CN204995063U - Merchandising Track Sets and Systems and Front Mounts Compatible with the System - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a commodity sales track device and system and with compatible fore-stock of this system. In particular, the present invention is directed to an improved display apparatus comprising a merchandising track assembly for displaying items to a consumer, a merchandising track system, and a front mount compatible with such a system. The present invention includes at least one longitudinal elongated member having a web portion and a sidewall extending from the web portion, wherein the web portion and the sidewall are configured to define a channel for retaining an article therein. A front brace is also provided that engages a distal portion of the longitudinally elongated member. The front brace extends only partially across a front of the channel defined by the web portion and the side wall.

Description

Merchandising Track Sets and Systems and Front Mounts Compatible with the System

technical field

The present invention relates to an item display system, and more particularly to an apparatus for displaying consumer items for purchase. The present invention relates to an improved display device.

Background technique

Once a consumer has become accustomed to packaging for a consumer product and has established brand loyalty, the appearance or "trade pack" used for that product is consciously and subconsciously associated with that product's brand.

Thus, once brand loyalty has been established, the appearance and packaging of a consumer product can have a significant impact on the initial purchase decision and subsequent repeat purchases.

Specifically, for consumer products, such as food, beverages (including energy drinks, electrolyte supplements, sports drinks, milk drinks, tea drinks) or alcoholic beverages or pharmaceuticals and other consumer goods, in that respect branding is crucial to purchasing decisions Critical.

However, many consumer products, such as those described above, are presented to consumers in refrigerated or sealed glass display cases. These consumer goods are primarily packed in side-by-side utility rails or aisles, shelved on shelves or stacked in accessible spaces inside cabinets.

In general, as with virtually any display system, these systems generally fail to present consumables clearly or distinctly. These systems are generally practical in construction, and such systems are primarily designed to contain consumer goods on light shelving systems or in refrigerated cabinets.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a display system which alleviates some of the above disadvantages or provides additional options to dealers of consumer goods.

Contents of the invention

Broadly speaking, the present invention has described a merchandising track arrangement for displaying and holding items.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a commodity sales track device for displaying items to consumers, the commodity sales track device comprising:

at least one longitudinally elongated member having a web portion and a side wall extending from the web portion, wherein the web portion and the side wall are configured to define a the channel in it;

a front bracket engaged with the end portion of the longitudinally elongated member;

Wherein the front brace extends only partially across the front of the channel bounded by the web portion and the side walls.

Advantageously, said front support is releasably engageable with said end portion of said longitudinally elongated member.

Preferably, the merchandising track set for displaying items to a customer is configured such that when said front support is engaged with said end portion of said longitudinally elongated member, said front support spans a portion of the surface of said channel The extension is configured to retain the article in the longitudinally elongated member until removed.

Optionally, the front rack is configured to display substantially all of the front portion of the item.

Preferably, at least one of said longitudinally elongated members comprises one or more frangible regions at predetermined locations, wherein the frangible portions of said frangible regions extend through said web portion and through a gap in said side wall. each for adjusting the length of said longitudinally elongated member.

Advantageously, at least one of said longitudinally elongated members is engageable with another longitudinally extending elongated member.

Optionally, at least one of said longitudinally elongated members is engageable with another longitudinally elongated member at said frangible portion.

Preferably, said engagement may be provided by a tongue extending from at least one of said longitudinally elongated members engaging a notch in another said longitudinally extending elongated member.

Preferably, at least one of said longitudinally extending elongate members is configured to receive a stopper member at a location distal to said front bracket.

Advantageously, said stop member is engageable with at least one of said longitudinally extending elongate members at a frangible portion extending through said web portion and into said side wall. each for adjusting said length of said longitudinally elongated member.

Optionally, it has a plurality of holes formed in said side walls and said web portion of said longitudinally elongated member to reduce material used therein.

In another aspect of the present invention, a merchandising track system is provided, comprising:

a plurality of longitudinally elongated members, each longitudinally elongated member having a web portion and side walls extending from the web portion, wherein the web portion and the side walls are configured to define a the channel in it;

a front bracket engaged with one or more end portions of the longitudinally elongated member;

wherein said front brace extends only partially across the front of said channel bounded by said web portion and said side walls of said longitudinally elongated member, and

Wherein the longitudinally elongated members are engaged with each other by a tab in a side wall of one longitudinally elongated member engaging a notch in a side wall of an adjacent longitudinally elongated member.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a front bracket releasably engageable with a merchandising track system having at least one or more longitudinally elongated members, wherein the front bracket is configured to Extending only partially across the front of the channel bounded by the web portion and side walls of the longitudinally elongated member.

