GLIDE TRAY FOR DISPENSING ITEMS

Abstract

A glide tray having a plurality of rows includes a first unit defining a first longitudinal axis and having at least one row extending parallel thereto. The first unit includes a first attachment device formed on a lateral portion thereof and a plurality of sacrificial rear end portions detachably engageable from a front end portion of the first unit. The glide tray additionally includes a second unit defining a second longitudinal axis and having at least one row extending parallel to the second longitudinal axis. The second unit includes a second attachment device formed on a lateral portion of the second unit. The second attachment device is configured to be selectively engageable with the first attachment device to facilitate engagement between the first and second units, with the second unit having a plurality of sacrificial rear end portions detachably engageable from a front end portion of the first unit.

Description

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a merchandise dispenser tray, and more specifically, a glide tray having a pusher member for urging merchandise forward, with the glide tray being configured to allow for ease in selective adjustment of the overall depth and width of the tray.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many items for sale, such as beverages, are placed within a cooler in a manner such that the items are visible to potential customers while being chilled. In order to make efficient use of the space within the cooler, while also keeping the items for sale in an ordered arrangement, the individual items may be placed on glide trays. A glide tray may refer to a structure which having one or more rows along which items may be stored for display to a customer. If a customer wants to purchase the item, the customer may grab the item located in the front of the row for purchase. The remaining items may slide forwardly along the row to fill-in the front-most space.

Typically, the glide trays are not integral to the cooler (i.e., they are not part of the cooler) or other display unit. Rather, conventional glide trays are typically placed on top of the shelves of the display unit. Ideally, the configuration of the glide trays closely corresponds to the size of the shelves to allow for maximum efficiency. For instance, if a shelf is 28 inches wide and 36 inches deep, then the glide tray would ideally be slightly less than 28 inches wide and 36 inches deep to allow for easy insertion onto the shelf, while also maximizing the amount of inventory that can be loaded into the glide tray.

Display units may come in a variety of sizes, and thus, there is difficulty in making a glide tray that is a standard size. Thus, in some instances, using conventional glide trays that are of a fixed length and width may result in most efficient use of space on the shelf.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a glide tray configured to allow for selective sizing of the width and length. Various aspects of the present disclosure address this particular need, as will be discussed in more detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a glide tray having a plurality of rows. The glide tray includes a first unit defining a first longitudinal axis and having at least one row extending parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The first unit includes at least one first attachment device formed on a lateral portion of the first unit and a plurality of sacrificial rear end portions detachably engageable from a front end portion of the first unit. The glide tray additionally includes a second unit defining a second longitudinal axis and having at least one row extending parallel to the second longitudinal axis. The second unit includes at least one second attachment device formed on a lateral portion of the second unit. The second attachment device is configured to be selectively engageable with the first attachment device to facilitate engagement between the first and second units, with the second unit having a plurality of sacrificial rear end portions detachably engageable from a front end portion of the first unit.

The first attachment device may include a tab and the second attachment device may include a recess configured to receive the tab.

In accordance with another embodiment, there may be provided a glide tray with a pusher member for pushing merchandise toward a front end portion of the glide tray. The glide tray may include a main unit including a base and a pair of sidewalls. The base may include a base wall a pair of channel bodies extending under the base wall. The pusher member may include several feet with each foot being slidably received within one of the channel bodies. The glide tray may further include a front cap detachably engageable to the main unit and defining a stop or abutment to the pusher member to restrict inadvertent removal of the pusher member from the main unit when the front cap is coupled to the main unit.

A spring may be operatively coupled to the pusher member and may be configured to bias the pusher member toward a front end portion of the glide tray. The spring may include an end portion configured to be engageable with the front cap. The spring may include an opening sized to receive a post formed on the front cap to facilitate interconnection between the spring and the front cap.

