Patent Application
20180055251
This disclosure relates to merchandisers, mats, hang tabs, and methods of manufacture and use thereof.
In this disclosure, where a document, an act, and/or an item of knowledge is referred to and/or discussed, then such reference and/or discussion is not an admission that the document, the act, and/or the item of knowledge and/or any combination thereof was at a priority date, publicly available, known to a public, part of common general knowledge, and/or otherwise constitutes any prior art under any applicable statutory provisions; and/or is known to be relevant to any attempt to solve any problem with which this disclosure may be concerned with. Further, nothing is disclaimed.
A merchandiser is used for merchandising an inventory item to a customer in a retail location, such as a store or others, whether indoors or outdoors. For example, the inventory item can include a mat, a carpet, a rug, an article of clothing, a toy, or other goods. Typically, the merchandiser is not structured to prominently host a selection guide for the inventory item, while enabling the customer to conveniently inspect the inventory item and to easily retrieve the inventory item from the merchandiser, especially if the merchandiser suspends the inventory item.
This disclosure may at least partially address at least one of above inefficiencies. However, this disclosure can prove useful to other technical areas. Therefore, various claims recited below should not be construed as necessarily limited to addressing any of the above inefficiencies.
An embodiment includes a device comprising: a mat including a first side portion, a second side portion, and a living hinge, wherein the first side portion and the second side portion extend from the living hinge such that the first side portion and the second side portion can rotate toward each other, wherein the first side portion and the second side portion are asymmetrical to each other.
An embodiment includes a device comprising: a hang tab including a T-shaped portion, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a shaft, wherein the T-shaped portion is defined via a platform and a column, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall extend from the column away from the platform, wherein the shaft extends from the second sidewall such that the column is positioned between the shaft and the platform.
An embodiment includes a device comprising: a merchandiser including a platform, a first L-shaped member, and a second L-shaped member, wherein the first L-shaped member is defined via a first leg and a first arm, wherein the second L-shaped member is defined via a second leg and a second arm, wherein the first leg and the second leg extend from the platform such that the first arm and the second arm extend toward each other and thereby define a gap therebetween.
This disclosure may be embodied in various forms illustrated in a set of accompanying illustrative drawings. Note that variations are contemplated as being a part of this disclosure, limited only by a scope of various claims recited below.
The set of accompanying illustrative drawings shows various example embodiments of this disclosure. Such drawings are not to be construed as necessarily limiting this disclosure. Like numbers and/or similar numbering scheme can refer to like and/or similar elements throughout.
This disclosure is now described more fully with reference to the set of accompanying illustrative drawings, in which example embodiments of this disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as necessarily being limited to the example embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys various concepts of this disclosure to those skilled in a relevant art.
Features described with respect to certain example embodiments may be combined and sub-combined in and/or with various other example embodiments. Also, different aspects and/or elements of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, may be combined and sub-combined in a similar manner as well. Further, some example embodiments, whether individually and/or collectively, may be components of a larger system, wherein other procedures may take precedence over and/or otherwise modify their application. Additionally, a number of steps may be required before, after, and/or concurrently with example embodiments, as disclosed herein. Note that any and/or all methods and/or processes, at least as disclosed herein, can be at least partially performed via at least one entity in any manner.
Various terminology used herein can imply direct or indirect, full or partial, temporary or permanent, action or inaction. For example, when an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected” or “coupled” to another element, then the element can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element and/or intervening elements can be present, including indirect and/or direct variants. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Although the terms first, second, etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not necessarily be limited by such terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from various teachings of this disclosure.
Various terminology used herein is for describing particular example embodiments and is not intended to be necessarily limiting of this disclosure. As used herein, various singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include various plural forms as well, unless a context clearly indicates otherwise. Various terms “comprises,” “includes” and/or “comprising,” “including” when used in this specification, specify a presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence and/or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
As used herein, a term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of a set of natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances.
Example embodiments of this disclosure are described herein with reference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of this disclosure. As such, variations from various illustrated shapes as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, various example embodiments of this disclosure should not be construed as necessarily limited to various particular shapes of regions illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece, such as being unitary, and/or be separately manufactured and/or connected, such as being an assembly and/or modules. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be manufactured via any manufacturing processes, whether additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, and/or other any other types of manufacturing. For example, some manufacturing processes include three dimensional (3D) printing, laser cutting, computer numerical control routing, milling, pressing, stamping, vacuum forming, hydroforming, injection molding, lithography, and so forth.
Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be and/or include, whether partially and/or fully, a solid, including a metal, a mineral, an amorphous material, a ceramic, a glass ceramic, an organic solid, such as wood and/or a polymer, such as rubber, a composite material, a semiconductor, a nanomaterial, a biomaterial and/or any combinations thereof. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be and/or include, whether partially and/or fully, a coating, including an informational coating, such as ink, an adhesive coating, a melt-adhesive coating, such as vacuum seal and/or heat seal, a release coating, such as tape liner, a low surface energy coating, an optical coating, such as for tint, color, hue, saturation, tone, shade, transparency, translucency, opaqueness, luminescence, reflection, phosphorescence, anti-reflection and/or holography, a photo-sensitive coating, an electronic and/or thermal property coating, such as for passivity, insulation, resistance or conduction, a magnetic coating, a water-resistant and/or waterproof coating, a scent coating and/or any combinations thereof. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be rigid, flexible, and/or any other combinations thereof. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be identical and/or different from each other in material, shape, size, color and/or any measurable dimension, such as length, width, height, depth, area, orientation, perimeter, volume, breadth, density, temperature, resistance, and so forth.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in an art to which this disclosure belongs. Various terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with a meaning in a context of a relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized and/or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Furthermore, relative terms such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” can be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings. Such relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of illustrated technologies in addition to an orientation depicted in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings. For example, if a device in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings were turned over, then various elements described as being on a “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of other elements. Similarly, if a device in one of illustrative figures were turned over, then various elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” other elements. Therefore, various example terms “below” and “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below.
As used herein, a term “about” and/or “substantially” refers to a +/−10% variation from a nominal value/term. Such variation is always included in any given value/term provided herein, whether or not such variation is specifically referred thereto.
If any disclosures are incorporated herein by reference and such disclosures conflict in part and/or in whole with this disclosure, then to an extent of a conflict, if any, and/or a broader disclosure, and/or broader definition of terms, this disclosure controls. If such disclosures conflict in part and/or in whole with one another, then to an extent of a conflict, if any, a later-dated disclosure controls.
The platform 102 includes a pair of longitudinal sides 110, 130 and a pair of lateral sides 132, 134 such that the platform 102 is rectangular. However, note that such shape can vary and the platform 102 can be shaped differently, such as a triangle, a square, a circle, an oval, a pentagon, a hexagon, or others. The sides 110, 130 oppose each other and the sides 132, 134 oppose each other. The platform 102 is an assembly, such as via fastening, mating, adhering, interlocking, or others, but can be unitary, such as via injection molding or others. As shown in
As shown in
Note that the signs 112, 114, 116 are mechanical, electronic, or digital, such as an electrophoretic display, a liquid crystal display, a neon display, or others, which may include a touch-enabled display, a haptic display, or others. However, as shown in
As shown in
The wall 104 includes a plurality of posts 118, 120 and a material 122 supported via the posts 118, 120. The posts 118, 120 are internally hollow, but can be internally solid. The posts 118, 120 are cross-sectionally rectangular, but can be square, triangular, circular, ovoid, or others. The posts 118, 112 include metal, but can include other materials, such as plastic, wood, rubber, or others. The material 112 is opaque, but can be transparent or translucent. The material 112 includes paper, but can include fabric, rubber, cardboard, carton, or others. The posts 118, 120 and the material 122 are an assembly, such as via fastening, mating, adhering, interlocking, or others, but can be unitary, such as via injection molding or others. As shown in
The wall 106 includes a plurality of posts 124, 126 and a material 128 supported via the posts 124, 126. The posts 124, 126 are internally hollow, but can be internally solid. The posts 124, 126 are cross-sectionally rectangular, but can be square, triangular, circular, ovoid, or others. The posts 124, 126 include metal, but can include other materials, such as plastic, wood, rubber, or others. The material 126 is opaque, but can be transparent or translucent. The material 126 includes paper, but can include fabric, rubber, cardboard, carton, or others. The posts 124, 126 and the material 128 are an assembly, such as via fastening, mating, adhering, interlocking, or others, but can be unitary, such as via injection molding or others. As shown in
The wall 104 and the wall 106 are symmetrical to each other and positioned facing each other. However, this configuration can vary with the wall 104 and the wall 106 being asymmetrical to each other or not facing each other or offset with each other in different directions, such as opposing or others.
As shown in
Each of the legs 138A extends perpendicularly from the platform 102, between the wall 104 and the wall 106, although non-perpendicular extension is possible. The legs 138A extend parallel to each other, although non-parallel extension is possible. The legs 138A extend from the platform 102 towards the base 108 such that the platforms 138B are positioned between the platform 102 and the base 108. For the T-shaped members 138 that are consecutive, the platforms 138B extend toward each other such that a gap is defined therebetween. Accordingly, the T-shaped members 138 are able to support a plurality of hang tabs 140 coupled to a plurality of mats 142, with the hang tabs 140 extending in the gaps such that the platforms 138B support the hang tabs 140. For example, the hang tabs 140 can be coupled to the mats 142 via fastening, adhering, mating, interlocking, magnetizing, or others. In some embodiments, the hang tabs 140 are unitary to the mats 142, such as via injection molding or others. For example, as shown in
Note that the mats 140 can of any type. For example, at least one of the mats 140 can comprise plastic, rubber, fabric, metal, wood, or others. At least one of mats 140 can be solid or perforated. At least one of mats 140 can be foldable along a fold line, whether longitudinally, laterally, or diagonally extending. At least one of the mats 140 may have two sides: a flat side and a spiked side to better grasp a rug/carpet when the at least one mat 140 is a chair mat. The fold line may lack any spikes or have at least one spike. In some embodiments, at least one of the mats 140 lacks the fold line. For example, at least one of the mats 140 may be a chair mat, which may be phthalate free and not violate any standards including, but not limited to, California Prop 65.
As shown in
The base 108 is stationary, but may be wheeled. Although the base 108 is rectangular, other shapes are possible, such as circular, oval, square, triangular, octagonal, pentagonal, hexagonal, star-shaped, or others. In some embodiments, the merchandiser 100 lacks the base 108, such as when the merchandiser 100 is U-shaped via the platform 102, the wall 104, and the wall 106. As shown in
The T-shaped portion 148 is defined via a platform 152 and a column 154, which are unitary, such as via injection molding or others, and can include a same material, such as plastic, alloy, or others, but can be an assembly, such as via mating, adhering, or others, or include different materials, such as plastic, metal, rubber, or others. The platform 152 is defined via a first arm extending from the column 152 in a first direction and a second arm extending from the column 152 in a second direction, where the first direction is opposite the second direction.
The Y-shaped portion 150 is defined via the column 154, a base 158 extending from the column 154 in a direction away from the platform 152, a first sidewall 156 extending from the base 158 in a direction away from the platform 152, and a second sidewall 156 extending from the base 158 in a direction away from the platform 152, while opposing the first sidewall 156. The column 154, the base 158, the first sidewall 156, and the second sidewall 156 are unitary, such as via injection molding or others, and can include a same material, such as plastic, alloy, or others, but can be an assembly, such as via mating, adhering, or others, or include different materials, such as plastic, metal, rubber, or others.
The second sidewall 156 has a larger surface area than the first sidewall 156 via a tapered portion 162. As such, the tapered portion 162 includes a shaft 164, such as a pin, a peg, or others, extending cantilevered therefrom, underneath the base 158, and may be underneath the first sidewall 156 and may be even past the first sidewall 156. The shaft 164 includes a split end portion, which can be U-shaped, C-shaped, V-shaped, or others, but can be non-split, such as planar or others. The tapered portion 162 and the shaft 164 are unitary, such as via injection molding or others, and can include a same material, such as plastic, alloy, or others, but can be an assembly, such as via mating, adhering, or others, or include different materials, such as plastic, metal, rubber, or others. Although the shaft 164 is perpendicular to the second sidewall 156, in some embodiments, acute or obtuse orientations are possible.
As shown in
A second embodiment of the hang tab 140, as shown in
First, the platform 152 of the second embodiment of the hang tab 140 has rounded corners, whereas the platform 152 of the first embodiment of the hang tab 140 has beveled or chamfered corners, although pointed corners are possible as well.
Second, the first sidewall 156 of the second embodiment of the hang tab 140 is open shaped, such as U-shaped, C-shaped, V-shaped, or others, along the base 158 such that the first sidewall 156 interiorly defines an open space, whereas the first sidewall 156 of the first embodiment of the hang tab 140 is closed shaped, such as rectangular, square, or others, along the base 158.
Third, the second sidewall 156 of the second embodiment of the hang tab 140 medially extends from the base 158 such that the second sidewall 156 faces the open space of the first sidewall 156 and lacks the portion 162 being tapered, whereas the second sidewall 156 of the first embodiment of the hang tab 140 spans along the base 158 end-to-end and has the portion 162 being tapered. As such, the first sidewall 156 and the second sidewall 156 of the second embodiment of the hang tab 140 form two diagonal gaps between the first sidewall 156 and the second sidewall 156, whereas the two diagonal gaps are lacking in the first embodiment of the hang tab 140.
