PRODUCT PUSHER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) to U.S. Provisional Application 63/659,151, filed on Jun. 12, 2024. The disclosures of this prior application is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a product pusher and, more particularly, to a product pusher for maintaining orientation of merchandise within a product receiving area.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

Shelving is used extensively for stocking and storing products or merchandise in a variety of stores. Such stores often use a forward feed device to control the storage and distribution of such products. In particular, the forward feed devices are used to automatically move merchandise forward on a shelf after an item is removed. In some instances, the forward feed devices cause merchandise to tilt forward causing damage to the merchandise or an undesirable disruption that prevents movement of merchandise on the shelf. Accordingly, while known forward feed devices have proven useful for their intended purpose, a need for continuous improvement in the pertinent art remains.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the disclosure provides a merchandising system including a tray having a first end, an opposite second end, and a track that extends between the first end and the second end, a first wall and a second wall coupled to and extending away from the tray, a lens assembly including a lens base coupled to the tray at the first end and an end plate movably coupled to the lens base, and a pusher slidably attached to the track and including a base including a first product-contacting surface and a second product-contacting surface.

Aspects of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the first wall and the second wall each include a front end, a rear end spaced from and opposite the front end, a base extending between the front end and the rear end, and a guide wall coupled to and extending away from the base. In some configurations, the first wall and the second wall further include one or more retainers coupled to the guide walls near the front end, the retainers extending laterally inwardly toward the track. In some examples, the first wall and the second wall further include support panels coupled to and extending away from the guide walls at oblique angles.

According to one aspect, the lens base comprises a channel that receives a portion of the track. In some configurations, the lens base comprises a first ramp on one side of the channel and a second ramp on an opposite side of the channel. In some implementations, the ramps are configured to tilt merchandise toward at least the one of the product-contacting surfaces of the pusher. In some examples, the pusher further comprises a lip extending toward the end plate and arranged between the first product-contacting surface and the second product-contacting surface.

According to another aspect, the pusher further comprises a third wall extending from the base and including a third product-contacting surface. According to at least one implementation, the merchandising system further includes an actuator disposed at the first end of the tray and operable to selectively bias the pusher along the track between the second end and the first end.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a merchandising system including a tray having a first end and a second end and a track that extends between the first end and the second end, a first wall and a second wall coupled to and extending away from the tray, the first and second wall each including a front end, a rear end spaced from and opposite the front end, a base extending between the front end and the rear end, and a guide wall coupled to and extending away from the base, a lens assembly including a lens base coupled to the tray at the first end, and an end plate movably coupled to the lens base, and a pusher slidably attached to the track between the first end and the second end.

Aspects of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the first wall and the second wall further include one or more retainers coupled to the guide walls near the front end, the retainers extending laterally inwardly toward the track. The first wall and the second wall each include a support panel coupled to and extending away from the guide walls. The first wall and the second wall each include a wing disposed adjacent to the front end.

According to at least one aspect, the end plate is perpendicular to the base in a first position and is generally parallel to the base in a second position.

According to another aspect, the lens base includes a pusher channel that receives a portion of the track and the lens base includes a first ramp on one side of the pusher channel and a second ramp on the opposite side of the pusher channel. The ramps are configured to tilt merchandise toward the pusher.

According to at least one example, the pusher further includes a lip extending toward the end plate.

According to another example, the merchandising system further includes a product receiving area between the lens assembly and the pusher.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a merchandising system including a pusher having a front side and a rear side. The pusher including a base including a first product-contacting surface and a second product-contacting surface and a wall extending from the base and including a third product-contacting surface. The pusher further including a first angle defined between the first product-contacting surface and the second product-contacting surface and a second angle that is different from the first angle and is defined between the first product-contacting surface and the third product-contacting surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first configuration of a merchandising system in a retail environment according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the merchandising system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a top view of a tray of the merchandising system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a rear view of the tray of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a front view of the tray of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a top view of the merchandising system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the merchandising system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4C is a front view of the merchandising system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a pusher mechanism of the merchandising system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is a front perspective view of a lens assembly of the pusher mechanism of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a rear perspective view of the lens assembly of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 5D is a front view of a pusher of the pusher mechanism of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5E is a rear view of the pusher of FIG. 5D;

FIG. 5F is a side view of the pusher of FIG. 5D;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a second configuration of a merchandising system in a retail environment according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a partial exploded view of the merchandising system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8A is a top view of the merchandising system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8B is a side view of the merchandising system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8C is a front view of the merchandising system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9A is a front perspective view of a pusher mechanism of the merchandising system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9B is a front perspective view of a lens assembly of the pusher mechanism of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9C is a rear perspective view of the lens assembly of FIG. 9B;

FIG. 9D is a front view of a pusher of the pusher mechanism of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9E is a rear view of the pusher of FIG. 9D; and

FIG. 9F is a side view of the pusher of FIG. 9D.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a merchandising system 100 is generally shown. The merchandising system 100 can be installed in a retail environment, such as a shelf 12 of a refrigerator or freezer. For instance, the merchandising system 100 can be arranged on a top surface 14 of the shelf 12, or on another suitable base surface. The shelf 12 may be located in a store or other suitable location where consumers are able to purchase merchandise. As shown in FIG. 1, the top surface 14 of the shelf 12 extends from a front edge 16 to an opposite rear edge 18. As discussed throughout, the direction from the front edge 16 to the rear edge 18 defines a longitudinal direction while the direction parallel to the front edge 16 and the rear edge 18 defines a lateral direction. In some implementations, the shelf 12 may include apertures 20 extending through the top surface 14 and arranged in series adjacent to each of the front edge 16 and the rear edge 18 of the shelf 12. Portions of the merchandising system 100 may be secured to the shelf 12 via fasteners engaging with the apertures 20 (FIG. 2). The merchandising system 100 may be secured to the shelf 12 in any suitable manner, and the merchandising system 100 may be selectively detached from the shelf 12 and moved, for example, to another shelf or other surface.

