Product fronting device and shelf equipped therewith

Abstract

We provide a product fronting tool that reduces the workload of store managers. [Solution] The product fronting device comprises a fixing part, a rail on which a first product is placed that passes through a first through-hole, a movable member having a second through-hole through which a second product placed on the rail when in a second position can pass or remove the second product, a biasing member that biases the movable member from the second position toward the first position, a rack extending parallel to the rail, a rotary damper, and a resistance member having a rod-shaped arm portion that supports the rotary damper and is rotatable around the second end, wherein the direction connecting the first end and the second end is oblique to the direction in which the rack extends, such that it approaches the rack as it moves forward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a product front-display device for front-displaying products and a shelf provided with the same.

Background Art

[0002] For example, a product front-display device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this product front-display device, so-called irregularly shaped products can be front-displayed. The product front-display device includes a rail, a moving member movable on the rail, a through-hole portion provided in the moving member, a biasing member that biases the moving member forward, and a resistance member that imparts resistance to the moving member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above conventional product front-display device, when the moving member is pushed forward forcefully, there is a possibility that the front-displayed product may be thrown forward. Therefore, the moving speed of the moving member is suppressed by providing a resistance member. However, when the resistance member is constantly operating, resistance is also applied when moving the moving member to the back side, which imposes an unnecessary work burden on the store manager, so there is room for improvement. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a product front-display device that can reduce the work burden of store managers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The above problems are solved by the following present invention. That is, the product front-display device of the present invention (1) a fixed portion having a first through-hole portion through which a first product can pass or from which the first product can be removed; A rail provided below the aforementioned fixing portion, which fixatively supports the fixing portion at its front end, and on which the first product passing through the first through-hole portion is placed, A movable member that can move along the rail between a first position overlapping the fixed portion and a second position rearward of the fixed portion, the movable member having a second through-hole that allows a second product placed on the rail when in the second position to pass through or to remove the second product, A biasing member that biases the moving member from the second position toward the first position, A rack extending parallel to the aforementioned rail, A rotary damper including a pinion portion that engages with the rack and applies resistance while rotating, and a resistance member having a rod-shaped arm portion that has a first end supporting the rotary damper and a second end connected to the movable member and is rotatable around the second end, Equipped with, The direction connecting the first end and the second end is oblique to the direction in which the rack extends, such that it approaches the rack as it moves forward.

[0006] Furthermore, the product fronting device of the present invention (2) is the product fronting device described in (1), The resistance member includes a second biasing member that biases the arm portion in a direction that brings the rotary damper closer to the rack.

[0007] Furthermore, the shelf according to (3) of the present invention is equipped with the product fronting device described in (1) or (2). [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a product fronting device can be provided that can reduce the workload of store managers. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a shelf equipped with the product fronting device of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the product fronting device of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the product fronting device with the movable member moved to the second position. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the product fronting device disassembled. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the moving member of the product fronting device from a different angle (rear). [Figure 6] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the product fronting device shown from the rear. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a magnified perspective view showing the area around the protruding part, the first projection, and the second projection of the movable member of the product fronting device. [Figure 8] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the product fronting device, with the protruding part moving the first projection to the right in the plane of the paper. [Figure 9] Figure 2 is a plan view showing the state of the product fronting device in the process of moving the movable member from the first position to the second position. [Figure 10] Figure 2 is a plan view showing the product fronting device in which the movable member has been moved to the second position, and the projection has come into contact with the first projection. [Figure 11] Figure 2 is a plan view showing the product fronting device in which the movable member has been moved to the second position, and the projection has moved the first projection to the left of the paper. [Figure 12] Figure 11 is a top view showing the product fronting device in which the store manager has released their hand from the moving member and the protruding part is held by the second projection. [Figure 13] Figure 2 is a side view showing the state in which the rotary damper of the resistance member is lifted off the rack when the moving member is retracted toward the second position in the product front-facing device shown in Figure 2. [Figure 14] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the product display device in which the second product is displayed in the second through-hole of the movable member at the second position. [Figure 15]In the product front-protruding device shown in FIG. 14, it is a perspective view showing a state in which intermediate products are displayed with respect to an intermediate through-hole portion of an intermediate moving member at an intermediate position. [Figure 16] In the product front-protruding device shown in FIG. 15, it is a perspective view showing a state in which a first product is displayed with respect to a first through-hole portion and a switch member is in a pushed-down position from a protruding position. [Figure 17] In the product front-protruding device shown in FIG. 2, it is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a switch member is in a protruding position. [Figure 18] In the product front-protruding device shown in FIG. 2, it is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a switch member is in a pushed-down position. [Figure 19] In the product front-protruding device shown in FIG. 2, it is a perspective view showing a state in which a switch member is in a protruding position. [Figure 20] In the product front-protruding device shown in FIG. 2, it is a perspective view showing a state in which a switch member is in a pushed-down position. [Figure 21] In the product front-protruding device shown in FIG. 16, it is a side view showing a state in which other products are displayed above a first product, an intermediate product, and a second product. [Figure 22] In the product front-protruding device shown in FIG. 21, it is a side view showing a state in which a customer takes a first product and an intermediate product is front-protruded. [Figure 23] In the product front-protruding device shown in FIG. 22, it is a side view showing a state in which a customer takes an intermediate product and a second product is front-protruded. [Figure 24] In the product front-protruding device shown in FIG. 3, it is a side view showing a state in which a rotary damper of a resistance member engages with a rack when a moving member advances from a second position to a first position. [Figure 25] It is a perspective view showing a shelf equipped with the product front-protruding device of the second embodiment. [Figure 26] In the product front-protruding device shown in FIG. 25, it is a perspective view showing a state in which a moving member is moved to a second position. [Figure 27] In the product front-protruding device shown in FIG. 26, it is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a switch body and a second elastic member are removed and the inside of a recessed portion is shown. [Figure 28]Figure 25 is an exploded perspective view showing the product fronting device disassembled. [Figure 29] Figure 25 is a perspective view from below showing the insertion part of the switch body of the product fronting device and the front end of the stopper body connected thereto. [Figure 30] Figure 25 is a magnified perspective view showing the protruding part of the moving component of the product fronting device and the area around the rear end of the stopper body. [Figure 31] Figure 30 is a perspective view showing the state in which the protruding part of the movable component of the product fronting device moves the rear end of the stopper body toward the left side of the paper. [Figure 32] Figure 31 is a perspective view showing the state in which the protruding part of the movable member of the product fronting device is held at the rear end of the stopper body, and the movable member is held in the second position. [Figure 33] Figure 26 is a perspective view showing the product display device in which the second product is displayed in relation to the second through-hole of the movable member at the second position. [Figure 34] Figure 33 is a perspective view showing the product display device in which intermediate products are displayed in the intermediate through-hole of the intermediate moving member located in the intermediate position. [Figure 35] Figure 34 is a perspective view showing the product display device with the first product displayed in the first through-hole and the switch member moved from the protruding position to the pressed position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes an embodiment of the shelf according to the present invention with reference to the drawings. The product fronting device of the present invention can bring out irregularly shaped products other than rectangular prisms, such as inverted truncated cone-shaped cup noodles, without disrupting the rows. In the following description, the front direction of the shelf will be F, the rear direction will be R, the width direction will be W, and the height direction will be H. [First Embodiment] Referring to Figures 1 to 24, the product fronting device 21 and the shelf 10 having the product fronting device 21 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the shelf 10 comprises a leg portion 11, a pair of support columns 12 rising from the leg portion 11, a back panel 13 spanning between the support columns 12, a plurality of fixing holes 14 formed at a constant pitch in the longitudinal direction on each of the pair of support columns 12, a pair of brackets 15 inserted into some of the fixing holes 14 and fixed to the pair of support columns 12, a shelf board 16 spanning between the pair of brackets 15, a POS rail 17 fixed to the front of the shelf board 16 for inserting price cards and the like, and a product fronting device 21 installed on the shelf board 16.