Fourth, the shaft 164 of the second embodiment of the hang tab 140 lacks the split end portion and is tapered longitudinally, whereas the shaft 164 of the first embodiment of the hang tab 140 is non-tapered and has the split end portion.
A third embodiment of the hang tab 140, as shown in
First, at least one of the first sidewall 156 or the second sidewall 156 of the third embodiment of the hang tab 140 hosts a plurality of beveled spacers 157, whereas the first sidewall 156 and the second sidewall 156 of the hang tab 140 of the second embodiment lack the beveled spacers 157.
Second, the shaft 164 of the third embodiment of the hang tab 140 is planar and includes a cantilevered tip distal from the second sidewall 156 and extending towards the base 158, whereas the shaft 164 of the of the second embodiment of the hang tab 140 is non-planar.
Third, the second sidewall 156 of the third embodiment of the hang tab 140 defines an opening therein from which the shaft 164 extends, whereas the second sidewall 156 of the second embodiment of the hang tab 140 is solid in that area of the second sidewall 156.
Regardless of the embodiment of the hang tab 140, as shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, the mat 142 or the hang tab 140 may comprise a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or other types of inventory security structure, such as a retail sensor/security tab/tag, for shoplifting protection. For example, such structure may be fastened, adhered, mated, interlocked, or otherwise coupled to the mat 142 or the hang tab 140. Note that in some embodiments, the member 138 is C-shaped, as shown in
The first side portion 202 is unitary, such as via injection molding or others, and can include a same material, such as plastic, alloy, or others, but can be an assembly, such as via mating or others, or include different materials, such as plastic, metal, rubber, or others. The first side portion 202 is unitary to the fold portion 204, such as via injection molding or others, and can include a same material, such as plastic, alloy, or others, but can be an assembly, such as via fastening or others, or include different materials, such as plastic, metal, rubber, or others. The first side portion 202 includes plastic, but can include other materials, such as rubber or others. The first side portion 202 is rectangular in shape, but can vary, such as square or others. The first side portion 202 includes an upper side and a lower side, where the upper side is rectilinearly flat such that a wheeled chair can ride thereon, and where the lower side includes the projections 208, whether tapering away from the lower side, tapering toward the lower side, or non-tapering, such as rectilinear, sinusoidal, or others. For example, the projections 208 can include a spike, whether with a pointed or dull apex.
The second side portion 206 is unitary, such as via injection molding or others, and can include a same material, such as plastic, alloy, or others, but can be an assembly, such as via mating or others, or include different materials, such as plastic, metal, rubber, or others. The second side portion 206 is unitary to the fold portion 204, such as via injection molding or others, and can include a same material, such as plastic, alloy, or others, but can be an assembly, such as via fastening or others, or include different materials, such as plastic, metal, rubber, or others. The second side portion 206 includes plastic, but can include other materials, such as rubber or others. The second side portion 206 is rectangular in shape, but can vary, such as square or others. The second side portion 206 includes an upper side and a lower side, where the upper side is rectilinearly flat such that a wheeled chair can ride thereon, and where the lower side includes the projections 208, whether tapering away from the lower side, tapering toward the lower side, or non-tapering, such as rectilinear, sinusoidal, or others. For example, the projections 208 can include a spike, whether with a pointed or dull apex.
The first side portion 202 and the second side portion 206 are different from each other in size, but can also be different from each other in shape. For example, the first side portion 202 and the second side portion 206 are asymmetrical to each other in size, but can be asymmetrical in shape. For example, the first side portion 202 and the second side portion 206 can be asymmetrical to each other via perimeter and area, such as one side portion having a larger perimeter and a larger area than another side portion. Note that in such configurations, the first side portion and the second side portion 206 can be correspondingly different in a number or amount of the projections 208, such as one is greater or lesser than another or equal to each other.
