2968results about "Racks" patented technology

The invention provides methods and apparatus for dispensing items from a dispensing unit. According to the invention, the dispensing unit comprises a plurality of locations in which the items are held, a processor in which records corresponding to the items on the unit are stored, and a plurality of item switches corresponding to the locations in which the items are held. The item switches are connected to the processor so that a user of the dispensing unit can input records of items removed from the unit into the processor. The apparatus described is particularly suited for dispensing medical supplies although the apparatus will be usable for other types of items as well. Preferred embodiments will include a plurality of visual indicators, typically in the form of light emitting diodes, corresponding to the locations in which the items are held. Upon selection of a desired item from a list of items held by the unit, the visual indicator corresponding to the item is actuated so that the user can locate the desired item quickly and conveniently with the help of the visual indicator.

Apparatus and method for selectively engaging and securing an array of shelf dividers to a mounting device which is securable to a display shelf. In the first form a divider is characterized by a divider structure having an elongated vertical wall and elongated horizontal base that operates to divide, organize and support the displayed merchandise. A resilient latch located on the underside of the base of the divider structure selectively engages and secures the divider structure onto a mounting device comprising a receiving member running longitudinally along the length of the surface of the mounting device which is securable along the front edge of a display shelf. The latch and the receiving member each comprise reciprocating (i.e. complementary) protrusions to allow the cooperative engagement of the divider structure and mounting device, thus locking the divider member to and unlocking the divider member from the mounting device to permit the repositioning of the display as desired without necessitating removal of the merchandise from the display. In addition when the divider structure and mounting device are fully engaged, a second protrusion on the underside of the divider member cooperates with a flange or lip on the mounting device to prevent lateral movement of the divider structure and maintain the position of the divider perpendicular to the mounting device and the front edge of the shelf. In a second embodiment, the divider structure comprises a pusher track and a spring urged pusher assembly to automatically push merchandise to the front of the shelf. Another embodiment comprises a divider base without a vertical divider wall, and with or without a pusher track and spring urged pusher assembly, thus pushers and dividers can be used in various convenient combinations within a shelf management system.

The present invention relates to a system for tracking product on a shelf. In an embodiment, an indicia strip is placed on a self coiling sheet, and a sensor is configured to read the indicia strip. The data on the indicia strip corresponds to the location of a pusher assembly. In an embodiment, a store computer can use the data regarding the location of the pusher assembly to determine the amount of inventory on the shelf. In an embodiment, the store computer can automatically order additional inventory based on the levels of inventory on the shelf. In an embodiment, a deviation from normal customer purchasing habits can be used to prompt security measures so as to reduce the possibility of product theft.

An adjustable snap-fit display assembly is used in a product display assembly. The display assembly stores and displays products of a variety of shapes and sizes and automatically delivers the products to the front of the display assembly. The adjustable display assembly includes a frame and a product supporting and feeding assembly. The product supporting and feeding assembly has tracks and, in some instances, dividers. The product tracks and dividers can be separately formed or integrated into a single component. The tracks and/or dividers are considered insertable components that can be added or removed as needed and that can be separated by varying distances depending on the width of product to be displayed. The insertable components generally are freely slideable and are snap-fit onto the frame. The product supporting and feeding assembly allows product to be fed forward to a front fence such that all or almost all of the available shelf depth can be used.

Disclosed is a package for storing a product, such as smokeless tobacco, which includes, inter alia, a container that has opposing upper and lower surfaces, and a container sidewall that extends between the upper and lower surfaces to define an interior for storing a plurality of products. The upper surface of the container has an apex intermediate a first region and a second region and the container sidewall defines an opening sized and configured to release at least one of the products. The package also includes an outer cover having an upper section and a cover sidewall depending from the upper section. The outer cover is configured to retain the container and selectively seal the opening. The container pivots about the apex to transition between open and closed positions.

The present invention relates to an inventory control system where the most updated number of products displayed on a display space is electronically determined and communicated to a computer for remote users, and electronically displayed along with other relevant information about the products.

Disclosed is an improved shelf tray assembly for use to hold and move forward in a simple and efficient way articles of a given dimension placed on a shelf toward a front edge of this shelf in order to allow frontal display of these articles. This assembly has a front rail installable on the shelf close to its front edge, a rear rail installable onto the shelf in parallel relationship with respect to the front rail and one or more tracks snappable onto the front and rear rails, each track acting as a support for the articles to be displayed and having a guiding rail on which a pushing element is slideably mounted. Advantageously, one or more clips are provided at the front end of each track to rigidly retain this track to the front rail. Advantageously also, each track has several slots made in its upper surface to receive one or more lateral partitions so as to guide the articles to be displayed when they are pulled forward, whatever their size.

An adjustable length track for a pusher system includes a first section and a second section which is operably connected to the first section. A first elongated rail extends longitudinally along the first section. A second elongated rail extends longitudinally along the second section. The second section is moveable in relation to the first section to allow a length of the track to be changed, thereby enabling the track to be placed on associated shelves of varying depths.

An apparatus for displaying a plurality of merchandise packages is provided. The apparatus comprises a substantially horizontal lower surface, a substantially vertical front plate portion connected to the lower surface, and a substantially vertical rear plate portion connected to the lower surface. The front plate portion has at least one dimension substantially smaller than a corresponding dimension of each merchandise package. A substantially vertical pusher plate is slidably mounted to the lower surface and a resilient member attached to the tray, the resilient member being adapted to urge the pusher surface toward the front plate portion.

In some embodiments, a product fronting assembly includes a rotatable rear member and an elongated member extending to a handle at a front of the assembly. The rear member in some embodiments is rotatable to permit rear product loading in the assembly. Alternatively or in addition, the rear member is rotatable between a position in which forward handle movement fronts product and another position in which such handle movement does not front product. In some embodiments, a ratchet mechanism enables a handle to be returned to a stowed position after fronting product. A cable or strip can connect a handle to a rear member used to move the product. A portion of the cable or strip can be wound in a coil within or at least partially defining an assembly handle. Also, in some embodiments the assembly can be snap-fit upon a shelf.

A variable shelf organizer glide system for merchandising products therefrom capable of being assembled to accommodate any shelf length and width and any product dimension including a plurality of cooperatively engageable adjustable floor members having a plurality of transverse projection members associated with each respective track rib, the transverse projection members extending laterally across only a portion of the respective longitudinal slots formed between adjacent track ribs, and a plurality of adjustable divider members, each divider member being selectively engageable with the transverse projection members to form any number of segregated product channels for arranging products therebetween. Each floor member includes frangible break-away portions for adjusting the overall length thereof, and each divider member includes a frangible break-away front product stop member as well as a plurality of frangible break-away rear portions for likewise controlling the overall length of each divider member.

A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed. The pusher mechanism of the invention also includes a pusher paddle and a floor that extends forward of the pusher paddle. A flat coiled spring or other biasing element may be operatively connected behind the pusher paddle and extend across the floor of the pusher mechanism and to the front of the shelf. In use, the product to be merchandised may be placed on the coiled spring and on the floor of the pusher mechanism. With this configuration, the pusher paddle is prevented from tipping or bending backwards during operation. The invention may be used with the merchandising of product on horizontal or non-inclined shelves or surfaces, as well as with gravity-fed systems, or systems that use gravity as a mechanism to urge product toward the front of the shelf.