Shelf slow pusher
The shelf slow pusher addresses the inefficiencies of conventional spring-loaded systems by using a track, gear rack, and potential energy motor to manage product alignment and theft prevention, ensuring controlled advancement and compatibility with diverse products.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- US · United States
- Patent Type
- Applications(United States)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SENNCO SOLUTIONS INC
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing shelf pushers face issues such as excessive spring force causing product jettisoning, difficulty in loading, and inability to accommodate varying product sizes and weights, leading to inefficiencies and potential breakage.
A shelf slow pusher utilizing a track, gear rack, and potential energy motor to advance products in a controlled manner, independent of weight or configuration, with modular configurations for different products.
Maintains product alignment and prevents theft by advancing products one at a time, ensuring a neat shelf appearance while accommodating various product sizes and weights without excessive force.
Smart Images
Figure US20260215596A1-D00000_ABST
Abstract
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates generally to a device for advancing product forward on a retail shelf.Description of Prior Art
[0002] Retail stores require time intensive restocking and shelf facing to maintain inventory and appearances on their retail shelves. At the same time, retail stores seek to avoid theft of high value inventory directly from shelves via “shelf sweeping” where entire stocks of products are swept off a shelf and carried out of the store in swift succession.
[0003] Solutions to these problems have included locking down high value product in vaults or cabinets that require store personnel to unlock and physically provide the product to the consumer. Other solutions include security wires that physically connect the product to store shelves or each other. These solutions are also labor intensive as they require store personnel to unlock and untether such product for the consumer. In addition, these solutions tend to discourage customers from purchases because of the extra effort and time required to attain and examine a product for purchase.
[0004] Additional solutions include shelves with spring-loaded product pushers that advance product forward as each product is removed from the shelf. These spring-loaded product pushers typically employ a coil spring that is placed between a forward surface and a backwall of the shelf. The spring-loaded product pushers thus bias a column of products forward toward the face of the shelf. This maintains properly faced shelves and avoids the problem of customers having to reach up high or deep into the shelves to retrieve any remaining product. It also demonstrates to store shoppers that product is in inventory and available for removal. At the same time, such product pushers may prevent shelf sweeping by maintaining product within sidewalls or within a shroud that presents only one product at a time.
[0005] A downside to conventional spring-loaded product pushers is that a fully loaded shelf or column of product requires a heavily loaded spring that may place excess force on the first several products that are removed from the shelf—even potentially jettisoning such products from the shelf as a result of the spring force of the fully retracted spring. In addition, shelves are difficult to load as the bias force of the spring increases as additional products are stocked in a row of products in front of the product pusher. Lastly, a spring-loaded product pusher that may be appropriately calibrated for a column of razor blade packages would be generally inappropriate for a column of car batteries. That is, a high spring force may be required for a heavier product but completely inappropriate for a lightweight product. In addition, glass packaging or fragile products under a high spring force may be prone to breakage during stocking or when a consumer removes a highly sprung product from the column of products.
[0006] A need therefore exists in a retail system to allow columns of products to be maintained in a front faced alignment and permit removal of one product at a time without excess spring force. A need also exists for a flexible solution appropriate for all sizes, weights, and robustness of packages and / or products.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention generally relates to a shelf pusher that can be used on a retail shelf to advance a column of products toward a front of the retail shelf in a slow, measured manner.
[0008] The general object of the invention can be attained, at least in part, through a device for advancing product on a store shelf. The device, or shelf slow pusher, preferably includes a track configured to attach to a retail shelf. A gear rack is positioned along the track. A housing is preferably positioned on the track and includes a forward pushing surface engageable with a column of product. A potential energy motor is preferably positioned within the housing, the potential energy motor having a pinion connected with respect to the gear rack. The potential energy motor is configured to wind as product is placed on the shelf and unwind as product is removed from the shelf. In addition, the potential energy motor is configured to move the housing forward at a constant speed on the track as product is removed-independent of a weight or configuration of the product. In one preferred embodiment, the housing is configurable with two or more potential energy motors and two or more gear racks which results in a fully modular slow shelf pusher depending on application.