The present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a glide tray including a single lane unit and a double lane unit detached from each other;

FIG. 2 is a rear upper perspective view of the single lane unit;

FIG. 3 is a rear lower perspective view of the single lane unit;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the glide tray of FIG. 1, with the single lane unit being connected to the double lane unit;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the glide tray of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the single lane unit detached from the double lane unit;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the single lane unit attached to the double lane unit;

FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of another embodiment of a glide tray including three lanes integrated into one unit;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the glide tray depicted in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an upper perspective view of another embodiment of a glide tray including five lanes integrated into one unit;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the glide tray depicted in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an upper perspective view of another embodiment of a glide tray having a pusher member;

FIG. 13 is an upper perspective exploded view of a forward end portion of the glide tray of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a lower perspective exploded view of the forward end portion of the glide tray of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an upper perspective view of a pusher member included in the glide tray of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is an upper perspective view of a front cap included in the glide tray of FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is a lower perspective, exploded view of the front cap detached from a main unit of the glide tray of FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is a lower perspective view of the front cap engaged to the main unit of the glide tray of FIG. 12;

FIG. 19 is an exploded, side cross sectional view of a front end portion of the glide tray of FIG. 12;

FIG. 20 is an assembled, side cross sectional view of the front end portion of the glide tray of FIG. 12;

FIG. 21 is a rear cross sectional view taken along line 21-21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is an upper perspective view of a two-lane glide tray having a pusher member in each lane;

FIG. 23 is an upper perspective view of a front cap for use in the two-lane glide tray of FIG. 22; and

FIG. 24 is an upper perspective view of a five-lane glide tray having a pusher member in each lane.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the detailed description to indicate the same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of a beverage dispenser tray having a pusher member and is not intended to represent the only forms that may be developed or utilized. The description sets forth the various structure and/or functions in connection with the illustrated embodiments, but it is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent structure and/or functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first and second, and the like are used solely to distinguish one entity from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities.

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a glide tray, which may be utilized to store and dispense items, such as refrigerated bottle and can beverages, while on display for sale. The glide tray may be specifically configured and adapted to be adjustable in size, both in length and width, to conform to the sizing requirements of a refrigerator or other storage unit. In this regard, the glide tray may include a plurality of lanes that may be selectively connected to each other to achieve a desired width. The glide tray may also include breakaway sections in the back to allow for selective length adjustment, as may be desired.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, there is depicted a glide tray 10 including a single-lane unit 12 and a multi-lane unit 214 having two lanes. The single-lane unit 12 and the multi-lane unit 214 may be connected to each other to collectively define three lanes in the glide tray 10.

The single-lane unit 12 is of an elongate configuration extending along a longitudinal axis 16 between a proximal end portion 18 and a distal end portion 20. In a standard use, items may be dispensed from the single-lane unit 12 via the proximal end portion 18, and the distal end portion 20 May be used to restock the unit 12 with items. A base 22 extends along the unit 12 between the proximal end portion 18 and the distal end portion 20.

The base 22 May include a pair of opposed lateral edges, as well as a plurality of stringers or ribs that extend in a longitudinal direction, and a plurality of stringers or ribs that extend in a latitudinal direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The base 22 May include a rounded front edge 24 extending between the pair of opposed lateral edges. In more detail, the front edge 24 May include a forwardly extending projection 26 extending between a pair of rounded segments.

The single-lane unit 12 May additionally include a pair of sidewalls 28 extending upwardly from opposite sides of the base 22. Each sidewall 28 May include a plurality of sidewall bodies and a plurality of sidewall openings. The combination of sidewall bodies and openings may provide sufficient structure to retain the items within the glide tray 10, while also reducing the overall weight thereof. In one embodiment, the sidewall bodies may include a pair of opposing forward support walls 30, a plurality of side support ribs 32, a pair of intermediate walls 34, a plurality of rearward support bodies 36, and a rear transition segment 38. The pair of sidewall bodies may also include a pair of upper rails 40 and a pair of lower rails 42. The upper rails 40 May extend longitudinally above the base 22, while the lower rails 42 May extend along the base 22, with each of the upper and lower rails 40, 42 extending along the forward support walls 30, the side support ribs 32, and intermediate walls 34.

Each forward support wall 30 May extend between the base 22 and a respective upper rail 40 and define a forward edge and a rearward edge. The forward and rearward edges may be generally perpendicular to the base 22. A generally planar inner surface and a generally planar outer surface may each extend between the forward and rearward edges in generally opposed relation to each other. The forward support walls 30 on opposite sides of the base 22 may be of similar size and may be aligned with each other. In this regard, the base 22 May define a forward plane 44 (see FIG. 4) at its forward most point, with the forward plane 44 being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 16 of the base 22. The forward edge on each forward support wall 30 May be spaced from the forward plane by a similar distance. Furthermore, the distance between the forward edge and the rearward edge on each forward support wall 30 May be a similar distance.