With reference to FIG. 1, the merchandising system 100 includes a first or front end 102 adjacent the front edge 16 of the shelf 12 and a second or rear end 104 opposite the front end 102 and adjacent the rear edge 18 of the shelf 12. Additionally, the merchandising system 100 includes a first or right side 106 and a second or left side 108 spaced laterally from the right side 106. The merchandising system 100 generally includes a tray 200 extending between the front end 102 and the rear end 104, one or more walls 300 coupled to and extending from the tray 200 on the right side 106 and/or left side 108, and a pusher mechanism 1000 coupled to the tray 200. The pusher mechanism 1000 generally includes a lens assembly 400 coupled to the front end 102 and a pusher 500 that is movable between the front end 102 and the rear end 104. As described in greater detail below, the merchandising system 100 is generally configured so that a user (e.g., store associate) can load (i.e., stock, dispose, etc.) merchandise between the lens assembly 400 and the pusher 500 such that the pusher 500 is progressively moved away from the lens assembly 400 toward the rear end 104. Additionally, the merchandising system 100 is also generally configured to maintain an upright orientation of merchandise after a user (e.g., a customer or consumer) removes a forward-most item of merchandise from the merchandising system 100 and the remaining merchandise retained between the pusher 500 and the lens assembly 400 advances toward the front end 102. In other words, the merchandising system 100 can be configured to prevent merchandise from tipping or falling forward toward the front end 102 after one or more units of the merchandise is removed from the merchandising system 100. This may be desirable to prevent damage to the merchandise and/or to maintain orientation of advertising, branding, graphics, logos, etc. on the merchandise to enhance product visibility and access to potential customers.

With reference to FIG. 3A, the tray 200 includes a first or front end 202, a second or rear end 204 opposite the front end 202, a first or right side 206, and a second or left side 208 spaced laterally from the right side 206. The tray 200 also includes an upper surface 210 and an opposite lower surface 212, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C. The tray 200 includes a track 214 that extends between the front end 202 and the rear end 204 of the tray 200. The track 214 is arranged laterally between the right side 206 and the left side 208 and divides the tray into a first half 219 and a second half 220. A portion of the track 214 projects away from the upper surface 210 and forms a first rail 216 and a second rail 218 parallel to the first rail 216, as shown in FIG. 3C. Additionally, a longitudinal slot or channel 221 can extend from the upper surface 210 through the lower surface 212 and is arranged laterally between the first rail 216 and the second rail 218. Additionally, a passage or slit 222 can extend from the upper surface 210 through the lower surface 212 and is arranged laterally between the first rail 216 and the second rail 218 adjacent the front end of the tray 200. The slit 222 provides access to a pin 223 that extends from the lower surface 212 between the slit 222 and the front end 202 of the tray 200.

The tray 200 includes one or more right side sockets 224 arranged on the first half 219 and one or more left side sockets 226 arranged on the second half 220. In the illustrated example, the sockets 224, 226 are formed as apertures that extend from the upper surface 210 through the lower surface 212 or from the upper surface 210 toward the lower surface 212. The right side sockets 224 can include a row of front sockets 224a, a row of middle sockets 224b, and a row of rear sockets 224c. Each row of the right side sockets 224a, 224b, 224c includes a plurality of the sockets arranged in series along the lateral direction (i.e., a direction from the right side 206 to the track 214). The rows of the right side sockets 224a, 224b, 224c are spaced longitudinally between the front end 202 and the rear end 204, thereby defining a plurality of rows spaced along a length of the tray 200. Similarly, the left side sockets 226 can include a row of front sockets 226a, a row of middle sockets 226b, and a row of rear sockets 226c that. Each row of the left side sockets 226a, 226b, 226c includes a plurality of the sockets arranged in series along the lateral direction (i.e., a direction from the left side 208 to the track 214). The rows of the left side sockets 226a, 226b, 226c are spaced longitudinally between the front end 202 and the rear end 204. The front sockets 224a, 226a, the middle sockets 224b, 226b, and the rear sockets 224c, 226c are configured as sockets so that the walls 300 can be coupled to and adjusted laterally on the first half 219 between the track 214 and the right side 206 and on the second half 220 between the track 214 and the left side 208. The tray 200 can also include openings or receptacles 227a, 227b arranged longitudinally between the middle sockets 224b, 226b and the rear sockets 224c, 226c. The tray 200 can include an engraved or an embossed indicia with respect to one or more of the sockets 224, 226 to indicate where the walls 300 should be installed to accommodate certain merchandise. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A, “ROUND” is arranged adjacent a pair of rear sockets 224c, 226c in the top surface 210 of the tray 200 to indicate where the walls 300 should be arranged for standard sized round pizzas.

