Modular Shelf Management System

Abstract

A modular system of interconnecting track members for use on a flat shelf or on an inclined gravity-feed shelf, wherein each individual track member includes an overhang on a first sidewall extending in a direction opposite the second sidewall of that track member, the overhang defining a channel to receive a portion of a second sidewall of an adjacent track member. The track members are provided in a variety of configurations, including different widths and different wall heights. The track members may also be provided with such features as friction-reducing hip slide rails, a groove to facilitate removal of the overhang, drainage openings, permanent dividers, and removable dividers. The track members of each of the various possible configurations each has the overhang on a first sidewall, and a second sidewall having a portion that is receivable in the channel formed by the overhang of the first sidewall of an adjacent track member, so the retailer may arrange a plurality of track members having different parameters (e.g., width, height, friction-reducing surface) to optimize display of different types and sizes of retail products on a shelf.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Design patent application No. 29 / 232,370, filed on Jun. 17, 2005.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0002] This disclosure relates to controlled display of retail merchandise, such as gravity feed shelving, and more specifically, to a shelf management system including individual channel-defining track. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE [0003] In order to increase inventory turnover and maximize efficient use of shelf space, retailers frequently utilize gravity feed shelving systems, wherein inclined shelves are used to stock merchandise. In such shelf systems, consumers are presented with an array of merchandise arranged in parallel track channels on each shelf, generally with only the front-most (“first-in” or “first-up”) unit of merchandise in each individual track being easily accessible, i.e. so-called “first-in-first-out” (FIFO) product merchandising. Upon removing this front-most unit of merchandise, t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present disclosure concerns a modular system of track members for display shelving in which the individual track members may stand alone or may be interconnected with either track members having similar configurations, or with track members having different configurations, in order to provide a flexible convenient system to display items. The track members of the present disclosure may be installed on a shelf individually or in groups in order to display and deliver product of various shapes and sizes, so as to maximize use of retail shelf space while assuring an orderly array of retail merchandise. The display channels formed by the individual track members may have a generally U-shape.

Problems solved by technology

Displaying and delivering containers of freshness-dated liquids such as fruit juice or milk products can often be hampered by leakage from these containers.

When liquids spill onto the gravity flow racks, sticky residues can impair the ability of product to flow down the shelf, impair cleaning of track channels, and unsanitary conditions can be created.

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