The side support ribs 32 May extend between a respective upper rail 40 and a lower rail 42. In one embodiment, each side support rib 32 May extend at an angle relative to the upper and lower rails 40, 42, such that each side support rib 32 extends in a rearward/distal direction as it extends from the lower rail 42 toward the upper rail 40. However, it is also contemplated that the side support ribs 32 May extend in a forward/proximal direction in an alternative embodiment. In one particular implementation, the angle between each side support rib 32 and the lower rail 42 is between 40-80 degrees, and more preferably 60 degrees, however other angles may be acceptable without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The side support ribs 32 on one side of the unit 12 May be aligned with the side support ribs 32 on the other side of the unit 12. In this regard, the distance between the forward support wall 30 and the adjacent side support rib 32 May be similar, and the spacing between adjacent support ribs 32 May be similar.

Each intermediate wall 34 May include an angled forward edge and a pair of rear edges (e.g., an upper edge 46 and a lower edge 48) that extend from opposed sides of a tab 50 that connects the rear transition wall 34 with an adjacent rearward support body 36, the importance of the tab 50 being explained in more detail below. The angle of the forward edge may be similar to the angle of the side support ribs 32 (e.g., the forward edge may be generally parallel with the support ribs 32). The intermediate wall 34 May include generally planar inner and outer surfaces that extend between the forward edge and the rear edges 46, 48. The intermediate walls 34 on opposite sides of the base 22 May be aligned with each other. As such, the forward edge and rear edges 48, 50 May be aligned.

Each rearward support body 36 on the single lane unit 12 is connected to the base 22 and includes an annular structure, meaning that it includes an inner edge 52 defining an inner opening 54, and an outer edge 56 defining an outer periphery. Each rearward support body 36 additionally includes an inner surface and an opposing outer surface. As noted above, a forward-most rearward support body 36 is connected to the intermediate wall 34 via a tab 50. Similarly, adjacent rearward support bodies 36 May be connected to each other via a tab 50, and the rearward-most support body 36 May be connected to the rear transition segment via a tab 50. In the exemplary embodiment, each rearward support body 36 includes a generally quadrangular central opening 54 that is of greater height than width. The outer edge 56 May be configured such that the outer edge 56 defines an upper segment and a pair of upper side segments that extend from respective tabs 50 toward the upper segment. The upper side segments may be tapered in a manner such that the distance between the upper side segments decreases in a direction from the tabs 50 toward the upper segment. The outer edge 56 May also include a pair of lower side segments that extend from respective tabs 50 toward the base 22. The lower side segments may be tapered in a manner such that the distance between the lower side segments decreases in a direction from the tabs 50 toward the base 22.

The rear transition segment 38 extends from the rearward-most tab 50 toward a rear plate 58 extending between the pair of rear transition segments 38. In the exemplary embodiment, each rear transition segment 38 includes a first side portion 60, a lower portion 62, and a second side portion 64, with the second side portion 64 being connected to the rear plate 58.

The rear plate 58 May be a generally planar structure and may include opposing inner and outer walls. The size and configuration of the rear plate 58 May be particularly suitable to enable a label to be placed thereon to identify the items that are located in the single lane unit 12 (e.g., orange juice, milk, water, etc.).

The forward support walls 30, the side support ribs 32 and the intermediate wall 34 may define a fixed length portion 66 of the single lane unit 12, while the remaining rearward portion of the single lane unit 12, e.g., the rearward support bodies 36 and the rear transition segment 38, may define an adjustable length portion 68 of the single lane unit 12. The adjustable length portion 68 May be configured to allow a selected rearward segment thereof to be selectively detached from the remaining forward segment of the adjustable length portion. In this regard, detachment may be facilitated by breaking the desired rearward segment from the forward segment at an aligned pair of tabs 50. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, there are 5 sets of aligned pairs of tabs 50, and thus, the selected rearward segment may be detached at any one of the 5 sets, i.e., one set between the intermediate walls 34 and the rearward support bodies 36, three sets between adjacent rearward support bodies 36, and one set between the rearward support bodies 36 and the rear transition segment 38.

The single lane unit 12 May be configured for use with a one or more other units, such as other single lane units 12, or multi-lane units 214. FIG. 1 shows a multi-lane unit 214 having two lanes, while FIGS. 8-9 show a multi-lane unit 314 having three lanes, and FIGS. 10-11 show a multi-lane unit 514 having five lanes.