The tray 200 can include additional attachment mechanisms near the front end 202 so that the lens assembly 400 can be coupled to tray 200. For instance, in the illustrated example, the tray 200 includes a first slot 228 and a second slot 230 arranged on opposite sides of the track 214 at the front end 202. The tray 200 also includes a third slot 232 and a fourth slot 234 arranged on either side of the track 214 and spaced longitudinally toward the rear end 204 from the first slot 228 and the second slot 230. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3B, the tray 200 can include a lip 236 at the rear end 204 that extends away from the upper surface 210. The lip 236 provides a positive stop so that the pusher 500 cannot advance beyond the rear end 204 of the tray 200, for example.

The one or more walls 300 can include a first or right wall 302a and a second or left wall 302b (hereinafter, the walls 302), as shown in FIG. 4A. Each of the walls 302 includes a front end 304a, 304b that is adjacent the front end 202 of the tray 200 and a rear end 306a, 306b that is opposite the front end 304a, 304b and adjacent the rear end 204 of the tray 200. The right wall 302a and the left wall 302b each include a base 308a, 308b that can be coupled to the tray 200 and extends between the front end 202 and the rear end 204 of the tray 200, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The base 308a, 308b of each of the walls 302 can be coupled to the tray 200 via flanges 310 that are attached to and depend from the base 308a, 308b. The flanges 310 are spaced longitudinally along each base 308a, 308b and correspond with the longitudinal spacing of the respective rows of the sockets 224, 226 of the tray 200, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A. Additionally, clips or cantilevered arms 311a, 311b can extend from the base 308a, 308b and correspond with receptacles 227a, 227b. The clips 311a, 311b can help releasably secure the walls to the tray 200, for example.

Support or guide walls 312a, 312b are coupled to and extend away from the base 308a, 308b of the walls 302. In the present example, the guide walls 312a, 312b include a lower wall portion 313a, 313b attached to the base 308a, 308b. The guide walls 312a, 312b also include an upper wall portion 314a, 314b spaced from the lower wall portion 313a, 313b. While the lower wall portion 313a, 313b is shown as being perpendicular to the base 308a, 308b, the guide walls 312a, 312b can be arranged at an oblique angle (i.e., other than 90 degrees) with respect to the base 308a, 308b of the walls 302.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4C, guards 315a, 315b can be coupled to the guide walls 312a, 312b at the rear end 306 of each of the walls 302 and extend inwardly toward the track 214. The guards 315a, 315b can be desirable for maintaining orientation of merchandise arranged in the merchandising system 100, as well as to help prevent merchandise from falling out of the merchandising system 100 from the rear end 104 during loading, for example.

The walls 302 can further include support panels 316a, 316b that are coupled to and extend laterally away from the guide walls 312a, 312b. As best shown in FIG. 4C, the support panels 316a, 316b are each coupled to the upper wall portions 314a, 314b and extend at an oblique angle θ relative to the respective guide walls 312a, 312b. Particularly, the upper support panels 316a, 316b are oriented in a direction that extends outwardly and upwardly from the distal ends of the respective upper wall portions 314a, 314b, such that the upper support panels 316a, 316b cooperate to define a cradle 317 for receiving disc-shaped merchandise, such as frozen pizzas. Each of the support panels 316a, 316b can include elongate grooves 318a, 318b that have a longitudinal axis extending along a direction from the front end 304a, 304b to the rear end 306, as shown in FIG. 4A.

Additionally or alternatively, the support panels 316a, 316b can include one or more retainers 320a, 320b arranged at the front end 304a, 304b that project laterally inwardly toward the track 214. The retainers include 320 include a rear surface 322a, 322b and a front surface 324a, 324b coupled to the rear surface 322a, 322b. The rear surface 322a, 322b extends inwardly to an inner most point 326a, 326b and constricts or narrows a portion of a merchandise pathway between the rear end 104 and the front end 102. As will be discussed in more detail below, the retainers 320a, 320b are desirable for capturing merchandise between the retainers 320a, 320b and the lens assembly 400, for example. Additionally, the retainers 320a, 320b are desirable for creating space between merchandise toward the front end 102 and/or preventing merchandise from crowding the front end 102 of the merchandising system 100.

The walls 302 further include a pair of wings 328a, 328b that are coupled to and extend axially away from a portion of the support panels 316a, 316b. Particularly, the wings 328a, 328b each include a lower wing portion 330a, 330b that is coupled to the support panels 316a, 316b and extend laterally away from the support panels 316a, 316b. The wings 328a, 328b also each include an upper wing portion 332a, 332b that is coupled to the lower wing portion 330a, 330b and extend laterally away from the lower wing portion 330a, 330b. With reference to FIG. 4B, the wings 328a, 328b each have a height that includes a height of the lower wing portion 330a, 330b and a height of the upper wing portion 332a, 332b. A width W₃₂₈ of the wings 328a, 328b tapers along the height direction from the lower wing portion 330a, 330b to the upper wing portion 332a, 332b. In general, merchandise can have unexpected movement near the front end of pusher systems. The wings 328a, 328b are desirable for laterally maintaining merchandise within the merchandising system 100, for example. Additionally or alternatively, the wings 328a, 328b can work in conjunction with the retainers 320a, 320b to maintain orientation of the merchandise as it moves past the retainers 320a, 320b toward the front end 102 of the merchandising system 100.

According to one aspect, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C, coupling mechanisms 334a, 334b may be coupled to walls 302a, 302b so the merchandising system 100 can be coupled with additional merchandising systems, such as one or more of the merchandising system 100. The coupling mechanism 334a coupled to the right wall 302a includes a latch 336 or first coupling feature and the coupling mechanism 334b coupled to the wall 302b includes an opening 338 that is configured to receive a latch of another pusher mechanism or merchandising system arranged adjacent to the merchandising system 100, for example. Additionally or alternatively, the coupling mechanisms 334a, 334b can also include one or more holes 340 that correspond with apertures 20 arranged on the shelf 30 so that the merchandising system 100 can be secured to the shelf 12 with pins (not shown), for example.

With reference to FIG. 5A, an illustrative example of the pusher mechanism 1000 is provided. In general, the pusher mechanism 1000 is attached at the front end 102 of the merchandising system 100 and include the lens assembly 400 and the pusher 500. The pusher mechanism 1000 is configured to move merchandise with respect to the track 214 between the rear end 104 and the front end 102. Additionally, the pusher mechanism 1000 is configured to maintain orientation of the merchandise arranged between the lens assembly 400 and the pusher 500. This is desirable to enhance product visibility and access to potential customers, for example.

The lens assembly 400 includes a lens base 402 and an end plate 404 movably coupled to the lens base 402. The end plate 404 includes a rear side 405a that faces the pusher 500 and a front side 405b opposite the rear side 405a. In the example shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the end plate 404 can be rotatably coupled to the lens base 402 with a hinge 406. One or more springs 408 can be arranged laterally along the hinge 406 to bias the end plate 404 to a first position that is perpendicular to the lens base 402. The end plate 404 is movable between the first position and a second position where the end plate 404 is generally parallel to the lens base 402. For instance, when a user (e.g., store associate) is loading one or more pieces of merchandise onto the tray 200, the user can fold the end plate 404 down to the lens base 402 and the rear end 104 (i.e., the second position) to allow the merchandise to easily pass over the lens assembly 400. Adjusting the position of the end plate 404 may be desirable to ease loading of merchandise from the merchandising system 100, for example. After loading of merchandise and the user releases the end plate 404, the end plate 404 can automatically return to the first position by the springs 408.

The end plate 404 has a height that extends from a base portion including the hinge 406 to a distal end 410. A width W₄₀₄ of the end plate 404 tapers along the height direction from the base to the distal end to provide the end plate 404 with an A-shape, as shown in FIG. 5C. Additionally, the distal end 410 of the end plate 404 may include an arcuate lip 411 that curves toward the front end 102, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C. The tapered width W₄₀₄ and the arcuate lip 411 cooperate to ease removal of merchandise from the tray 200 by allowing a user to manipulate the merchandise over or around the end plate 404 with minimal disruption to the remaining merchandise.

With reference to FIG. 5C, the lens base 402 includes a rear end 402a and a front end 402b. Additionally, the lens base 402 is configured to be coupled to the tray 200. For instance, as shown in FIG. 5C, the lens base 402 includes one or more rear flanges 412 that correspond with and can be received in the third and fourth slots 232, 234 of the tray 200. The lens base 402 further includes one or more front cantilevered tabs 414 that correspond with and are arranged in the first and second slots 228, 230 of the tray 200.

With reference to FIGS. 4A and 5C, the lens base 402 includes a pusher channel 416 that corresponds with and/or receives a portion of the track 214 and accommodates a portion of the pusher 500. Additionally, as shown FIG. 5C, the lens base 402 includes one or more ramps 418 that are coupled to an upper surface 419 and extend between the rear end 402a and the front end 402b of the lens base 402. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the ramps 418 are arranged on either side of the pusher channel 416. The ramps 418 each include a rear side 420 that faces the rear end 104 of the merchandising system 100 and a front side 422 that faces the front end 102 of the merchandising system 100. The rear side 420 can have a rear edge 424 and the front side 422 can have a front edge 426. An uppermost portion 428 can be arranged longitudinally between the rear edge 424 and the front edge 426. The ramps 418 can be desirable to help maintain orientation of merchandise as the merchandise moves from the rear end 104 to the front end 102. According to at least one aspect, the rear side 420 of the ramps 418 are configured to lean or tilt merchandise toward the pusher 500 (i.e., toward the rear end 104) as the merchandise moves onto the rear edges 424 and toward the uppermost portion 428 of the ramps 418. As merchandise moves past the uppermost portion 428, the merchandise can descend along the front side 422 toward the front edge into a recess or receptacle 430. The front side 422 of the ramps 418 are spaced rearwardly from the rear side 405a of the end plate 404 to define the receptacle 430 between the end plate 404 and the ramps 418. As merchandise advances in the direction D2 towards the end plate 404, a bottom portion of a forward-most item of merchandise will drop into the receptacle 430 to retain the bottom portion between the end plate 404 and the ramp 418. In other words, the ramps 418 can help prevent merchandise from tipping or falling forward as the merchandise translates toward the end plate 404 of the lens assembly 400.

With reference to FIGS. 5D-5F, an illustrative example of the pusher 500 is provided. The pusher 500 can be configured to contact merchandise arranged in the merchandising system 100 and bias the merchandise toward the front end of the merchandising system 100. The pusher 500 can include a front side 501a that is configured to contact merchandise and a rear side 501b that is opposite the front side 501a. The pusher 500 includes a base 502, such as a bifurcated base, as shown in FIG. 5D. The base 502 includes a first or right side 502a and a second or left side 502b.

The base 502 includes a first or lower product-contacting surface 504a, 504b and an upper wall 506 extending from the first product contacting surface 504a, 504b to an upper end 508. The upper wall 506 defines a second or upper product contacting surface 510. The second product-contacting surface 510 can be angled with respect to the first product-contacting surface 504a, 504b, for example. Similar to the first product-contacting surfaces 504a, 504b, the second product-contacting surface 510 is configured to support and maintain orientation of merchandise arranged in the merchandising system 100. An upper portion of the upper wall 506 can have an A-shape that includes a width W₅₀₆ that tapers along a direction from the bottom to a distal end 512, as shown in FIG. 5D.

