and second side; and a plurality of dividers extending longitudinally between the rear end and the front end of the beverage tray, the plurality of dividers defining a plurality of channels between adjacent dividers, the plurality of channels including at least nine channels, each channel configured to receive products with a diameter of at least 2.875 inches; wherein the beverage tray has an overall width measured in a direction between the first and second sides that is 26 inches or less.

Other embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a merchandise display including a beverage tray assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the beverage tray assembly of FIG. 1 with product removed.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the beverage tray assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the beverage tray assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a divider segment of the beverage tray assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a portion of the beverage tray assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the beverage tray assembly of FIG. 2 illustrating a snap fit connection.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a front portion of the beverage tray assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is perspective view of a front portion of the beverage tray assembly of FIG. 2 according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a pusher mechanism for use with the beverage tray assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the pusher mechanism of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the pusher mechanism of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pusher mechanism of FIG. 10 with portions removed.

FIG. 14 is a front cross-sectional view of a portion of the beverage tray assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 15 is a front cross-sectional view of a portion of the beverage tray assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of the beverage tray assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a portion of the beverage tray assembly of FIG. 2.

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a beverage tray assembly 200 that may be placed on a shelf of a merchandise display 100, which is a beverage cooler in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the merchandise display 100 may be any type of merchandise display with a surface on which products 110 (e.g., beverage bottles) may be placed for display. For example, the merchandise display 100 may be a cold vault, display cabinet, gondola or the like. The illustrated beverage tray assembly 200 is configured to reduce the space between products 110 thereby increasing the number of products 110 that can be stored within a limited space defined by the merchandise display 100. With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the illustrated beverage tray assembly 200 includes a beverage tray 210 having a tray surface 220 configured to receive and support the products 110 thereon, a plurality of dividing segments or dividers 300 coupled to the beverage tray 210, a rear retaining wall 410 extending from the tray surface 220, and a pusher mechanism 500, which, as described in greater detail below, includes a plurality of pushers for advancing the products forwardly along the tray surface 220.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, each divider 300 extends longitudinally from a front end 230 of the beverage tray 210 to a rear end 240 of the beverage tray 210 opposite the front end 230 and extends upwardly from the tray surface 220. Each divider segment includes a divider top 301, a divider bottom 302, a first divider end 303, a second divider end 306 opposite the first divider end 303, and a slot 309 adjacent the first divider end 303. The plurality of dividers 300 includes a plurality of outer divider segments 320 and a plurality of inner divider segments 330. In the illustrated embodiment, each divider 300 includes a single support post 310 that extends upwardly from the tray surface 220. In other embodiments, each divider may include more than one support post 310. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the support posts alternate position between the front and rear ends 230, 240. The dividers 300 separate the beverage tray assembly 200 into a plurality of lanes or channels 340, each configured to receive a single row of product 110.

In the illustrated embodiment, the beverage tray assembly 200 defines nine channels 340 arranged side-by-side along the width of the beverage tray assembly 200. Many typical retail coolers have a usable interior width of about 26 inches, and typical soda bottles may have a maximum outer diameter of about 2.875 inches. As such, the illustrated beverage tray assembly 200 has an overall width measured in a direction between the first and second sides 250, 260 of 26 inches or less, and the channels 340 are each about 2.875 inches wide (as measured between facing surfaces of adjacent dividers 300) to accommodate product 110 having a maximum outer diameter of about 2.875 inches. Each of the channels 340 may receive up to eight products (e.g., 8 plastic bottles) in a row between the front and rear ends 230, 240, such that the illustrated beverage tray assembly 200 may accommodate up to 72 bottles. This is a significant increase in capacity relative to prior beverage tray assemblies, which may provide only seven channels across the width of the beverage tray assembly, and a row of six bottles in each channel (i.e., a total capacity of 42 bottles). Thus, the illustrated tray assembly 200 may advantageously increase the amount of product 110 that can be accommodated in a typical retail cooler relative to prior known beverage tray assemblies.

