DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8 , various exemplary and alternative embodiments of a merchandising system intended for displaying articles such as products, containers, items, units, etc. in consumer settings such as grocery stores, retail outlets, shops, etc. are shown. According to a preferred embodiment, the merchandising system is intended to dispense, store, merchandise, display, etc. articles to provide for the space-efficient presentation of groups of articles within a given or fixed display area, and/or to allow for convenient and orderly presentation, dispensing, and storage of articles (such as products or product containers) having any of a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and profiles (e.g., rectangular, non-rectangular, etc.).

[0021] FIGS. 1 through 8 show a merchandising system 10 according to an exemplary embodiment. System 10 includes a base 22 (e.g., grid, support, frame, framework, backing, etc.) having a frame 30 and a grid 40 . The grid 40 includes vertical members 42 , horizontal members 44 , and frame members 46 .

[0022] According to various exemplary embodiments, one or more tray system 52 (e.g., tray, holder, carrier, container, shelf, platform, etc.) may be provided. The tray system may be provided on an existing merchandising system such as a shelf, grid system, display case, etc. The tray system may be configured to hold, display, retain, store, or otherwise receive articles such as product (e.g., goods, displayed objects, etc.). The tray system may provide for the space division and orderly and convenient presentation of such articles.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 , base 22 comprises a frame 30 (e.g., vertical component/element, frame, stand, member, etc.) and grid 40 (e.g., grid module, wire module, wire frame, support, support element, etc.). Base 22 may be configured to connect or couple adjacent systems into a larger overall merchandising system. According to a preferred embodiment, the base has a “modular” construction and facilitates use with other bases, shelves, or a variety of other existing merchandising systems, including shelving units, support surfaces, grids, brackets, hangers, etc.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment, the frame 30 may comprise one or more members 32 (e.g., vertical component, vertical element, etc.). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 , the frame 30 comprises two vertical members 32 . A number of apertures 34 (e.g., slots, mounting points, etc.) may be provided along members 32 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 . Apertures 34 provide a mounting area for attaching grid 40 to members 32 .

[0025] Frame 30 may be attached to a wall, floor, base, support, stand, etc. to provide stability or overall support to the merchandising system. For example, the frame may be attached to a cooler in a retail or display setting. According to other exemplary embodiments, the frame may be attached to any shelving or display system. According to various alternative embodiments, the frame may be omitted and the one or more grid may be coupled directly to other support structures (e.g., screwed, bolted, etc. directly to a wall, case, frame, etc.).

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more grid 40 (e.g., grid module, wire module, wire frame, support, support assembly, etc.) may be coupled to frame 30 . According to a preferred embodiment, the grid has a “modular” construction and facilitates use with many structures, shelves, bases, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, brackets 50 are provided to couple the grid 40 to the frame 30 . As an example, the brackets may be similar to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,248, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] According to an exemplary embodiment, merchandising system 10 may include right and left brackets for use on either the corresponding right or left side of the system 10 . Right and left brackets may be mirror images of one another. FIG. 7 shows a right bracket 50 according to an exemplary embodiment. Bracket 50 includes a generally z-shaped member 68 having a first leg 70 , a second leg 72 , and a center portion 74 . The first leg 70 is generally rectangular and includes a hook portion 76 extending outwardly from the first leg 70 in a direction away from the second leg 72 and away from the center portion 74 . The hook portion 76 is configured to engage with the apertures 34 of the members 32 . The center portion 74 is generally rectangular and is at about a 90 degree angle with respect to the first leg 70 . The center portion 74 has apertures 78 with diameters of about ⅛ to ½ inches, preferably about ¼ inches. The second leg 72 is also generally rectangular and oriented at about a 90 degree angle with respect to the center portion 74 extending outwardly from the center portion 74 in a generally parallel orientation to the first leg 70 . The second leg 72 has three holes 82 spaced so as to correspond to the spacing of horizontal members 44 of the grid 40 . The bracket 50 is preferably integrally formed as one piece and is made from steel.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment, a pair of screws 84 and plate 86 may be used to secure grid 40 to brackets 70 . Plate 86 is generally rectangular and has apertures 88 configured to hold screws 84 . Plate 86 is preferably made from steel.

[0029] To secure grid 40 to members 32 , bracket 50 is assembled by threading each screw 84 through an aperture 88 in plate 86 then through center portion 74 through an aperture 78 such that plate 86 is between the head of screw 84 and center portion 74 . The horizontal members 44 are inserted in holes 82 in the second leg 72 . The horizontal members 44 should be positioned between the plate 86 and the center portion 74 . Screws 84 may be tightened such that the plate 86 , screws 84 and bracket 50 cooperate to secure the horizontal members 44 in place. This procedure may be repeated on the left side. The grid 40 with brackets 50 attached can then be secured to the members 32 (or other support assembly) by placing the hook portions 76 of brackets 50 in a respective aperture 34 in members 32 .

[0030] Grid 40 may comprise one or more vertical members 42 , one or more horizontal members 44 , and one or more frame members 46 . As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 , and 8 , one or more vertical member 42 (e.g., wire, rod, tube, extended member, etc.) may be provided for the grid 40 . The vertical members 42 add strength and/or rigidity to the grid 40 . According to a particularly preferred embodiment, eight vertical members 42 are provided. According to other alternative embodiments, any number of vertical wires may be provided for the grid. The vertical members 42 prevent the horizontal members 44 from bending, deforming, “drooping”, or otherwise being moved from position.