With reference to FIG. 5F, the second product-contacting surface 510 forms an angle γ with respect to the first product-contacting surface 504a, 504b. In the illustrated example, the upper wall 506 inclines away from the first product contacting surface toward the rear end 104 of the merchandising system 100. Thus, the first product-contacting surface 504a, 504b is arranged for guiding a bottom portion of the merchandise out of the tray 200 while the second product-contacting surface 510 provides an angle conducive for maintaining the merchandise in an upright configuration for display. Additionally, the pusher 500 can include side or support walls 513a, 513b that are coupled to the first and second product-contacting surfaces 504a, 504b, 510 and extend toward the rear end 104 of the merchandising system 100. As shown in FIG. 5E, one or more vertical supports 514a and one or more lateral supports 514b can be coupled to the rear side 501b of the pusher 500 and are desirable to reinforce the pusher 500 and reduce deflection of the pusher 500 during operation, for example.

The pusher 500 includes an actuator nest 515 arranged laterally between the right side 502a and the left side 502b and can be configured to house an actuator (e.g., a spring) 516. The actuator 516 can be arranged in the actuator nest 515 and coupled to the tray 200 or the lens assembly 400 at the front end 202 of the tray 200, for example. In the present illustrative example, the actuator 516 includes a free end attached at the front end 202 of the tray 200 and operable to selectively bias the pusher 500 along the track 214 between the rear end 204 and the front end 202. According to one aspect, with reference to FIG. 5F, the actuator nest 515 includes a radius R₅₁₅ such that the actuator 516 can move the pusher 500 toward the front end 102 without binding, for example.

The pusher 500 also includes a carriage 518 that is coupled to the base 502 and arranged laterally between the right side 502a and left side 502b. A front surface 520 of the carriage 518 can be parallel with the first product-contacting surface 504a, 504b of the base 502, as shown in FIG. 5F. A bottom portion of the carriage 518 can extend into the channel 221 of the tray 200 so that the pusher 500 can move axially along the track 214 between the front end 202 and the rear end 204. In the present illustrative example, a roller bearing 522 is coupled to the carriage 518 and corresponds with and/or rides on the first rail 216 and the second rail 218 of the track 214 so that the pusher 500 can easily translate between the front end 202 and the rear end 204 of the tray 200. Thus, as increased loads are applied to the pusher 500 by added merchandise, the roller bearing 522 eliminates potential binding that may occur between the pusher 500 and the track 214.

In the illustrated example, with reference to FIG. 4A, a product receiving area 110 can be defined between the front side 501a of the pusher 500 and the front side 405b of the end plate 404. Stated differently, the product receiving area 110 can be arranged between the lens assembly 400 and at least one of the first product-contacting surface 504a, 504b and/or the second product-contacting surface 510. In use, the pusher 500 is configured to translate along the track 214 such that an effective length 112 of the product receiving area 110 increases and decreases to accommodate the merchandise that is received within the product receiving area 110. In other words, the pusher 500 may be translated in a first direction DI away from the end plate 404 to increase the effective length 112 of the product receiving area 110 when products are loaded into the merchandising system 100, and may be translated in a second direction D2 towards the end plate 404 to decrease the effective length 112 of the product receiving area 110 as products are removed from the merchandising system 100. Thus, the pusher 500 is operable to maintain stocked products at a forward-most position against and/or near the end plate 404.

Ordinarily, round and thin merchandise, such as frozen round pizzas, are challenging to dispense using an ordinary product pusher. In general, frozen round pizzas tend to flop forward and/or lean forward towards a customer receiving end of the ordinary product pusher. Sometimes this results in damage to the merchandise and/or unnecessary interruptions that prevent the merchandise from moving from one end of the product pusher to the other. Here, on the other hand, the merchandising system 100 is configured to accommodate round and thin merchandise, as well as merchandise of other shapes as well, while avoiding damage to the merchandise and/or interruptions that disrupt the flow of merchandise from the rear end 104 to the front end 102. Notably, with respect to FIGS. 4A and 5B, the ramps 418 of the lens assembly 400 can provide a directional change to the merchandise arranged in the product receiving area 110. In other words, the ramps 418 can cause the merchandise arranged in the product receiving area 110 to lean toward the pusher 500. Additionally, according to another aspect, the retainers 320a, 320b of the walls 300 can be arranged such that they prevent merchandise from falling toward the front end 102 when a piece of merchandise is removed by a user (e.g., a customer).

FIGS. 6-7, 8A-8C, and 9A-9F illustrate another illustrative configuration of a merchandising system 100′. This configuration is similar in many respects to the configuration of FIGS. 1-2, 3A-3C, 4A-4C, and 5A-5F. Accordingly, the descriptions of the configurations are hereby incorporated into one another, and description of subject matter common to the configurations generally may not be repeated.

Referring to FIG. 6, a merchandising system 100′ is generally shown. The merchandising system 100′ can be installed in a retail environment, such as a shelf 12 of a refrigerator or freezer. For instance, the merchandising system 100′ can be arranged on a top surface 14 of the shelf 12, or on another suitable base surface. The shelf 12 may be located in a store or other suitable location where consumers are able to purchase merchandise. As shown in FIG. 6, the top surface 14 of the shelf 12 extends from a front edge 16 to an opposite rear edge 18. As discussed throughout, the direction from the front edge 16 to the rear edge 18 defines a longitudinal direction while the direction parallel to the front edge 16 and the rear edge 18 defines a lateral direction. In some implementations, the shelf 12 may include apertures (not shown) extending through the top surface 14 and arranged in series adjacent to each of the front edge 16 and the rear edge 18 of the shelf 12. Portions of the merchandising system 100′ may be secured to the shelf 12 via fasteners engaging with the apertures (not shown). The merchandising system 100′ may be secured to the shelf 12 in any suitable manner, and the merchandising system 100′ may be selectively detached from the shelf 12 and moved, for example, to another shelf or other surface.

With reference to FIG. 6, the merchandising system 100′ includes a first or front end 102′ adjacent the front edge 16 of the shelf 12 and a second or rear end 104′ opposite the front end 102′ and adjacent the rear edge 18 of the shelf 12. Additionally, the merchandising system 100′ includes a first or right side 106′ and a second or left side 108′ spaced laterally from the right side 106′. The merchandising system 100′ generally includes the tray 200 extending between the front end 102′ and the rear end 104′, one or more walls 600 coupled to and extending from the tray 200 on the right side 106′ and/or left side 108′, and a pusher mechanism 1000′ coupled to the tray 200. The pusher mechanism 1000′ generally includes a lens assembly 700 coupled to the front end 102′ and a pusher 800 that is movable between the front end 102′ and the rear end 104′. As described in greater detail below, the merchandising system 100′ is generally configured so that a user (e.g., store associate) can load (i.e., stock, dispose, etc.) merchandise between the lens assembly 700 and the pusher 800 so that the pusher 800 is progressively moved away from the lens assembly 700 toward the rear end 104′. Additionally, the merchandising system 100′ is also generally configured to maintain orientation of merchandise after another user (e.g., a customer or consumer) removes merchandise from the merchandising system 100′ and the merchandise between the pusher 800 and the lens assembly 700 advances toward the front end 102′. In other words, the merchandising system 100′ can be configured to prevent merchandise from tipping or falling forward toward the front end 102′ after one or more units of the merchandise is removed from the merchandising system 100′. This may be desirable to prevent damage to the merchandise and/or to maintain orientation of advertising, branding, graphics, logos, etc. on the merchandise to enhance product visibility and access to potential customers.

The one or more walls 600 can include a first or right wall 602a and a second or left wall 602b (hereinafter, the walls 602). Each of the walls 602 include a front end 604a, 604b that is adjacent the front end 202 of the tray 200 and a rear end 606a, 606b that is opposite the front end 604a, 604b and adjacent the rear end 204 of the tray 200. The right wall 602a and the left wall 602b each include a base 608a, 608b that can be coupled to the tray 200 and extend between the front end 202 and the rear end 204 of the tray 200, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A. The base 608a, 608b of each of the walls 602 can be coupled to the tray 200 via flanges 610 that are coupled to and depend from the base 608a, 608b. The flanges 610 are spaced longitudinally along each base 608a, 608b and correspond with the longitudinal spacing of the respective rows of the sockets 224, 226 of the tray 200, as shown in FIG. 7. Additionally, clips or cantilevered arms 611a, 611b can extend from the base 608a, 608b and correspond with receptacles 227a, 227b. The clips 611a, 611b can help releasably secure the walls to the tray 200, for example.

Additionally, each base 608a, 608b can include grooves 612a, 612b that extend between the front end 604a, 604b and the rear end 606a, 606b. The grooves 612a, 612b can be desirable for reducing friction between at least a portion of the walls 602 and merchandise so that the merchandise can travel between the rear end 104′ and the front end 102′ without interruption, for example.

Support or guide walls 613a, 613b are coupled to and extend away from the base 608a, 608b of the walls 602. In the present example, the guide walls 613a, 613b are perpendicular to the base 608a, 608b to provide support and alignment for a rectangular or square box, for example. The guide walls 613a, 613b include a lower portion 614a, 614b that extends adjacent the tray 200 between the upper surface 210 and the lower surface 212. The guide walls 613a, 613b include a height H₆₁₃ between the lower portion 614a, 614b and an upper portion 615a, 615b.

With reference to FIGS. 8A and 8C, guards 616a, 616b can be coupled to the guide walls 613a, 613b at the rear end 606a, 606b of each of the walls 302 and extend inwardly toward the track 214. Particularly, the guards 616a, 616b are coupled to the lower portion 614a, 614b of the guide walls 613a, 613b and to a portion of each base 608a, 608b. The guards 616a, 616b can be desirable for maintaining orientation of merchandise arranged in the merchandising system 100′, as well as help prevent merchandise from falling out of the merchandising system 100′ from the rear end 104′ during loading, for example. The walls 602 can further include wings 618a, 618b that are coupled to and extend axially away from the guide walls 613a, 613b. Particularly, the wings 618a, 618b are coupled to the upper portion 615a, 615b of the guide walls 613a, 613b. The wings 618a, 618b each include a front end 620a, 620b and a rear end 622a, 622b spaced from the front end 620a, 620b. The wings 618a, 618b can be desirable for maintaining orientation of merchandise as the merchandise moves toward the front end 102′of the merchandising system 100, for example.