It should be understood, however, that in other embodiments, the beverage tray assembly 200 may be sized differently to suit a particular desired application. For example, the overall width of the beverage tray assembly 200 may be increased for an application with more available width (e.g., a cold vault), and the number of channels 340 may thus be increased (e.g., to more than nine channels). Likewise, the overall width of the beverage tray assembly 200 may be decreased for narrower applications. Thus, while the illustrated beverage tray assembly 200 may be particularly advantageous when used in typical retail coolers, it should be understood that features of the beverage tray assembly 200 described and illustrated herein may be advantageously used to maximize the amount of product in a wide variety of merchandise displays.

Now referring to FIG. 6, the tray surface 220 includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures 270 and ribs 280. The apertures 270 and ribs 280 provide a surface that permits a sliding movement of product placed on the tray surface 220. Liquids and dirt are able to pass through the apertures 270 so that they do not collect on the tray surface 220. The tray surface 220 may be made of any suitable material that permits the slidable movement of product on the tray surface 220. In some embodiments, each channel 340 of the tray assembly 200 may include a dedicated bottom surface so as to easily combine with additional channels 340 for more product 110. In other words, each channel 340 may be modular and connectable to another channel 340 to add an additional row of product 110 to the display.

Referring to FIG. 7, the rear retaining wall 410 comprises a plurality of rear vertical posts 420 connected via a cross bar 415 extending laterally from a first tray side 250 to a second tray side 260 opposite the first tray side 250 (FIG. 4). Each rear vertical post 420 includes a cavity 430 configured to receive the second end 306 of the divider 300 and make a snap-fit connection 440.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a front receiving portion 600 is coupled between two adjacent dividers 300 at the front end 230 of the tray assembly 200. The front receiving portion 600 is configured to provide structural support for the dividers 300 and bridge a gap defined by the channels 340 and adjacent dividers 300. A cavity 630 is formed in the front receiving portion 600 and is configured to receive and form a snap-fit connection 640 with the first divider end 303 of each inner divider segment 330. A curved retainer arm 610 including a tongue 620 extends outwardly from the front receiving portion 600 and is received in a slot 309 of the outer divider segment 320. The curved arm 610 is formed complementarily to the shape of the product 110 enabling the arm 610 to secure the product 110 in place on the front end 230 of the beverage tray 210. In some embodiments, the retainer arm 610 may be transparent in order to see a label or branding on the product (FIG. 9).

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, the pusher mechanism 500 defines a pusher paddle 510 and a pusher floor 520. The pusher paddle 510 and pusher floor 520 may be formed as a single unitary structure or may be separate structures that are joined together using known techniques. In addition, the pusher paddle 510 and the pusher floor 520 may be made of any known suitable plastic or metal material.

With continued reference to FIGS. 10-12, the pusher paddle 510 forms a curved-shape pusher surface or face 530 that is configured to match the shape of the product 110 to be merchandised, such as plastic bottles, cans, or other beverage containers. The curve-shaped pusher surface 530 permits the pusher mechanism 500 to remain centrally aligned with the last product 110 in the beverage tray 210. This configuration reduces friction and drag between the pusher mechanism 500 and the plurality of dividers 300. In an alternative embodiment, the pusher surface 530 or face may be a flat surface. In yet another embodiment, the flat pusher surface may be accompanied by a curved-shaped rib that is positioned near or on the top of the pusher paddle and that may be used to center and align product in the tray, in a manner similar to the curve-shaped pusher surface 530. The curve-shaped rib may define other shapes and configurations that permit cylindrical or similar-shaped products to be properly pushed in the tray. Advertisement, product identification or other product information may be placed on the pusher surface 530.

A biasing element 700 may extend across the pusher floor 520 and operatively connect the pusher mechanism 500 to the front end 230. The pusher mechanism 500 is biased by the biasing element 700 to move product 110 along a channel of the plurality of channels 340. In the illustrated embodiment, the pusher mechanism is biased towards the front end 230 of the tray assembly 200. Product 110 to be merchandised may be placed on the beverage tray 210 in front of the pusher paddle 510 and at least one product 110 may rest on the pusher floor 520 as well as a portion of the biasing element 700. With this configuration, the weight of the product 110 will prevent the pusher paddle 510 from tipping to ensure proper pushing of the product 110.