[0012] For example, the product fronting device 21 is fixed to the shelf board 16 by a hook portion 22 provided on the underside of its front end portion 36, which clamps onto the projection on the rear side of the POS rail 17. In other words, the product fronting device 21 is configured to be detachable from the shelf board 16 at any position in its width direction W.

[0013] As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the product fronting device 21 includes the hook portion 22, a fixing portion 23, a rectangular rail 24 that is elongated in the front-rear direction FR and is located below the fixing portion 23, a flat movable member 25 that can move on the rail 24 between a first position P1 that overlaps with the fixing portion 23 and a second position P2 located behind the fixing portion 23, a biasing member 26 that biases the movable member 25 from the second position P2 toward the first position P1, a flat intermediate movable member 27 provided between the fixing portion 23 and the movable member 25, a resistance member 28 that provides resistance to the movement of the movable member 25, a stopper mechanism 81 that can move between a holding state S1 in which the movable member 25 is held at the second position P2 and a released state S2 in which the movable member 25 is separated from the movable member 25 at the second position P2 and its holding at the second position P2 is released, and a switch member 82 that can switch between the holding state S1 and the released state S2.

[0014] The rail 24 is molded from, for example, a synthetic resin material. The rail 24 consists of a flat rail body 34 on which the first product 31, second product 32, and intermediate product 33 described later are placed, a recess 34A recessed in the center of the rail body 34 and extending in the front-rear direction, an arch-shaped recess 83 recessed at the front end 36 of the rail body 34, a pair of side wall portions 35 rising upward from both ends of the rail body 34 in the width direction W, and a movable part that rises from the front end 36 of the rail body 34. The member 25 has a contact piece 37 that abuts against a recess 25A at the corner of the member 25 and a recess 27A at the corner of the intermediate moving member 27, a first projection 41 provided on each of the pair of side wall portions 35 so as to project inward, a second projection 42 provided on each of the pair of side wall portions 35 so as to project inward above the first projection 41, a stopper piece 43 provided in the middle of the first projection 41, and a rack 44 (see Figure 10) provided parallel to the recess 34A. The stopper piece 43 prevents the intermediate moving member 27 from moving further rearward. This prevents the moving member 25 from falling off the second projection 42 towards the rear via the engagement between the first engagement portion 62 and the second engagement portion 57, which will be described later.

[0015] As shown in Figure 4, the recessed portion 83 can house the switch member 82 inside. The recessed portion 83 has a slit 83A at the bottom of its rear end. When the stopper body 91 of the stopper mechanism 81, which will be described later, is in the released state S2, the contact portion 97 of the stopper body 91 can enter inside the slit 83A (see Figure 10). Through this slit 83A, a part of the structure of the stopper body 91 on the back side of the rail 24 can access the front side of the rail 24. Also, when the stopper body 91 is in the held state S1, which will be described later, the contact portion 97 of the stopper body 91 retracts from its position inside the slit 83A (see Figure 12). The hook portion 22 is formed integrally with the front end portion 36 of the rail 24, for example, by a synthetic resin material.

[0016] The fixing part 23 (fixing tray) is integrally molded with the front end 36 of the rail 24, for example, from a synthetic resin material. Therefore, it can also be said that the rail 24 fixedly supports the fixing part 23 at the front end 36. The fixing part 23 has a first through-hole 45, through which the first product 31 can pass or be removed. The first through-hole 45 has a shape complementary to the first product 31 on its front end 36 side, that is, it is semicircular. On the opposite side of the front end 36, the first through-hole 45 is open so that the second product 32 can pass through. Therefore, the first through-hole 45 has a "U" shape that is convex toward the front and open toward the rear, and it passes through the fixing part 23 in a "U" shape. As will be described later, the second product 32 that is brought forward can pass through at this position. For this reason, the fixing part 23 has a horseshoe shape. The end 23A of the horseshoe-shaped fixing portion 23 is connected to a pair of extension portions 46 that are raised at both ends in the width direction W of the rail body 34. The pair of extension portions 46 extend from the end 23A of the fixing portion 23 to the rear end of the rail body 34. As shown in Figure 6, the rack 44 is provided on the upper side of the extension portion 46. The rack 44 is formed, for example, so that multiple teeth face upward. In this embodiment, the fixing portion 23 is integrally configured with the rail 24, but the fixing portion 23 may be provided separately from the rail 24. That is, a gap may be provided between the fixing portion 23 and the rail 24, and the movable member 25 and the intermediate movable member 27 may be housed in this gap.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the movable member 25 is formed in a flat plate shape from, for example, a synthetic resin material. The movable member 25 has a movable member body 51, a pair of lateral grooves 52 provided on the side surface of the movable member body 51 into which a pair of second protrusions 42 of the rail 24 are inserted, and a protrusion 51B (see Figure 7) that protrudes downward from the movable member body 51. That is, the movable member 25 can move between a first position P1 and a second position P2 along the pair of second protrusions 42 of the rail 24. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the protrusion 51B is formed in a plate shape that extends vertically and is elongated in the front-rear direction. The protrusion 51B can come into contact with the first projection 94 of the stopper mechanism 81, which will be described later, thereby moving the stopper mechanism 81 from the released state S2 to the held state S1.

[0018] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the movable member 25 further includes a second through-hole 53, a first support portion 54 that rotatably supports the reel 64 of the biasing member 26, an introduction portion 55 that is continuous with the first support portion 54 and inserted into a recess 34A of the rail 24, a second support portion 56 that supports the resistance member 28, and a second engaging portion 57 for engaging with the intermediate movable member 27. The second through-hole 53 is composed of a circular through-hole, which is a shape complementary to the inverted frustoconical second member 32.

[0019] The first support portion 54 has a through-hole 54A that penetrates the movable member body 51, and a wall portion 54B that rises upward in a "U" shape from the upper surface of the movable member body 51 and around the through-hole 54A. The wall portion 54B has a pair of grooves 58 that can rotatably support the shaft 64A of the reel 64 of the biasing member 26. The first support portion 54 can rotatably hold the reel 64 of the biasing member 26 inside the through-hole 54A.

[0020] The introduction section 55 has a second wall portion 55A that rises downward in a "U" shape from the lower surface of the movable member body 51 and around the through-hole 54A. The spring body 65 of the biasing member 26, which will be described later, can be guided into the recess 34A at the front end of the second wall portion 55A.

[0021] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second support portion 56 is configured as a rotating shaft to which the resistance member 28 is rotatably attached. The second support portion 56 has a cylindrical portion 56A and a key portion 56B that protrudes radially in a rectangular shape from the cylindrical portion 56A. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the second engaging portion 57 protrudes downward in a hook shape from the front end of the movable member body 51.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the intermediate moving member 27 has a pair of intermediate lateral grooves 52 on its sides into which a pair of first protrusions 41 of the rail 24 are inserted. The intermediate moving member 27 is formed into a flat plate shape from, for example, a synthetic resin material. As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the intermediate moving member 27 is movable on the rail 24 along the pair of first protrusions 41 between a first position P1 and an intermediate position P3 which is behind the first position P1 and in front of the second position P2. As shown in Figure 3, the intermediate moving member 27 has an intermediate moving member body 59, an intermediate through-hole 61 provided in the center of the intermediate moving member body 59 through which the intermediate product 33 placed on the rail 24 when at the intermediate position P3 passes or through which the intermediate product 33 can be removed, and a first engaging portion 62 provided at the rear end of the intermediate moving member body 59. When the intermediate moving member 27 is in the first position P1, the second product 32 will pass through this intermediate through-hole 61 (see Figure 23).

[0023] The intermediate through-hole 61 has a shape that is complementary to the inverted frustoconical intermediate product 33 at its front end, i.e., it is semicircular. The intermediate through-hole 61 has a shape that allows the second product 32 to pass through at the opposite end from its front end. Therefore, the intermediate through-hole 61 has a "U" shape that is convex towards the front and open towards the rear, and penetrates the intermediate movable member body 59 in a "U" shape. The intermediate through-hole 61 has a shape that allows the second product 32 to pass through. Therefore, the intermediate movable member 27 as a whole has a "U" shape that is convex towards the front and open towards the rear.

[0024] The intermediate moving member body 59 has a notch 61A near the end of the intermediate through hole 61, which is cut out to form a gap between it and the resistance member 28 so as not to interfere with the resistance member 28.

[0025] The first engaging portion 62 is formed as a pair of protrusions that rise upward from a pair of rear ends 59A of the intermediate moving member body 59. The first engaging portion 62 can engage with the second engaging portion 57 located at the front end of the moving member 25. Therefore, when a store manager pushes the moving member 25 backward when replenishing products, the intermediate moving member 27 is also pushed backward together with the moving member 25.

[0026] In this embodiment, the intermediate moving member 27 is configured as a single unit, but two or more intermediate moving members 27 of the same configuration may be provided in series and overlapping with each other at the first position P1. By increasing or decreasing the number of intermediate moving members 27 in this way, the number of products displayed on the product fronting device 21 can be appropriately increased or decreased.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the biasing member 26 is composed of a so-called spring coil that generates a pulling force in the unwinding direction when pulled out from the reel 64. The biasing member 26 has a cylindrical reel 64 and a metal spring body 65 wound around the outer circumference of the reel 64. The tip of the spring body 65 is fixed to the hook portion 36A provided on the front end portion 36 of the rail 24 by hooking it onto it. Therefore, when the moving member 25 is pulled backward, the biasing member 26 generates a pulling force, biasing the moving member 25 forward.

[0028] In this embodiment, the first product 31, the second product 32, and the intermediate product 33, which are the targets of the preceding description, are products of irregular shapes other than rectangular prisms, such as inverted frustum shapes. Irregular shapes here include, for example, cylinders, elliptical prisms, triangular prisms, polygonal prisms with pentagons or more, frustum shapes, and other columnar shapes. Inverted frustum shapes here refer to frustum shapes in which the area of ​​the apex is larger than the area of ​​the base.

[0029] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the resistance member 28 includes a rod-shaped arm portion 84 rotatably mounted to the second support portion 56, a rotary damper 85 supported by the arm portion 84, and a second biasing member 86 that biases the arm portion 84 in a direction that presses the rotary damper 85 against the pinion portion 28A relative to the rack 44. The arm portion 84 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin material. The arm portion 84 includes a first end portion 84A that supports the rotary damper 85 and a second end portion 84B connected to the movable member 25. The second end portion 84B has a hole portion 87 for passing the second support portion 56 through. The hole portion 87 has a circular portion 87A through which the cylindrical portion 56A of the second support portion 56 passes, and a sector-shaped portion 87B through which the key portion 56B of the second support portion 56 passes. The key portion 56B and the sector-shaped portion 87B define the range of angles in which the arm portion 84 can rotate around the second support portion 56.