According to one aspect, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, coupling mechanisms 624a, 624b may be arranged in or coupled to walls 602a, 602b so the merchandising system 100′ can be coupled with additional merchandising systems, such as one or more of the merchandising system 100′. In the present example, the coupling mechanisms 624a, 624b are arranged in the lower portion 614a, 614b of the guide walls 613a, 613b and longitudinally spaced between the front end 604a, 604b and the rear end 606a, 606b. Particularly, the coupling mechanisms 624a coupled to the wall 602a include one or more slots 626 or first coupling features and the coupling mechanisms 624b coupled to the wall 602b include one or more hooks or second coupling feature 628 that are configured to engage with one or slots (i.e., the same or similar to the slots 626) of another pusher mechanism or merchandising system arranged adjacent to the merchandising system 100, for example.

With reference to FIG. 9A, an illustrative example of the pusher mechanism 1000′ is provided. In general, the pusher mechanism 1000′ can be arranged at the front end 102′ of the merchandising system 100′ and include the lens assembly 700 and the pusher 500. The pusher mechanism 1000′ can be configured to move merchandise with respect to the track 214 between the rear end 104′ and the front end 102′. Additionally, the pusher mechanism 1000′ can be configured to maintain orientation of the merchandise arranged between the lens assembly 700 and the pusher 800. This can be desirable to enhance product visibility and access to potential customers, for example.

The lens assembly 700 includes a lens base 702 and an end plate 704 movably coupled to the lens base 702. The end plate 704 includes a rear side 705a that faces the pusher 800 and a front side 705b opposite the rear side 705a. In the example shown in FIG. 9B, the end plate 704 can be coupled to the lens base 702 with a hinge 706. One or more springs 708 can be arranged laterally along the hinge 706 to bias the end plate 704 to a first position that is perpendicular to the lens base 702. The end plate 704 is movable between the first position and a second position. For instance, when a user (e.g., store associate) is loading one or more pieces of merchandise onto the tray 200, the user can fold the end plate 704 down to the lens base 702 and the rear end 104′ (i.e., the second position). Adjusting the position of the end plate 704 may be desirable to ease loading of merchandise from the merchandising system 100′, for example. After loading of merchandise and the user releases the end plate 704, the end plate 704 can automatically return to the first position by the springs 708. The end plate 704 can include a distal end 710, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

The end plate 704 has a height that extends from a base portion including the hinge 706 to a distal end 710. A width W₇₀₄ of the end plate 704 tapers along the height direction from the base to the distal end 710 to provide the end plate 704 with an A-shape, as shown in FIG. 9B. The tapered width W₇₀₄ cooperates to ease removal of merchandise from the tray 200 by allowing a user to manipulate the merchandise over or around the end plate 704 with minimal disruption to the remaining merchandise.

With reference to FIG. 9B, the lens base 702 includes a rear end 702a and a front end 702b. Additionally, the lens base 702 is configured to be coupled to the tray 200. For instance, as shown in FIG. 9A, the lens base 702 can include one or more rear flanges 712 that correspond with and can be arranged in the third and fourth slots 232, 234 of the tray 200. The lens base 702 can also include one or more front cantilevered arms 714 that correspond with and are arranged in the first and second slots 228, 230 of the tray 200.

With reference to FIGS. 9B and 9C, the lens base 702 includes a pusher channel 716 that corresponds with and/or receives a portion of the track 214 and accommodates a portion of the pusher 800. Additionally, as shown FIG. 9C, the lens base 702 includes one or more ramps 718 that are coupled to an upper surface 719 and extend between the rear end 702a and the front end 702b of the lens base 702. As shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the ramps 718 are arranged on either side of the pusher channel 716. The ramps 718 each include a rear end 720 toward the rear end 104 of the merchandising system 100 and a front end 722 that cooperates with the hinge 706. The rear end 720 can have a rear edge 724 that begins a gradual incline toward the end plate 704. An uppermost portion 726 can be arranged longitudinally between the front end 722 and the rear end 720. The ramps 718 can be desirable to help maintain orientation of merchandise as the merchandise moves from the rear end 104 to the front end 102. According to at least one aspect, the rear end 720 of the ramps 718 are configured to lean or tilt merchandise toward the pusher 800 (i.e., toward the rear end 104) as the merchandise moves onto the rear edges 724 and toward the uppermost portion 726 of the ramps 718.

With reference to FIG. 9B, the lens base 702 includes a pusher channel 716 that corresponds with the track 214 and accommodates a portion of the pusher 800. Additionally, as shown FIG. 9B, the lens base 702 can include an upper surface 719 and is configured to receive a portion of a rectangular or square box, for example.

With reference to FIGS. 9D-9F, an illustrative example of the pusher 800 is provided. The pusher 800 can be configured to contact merchandise arranged in the merchandising system 100′ and bias the merchandise toward the front end 102′ of the merchandising system 100′. The pusher 800 can include a front side 801a that is configured to contact merchandise and a rear side 801b that is opposite the front side 801a. The pusher 800 includes a base 802, such as a bifurcated base, as shown in FIG. 9D. The base 802 includes a first or right side 802a and a second or left side 802b.

The base 802 includes a first or lower product-contacting surface 804a, 804b and a second or middle product-contacting surface 806a, 806b. With reference to FIG. 9F, the base 802 can also include a lower lip 808 that projects outwardly toward the front end 102′ of the merchandising system 100′ and/or toward the end plate 704. The lower lip 808 can be arranged axially between the first product-contacting surface 804a, 804b and the second product-contacting surface 806a, 806b. The lower lip 808 may be desirable to catch or prevent merchandise from tipping forward toward the front end 102′ of the merchandising system 100′, for example.

