Self-adjusting goods display system and method

Abstract

A self-adjusting goods display system maintains a proper shelf level for a display bin containing goods. An implementation has an open bin with side walls having top edges and a moveable shelf to receive a pile of goods. A light source and a light receiver are positioned on the top edges of opposing walls of the bin, and the light source generates light to be received by the light receiver. When the pile of goods is reduced so that the pile no longer obstructs the light from being received by the light receiver a signal indicates a need to raise the general level of the remaining pile contained in the bin. A controller receives the signal and controls operation of a motor to raise the height of the shelf until the remaining pile of the shelf again blocks the light, or the shelf is at a position of maximum height.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 718,252 which was filed on Nov. 20, 2003.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed generally to displays for goods and, more particularly, to adjustable displays typically for retail goods such as produce. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART [0003] Many goods such as many produce items can be sold by being arranged in bins. For instance, produce items such as apples, oranges, or melons can be placed in a bin to attract customer attention and to provide accessibility to aid customers in selection of particular produce items from the bin. Customers will typically sort through and rearrange the goods in the process of making a purchase of a small quantity of the goods in the bin so that much time and expense is required to maintain a neat appearance of the goods remaining in the bin. Furthermore, each bin is typically restocked frequently with ad...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] The controller may be configured to activate the motive force source to thereby lower the vertical height of the shelf in response to receipt of a lower shelf signal.

Problems solved by technology

Customers will typically sort through and rearrange the goods in the process of making a purchase of a small quantity of the goods in the bin so that much time and expense is required to maintain a neat appearance of the goods remaining in the bin.

This frequent restocking also requires additional time and expense.

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