Referring first to the multi-lane unit 214 shown in FIG. 1, the multi-lane unit 214 includes a pair of bases 222, a pair of sidewalls 228, and a divider wall 225. The pair of bases 222 extend longitudinally in generally parallel relation to each other, with the bases 222 being joined at the divider wall 225, with the divider wall 225 extending upwardly from the intersection of the bases 222. The bases 222 may include openings 227 extending under openings formed in the divider wall 225, as will be explained in more detail below.

The pair of sidewalls 228 extend from respective lateral-most edges of the bases 222, with the divider wall 225 extending between the pair of sidewalls 228. The pair of sidewalls 228 are configured similarly to the sidewalls 28 discussed above, and thus, the above discussion of the structural features of the sidewalls 28 of the single lane unit 12 also applies to the sidewalls 228 of the multi-lane unit 214.

The divider wall 225 may be configured different from the sidewalls 228 and generally include a forward divider panel 229, a plurality of divider support panels 231, an intermediate divider panel 233, a plurality of rearward divider support bodies 235, and a rear divider transition segment 237. The divider wall 225 may also include an upper rail 239 extending longitudinally above the base along the forward support panel 229, the divider support panels 231, and the intermediate divider panel 233.

Each forward divider panel 229 may extend between the base 222 and the upper rail 239 and define a forward edge and a rearward edge. The forward edge may be generally perpendicular to the base 222, while the rearward edge in FIG. 1 is slightly angled such that a lower end of the rearward edge is closer to the forward edge than an upper end of the rearward edge. The forward edge of the forward divider panel 229 may be aligned with the forward edges of the forward support walls 230 of the sidewalls 228, while at least a portion of the rearward edge may be spaced from a plane defined by the rearward edges of the forward support walls 230. A generally planar inner surface and a generally planar outer surface may each extend between the forward and rearward edges in generally opposed relation to each other.

Each divider support panel 231 includes a forward-most edge and a rearward-most edge. In the exemplary embodiment, the forward-most edge and rearward-most edge are angled relative to each other such that a distance between the forward-most edge and the rearward-most edge at a lower end of the divider support panel 231 is smaller than a distance between the forward-most edge and the rearward-most edge at an upper end.

The forward-most divider support panel 231 may be spaced from the forward divider panel 229 by an opening which extends under the upper rail 239. The opening is in communication with openings 227 formed in each base 222, which reduces the overall weight of the unit 214. Adjacent divider support panels 231 are also separated by similar openings, which are also in communication with respective openings 227 in each base 222.

The intermediate divider panel 233 may include a forward edge and a rearward edge in generally parallel relation to each other, which extend from the upper rail 239 toward the bases 222.

The rearward divider support bodies 235 are similar to the rearward support bodies 36 discussed above, particularly to the extent that they are configured to allow for selective removal of a rearward portion of the unit 214. However, the rearward divider support bodies 235 are of slightly different configuration, with each rearward divider support body 235 having two side segments angled towards each other, and an upper segment extending between the two side segments. The rearward dividing support bodies 235 may be formed without lower segments, which may allow central openings defined by the rearward dividing support bodies 235 to be in direct communication with openings in the bases 222. Forming the rearward dividing support bodies 235 without lower segments may advantageously allow for a reduction of weight and materials.

The rear divider transition segment 237 is similar to the rear transition segment 38 discussed above.

The single-lane unit 12 and the multi-lane unit 214 are configured to be detachably engageable with each other to allow for selective sizing of the overall assembly 10, namely the sizing of the number of lanes included in the overall assembly 10. To facilitate the detachable engagement, each the single-lane unit 12 and the multi-lane unit 214 may each include complementary attachment mechanisms. In the exemplary embodiment, the attachment mechanisms include attachment tabs and corresponding attachment recesses configured to receive the attachment tabs. The attachment tabs may be formed on either one, or both, of the single-lane unit 12 or the multi-lane unit 214. Similarly, the attachment recesses may be formed on either one, or both, of the single lane unit 12 or the multi-lane unit 214.

In the exemplary embodiment, and referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the single-lane unit 12 includes a plurality of attachment tabs 110 extending from a first side of the single-lane unit 12, and a plurality of recesses 112 formed in the opposing second side of the single lane unit 12. The attachment tabs 110 on the single-lane unit 12 May be similar in shape and configuration to the attachment tabs 110 on the multi-lane unit 214, and thus, the following description of the attachment tabs 110 applies equally to tabs 110 on both the single-lane and multi-lane units 12, 214.

