Modular Shelf Organizer with Roller Glide for Heavy Product Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gravity feed shelf systems face challenges in facilitating the movement of heavier products and inefficiently utilize shelf space, particularly in accommodating products of varying sizes and shapes, leading to difficulties in stocking and displaying merchandise effectively in retail settings.
Innovation Solution
A modular shelf organizer system comprising adjustable floor members with rollers and grid-like surfaces, divider members, and a front wall member that acts as a momentum arrestor, allowing for customizable shelf widths and lengths to accommodate various product sizes and shapes, ensuring easy movement and visibility of products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If heavier packaged products are placed on conventional gravity feed shelves, then product storage capacity is improved, but product movement capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf surface is segmented into multiple rollers that independently rotate to facilitate product movement. Each roller acts as a separate element that can be individually engaged by the product, allowing heavy packages to be moved through distributed mechanical assistance rather than relying on a single large mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The rollers are designed to automatically rotate when product is placed on them, using the product's own weight and placement action to initiate movement. The system serves itself by converting the act of stocking into the movement mechanism, eliminating the need for separate motors or power sources.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed shelf configurations are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different product sizes and shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The divider members are designed to be adjustable along the shelf, allowing their position to be dynamically changed to create channels of different widths. This enables the same shelf structure to adapt to various product sizes and shapes while maintaining a simple, standardized manufacturing process for the components themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf system uses universal components that can serve multiple functions: the same floor members and dividers can be configured to create different channel widths, accommodate different product types, and work together in modular combinations. This multi-functionality achieves adaptability without requiring custom-manufactured parts for each application.
3Area of stationary object
If products are randomly distributed on shelves, then shelf space utilization is improved, but product accessibility and visibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is segmented into distinct product channels using adjustable divider members. These channels organize products into separate, accessible pathways while maintaining high space utilization. Each channel acts as an independent zone that guides customer access to specific products without leaving empty gaps between random items.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the shelf are created with specific qualities through the divider channels: some channels are optimized for narrow items, others for wider packages. This local differentiation of channel characteristics allows various product types to be densely packed in their appropriate zones while remaining easily accessible, rather than using a uniform random distribution.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional shelf organizers are used, then basic product separation is improved, but ability to facilitate movement of heavier products deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf surface is segmented into multiple rollers that independently rotate to facilitate product movement. Each roller acts as a separate element that can be individually engaged by the product, allowing heavy packages to be moved through distributed mechanical assistance rather than relying on a single large mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The rollers are designed to automatically rotate when product is placed on them, using the product's own weight and placement action to initiate movement. The system serves itself by converting the act of stocking into the movement mechanism, eliminating the need for separate motors or power sources.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively addresses the challenges by facilitating the movement of heavier products and optimizing shelf space utilization, providing a flexible and attractive display arrangement that enhances product accessibility and visibility.
Implementation Method 1
The floor member includes a plurality of rollers positioned thereon for facilitating movement of product along the floor member
Implementation Method 2
The present shelf system can be conveniently supported in a flat horizontal position or in an inclined position for gravity feeding products positioned thereon
Data Source
AI summary
A variable shelf organizer system for displaying merchandise thereon including a roller glide floor member, a standard track glide floor member, a plurality of removably adjustable divider members and a front wall member. The divider members and front wall member are engageable with both floor members and when multiple divider members are engaged with either floor member, product channels are formed therebetween for holding and securing products of varying size and shape on either floor member. The roller glide floor member is best suited for heavier packaged products such as six-pack or twelve pack products and the track glide floor member is best suited for standard products. The width of the shelf system may be increased or decreased by joining or detaching similarly constructed floor members in a side-by-side relationship and the length of the shelf system may be increased by attaching one or more floor extension members to the floor members.