Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism

Abstract

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.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to a shelf assembly for vending products, and more particularly to a shelf assembly having an improved mechanism for displaying and pushing products on the shelf. [0002] This non-provisional application requires (i) U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60 / 716,362, filed September 12, 2005; (ii) U.S. Application Serial No. 60 / 734,692, filed November 8, 2005; and ( iii) Priority of US Application Serial No. 11 / 411,761 filed April 25, 2006, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background technique [0003] It is well known that retail and wholesale establishments such as conventional stores, drug stores, grocery stores, and discount stores require a large number of shelves for both storing products and displaying products to customers. When displaying products, it is desirable for the products on the shelf to be placed towards the front of the shelf so that customers can see and easily access the...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Occasionally, as the system is used and over time, the track can become obstructed by dirt or sticky material that prevents the thruster system from working properly on the track

Additionally, sometimes known propeller blades can tip over or bend backwards due to the size, shape and weight of the marketed product, thereby binding the propeller mechanism in the track

In these cases, the pusher mechanism cannot properly push the product toward the front of the shelf

Images