Patent Application
20120097626
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of shelving and more particularly to shelf item display accessory units for shelving systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Manufacturers continue to introduce new products in a highly competitive global economy. Display shelves in the stores are often crowded with products. Consumers can easily become lost in view of the multitude of products available as the consumers encounter difficulties in choosing between similar products. At the same time, it is a challenge for the manufacturers to attract the buyers' attention and interest. Indeed, many new products, at the time they are first introduced to the consumer market, may or may not be heavily promoted in the media. In order for any store to satisfy demand for a new item, it is important that shelf space be adequate for the new item. Shelf extensions that can attach to current shelving systems are a convenient merchandising tool to extend shelf space and emphasize a particular product to consumers.
One technique to augment shelf space and/or promote specific items for sale is to display items in counter top displays near checkout areas of a store. Such displays are generally only used for smaller items and tend to clutter counter tops by interfering with the check-out process. Moreover, these standing display units are frequently for temporary use and as such they are often fragile, unsteady and can be tipped over easily.
In order to provide additional shelf space, shelf extensions have been devised in the form of open wire trays adapted to hang onto the front of a shelf. Such extensions are relatively expensive and are fairly difficult to attach or detach from a shelf. Numerous parts, requiring assembly, form such typical shelf extensions. When hangers, hooks and/or brackets are used to mount the extension on the shelf, the extension can be inadvertently dislodged due to the lack of the strength of contact with the shelf. Contact adhesive also may be used as an attachment means; however, these contact adhesives will weaken over time to cause the extension to no longer be properly mounted to the shelf.
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to shelving systems and provide a novel and non-obvious device, system and method for displaying items of goods on shelving systems. In one embodiment of the invention a shelf display accessory unit can be provided. The shelf item display accessory unit can include a top panel with a top surface configured for displaying an item of goods, and a bottom surface which is opposite the top surface, that includes a module that houses a cable. The shelf display accessory unit further can include a front panel having a display surface that is configured to display a label, and a back panel having a supporting surface that includes means for coupling the shelf display accessory unit to a front portion of a shelf. In embodiments, the shelf display accessory unit can include a cable that has one end anchored to the module and the other end connected to the item of goods. In embodiments, the shelf display accessory unit further can include a flap coupled to the front panel and configured to secure a label to the front panel of the shelf display accessory unit.
In one aspect of the embodiment, the means for coupling the shelf display accessory unit can include an upward turning locking lip and at least one screw to secure the shelf item display accessory unit to the shelf. In one aspect of the embodiment, the flap for securing the label to the front surface can be a spring loaded hinged flap rotatably affixed to the forward edge of the shelf display accessory unit for providing a marketing material display surface.
In another embodiment of the invention, a method for displaying an item of goods on a shelving system can be provided. The method can include providing a shelf display accessory unit, which can include a top surface adapted to display an item of goods, and a bottom surface, opposite to the top surface, having a module that houses a retractable cable. Further, the shelf display accessory unit can include a front surface for displaying a label, wherein the front surface can include a flap for securing the label to the front surface, and a back supporting surface having means for coupling the accessory to the front edge of a shelf, including an upward turning locking lip and at least one screw for coupling the accessory to the front edge of a shelf. The method further can include placing the back supporting surface of the shelf display accessory unit onto a front portion of a shelf, screwing the shelf display accessory unit onto a backside of the front portion of the shelf to secure the shelf display accessory unit to the shelf, and displaying an item of goods on the top surface of the top panel of the shelf display accessory unit. In an aspect of this method, an item of goods can be displayed on the top surface of the shelf display accessory unit. In another aspect of this method, the displayed item of goods can be connected to one end of a retractable cable, while the other end of the retractable cable is anchored to a cable module of the shelf display accessory unit.
Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspects of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for displaying items of goods. In one embodiment, a shelf display accessory unit which can be used to emphasize a specific item of goods in order to attract buyer attention and interest is provided. Moreover, the shelf display accessory unit is a solid and durable apparatus, easy to install with no prior assembly required.