Each tab 110 may extend outwardly from a respective sidewall 28 away from the base 22. Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the structural details of each tab 110 are more clearly depicted. In particular, each tab 110 includes an extension wall 114, an upper lock wall 116 and a lower lock wall 118, with the upper and lower lock walls 116, 118 being connected to the extension wall 114 in spaced relation to each other and extending in opposite directions. The upper lock wall 116 may be located between the lower lock wall 118 and the sidewall 28, with the upper lock wall 116 and the sidewall 28 defining a channel sized and configured to receive a lower end of a sidewall 228 on a multi-lane unit 214 which is being attached to the single-lane unit 12. In this regard, the distance between the upper lock wall 116 and the sidewall 228 may be just slightly larger than the thickness of the sidewall 228 on the multi- lane unit 214. The lower lock wall 218 may extend downwardly and may be configured to engage with a recess finger, as will be described in more detail below.

The attachment recess 112 may be defined by an opening or void in the sidewall 28, a vertical internal wall 120, a horizontal internal wall 122 and a finger 124. The opening may be sized to allow for insertion of a corresponding attachment tab 110 therethrough. The vertical internal wall 120 may extend generally downwardly from an edge of the base 22 until a lower edge of the vertical internal wall 120 is generally co-planar with the lower surface of the sidewalls 28. The horizontal internal wall 122 extends from the vertical internal wall 120 toward the adjacent sidewall 28. The finger 124 extends upwardly from the horizontal internal wall 122 in spaced relation to the vertical internal wall 120 to define a channel therebetween. The channel may be sized to receive a lower lock wall 118 on an attachment tab 110 received within the attachment recess 112.

To attach the single lane unit 12 to the multi-lane unit 214, the attachment tabs 110 on the multi-lane unit 214 may be aligned with recesses 112 on the single lane unit 12 and then the tabs 110 may be inserted into the recesses 112. In this regard, one sidewall on the multi- lane unit 214 may be brought into contact or very close position to a sidewall on the single lane unit 12. Once the tabs 110 are received into the recesses 112, the single lane unit 12 and multi- lane unit 214 may be moved relative to each other in a first direction parallel to their respective longitudinal axes, which may cause the tabs 110 to become locked within the recesses 112. In particular, the extension wall 114 of the tab 110 slides over the finger 124 of the recess 112 and under a lower edge of the sidewall which defines the recess 112. The finger 124 of the recess 112 also slides adjacent or along the lower lock wall 118, with the lower lock wall 118 being captured within a cavity defined by the finger 124 and walls 122, 120 of the recess 112. Once the tabs 110 are locked in the recesses 112, the joined single lane unit 12 and multi-lane unit 214 may function as a single, integrated unit.

The units 12, 214 remain integrated until a user desires to remove or detach the single lane unit 12 from the multi-lane unit 214. To facilitate such detachment, the single lane unit 12 is moved in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, and parallel to their respective longitudinal axes to unlock the tabs 110 from their respective recesses. Once the tabs 110 are unlocked, the units 12, 214 may be moved away from each other.

Although the foregoing describes the tabs 110 as being located on the multi-lane unit 214 and the recesses 112 being located on the single lane unit 12, it is contemplated that the reverse configuration may be used, i.e., the tabs 110 being located on the single lane unit 12 and the recesses 112 being located on the multi-lane unit 214.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-21, there is depicted another embodiment of a glide tray 600 having a pusher member 602 which may be translatable along a main unit 604 between a rearward position and a forward position. The pusher member 602 may be biased toward the forward position to urge merchandise stored in the glide tray toward the front (proximal end portion) of the glide tray 600. Thus, as a user removes merchandise from the front, the pusher member 602 pushes remaining merchandise forwardly, to keep the front of the glide tray 600 stocked with merchandise for easy viewing and removal by a customer.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are upper and lower exploded perspective views of the glide tray 600, which generally includes the main unit 604, a spring 606, the pusher member 602, and a front cap 608. The main unit 604 includes a base 610 and a pair of sidewalls 612 extending upwardly from opposite sides of the base 610. The sidewalls 612 may be similar to the sidewalls discussed above, including the configuration which facilitates selective length adjustment of the glide tray (e.g., such as through sacrificial breaking of a rear portion of the glide tray, as discussed in more detail above). Furthermore, glide tray 600 may be configured to be connected to adjacent glide trays to selectively customize the width of a glide-tray assembly having multiple glide trays included therein, as described in more detail above.