[0009] Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended claims and drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a rear perspective view of a shelf slow pusher in a fully retracted state according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of the shelf slow pusher of FIG. 1 without a cover;
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of the shelf slow pusher of FIG. 1 in a fully advanced state;
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a side partially exploded perspective view of the shelf slow pusher of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a shelf slow pusher according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of the shelf slow pusher of FIG. 5;
[0016] FIG. 7 shows an opposite side view of the shelf slow pusher of FIG. 5;
[0017] FIG. 8 shows a front view of a shelf slow pusher according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 9 shows a rear view of the shelf slow pusher of FIG. 8;
[0019] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of potential energy motor according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a track according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 12 shows a top view of a shelf slow pusher according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 13 shows a front perspective view of a shelf slow pusher according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 14 shows an exploded view of the shelf slow pusher shown in FIG. 14; and
[0024] FIG. 15 shows a front view of the shelf slow pusher shown in FIG. 13.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The present invention provides a shelf slow pusher that is mountable relative to a retail shelf to dispense products in a measured manner and maintain an appealing “face” on the shelf to ensure that available product is positioned along a front edge of the shelf.
[0026] FIGS. 1-15 show various embodiments of a shelf slow pusher 10 for mounting on a retail shelf 15. Although the slow pusher 10 is particularly adaptable to a traditional store shelf 15, the slow pusher 10 is not limited to a traditional horizontal shelf arrangement and may be used in connection with any suitable retail display including a store fixture, a kiosk, a promotional display, a wall, a piece of furniture, and / or any other suitable setting a consumer may encounter. As such, the term “store shelf” is not intended to be limited to the shelves that you would find in the aisles of a grocery store. The shelf slow pusher 10 is configured to be loaded with retail products from back to front and dispense those products one at a time from front to back. This both ensures an aesthetic shelf face but also discourages shelf sweeps whereby consumers can pull all products in a column off the retail shelf 15 with one motion. FIG. 5 shows schematically the placement of the shelf slow pusher 10 on a retail shelf 15 with products 18 partially loaded on the shelf slow pusher 10.
[0027] As best shown in FIGS. 1-15, the slow pusher 10 preferably includes a track 20 configured to attach to a retail shelf 15. A preferred manner of attaching the track 20 to the shelf 15 may include tape, adhesive, epoxy, fasteners, and / or a combination of the those so that the track 20 is firmly positioned in a desired location. It is desirable that the means of attaching the track 20 to the shelf is not visible to or accessible by the consumer so as to prevent tampering or detachment. Alternatively, the track 20 may comprise a fully integrated shelf with brackets to attach to a standard shelf upright.
[0028] A gear rack 30 is preferably positioned on the track 20. The gear rack 30 preferably includes a series of teeth arranged in a generally linear manner. The gear rack 30 preferably extends for most or all of the length of the track 20. In addition, as best shown in FIGS. 13-15, one or more rails 35 are positioned along the length of the track adjacent to the gear rack 30.
[0029] A housing 50 is preferably positioned in a slideable manner relative to the track 20 and the gear rack 30. The housing 50 includes a forward pushing surface 60. In this way, retail products may be placed on the track 20 so that the first placed product abuts the forward pushing surface 60 of the housing 50 at one end of the track 20, and thus the shelf 15, and the last placed product faces outwardly from the front of the shelf at an opposite end of the track 20. In one embodiment, such as shown in FIGS. 6 and 12-14, the forward pushing surface 60 is contoured to engage with the product. The contoured surface may be rounded to engage with cans or bottles or may be otherwise contoured to promote a positive engagement between the forward pushing surface 60 and the product. In addition, the rails 35 shown in FIGS. 13-15 preferably assist in support of the housing 50 as it moves along the track 20. Rails 35 may include a pointed forward edge to minimize contact yet still provide support to the housing 50.
[0030] The housing 50 preferably includes an undercarriage 90 that is engageable with the track 20. As best shown in FIG. 15, the undercarriage 90 may include a flange 95 extending each edge of the housing 50 to create a positive engagement with the track 20, for instance with a corresponding opposite track flange 25 formed along each edge of the track 20. This positive engagement preferably prevents removal of the housing 20 from the track 20 and likewise prevents the housing 50 from skewing relative to the track 20 and / or toppling off of the track 20 during use.
[0031] A potential energy motor 40 is preferably positioned within the housing 50. The gear rack 30 is preferably engageable with a pinion 45 of the potential energy motor 40. The potential energy motor 40 may comprise a potential energy spring motor, a traditional wind-up motor, such as used with toys. The potential energy motor 40 preferably winds as the pinion 45 is pushed along the gear rack 30. As such, the potential energy motor 40 is configured to wind as it is moved in one direction, such as when products are placed on the shelf, and unwind when released, such as when products are removed from the shelf. The slow pusher 10 of the subject invention is configured to deliberately and methodically advance remaining products forward as one or more products are removed from the shelf.