[0030] The rotary damper 85 is commercially available. The rotary damper 85 is attached to the first end 84A, for example, by screw fastening. The rotary damper 85 has a pinion portion 28A. When the pinion portion 28A engages with the rack 44 of the rail 24, it can rotate while applying a load around a shaft portion (not shown). Therefore, the resistance member 28 (rotary damper 85) can form a rack and pinion mechanism with the rack 44 of the rail 24, and can apply a predetermined resistance when the moving member 25 moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1.

[0031] The second biasing member 86 is, for example, made of a compression spring. The second biasing member 86 is interposed in a compressed state between the lower surface of the movable member body 51 and the upper surface of the arm portion 84, and can bias the arm portion 84 toward the rack 44.

[0032] As shown in Figure 24, the direction in which the arm portion 84 extends is oblique to the direction in which the rack 44 extends (front-rear direction FR). More specifically, the direction connecting the first end portion 84A and the second end portion 84B is oblique to the direction in which the rack 44 extends, such that it approaches the rack 44 as it moves forward F.

[0033] As shown in Figures 4 and 9, the stopper mechanism 81 is provided on the underside (back side) of the rail 24. The stopper mechanism 81 includes an elongated, flat stopper body 91 provided over substantially the entire length of the rail 24 in the front-rear direction FR, a pivot shaft 92 provided so as to protrude downward from the back side of the rail 24, and an elastic member 93 that biases the stopper body 91. The stopper body 91 is integrally formed from, for example, a synthetic resin material. The stopper body 91 has a circular through hole 91A provided at approximately the midpoint in its longitudinal direction FR for passing the pivot shaft 92, a first projection 94 and a second projection 95 provided at the rear end of the stopper body 91, an elongated hole 96 provided at the front end of the stopper body 91 that extends elongated in the width direction W, a contact portion 97 provided at the front end of the stopper body 91, and a holding portion 98 provided at the front end of the stopper body 91 adjacent to the contact portion 97.

[0034] The stopper body 91 of the stopper mechanism 81 is movable (rotatable) between a holding state S1 in which it engages with the movable member 25 at the second position P2, as shown in Figure 12, and can hold the movable member 25 at the second position P2, and a released state S2 in which it separates from the movable member 25 at the second position P2, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, and releases the holding of the movable member 25 at the second position P2.

[0035] The elastic member 93 is composed of, for example, a leaf spring formed in a roughly V-shape, and can exert a repulsive force in the direction of opening outward. As shown in Figure 9, the elastic member 93 is placed between the side surface of the stopper body 91 and a wall portion (side wall 99) that defines the side surface of the recess 34A of the rail 24 and extends vertically. The elastic member 93 can apply force to the stopper body 91, thereby biasing the stopper body 91 from the held state S1 to the released state S2 at all times.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the first projection 94 is formed to protrude upward from the rear end of the stopper body 91 and is formed as an elongated small piece oblique to the front-rear direction FR. The front side surface of the first projection 94 contacts the projection 51B of the movable member 25 and constitutes a cam surface 94A for rotating the stopper body 91 around the pivot axis 92.

[0037] The second projection 95 is located near the first projection 94 and in front of it, and is provided independently of the first projection 94. The second projection 95 is formed to protrude upward from the rear end of the stopper body 91 and is formed in an elongated small piece shape in the front-rear direction FR. The first projection 94 and the second projection 95 protrude towards the surface side of the rail 24 through two through holes 100 provided at the rear end of the rail 24.

[0038] As shown in Figure 9, a shaft portion 101, which is provided to protrude downward from the lower surface of the rail 24, passes through the elongated hole 96. When the stopper body 91 is in both the held state S1 and the released state S2, the shaft portion 101 is held inside the elongated hole 96. Therefore, the range of angles in which the stopper body 91 can rotate is defined by the shaft portion 101 and the elongated hole 96.

[0039] The contact portion 97 is formed from the vertical wall portion on the left side in Figure 4 of the small piece that protrudes forward at the front end of the stopper body 91. The contact portion 97 contacts the retaining piece 102B of the switch body 102 of the switch member 82, which will be described later, thereby holding the stopper body 91 in the retained state S1 against the biasing force of the elastic member 93. The retaining portion 98 is formed from the top surface portion of the small piece.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the switch member 82 is provided at the front end 36 of the rail 24, at the position where the first product 31, which has passed through the first through-hole 45, is placed. In this embodiment, the switch member 82 is provided at the front end 36 of the rail 24, but the arrangement of the switch member 82 is not limited to this. The switch member 82 may also be provided at the fixing portion 23.

[0041] The switch member 82 includes a switch body 102 that is arch-shaped when viewed from above, a pair of rotating shafts 103 provided so as to protrude outward in the width direction W from the side of the switch body 102, and a second elastic member 104 interposed between the switch body 102 and the rail 24.

[0042] The rotating shaft 103 is cylindrical and can be inserted into a pair of circular holes 88 provided in the fixed part 23. The pair of holes 88 are, for example, located at the boundary between the semicircular portion and the rectangular portion of the fixed part 23. The switch body 102 can rotate around the rotating shaft 103 between a protruding position A1, which is above the surface of the rail body 34, and a pressed position A2, which is flush with the surface of the rail body 34. Here, "flush with the surface of the rail body 34" means that the surface of the switch body 102 is flush with the surface of the rail body 34. Furthermore, the positional relationship between the switch body 102 in the pressed position A2 and the rail body 34 is not limited to this. The surface of the switch body 102 in the pressed position A2 may be near the surface of the rail body 34, that is, 0.1 to several mm above the surface of the rail body 34, or 0.1 to several mm below the surface of the rail body 34.

[0043] The second elastic member 104 is composed of, for example, a compression spring. The second elastic member 104 can bias the switch body 102 upward and can bias the switch body 102 from the pressed position A2 to the protruding position A1.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 18, when the switch body 102 is in the pressed position A2, the lower surface of the retaining piece 102B is in contact with the retaining portion 98 of the stopper body 91 which is inserted into the slit 83A, creating a locked state. Therefore, even when the biasing force of the second elastic member 104 acts on the switch body 102, the switch body 102 will not move to the protruding position A1 at an unintended timing.

[0045] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the switch body 102 is formed in a flat plate shape, and its front end has a shape complementary to the first through hole 45, i.e., a semicircle. The switch body 102 has a protruding piece 102A provided at its front end and a retaining piece 102B provided at its rear end. The protruding piece 102A is formed in the shape of a small piece that protrudes forward in a rectangular shape. The protruding piece 102A is inserted into a hole 87 provided in the fixing part 23. The hole 87 and the protruding piece 102A define the range of angles in which the switch body 102 can rotate.

