Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF THE xNVENTION
3. Field of the Invention ,
The invention relates to shelf units and mare
particularly to shelf units haying trays designed to hold
modular merchandise units in a sawtooth or zig-zag arrangement
so as to present the face of the product to a potential
customer more effectively and efficiently.
2. The prior Art
Merchandise for retail sale is typically arfanged in
parallel rows on modular shelving units. Such an arrangement
allows prospective purchasers to view and select a product for
purchase. As merchandise is removed from a front of the
display, the shelf is rE-stocked and leveled by moving
merchandise to a front of the shelf to present a neat, orderly
and fully stocked appearance.
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In shelving arrangements according to the prior
art, product units are generally disposed in parallel rows
with a face of each product arranged substantially parallel to
a straight front edge of the shelf. In such an arrangement,
the number of rows of products which can be disposed on a
shelf is limited bx the width of the products. This layout
fails to make efficient use of the available shelf space.
In addition, an entire row of products stocked on a
conventional shelf unit may be easily accessible to
shoplifters. .
Accordingly, there exists a need for a shelf unit
wherein product units are arranged in a space-saving manner to
make more efficient use of available shelf space. Moreover, a
need exists fox a shelf unit wherein access to a portion of
the products disposed on the shelf unit is limited so as td
eliminate ox reduce the occurrence of pilferage.
SUMMARX OF THE 1NVFNTI~N
The invention relates.to shelf units and mare
particularly to shelf units having trays designed to hold
modular merchandise units such as packet boxes filled with
merchandise such as razor blades in a sawtooth or zig-zag
arrangement so as to present the face of the product to a
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potential customer more effectively and efficiently.
In one embodiment of the invention, a shelf unit for
displaying a plurality of products in a space saving manner
includes a plurality of brackets fox securing the shelf unit
to a support. A tray extends between the brackets. The tray
has a front portion with a plurality of edges arranged with
adjacent edges disposed at alternating angles to form a
sawtooth pattern. A face portion is disposed over the front
portion of the tray and is configured to conform substantially
to the font portion. The face portion has one or more
windows far viewing a product disposed behind the window.
Adaustable partitions are disposed on the tray and
arranged substantially parallel to the brackets to define a
plurality of rows for displaying the products. A biasing
mechanism is disposed in a respective row of the plurality of
rows for biasing the products in the row toward a front of the
shelf unit. Each biasing mechanism may comprise a biasing
element and a slidable product advancing member.
When products are arranged in adjacent rows on the
shelf unit according to an embodiment of the invention, the
products are arranged at alternat2ng angles to form a sawtooth
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pattern corresponding to the plurality of edges of the front
portion of the tray.
One advantage of a shelf unit according to an
embodiment of the invention is that products may be arranged
in adjacent rows and at alternating angles to form a sawtooth
ox zig zag pattern, thereby permitting a greater number of
products to be displayed far a given amount of shelf space.
A further advantage of a shelf unit according to an
embodiment of the invention is that a biasing mechanism may be
provided to bias the product zn a row taward a front a~ the
shelf unit, thereby eliminating the need far manual leveling
of the rows of displayed products.
Another advantage of a shelf unit aecoxding to an
embodiment of the invention is that individual rows far
displaying pxoducts may be defined by adjustable partitians,
wherein a width of a row may be adjusted to accommodate the
dimensions of a particular product to be displayed.
Another advantage of a shelf unit according to an
embodiment of. the invention is that a face poxtion may be
provided which includes windows allowing prospective
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purchasers to view the various products displayed on the shelf
unit. The window may further include an aperture or finger
hole may to facilitate loading of products in the row:
The face portion may be stationary or may be secured to the
shelf unit with one~or more hinges, wherein the face portion
may be adapted to pivot ar swing open for loading the products
and to pivot or swing closed after the products have been
stocked. A locking mechanism may lock the face portion in an
open or ClaS2d pOSltlan.
Another advantage of a shelf unit according to an
embodiment of the invention is that an upwardly-biased paddle
or stop may be provided in a row to facilitate loading a~
products in the row.
A further advantage of a shelf unit according to an
embodiment of the in~entian is that a wixe grid may be
disposed at a top portion of the shelf unit to prevent ar
minimize losses due to shoplifting by restricting access to
products disposed on the shelf unit.
BRIEF ~~SCRTPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other benefits and features af~the present invention
will become apparent dram the following detailed description
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considered in connection with the accompanying dxawings. ~t
is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed
as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits
of the invention.
In the drawings, wherein similar xeference
characters denote similar elements throughout the several
views:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a shelf unit
according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 shows a Close up view of a portion of the
shelf unit shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a shelf unit
according to anothex embodiment of the invention; and
FIG, ~ shows a close up view of a portion of the
shelf unit shown in F2G. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION 0~ THE DRAWINGS
Referring now in detail to the drawings arid, in
particular, FTC. 1 shows a perspective view of a shelf unit
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according to an embodiment of the invention. The shelf unit
may include a plurality of brackets Z for securing the shelf
unit to a support (not shown). Bracket 1 may aompxise, fox
example, a knife bracket formed from a steel stamping and
powder coated. As shown, bracket 1 may include one or mare
projections disposed at a rear portion thereof for securing
the bracket to a modular support. The bracket projections may
be inserted~into corresponding apertures provided in a modular
support to locate and secure the shelf unit at an appropriate
height. Multiple shelf units according to an embodiment of
the invention may be secured to a support and positioned one
over another in a stacked mannex.
A tray 2 extends between the brackets 1. Tray 2 may
be formed from any suitable xigid material, for example
injection molded acrylanitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
plastic. As shown, tray 2 includes a front portion 3
comprising a plurality of edges 4. Plurality of edges ~ are
arranged with adjacent edges 4 disposed at alternating angles
to form a sawtooth or gig zag pattern.
A cross-bar 5 may b2 secured to brackets 1 and
disposed over tray 2. Cross-bar 5 may strengthen and provide
added rigidity to the shelf unit. Moxeover, cross-bar 5 may
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provide support for a wire grid 6 disposed over tray 2. Wire
grid 6 may be secured to brackets 1 and crass-bar 5 as shown.
Wire grid 6 may extend from a rear portion of tray 2 to an
area just behind front portion 3 of tray ~, thereby covering
most of the product units disposed on the shelf unit and
leaving only the front-most product ax products accessible.
In this way, wire grid 6 may serve as a security mechanism by
preventing a prospective shoplifter from reaching into the
shelf unit from above and removing an entire row or rows of
products from the shelf unit.
In an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of
shelf units may be secured to a support and stacked one on top
of another, leaving only a small vertical spacing between
units. A,zx uppermost shelf unit may include wire grid 6 fvr
restricting access to the products disposed on the uppex~mast
shelf unit. The cross-bar 5 disposed over the trays 2 may
further provide a security function by preventing the removal
of a shelf unit from the support without first removing the
unit positioned immediately over the shelf unit sought to be
removed. Tn this way, a prospective shoplifter is unable to
remove an entire shelf unit and gain access to the products
disposed therein without first removing each shelf unit
located over the unit. This feature further restricts aCCess
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to the products disposed on a shelf unit according to an
embodiment of the invention and prevents or reduces the
occurrence of theft.
A face portion 7 is diseased over the front portion
3 of the shelf unit. Face portion 7 is configured to conform
substantially to the shape of front portion 3 and follows the
sawtooth or xig zag pattern formed by edges 4 of tray 2. dace
portion 7 may comprise one or more windows 8 arranged so that
products disposed on the shelf unit behind the windows $ may
be viewed. Windows 8 may be formed from a transparent ar
semx~transparent material, for example injection molded clear
polycarbonate plastic.
A shelf unit sGCOrding to an embodiment of the
invention further comprises a plurality of adjustable
partitions or dividers 9 disposed on tray 2. Partitions vx
dividers 9 are arranged substantially parallel to brackets 1
and form a plurality of rows defined on one side by partition
9 and on another side by an second partition 9 or bracket 1.
Partitions 9 are adjustable so that a width of each individual
row may be adjusted to accommodate the dimensZOns of the
product to be housed in the particular raw. Adjustable
partitions may be configured so that they are free to slide
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left or right as products are loaded into a raw. Such
partitions are self-adjusting in that the product find its
proper row width by displacing the flexible partition or
part~.tions. In an additional embadiznent, partitions 9 may be
locked into a piurality of fixed posi.tlon5, forming rows of
appropriate widths. For example, partitions 9 may snap into
place on tray 2. Fixed stops ar snaps for locating the
partition 9 may be spaced at 1/2 inch or 1/g inch intervals,
thereby al.low~.ng for precise positioning of the partition.
then a partition is snapped or otherwise secured in place in
this embodiment, products in an adjacent raw will riot encroach
ar displace the partition.
Each row ~.n the shelf unit according to an
embodiment of the invention may further include a biasing
mechanism ox pusher for biasing the product in that raw toward
the front of the she~.f unit, where the product can be viewed
and accessed by purchasers. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the
biasing mechanism includes a biasing element 101 and a
slidab~.e product advancing member 7.02. Slidable product
advancing member may have a face disposed substantially
parallel to the edge 4 at the front of the row wherein the
biasing mechanism is disposed, as shown.
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Biasing element x.01 may comprise a spring element
which is secured at one end near a front of the row. In the
embodiments shown, biasing element 201 comprises a length of
f~.at metal Spring material which is secured at one end near a
front of the row and forms a coil which is uncoiled as
slidable product advancing member 102 is moved toward a rear
of the xow. The coiled spring biases the product advancing
member 102 toward a front of the.shelf unit. Thus, as
products are removed from the front of a row o~ products, the
biasing mechanism displaces the remaining row of product
toward a front of the shelf unity thereby maintaining a neat,
fully stocked appearance and eliminating the need far manual
~.eveling.