The fold portion 204 is unitary, such as via injection molding or others, and include a same material, such as plastic, alloy, or others, but can be an assembly, such as via fastening or others, or include different materials, such as plastic, metal, rubber, or others. The fold portion 204 is longitudinally positioned between the first side portion 202 and the second side portion 206 such that the first side portion 202 and the second side portion 206 extend away from the fold portion 204 in opposing directions. The fold portion 204 includes an upper side and a lower side, where the upper side is smooth, and the lower side is rough via a plurality of depressions, such as U-shaped, C-shaped, J-shaped, or others. The fold portion 204 operates as a living or flexible hinge such that the fold portion 204 is able to flex between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the upper side is planar and the lower side hosts the depressions such that none of the depressions face each other and the depressions are oriented in a plurality of parallel directions. In the closed configuration, the upper side is arcuate and the lower side hosts the depressions such that at least two of the depressions at least partially face each other and the depressions are oriented in a plurality of non-parallel directions. As such, in the closed configuration, the fold portion 204 is U-shaped, C-shaped, or others. Consequently, each of the first side portion 202 and the second side portion 206 extends from the fold portion 204 such that each of the first side portion 202 and the second side portion 206 is able to independently rotate, bend, pivot, swing, or fold with respect to the fold portion 204, whether in a range of motion identical to or different from each other. For example, the first side portion 202 and the second side portion 206 can independently rotate with respect to the fold portion 204 toward each other or away from each other. Therefore, since the first side portion 202 and the second side portion 206 are different from each other in size, the first side portion 202 and the second side portion 206 are able to independently bend, pivot, swing, or fold with respect to the fold portion 204 toward each other such that the projections 208 on the lower side of the first side portion 202 and the projections 208 on the lower side of the second side portion 206 face each other and the first side portion 202 and the second side portion 206 are asymmetric to each other in size. For example, since the first side portion and the second side portion 206 are asymmetrical to each other, the first side portion 202 extends further from the living hinge 206 than the second side portion 204 and therefore the first side portion 202 can include a section that extends past the second side portion 206, where the section includes a projection 208 that extends over the fold portion 204. For example, the section can include a linear pattern of projections 208 that extends past the second side portion 206 and over the fold portion 204.
In some embodiments, at least one of a mat or a merchandiser is structured as disclosed in at least one of U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,842, US Patent Application Publication 20070082177, US Patent Application Publication 20040229011, US Patent Application Publication 20040226229, or US Patent Application Publication 20050035633, all of which are fully incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
The wall 304 hosts a display 312 and a display 314, which may be mechanical, electronic, or digital, such as an electrophoretic display, a liquid crystal display, a neon display, or others, which may include a touch-enabled display, a haptic display, or others. The display 312 and the display 314 are powered via a battery or a mains electricity source, such as a wall outlet. The display 312 and the display 314 display content that relates to the mats 310 (or other inventory items suspended from the platform 302). The display 312 and the 314 receive content from a processor stored in the wall 304, which is powered by the battery or the mains electricity source and locally stores the content in a memory coupled thereto or wirelessly/wired receives the content from a remote data source, such as a server, over-air-transmissions, or others. The platform 302 also linearly hosts a plurality of displays 324, which function as the signs 112, 114, 116, 136. The displays 324 are also powered via the battery or the mains electricity source.
The side portion 306 includes a first wheel set 318, a second wheel set 320, and a display 322. Each of the first wheel set 318 and the second wheel set 320 includes a small wheel and a large wheel, where the small wheel represents a roller/wheel of a chair rolling against a mat or a carpet, which is represented by the large wheel, which hosts a mat or carpet surface thereon such that the small wheel engages the carpet surface. As such, when the first wheel set 318 represents a first mat or carpet type and the second wheel set 320 represents a second mat or carpet type, then a customer can manually engage the first wheel set 318 and the second wheel set 320, such as via rotating the small wheels or the large wheels, to make a visual comparison between various mat or carpet types, such as such as a medium-pile, a low pile, or a hard floor, as supported by the hang tabs 326. The display 322 may be mechanical, electronic, or digital, such as an electrophoretic display, a liquid crystal display, a neon display, or others, which may include a touch-enabled display, a haptic display, or others. The display 322 is powered by the battery or the mains electricity source and presents content sourced from the processor, as noted above. As such, the first wheel set 318, the second wheel set 320, and the display 322 may define a touch and feel demonstrator, such as a set of wheels (the small wheels) showing an impact of a force, such as a chair leg or a roller, onto a mat or a carpet (the large wheels). For example, the touch and feel demonstrator enables a customer or shopper experience to feel a difference between a chair caster wheel rolling over a carpet without a chair mat (the first wheel set 318) and a chair caster wheel rolling over a carpet with a chair mat (the second wheel set 320) because a chair mat provides a greater ease of movement.
In some embodiments, the merchandiser 300 includes a light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED) bulb or strip, although other light source types are possible. The light source may be used to interface with a monitor, such as the display 312, the display 314, the display 322, or others, to highlight a mat selection on the monitor based on a type of mat selected on the monitor, such as a medium-pile, a low pile, or a hard floor.