[0046] As shown in Figure 4, the retaining piece 102B is provided on the left rear end of the pair of rear ends of the switch body 102. As shown in Figures 12 and 17, the retaining piece 102B contacts the contact portion 97 of the stopper body 91 and can hold the stopper body 91 in the retained state S1.

[0047] The switch body 102 may have a string of characters engraved on it, such as "PRESS-START," which indicates that pressing it down releases the stop on the movement of the movable member 25. Note that this string of characters is just an example; it may be a different string of characters, some kind of mark, or the string of characters may be omitted.

[0048] Next, the method for replenishing products to the product fronting device 21 of this embodiment (product fronting method) will be described. The first product 31, the second product 32, and the intermediate product 33 used in this embodiment are all the same shape and are configured in the shape of an inverted truncated cone.

[0049] The store manager can change the state shown in Figure 3 by manually pulling the movable member 25 backward from the state shown in Figure 2. At this time, the movable member 25 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2, and the intermediate movable member 27 moves from the first position P1 to the intermediate position P3 (first step).

[0050] When the intermediate moving member 25 comes into contact with the stopper piece 43, the moving member 25 is prevented from moving further back, allowing the store manager to know that the moving member 25 has moved correctly to the second position P2. When the store manager releases their hand from the moving member 25, the moving member 25 is returned to the front by the action of the biasing member 26. At this time, as shown in Figure 12, the protruding portion 51B of the moving member 25 comes into contact with the second projection 95 of the stopper body 91, and the moving member 25 is held in the second position P2.

[0051] The movement of the movable member 25 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 will be described in more detail. As shown in Figures 6 to 11, when the movable member 25 is moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2 by the store manager, the protruding portion 51B of the movable member 25, which is moving to the rear, abuts against the first projection 94. At this time, due to the action of the cam surface 94A of the first projection 94, the first projection 94 and the stopper body 91 are rotated to the right (to the right in Figures 6 to 8), as shown in Figures 7, 8, 10, and 11. As a result, the stopper body 91 is rotated from the released state S2 to the held state S1 against the biasing force of the elastic member 93. When the stopper body 91 moves to the held state S1, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the contact portion 97 and the holding portion 98 of the stopper body 91, which are located in the slit 83A of the recessed portion 83, retract out of the slit 83A. As a result, the locking state of the switch body 102 by the retaining part 98, as shown in Figure 18, is released, and the switch body 102 moves from the pressed position A2 to the protruding position A1 by the action of the second elastic member 104, as shown in Figure 17.

[0052] On the other hand, when the switch body 102 moves to the protruding position A1, the retaining piece 102B rotates downward as shown in Figure 17. As a result, as shown in Figure 12, the contact portion 97 and retaining portion 98 of the stopper body 91 are prevented from rotating again by the retaining piece 102B so as to re-enter the slit 83A. In other words, when the switch body 102 is in the protruding position A1, the retaining piece 102B contacts the contact portion 97 of the stopper body 91, and the stopper body 91 can be held in the retained state S1 (second step).

[0053] When moving the movable member 25 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the rotary damper 85 of the resistance member 28 engaged with the rack 44 acts as resistance to the movement of the movable member 25. As a result, the rotary damper 85 receives an upward force that causes it to lift away from the rack 44. Therefore, as shown in Figure 13, the arm portion 84 rotates upward around the second support portion 56, and the engagement of the rotary damper 85 with the rack 44 is appropriately released. On the other hand, the arm portion 84, which has rotated in the direction of lifting away from the rack 44, receives a downward force due to the biasing of the second biasing member 86, causing it to move closer to the rack 44 again and engage the rotary damper 85 toward the rack 44. The rotary damper 85, now engaged with the rack 44, receives another force and lifts away from the rack 44. In other words, when the movable member 25 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the rotary damper 85 moves up and down relative to the rack 44, repeatedly engaging and disengaging from the rack 44. As a result, the rotary damper 85 hardly applies any resistance to the movable member 25 during this movement. Therefore, store managers can move the movable member 25 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 without feeling any stress.

[0054] With the movable member 25 held in the second position P2, the store manager can insert the second product 32 into the second through-hole 53 and place the second product 32 on the rail 24, as shown in Figure 14. Similarly, as shown in Figure 15, the intermediate product 33 can be inserted into the intermediate through-hole 61 and placed on the rail 24. Finally, as shown in Figure 16, the first product 31 can be inserted into the first through-hole 45 and placed on the rail 24.

[0055] When the store manager inserts the first product 31 into the first through-hole 45, the first product 31 rotates the switch member 82 so that it is pushed down from the protruding position A1 to the pressed position A2. As a result, as shown in Figures 17 to 19, the contact between the retaining piece 102B of the switch member 82 and the contact portion 97 of the stopper body 91 is released, and the stopper body 91 is moved from the held state S1 to the released state S2 by the biasing force of the elastic member 93 (third and fourth steps).

[0056] As a result, the protruding portion 51B of the movable member 25 changes from the state shown in Figure 12 to the state shown in Figure 10, and the fixing of the movable member 25 is released. In this state, the biasing member 26 applies forward tension to the movable member 25, but the intermediate product 33 that passes through the intermediate through hole 61 acts as a stopper for the movable member 25. Also, the biasing member 26 and the movable member 25 apply forward tension to the intermediate movable member 27, but the first product 31 that passes through the first through hole 45 acts as a stopper for the intermediate movable member 27. Therefore, in this state, the movable member 25 and the intermediate movable member 27 do not move to the first position P1.

[0057] In this state, for example, as shown in Figure 21, other products of the same form can be stacked on top of the second product 32 which is placed directly on the rail 24. Similarly, other products of the same form can be stacked on top of the intermediate product 33 which is placed directly on the rail 24. Furthermore, other products of the same form can be stacked on top of the first product 31 which is placed directly on the rail 24.

[0058] Furthermore, in the product fronting device 21 of this embodiment, the tip of the moving member 25 abuts against the side of the intermediate product 33, allowing the intermediate product 33 to be sandwiched between the intermediate through-hole 61 and the moving member 25, thereby enabling the intermediate product 33 to be grasped and held. Similarly, the tip of the intermediate moving member 27 abuts against the side of the first product 31, allowing the first product 31 to be sandwiched between the first through-hole 45 and the moving member 27, thereby enabling the first product 31 to be grasped and held. As a result, even if the shelf board 16 shakes due to an earthquake or the like, the intermediate product 33 and the first product 31 are prevented from unintentionally falling from the shelf board 16.

