Shelving system and display unit therefor

[0002] The present invention generally relates to shelving systems, and in particular, to display units.

[0003] Shelving systems including display units are well known in the art. Problems associated with such systems are often well known in the art. Such problems include maintaining an aesthetic display and restocking the shelves. These problems have been addressed by generally two approaches. The first approach is to provide a shelf which may be pulled out from the support structure. Examples of this approach are taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,673,801 and 5,720,230 which are incorporated herein by reference. Examples of the second approach generally comprise placing an assist member in the product container to push the products toward the front of the shelf, a process known as “facing.” Examples of this approach are taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,012,936; 5,638,963; and 5,730,320, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] Pat. '936 discloses a product tray member that is slidably engaged with a track member so that the product tray member can be slid away from the track assembly. An upstanding product follower is slidably mounted onto the product tray member in a manner whereby the follower moves longitudinally within the product tray member. The product follower member is biased in a forward direction.

[0005] A display unit according to the present invention comprises a plurality of product trays. Each product tray comprises a product member for containing one or more products and a facing member for facing the one or more products contained in the product member. The product member is linearly movable relative to a shelf on which it is supported. The facing member is movably connected to the product member and linearly moveable relative to both the shelf and the product member. The display unit may be adapted for use with a shelving system.

[0006] In one embodiment, the display unit comprises a shelf adapted to cooperate with a shelving system. A plurality of product trays are supported on, and preferably attached to, the shelf. Each product tray comprises a product slide and a facing slide. The product slide is linearly movable relative to the shelf, and the facing slide slidably engages the product slide while being linearly movable relative to the shelf and the product slide.

[0007] Another embodiment of the invention is directed toward a shelving system. The shelving system comprises a support structure, including a plurality of shelves attached to the support structure, and a plurality of product trays connected to the shelves. Each product tray comprises a product slide moveable relative to the shelf and a facing slide moveable relative to both the product slide and the shelf. Preferably a restoring spring connects the product slide to the shelf and is positioned to facilitate restoration of the product slide from a stocking position to a displaying position.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to improve the aesthetic appearance of product displays as well as improve the efficiency with which such displays are managed.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a display unit which may be used to retrofit an existing shelving system.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a display unit particularly well suited for uniform products, such as aerosol canisters. Yet another objective is to provide such a shelf with a means for facilitating restocking. A more particular objective is to provide a display container with a restorative force for returning a fully loaded container to its display position. This unit having such a restorative force has the advantage of increasing labor efficiency and reducing damaged products due to movement of heavy containers of products or repetitive reshuffling of products.

[0011] Other objects and advantages in accordance with the present invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0012] In the interest of enabling one of skill in the art to practice the invention, exemplary embodiments are shown and described. For clarity, details apparent to those of skill in the art without undue experimentation are generally omitted from the drawings and description.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a display unit according to the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a product tray of the display unit shown in FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 depicts the product tray shown in FIG. 2 with the facing slide pulled forward to face products contained in the product tray. The side wall of the product tray is removed for clarity.

[0016] FIG. 4 shows the product tray of FIG. 2 with the product slide pulled forward to facilitate restocking.

[0017] The present invention is discussed in relation to display units for shelving systems, however, other uses will be apparent from the teachings disclosed herein. The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, wherein like reference numerals and characters refer to like parts, and by reference to the following claims.

[0018] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a display unit 10 according to the present invention. The display unit 10 is adapted for use with a shelving system 12. The display unit 10 includes a shelf 14 adapted to cooperate with the shelving system 12. A plurality of product trays 16 are supported by the shelf 14. Each product tray 16 comprises a product slide 18 and a facing slide 20. The product slide 18 is movable relative to the shelf 14. The facing slide slidingly engages the product slide 18 and is linearly movable relative to both the shelf 14 and the product slide 18. In one embodiment, the shelving system 12 comprises a gondola (not shown) generally comprising support rails for receiving a shelf. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the shelf 14 is adapted to removably connect to the gondola.

[0019] More generally the invention may be directed toward a shelving system comprising a display unit. Such a shelving system, according to the present invention, would generally comprise a plurality of display units as discussed above, and further described below.

[0020] FIGS. 2-4 show side views of the display unit 10 shown in FIG. 1. The sidewall 22 of the product tray 16 has been removed for clarity. The product tray 16 in FIG. 2 contains a plurality of products 24 and is shown in a display position, also referred to as a stowed position.

[0021] As products 24 are removed from the display tray 16, it becomes desirable to face (or pull forward), the remaining products in the product tray 16. FIG. 3 shows the facing slide 20 pulled forward to face the products 24. A store clerk (e.g., employee) need merely pull the pull member 26, which is connected to the push member 28, forward. The push member 28, which extends into the product tray 16, pushes the products 24 toward the front 30 of the product tray 16. In a preferred embodiment, the facing slide 20 comprises a facing slide lip 32 adapted to cooperate with recess 34 in the bottom of the product slide 18 to form a locking mechanism. To disengage the locking mechanism the clerk pushes down on the pull member 26 and linearly advances the pull member away from the rear of the shelving system 12.

[0022] As products 24 are sold, or after the product tray 16 is empty, it is desirable to restock the products. To facilitate restocking the product tray 16 is adapted to be pulled forward to provide access to the rear 36 of the product tray. This restocking position is shown in FIG. 4. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the product tray 16 slidingly engages a runner 38, preferably, affixed to the shelf 14. In a preferred embodiment, the product tray 16 comprises a lip 40 adapted to cooperate with a recess 42 in the runner 38. To facilitate restoring a full, or loaded, product tray 16 to its display position (as shown in FIG. 2), restoring spring can be used to connect the product tray 16 to the shelf 14. In one preferred embodiment, the restoring spring 44 connects the rear 36 of the product tray 16 to the runner 38 near the rear of the shelf 14. A second lip 43 (best seen in FIG. 3) is positioned to engage recess 40 when the product slide 16 is fully extended for stocking. The second lip 43 reduces (and preferably prevents) the tenancy of the product slide to return to the stowed position inadvertently.

[0023] While the above embodiment has been described with respect to “sliding” structure, it will be understood that the invention may more generally comprise product members and facing members. Further other means for providing movable contact between and among the members will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Additionally, the invention may comprise a display unit adapted to merely rest on a shelf, as well as be affixed thereto.

[0024] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art through various changes in form and detail maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the claimed invention is intended to be defined by the following claims as they would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art with appropriate reference to the specification, including the drawings as warranted.