Trackless Pusher Mechanism to Prevent Shelf Display Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing merchandising systems face issues with debris and sticky substances obstructing inclined trays and pusher systems, causing products to tip over or fail to move forward, and pusher paddles bending or tipping, which hinders the proper display and accessibility of products on shelves.
Innovation Solution
A trackless pusher mechanism with a pusher paddle and a coiled spring that extends across the floor, preventing the paddle from tipping and using a flat coiled spring or biasing element to ensure smooth product movement on both inclined and non-inclined shelves, along with an adaptor for enhanced product alignment and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a track-mounted pusher system is used, then the pusher mechanism can guide and push product forward, but the track becomes obstructed with dirt or sticky materials that hinder proper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the track component from the pusher system entirely. The trackless pusher mechanism operates without a guiding track, eliminating the surface that accumulates dirt and sticky materials. This extraction of the problematic track element resolves the obstruction issue while maintaining pusher functionality through alternative guidance methods.
2Productivity
If a coiled spring pusher system is used on inclined shelves, then product can be pushed forward, but the pusher paddle tips or bends backwards causing binding
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher paddle is segmented into multiple sections or struts that provide structural support. This segmentation creates a more rigid structure that resists bending and tipping backward during operation, while still allowing the paddle to effectively push product forward along the shelf.
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher mechanism utilizes composite construction with multiple materials of different properties. The combination of materials provides both the flexibility needed for product interaction and the rigidity required to prevent paddle bending and tipping, resolving the stability issue.
3Ease of operation
If an inclined tray with low friction material is used, then product can easily slide to the front, but debris or sticky substances obstruct the surface and cause products to tip over
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the inclined tray surface that is prone to obstruction by debris and sticky substances. By eliminating this problematic surface, the system avoids the issue of obstructions causing products to tip over, while still achieving product movement through the trackless pusher mechanism.
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 trackless pusher mechanism effectively moves products forward without obstruction, maintaining product visibility and accessibility, and preventing the pusher paddle from bending or tipping, ensuring consistent and efficient merchandising across various shelf configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A flat coiled spring or other biasing element is operatively connected behind the pusher paddle and extends across the floor of the pusher mechanism and to the front of the shelf
Implementation Method 2
retail and wholesale stores, such as convenience stores, drug stores, grocery stores, discount stores, and the like, require a large amount of shelving both to store product and to display the product to consumers
Data Source
AI summary
A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed. The pusher mechanism of the invention also includes a pusher paddle and a floor that extends forward of the pusher paddle. A flat coiled spring or other biasing element may be operatively connected behind the pusher paddle and extend across the floor of the pusher mechanism and to the front of the shelf. In use, the product to be merchandised may be placed on the coiled spring and on the floor of the pusher mechanism. With this configuration, the pusher paddle is prevented from tipping or bending backwards during operation. The invention may be used with the merchandising of product on horizontal or non-inclined shelves or surfaces, as well as with gravity-fed systems, or systems that use gravity as a mechanism to urge product toward the front of the shelf.