Referring to FIG. 11, the biasing element 700 is a coiled spring 700 having a first end 710 that is configured to be placed within a notch formed in the front end of the beverage tray surface 220 and a coiled end 720 opposite the first end. In one embodiment, the end 710 of the coiled spring may be V-shaped and function as a hook such that the end 710 will secure the coiled spring 700 to the front end 230 of the beverage tray 210. This configuration permits an easy installation of the coiled spring 700 onto the beverage tray 210.

Referring to FIG. 12, one or more support members 540 such as ribs, walls, or gussets may be positioned behind the pusher surface or face 530. The support members 540 are configured to support the pusher surface 530 and further connect the pusher paddle 510 to the pusher floor 520. The coiled spring 700, and more specifically the coiled end 720, is positioned between the support members 540 and is used to urge the pusher paddle 510 forward and along the beverage tray 210. The pusher floor 520 may be positioned below the pusher paddle 510 and may extend forward of the pusher surface 530 of the pusher paddle 510. The pusher floor 520 may extend any predetermined distance and at any predetermined angle. For example, the pusher floor 520 may extend substantially perpendicular to the pusher surface 530. In the exemplary embodiment, the pusher floor 520 may extend a sufficient distance to permit one product 110, such as a single bottle or can, to be placed on the pusher floor 520. In another embodiment, the pusher floor 520 may be configured to permit more than one product to be placed on the pusher floor 520. The pusher floor 520 may define any shape, including the depicted round shape and may define any product retaining features on the surface of the pusher floor 520, such as ribs, walls, or other similar structures, to further hold the product 110 on the pusher floor 520.

Referring to FIG. 13, the pusher floor 520 may define an elongated groove or recessed portion 550 that is sized, shaped, and configured to seat the coiled spring 700. The groove 550 may extend part-way or across the entire pusher floor 520 encouraging proper alignment and positioning of the pusher paddle 510 in the beverage tray 210. The elongated groove 550 may define a depth that matches or exceeds the thickness of the coiled spring 700. With this configuration, the coiled spring 700 is positioned at or below the surface of the pusher floor 520 such that product 110 will not sit directly on the coiled spring 700. Rather, product will be positioned on the pusher floor 520. The pusher floor 520 may include apertures and openings through which debris or other items may pass similar to the tray surface 220. Alternatively, the pusher floor 520 may be a solid surface.

With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the plurality of inner divider segments 330 may have a varying cross-section 360 formed to be received in a gap formed between adjacent product 110 minimizing the required space of a tray surface 220 on a shelf of a merchandise display 100. The shape of the cross-section 360 corresponds with the formation of ideal spacings between adjacent product 110 defined when the product is in contact with another product (e.g., bottle next to a bottle). In other words, the shape of the cross-section fills a void between two adjacent bottles 110 when the bottles 110 are in adjacent channels 340 and in contact with each other. A width is defined between adjacent product that represents the smallest width possible for the cross-section of the divider 300 while maintaining the structural integrity of the beverage tray assembly 200.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-section 360 is teardrop-shaped or oval-shaped and nests within a first product width or waist 120 of a product or bottle 110. In other embodiments, the cross-section may be other shapes such as circular, bulbous, triangular, tapered diamond, square, or the like. In other words, the cross-section may have alternate formations and varying widths adapted to be received between other types of merchandise. However, the cross-sectional shape of the divider 300 corresponds to spacing between two products 110 in two adjacent channels 340 when the products 110 are in contact with each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-section 360 of each divider segment 330 has a first portion 370 with a first cross-section width that tapers into a second portion 380 with a second cross-section width that is smaller than the first cross-section width. The second portion 380 extends a length 390 in a direction between the front and rear ends 230, 240. The second portion provides extra space for removing the bottles 110.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 16-17, the outer divider segments 320 may have features that are inwardly offset towards a midplane A (FIG. 4) of the beverage tray 210. The inwardly offset features reduce the operational space required by the beverage tray assembly 200. For example, the outer divider segments 320 include offset portions 350 that are inwardly offset towards the central axis A shifting the edges of the outer divider segment 320 inside a plane defined by the sides 250, 260 of the tray surface 220. The offset portions 350, correspondingly, reduce the overall required width of the cross bar 450 and the width of the retainer arm 610. As shown in FIG. 16, a bottom of the supporting post 310 of the divider 300 is also offset inwardly to further reduce the space required for the operation of the beverage tray assembly 200.