Note that the merchandiser 300 comprises the processor, the memory coupled to the processor, and an interactive monitor coupled to the processor. For example, the interactive monitor can include the display 312, the display 314, the display 322, or others. The processor, the memory, or the interactive monitor are via a power source, such as a battery, which may be rechargeable, or a mains electricity cord, such as via the bar 316 vertically extending upwards from the platform 302. In some embodiments, the merchandiser 300 comprises a network interface, whether wired or wireless, such as a transmitter, coupled to the processor. The network interface may be used to receive data, such as the content to present on the interactive monitor, wirelessly recharge the battery, or others. The interactive monitor can be a touch-enabled display. The interactive monitor may display local or remotely received information related to an inventory item, such as a mat, or others. The interactive monitor may be configured for touch gestures. The merchandiser 300 may include a sensor coupled to the processor and configured to sense a customer/mobile device nearby/proximity and responsively present information on the interactive monitor, with the information being sourced from the memory or retrieved from a remote data source via the network interface, which may be in real-time. For example, such information can comprise an inventory item content, an advertising content, a game content, a child content, or other content. For example, the sensor can include a motion sensor, a heat sensor, a light sensor, a load cell, or others.
At least one of the first lateral side portion 406, the intermediate portion 408, or the second lateral side portion 410 can be latticed, bar-shaped, or tubular of various configurations, whether internally solid, hollow, or others, whether cross-sectionally circular, triangular, oval, square, rectangular, pentagonal, octagonal, or others, whether externally or internally smooth, knurled, or rough, whether including plastic, metal, rubber, wood, fabric, or others. Although the first lateral side portion 406 and the second lateral side portion 410 are symmetrical, in some embodiments, the first lateral side portion 406 and the second lateral side portion 410 are asymmetrical. Similarly, although the first lateral side portion 406 and the second lateral side portion 410 are rigidly coupled to the intermediate portion 408 such that pivoting of the first lateral side portion 406 and the second lateral side portion 410 is precluded, in some embodiments, at least one of the first lateral side portion 406 or the second lateral side portion 410 can be pivotally coupled to the intermediate portion 108 such that the first lateral side portion 406 or the second lateral side portion 410 can pivot or swing, whether toward each other or against each other, such as via a hinge or others, whether manually or automatically, such as via an actuator, a motor, or other force application included in the merchandiser, such as on the frame 402 or others.
The frame 402 is supported via a plurality of caster wheel assemblies 404, whether a swivel caster or a rigid caster. For example, some, most, or all of the caster wheel assemblies 404 can include a brake. Note that the caster wheel assemblies 404 can be coupled to the frame 402 at the first lateral side portion 406, the second lateral side portion 410, or the intermedia portion 408, such as via fastening, interlocking, mating, adhering, or others.
The merchandiser 400 hosts, whether permanently or removably, a plurality of walls 418 on the first lateral side portion 406 above the frame 402, on the intermediate portion 408 above the frame 402, and the second lateral side portion 410 above the frame 402, such as via fastening, mating, interlocking, adhering, magnetizing, or others. The walls 418 are solid, but can be perforated, latticed, or have other structures. The walls 418 can include paper, plastic, metal, glass, wood, rubber, fabric, or others. The walls 418 can be transparent, translucent, or opaque portion, in whole or in part.
The merchandiser 400 includes a plurality of shelves 412 that are spaced apart from each other along a vertical plane/a vertical height of the merchandiser 400. The shelves 412 are supported by the frame 402 via the first lateral side portion 406, the second lateral side portion 410, and the intermediate portion 408. The shelves 412 extend away from the intermediate portion 408 such that the shelves 412 are inclined with respect to the intermediate portion 408 toward a ground surface that supports the caster wheel assemblies 404. Note that although the inclination of the shelves 412 is downward, the shelves 412 can be inclined in other ways, whether orthogonal or non-orthogonal with respect to the intermediate portion 408, such as upward and away from the ground surface that supports the caster wheel assemblies 404.
Each of the shelves 412 is a frame that is defined by a grid of intersecting bars that can be interconnected with each other, such as via fastening, mating, interlocking, adhering, bonding, or others, such that a plurality of openings is defined therebetween, whether the bars intersect at orthogonal or non-orthogonal angles. For example, the openings can be square, rectangular, diamond, or others. In some embodiments, at least some of the shelves 412 lack the openings. For example, such shelves 412 can include a solid plate or a plurality of beams that positioned immediately adjacent to each other, such parallel, orthogonal, or diagonal to the intermediate portion 408. Each of the shelves 412 can include plastic, metal, wood, rubber, or other materials.