[0032] According to one embodiment, the housing 50 is configurable with one, two or three or more potential energy motors 40. Additional potential energy motors 40 may be added depending on the product to be moved on the shelf thereby resulting in a modular device that is configurable to meet the demands of a particular product. Heavier and / or bulkier products may require more potential energy motors 40 to accomplish the intended movement. Preferably, the number gear racks 30 is proportional to the number of potential energy motors 40, i.e., if two potential energy motors 40 are used in a single slow pusher 10 then two corresponding gear racks 30 are positioned on the track 20. The additional potential energy motors 40 and gear racks 30 increase the available power to the slow pusher 10. The housing 50 may include one or more enclosures 55 that each accommodate a potential energy motor 40 such as the two enclosures 55 shown in FIG. 4.
[0033] According to one embodiment, the gear rack 30 is placed along one edge of the track 20. Placing the gear rack 30 along one edge of the track 20 provides an abutment for the gear rack 30 to remain stable and may reduce “walk” of the product as it is conveyed along the track 20.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 13-15, at least one and preferably two integrated sidewalls 70 are included with the slow pusher 10. The integrated sidewalls 70 are preferably moveable inwardly and outwardly to define a width of track 20 which is generally governed, in part, by a width of the associated product. In addition, or alternatively, a shroud 80 may be positioned around the track 20 to create a space within which the products are contained. The shroud 80 is preferably open at an end to provide access to the product from a front shelf edge.
[0035] As a result of the described embodiments, the potential energy motor 40 positioned within the slow pusher is configured to wind as product is placed on the shelf and unwind as product is removed from the shelf. Further, the slow pusher 10 is preferably configured so that the housing 50 moves forward at a constant speed on the track 20 as product is removed independent of a size, configuration, and / or weight of the product.
[0036] An associate method for distributing product from a retail shelf includes attaching the track 20 to the retail shelf 15, the track 20 having the gear rack 30 and associated potential energy motor 40 within a housing 50 on the track 20. The potential energy motor 40 includes a pinion 45 connected with respect to the gear rack 30. Winding the potential energy motor 40 occurs as product is stocked on the shelf 15 and the housing is moved backward relative to the track. Unwinding the potential energy motor 40 occurs as product is removed from the shelf 15 wherein the housing 50 moves forward at a constant speed on the track 20 as the potential energy motor 40 unwinds.
[0037] The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element, part, step, component, or ingredient which is not specifically disclosed herein.
[0038] While in the foregoing detailed description this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.
Claims
1. A device for advancing product on a store shelf, the device comprising:a track configured to attach to a retail shelf;a gear rack positioned on the track; anda potential energy motor having a pinion connected with respect to the gear rack, the potential energy motor configured to wind as products are placed on the shelf and unwind as products are removed from the shelf.
2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a housing wherein the potential energy motor is positioned within the housing.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the housing is configurable with two or more potential energy motors.The device of claim 2 wherein the housing includes a forward pushing surface.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein the forward pushing surface is contoured to engage with the product.
6. The device of claim 1 further comprising two or more gear racks.
7. The device of claim 1 further comprising two or more potential energy motors and two or more corresponding gear racks.
8. The device of claim 2 wherein the housing includes two or more enclosures each configured to accommodate a potential energy motor.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the potential energy motor comprises a spring-based wind-up motor.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein the gear rack is placed along one edge of the track.
11. The device of claim 1 further comprising at least one integrated sidewall, the integrated sidewall moveable to define a width of track.
12. A device for advancing product on a store shelf, the device comprising:a track configured to attach to a retail shelf;a gear rack positioned on the track;a housing positioned on the track; anda potential energy motor positioned within the housing, the potential energy motor having a pinion connected with respect to the gear rack, the potential energy motor configured to wind as product is placed on the shelf and unwind as product is removed from the shelf wherein the housing moves forward at a constant speed on the track as product is removed independent of a weight of the product.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein the housing is configurable with two or more potential energy motors.
14. The device of claim 12 wherein the housing includes a forward pushing surface.
15. The device of claim 14 wherein the forward pushing surface is contoured to engage with the product.
16. The device of claim 12 further comprising two or more gear racks.
17. The device of claim 12 further comprising a pair of integrated sidewalls moveable to form a width of the track.
18. The device of claim 12 further comprising a shroud positioned around the track, the shroud open at an end to provide access to the product from a front shelf edge.
19. The device of claim 12 further including an undercarriage positioned below the housing for positively engagement with the track.
20. A method for distributing product from a retail shelf, the method comprising:attaching a track to the retail shelf, the track having a gear rack;positioning a potential energy motor within a housing on the track, the potential energy motor having a pinion connected with respect to the gear rack;winding the potential energy motor as product is stocked on the shelf and the housing is moved backward relative to the track; andunwinding the potential energy motor as product is removed from the shelf wherein the housing moves forward at a constant speed on the track as the potential energy motor unwinds.