The shelf display accessory unit can include a top surface adapted to display an item of goods, and a bottom surface, opposite to the top surface, having a module that houses a retractable cable, wherein one end of the retractable cable is anchored to the module and the other end is attached to the item of goods. The retractable cable provides a proper and secure means to display the item of goods. In fact, the displayed item can stay on the top surface of the shelf display accessory unit without falling on the floor and making a mess. As the item of goods stays attached to the shelf, it can be displayed without its packaging with a minimal risk of theft. Thus, the shelf display accessory unit provides a convenient marketing apparatus to highlight the displayed item of goods, which can be tested by the consumers. Further the shelf display accessory unit can prevent consumers from unpackaging the item of goods offered for sale before purchase. This practice is costly for the stores due to the risk that the consumers don't purchase the item or attempt to steal the item where the security is resident in the packaging of the item.
The shelf display accessory unit further can include a front panel having a front surface for displaying a label, wherein the front panel can include a flap. The flap can be a spring loaded hinged flap that can be rotatably affixed to a forward bottom edge of the shelf item display accessory unit to secure the label to the front surface. The flap can be attached to the front panel of the shelf display accessory unit without requiring assembly by users.
The shelf display accessory unit further can include a rear panel including a back supporting surface having means for coupling the accessory in front of a shelf. The means for coupling the shelf display accessory unit can include an upward turning locking lip and/or a channel bracket and at least one screw to secure the shelf display accessory unit onto a conventional display shelf. The supporting surface of the back panel of the shelf item display accessory unit can be placed on the front bottom edge of a shelf with the upward turning locking lip placed around the underneath and the back of the front bottom edge of the shelf. Once in place, the upward turning locking lip can be screwing onto the back front bottom edge of the shelf to secure the shelf item display accessory unit to the shelf. The upward turning locking lip can be provided to gravity and friction secure the shelf item display accessory to the shelf, the shelf item display accessory being directly in contact with the front of the shelf. The locking lip can be provided with the shelf item display accessory unit without requiring any assembly by the users. Thus the invention has developed an economical and easy way to use a shelf item display accessory unit providing a solid and durable apparatus, which can be moved and used to display many different goods and products.
In illustration,
As illustrated in
In embodiments, the shelf display accessory unit 100 can be used in a method for displaying an item of goods on a shelving system. The method can include providing a shelf display accessory unit, which can include a top surface adapted to display an item of goods, and a bottom surface, opposite to the top surface, having a module that houses a retractable cable. Further, the shelf display accessory unit can include a front surface for displaying a label, wherein the front surface can include a flap for securing the label to the front surface, and a back supporting surface having means for coupling the accessory to the front edge of a shelf, including an upward turning locking lip and at least one screw for coupling the accessory to the front edge of a shelf. The method further can include placing the back supporting surface of the shelf display accessory unit onto a front portion of a shelf, screwing the shelf display accessory unit onto a backside of the front portion of the shelf to secure the shelf display accessory unit to the shelf, and displaying an item of goods on the top surface of the top panel of the shelf display accessory unit. In an aspect of this method, an item of goods can be displayed on the top surface of the shelf display accessory unit. In another aspect of this method, the displayed item of goods can be connected to one end of a retractable cable, while the other end of the retractable cable is anchored to a cable module of the shelf display accessory unit. In one aspect of the embodiment, the means for coupling the shelf display accessory unit can include an upward turning locking lip and at least one screw to secure the accessory unit to the shelf. In one aspect of the embodiment, the flap for securing the label to the front surface can be a spring loaded hinged flap rotably affixed to the forward edge of the shelf display accessory unit to provide a marketing material display.
The invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, but the invention is not limited only to the particular constructions disclosed and shown in the drawings as examples, and also comprises the subject matter and such reasonable modifications or equivalents as are encompassed within the scope of the appended claims.