The base 610 may also be configured to allow for selective length adjustment, although, the base 610 may additionally be configured to interface with the pusher member 602. In this regard, the base 602 may include a base wall 614 positioned between the sidewalls 612 and a pair of channel bodies 616 extending in spaced, generally parallel relation to each other under the base wall 614. The base wall 614 may include separate regions, which are separated by the channel bodies 616. For instance, the base wall 614 may include a middle region and a pair of lateral regions, with each channel body 616 residing between the middle region and a respective lateral region.

Each channel body 616 may include a pair of channel sidewalls and a channel lower wall, with each channel sidewall being attached to the base wall 614. Each channel body 616 may define a channel opening 618 extending longitudinally along the channel body 616. The channel lower wall and/or the channel sidewalls may include cutouts or other voids formed therein to reduce the overall weight of the glide tray 600.

The main unit 604 additionally includes a pair of securement flanges 620 extending partially over the channel opening 618, opposite the channel lower wall. Each securement flange 620 defines a width that is slightly smaller than the width of the underlying channel body 616. In this regard, the width of each securement flange 620 may be defined as the distance between opposed longitudinal edges thereof, while the width of each channel body 616 may be defined as the distance between the internal surfaces of the opposed channel sidewalls. The narrower width of the securement flanges 620 relative to the width of the underlying channel bodies 616 may result in a small gap being formed between an edge of the securement flange 620 and a sidewall of the underlying channel body 616, with the gap allowing for translation of the pusher member 602, as will be described in more detail below.

The main unit 604 may further include a pair of front recesses 622 configured to receive respective attachment rails 624 on the front cap 608. Each front recess 622 may be positioned adjacent a respective channel body 616, and in particular, may be positioned laterally outward relative to the adjacent channel body 616. In this regard, each front recess 622 may be defined on one side by the channel body 616 and on an opposite side by a sidewall extension 626 extending from the main unit 604 sidewall. The main unit 604 may also include a lower projection 628 extending from one or both of the channel body 616 and the sidewall extension 626 to further define the front recess 622.

The main unit 604 may also include one or more central projections or tabs 630 (see FIG. 14) extending from a lower surface of the base wall 614 of the base 610. The tabs 630 may be angled to facilitate engagement with the front cap 608, as will be described in more detail below.

The pusher member 602 may include a lower plate 632 and an upper cradle 634 extending upwardly from the lower plate 632. The lower plate 632 may include a forward portion 636 extending in front of the upper cradle 634 and a rear portion 638 extending behind the upper cradle 634. The lower plate 632 may be sized to fit within the main unit 604, such that a maximum lateral width between opposed lateral edges of the lower plate 632 is less than the distance between the pair of sidewalls of the main unit 604. This configuration may allow the lower plate 632 to translate freely along the main unit 604 without being obstructed by the sidewalls of the main unit 604. The forward portion 636 of the lower plate 632 may be configured to support a merchandize item thereon, such as a bottled or canned beverage. In other words, the size and configuration of the forward portion of the lower plate 632 may be similar, yet slightly larger than the bottom of a bottled or canned beverage, or other similar merchandise item. The rear portion 638 of the lower plate 632 may be sized to provide stability to the pusher member 602, such as to inhibit inadvertent rearward tipping of the pusher member 602. The rear portion 638 may also include a slot 640 or opening formed therein to accommodate extension or elongation of the spring 606, as will be described in more detail below. The contour of the bottom of the lower plate 632 may include a channel 642 formed between two opposing edges that extend forwardly from the slot 640. The channel 642 may be slightly recessed relative to adjacent lower surfaces of the lower plate 632 to accommodate the thickness of the spring 606. In this regard, a portion of the spring extending under the lower plate 632 may be captured within the channel 642 by virtue of the recessed configuration of the channel 642 relative to the adjacent lower surfaces of the lower plate 632.

The pusher member 602 may also include a plurality of glide feet 644 extending from a lower surface of the lower plate 632. Each glide foot 644 may include a vertical wall 646 and a horizontal wall 648 to generally define an “L” shape. The exemplary pusher member 602 includes four feet 644, with one pair of feet 644 being aligned with each other on a first side portion of the pusher member 602 and a second pair of feet 644 aligned with each other on a second side portion of the pusher member 602. The feet 644 on a given side are aligned with each other by virtue of the vertical walls 646 being generally coplanar with each other, as well as the horizontal walls 648 being generally coplanar with each other. The feet 644 on a given side are configured to be received within a common channel body 616, with a portion of the vertical wall 646 extending through the gap adjacent the securement flange 620, as will be described in more detail below.