The front bracket is releasably engaged with the end portion of the longitudinally elongated member.

Description of drawings

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail by examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1A-1D depict exploded perspective views of an embodiment of an article display device of the present invention, with various components shown spaced apart from each other.

2A-2C depict exemplary side views of components of the display depicted in FIG. 3 , which shows exemplary perspective views of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1A-1D in an assembled configuration.

4A-4B depict exemplary views of components in the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 1A-1D with side walls removed for clarity.

FIG. 4C depicts an exemplary cross-sectional view through a channel component of the assembly depicted in FIG. 1 .

5A and 5B depict cross-sectional views of components in the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 1A-1D .

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary perspective view of components of the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 1A-1D .

Figure 7A depicts a plan view of the channel depicted in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1A-1D.

Figure 7B depicts an exploded cross-sectional view of the circular region depicted in the embodiment of Figure 7A.

FIG. 7C depicts a front view of the front retaining member shown in FIGS. 1A and 7A-7B .

Figure 8 depicts an embodiment of an invention similar to that of the present invention in which two of each component have been included in a side-by-side configuration.

FIG. 9A depicts a front view of the retaining component of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8 .

Figure 9B depicts an exploded cross-sectional view of the circular region depicted in the embodiment of Figure 9A.

FIG. 9C depicts a front view of the front retaining member shown in FIGS. 1A and 7A-7B .

detailed description

1A-1D illustrate a merchandising track arrangement and a merchandising track system for displaying items to consumers.

Referring to FIG. 1A , a front bracket 10 is depicted that is engageable with the track member 20 depicted in FIG. 1B . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the form and appearance of the front brace 10 is exemplary and that the invention is not limited to the design depicted therein.

Similarly, while track member 20 is shown as having a distinctive appearance, it should be understood that this appearance does not limit the invention to track members having this appearance. It can be seen that the track member 20 is generally elongated in the longitudinal direction and is engageable with corresponding portions of the front bracket 10 and stopper 40 shown in FIG. 1C . In the exemplary arrangement of the invention depicted in Figure ID, there is also depicted a further extension track member 50, which is also an elongate track member that is elongate in the longitudinal direction.

It will be appreciated that the front bracket 10, track member 20, stop 40 and extension track member 50 may be made of plastic materials such as polypropylene, HIPS (high impact polystyrene), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene vinyl), PC (polycarbonate), PC+ABS-(polycarbonate+acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blend), PE-(polyethylene)nylon or similar such materials known to those skilled in the art .

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C , side views of the arrangement of FIGS. 1A-1B are depicted. It can be seen that the side portions of the front member contain notches 12 (shown in FIG. 2A ) for engaging corresponding protrusions 22 formed in the front portion 24 of the track member 20 . Additionally, locking tabs 26 in the side walls of the track members are included for interengagement with corresponding elongated track members to form a merchandiser track system.

Additionally, frangible portions 28a and 28b formed in the top of the sidewalls of the track member 20 and in the bottom of the sidewalls of the track are depicted. It will be appreciated that these frangible portions or frangible areas of the track can be broken by repeated "rocking" of the left track portion relative to the right track portion at predetermined frangible areas.

These frangible parts thus allow the overall length of the track part to be adjusted. For example, if the track is to be used in a narrow display case or refrigerator, the extra section towards the right hand side of the track member 20 as depicted in FIG. 2B may now be required. The user can just swing or bend the frangible portion to break the track at the frangible area. No tools are required for this operation, and the operation is easily performed by untrained personnel.

A frangible portion may also optionally be included in the extension track member 50 depicted in Figure 2D.

Alternatively, as shown in the engagement arrangement shown in FIG. 3 , the frangible portion may not be damaged and the extension track member 50 may be engaged with the track member 20 as shown in FIG. 3 .

If the extension member is engaged at the end of the longitudinally elongated track member 20, the stopper member may optionally also be engaged at the end of the extension member. It is contemplated that this larger track portion could be used to hold items in a deep display case or refrigerator or the like.

Further details of the engagement of the stop member 40 with the track member 20 are shown in other figures.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4C , perspective cross-sectional and side views of an embodiment of the merchandising track set of the present invention are depicted.

As shown, the front bracket 10 with the notch 12 formed therein is shown spaced apart from the track member 20 . The track member 20 includes a protrusion 22 formed therein for engaging with the notch 12 of the front bracket 10 .