Although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations, and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the disclosure as described.

Various features and aspects of the present disclosure are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A beverage tray assembly configured to display product, the beverage tray assembly comprising:

a beverage tray including a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a tray surface defined between the front end, rear end, first side, and second side, the tray surface defining a midplane extending through the front end and the rear end; and

a plurality of dividers extending between the front and rear ends of the beverage tray, the plurality of dividers defining channels between adjacent dividers for the product, at least one of the dividers having a varying cross-section that is configured to be received in a gap formed between adjacent products in adjacent channels.

2. The beverage tray assembly of claim 1, wherein the cross-section is teardrop-shaped.

3. The beverage tray assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one divider defines a first width at a position adjacent the tray surface and the cross-section defines a second width of the divider, the first width being smaller than the second width.

4. The beverage tray assembly of claim 1, wherein an outer divider of the plurality of dividers includes an offset portion that is offset towards the midplane.

5. The beverage tray assembly of claim 1, further comprising an arm extending between adjacent dividers.

6. The beverage tray assembly of claim 5, wherein the arm is transparent.

7. The beverage tray assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of dividers is coupled to the tray using a snap-fit connection.

8. The beverage tray assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of dividers define at least nine channels to receive product.

9. The beverage tray assembly of claim 8, wherein each channel is configured to support a beverage container that is at least 2.875 inches in diameter.

10. The beverage tray assembly of claim 9, wherein a width defined between the first and second sides is 26 inches or less.

11. The beverage tray assembly of claim 1, wherein each divider includes a single support post.

12. The beverage tray assembly of claim 1, wherein each divider includes a first portion with a first cross-section width and a second portion extending from the first portion in a direction from the front end to the rear end, the second portion including a second cross-section width that is smaller than the first cross-section width.

13. The beverage tray assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pusher mechanisms disposed in the channels, the pusher mechanisms configured to bias product towards the front end.

14. A beverage tray assembly comprising:

a beverage tray including a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a tray surface defined between the front end, rear end, first side, and second side, the tray surface defining a midplane extending through the front end and the rear end; and

a plurality of dividers extending between the rear end and the front end, the plurality of dividers defining channels between adjacent dividers, the plurality of dividers including outer dividers adjacent the first or second sides and inner dividers between the outer dividers, the outer dividers including an offset portion that is offset towards the midplane and within a perimeter defined by the tray surface.

15. The beverage tray assembly of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of pusher mechanisms disposed in the channels, the pusher mechanisms configured to bias product towards the front end.

16. The beverage tray assembly of claim 14, wherein the outer dividers include a single support post that extends upwardly from the tray surface.

17. The beverage tray assembly of claim 16, wherein the support post is offset inwardly towards the midplane of the beverage tray.

18. A beverage tray assembly configured to display product, the beverage tray assembly comprising:

a beverage tray including a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a tray surface defined between the front end, rear end, first side, and second side; and

a plurality of dividers extending longitudinally between the rear end and the front end of the beverage tray, the plurality of dividers defining a plurality of channels between adjacent dividers, the plurality of channels including at least nine channels, each channel configured to receive products with a diameter of at least 2.875 inches;

wherein the beverage tray has an overall width measured in a direction between the first and second sides that is 26 inches or less.

19. The beverage tray assembly of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of pusher mechanisms disposed in the channels, the pusher mechanisms configured to bias product towards the front end.

20. The beverage tray assembly of claim 18, wherein each divider includes a single support post.