The upper cradle 634 may include a concave forward surface 650 which may be generally complementary in configuration to the merchandise item. In this regard, the shape of the forward surface 650 may be generally equal to a diameter or other outer dimension of the merchandise item. It is also contemplated that the forward surface 650 may be generally planar or be comprised of one or more posts or other shapes or structures capable of urging the merchandise items forward. A corresponding convex rearward surface 652 may be opposite the concave forward surface 650.

The pusher member 602 may also include one or more rear fins or support ribs 654 extending between the upper cradle 634 and the rear portion 638 of the lower plate 632 to provide structural rigidity to the upper cradle 634.

The front cap 608 includes a front wall 656, a lower wall 658, the pair of attachment rails 624, and a spring post 660. The attachment rails 624 may be sized to be received in respective ones of the front recesses 622 to facilitate engagement between the front cap 608 and the main unit 604. In this regard, the size of the attachment rails 624 may be slightly less than the size of the front recesses 622 to facilitate insertion of the attachment rails 624 into the front recess 622. Engagement of the front cap 608 to the main unit 604 may be facilitated via advancement of the tabs 630 through an opening formed on the front cap 608.

The spring 606 may be configured to provide a biasing force on the pusher member 602 to bias or urge the pusher member 602 toward the front cap 608. In one embodiment, the spring 606 is a strip of material (e.g., metal) having a front end portion that is connectable to the front cap 608. The front end portion may include a hole 662 formed therein which may receive a post 660 formed on the front cap 608 to facilitate engagement between the front end portion of the spring 606 and the front cap 608. Other attachment modalities may also be employed to facilitate engagement between the front end portion of the spring 606 and the front cap 608, such as a locking pin insertable through the hole in the front end portion of the spring 606 and received within an opening in the front cap 608. Also, the front end portion of the spring 606 may be sized to be frictionally received within a slot located on the front cap 608, such that when the front end portion is received within the slot, the friction forces between the front end portion and the front cap 608 are suitable to retain the front end portion within the slot during use. Of course, other means of attachment known in the art may also be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The spring 606 also includes a coil portion that may be located behind the upper cradle 634 when attached to the pusher member 602. An elongated portion of the spring 606 may extend between the front end portion and the coil portion during use. As the pusher member 602 travels along the main unit 604, the length of the elongated portion, i.e., the distance between the hole 662 in the front end portion to the slot 640 through which the spring 606 extends as it is elongated, may vary.

In particular, when the pusher member 602 is in its rearmost position, the length of the elongated portion is at its greatest, and when the pusher member 602 is in its forwardmost position, the length of the elongated portion is at its smallest.

With the structure of the glide tray 600 discussed above, operation of the glide tray 600 will now being discussed. To initially assemble the glide tray, the pusher member 602 may be installed on the main unit 604 by sliding the glide feet 644 into the channel bodies 616. Once the pusher member 602 is installed, the front cap 608 may be coupled to the main unit 604, which captures the pusher member 602 within the main unit 604. The spring 606 may be installed by placing the spring 606 behind the upper cradle 634 of the pusher member 602. A front end of the spring 606 may be routed through the slot 640 of the pusher member 602 and the opening 662 on the spring 606 may be coupled to the spring post 660. Once the spring post 660 is received in the spring opening 662, the spring 606 may be tensioned to impart the biasing force on the pusher member 602.

The pusher member 602 may be pushed back from the front end portion of the main unit 604 toward the rear end portion of the main unit (e.g., the pusher member 602 may be pushed away from the front cap 608) to make space for merchandise to be loaded in the main unit 604. When the merchandise is loaded in the main unit 604, the merchandise may extend from the pusher member 602 to the front cap 608.

As merchandise is disposed, one item at a time, the spring biasing force may urge the pusher member 602 forward (e.g., toward the front cap 608) to move the remaining merchandise forward and avoid leaving a gap in the front of the glide tray 600.

Referring now to FIGS. 22-24, it is contemplated that pusher members may also be incorporated into multi-lane glide trays, with each lane having a dedicated pusher member that is moveable independent of the pusher member(s) in the other lane(s). In more detail, FIG. 22 shows a two-lane glide tray 700, with two pusher members, while FIG. 24 shows a five-lane glide tray 800, with five pusher members. FIG. 23 shows a front cap 708 for use with the two-lane glide tray 700.