Products may be arranged in the adjacent xows
defined by a pair ofi partitions 9 or a partition 9 and a
bracket 1 at alternating angles to form a sawtooth pattern
correspand~.ng to the pattern formed by the pJ.urality of edges
4 at the front port~.on of tray 2. Each row of pxoducts forms
a non-right angle with respect to brackEt 1 with adjacent rows
of pxoducts angled out from a rear o~ the shelf unit and in
towaxd a rear of the shelf unit in an alternating manner to
form a sawtooth or zig zag pattern.
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Hy arranging the products in rows with adjacent rows
disposed at alternating angles, it is possible to fit more
products in a given amount of shelf space as compared to
conventional arrangements wherein products are arranged in
para11e1 rows at substantially right angles to a shelf
bracket. The arrangement of products in a shelf unit
according to an embodiment of the invention achieves
significant space saving, allowing more products to be stocked
in a given amount of shelf space. For example, in the
embodiment shown in the drawings, twelve rows of products are
afranged on a shelf unit which takes up a linear space which
would accommodate only ten rows of the same product. if
arranged in a conventional manner in parallel xaws.
A shelf unit according to an embod~.ment of the
invention may be sized and shaped so that ~.t is suitable fox
holding a particular product or class of products. Fox
example, the embodiment shown in the drawing figures may be
used to display and' hold packages of razor blade cartridges in
a space-saving manner. The dimensions of the shelf unit can
be adapted to accommodate a wide variety of products for
retail sale, for example personal care products or any other
products which are suitable for displaying on a conventional
shelf assemblies .
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As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, tray ~ rnay have a floor
portion 21 disposed at a bottom of tray 2. The plurality of
edges 4 arranged in a saw--tooth pattern may extend upwardly
Exam floor portion 21 to fozm a plurality of walls ~1. Walls
41 are generally parallel to edges 4 so that the plurality of
walls 41 to farm a sawtaath pattern.
Face portion 7 of the shelf unit may be secured to
tray 2 iri a stationary manner, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2, or alternatively may be secured to tray 2 with one vz more
hinges 71, as illustrated in FIGS, 3 and ~. Hinges 71 allow
face 7 to pivot between an open position (as shown in FIGS. 3
and 4) for leading products into the shelf unit and a closed
position. A locking mechan~.sm may be provided far lacking the
drop down face 7 in either an open or closed pasit~.on. During
loading, the drop down h~.nged face may be moved to the open
pos~.tion so that products may be ~.nserted into appropriate
rows of the shelf unit from the front. Follow~.ng the stocking
of the shelf, the face 7 is moved to the closed position. The
locking mechanism, may be adapted so that face 7 may be locked
in place onJ.y by authorized persons, for example by a store
employee.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, a shelf unit according to
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an embodiment of the invention may include one or more paddles
or stops 22 disposed in one or more of the product rows.
Paddles 22 are pivotally mounted to tray 2 arid are adapted to
pivot downwa~rdly toward a reax of the shelf unit as products
are loaded into the respECti~re row. Paddles 22 are biased in
a upward position, fox example with a spring mechanism, so
that paddles 22 return to a vertical position when no longer
held down by a product,
Paddles 22 assist in fraz~t loading of the shelf unit
by allowing a plurality of products to be loaded at one time,
rather than loading just a single unit at a time. As products
are placed into a particular raw, the paddle 22 pivot down
toward a rear of the shelf unit and the products push against
the biasing mechanism or pushex, displacing it toward the rear
of the shelf unit. Once the row of products is pushed past
the paddle 22, the paddle 22 flips up into its vertical state
and acts as a stop, preventing the biasing mechanism from
pushing the row of products all the way to the front of the
shelf unit. Th~.s feature facilitates the loading of a
plurality of product units into the shelf unit, and allows for
more efficient stockzx~g of the shelf un~.t.
As shown in FxGS. 1 and 2, a shelf unit according to
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an embodiment of the invention may include one or more
apertures 81 to fac~.litate loading of products into the shelf
un~.t. Apertures 81 are disposed in w~.ndow portion 8 of face
7. Apertuzes 81 comprise a through hole or finger hole sized
so that a person responsible for stocking the shelf unit may
insert one or more of their fingers through aperture 81 to
push a raw of products in the respective row back toward a
rear of the shelf unit aga~.nst the biasing mechanism. For
example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7. and 2, product
units may be loaded into the rows of the shelf unit from above
and a person may push the products a3.ready disposed in a rciw
back against the biasing mechanism by inserting one or more of
their fingers through aperture 81, thereby making room to
insezt one or more additivn~.l products from above.
Accordingly, while several embodiments of the
present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious
that many changes and modifications zttay be made thereunto
without departing from the sp~.x~it and scope of the invention.
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