The shelves 412 support a plurality of barriers 414 distal to the intermediate portion 408 such that the shelves 412 and the barriers 414 form a plurality of L-shaped structures. However, note that such configurations can vary, such as with the barriers 414 and the shelves 412 being obtusely or acutely angled with respect to each other in any manner. The shelves 412 freely support a plurality of mat stacks 416 between the first lateral side portion 406, the second lateral side portion 410, the intermediate portion 408, and the barriers 414. Similarly, the mat stacks 416 are positioned between the walls 418. As such, since the shelves 412 are inclined, the barriers 414 preclude the mat stacks 416 from sliding therefrom, in a direction away from the intermediate portion 408. In some embodiments, the shelves 412 or the barriers 414 may host a friction-increasing coating, pattern, or surface, such as a rubber coating, a knurling pattern, a spiked area, or others, in order to minimize sliding of the mat stacks 416.
In some embodiments, at least one of the shelves 412 or the barriers 414 can be configured to removably secure to the mat stacks 416, such as via a lowermost mat, or others, such as via a magnet, a hook-and-loop fastener, an adhesive, a male/female mater, a hook, or others. For example, at least one of the shelves 412 or the barriers 414 can include a coupling interface, whether internally or externally, such as a magnet, a hook-and-loop-fastener, an adhesive, a male/female mater, an interlocker, or others. As such, the coupling interface can be used to securely support a mat, such as when the barriers 414 may be lacking. However, note that in such configurations, the mat stacks 416 can be configured accordingly, such as to engage with the coupling interface. For example, when the shelves 412 or the barriers 414 are removably secured to the mat stacks 416, then the shelves 412 or the barriers 414 can have a first securing interface, such as a hook, a male connector, a magnet, or others, and the mat stacks 416 can have a second securing interface, such as a loop, a female connector, a magnet, or others, where the first securing interface removably engages with the second securing interface. Note that each mat in each of the mat stacks 416 include an outward projection, such as a tail. However, note that such structure can vary, such as when the outward projection is lacking, such as when a mat is rectangular, circular, triangular, or others. Further, note that although some, many, most, or all mats in the mat stacks 416 are structurally identical to each other, such configuration can vary with some, many, most, or all mats in the mat stacks 416 being structurally different to each other, such as via shape, size, thickness, material, weight, density, perimeter, area, or other properties.
The base is planar, but can be shaped differently, such as arcuate, sinusoidal, or others, whether inward or outward. The pair of first sides oppose each other and are planar, but can be shaped differently, such as arcuate, sinusoidal, or others. The pair of second sides oppose each other and are stepped as defined via the ledges 506, each of which is sized to support a plurality of mats 510A, 510B, whether freely or securely. For example, at least one of the body 502, the barriers 504, or the ledges 506 can be configured to removably secure the mats 510A, 510B thereto, such as via a magnet, a hook-and-loop fastener, an adhesive, a male/female mater, a hook, or others. Note that for such removable securing the mats 510A, 510B can be configured accordingly. For example, when the body 502 is removably secured to the mats 510A, 510B, then the body 502 can have a first securing interface, such as a hook, a male connector, or others, and the mats 510A, 510B can have a second securing interface, such as a loop, a female connector, or others, where the first securing interface removably engages with the second securing interface.
The mats 510A have a plurality of first projections and the mats 510B have a plurality of second projections. As such, the pair of second sides supports the mats 510A, 510B via the ledges 506 such that the mats 510A (via the first projections) and the mats 510B (via the second projections) are oriented in different directions, such as in diametrically opposing directions or others. However, note that such form of support can vary, such as when the mats 510A (via the first projections) and the mats 510B (via the second projections) are oriented in a same direction or other directions. Further, note that although the mats 510A and the mats 510B are structurally identical to each other, such configuration can vary with the mats 510A and the mats 510B being structurally different to each other, such as via shape, size, thickness, material, weight, density, perimeter, area, or other properties.