In addition, a further locking member 25 on the web portion of the track member may also be included. This locking part facilitates the push-fit or slide-fit of the front part and the track part. This engagement of the locking member 25 with the front part is preferably configured to be releasable such that the front part is movable and detachable from the track part 20 .

A frangible portion 26a is formed in the top of the side walls of the track member and holes or apertures 34, 36 are formed in the sides and base. Apertures 34 and apertures 36 formed in the sidewalls and base, respectively, may be of any size or configuration without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be appreciated that such holes facilitate cooling of items placed thereon, as well as reducing the amount of material used in the construction of the track set.

Ultimately, the size and dimensions of the aperture can be selected so as to integrate with the overall impression of the product to be displayed and/or the commercial packaging.

5A and 5B, the engagement of the rear stop 40 and the extension track member 50 may be through the central notch 29a, the side locking guide 29b and the tongue 31 of the rear stop 40 or the extension track member 50 ( Not shown) tongue (not shown) cooperation to facilitate.

It will be appreciated that the side locking guides 29b are received in corresponding notches formed in the rear stop 40 or the extension track member 50 to engage these components with the track member 20 .

The central tab 31 shown on the rear stop T also engages the central portion of both parts.

It will be appreciated that engagement of the rear stop 40 or the extended track member 50 allows the track system to be resized (to accommodate additional items). Or, for example, if the inventory of items decreases, the size of the track system can be reduced.

Turning to Figure 6, a perspective view of the two elongated channels is depicted showing the locking tab 32a and the corresponding locking notch 32b formed in the side wall. The tabs and notches cooperate to join along the longitudinal side walls adjacent the longitudinally elongated track system to form the merchandising track system.

It will be appreciated that although two such tracks are shown, additional tracks could be added by similar principles.

An exemplary arrangement of such joined longitudinally elongated rails is shown in FIG. 8 .

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7C , there are shown a top view, a cross-sectional front view, and a front view of the front part (sidewalls removed for ease of reference).

The track member 20 is shown engaged with the front bracket 10 . It can be seen that the notches 12 formed in the front bracket 10 in a "C"-shaped arrangement engage the L-shaped tongues of the end portion of the channel.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various arrangements of such engagement will be possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Finally it can be seen that the front bracket 10 includes protrusions 14 and 16 which extend only partially across the channel formed by the web and side walls of the track member 20 .

It will be appreciated that it is important to maintain a display of substantially all of the front bottom of the first item in the channel that the protrusions 14 and 16 only partially extend across the channel when the front bracket is engaged with the track member 20 .

This is very beneficial in providing a clear visual representation of the front surface of the item, which aids in the consumer's purchasing decision.

Additionally, the protrusions may be obscured to be compatible with the general "look" or commercial packaging of the product. This provides a unique and eye-catching presentation that enhances the impact of the item's commercial appearance on the shopping consumer.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a merchandising system is depicted in which two longitudinally elongated track assemblies have been engaged with each other. This interengagement may be facilitated by engagement at the corresponding portion of the side wall at the lock tab described above or alternatively by molding in such a configuration.

It will be appreciated that a locking tab extending into a longitudinally elongated channel may be configured to engage a notch formed in an adjacent longitudinally extending channel, as depicted in the exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 6 .

As shown, a front bracket 10 is depicted that is configured to include protrusions 114, 116, and 118 that extend only partially across the void defined by the sidewalls of the channel.

Alternative arrangements are also possible without departing from the scope of the present invention, wherein a front bracket may be formed separately comprising a protrusion which also extends only partly across the front of the channel.

Similarly, arrangements in which multiple protrusions may be incorporated would also be possible.

In the depicted arrangement, a rear stop member 140 is also shown which has been formed separately. It will be appreciated that such stops would also be formed together, similar to the arrangement depicted in the front bracket 110 .

Finally, also in Figure 8, an extension member is depicted which has been formed by mutual engagement of adjacent longitudinally elongated members. Again, this extension member 150 may also be formed from two or more longitudinally elongated members that have been interengaged with each other.

Referring now to FIG. 9A , there is depicted a track 120 formed from a plurality of longitudinally elongated members 120a and 120b joined to one another. The front bracket 110 is also engaged with the end portion of the rail 120 . As can be seen, the front bracket contains a "C" shaped notch, while the track pieces contain either a T-shaped protrusion in the center section or a formatted "S" shaped section on either side.

Finally, as can be seen with reference to FIG. 9C , protrusions 114 and 116 substantially combine to form central protrusion 118 in the depicted arrangement.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a lightweight modular track system that optimizes the display of consumer goods.