[0059] Next, we will explain the method of bringing products forward when a customer takes out a product. In the state shown in Figure 21, when a customer takes product 31A above the first product 31 located in the front row, and then takes out the first product 31 which is placed directly on the rail 24, the stopper for the intermediate moving member 27 is no longer present. As a result, the action of the biasing member 26 causes the moving member 25 and the intermediate moving member 27, which is biased when the moving member 25 abuts against the intermediate product 33, to move forward. This causes the intermediate moving member 27 to move from the intermediate position P3 to the first position P1. As a result, as shown in Figure 22, the intermediate product 33 and the other product 33A placed above it are brought forward to the front row. As a result, the intermediate product 33 moves into the first through-hole 45 of the fixing part 23 while remaining located in the intermediate through-hole 61, and is held in the first through-hole 45.

[0060] At this time, as shown in Figure 24, the resistance member 28 (rotary damper 85) that engages with the rack 44 provides resistance to the movement of the moving member 25, causing the moving member 25 and the intermediate moving member 27 that is pushed out by it to be slowly pushed forward. In this case, the direction connecting the first end 84A and the second end 84B of the arm portion 84 is oblique to the direction in which the rack 44 extends (front-rear direction FR), so that it approaches the rack 44 as it moves forward in the forward direction F. As the moving member 25 moves forward in the forward direction F, the pinion portion 28A of the rotary damper 85 moves forward so as to bite into the rack 44. This prevents the rotary damper 85 from lifting off the rack 44. In this way, the action of the rotary damper 85 causes the moving member 25 and the intermediate moving member 27 to be pushed out very slowly, so there is no risk of other products 33A placed on top of the intermediate product 33 or other products 32A placed on top of the second product 32 unintentionally falling below the shelf.

[0061] Then, when the customer takes another item 33A above the intermediate item 33 located in the front row, and then takes out the intermediate item 33 that is placed directly on the rail 24, the stopper for the moving member 25 disappears.

[0062] Therefore, the biasing member 26 causes the moving member 25 to move forward, and the moving member 25 moves to the first position P1. As a result, as shown in Figure 23, the second product 32 and the other product 32A placed on top of it are brought forward to the front row. As a result, the second product 32 moves into the first through hole 45 of the fixing part 23 and the intermediate through hole 61 of the intermediate moving member 27, while remaining located in the second through hole 53, and is held inside these.

[0063] At this time, the resistance member 28 (rotary damper 85) that engages with the rack 44 provides resistance to the movement of the movable member 25, causing the movable member 25 to be slowly pushed forward. Because the movable member 25 is pushed out very slowly at this time, there is no risk that other products 32A placed on top of the second product 32 will unintentionally fall to the shelf below.

[0064] Then, the customer can take another item 32A above the second item 32 located in the front row, and also take the second item 32 which is placed directly on the rail 24. Around the time when all the items are gone from the rail 24, the store manager can replenish the items in the item fronting device 21 using the method described above.

[0065] According to this embodiment, the following can be said: The product fronting device 21 includes a fixing part 23 having a first through-hole 45 through which the first product 31 can pass or the first product 31 can be removed; a rail 24 provided below the fixing part 23, which fixatively supports the fixing part 23 at its front end 36 and on which the first product 31 that has passed through the first through-hole 45 is placed; and a movable member 25 that can move on the rail 24 between a first position P1 overlapping the fixing part 23 and a second position P2 behind the fixing part 23, and which has a second through-hole 53 through which the second product 32 placed on the rail 24 when at the second position P2 can pass or the second product 32 can be removed. The system includes a movable member 25, a biasing member 6 that biases the movable member 25 from a second position P2 to a first position P1, a rack 44 extending parallel to the rail 24, a rotary damper 85 including a pinion portion 28A that engages with the rack 44 and applies resistance while rotating, and a resistance member 26 having a rod-shaped arm portion 84 that has a first end portion 84A that supports the rotary damper 85 and a second end portion 84B connected to the movable member 25, and is rotatable around the second end portion 84B, wherein the direction connecting the first end portion 84A and the second end portion 84B is oblique to the direction in which the rack 44 extends, such that it approaches the rack 44 as you go forward F.

[0066] With this configuration, when the movable member 25 moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1 (towards the front F), the arm portion 84, which is angled with respect to the direction in which the rack 44 extends, receives a force in the direction of biting into the rack 44, so the resistance member 26 can provide resistance to the movable member 25. As a result, when the movable member 25 moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1, the second product 32 can be gently pushed forward. Therefore, when the second product 32 is pushed forward, it is possible to prevent the problem of the second product 32 being pushed forward too forcefully and thrown forward. On the other hand, when the movable member 25 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the pinion portion 28A repels the rack 44, and the arm portion 84 rotates in the direction away from the rack 44, so the resistance member 28 does not provide resistance to the movable member 25. This eliminates unnecessary burden on the store manager who pushes the movable member 25 down from the first position P1 to the second position P2, resulting in a user-friendly product fronting device 21.

[0067] The resistance member 28 includes a second biasing member 86 that biases the arm portion 84 in a direction that brings the rotary damper 85 closer to the rack 44.

[0068] With this configuration, when the movable member 25 moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1, the pinion portion 28A can be reliably pressed against the rack 44. This ensures that resistance is reliably applied to the movable member 25 as it moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1.

[0069] Next, a modified embodiment of the first embodiment described above will be explained. In the following embodiments, the parts that differ mainly from the first embodiment will be described, and the parts that are common to the first embodiment will not be explained. [Second Embodiment]

[0070] Referring to Figures 25 to 35, the product fronting device 21 and the shelf 10 having the product fronting device 21 of the second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the configuration of the stopper mechanism is mainly different from that of the first embodiment. Also, in this embodiment, the shelf 10 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0071] As shown in Figures 25 to 28, the stopper mechanism 81 includes a stopper body 91 formed from a long, thin wire and a fastener 105 for securing the stopper body 91 to prevent it from falling off. The stopper body 91 is provided along the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction) of the rail 24. The majority of the stopper body 91 is provided on the back side of the rail 24, with a portion of the front side positioned in the recess 83 on the front side of the rail 24.