The barriers 504 are longitudinally rectilinear, longitudinally solid, and perpendicularly extend from the ledges 506 longitudinally along the ledges 506. However, note that the barriers 504 can vary. For example, the barriers 504 can be non-rectilinear, such as sinusoidal, arcuate, or others, whether along, away, or toward the body 502, non-solid, such as perforated or others, or non-perpendicularly extend from the ledges 506, whether towards or away from the body 502, whether acutely or obtusely. The barriers 504 effectively prevent the mats 510A, 510B from sliding off the body 502 due to stacked angling, such as via the barriers 504 being in engaged or inner corner contact with the mats 510A, 510B. However, note that in some embodiments, the body 502 can lack the barriers 504 and the mats 510A, 510B can be freely or securely supported via the body 502 and the ledges 506. For example, the mats 510A, 510B can removably secure to the body 502 or the ledges 506, as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the barriers 504 may host a friction-increasing coating, pattern, or surface, such as a rubber coating, a knurling pattern, a spiked area, or others, in order to minimize sliding of the mats 510A, 510B. Although the barriers 504 extend from the ledges 506, which are lowermost, in some embodiments, the barriers 504 can extend from the ledges 506, which are medial or uppermost, on one or both of the pair of the second sides. Although the barriers 504 are unitary with and include a material same as the ledges 506, in some embodiments, the barriers 504 are permanently or removably assembled with the ledges 506, such as via fastening, mating, magnetizing, adhering, interlocking, or others, or may include a material different from the ledges 506.
The ledges 506 are longitudinally rectilinear, longitudinally solid, and non-perpendicularly extend from the body 502 longitudinally along the body 502. However, note that the ledges 506 can vary. For example, the ledges 506 can be non-rectilinear, such as sinusoidal, arcuate, or others, whether along, away, or toward the body 502, non-solid, such as perforated or others, or perpendicularly extend from the body 502. The ledges 506 effectively support the mats 510A, 510B. In some embodiments, the ledges 506 may host a friction-increasing coating, pattern, or surface, such as a rubber coating, a knurling pattern, a spiked area, or others, in order to minimize sliding of the mats 510A, 510B from the body 502 due to stacked angling. In some embodiments, the body 502 lacks the ledges 506 and defines a plurality of internal pockets for storage of the mats 510A, 510B, in whole or in part. For example, at least one of the pair of first sides or the pair of the second sides can include a pocket, whether externally or internally coupled to the body 502, such as via fastening, mating, adhering, stitching, or others, or defined via the body 502. Although the pair of first sides lacks the ledges 506, in some embodiments, the pair of first sides can comprise the ledges 506, such as in order to maximize a merchandizing space. Although the ledges 506 are unitary with and include a material same as the body 502, in some embodiments, the ledges 506 are permanently or removably assembled with the body 502, such as via fastening, mating, magnetizing, adhering, interlocking, or others, or may include a material different from the body 502. Although the merchandiser 500 offers access to the mats 510A, 510B from the pair of second sides, in some embodiments, the merchandiser 500 can be structured to offer access to the mats 510A, 510B from a single side of the pair of the second sides, such as when only the single side at the merchandiser 500 has ledges 506.
In some embodiments, the body 502 is wheeled, such as the merchandiser 400. For example, the bottom base can be coupled, such as via fastening, mating, adhering, or others, to a plurality of caster wheel assemblies, whether a swivel caster or a rigid caster, such that the body 502 is supported thereby. For example, some, most, or all of the caster wheel assemblies can include a brake.
In some embodiments, the body 502 hosts the interactive monitor 314 between the ledges 506. For example, the pair of first sides can support the interactive monitor 314.
In some embodiments, the merchandiser 500 supports the mat 200, as disclosed herein.
In some embodiments, various functions or acts can take place at a given location and/or in connection with the operation of one or more apparatuses or systems. In some embodiments, a portion of a given function or act can be performed at a first device or location, and a remainder of the function or act can be performed at one or more additional devices or locations.
Various corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in various claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Various embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain various principles of this disclosure and various practical applications thereof, and to enable others of ordinary skill in a pertinent art to understand this disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to a particular use contemplated.
Various diagrams depicted herein are illustrative. There can be many variations to such diagrams or steps (or operations) described therein without departing from various spirits of this disclosure. For instance, various steps can be performed in a differing order or steps can be added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of this disclosure. People skilled in an art to which this disclosure relates, both now and in future, can make various improvements and enhancements which fall within various scopes of various claims which follow.
This detailed description has been presented for various purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be fully exhaustive and/or limited to this disclosure in various forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations in techniques and structures will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in an art without departing from a scope and spirit of this disclosure as set forth in various claims that follow. Accordingly, such modifications and variations are contemplated as being a part of this disclosure. A scope of this disclosure is defined by various claims, which include known equivalents and unforeseeable equivalents at a time of filing of this disclosure.
This application claims a benefit of priority to U.S. Patent Application 62/380,144, filed on Aug. 26, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62380144 | Aug 2016 | US |
