Modular Shelf Organizer With Roller Glides for Heavy Product Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gravity feed shelf systems face challenges in facilitating the movement of heavier products and inefficiently utilize available space, as they often fail to accommodate 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
1Ease of operation
If a traditional gravity feed shelf is used, then products can be displayed on the shelf, but heavier packaged products have difficulty sliding down the shelf to the front position
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf incorporates a vibration mechanism that generates mechanical oscillations to facilitate the movement of heavier packaged products along the shelf surface. The vibration reduces friction and enables products to slide more easily toward the front position for customer selection.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide channel structure acts as an intermediary element between the product and the shelf surface. This channel provides a controlled pathway that reduces resistance and facilitates smoother movement of heavy products compared to direct contact with the traditional shelf surface.
2Ease of operation
If products are randomly distributed and stacked on the shelf, then all products can be stored, but the selection and access to particular items becomes difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is divided into multiple segmented sections or bays using vertical dividers and guide channels. Each segment can independently organize specific product types or sizes, allowing customers to easily locate and access items while maintaining overall shelf versatility for different product configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that allow the arrangement to dynamically adapt to different product sizes and shapes. Dividers and guide channels can be repositioned to optimize accessibility for various product types while maintaining organized displays.
3Ease of operation
If known shelf organizers are used, then some product organization is achieved, but they fail to facilitate the movement of heavier product down the shelf
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf incorporates a vibration mechanism that generates mechanical oscillations to facilitate the movement of heavier packaged products along the shelf surface. The vibration reduces friction and enables products to slide more easily toward the front position for customer selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf system changes physical parameters such as surface friction and inclination angle in different zones to facilitate heavy product movement. The guide channels provide reduced-friction surfaces and optimized angles that specifically address the movement challenges of heavy packaged goods compared to traditional organizers.
4Adaptability or versatility
If known shelf organizers are used, then some product organization is achieved, but they have limitations in compatibility with shelves of varying width and length
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf system employs universal, modular components that can be configured to fit shelves of various widths and lengths. The standardized guide channels and dividers can be adapted to different shelf dimensions without requiring completely different organizer structures, achieving versatility with controlled complexity.
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 supports and moves heavier products, optimizes shelf space usage, and provides an organized and attractive display of merchandise, enhancing customer access and visibility in retail environments.
Implementation Method 1
floor members with rollers and grid-like surfaces
Implementation Method 2
front wall member which is likewise engageable with the various embodiments of the floor member and acts as a momentum arrestor to prevent product from toppling over the front wall of the shelf system
Implementation Method 3
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.