With reference to FIGS. 9D and 9F, the pusher 800 can further include an upper wall 809 extending from the base 802 that defines a third or upper product-contacting surface 810 extending from the base 802. The third product-contacting surface 810 can be angled with respect to the second product-contacting surface 806a, 806b, for example. Similar to the first and second product-contacting surfaces 804a, 804b, 806a, 806b, the third product-contacting surface 810 is configured to support and maintain orientation of merchandise arranged in the merchandising system 100′. A portion of the upper wall 809 can have an A-shape that includes tapering width W₈₀₉ defining a distal end 811, as shown in FIG. 9D.

With reference to FIG. 9F, the second product-contacting surface 806a, 806b forms a first angle α with respect to the first product-contacting surface 804a, 804b. Additionally, or alternatively, the third product-contacting surface 810 forms a second angle β with respect to the first product-contacting surface 804a, 804b. In the illustrated example, the first angle α is greater than the second angle β to provide a progressive incline along the front side 801a of the pusher 800. Thus, the second product-contacting surface 806a, 806b provides an angle conducive for guiding a bottom portion of the merchandise out of the tray 200 while the third product-contacting surface 810 provides an angle conducive for maintaining the merchandise in an upright configuration for display. While the illustrated shows first angle α and the second angle β as being different, in other examples the first angle α and the second angle β can be the same angle. The angles α, β of the second and third product-contacting surfaces 806a, 806b, 810 can be desirable so that merchandise can be biased toward the front end 102′, all while preventing merchandise from falling or leaning forward toward the front end 102′, for example. Additionally, the pusher 800 can include side or support walls 812a, 812b that are coupled to the first, second, and third product-contacting surfaces 804a, 804b, 806a, 806b, 810 and extend toward the rear end 104′ of the merchandising system 100′. As shown in FIG. 9E, one or more vertical supports 813a and one or more lateral supports 813b can be coupled to the rear side 801b of the pusher 800 and are desirable to reinforce the pusher 500 and reduce deflection of the pusher during operation, for example.

The pusher 800 includes an actuator nest 814 arranged laterally between the right side 802a and the left side 802b and can be configured to house an actuator (e.g., a spring) 815. The actuator 815 can be arranged in the actuator nest 814 and coupled to the tray 200 or the lens assembly 400 at the front end 202 of the tray 200. In the present illustrative example, the actuator 815 includes a free end that can be fed through the slit 222 at the front end 202 of the tray 200 and coupled to the pin 223. The actuator 815 is operable to selectively bias the pusher 800 along the track 214 between the rear end 204 and the front end 202. According to one aspect, with reference to FIG. 9F, the actuator nest 814 includes a radius R₈₁₄ such that the actuator 815 can move the pusher 800 toward the front end 102′ without binding, for example.

The pusher 800 also includes a carriage 816 that is coupled to the base 802 and arranged laterally between the right side 802a and left side 802b. A front surface 818 of the carriage 816 can be parallel with the first product-contacting surface 804a, 804b of the base 802, as shown in FIG. 9F. A bottom portion of the carriage 816 can extend into the channel 221 of the tray 200 so that the pusher 800 can move axially along the track 214 between the front end 202 and the rear end 204. In the present illustrative example, a roller bearing 820 is coupled to the carriage 816 and corresponds with and/or rides on the first rail 216 and the second rail 218 of the track 214 so that the pusher 800 can easily translate between the front end 202 and the rear end 204 of the tray 200. Thus, as increased loads are applied to the pusher 800 by added merchandise, the roller bearing 820 eliminates potential binding that may occur between the pusher 800 and the track 214.

In the illustrated example, with reference to FIG. 8A, a product receiving area 110′ can be defined between the front side 801a of the pusher 800 and the front side 705b of the end plate 704. Stated differently, the product receiving area 110′ can be arranged between the lens assembly 700 and at least one of the first product-contacting surface 804a, 804b, the second product-contacting surface 806a, 806b, and/or the third product-contacting surface 810. In use, the pusher 800 is configured to translate along the track 214 such that an effective length 112′ of the product receiving area 110′ increases and decreases to accommodate the merchandise that is received within the product receiving area 110′. In other words, the pusher 800 may be translated in a first direction DI away from the end plate 704 to increase the effective length 112′ of the product receiving area 110′ when products are loaded into the merchandising system 100′, and may be translated in a second direction D2 towards the end plate 704 to decrease the effective length 112′ of the product receiving area 110′ as products are removed from the merchandising system 100′. Thus, the pusher 800 is operable to maintain stocked products at a forward-most position against and/or near the end plate 704.

Ordinarily, rectangular or lopsided containers can be challenging to dispense using an ordinary product pusher. In general, rectangular or lopsided containers tend to flop forward and/or lean forward towards a customer receiving end of the ordinary product pusher. Sometimes this results in damage to the merchandise and/or unnecessary interruptions that prevent the merchandise from moving from one end of the product pusher to the other. Here, on the other hand, the merchandising system 100;′ is configured to accommodate rectangular or lopsided merchandise, as well as merchandise of other shapes as well, while avoiding damage to the merchandise and/or interruptions that disrupt the flow of merchandise from the rear end 104′ to the front end 102′. Notably, with respect to FIGS. 8A and 9C, the ramps 718 of the lens assembly 700 can provide a directional change to the merchandise arranged in the product receiving area 110′. In other words, the ramps 718 can cause the merchandise arranged in the product receiving area 110′ to lean toward the pusher 800.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed herein could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.