[0072] As shown in Figure 28, the stopper body 91 has a transmission portion 111 that extends straight in the front-rear direction, a front end portion 112 that is bent in the width direction relative to the transmission portion 111, and a rear end portion 113 that is bent upward relative to the transmission portion 111. As shown in Figures 27 and 28, the transmission portion 111 is detachably mounted inside a groove portion 114 that is provided on the rail 24 so as to extend in the front-rear direction FR. The transmission portion 111 extends straight in the front-rear direction FR, connecting the front end portion 112 and the rear end portion 113, and can transmit the rotational force applied at the front end portion 112 to the rear end portion 113.

[0073] In this embodiment, the recessed portion 83 has a through hole (not shown) that communicates with the groove portion 114. The front end portion 112 of the stopper body 91, which is inserted into the groove portion 114, can pass through this through hole into the recessed portion 83.

[0074] As shown in Figure 29, the switch body 102 of the switch member 82 has an insertion portion 102C on its back surface for inserting the front end portion 112. The insertion portion 102C allows the stopper body 91 to rotate together with the switch body 102 as an integral part of it. In other words, the stopper body 91 rotates in conjunction with the movement of the switch body 102, generating a rotational force, which in turn allows the rear end portion 113 to rotate.

[0075] The stopper body 91 of the stopper mechanism 81 is movable (rotatable) between a holding state S1 in which it engages with the movable member 25 at the second position P2, as shown by the solid line in Figure 27, and the movable member 25 is held at the second position P2, and a released state S2 in which it separates from the movable member 25 at the second position P2, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 27, and the holding of the movable member 25 at the second position P2 is released.

[0076] As shown in Figure 28, the fastener 105 is formed in an inverted "U" shape, and the stopper body 91 fitted into the groove 114 can be held within the groove 114 so as not to fall out of the groove 114.

[0077] As shown in Figure 30, unlike the first embodiment, the protruding portion 51B of the movable member 25 protrudes downward in a hook shape, and the protruding portion 51B includes a cam surface 51BA on its rear side that is oblique to the width direction. Therefore, as shown in Figure 31, when the movable member 25 retracts from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the action of the cam surface 51BA of the protruding portion 51B allows the rear end portion 113 of the stopper body 91 to move to the left of the paper. This allows the movable member 25 to move smoothly from the first position P1 to the second position P2.

[0078] Next, the method for replenishing products to the product fronting device 21 of this embodiment (product fronting method) will be described. The first product 31, the second product 32, and the intermediate product 33 used in this embodiment are all the same shape and are configured in the shape of an inverted truncated cone.

[0079] The store manager can change the state shown in Figure 25 to the state shown in Figure 26 by using their hand to pull the movable member 25 backward. At this time, the movable member 25 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2, and the intermediate movable member 27 moves from the first position P1 to the intermediate position P3 (first step).

[0080] When the intermediate moving member 25 comes into contact with the stopper piece 43, the moving member 25 is prevented from moving further back, allowing the store manager to know that the moving member 25 has moved correctly to the second position P2. When the store manager releases their hand from the moving member 25, the moving member 25 is returned to the front side F by the action of the biasing member 26. At this time, as shown in Figure 32, the protruding portion 51B of the moving member 25 comes into contact with the rear end portion 113 of the stopper body 91, and the moving member 25 is held in the second position P2.

[0081] As shown in Figure 26, when the movable member 25 moves to the second position P2 and the intermediate movable member 25 moves to the intermediate position P3, the intermediate movable member 25 that was pressing the switch body 102 of the switch member 82 from above is no longer present. As a result, the action of the elastic member 93 causes the switch body 102 to move from the pressed position A2 to the protruding position A1. Consequently, the stopper body 91 of the stopper mechanism 81, which can move in conjunction with the switch body 102, can also move from the released state S2, shown by the dashed line in Figure 27, to the held state S1, shown by the solid line.

[0082] The movement of the movable member 25 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 will be described in more detail. As shown in Figures 30 to 32, when the movable member 25 is moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2 by the store manager, the cam surface 94A of the protruding portion 51B of the movable member 25, which is moving to the rear side R, abuts against the rear end portion 113 of the stopper body 91, which is in the holding state S1. At this time, due to the action of the cam surface 94A, the rear end portion 113 is rotated to the left (leftward in Figure 31) as shown in Figures 30 and 31. After the protruding portion 51B has passed the rear side R, the stopper body 91 returns to the holding state S1 again due to the action of the elastic member 93, as shown in Figure 32. The movable member 25 is held in the second position P2 by the rear end portion 113 of the stopper body 91, which has returned to the holding state S1 (second step).

[0083] When moving the movable member 25 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the rotary damper 85 of the resistance member 28 engaged with the rack 44 acts as resistance to the movement of the movable member 25. However, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the arm portion 84 rotates upward around the second support portion 56, and the engagement of the rotary damper 85 with the rack 44 is appropriately released. On the other hand, the arm portion 84, which has rotated in a direction away from the rack 44, receives a downward force due to the biasing of the second biasing member 86, causing it to approach the rack 44 again and engage the rotary damper 85 with the rack 44. In other words, when the movable member 25 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the rotary damper 85 moves up and down with respect to the rack 44, repeatedly engaging and disengaging from the rack 44, so that there is almost no resistance force applied to the movable member 25 from the rotary damper 85 during this movement.

[0084] With the movable member 25 held in the second position P2, the store manager can insert the second product 32 into the second through-hole 53 and place the second product 32 on the rail 24, as shown in Figure 33. Similarly, as shown in Figure 34, the intermediate product 33 can be inserted into the intermediate through-hole 61 and placed on the rail 24. Finally, as shown in Figure 35, the first product 31 can be inserted into the first through-hole 45 and placed on the rail 24.

[0085] When the store manager inserts the first product 31 into the first through-hole 45, the first product 31 rotates the switch member 82 so that it is pushed down from the protruding position A1 to the pressed position A2. As a result of the movement of the switch member 82 from the protruding position A1 to the pressed position A2, the stopper body 91 rotates from the holding state S1 to the released state S2. This releases the holding of the protruding portion 51B of the movable member 25 by the rear end portion 113 (third and fourth steps). In this state, the biasing member 26 applies tension to the movable member 25 in the forward direction, but the intermediate product 33 that has passed through the intermediate through-hole 61 acts as a stopper for the movable member 25. In addition, the biasing member 26 and the movable member 25 apply tension to the intermediate movable member 27 in the forward direction F, but the first product 31 that has passed through the first through-hole 45 acts as a stopper for the intermediate movable member 27. Therefore, in this state, the movable member 25 and the intermediate movable member 27 will not move to the first position P1.