By including an interchangeable/removable front stand, the front stand can be easily replaced to allow for sales display. For example, at a particular time of year (Christmas or Halloween), or during a sale, the stand can be easily swapped to include additional sale messages, or protrusions that align with the sale or season's theme.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the front brace as described in the present invention only partially extends across the front of the tunnel. Since the front rack only partially extends across the front of the aisle, the customer is able to see substantially all of the items. This enhances purchasing decisions and helps build brand recognition.

The protrusions can be shaped in combination with the article to optimize the overall appearance to the consumer and the protrusions can be shaped accordingly for an appearance of interest to the consumer.

The inclusion of breakaway parts in the present invention in parts of the side walls as well as in the web of the track allows quick and simple adjustment of the length of the track system to fit the refrigerator or display case in which the track system will be used.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the track system can readily be used in tilt service to facilitate gravity-fed movement of items to be displayed towards the front of the track.

Additionally, by providing side latches and extensions that can engage the track system, multiple tracks can be placed side by side and arranged to extend fully longitudinally on a display case or refrigerator.

Finally, the inclusion of the stopper allows the item to be advanced until the item can be refilled by the vendor.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the examples or preferred embodiments described above, it should be understood that the foregoing are examples to aid understanding of the present invention and are not meant to be limiting. Changes or modifications which are obvious or insignificant to those skilled in the art, as well as improvements based thereon, are to be regarded as equivalents of the present invention.

Furthermore, although the invention has been described with reference to one and two track systems with exemplary stops and extensions, it should be understood that the invention is applicable to other shapes of longitudinally elongated members, with or without modification. , configuration and number without loss of generality.

Claims (14)

1. A merchandising track set for displaying items to consumers, said merchandising track set comprising: at least one longitudinally elongated member having a web portion and a side wall extending from the web portion, wherein the web portion and the side wall are configured to define a the channel in it; a front bracket engaged with the end portion of the longitudinally elongated member; Wherein the front brace extends only partially across the front of the channel bounded by the web portion and the side walls. 2. The merchandising track set of claim 1, wherein said front bracket is releasably engaged with said end portion of said longitudinally elongated member. 3. The merchandising track set of claim 2, wherein when the front bracket is engaged with the end portion of the longitudinally elongated member, the front bracket is configured to extend across a portion of the surface of the channel. to retain the article in the longitudinally elongated member until removal. 4. The merchandising track set of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front support is configured to display substantially all of the front portion of the item. 5. A merchandising track set according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said longitudinally elongated members comprises one or more frangible regions at predetermined locations, wherein said frangible regions A portion extends through the web portion and each of the side walls for adjusting the length of the longitudinally elongated member. 6. A merchandising track set according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said longitudinally elongated members is engageable with another longitudinally extending elongated member. 7. The merchandising track set of claim 5, wherein at least one of said longitudinally elongated members is engageable with another longitudinally elongated member at said frangible portion. 8. The merchandising track set of claim 6, wherein a tab extending from at least one of said longitudinally elongated members engages a notch in another said longitudinally extending elongated member. 9. The merchandising track set of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the longitudinally extending elongate members is configured to receive a stop member at a location distal to the front bracket. 10. The merchandising track set of claim 8, wherein said stop member is engageable with at least one of said longitudinally extending elongate members at a frangible portion, said frangible portion extending through The web portion and each of the side walls are adapted to adjust the length of the longitudinally elongated member. 11. A merchandising track set according to any one of the preceding claims having a plurality of holes formed in said side walls and said web portion of said longitudinally elongated member to reduce material used therein . 12. A merchandising track system comprising: a plurality of longitudinally elongated members, each longitudinally elongated member having a web portion and side walls extending from the web portion, wherein the web portion and the side walls are configured to define a the channel in it; a front bracket engaged with one or more end portions of the longitudinally elongated member; wherein said front brace extends only partially across the front of said channel bounded by said web portion and said side walls of said longitudinally elongated member, and Wherein the longitudinally elongated members are engaged with each other by a tab in a side wall of one longitudinally elongated member engaging a notch in a side wall of an adjacent longitudinally elongated member. 13. A front bracket releasably engageable with a merchandise merchandise track system having at least one or more longitudinally elongated members, wherein said front bracket is configured to span only partially across said longitudinal The web portion of the elongated member extends forward of the channel defined by the side walls. 14. The merchandise track system releasably engageable front bracket of claim 13, wherein the front bracket is releasably engaged with an end portion of the longitudinally elongated member.