[0031] The vertical members 42 are spaced apart from each other along a width of the grid 40 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the vertical members 42 are spaced apart about 2.5 inches to 8.5 inches, preferably about 4.875 inches to 6.925 inches. According to an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the vertical members 42 is about 0.1 to 0.5 inches, preferably about 0.375 inches. According to other alternative embodiments, the vertical members may be placed and/or arranged along some or all of the width of the grid according to any suitable configuration.

[0032] According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more horizontal members 44 (e.g., wire, rod, tube, extended member, etc.) may be provided with the grid 40 . The horizontal members 44 may be configured to work with one or more tray systems and provide flexibility in the positioning and placement of the various trays. According to an exemplary embodiment, eighteen horizontal members 44 are provided, each spaced approximately one inch apart. According to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 , and 8 , nine horizontal members 44 are be provided. According to other alternative embodiments, any number of members may be provided along the grid. The horizontal members may be spaced apart from each other along any portion or the entire width of the grid. According to an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the horizontal member may be about 0.1 to about 0.5 inches, preferably about 0.306 to 0.312 inches.

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more frame members 46 (e.g., member, tube, L-channel, C-channel, U-channel, square tube backer, reinforcement, etc.) may be provided with the grid 40 . According to a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 , and 8 , the grid 40 may have two frame members 46 (shown as square tubes) provided on the back side of the grid 40 . According to alternative embodiments, the frame members 46 may have a variety of shapes, including L-channels, C-channels, U-channels, round shapes, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, the frame member may be a square tube made from about 9 to 13 gauge steel having sides measuring about 0.5 to 2.0 inches in length. According to a preferred embodiment, the frame member is about a one inch square tube made from about 11 gauge steel.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 through 6 , and 8 , the frame member 46 may be coupled, fastened or attached to the vertical members 42 . According to a preferred embodiment, the frame member 46 is welded to the vertical members 42 . According to alternative embodiments, any fastening method or technique may be used, including adhesives, mechanical fasteners, etc.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 , and 8 , the frame member 46 may extend along the length of the grid 40 . According to a preferred embodiment, a frame member 46 may be provided along the upper and lower portions of the grid 40 . According to alternative embodiments, one or more frame members may be provided on the grid in any variety of locations, including the center, upper and/or lower portion of the grid. According to other embodiments, the frame member may extend in any direction on the grid (e.g., up, down, diagonal, etc.) and may extend across only a portion of the grid (e.g., across half of the grid). According to other embodiments, the frame member may comprise separate parts or elements connected to each other or may be formed integrally as one part.

[0036] According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more tray system (e.g., tray, storage, holder, container, divider system, etc.) may be provided in the merchandising system. One or more tray systems may be provided in the merchandising system to display and/or store articles. According to one exemplary embodiment, the tray system may be of a type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,248. According to various alternative embodiments, any number of suitable trays, dividers, storage bins, holders, etc. may be provided in the merchandising system.

[0037] According to various exemplary embodiments, the assemblies and components of the merchandising system may be constructed from a variety of suitable materials, including metals, alloys, composites, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, the horizontal members of the grid are assembled and constructed from steel wire having a diameter of about 0.25 to about 0.35 inches, preferably about 0.306 to 0.312 inches. According to an exemplary embodiment, the frame member may be a square tube made from about 9 to 13 gauge steel having sides measuring about 0.5 to 2.0 inches in length. According to a preferred embodiment, the frame member is about a one inch square tube made from about 11 gauge steel.

[0038] Conventional arrangements of merchandising systems may allow “sagging” or “drooping” of the tray systems provided on the merchandising system. For example, tray systems may be provided on a grid. The tray systems may be used to display and/or store articles. The articles may have a high weight and/or density. Conventional merchandising systems may not be fully suited to display and/or store heavy weight or high density articles. The weight of the articles may cause deformation and/or movement of the grid. For example, the grid may deform, and/or move in a number of directions, including along axis X-X shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 , along axis Y-Y shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 , along axis Z-Z shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 , and twisting or torsional deformation and/or movement along other axes and directions.

[0039] The exemplary embodiments of disclosed merchandising system have increased strength and/or rigidity. The merchandising system shown in the FIGURES allows for the presentation of articles along straight and/or linear lines. For example, horizontal rows of trays may be presented to a customer in a relatively neat or orderly straight line (e.g., parallel to axis X-X in FIG. 8 , generally planar, etc.). The grid also resists deformation or movement in a direction shown along axis Z-Z in FIG. 8 and axis Y-Y in FIG. 8 . The resulting displayed articles may be displayed along linear, orderly lines for viewing by a customer.

[0040] The frame members provided on the grid assist in strengthening and/or rigidifying the merchandising system to resist sagging or deformation. The vertical wires, having larger diameters, also help to resist sagging or deformation. Accordingly, the merchandising system shown in the FIGURES reduces movement and/or deformation due to the weight of articles. This results in the display, storage and/or presentation of articles in the trays being relatively more neat, orderly, linear, straight, etc.

[0041] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the merchandising system as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. It is important to note that any dimensions shown are dimensions of particularly preferred embodiments, and are not intended to be limited to those dimensions. Elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied (e.g., by variations in the number of engagement slots or size of the engagement slots or type of engagement). It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures and combinations. It should also be noted that the system may be used in association with a rotating display, or alternatively other, fixed and non-movable displays or any of a wide variety of other surfaces in any of a wide variety of other applications. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions.