Display shelving for retail sales is well known in the art. Such shelving is typically placed in aisles, with multiple tiers of shelving. A typical style of such shelving is known as gondola shelving. Gondola shelving may be single-sided, with horizontal shelves extending outward from a vertical backing into an aisle. Gondola shelving may also be double-sided, with horizontal shelves extending outward from either side of the vertical backing into adjacent aisles. Shelving also may wrap around the ends, forming end caps.
Most shelving also makes use of price tags to identify the product placed thereon as well as the price and unit cost. Price tags are typically affixed to the front of shelving, in a substantially vertical orientation. Such placement results in difficulty in reading price tags that are affixed to shelves that are significantly below or above eye level.
For purposes of durability, retail shelving is typically made of metal. The shelving is typically painted in a monochrome color.
Retail establishments, such as supermarkets, traditionally perform center store remodels based on the aesthetics or appearance of their metal gondola shelving, not strictly because of functionality. That is, shelving slated for remodeling typically can still support and display product; the appearance, though, is deemed unacceptable. This is because, during use, shelving can over time become dirty, scratched, and dented. Colors may fade, or the finish may become chipped. While dirt can be cleaned, cleaning shelves in place is inconvenient, while bringing shelves to a proper cleaning facility requires disassembly of the entire shelving unit, as would refurbishment. Ad hoc changes to the aesthetics of the shelving, for example, to display holiday colors, is difficult, if not impossible. Replacing tired looking shelving units can be quite costly.
It is thus shown that there is a need for an improved shelving system that enables shelving units to retain high quality aesthetics and to allow for quick and easy maintenance and refurbishment. It is also shown that there is a need for better display of price tags on shelving.
The present invention discloses a shelf cover which is placed onto each shelf of a shelving unit. The shelf cover is made of a substantially rigid, durable ABS plastic and can have any color or design desired. The shelf cover can be easily removed for cleaning or replacement, or to change aesthetics seasonally, and easily replaced onto the shelving unit. Integrated with the shelf cover is a removable price tag holder.
The present invention provides substantial advantages over the traditional means for refurbishing shelving. Because the shelving does not need to be replaced, the costs of transporting away entire old shelving systems and transporting in entire new shelving systems is avoided. The disposal of entire old shelving systems is avoided, reducing costs as well as environmental harm. The labor involved in completely disassembling old shelving systems and reassembling new shelving systems is eliminated. The time it would take to remodel an entire retail establishment is drastically shortened. Most importantly, the cost to remodel shelving is greatly reduced.
The present invention provides substantial advantages over the traditional means in regards to maintenance, as well. The shelving covers can be easily removed and brought to a facility for thorough cleaning. This improves the cleanliness of the shelving system over the traditional method of simply wiping down shelving surfaces. The price tag holder can also be removed and brought to a cleaning facility and power washed to remove adhesives. This is an improvement over scraping old price tags off of shelving.
Other features and advantages of the invention are described below.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a shelf cover 1 is disclosed. The shelf cover 1 is intended for use on a shelving unit 10, such as gondola shelving. The shelving unit 10 must have at least one shelf 20 having a depth and oriented substantially horizontally, and a backing element 30 oriented substantially vertically. The shelf 20 of the shelving unit 10 is attached to the backing element 30 of the shelving unit 10 at approximately a ninety degree angle. Dividers 40 may be present between horizontally adjacent shelves 10. The shelving unit 10 may have shelves 20 located on both sides of the backing element 30. There may also be multiple tiers of shelves 10. See
In one embodiment, the shelf cover 1 comprise a product support member 100 having an integrated a price tag support member 200. The product support member 100 is substantially planar and rigid, though some minor flexing might occur. Its thickness is relatively small in relation to its width and depth. Its depth is just slightly greater than the depth of the shelf 20 of the shelving unit 10. See
The shelf cover 1 is placed onto a shelf 20 of the shelving unit 10 such that the product support member 100 of the shelf cover 1 rests on the top surface of the shelf 20. See
The price tag support member 200 of the shelf cover 1 is located along the front edge 130 of the product support member 100. It is capable of supporting a price tag 60 thereon. The price tag support member 200 extends beyond the front edge 26 of the shelf 20 of the shelving unit 10. See
The shelf cover 1 of the present invention may be configured in any number of ways. In the preferred embodiment, the product support member 100 of the shelf cover 1 is substantially rectangular. Other suitable shapes are also contemplated. In another embodiment, the product support member 100 of the shelf cover 1 is monochrome; alternatively, it may be multi-colored. It may have one or more graphic designs placed on its surfaces, or text, or a combination of both. Such variations allow for different shelf covers 1 to be used during different seasons and holidays, if desired.
In yet another embodiment, the product support member 100 of the shelf cover 1 may comprise a plurality of apertures 140. See
In embodiments where the product support member 100 of the shelf cover 1 comprises a plurality of apertures 140, one or more fasteners 300 may be used. Each fastener 300 is configured to pass through an aperture 140 of the product support member 100 and into a corresponding aperture 28 in the shelf 20. See
In one embodiment, the product support member 100 and the price tag support member 200 are comprised of a monolithic unit. As such, the shelf cover 1 can be thermos-formed or extruded or otherwise created in one piece with a minimum of labor required. In the preferred embodiment, though, the price tag support member 200 is removably attached to the front edge 130 of the product support member 100. In this embodiment, the product support member 100 comprises an attachment flange 150 located along its front edge 130, and the price tag support member 200 comprises a channel 210 which accommodates the attachment flange 150 of the product support member 100. See
The price tag support member 200 need not have a length equal to the width of the product support member 100. In one embodiment the price tag support member 200 may be significantly longer than the width of the product support member 100. See
The attachment flange 150 of the product support member 100 and the channel 210 of the price tag support member 200 must be configured symmetrically in order to allow the price tag support member 200 to be attached to the product support member 100. In one embodiment, the attachment flange 150 of the product support member 100 is convex. It has an outer surface 152 curved along an arc of a circle of more than one hundred eighty degrees. See
In another embodiment, the attachment flange 150 of the product support member 100 is convex, with a triangular cross section. It has an upper surface 154, a front surface 156, and a lower surface 158, with the upper surface 154 oriented at an acute angle to the front surface 156 and the lower surface 158 oriented at an acute angle to the front surface 156. See
The price tag support member 200 may be configured in any number of ways. In one embodiment, it is comprised of an elongate body 230 having a back face 240, an upper front face 252, a lower front face 254, a top side 260, a bottom side 270, an upper lip 282, and a lower lip 284. See
In this embodiment, the upper lip 282 of the price tag support member 200 is formed into the top portion of the upper front face 252 of the body 230 of the price tag support member 200. It extends forward and downward from the upper front face 252 of the body 230. The lower lip 284 is formed into the lower portion of the upper front face 252 of the body 230 of the price tag support member 200. It extends forward and upward from the upper front face 252 of the body 230. See
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the attachment flange 150 of the product support member 100 is angled substantially ninety degrees from the product support member 100 in a downward direction. See
What has been described and illustrated herein are preferred embodiments of the shelf cover of the present invention along with some it its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention in which all terms are meant in their broadest, reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Other embodiments not specifically set forth herein are also contemplated.
This application is a continuation in part of and claims priority to a patent application, U.S. Ser. No. 16/520,101, filed Jul. 23, 2019, entitled “Shelf Cover with Price Tag Holder”, by Barry A. Awalt, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 16520101 | Jul 2019 | US |
Child | 16684072 | US |