The particulars shown herein are by way of example only for purposes of illustrative discussion, and are not presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, no attempt is made to show any more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the different features of the various embodiments, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how these may be implemented in practice.

Claims

1. A glide tray having a plurality of rows, the glide tray comprising: a first unit defining a first longitudinal axis and having at least one row extending parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the first unit having at least one first attachment device formed on a lateral portion of the first unit, the first unit having a plurality of sacrificial rear end portions detachably engageable from a front end portion of the first unit; anda second unit defining a second longitudinal axis and having at least one row extending parallel to the second longitudinal axis, the second unit having at least one second attachment device formed on a lateral portion of the second unit, the second attachment device being configured to be selectively engageable with the first attachment device to facilitate engagement between the first and second units, the second unit having a plurality of sacrificial rear end portions detachably engageable from a front end portion of the first unit.

2. The glide tray recited in claim 1, wherein the first attachment device includes a tab and the second attachment device includes a recess configured to receive the tab to facilitate engagement between the first unit and the second unit.

3. The glide tray recited in claim 2, wherein the first unit includes a pair of first sidewalls and the second unit includes a pair of second sidewalls defining a pair of second sidewall planes, the tab being configured to extend between the pair of second sidewall planes when the tab is received in the recess.

4. The glide tray recited in claim 2, wherein the first unit includes a pair of first sidewalls, the tab extending laterally outward from one of the pair of first sidewalls.

5. The glide tray recited in claim 4, wherein the second unit includes a pair of second sidewalls, the recess extending into the second unit from one of the pair of second sidewalls.

6. The glide tray recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sacrificial rear end portions of the first unit includes a pair of sidewalls and a base extending between the pair of sidewalls.

7. The glide tray recited in claim 1, further comprising a first pusher member coupled to the first unit and configured to be translatable therealong between a forward position and a rearward position.

8. The glide tray recited in claim 7, wherein the first pusher member includes a lower plate and an upper cradle extending upwardly from the lower plate.

9. The glide tray recited in claim 8, wherein the upper cradle includes a concave surface.

10. The glide tray recited in claim 8, further comprising a spring having a forward end portion and a rearward end portion and an intermediate portion extending between the forward end portion and the rearward end portion, the forward end portion of the spring being attachable to the first unit, the intermediate portion being extendable through a slot formed in the lower plate, the spring being configured to apply a biasing force on the first pusher member to urge the first pusher member toward the forward position.

11. The glide tray recited in claim 8, wherein the first pusher member includes at least one foot extending from the lower plate and the first unit includes a channel body sized to receive the at least one foot such that the at least one foot is slidable within the channel body when the at least one foot is received therein.

12. The glide tray recited in claim 7, further comprising a spring connectable to the first pusher member and the first unit and configured to apply a biasing force on the first pusher member to urge the first pusher member toward the forward position.

13. A glide tray having a plurality of rows, the glide tray comprising: a first unit defining a first longitudinal axis and having at least one row extending parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the first unit having at least one first attachment device formed on a lateral portion of the first unit, the first unit having a plurality of sacrificial rear end portions detachably engageable from a front end portion of the first unit; anda first pusher member coupled to the first unit and translatable therealong between a forward position and a rearward position.

14. The glide tray recited in claim 13, wherein the first pusher member includes a lower plate and an upper cradle extending upwardly from the lower plate.

15. The glide tray recited in claim 14, wherein the upper cradle includes a concave surface.

16. The glide tray recited in claim 14, further comprising a spring having a forward end portion and a rearward end portion and an intermediate portion extending between the forward end portion and the rearward end portion, the forward end portion of the spring being attachable to the first unit, the intermediate portion being extendable through a slot formed in the lower plate, the spring being configured to apply a biasing force on the first pusher member to urge the first pusher member toward the forward position.

17. The glide tray recited in claim 14, wherein the first pusher member includes at least one foot extending from the lower plate and the first unit includes a channel body sized to receive the at least one foot such that the at least one foot is slidable within the channel body when the at least one foot is received therein.

18. The glide tray recited in claim 13, further comprising a spring connectable to the first pusher member and the first unit and configured to apply a biasing force on the first pusher member to urge the first pusher member toward the forward position.