[0086] In this state, for example, as shown in Figure 21, other products of the same form can be stacked on top of the second product 32 which is placed directly on the rail 24. Similarly, other products of the same form can be stacked on top of the intermediate product 33 which is placed directly on the rail 24. Furthermore, other products of the same form can be stacked on top of the first product 31 which is placed directly on the rail 24.

[0087] Furthermore, in the product fronting device 21 of this embodiment, the tip of the moving member 25 abuts against the side of the intermediate product 33, allowing the intermediate product 33 to be sandwiched between the intermediate through-hole 61 and the moving member 25, thereby enabling the intermediate product 33 to be grasped and held. Similarly, the tip of the intermediate moving member 27 abuts against the side of the first product 31, allowing the first product 31 to be sandwiched between the first through-hole 45 and the moving member 27, thereby enabling the first product 31 to be grasped and held. As a result, even if the shelf board 16 shakes due to an earthquake or the like, the intermediate product 33 and the first product 31 are prevented from unintentionally falling from the shelf board 16.

[0088] Next, we will explain the method of bringing products forward when a customer takes out a product. In the state shown in Figure 21, when a customer takes product 31A above the first product 31 located in the front row, and then takes out the first product 31 which is placed directly on the rail 24, the stopper for the intermediate moving member 27 is no longer present. As a result, the action of the biasing member 26 causes the moving member 25 and the intermediate moving member 27, which is biased when the moving member 25 abuts against the intermediate product 33, to move forward. This causes the intermediate moving member 27 to move from the intermediate position P3 to the first position P1. As a result, as shown in Figure 22, the intermediate product 33 and the other product 33A placed above it are brought forward to the front row. As a result, the intermediate product 33 moves into the first through-hole 45 of the fixing part 23 while remaining located in the intermediate through-hole 61, and is held in the first through-hole 45.

[0089] At this time, as shown in Figure 24, the resistance member 28 (rotary damper 85) that engages with the rack 44 provides resistance to the movement of the moving member 25, causing the moving member 25 and the intermediate moving member 27 that is pushed out by it to be slowly pushed forward. In this case, the direction connecting the first end 84A and the second end 84B of the arm portion 84 is oblique to the direction in which the rack 44 extends (front-rear direction FR), so that it approaches the rack 44 as it moves forward in the forward direction F. As the moving member 25 moves forward in the forward direction F, the pinion portion 28A of the rotary damper 85 moves forward so as to bite into the rack 44. This prevents the rotary damper 85 from lifting off the rack 44. In this way, the action of the rotary damper 85 causes the moving member 25 and the intermediate moving member 27 to be pushed out very slowly, so there is no risk of other products 33A placed on top of the intermediate product 33 or other products 32A placed on top of the second product 32 unintentionally falling below the shelf.

[0090] Then, when the customer takes another item 33A above the intermediate item 33 located in the front row, and then takes out the intermediate item 33 that is placed directly on the rail 24, the stopper for the moving member 25 disappears.

[0091] Therefore, the biasing member 26 moves the movable member 25 forward in the direction F, and the movable member 25 moves to the first position P1. As a result, as shown in Figure 23, the second product 32 and the other product 32A placed on top of it are brought forward to the front row. As a result, the second product 32 moves into the first through hole 45 of the fixing part 23 and the intermediate through hole 61 of the intermediate movable member 27, while remaining located in the second through hole 53, and is held inside these.

[0092] At this time, the resistance member 28 (rotary damper 85) that engages with the rack 44 provides resistance to the movement of the movable member 25, causing the movable member 25 to be slowly pushed forward F. Because the movable member 25 is pushed out very slowly at this time, there is no risk of other products 32A placed on top of the second product 32 unintentionally falling to the shelf below.

[0093] Then, the customer can take another item 32A above the second item 32 located in the front row, and also take the second item 32 which is placed directly on the rail 24. Around the time when all the items are gone from the rail 24, the store manager can replenish the items in the item fronting device 21 using the method described above. According to this embodiment, the same effects and advantages as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0094] The embodiments described above can be implemented with various further substitutions and modifications. Naturally, it is also possible to combine the different embodiments described above as appropriate to constitute a single invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 10 shelves 21 Product Fronting Tool 23 Fixed part 24 rails P1 1st position P2 2nd position 25 Movable member 26. Biasing member 27 Intermediate moving member 28 Resistive member 31 1st product 32 2nd product 33 Intermediate products 36 Front end 45 1st through hole section 53 2nd through hole section P3 intermediate position 61 Intermediate through-hole S1 Holding state S2 Deactivation State 81 Stopper mechanism 82 Switch components 84 Arm section 84A 1st end 84B 2nd end 85 Rotary Damper 86 Second biasing member A1 protruding position A2 Press position

Claims

1. A fixing part having a first through-hole portion through which the first product can pass or the first product can be removed, A rail provided below the aforementioned fixing portion, which fixatively supports the fixing portion at its front end and on which the first product passing through the first through-hole portion is placed, A movable member that can move along the rail between a first position overlapping the fixed portion and a second position rearward of the fixed portion, the movable member having a second through-hole that allows a second product placed on the rail when in the second position to pass through or to remove the second product, A biasing member that biases the moving member from the second position toward the first position, A rack extending parallel to the aforementioned rail, A rotary damper including a pinion portion that engages with the rack and applies resistance while rotating, and a resistance member having a rod-shaped arm portion having a first end supporting the rotary damper and a second end connected to the movable member, and which is rotatable around the second end, Equipped with, The direction connecting the first end and the second end is oblique to the direction in which the rack extends, such that it approaches the rack as it goes forward. The first through-hole portion has a shape complementary to the first product at its front end and is open on the opposite side of the front end, allowing the second product to pass through.

2. The product fronting device according to claim 1, wherein the resistance member includes a second biasing member that biases the arm portion in a direction that brings the rotary damper closer to the rack.

3. A shelf equipped with a product fronting device as described in claim 1 or claim 2.

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